Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO: Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

FROM: Director of Finance

SUBJECT: 1998 `OTHER' Grant Requests

RECOMMENDATIONS

CONSIDERATIONS

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

Applications for grants under the `Other' Grants category are to be submitted to the City before March 31 of the current budget year, and the requests are generally submitted to Council in a single report.

On October 24, 1989, as part of the rescue package for the Vancouver Symphony Society, Council approved the lease of office space in the Orpheum basement to the Society at a rent of $100,000 per year, to be offset by a grant of $100,000.

Approval of grants requires eight affirmative votes of Council.

PURPOSE

This report presents six requests for funding under the `Other' Grants category and one request under the Cultural Grant - Theatre Rent category.

BACKGROUND

Council established the `Other' Grants budget to provide funding for grant requests which do not meet the criteria for Community Services, Cultural, Day-care or Environmental grants. The "OTHER" grant category provides funding for the annual recurring and miscellaneous categories as well as for several specific programs, including Vancouver Art Stabilization Fund, The Barriers to Bridges program, the Sister City Societies and the Community Policing Offices.

The 1998 ceiling for `Other' Grants was set by Council at $550,000. To date, $392,540 of this allocation has been distributed as grants or reserved for on-going grant programs such as the Community Crime Prevention Offices and Arts Stabilization Fund. The current unallocated balance is $157,460

`OTHER' GRANT REQUESTS-
ANNUAL RECURRING AND MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORIES

In presenting these requests for grants in the "Other' category, the Director of Finance notes that several of the applicants have requested increases over their 1997 funding levels in excess of local inflation and in excess of growth in other areas of the City's grant budget. The general increase in the grant ceilings for 1998 was 1% across all grant categories. In order to maintain some equity in the treatment of grant programs, it is recommended that, should Council wish to continue funding for the organizations represented in this report in 1998, approval be limited to not more than 1% more than the 1997 funding levels.

Vancouver City Planning Commission Requested $47,162

Funding for the Vancouver City Planning commission is provided by Council by way of an annual grant. The Commission develops a budget which forms the basis of the grant request and any year-end surplus goes to reduce the subsequent year's request.

The VCPC has submitted an operating grant request (Appendix A) totalling $47,162 after allowance for a 1997 surplus of $14. This request maintains the 1998 gross budget at the 1997 level of $ 47,176.

Cycling British Columbia Requested $6,000

In order to qualify for a Bicycle Courier Licence, applicants must successfully complete a bicycle courier accreditation program. The City has provided Cycling British Columbia with an annual grant since 1989 to aid in developing and administering this bicycle courier testing program. The grants to Cycling BC have ranged from $2,500 to $6,000 annually, depending on the programs proposed for the year. In 1997, Council approved a grant of $6,000. The following indicates the number of licences issued and licence revenue earned from 1995 to 1998 (to date):

The 1998 grant request of $6,000 is to continue funding of the same programs that were funded in 1997: for the on-going administration costs related to the written and road testing program, and to continue the preparatory seminar for the road test.

Priorities of the program for the latter part of 1998 and for 1999, include work to re-write the Courier Licencing test and reformatting the layout of the package, in addition to working with the City to ensure that a self-sufficient program is possible in the near future

The Assistant Director, License & Property Use and the Director of Finance recommended in 1997 that Council continue the funding for Cycling BC in 1997 but recommend that the Licence Branch explore with the organization the ways in which the program can continue without ongoing City financial support for a report back as part of the grant process in 1998. Cycling BC in conjunction with the Licence Branch have agreed that the grant will be phased out over a two year period. This will be accomplished through a $7.50 increase in test fees in each of the years 1999 and 2000 to be offset by a reduction in the grant by $3,000 in each of these years. The program is proposed to be self sustaining and the grant fully eliminated in 2000. Continuation of the grant for 1998 is recommended.

SPCA - Vancouver Regional Branch Requested $27,470

The Vancouver Regional branch of the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has submitted a 1998 grant request of $27,470 to the City to assist in maintaining the services to the residents of Vancouver. The 1998 request represents a 2.5% increase over the 1997 level of $26,800.

The Director of Finance submits this request for CONSIDERATION but recommends that the 1998 funding level be held at not more than 1997 approved levels.

Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver Requested $4,000

The City has provided financial assistance to the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver for a number of years. The grants, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500, have been used to cover the cost of events sponsored by the Association. In 1997, a grant of $3,500 was approved.

The Association has submitted a 1998 grant request of $4,000 to the City. The grant will be used to offset costs related to the Chinese New Year Parade, the Lion Dance and the Canada Day celebration.

The Director of Finance submits this request for CONSIDERATION but recommends that the 1998 funding level be held at not more than 1997 approved levels.

Vancouver Block Parent Requested $2,800

Funding to the Vancouver Block Parent Program had been channelled through the Vancouver Safety Council before the Safety Council ceased its operation in 1992. Since 1993, Council has provided grants to the program which has the support of the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Police Department. The 1997 approved grant was for $2,800. For the last few years the Vancouver Block Parent Program has struggled relative to its potential and to other Block Parent programs. In early 1998, The Vancouver Police Department approached Riley Park Community Policing Centre to take over the Block Parent program, which they have agreed to do. The immediate objective is to revitalize and restructure the organization to provide one coordinated Community Policing Model for Vancouver, and decentralize responsibility to each of the districts.

The Director of Finance submits the request for CONSIDERATION.

CULTURAL GRANT - THEATRE RENT CATEGORY

On October 24, 1989, Council approved a rescue package to assist the Vancouver Symphony Society to avoid bankruptcy. Part of that rescue package was an agreement to lease the basement of the Orpheum Theatre at an annual rent of $100,000, to be offset by a grant of $100,000 from the City. This arrangement allows the Symphony Society to use the City contribution as leverage in its fund raising efforts. The lease has been renewed annually, subject to the approval of the grant from the City.

The Director of Finance RECOMMENDS that this lease be renewed for the period of January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998 inclusive, and the rent for the period be set at $100,000. It is further recommended that a grant of $100,000 be approved to cover the lease cost; the source of funds to be the 1998 Cultural Grant - Theatre Rent budget.

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS DOCUMENT THAT DO NOT HAVE ELECTRONIC COPY ARE AVAILABLE ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE

* * * * *

cs9811105

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver