City of Kingston Report to Council Report Number

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1 To: From: Resource Staff: City of Kingston Report to Council Report Number Mayor & Council Gerard Hunt, Chief Administrative Officer Craig Desjardins, Senior Manager, Innovation & Institutional Partnerships Date of Meeting: September 5, 2017 Subject: Executive Summary: Memorandum of Understanding: City of Kingston/St. Lawrence College Council s Strategic Plan aspires to the creation of a smart economy through leadership in innovation for the city s future prosperity. Kingston as a smart and livable city sees innovation as a key component of sustainable growth and development. The City s motto embraces this philosophy: where history and innovation thrive. Post-secondary Institutions play a critical role in providing the required infrastructure for innovation in the knowledge-based economy. This foundational support includes access to human capital (both in terms of labour force and research output), physical assets (laboratories) and seeds for development and growth that help shape local and regional economic, community, cultural and social development. A report developed by the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council (EOLC) of which the City of Kingston is a member confirmed that a new, regional, collaborative approach to innovation is needed. The report, entitled Mapping the Innovation Ecosystem in Eastern Ontario, notes that leveraging existing assets fosters a more robust innovation strategy. A key recommendation of the report is to better leverage the underutilized resources of post-secondary institutions to better drive innovation and provide the necessary talent for growth. Workforce development, youth employment, sustainability and enhanced innovation are outcomes of municipal partnerships with post-secondary institutions. Establishing a formal, strategic partnership with St. Lawrence College (SLC) will strengthen the relationship and collaboration efforts and provide leverage for the City and the College in realizing objectives while supporting the development of Council Meeting 20 September 5,

2 Report to Council Report Number: September 5, 2017 Page 2 of 5 growth and prosperity for the Kingston community. A similar Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Queen s University in early Recommendation: That Council approve the City of Kingston/St. Lawrence College Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support innovation and collaboration, and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the MOU, in a form satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services. Council Meeting 20 September 5,

3 Report to Council Report Number: September 5, 2017 Page 3 of 5 Authorizing Signatures: Gerard Hunt, Chief Administrative Officer Consultation with the following Members of the Corporate Management Team: Lanie Hurdle, Commissioner, Community Services Not required Desirée Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer & City Treasurer Not required Denis Leger, Commissioner, Corporate & Emergency Services Not required Mark Van Buren, Acting Commissioner, Transportation & Infrastructure Services Not required Council Meeting 20 September 5,

4 Report to Council Report Number: Options/Discussion: September 5, 2017 Page 4 of 5 The City of Kingston s vision of a smart, livable city sees innovation as a key component of sustainable growth and development. This is embraced in the City s motto where history and innovation thrive. Further, Council s Strategic Plan aspires to the creation of a smart economy through leadership in innovation for the city s future prosperity. In order to advance Kingston as an innovative and smart 21st century community, a formalized strategic partnership agreement with St. Lawrence College (SLC) is recommended to address the following priorities: 1. Attraction and retention of SLC graduates for local employment. Research has shown that meaningful summer employment relationships and the positive perception of Kingston as a good place for entrepreneurs to launch their businesses greatly assist with the retention of students post-graduation. The student sense of belonging was further enhanced by involvement in faith-based organizations, the City s commitment to diversity and the fostering of positive interactions between students and community groups. Recognition of the valuable contribution of the university and students to the community also supports retention of students and overall satisfaction with the St. Lawrence College education experience. There is considerable potential for the development of experiential learning opportunities for current students (internships) and post-graduation internship employment programs, both within the City of Kingston and in private sector firms. Engagement of students in innovative problem solving to support community and organizational development also has potential, as noted below: Workforce and in-migration strategy development which will focus on attracting and retaining talent, immigrants, migrants from other communities and students and preparing local under-employed youth to play a more active role in the labour force and attracting and retaining professionals from outside the boundaries of the city in order to ensure that local jobs are filled with skilled labour. Youth Employment Strategy which identified internships and creating more entry level positions for youth as a key component to creating successful opportunities for youth and retaining young graduates. Improved strategic alignment with applied research advances in diverse academic disciplines such as the creation of the new business analytics program SLC Business Program. 2. Development of the City of Kingston as the economic development leader in Eastern Ontario. The further expansion of the entrepreneurial and incubation ecosystem in Kingston and the region will be supported through a greater collaboration with a number of existing organizations including KEDCO, Launch Lab, Green Centre, Utilities Kingston and directly with businesses in our community. Council Meeting 20 September 5,

5 Report to Council Report Number: September 5, 2017 Page 5 of 5 This expanded relationship will provide the City with a competitive advantage for investment attraction (local, national and international). Development of applied research relationships is a significant competitive advantage for firms in our community. 3. Development of infrastructure and support systems, in partnership with SLC to support business incubation and acceleration. This could include additional physical space as well as programming to support entrepreneurship and high-growth potential firms. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) builds on a history of past collaboration between the City of Kingston and St. Lawrence College and provides a new framework for action on future strategic opportunities and partnerships. The MOU details a governance structure and process, communications protocol and defines responsibilities related to funding of projects. Existing Policy/By-Law: City of Kingston Strategic Plan Youth Employment Strategy Notice Provisions: There are no notice provisions with this report. Accessibility Considerations: There are no accessibility considerations with this report. Financial Considerations: Financial plans will be developed as opportunities arise and once the scope of work is clearly defined. This is considered an investment in the growth and retention of business in Kingston and is expected to be another significant step toward future economic success for Kingston and area. Contacts: Gerard Hunt, Chief Administrative Officer , ext Other City of Kingston Staff Consulted: Not applicable. Exhibits: Exhibit A Draft Memorandum of Understanding: City of Kingston/St. Lawrence College Council Meeting 20 September 5,

6 Exhibit A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between the CITY OF KINGSTON (as represented by Mayor Bryan Paterson) and ST. LAWRENCE COLLEGE (as represented by President and CEO Glenn Vollebregt) Whereas: The City of Kingston has a vision of becoming a Smart and Livable 21st Century City as part of its strategic priorities for the term of Council; and The City of Kingston s priority for creating a smart economy includes promoting Kingston as a leader in innovation, entrepreneurship and business incubation and locating a post-secondary campus in the downtown core; and St. Lawrence College is committed to being a globally recognized College delivering innovative, experiential learning opportunities that prepares career-ready graduates to be leaders in their fields through student success, academic excellence and leadership in the community; and Through its development of innovative and relevant programming and apprenticeship training to meet the needs of its students and the community, St. Lawrence College supports innovation-based economic development by preparing its graduates to enter the workforce and be entrepreneurs; and St. Lawrence College is undertaking consultations to assess the feasibility of a Kingston Downtown Centre of Excellence consistent with one of the City s strategic initiatives to create a smart economy; and The City of Kingston and St. Lawrence College have a shared interest in enabling Kingston to be increasingly attractive to businesses, investors, highly-skilled jobseekers, entrepreneurs and innovators, students and a diverse work force; Therefore: The City and St. Lawrence College will take action and work together to foster dialogue, partnerships and economic development initiatives that build an innovative and prosperous City and attract investment. Council Meeting 20 September 5,

7 I. PURPOSE To identify and pursue new, relevant and strategic opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, which will build upon mutual strengths and interests as well as existing facilities and programming, with a consideration for financial capacity; To promote talent development and retention through student involvement in innovation, experiential learning and entrepreneurship opportunities; To leverage assets owned or held by each party intended to advance innovation and entrepreneurship; To undertake joint advocacy that promotes a common narrative and compelling vision. II. OBJECTIVES Initial opportunities will focus on areas of common interest where there are attainable goals, measurable outcomes, a shared vision, and joint work plan. The parties to this MOU will identify specific annual goals in areas of mutual interest. The scope of initial opportunities may include, but need not be limited to, areas such as: Evaluating and developing innovative programming to meet the needs of the community; Talent development and retention, including entrepreneurship and apprenticeship training; Research, applied research, innovation and commercialization initiatives Joint advocacy: o Funding for joint programming initiatives; o Pilot projects; and o Capital projects. III. GOVERNANCE A. Management Structure This collaboration will be managed through the following mechanisms: Semi-annual meetings between the Mayor of the City of Kingston and the President and CEO of St. Lawrence College, supported by senior leadership from both organizations as appropriate; 2 Final Draft August 2017 Council Meeting 20 September 5,

8 A Partnership Table consisting of up to three St. Lawrence College employees appointed by and representing the College and up to three City of Kingston senior employees representing the City of Kingston (including Utilities Kingston); The Partnership Table shall meet at least quarterly to advance specific projects and opportunities that have clear deliverables and timelines. The Oversight Committee will report to the Mayor and President and CEO on progress at their semi-annual meetings and on an ad hoc basis related to specific opportunities; Ad hoc meetings between members of senior leadership teams from both organizations may occur from time to time as required to support the work of the Partnership Table; Day-to-day communication and project management will be through the offices of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Mayor of the City of Kingston, and the Senior Vice-President of Advancement and Business Development and President and CEO of St. Lawrence College. Each organization, through the Partnership Table, will seek out opportunities to engage at the governance and/or senior leadership level with the other organization. Each organization will update through their respective senior administration team as required and appropriate, without need to inform the other. B. Project Management The principal contacts may enable use of common or customized project management tools, such as templates for goal-setting, milestones, reporting and performance indicators. C. Information Sharing Each organization may share information with the other to help promote mutual understanding, and will respect the confidentiality and intellectual ownership of this information. 3 Final Draft August 2017 Council Meeting 20 September 5,

9 IV. PUBLICITY AND/OR EXTERNAL REFERENCES Each organization will respect the name, trademarks, and reputation of the other, and will consult with the other regarding any publicity or external reference to this MOU. Officials from both the City of Kingston and St. Lawrence College may meet jointly with government officials (federal, provincial and municipal) to advance the interests of this collaboration and to seek project or partnership funding. Where officials meet separately with government officials at any level to advance this collaboration, or to seek project or partnership funding, the other party will be informed. V. START AND END DATES This MOU takes effect on the date of the last signature and is, subject to early termination as noted below, effective through to September 30, 2018 at which time it will expire unless extended by mutual agreement. Either the City of Kingston or St. Lawrence College may terminate this MOU upon provision to the other of not less than 30 calendar days of its intention to do so. Upon the expiration of the notice period, this MOU shall terminate. VI. FUNDING Each institution shall be fiscally responsible for their own portion of the work performed under this MOU except where funding for joint initiatives, administered under a separate agreement, is secured. Each institution may choose to provide financial and staff support to further the proposed partnership goals. VII. MODIFICATIONS Any modifications to this MOU will be made through mutual agreement by the City of Kingston and St. Lawrence College and will result in a new written version of this MOU that is signed and dated by authorized officials, prior to any changes being implemented. 4 Final Draft August 2017 Council Meeting 20 September 5,

10 VIII. PRINCIPAL CONTACTS The principal contacts for the City of Kingston and St. Lawrence College for the purpose of this collaboration initiative are: Gerard Hunt CAO City of Kingston Gordon MacDougall Senior Vice-President of Advancement and Business Development IX. SIGNATURES Glenn Vollebregt President and CEO St. Lawrence College Bryan Paterson Mayor City of Kingston Date 5 Final Draft August 2017 Council Meeting 20 September 5,

City of Kingston Report to Council Report Number Lanie Hurdle, Commissioner, Community Services Jaclyn Grimmon, Manager, Recreation Programs

To: From: Resource Staff: City of Kingston Report to Council Report Number 17-006 Mayor and Members of Council Date of Meeting: Subject: Executive Summary: Lanie Hurdle, Commissioner, Community Services