Title
Collaborative Governance Initiative Grant - Boundary Interface Protocols and Strategy Project
Proposed Motion
That Council authorizes Administration to support a Collaborative Governance Initiative Grant application to assist with completion of the Boundary Interface Protocols and Strategy Project.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the motion as presented.
Purpose
Council is being requested to authorize Administration to partner with the City of Edmonton and Enoch Cree First Nation to apply for a Collaboration Governance Initiative Grant under Alberta Municipal Affairs to assist in completing the Boundary Interface Protocols and Strategy Project.
Summary
On August 11, 2016, Parkland County signed the Terms of Reference for the Boundary Interface Protocols and Strategy (BIPS) Project. Project partners that have also signed the terms of reference include Enoch Cree Nation and the City of Edmonton. The BIPS project, once complete, will result in better land use planning and coordination between project partners. The project will also minimize future land use conflicts and disagreements between project partners on land use and development related issues.
The County, along with the City of Edmonton and Enoch Cree First Nation, is wishing to apply for a Collaborative Governance Initiative Grant under Alberta Municipal Affairs to assist with the completion of the project. If a grant application is successful, grant monies would be allocated to future project activities including facilitation services. The grant amount being requested for this project is $50,000. The grant application process does not require matching funds to be provided by project partners at this time.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
As part of the Collaborative Governance Initiative grant application process, a Council resolution must be passed by all project partners. The resolution must state that Council supports participating in the grant application process for the specific project. Support of the proposed motion, as presented, will identify Council's support to proceed with the application process. Submission of a Collaboration Governance Initiative Grant application for the BIPS project is also supported by Enoch Cree Nation and the City of Edmonton.
BIPS Terms of Reference
Parkland County has identified its support of the BIPS project by signing the project Terms of Reference in August 2017. Enoch Cree Nation and the City of Edmonton have also identified their support for the project by signing the Terms of Reference in August and September 2017.
Council Strategic Plan 2016-2020
While participation in the BIPS project aligns with Council's current Strategic Plan under the area of "Regional Strategy", staff recognize Council's direction during the budget/strategic planning process was that BIPs would not receive County funding, nor was it seen as a County priority for 2017. This is a high priority project for both the City of Edmonton and Enoch Cree Nation.
Growth Study and Municipal Development Plan
Ongoing work on the BIPS project by Enoch Cree Nation and the CIty of Edmonton will inform the completion of current projects including the County's Growth Study and new Municipal Development Plan. Work completed on the project will also inform future updates to the County's Land Use Bylaw.
Staff Implications
The PDS 2017 Workplan does allow for a minimal staffing resource for the BIPS project, without impacting the County's high priority long-term planning projects. The County's involvement will be kept to a minimum, primarily attending meetings and supporting the other partners.
Financial Impact:
Cost: $0
Source of Funding: N/A