REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: January 6, 2021 Report No. EPW-21-001
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Jeff Miller, Director of Engineering and Public Works
SUBJECT:
Title
Council Resolution for Funding Request from COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council direct the Corporate Officer to prepare a Certified Resolution in support of the Greenwood Avenue Sidewalk Project submission to Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - British Columbia (COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream) for funding of a new sidewalk on Greenwood Avenue between Kinver Street and Lampson Street, as outlined in Staff Report No. EPW-21-001.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Council Policy Sidewalk Maintenance - NO. PLAN - 17
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Healthy, Livable & Diverse Community - Multi-Modal transportation strategies that reflect the cumulative impact of business and residential development; and
Local Services and Infrastructure - Support ongoing improvements to transportation corridors
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, the Federal and Provincial Governments introduced the Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). Within this program, the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) was introduced on December 1, 2020. This stream supports projects that:
• Provide retrofits, repairs and upgrades to local government and indigenous government buildings, health infrastructure and educational infrastructure
• Support development of active transportation networks
• Allow communities to improve their infrastructure to increase the resiliency and efficiency in preventing the spread of COVID-19 (including protective screens and ability to physically distance)
• Complete disaster mitigation and adaptation infrastructure projects
Further details on the CVRIS Program Guide (Guide) can be found in Attachment 1. Example projects eligible for funding are listed in the Guide under Appendix A.
Projects approved for funding under CVRIS will be 100% funded as per the following breakdown:
• Federal - 80%
• Provincial - 20%
The total funding available in BC is $80 million. Local governments are permitted to apply for one project up to $10 million.
The funding request must be submitted by January 27, 2021. Construction on successful projects must start by September 30, 2021 and be completed by December 31, 2021. All costs associated with the Project after December 31, 2021 will be considered ineligible for funding. Applicants are required to fund ineligible project costs and cost overruns from their own funding sources.
Engineering and Public Works have identified a new sidewalk along the south side of Greenwood Avenue between Kinver Street and Lampson Street as a potential project for this funding stream. This Project would fall under Category 3: Active Transportation Infrastructure, as listed in Appendix A of the Guide.
The new sidewalk would be located on Greenwood Avenue between Kinver Street and Lampson Street. This segment would complete an east/west connection between Lampson Street and Fraser Street as there is existing sidewalk on Greenwood Avenue between Fraser Street and Kinver Street.
The projected cost to complete this project is $150,000 which includes design, construction, construction administration and contingency (30%).
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
Staff are recommending that Council approve a resolution in support of the Project. This resolution is one of the application requirements.
If funding is granted for this project, it would increase pedestrian safety in the Township. A sidewalk between Fraser Street and Kinver Street increases safety for pedestrians walking to/from Ecole Macaulay Elementary School and Saxe Point. In addition, this area is expected to see increased activity as the English Inn site at 429 Lampson Street redevelops.
Other Active Transportation projects were considered but were ruled out due to the risk of the projects not being complete by December 31, 2021. The new sidewalk on Greenwood Avenue is an achievable project within this timeframe and still provides significant benefits to the community.
If funding is not granted this project will return to its original position in the New Sidewalk Program. This project would be scheduled to take place in 2022.
2. Organizational Implications
The application would be prepared by Engineering and Public Works staff. Once the application is approved, staff will focus on overall project management with a consultant being responsible for the design, tendering and construction administration. As a requirement of the grant, the work will be completed by a contractor.
Once the sidewalk is installed it will become part of the linear infrastructure with maintenance being carried out by Township staff. [See Attachment 2].
3. Financial Implications
The budget for the Project is $150,000. A detailed cost estimate based on the preliminary design will be included in the Project submission. This Project would be 100% funded by the Federal and Provincial governments.
Staff do not expect any ineligible costs on the Project. Due to the estimate being based on a preliminary design, a 30% contingency has been utilized to manage any unexpected issues that might arise with the Project. Staff will prioritize the Project to ensure it is completed by December 31, 2021 to avoid costs occurring outside of the funding requirements.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
The installation of this segment of sidewalk will add a significant component to the linear infrastructure and increase the walkability of several blocks within the Saxe Point neighbourhood. With the construction of this segment, the corridor between Fraser Street and Lampson Street would have a road corridor with continuous sidewalk along it. This will provide a safer walking environment and encourage walking as an alternative to vehicle transport. By providing a safer walking environment, the Township is supporting a healthy and livable community.
5. Communication & Engagement
Once the Project has been approved, the Township will establish a communication strategy that identifies affected stakeholders and meets the Program’s requirements. This strategy will provide and gather information to/from these stakeholders and provide project administrators (Township and Program) with valuable information for the success of this Project. Information will be posted to the Township’s website and other social media as the Project moves forward.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council direct the Corporate Officer to prepare a Certified Resolution in support of the Greenwood Avenue Sidewalk Project submission to Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - British Columbia (COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream) for funding of a new sidewalk on Greenwood Avenue between Kinver Street and Lampson Street, as outlined in Staff Report No. EPW-21-001.
2. That Council direct staff not to prepare a certified resolution in support of the Project submission to Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - British Columbia - COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream for funding a new sidewalk on Greenwood Avenue between Kinver Street and Lampson Street, as detailed in Staff Report No. EPW-21-001.