TAMRMS#: B06
10.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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FCM Grant Application - Natural Asset Management
Presented by: Melissa Logan, Environmental Coordinator - Sturgeon River & Natural Areas, Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That Council support, in partnership with the Natural Asset Initiative, the City of St. Albert’s application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund Climate-Ready Plans and Processes grant program.
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SUMMARY
City Administration has partnered with the Natural Asset Institute (NAI) to apply for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund Climate-Ready Plans and Processes grant program for a natural asset management project. The deadline for submission is December 10, 2024, and as part of this program’s requirements, a supporting partnership motion from Council is required to include in the project application.
The City has submitted to the program to fund two initiatives from the City’s Green Environment Strategy (GES), Natural Assets Integration and Natural Areas Mapping. This grant presents an excellent opportunity to offset the City’s costs to complete this work.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Government of Canada and FCM announced the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative in June 2024. The intent of this initiative is to accelerate and scale local, equity-informed, climate adaptation action by supporting knowledge and skills development, and funding resilience planning and project implementation. The City of St. Albert is looking to pursue the Climate-Ready Plans and Processes stream of the initiative launched in Fall 2024 to address climate-focused asset management strategies.
The Natural Asset Management grant project deliverables include:
• Update of the municipal natural areas inventories to the National Standard W218, and amalgamation of all available inventories into one master database, with an accompanying dashboard.
• Condition and risk identification for natural areas, with particular focus on climate change considerations.
• A valuation of the natural areas that are immediate risk of development in the annexed lands, and those currently ranked as Environmentally Significant within the City’s developed area.
• Analysis of the inventory and valuation, and development of recommendations for land use planning, housing and development.
• Incorporation of data into the City’s existing Asset Management Framework and policy.
The grant application will be submitted in partnership with the NAI, a Canadian not-for-profit, that provides scientific, economic and civic expertise to guide communities in identifying, valuing, and accounting for natural assets in financial planning and asset management programs, and in developing climate resilient natural infrastructure solutions. NAI will be the lead applicant on the application and the City of St. Albert the lead municipality.
The grant funds up to 60% of project costs, with more funding available if certain criteria are met. The partnership with NAI increases the eligible grant funding to 65% of the total project costs. As a result, the grant program requires a grant resolution stating the partnership before funding is approved (it has been confirmed that a resolution supporting an application may be submitted after the application itself has been submitted).
The City has previously worked with NAI. In 2023, they assisted the City in completing a Natural Asset Management Roadmap for the City of St. Albert. This work assists local governments assess their level of maturity in natural asset management in five competency areas: policy and governance, people and leadership, data and information, planning and decision making, and contribution to asset management practice. The outcome of this work resulted in a “roadmap” to a robust and comprehensive natural asset program, including recommended next steps for the City to advance natural asset management. Some of these recommendations will be addressed in the proposed grant application.
The grant application is also supported by the City’s Green Environment Strategy (GES). Initiatives within the GES Implementation Plan (natural asset integration and natural areas mapping) will progress through this funding opportunity and grant project.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
The total estimated cost of this project is $75,000, 65% of the total project costs are eligible under the FCM GMF Climate-Ready Plans and Processes grant program. The remaining project costs of $26,250 will be funded from Environment’s 2025 operating budget.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority 4: Adapting to a changing natural environment.
Green Environment Strategy and Climate Adaptation Plan implementation
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
C.2.3. Management of Environmental Risks and Compliance
Environmental Protection and Stewardship
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1:
Council could choose not to support the partnership and grant application, which would result in the application with Natural Asset Initiative being deemed ineligible.
Financial:
The financial risk is a missed funding opportunity to progress initiatives within the Green Environment Strategy. As a result, other Green Environment Strategy initiatives may be postponed.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
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Report Date: December 3, 2024
Author(s): Melissa Logan
Department: Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment
Department Director: Trevor Duley
Managing Director: N/A
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher