Title
Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund - Small Communities Fund
Grant Application for Intelligent Communities - Connectivity and Broadband Infrastructure
Proposed Motion
That Council direct Administration to submit a "Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund - Small Communities Fund" grant application to assist in funding the Connectivity and Broadband Infrastructure Project.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
One of the conditions outlined in the grant approval process is to show that a Council resolution was passed supporting the grant application. The application requires the relevant resolution number and date passed. The resolution and grant application are required to be submitted by April 2, 2015.
Summary
The Governments of Canada and Alberta have announced the Canada - Alberta Building Canada Fund for small communities under 100,000 population. This application is for the category of Connectivity and Broadband Infrastructure. The County currently been working on three tower locations north of Highway 16 in the Glory Hills area (referred to as the Northeast Tower location). The County in 2014 conducted open houses to narrow down the sites. The County is presently preparing the site plans, tier 3 towers specifications and site due diligence in preparation for September construction of three towers.
The Canada - Alberta Building Canada Fund for small communities has identified Connectivity and Broadband Infrastructure (high - speed backbone, point of presence, local distribution within communities or satellite capacity) as one of the project categories. Funding would be based on one-third from each level of government. Municipalities can use existing grant funds such as MSI funds as their one-third contribution. The total project budget for construction of the three towers is $831,086. Ineligible costs are such items as site acquisition and survey costs totaling $94,586. Total eligible project costs are $736,500. Therefore the County would be responsible for $245,500, plus the ineligible costs of $94,586 equaling $340,086.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
1) Supports Parkland County's desire to maintain it's position as a member of the Smart 21 Intelligent Communities;
2) MDP direction to"consider the efficient and affective location of communication facilities to meet the needs of County residents;
3) MDP policy direction for the co-location of communication towers and minimizing the impact of towers on the natural environment and residential communities; and
4) Economic Development and Tourism Strategy 2014 - 2018 in terms of economic priority strengths and Rural Development Priority Actions.
Financial Impact:
Cost: $831,086 less ineligible expenses of $94,586 equals $736,500
Source of Funding: Small Communities Fund (1/3 federal) $245,500
Small Communities Fund (1/3 provincial) $245,500
MSI Capital funding - Parkland County (1/3 municipal plus ineligible expenses) $245,500 plus ineligible expenses of $94,586 equals $340,086.