TAMRMS#: B06
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Request to Withdraw from Historic Sites Reserve, Museum Historic Sites Fund
Presented by: Paul Pearson, Manager, Creative Industries & Cultural Development
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
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That $49,000 be withdrawn from the Outside Agency Operating Reserve, Museum Historic Sites Fund, to support the repainting of the 1906 Alberta Grain Company Grain Elevator.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To obtain authorization from Council to withdraw funds from the Outside Agency Operating Reserve, Museum Historic Sites Fund to be used to cover a portion of repainting the 1906 Alberta Grain Company Grain Elevator, also known as “the Silver Elevator.”
The Financial Reserves Policy C-FS-01 (main body of Policy, and specific description of Outside Agency Operating Reserve parameters, attached to this report) indicates that Council approval is required to withdraw funds from the Outside Agency Operating Reserve.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
A commitment to heritage assets is set out in the City of St. Albert Services and Service Levels Inventory:
Management of the Partnerships for the Delivery of Heritage Programming: Provision of grants, funding and other supports to deliver heritage services, programming in the community and the heritage conservation program.
Current Service Level:
• Heritage Programming: A range of diverse and relevant heritage programming is provided to the community. This includes animation of heritage sites and locations around the community.
• Booking of and access to Heritage Sites.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The 1906 Grain Company Elevator was designated as a Municipal Historic Resource in 2009 as per Bylaw 16/2009 (attached). The Alberta Grain Company Grain Elevator is owned by the City and operated by the Arts and Heritage Foundation through a Partnership Agreement.
As per the Partnership Agreement, the AHF may request funds from the Museum Historic Sites Fund to assist in the restoration and or maintenance of the City’s Municipal Historical Resources. The Arts and Heritage Foundation (AHF) is requesting $48,929.52 from the City’s Museum Historic Sites Reserve Fund to assist in repainting the 1906 Grain Company Grain Elevator, approximately 1/2 of the total cost. The total estimated cost to paint the grain elevator is $95,447.52. The AHF has successfully secured $32,315 in provincial grant funding and has $14,203 from its own reserves to assist in this project.
The City has a reserve established to assist in the maintenance of its historic resources; the Museum Historic Sites Fund is one of four sub-categories of the Outside Agencies Reserve Fund.
The proposed budget is as follows:
Total Estimated Cost: $95,447.52
Alberta Historic Resources Foundation $ 32,315
Arts and Heritage Foundation Reserves $ 14,203
Balance required: $ 48,929.52
Funds are requested from the Museum Historic Sites Fund
The 1906 Grain Company Grain Elevator was last repainted as part of the restoration completed in 2011.
Uncommitted balance in the Museum Historic Sites Fund as of June 30, 2020: $87,789
A contribution of $8,000 is made to this fund annually, as part of the annual operating budget.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The City has a Partnership Agreement with the Arts and Heritage Foundation, as per the agreement, the AHF may request funds from the Museum Historic Sites Fund to assist in the restoration and or maintenance of the City’s Municipal Historical Resources.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
As of June 30, 2020, the uncommitted balance of the reserve fund is $87,789. There are currently no commitments from this reserve; hence there are sufficient funds available to support the request for up to $49,000 to assist in painting the 1906 Grain Company Grain Elevator.
Legal / Risk:
The Arts and Heritage Foundation has a secured a grant of $32,315 from the Provincial government for this project. This grant must be used before January 31, 2021 or it will be canceled.
Program or Service:
The Culture Master Plan identifies Space and Facilities as a primary area of focus:
• Responsible planning, including maintenance and sustainable capital resources, can prevent a decline in St. Albert’s high quality of cultural facilities, including its heritage sites.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1.
To not approve funding as requested from the Outside Agencies Reserve Fund. This option would result in a delay in painting and may lead to exterior damage and escalated costs in the future.
Alternative 2.
To refer the matter back to Administration with direction from Council.
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Report Date: August 17, 2020
Author: Paul Pearson
Department: Community Services
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble