REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: May 18, 2018 Report No. DEV-18-033
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Tricia deMacedo, Planner, and Bill Brown, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Regional Community to Community Forum Program, Grant Application ApprovalEnd
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. That Council authorize staff to submit a funding application to the UBCM Regional Community to Community Forum Program, as outlined in Staff Report DEV-18-033 and that Council provide overall grant management; and
2. That Council authorize the use of $600 from the contingency fund for the Township’s portion of the budget that is not in-kind contribution.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Not applicable
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
To work with First Nations and the Esquimalt community to support economic, social and cultural opportunities.
BACKGROUND:
At the April 23, 2018 Council meeting, Council approved the motion as attached as Schedule A to this Report.
Arising from discussion of this motion, staff were actioned to investigate options for grant funding in order to hold community to community meetings with the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation.
The Regional Community to Community (C2C) Forum Program, administrated by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and the First Nations Summit, provides funding for events which include direct dialogue between elected officials and/or senior staff of neighbouring First Nations and local governments with the goal of increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments. A copy of the draft grant application is attached as Schedule B. The Township has successfully applied for funding from this program in the past and has held multiple forums with both the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation.
A requirement for all applications submitted under this program is a Local Government Council or Board resolution, or First Nation Band Council resolution, indicating support for the current proposed activities and willingness to provide overall grant management.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The application deadline for the 2018/2019 C2C program is June 1, 2018. Events funded by this program must be held between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019.
2. Organizational Implications
Successful applicants for the C2C program will be notified within 30 days. Should the grant application be successful, staff will begin organization of the two forums to be held.
3. Financial Implications
Should the grant application be successful, the Township will receive $2,600 from the C2C Forum Grant Program. The Township is required to match these grant monies and a budget of $3,000 has been prepared of cash and in-kind expenditures.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
Communication and engagement with the Esquimalt Nation and Songhees Nation is an essential component of the success of these events. Community to community meetings are proposed to begin the process of reconciliation in our communities.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. (1) That Council authorize staff to submit a funding application to the UBCM Regional Community to Community Forum Program, as outlined in Staff Report DEV-18-033 and that Council provide overall grant management; and
(2) That Council authorize the use of $600 from the contingency fund for the Township’s portion of the budget that is not in-kind contribution.
2. That Council not authorize the grant application at this time and provide alternative direction to staff.