CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

Transcription

1 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Subject: HEALING GARDEN FUNDING Recommendation(s) That up to $48,900 in additional funding support be approved and funded through the Capital Fund Reserve, for the Healing Garden project to enable the project to be completed in the 2016 construction season. Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to provide Council with a status update on the Healing Garden Project, and to request additional funding support to enable to project to proceed during the 2016 construction season. Council Direction The following motion was approved by Council as part of 2016 Capital budget: That $100,000 be added to the Growth Capital Budget in 2016 to support the development of the Healing Garden. On April 7 th, 2015 Council approved the following motion: (C ) 1. That the Founders Walk Phase 2 project scope be adjusted to extend one of the interpretive nodes into a portion of the walk identified for Phase 3 and allow for the inclusion of the Healing Garden Project, as outlined in attachments to the April 7, 2015 Agenda Report entitled "Founders Walk Phase 2 and the Healing Garden Project". 2. That any funds generated by the community in the form of donations or grants for the Healing Garden portion of the project, be added as a top-up to the Founders Walk Phase 2 project. May 24, 2016 / Page 1

2 Background and Discussion Administration has been working with the Healing Garden Committee to secure alternate funding sources to assist in the completion of the Healing Garden Project. Due to the timing of many of the funding programs, it is not anticipated that responses will be received in sufficient time to proceed with construction during the 2016 spring/summer construction season. Administration has recently received the results of the geotechnical testing on the Healing Garden site. Due to high water table levels in the area, the site preparation and installation methods will need to be changed, resulting in an approximately $15,000 in additional costs. Administration is requesting additional funding to facilitate proceeding with the Healing Garden Project in the 2016 spring/summer construction season. The committee and Administration will continue to pursue alternate funding sources, and should these be secured, they will be applied to the project, reducing the City s commitment to the project proportionately. Funding support in the amount of $15,000 has been confirmed from Anglican Healing and Reconciliation Fund. Submissions have been submitted to other funding programs with a potential of another $15,000, however funding has not been confirmed. The committee is continuing to seek out additional support for the project from other organizations and individual. In an effort to assist in reducing expenses for the project, Administration is pursuing potential in kind support for portions of the project. There are also other funding programs that may be pursued; however the results of the submission would not be known until fall of Administration is pursuing updated quotations for construction portion of the project, to ensure that rates are competitive given the current market. The contract award for the project cannot be done until sufficient funds are in place. While Administration will continue to follow-up on alternate funding sources, due to the timing of the responses from the various agencies, we do not anticipate receiving the responses prior to the spring/ summer construction season. Original plans were to commence construction in mid June 2016, with the official opening celebration tentatively scheduled for September May 24, 2016 / Page 2

3 Summary Healing Garden Budget (updated May 13, 2016) Revenue City of St. Albert $ 119, Grants, Donations & Sponsorships $ 66, Total Revenue $ 185, Expenses 1.0 Design Services $ 22, Construction (Landscaping, furnishings & interpretive features) $ 150, Community Engagement $ 13, Total Expenses $ 185, Net $ - Balance of funds raised to date from the community: $17, Total estimated project costs: $185,800 Total revenue secure to date: $136,800 Balance required: $ 49,000 Stakeholder Communications or Engagement A community Healing Garden Committee has been engaged throughout this project and consists of representatives from the indigenous community, residential school survivors, local churches, as well as the Michif Cultural Resources Institute the Musee Heritage Museum, the Arts and Heritage Foundation, the local community and the City. Implications of Recommendation(s) If funding is not secured by June 2016, the construction will be delayed and the official opening celebration will be postponed until a) Financial: City funds allocated to project: $ 19,150 from the Founders Walk project $100,000 as part of 2016 budget. b) Legal / Risk: None at this time. c) Program or Service: The completion of the Healing Garden project will increase the awareness of the community s history surrounding residential schools in St. Albert; create a place for indigenous ceremonies and celebrations; and to increase awareness of indigenous cultures and traditions. May 24, 2016 / Page 3

4 It is anticipated that the Healing Garden will become a feature location for historical walking tours offered through the Musee Heritage Museum, and also part of the Northern Alberta International Children s future Festival Aboriginal/and Indigenous programming. d) Organizational: N/A Alternatives and Implications Considered If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered: Alternative 1 To not approve the proposed motion and the project will only proceed when the balance of funding is received from the community and other funders. If additional funding is not received, the project will be delayed and the official Opening will likely be postponed until Alternative 2 To not approve the motion as presented and provide instruction to Administration as per Council discussion. Strategic Connections a) 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. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT We protect, embrace and treasure our deeplyrooted connections with the natural environment through championing environmental action. CULTURE We are proud of our storied history that has fed and nurtured our festive and culturally-rich community. May 24, 2016 / Page 4

5 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. b) Long Term Plans (e.g. MDP, Social Master Plan, Cultural Master Plan, etc.) Cultural Master Plan (2012) Heritage Management Plan (2013) c) Corporate Objectives (See Corporate Business Plan) Deliver programs and services that meet or exceed our standards Ensure our customers are very satisfied d) Council Policies, Bylaws or Federal/Provincial statutes N/A e) Other Plans or Initiatives (Business Plans, Implementation Strategies, etc.) Attachment(s) None Originating Department(s): Author(s): General Manager Approval: Cultural Services Kelly Jerrott, Director Chris Jardine, GM, CPS City Manager Signature: Date: May 24, 2016 / Page 5