TAMRMS#: B06
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Environmental Initiatives Grants Recommendations
Presented by: Kevin Cole, Director
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the following Environmental Initiatives Grants in the total amount of $26,295.96 be approved:
• Big Lake Environment Support Society for Migratory Bird Day at Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park: $1,280.00
• Big Lake Environment Support Society to update, print and market the bird and plant guides to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park: $4,000.00
• St. Albert Botanic Park to construct raised beds and drip irrigation system as a teaching station for Park’s raised garden bed classes: $2,515.96
• St. Albert Nature School to expand the school’s program and develop and promote nature-based education materials: $8,500.00
• St. Albert Tool Library Society to complete phase 2 of the project which focuses on marketing and improving inventory and services (Fix It Café) of the Tool Library: $5,000.00
• WILDNorth to expand wildlife rehabilitation and rescue care programs to St. Albert: $5,000.00
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
This report identifies the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) recommendations for the 2018 Environmental Initiatives Grant Program allocation.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY
Strategic Priority #6: Environmental Stewardship: Explore innovative environmental and conservation opportunities.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION
Council Policy C-EUS-02, the Environmental Initiatives Grant Program
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Under Council Policy C-EUS-02, the Environmental Initiatives Grant Program (EIGP) provides a source of funds to assist eligible St. Albert Community groups in defraying costs associated with environmental projects or programs that are supportive of the City’s environmental policy, plans, or practices.
The EIGP is offered to eligible groups on an annual basis. The total annual grant funding available is based on $0.50 per capita which equates to $33,200 available for disbursement in 2018.
City Administration receives and summarizes the grant submissions and the Environmental Advisory Committee reviews and makes recommendations for grant allocations based on the Policy eligibility criteria and the benefits of the project to the community.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The Environmental Initiatives Grants are communicated throughout the year using various methods. The grant program is summarized on the ’Citys website <https://stalbert.ca/cosa/admin/grants/environmental/> including examples of previous grant recipients and projects. Administration also provides the grant information to principals in both school boards that are promoted to teachers and school council representatives. In addition, Recreation and Parks provided the grant information to community groups through regular newsletter communications.
Since 2016, Administration has offered an Information Session for residents and community groups to attend, learn about the Environmental Initiatives Grant (EIG) process and brainstorm project ideas. The Information Session took place on September 5 this year and was intended by two community group representatives and one teacher.
A new initiative this year, Administration hosted a teacher professional development afternoon that included information on the EIG program. Teachers (22) from both school boards visited sites around St. Albert of environmental importance, including past EIG projects. To close the session, teachers received information on the EIG process and participated in a EIG project brainstorming session.
Social media, direct email contact, and posters were utilized to advertise the grant availability as well as the EIG Information Session. Lastly, the grant was advertised in the Gazette as well as Citylights.
Once approved by Council, a news release with the approved grant recipients will be issued to the media, posted to the City’s website and promoted through City’s social media account the week of November 26, 2018.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Total grants being recommended by the EAC total $26,295.96 which is within the approved budget of $33,200.00. Although EAC approved less than the total allocated budget, Administration did receive nine applications totaling $36,359.96. EAC feels that this is an indication that the Environmental Initiatives Grant budget is still appropriate for the environmental applications generated within the community.
Legal / Risk:
Grant recipients are required to utilize grant funding as specifically approved and report to the City in a specified manner on the use of funds as per the policy and procedures. By signing a grant agreement, recipients acknowledge that the failure to comply with these requirements may result in a demand to repay the funding.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
Alternative 1. That the recommended grants and/or amounts be reallocated at Council’s direction.
Report Date: November 26, 2018
Author(s): Kevin Cole
Committee/Department: Environment
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/Chief People Officer: Michelle Bonnici
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble