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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-162 - Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program1 h~TC~NER . , . Development & Technical Services Report To: Environmental Advisory Committee Date of Meeting: October 18, 2007 Submitted By: Sandro Bassanese Prepared By: Charles Priddle, Student Planner Ward(s) Involved: All Wards Date of Report: October 4, 2007 Report No.: DTS-07-162 Subject: COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION: For information. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City of Kitchener's Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program (CEIGP) was created to foster a sense of environmental stewardship within communities in the city. In 2007 $5,500 was awarded amongst six applicant organizations to undertake programs which improve local environments. This report summarizes the environmental achievements made under the CEIGP in 2007. BACKGROUND: The CEIGP provides money to organizations within the City of Kitchener for community environmental stewardship projects. The CEIGP was amended in 2006 to require that applicants relate to the City of Kitchener's Strategic Plan for the Environment, that additional external resources be supplied and that projects build capacity within the community to promote further stewardship initiatives. The objectives of this program are outlined in Appendix-A. The grant criteria for this program are outlined in Appendix-B. The grant submission process for this program is outlined in Appendix-C. Six applications were considered eligible for a grant, and were approved by the Environmental Committee, as follow St. Anne's School St. Anne's School received a CEIG of $1,000. St. Anne's School will be using their CEIG to undertake Phase 2 of their greening initiative. Before Phase 1 i V ~. ~, ,LLe~~,: ~~ <~..~.,. ,~ ~a~. Phase 1 of their greening project has been completed and includes the planting of 21 trees, the building of a stage with armour stone in front to create a classroom setting, the installation of fitness stations and the addition of a berm to form passive playing areas. Combined these works promote a healthy lifestyle and increase community environmental stewardship. During Phase 1 ~~ ~'F~ •, .t '1fL12tt~~' ~ F " .~j p f' b ` " r ""'°~ Freedom in Christ Pentecostal Assembly Phase 2 of St. Anne's greening initiative took place this year and involved bordering the play area with timberlogs, the construction of a stondedust pathway and the planting of trees for the provision of shade. Armour stone will be added for seating at a later date. The CEIG funding was used to pay for portions of the items noted above Freedom in Christ Pentecostal Assembly received a CEIG of $500. The Freedom in Christ Pentecostal Assembly has been promoting healthy lifestyles for several years by availing their sports facilities free of charge for community use during the summer. These facilities include a full soccer field, a baseball diamond and two volley ball courts. As the community within which they are situated continues to grow, so to does the amount of waste and recyclables left at their outdoor facilities. In order to improve community environmental stewardship, while still promoting healthy lifestyles, Freedom in Christ Pentecostal Assembly used their grant money to facilitate recycling activities on their property. Four recycling bins have been made available around the sports areas. These mobile bins are collected and emptied by BFI Canada weekly during the summer at a cost of over $1,000 per season (May 1 to October 1). This program has increased public awareness and decreased weekly garbage pickup while still allowing the community use of the sports facilities. The CEIG funding was used to fund the contract for the set up of the recycling program with BFI. Driftwood Park Public School Driftwood Park Public School received a CEIG of $1,000. Driftwood Park Public School had initially realized their grounds were bare and lacking sufficient vegetation to inspire concepts of stewardship within their students. To help rectify this Driftwood Park Public School used their grant money to date to install armour stone seating and trees to create an outdoor classroom and creative play area for students. This outdoor learning facility has been developed to increase environmental appreciation through learning and allow for greater socialization between the entire community. Monsignor Haller School Monsignor Haller School received a CEIG of $1,000. Monsignor Haller School has completed Stage 1 one of their outdoor classroom which is now in operation and provides students a place to improve their environmental awareness in an outdoor setting. The CEIG received by Monsignor Haller School which will be used to plant approximately 20 trees to provide students, and those using the grounds, protection from the elements. Planting of trees will occur in the month of October to a total cost of approximately $6,000. St. Daniel Catholic School St. Daniel Catholic School received a CEIG of $1,000. St. Daniel Catholic School sought CEIG funds for Phase 2 of their greening project. Phase 1 of their project, which has been completed, involved the establishment of passive play areas including shade areas for sun protection and increased air quality. Specific uses for Phase 2 funds include the creation of an outdoor classroom area involving the planting of four native trees and the installation of ten rocks to a total cost of $2,650. This outdoor classroom is being created to permit a greater understanding of the environment and create a space for the community to enjoy the outdoors. Installations of materials will be occurring this fall due to the species availability. St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School received a CEIG of $1,000. As a result of amalgamation of students from the former St. Joseph School, St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School applied for their CIEG to enhance environmental aspects of their property and create a welcoming environment for new students and the community at large. With the creation of a "Green Team," consisting of staff and members from the School Parent Council, and through participatory discussion with students and parents long term goals were created for the school for the promotion of environmental awareness, healthy living and stewardship. The CEIG grant was applied for to complete some of the short term goals of St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary Schools greening process including the creation of shade and seating elements to three areas of their playground. We are currently awaiting and update form the school representative. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: It is proposed that funding in the amount of $10,000 annually be continued in the Capital Budget to fund the CEIG Program. CONCLUSION: The Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program has greatly contributed to environmental awareness and stewardship through the various projects it helped to fund within the City of Kitchener. Through the CEIGP, the City has fostered a sense of pride in the environment in addition to achieving its initial objectives and those of the Strategic Plan for the Environment. Sandro Bassanese Jeff Wilmer Environemental Planner Appendix-A: CEIGP Objectives 1. To increase people's awareness of how they view and treat air, water and land resources and encourage them to be involved in solutions to improve the quality of these resources; 2. To promote healthy lifestyle practices; 3. To foster a sense of environmental stewardship; 4. To promote community environmental awareness; 5. To promote and initiate the development of short term, intermediate term and long term community based environmental programs; and 6. To support environmental research. Appendix-B: CEIGP Grant Criteria 1. Applications will be accepted from non-profit groups, neighbourhood associations and communities of interest. A "community of interest" is a group of individuals who voluntarily associate with each other because they have identified common environmental concerns that impact on the City. 2. Groups should demonstrate an ability to initiate and follow through on projects by having an organizational structure in place to lead and manage the activities and to account for finances. 3. Municipal Capital projects are not generally eligible for direct funding from the Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program. 4. Grant funding for consultants or professional salaries will only be eligible if provided within the context of a partnership with other funders. Organizations must be operating for City of Kitchener residents. A pro-rated contribution may be considered where residence of participants is mixed with other municipalities. 5. Organizations that are the responsibility of other levels of government (Municipal, Regional, Provincial, Federal or Educational) and/or have had their funding cut or reduced by these levels of government are normally not eligible for grant funding. 6. Grant requests from organizations that themselves distribute grants to other organizations will not be considered. 7. Organizations having received a grant through the City's Budget process will not be eligible for a Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program grant. 8. Any organization receiving a grant from the City of Kitchener will recognize the City's contribution in any promotional literature or material which may be prepared by the organization. 9. Grants under this Program are intended for one time funding only, for a specific project. Organizations seeking continual support are encouraged to seek other funding sources. 10. Where applicable, proof of adequate liability insurance should be shown by the organization requesting the grant. 11. All grant requests will be reviewed and evaluated by the Members of the Environmental Committee and Kitchener Staff. 12. Organizations receiving financial assistance are advised that the grant being given should not be regarded as a commitment for future assistance. 13. Organizations receiving a grant must submit a report to the Environmental Committee verifying that the grant funds were used for the purpose intended, and specifically how the grant funds were used. 14. Any organization requesting a grant will be afforded the opportunity to address the Environmental Committee, or appointed Sub-Committee, as a delegation Appendix-C: CEIGP Grant Submission Process 1. All requests for Community Environmental Improvement Grant Program grants need to be submitted to the Kitchener Environmental Committee Administrator, c/o Corporate Services Department, City of Kitchener, 2nd Floor, Kitchener City Hall. 2. All grant requests should be in letter form, and should clearly outline to the Environmental Committee: • issue or problem identification; • organizational structure of the group, association or community of interest; • key contact names; • clear description of the proposed program or project; • outline of benefits to the Kitchener community of the program or project; • implementation plan and schedule; • budget outline; and • other partnership or funding contributors. 3. Where applicable, proof of adequate liability insurance should be shown by the organization requesting the grant. 4. All grant requests will be reviewed and evaluated by the Members of the Environmental Committee and Kitchener Staff. 5. Organizations receiving financial assistance are advised that the grant being given should not be regarded as a commitment for future assistance. 6. Organizations receiving a grant must submit a report to the Environmental Committee verifying that the grant funds were used for the purpose intended, and specifically how the grant funds were used. 7. Any organization requesting a grant will be afforded the opportunity to address the Environmental Committee, or appointed Sub-Committee, as a delegation