TAMRMS#: B06
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CSAC Recommendation: Community Capital Grant
Presented by: Anna Royer, Business Manager
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the following 2018 Community Capital Program Grants be awarded:
Covenant Foundation: $108,053 for the expansion and development of the multipurpose room and greenhouse at Youville Home in St. Albert.
Fraternal Order of Eagles #2102: $19,118 for renovations to the kitchen.
St. Albert Gymnastics Club: $6,099 for capital equipment purchases.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
This report brings forward a recommendation from the Community Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) for allocation from the 2018 on-going intake of applications for the 2018 Community Capital Grant Program for Council’s consideration and approval, as per attached Policy C-CS-06.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO ADMINISTRATIVE PRIORITY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
Management of Community Granting:
Provision of funding to eligible St. Albert Not-for-profit organizations and residents in the areas of special events, sport and culture development, operational funding and capital renovations and development. Application intake is in the spring of each year and then on-going until the funding envelope is exhausted, or the end of the year is reached. Submissions reviewed by the Community Services Advisory Committee. Recommendations are then forwarded from CSAC to Council for final funding approval. Total funds available is set by Council and is currently budgeted at $250,000 per year.
COUNCIL DIRECTION
The Council direction that has resulted in this matter being brought before Council is Council Policy C-CS-06 - Community Capital Program Grant.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
As per the Community Capital Program Grant Policy C-CS-06, the City may offer financial assistance on a matching-grant basis for eligible St. Albert not-for-profit community groups that submit applications for eligible capital projects.
Applications are reviewed by the CSAC and recommended to Council for approval. To date, Council has awarded a total of $116,730 in 2018 Community Capital Grant funding, with $133,270 still available for allocation until the end of the current year. As per City Council Policy C-CS-06, Community Capital Program Grant, any remaining funds after the spring intake will be available through an on-going application process until the current year grant funding is depleted.
On October 23, 2018, the CSAC considered funding applications from three additional organizations under the Community Capital Grant Program. All three organizations were present at the October 23 meeting to respond to questions and provide clarification regarding their project where needed.
The CSAC is recommending funding the full request of the St. Albert Gymnastics Club and the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and providing a reduced amount from the original request for the Covenant Foundation. The details are as follows:
Covenant Foundation:
Covenant Foundation is requesting funds to assist with the expansion of the multipurpose room and greenhouse space at Youville Home. The 1000 sq ft. expansion, situated just off the auditorium, will have large doors to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. The space will allow for larger entertainment performances; gatherings and activity programming for residents, including year-round gardening; and a larger, space which St. Albert community organizations can request for use. The total project budget is one million dollars and the grant request is for $130,000. The recommendation from CSAC is to support funding this project in the amount of $108,053.
Fraternal Order of Eagles #2102:
The Eagles are requesting funds to assist with renovations to their thirty-six-year-old kitchen facility. The renovations will increase efficiency and will make their facility a more desirable choice for facility rentals and for general club activities. The total project budget is $58,932 and the grant request is for $19,118.
St. Albert Gymnastics Club:
The St. Albert Gymnastics Club is requesting funds to assist with proposed enhancements to their facility which involve updating large equipment and reconfiguration of the floor space. The overall project result will be improved safety of movement within the training space and more efficient updated equipment. The total project budget is $18,298 and the grant request is for $6,099.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
All applicants are encouraged to meet with Administration, prior to the intake deadline, to ensure the applicant and the project meets the basic requirements set out in the Policy, confirm the process with the applicant, and to assist with the application if needed.
All community groups applying for this grant provided a verbal presentation to the CSAC, and answered all questions raised.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Total funds available for disbursements in 2018 are $250,000. To date Council has awarded a total of $116,730 in Capital Grant funding with $133,270 still available for allocation in 2018. The amount recommended by the CSAC is within the funding available. City Council Policy C-CS-06, Community Capital Program Grant states that funding provided by the City to any one project will not exceed one third of the total project budget.
Legal / Risk:
Grant recipients are required to utilize funds as specifically authorized and to report to the City in a specified manner on the use of those funds. Recipients are advised that the failure to comply with these requirements may result in demands to repay the funding or refusals to provide grant funding upon future applications
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:
a) That the funding requests, as identified, be approved for a different amount as per the direction of Council.
b) That the funding requests as identified be denied.
Report Date: December 3, 2018
Author(s): Anna Royer
Committee/Department:
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/Chief People Officer: Michelle Bonnici
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble