Administration Office of the Regional Clerk

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1 Niagara Administration Office of the Regional Clerk Sub Item St. David's Road W, PO Box 1042, Thorold, ON l2v 4T7 Telephone: Toll-free: Fax: July 3, 2015 LOCAL AREA MUNICIPALITIES CL , July 2, 2015 PDC , Report PDS SENT ELECTRON/CALLY Lakefront Enhancement Strategy 2015 Incentive Program Recommendations PDS Regional Council, at its meeting of July 2, 2015, approved the following recommendation of its Planning and Development Committee: That Report PDS , dated, respecting Lakefront Enhancement Applications, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That the amount of $507,250 BE APPROVED to fund projects identified in Appendix 1 of Report PDS under the 2015 Lakefront Enhancement Incentive Program; 2. That Regional staff BE DIRECTED to prepare and execute the respective partnership funding agreements with Local Area Municipalities and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) for qualifying projects; and 3. That Area Municipalities and NPCA BE ADVISED of the results of Regional funding support as set out in Appendix 1 of Report PDS A copy of Report PDS is enclosed for your information. Yours truly, Q~ Ralph Walton Regional Glerk :amn cc: C. D'Angelo, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority K Vaughan, Project Manager, Community and Long Range Planning M. L. Tanner. Director, Community & Long Range Planning/Chief Planner N. Smagata, Administrative Assistant N. Oakes, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner, Planning & Development Services

2 Page 1 REPORT TO: Planning and Development Committee MEETING DATE: Wednesday, SUBJECT: Lakefront Enhancement Strategy 2015 Incentive Program Recommendations RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the amount of $507,250 BE APPROVED to fund projects identified in Appendix 1 under the 2015 Lakefront Enhancement Incentive Program; 2. That Regional staff BE DIRECTED to prepare and execute the respective partnership funding agreements with Local Area Municipalities and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) for qualifying projects; and 3. That Area Municipalities and NPCA BE ADVISED of the results of Regional funding support as set out in Appendix 1. KEY FACTS The Lakefront Enhancement Incentive Program is a 50/50 cost sharing program that funds projects that help achieve the goals and objectives of the Lakefront Enhancement Strategy (endorsed by Council in 2014). In 2015, Niagara Region received a total of five applications and a Municipal Advisory Group (MAG) made up of representatives from the local municipalities, NPCA and Niagara Region reviewed the applications and scored them using evaluation criteria. In addition, a cross departmental project team reviewed the applications to ensure alignment with Regional interests. The evaluation criteria were developed through the consultation process for the Lakefront Enhancement Strategy to ensure transparency with stakeholders and to ensure alignment with the goals and objectives of the program. This criteria was approved by Regional Council (ICP , Lakefront Enhancement Strategy Findings and Implementation Report). A related project, the Waterfront Enhancement Strategy, is currently being developed to provide non lake-fronting municipalities with similar opportunities to enhance their waterfronts. It is envisioned that as part of the final report for the Waterfront Enhancement Strategy, a proposal to merge both the Lakefront and Waterfront Enhancement Strategies and the Incentive program will be brought

3 Page 2 forward to Council for consideration. This will ensure a more efficient and effective use of financial and staff resources and better alignment with Council s Strategic Priorities. This will include an update to the evaluation criteria. CONSIDERATIONS Financial Requests to co-fund Lakefront Enhancement projects are subject to available funds in the Lakefront Enhancement Incentive Program budget and are brought forward for Council s consideration following a call for applications. The maximum amount that each applicant can apply for is $1,000,000 every three years. The recommended eligible projects total for 2015 is $507,250. This is within the approved 2015 Planning and Development Services budget. Corporate Staff in the Community and Long Range Planning division manages the application intake and, evaluation and invoice submissions for the Lakefront Enhancement Incentive Program. This program aligns with Council s Strategic Priority to Position Niagara Globally. Governmental Partners Niagara Region has partnered with all area municipalities and the NPCA to establish a Municipal Advisory Group (MAG) for the Lakefront Enhancement Strategy. Other governmental partners include the Niagara Parks Commission, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Ministry of Natural Resources who attend the stakeholder sessions; however these agencies are not part of the MAG. Public and/or Service Users The Lakefront Enhancement Strategy is intended to provide the public with greater opportunities to access Niagara s lakefronts and to provide tools to stimulate investment in tourism, community revitalization and economic development. ANALYSIS The Lakefront Enhancement Strategy is a range of intergovernmental partnerships to enhance public access to and experiences of the shorelines of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie in the Niagara region. The Lakefront Enhancement Strategy is a working tool, outlining a process and an incentive program that will enable private sector interests, local municipalities, Niagara Region, the NPCA and the public to work together in achieving improved access to and investment in the lakefronts.

4 Page was the first year that funding was awarded to a variety of projects, including: Construction of public access points to beaches along Lake Erie Development of Master Plans and planning related studies Conceptual design options report Bird watching tower Improvements and new construction of lakefront trails Enhancements to public facilities to improve accessibility for people of all abilities Applications for 2015 funding were accepted between December 2014 and April A total of five project applications were received from Local Area Municipalities and NPCA. The five requested projects range from master plans for lakefront properties to improvements to a marina. The total budget for all of the applications submitted is $507,250. A summary of the project applications and funding amounts have been outlined in Appendix I. The Municipal Advisory Group (MAG) evaluates the applications to ensure alignment with the Lakefront Enhancement Strategy. The MAG has recommended that all of the applications receive funding. All of the projects being recommended align with Council s adopted vision, goals and objectives of the Lakefront Enhancement Strategy. The total funding allocation for these five projects is $507,250, which will leverage an additional investment of $507,250 from other sources. Once the projects are completed, a project report must be submitted along with an invoice before payments are made. ALTERNATIVES REVIEWED Council may choose to defer projects until the Waterfront Enhancement Strategy has been completed and a new evaluation criteria has been developed. This is not recommended by staff because the applications are aligned the current evaluation criteria and it is not appropriate to change the criteria after the applications have been received. A delay in funding will also impact the ability of the applicants to complete the projects in the proposed timelines. This is especially a concern for construction projects that are only able to be undertaken during certain times of the year and may require special permits. ORIGIN OF REPORT This report was brought forward by staff in response to applications for the Lakefront Enhancement Incentive Program. OTHER PERTINENT REPORTS

5 Page 4 ICP , Lakefront Enhancement Strategy Findings and Implementation Report; February 19, 2014 SUBMITTED & SIGNED BY: APPROVED & SIGNED BY: Rino Mostacci, MCIP, RPP Harry Schlange Commissioner Chief Administrative Officer Planning and Development Services This report was prepared by Katelyn Vaughan, Project Manager, Community and Long Range Planning and reviewed by Mary Lou Tanner, MCIP, RPP, Chief Planner and Director, Community and Long Range Planning. APPENDICES Appendix I 2015 Lakefront Enhancement Summary of Applications Page 5

6 Appendix I Page 5 Appendix 1: Lakefront Enhancement Incentive Program Summary of 2015 Applications Applicant Project Name Project Description Start Timing End Total Project Cost Funding Request Town of Fort Erie Fort Erie Waterfront Strategy The application is for the development of the Fort Erie Waterfront Strategy. As a top priority of the newly elected Council, the project is intended to articulate a vision and set forth strategies to guide development and enhance public access to and public experiences of the waterfront $150,000 $75,000 TOTAL $150,000 $75,000 City of Port Colborne Clear Water Project This project addresses the need for the North West corner of Sugarloaf Harbour Marina (referred to as the PROPOSED AREA ) to have underwater dredging completed to increase water depth, eradicate Invasive Aquatic Plant species and make the Waterfront more visually appealing in this specific area. The second component of the project improves the existing public Marina indoor and outdoor facilities $400,000 $200,000 TOTAL $400,000 $200,000 Township of Wainfleet Augustine Beach Improvements This project will enhance public enjoyment of and reduce private/public conflicts along the Lake Erie Shoreline by providing a public washroom, waste receptacles, improved signage, new plantings and improved traffic controls $15,000 $7,500 TOTAL $15,000 $7,500

7 Appendix I Page 6 NPCA Applicant Project Name Project Description Lake Erie Shoreline Properties - Comprehensive Management Plan Long Beach Improvement Plan The project will involve a feasibility study and the development of a comprehensive management plan based on best practice for the Lake Erie shoreline properties between Long Beach Conservation Area and Morgan's Point Conservation Area. The study will include recreation, eco-tourism and ecological management. The Management Plan will develop a coherent strategy on how the adjacent properties can best link together. Timing Total Project Funding Start End Cost Request $60,000 $30,000 This project aims to increase visitation numbers $389,500 $194,750 by installing new sidewalks, new pavilion roofs, new metal stairs to improve beach access, improvement to shower stations, installation of trail markers and lighting, improving campsite drainage, widening of the main entrance, upgrade campsites, Wi-Fi installation and new fencing. TOTAL $449,500 $224,750 TOTAL FOR ALL PROJECTS $1,014,500 $507,250