HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-014 - General Provision Grant Request - The Working CentreJ
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Community Services
Report To: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
Date of Meeting: February 5, 2007
Submitted By: Ann Pappert, General Manager, Community Services
Prepared By: Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration (ext. 2395)
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: January 22, 2007
Report No.: CSD-07-014
Subject: GENERAL PROVISION GRANT REQUEST -THE
WORKING CENTRE
RECOMMENDATION:
That a general provision grant in the amount of $20,000 not be approved to The Working
Centre for renovations to St. John's Kitchener (97 Victoria Street North, Kitchener).
REPORT:
The Community Services Department has received a grant application from The Working
Centre for a contribution of $20,000 towards a capital building project.
The Working Centre is requesting a one time capital grant to assist with expenses for the "97
Victoria Street North Revitalization Project", creating the new St. John's Kitchen, showers,
laundry facilities, public washrooms and a medical clinic. The total renovation costs are
estimated at $563,170, with donations and other income received at time of application totalling
$361,121, leaving an unfunded balance of $202,049. Further expense and revenue details are
attached to the application form.
St. John's Kitchener has been providing meal service in downtown Kitchener since 1985. The
new space at 97 Victoria Street North is intended to create a "hospitable multi-use community
space", continuing to provide meal service as well as additional supports including a medical
clinic, showers, laundry facilities, the Job Cafe work project and public washrooms.
While staff believe that the services provided by the organization are valuable to the community
and that this is a worthwhile project, we are not in a position to recommend approval of the grant
request. The funding is intended for a capital expenditure and does not fit with the grant criteria,
which is directed mostly towards programming, rather than capital expenses.
Report No. CSD-07-014
Page 2
Further, the City generally provides grants to organizations providing municipal services,
primarily recreational, cultural, environmental and community-related activities. Grants for
health care related or social programs will generally not be considered. The services provided
by St. John's Kitchen are social services related and not a core municipal responsibility.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The existing capital grant account has unallocated funding of $35,000 remaining. This capital
account has no future funding allocated in the City's existing 10 year capital forecast.
The 2007 general provision grant budget is $100,000. A total of $18,500 has been pre-
committed for grants, leaving a balance of $81,500. If the grant is approved and funded through
the 2007 general provision grant account, the 2007 general provision grant account will be
reduced accordingly.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The grant applicant has received a copy of this report.
Renate Willms
Supervisor of Administration
AP