TAMRMS#: B06
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CSAC Recommendations: "Recurring" Community Events Grant
Presented by: Anna Royer, Business Manager Recreation and Parks
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the following St. Albert Recurring Community Event grants be awarded for the years 2019 and 2020:
1. St. Albert Community Information & Volunteer Centre: $2,800 for the Volunteer Fair
2. K-40 Club of St. Albert: $6,500 for the Rodeo Parade
3. Outloud Foundation for LGBTQ Community Supports and Services: $5,000 for the St. Albert Pride Festival
4. Society of Friends for the St. Albert Botanic Park: $3,850 for their Summer Events
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
This report brings forward a recommendation from the Community Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) for allocation from the 2019 intake of applications for the 2019 and 2020 “Recurring” Community Events Grant Program for Council’s consideration and approval, as per attached Council Policy C-CS-02 - Community Events Grant Program.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF 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 for the “Recurring” category of the Community Events Grant is every second year with 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 policy and is increased based on population growth.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
The Council direction that has resulted in this matter being brought before Council is contained in Council Policy C-CS-02 Community Events Grant Program.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In accordance with Council Policy C-CS-02 - Community Events Grant Program, this report provides recommendations resulting from the February 26, 2019 Community Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) meeting. The applicants have applied under the “Recurring” community event category in this grant program and were seeking approval for a two-year period. Three of the events have a long history in the community, including one event which has been held for over 50 years.
The CSAC has recommended two-year funding for the applicants as follows:
Application #1 St. Albert Volunteer Fair
Organizing Group: St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre
Funding Request: $2,800
CSAC Recommended Funding: $2,800 for 2019 and $2,800 for 2020
2019 will mark the 12th anniversary of the Volunteer Fair which will again be held at Servus Place. This event brings together potential volunteers and community non-profit organizations that are looking for volunteers. In 2018, 41 organizations were represented at the event, with 400-500 attending the event, engaging with the organizations.
Application #2 Rainmaker Rodeo Parade
Organizing Group: K-40 Club of St. Albert
Funding Request: $6,500
CSAC Recommended Funding: $6,500 for 2019 and $6,500 for 2020
Each year the Rainmaker Parade is organized by the K-40 Club of St. Albert whose members are alumni of the Kinsmen Club of St. Albert. Over 120 parade entries are managed by the K-40 annually, and the club provides over 500 volunteer hours to ensure a successful event. Depending on weather from 4,000 to 8,000 people have enjoyed the parade each year.
Application #3 St. Albert Pride Festival
Organizing Group: Outloud Foundation for LGBTQ Community Supports & Services
Funding Request: $5,000
CSAC Recommended Funding: $5,000 for 2019 and $5,000 for 2020
2019 will be the fifth consecutive year for the St. Albert Pride Festival in Lions Park. The festival has grown to include a professional outdoor stage, vendors selling LGBTQ positive apparel or products, a free BBQ, games for children, live music, artwork from local youth, and support tents from various groups in and around St. Albert. This event has grown from 80 participants in 2015 to over 400 participating in 2018.
Application #4 Summer Events (Garden Day at the Park & Picnic in the Park)
Organizing Group: Society of Friends for the St. Albert Botanic Park
Funding Request: $3,850
CSAC Recommended Funding: $3,850 for 2019 and $3,850 for 2020
The Society annually holds a summer series of events during July and August including the Garden Day at the Park and the Picnic in the Park. Each event is free of charge and draws a large number of visitors to the park. Over 400 hours of volunteer labor are utilized in order to successfully hold these events with a combined attendance at over 2,000 visitors.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
All applicants are encouraged to discuss their event with Administration prior to the intake deadline, to ensure the applicant and the event meets the basic requirements set out in the policy, and to provide clarification with eligibility requirements if needed.
All community groups applying for this grant were invited to attend the CSAC review meeting for this grant to address questions of the committee. One of the organizations was unable to be in attendance but provided responses to questions for review at the meeting. In order to remain eligible to receive the grant for year two of the approved two-year funding, the recipients are required to provide documentation and accounting once the 2019 event is complete.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Total funding for the Community Events Grant Program for 2019 is $88,600.
The total funding recommendation of $18,150 for 2019 with respect to the “Recurring” Community Events category falls within the stated policy amount of $19,800. In the event Council approves the recommendations for funding provided by CSAC, there will be $1,650 remaining which can be added to the amount available for allocation to ad hoc community events received through the regular intake process. Council Policy C-CS-02 - Community Events Grant Program states under Standard #2: “Following approval of the funding commitments for “Recurring Community Events” administration will if required re-balance the funding allocation allowances between the three funding categories.”.
The 2019 funding would look as follows:
1. Community Celebrations
a. Family Day $11,540
b. StArts Fest $10,400
c. Canada Day $13,500
2. Recurring Community events $18,150
3. Ad Hoc Community Events $35,010
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 a demand to repay the funding or a refusal to provide grant funding upon future application, and grant recipients are required to return to the City any funds unexpended within one year.
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) Refer the matter back to Administration or CSAC for further consideration, as per the discussion held by Council, and be brought back to Council at a future date.
b) Amend the recommended amounts to an alternate amount as determined by Council.
Report Date: April 23, 2019
Author: Anna Royer
Committee/Department: Recreation & Parks Department
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble