TAMRMS#: B06
9.6
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Alberta Community Partnership Strategic Initiatives Grant Agreement
Presented by: Trevor Duley, Manager, Government Relations, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
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RECOMMENDED MOTION
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That Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a grant agreement with the Government of Alberta through the Alberta Community Partnership Strategic Initiatives Grant for $450,000 to support the development of the Collaborative Economic Development framework.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
Council is being asked to provide authorization for the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a conditional grant agreement between the Province of Alberta and the City of St. Albert for a $450,000 Alberta Community Partnership Strategic Initiatives Grant. The purpose of the grant is to support the development of the Collaborative Economic Development framework. This initiative is supported by all thirteen municipalities within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #2: Economic Development: Enhance business/commercial growth: St. Albert will work towards an innovative, investment-positive environment that will support and encourage the development of new, existing, and emerging sectors.
2.7 Focus on regional and sub-regional economic development.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of St. Albert has been approved for a $450,000 grant under the 2021/22 Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) Program by the Minister of Municipal Affairs for the Collaborative Economic Development (CED) project. This one-time funding commitment will support the 13 municipal partners in developing the CED framework. The ACP provides funding to two or more municipalities who are working collaboratively to improve the viability and long-term sustainability of those municipalities.
The City of St. Albert and City of Edmonton were also approved for a $200,000 grant under this program earlier this year for the Intermunicipal Planning Framework (IPF) project. The supporting motion from Council was provided on December 6, 2021.
In consultation with all 13 municipal partners, City of St. Albert Administration took the lead in submitting an application on behalf of the 13 municipalities participating in the CED initiative in March 2022, after the intake deadline, as requested by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Typically, a supporting motion from Council would be sought prior to submitting the application, as a supporting motion from Council is a requirement of the grant application. This situation was unique, as the Ministry requested the application after the grant intake deadline. To ensure compliance with the requirements of the grant program and associated grant agreement, City Administration is seeking a supporting motion from Council at this time.
Under the Collaborative Economic Development (CED) initiative, the 13 municipalities in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region have agreed to come together, with the shared goal to make it easier for new business investment and build a strong economic future for the region. CED seeks to improve coordination between municipalities in the region to attract strategic non-residential investment, reduce inter-municipal competition, and provide partners an opportunity to invest in projects outside of their municipal boundaries and receive a direct return on that investment.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
All 13 municipalities were engaged in the submission of the grant application to the Alberta Community Partnership program earlier this year and are signatories to the CED Memorandum of Understanding. Municipal Affairs has identified this initiative as strategically important after several conversations, and the $450,000 grant has been awarded accordingly.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
Administration of the grant and any required procurement activities will be managed using existing City of St. Albert administrative resources.
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Report Date: June 7, 2022
Author: Trevor Duley
Department: Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
Chief Administrative Officer (Interim): Kerry Hilts