TAMRMS#: B06
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CSAB Recommendations - Community Capital Grants
Presented by: Anna Royer, Business Manager
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That SIGIS Child Care Society be awarded a 2017 Community Capital Grant in the amount of $7,439 to assist with the kitchen renovations to their new Youville Home location.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
This report brings forward a recommendation from the Community Services Advisory Board (CSAB) for allocation of funding from the 2017 Community Capital Grant Program for Council’s consideration and approval, as per Policy C-CS-06.
COUNCIL DIRECTION
The Council direction that has resulted in this matter being brought before Council includes the following:
Council Policy C-CS-06 - Community Capital Program Grant, which was first approved on March 23, 2009, and has been amended several times, most recently by motion C323-2012 on June 18, 2012.
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 CSAB and recommended to Council for approval. To date, Council has awarded a total of $53,582 in 2017 Community Capital Grant funding, with $196,418 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 June 27, 2017, the CSAB received a presentation and reviewed a funding application for consideration under the Community Capital Grant Program from SIGIS Child Care Society.
SIGIS Child Care Society is requesting funds to assist with the kitchen renovation being made to an additional child care centre opening Fall 2017. The Society is expanding and has formed a partnership with Covenant Health Youville Home to utilize the space formerly occupied by Ecole Alexandre-Tache. The new child care facility will provide care for approximately 160 children from 0 to 5 years of age and as well will provide approximately 25 new employment opportunities. Currently, the Society has over 250 children on their wait list for care of children 0 to 5 years of age. Families are experiencing an average two-year wait time to have their children enrolled with SIGIS. The total cost of the kitchen renovations is $22,318 and the grant request is for $7,439. The CSAB were enthusiastic in their unanimous support and recommendation of this project, and look forward to the creative programming and partnerships being planned between the Day Care and the Seniors Home.
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.
SIGIS Child Care Society provided a verbal presentation to the CSAB, and answered all questions raised.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Total funds available for disbursements in 2017 are $250,000. To date Council has awarded a total of $53,582 in Capital Grant funding with $196,418 still available for allocation until December 31, 2017. The amount recommended by the CSAB 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. This funding request is within this criteria.
Legal / Risk:
Grant recipients are required to enter into a grant agreement with the City prior to receiving any portion of the grant. Recipients must 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:
• That the funding request, as identified, be approved for a partial grant as per the direction of Council. The unallocated amount for 2017 would remain in this grant program until December 31, 2017, and would be available for other eligible St. Albert organizations to apply for.
• That the funding request as identified be denied.
STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
Council’s Strategic Outcomes and Priorities (See Policy C-CG-02)
• Cultivate a Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Community: A community that provides opportunities for everyone to realize their potential in a thinking, caring and connected way. Through supporting the facilities and projects of St. Albert not-for-profit groups we foster a sense of community and connectedness.
Corporate Objectives
• Deliver programs and services that meet or exceed our standards
• Exercise strong fiscal management
The above corporate objectives align with the Community Capital Grant Program and the process by which grant allocations are recommended through the CSAB, as each application is thoroughly reviewed and discussed by the Board. Applicants also provide a presentation to the CSAB which allows further clarification if required.
Council Policies
City Council Policy C-CS-06 Community Capital Program Grant
Report Date: August 28, 2017
Author(s): Anna Royer
Committee/Department: CPS Administration
General Manager: Dale Bendfeld
City Manager: Kevin Scoble