TAMRMS#: B06
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Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City of Edmonton and Soccer Association
Presented by: Gilles Prefontaine, GM Development Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
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That the Mayor be authorized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Edmonton and the St. Albert Soccer Association, provided as an attachment entitled "MOU Regional Community Recreation Facility" to the March 20, 2017 Agenda Report entitled "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City of Edmonton and Soccer Association".
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
As requested by Council, Administration has collaborated with the City of Edmonton and the St. Albert Soccer Association (SASA) to present a Memorandum of Understanding for Council’s consideration to explore the feasibility of partnering on the development of a regional field house / Sportplex.
COUNCIL DIRECTION
On January 9, 2017 Council passed the following motion:
(CM-16-074)
That the City of St. Albert enter into an MOU with the City of Edmonton and the St. Albert Soccer Association to explore the feasibility of partnering on the development of a regional field house / Sportplex and return to Council by the end of Q1 2017.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Since 2015 SASA has presented to Council on several occasions the concept and possibility of the construction of a regional field house in partnership with the City of Edmonton and the City of St. Albert.
During SASA’s last presentation to Council on November 7, 2016, Craig Cameron of SASA requested the City's assistance in advancing their vision for their proposed soccer complex. Mr. Cameron requested that the City work with SASA to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the City of Edmonton in order to procure the land they require for the complex.
Council directed Administration to prepare an MOU with the City of Edmonton and SASA on January 9, 2017.
Administration met with the City of Edmonton and the SASA on several occasions to review the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), provide comment and develop this version for Council’s approval.
The general intent of this Memorandum is to facilitate initiatives that may include but are not limited to:
a) Establishing a steering committee made up of administrative representatives from each group to direct activities;
b) Securing a hold on City of Edmonton and Provincial land for future consideration for the regional recreation facility;
c) Identifying and participating in public and stakeholder engagement activities in support of a regional recreation facility; and
d) Developing a detailed business case for a regional recreation facility that satisfies the needs of each party.
Administration has provided a map of the concept regional field house and its relationship with City of Edmonton, City of St. Albert and Province of Alberta lands as an attachment to this Agenda Report for Council’s reference.
Administration is detailing the process related to this partnership opportunity to determine if this process may provide the basis to address the internal review process requested by Council in motion C200-2015 (shown below).
(C200-2015)
That Administration develop an internal review process that evaluates capital project requests for support (land, funds, etc.) from external agencies (external and arms length organizations) prior to the project being presented to Council. Essential for inclusion in the evaluation is an acceptable level of partner contributed capital and evidence of on-going operational sustainability. Additional information regarding the "fit" of the project as it relates to corporate programs, ex. the New Facility Priority Assessment Model, is also required.
It should be noted that there are several community partners with similar requests that could follow this same process to determine the feasibility of a community capital project and partnership with the City of St. Albert.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Administration met with the City of Edmonton and SASA on several occasions to review the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), provide comment and develop this version for Council’s approval.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
- The City of St. Albert would be responsible for its own costs related to the achievement of the objectives within the MOU. Development Services have funds available related to the evaluation of partnership opportunities that could be used for any incidental costs related to the MOU.
Legal / Risk:
- As noted in the MOU itself, “… Except for the provisions herein dealing with confidentiality, or the issuance of press releases, or public statements, this Memorandum does not create any legally binding obligation on the part of the parties but contemplates further legally binding agreement(s) being considered.”
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 alternative could be considered:
Alternative 1. Do Nothing. Administration would take this direction to discontinue discussions with the City of Edmonton and the SASA on a partnership related to the regional field house.
STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
City of St. Albert Strategic Plan (Policy C-CG-02) - Pillars of Sustainability
SOCIAL - We are a friendly and inclusive community of passionate equals, where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We believe that community starts with the person next door.
ECONOMIC - We prosper and excel through a strong and diverse economy that is supported by forward-thinking commerce, outstanding local businesses and a dynamic downtown core.
BUILT ENVIRONMENT - We build our community towards the future to sustain balanced development, with a reverent eye to the past, honouring our unique settlement history and distinct identity.
CULTURE - We are proud of our storied history that has fed and nurtured our festive and culturally-rich community.
Service Delivery Strategy
Council is committed to ensuring that the City of St. Albert is engaging residents to identify opportunities to improve delivery of services to the community.
Long Term Plans (e.g. MDP, Social Master Plan, Cultural Master Plan, etc.)
Municipal Development Plan
Recreation Master Plan
Utility Master Plan
Corporate Objectives (See Corporate Business Plan)
Deliver programs and services that meet or exceed our standards
Exercise strong fiscal management
Ensure our customers are very satisfied
Council Policies, Bylaws or Federal/Provincial statutes
Other Plans or Initiatives (Business Plans, Implementation Strategies, etc.)
Report Date: March 20, 2017
Author(s): Gilles Prefontaine
Committee/Department: Development Services
General Manager: Gilles Prefontaine
City Manager: Kevin Scoble