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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-20-013 - Assisted Services Program - Working Centre GrantREPORT TO:Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING:October 19, 2020 SUBMITTED BY:Niall Lobley,Director of Parks & Cemeteries, PREPARED BY:Niall Lobley, Director of Parks & Cemeteries WARD(S) INVOLVED:All DATE OF REPORT:September 29, 2020 REPORT NO.:INS-20-013 SUBJECT:Assisted Services Program – Working Center Grant ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That subject to annual budget approval, Council provide a grant of up to$220k per year to the Working Center in order that they provide assisted services (winter sidewalk clearing) to up to 325 properties annually; and That such a grant be adjusted based on the number of residential properties serviced year over year and be reflective of the operational costs incurred by the Working Center to deliver services; and further That the grantis not eligible to be used forsub-contractingthird party commercial contractors to perform the services outlined in this report, and further, That Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a three year grant agreement with The Working Centre to provide the services outlined in this report andalso in INS- 20-010, subject tothe satisfaction of the City Solicitor; BACKGROUND: In September,2020, Council provided direction to staff to implement an Assisted Services program on an ongoing basis to support residents who may be unable to clear residential sidewalks in front of their properties due to age or disability(INS-20-010). REPORT: As per the approved Assisted Services Program, in winter 2020/21 up to 175 residential properties will be supported through the program. 75 additional properties will be included each year thereafter reaching 325 available spaces in winter 2022/23. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 1 - 1 It is hoped that the Working Center will be able to continue to support the program. The partnership between City and Working Center provides multiple benefits to the community; it provides an effective way of clearing snow from properties in the assisted services program as demonstrated in previous years pilot programs, and also delivers significant social value. Through this program, the Working Center is able to provide meaningful employment to low-income and street-involved individuals. The grant provided to the Working Center each year will be reflective of the number of residential properties being supported each year. It is estimated that this grant will be $120k in 2020/21, increasing by approximately $50k annuallyuntil demand for the program is met. Residents will be able to apply to participate in the program each year through an application process. Previous recipients will be invited to re-apply each year. Applicants will need to confirm age and/or disability status and confirm financial eligibility. Staff will actively promote the program, seeking to ensurea high level of community awareness of the program and that all members of the community that could benefit from the program are aware of it. Through this communication and sustained growth in the program it is hoped that capacity will grow so that all eligible members of our community that wish to use the program are able to be supported. The term of the initial grant is three years to provide the Working Center the maximum ability to be able to plan to support the program through its growth. If at any time the Working Centre is unable to support the whole program, the grant will not be paid and alternative delivery solutions sought. In the event that the Working Center is onlyable to meet part of the demand, the grant will be reduced accordingly and staff will seeking to locate alternative means (contract out) any remaining eligible residential clearing needs. Sustained growth of the program will be pending annual budgetary approvals by Council. INFORM: This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic vision throughthe delivery of core service. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Council has directed that 175 spaces are available on the program in 2020/21 and that this should be increased by 75 spaces annually thereafter. Funding to support the program is referred to annual budgetary processes but is estimated at: 1 - 2 $120,000 in winter 2020/21 $170,000 in winter 2021/22 $220,000 in winter 2022/23 PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER: th Most recently, this matter was discussed and supported by Council at the September 14 Council meeting in supplemental report, INS-20-010, supported by INS-20-09. However, this matter has also been raised in INS-18-023, and INS-19-009 in which Council directed staff to work on an Assisted Services pilot program working with the Working Center. These pilots have ledto the recommendation in INS-20-10 and INS- 20-09. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services, 1 - 3