Title
Policy C-RP03 - Community League Grant Funding
Proposed Motion
That the revised Policy C-RP03 Community League Grant Funding be approved, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
Review the policy as per the review schedule and incorporate a new grant stream for the provision of internet to community leagues. The changes in the grant will have no budget impact and work within the existing budget.
Summary
Administration reviewed the Policy, with input from community league representatives, and recommends some changes to the policy to better address gaps and future needs identified. Further, Administration is proposing the addition of a new grant stream. The proposed changes will have no impact on budget as it is funded by the current approved budget.
Community leagues are continuing to face financial challenges from rebuilding after COVID, aging infrastructure, increase utility and supplies costs and the lack of volunteers. As many look for financial support from Parkland County, some barriers have been identified in our current grant programs. We are recommending changes in yearly and annual maximums as well as lowering the matching requirements for our sustainability grant stream to help with soaring maintenance costs and a decrease in available financial and volunteer resources, changing the allocation of the outdoor amenity grant recognizing that leagues with multiple large amenities have greater expenses then those with single small amenities and redefining what expenses are permitted in the operating grant to better align with how leagues are operating. The changes will allow community leagues to increase their individual requests and administration will continue to work within the existing budget to allocate funds.
The addition of Schedule D - Connectivity grant stream will allow all Community Leagues to access financial support for the provision of public access to internet. Currently Parkland County covers the cost of internet at 6 community leagues which was put in place through the SMART Parkland project. Internal review identified that the cost of providing the service to these facilities was excessive for the number of residents accessing it through the program. The current internet agreements will end on June 30, 2022. In order to continue supporting the 6 community leagues in addition to supporting all other community leagues in the provision of internet for community use, it is proposed that a new grant stream be implemented that will see all community leagues able to access funding to cover up to 100% of their internet broadband charges.There will be no impact to the budget as the current budget line covering the 6 facilities will be used to cover the grant program.
Community Development Coordinators will continue to work with Community Leagues to access our grant programs to help them achieve their short and long term plans.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Complete Communities
Financial Impact:
Cost: None
Source of Funding: Current approved budget