HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-15-110 - LAV III Monument Follow-Up
REPORT TO: Council
DATE OF MEETING: August 24, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO, 519-741-2200 x 7347
PREPARED BY: Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO
WARD(S) INVOLVED: n/a
DATE OF REPORT: August 10, 2015
REPORT NO.: FCS-15-110
SUBJECT: Light-Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III Monument
Follow-Up Report
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RECOMMENDATION:
For Discussion
BACKGROUND:
On June 15, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee received a delegation from
the Royal Highland Fusiliers in relation to an opportunity to submit an application for a
Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III Monument to honour the service of Afghanistan
veterans. The request of the delegation included:
Letter of support for the application of LAV III Monument
Permission to site the monument on the parkette in front of the Kitchener
Armoury on East Avenue beside the Auditorium
Funding up to $10,000 in the 2016 budget for the installation of the monument
Provide perpetual maintenance of the LAV III Monument
On June 29, City Council deferred consideration of the following motion to the August
24 Council meeting to allow time for an investigation into the interest of the Cities of
Cambridge and Waterloo as to the possibility of a joint monument:
“That a letter of support be provided for the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III Monument
program application being submitted by the Royal Highland Fusiliers for its installation in
front of the Kitchener Armoury located at 350 East Avenue; and further,
That $10,000 be approved as the City of Kitchener’s contribution toward installation of
the LAV III Monument.”
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REPORT:
The following is a summary of staff’s most recent discussions with the proponent, the
City of Cambridge and the City of Waterloo.
Position of the Royal Highland Fusiliers
Subsequent to Council’s deferral, City staff clarified the position of the Royal Highland
Fusiliers with respect to the project and the opportunity for partnership. The following is
a summary of those discussions:
Project Vision
– The Royal Highland Fusiliers remain committed to the vision of
monument installations in both Kitchener and Cambridge, representing the north
and south ends of the regiment. They are also supportive of Waterloo’s separate
interest in a monument to be located within the City of Waterloo.
Kitchener Location
– The Royal Highland Fusiliers support locating the
monument on City property as it is more straightforward than attempting to
secure federal approval to site the monument on Armoury lands. That said, if
Council’s preference is to see the monument installed on Armoury lands, the
regiment will pursue the requisite federal approvals to implement this decision.
City Contribution
– The Royal Highland Fusiliers believe this opportunity should
be viewed as a community initiative. As such, their position is that the
community should accept responsibility for ongoing maintenance in addition to
the up-front contribution. While it had been previously communicated to Council
that maintenance costs could amount to around $10,000 over a ten year period,
the regiment has clarified that in reality costs should be much lower based on the
experience of the City of London which has maintained a tank monument with
only minor periodic touch-ups to paint.
Position of the City of Cambridge
The City of Cambridge has already passed a motion to support the installation of an
LAV III Monument on a city parkette in front of the L. Col. J.R. McIntosh Armoury with
funding of up to $10,000 for installation as well as assistance of perpetual maintenance.
Cambridge has indicated a willingness to allow Kitchener to partner in their monument
by sharing in the installation cost (e.g., $5,000). Kitchener would receive suitable
recognition as a project supporter.
City staff did not canvass Cambridge’s interest in partnering on a Kitchener-based
installation given the existing motion of Cambridge Council and the strong desire of the
Royal Highland Fusiliers to see the Cambridge monument proceed regardless of
Kitchener Council’s decision.
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Position of the City of Waterloo
City of Waterloo staff have submitted an application for a monument, to determine
whether or not it meets the selection criteria as a host community. The targeted
location is at their Veteran’s Green on city property. The application, if approved, would
be subject to ratification by Waterloo City Council at a future date.
Waterloo has indicated a willingness to allow Kitchener to partner in their monument by
sharing in the installation cost (e.g., $5,000). Kitchener would receive suitable
recognition as a project supporter.
City staff also canvassed Waterloo’s interest in partnering on a Kitchener-based
installation. Waterloo staff remain committed to pursuing their application rather than
jointly sponsoring a monument in Kitchener at this time.
Options
The following options are available to Council in light of the above information:
1. Support an application for a Kitchener-based monument (the deferred motion);
2. Partner with Cambridge on their monument application;
3. Partner with Waterloo on their monument application;
4. Partner with both Cambridge and Waterloo on their monument applications; or
5. Take no action at this time
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The LAV III Monument opportunity supports the City’s strategic direction related to
nurturing a sense of pride and community, by honouring the service of local Canadian
Forces personnel who have represented our community and our country in Afghanistan
with distinction, in the defense of Canadian values.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Should Council support a monument application in Kitchener, or in partnership with
Cambridge and/or Waterloo, the up-front contribution to installation costs ($5,000 to
$10,000) will be funded from the City’s 2015 capital contingency.
Should Council support a monument application in Kitchener, it may also wish to
consider the request of the Royal Highland Fusiliers to also provide for the perpetual
maintenance. The options include:
1. No commitment to perpetual maintenance at this time
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2. An up-front allocation of funds to provide assistance with perpetual maintenance
(e.g., an additional $5,000 from the City’s 2015 capital contingency on a one-
time basis)
3. An ongoing allocation of funds within the City’s capital budget to provide a
commitment to perpetual maintenance (e.g., $1,000 every second year)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in
advance of the council meeting.
CONSULT – City staff engaged in discussions with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the
City of Cambridge and the City of Waterloo to explore opportunities for collaboration as
outlined above. All parties have reviewed their respective content within this report and
are satisfied that it represents their position.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, CAO
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