1999 "OTHER" Grant Requests

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Author/Local: J.Beresford/

873-7789

Date: October 20, 1999
RTS No: 1120

File No.:2201
CS&B: December 16, 1999

TO: Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets

FROM: General Manager Corporate Services / Director of Finance

SUBJECT: 1999 `OTHER' Grant Requests

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT a grant of $47,162 be approved to the Vancouver City Planning Commission; source of funds to be the 1999 `OTHER' Grants Budget.

B. THAT a grant of $100,000 be approved to the Vancouver Symphony Society to offset the rent payable under the lease with Civic Theatres for the period of January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999; source of funds to be the 1999 Cultural Grant - Theatre Rent budget.

CONSIDERATION

C. THAT a grant of $3,000 be approved to the BC Bicycling Association; source of funds to be 1999 `OTHER' Grant budget.

D. THAT a grant of $3,500 (1998 funding level) be approved to the Chinese Benevolent Association of BC; source of funds to be 1999 `OTHER' Grant budget.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Corporate Services RECOMMENDS approval of A and B, and submits the items in C and D for CONSIDERATION.

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 three 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 1999 ceiling for `Other' Grants was set by Council at $450,000. To date, $364,425 of this allocation has been distributed as grants or reserved for on-going grant programs such as the Vancouver City Planning Commission. The current unallocated balance is $128,475.

`OTHER' GRANT REQUESTS-
ANNUAL RECURRING AND MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORIES

In presenting these requests for grants in the "Other' category, the Director of Finance notes that one of the applicants has requested an increase over their 1998 funding level in excess of local inflation and in excess of growth in other areas of the City's grant budget. As partof the Budget Management plan approved by Council on October 22, 1998 to balance the 1999 budget, a reduction of $100,000 or 1% was proportionately applied across the major grant categories. As a consequence, no allowance for inflation was provided in the 1999 grant ceilings and funding remains at the 1998 level.

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 1999, approval be limited to not more than the 1998 funding levels.

Vancouver City Planning Commission Requested $47,162

1998 funding $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. The funding arrangement between the City and VCPC considers any prior year surplus in the current year funding approval. No adjustment will be required as the 1998 results indicated a minor deficit of $42. The VCPC has not requested or received a budget increase during the past five years. Although they are not requesting additional funding for 1999, the VCPC will be seeking an increase for the year 2000. Recommended funding maintains the 1999 gross budget at the 1998 level of $ 47,162.

Cycling British Columbia Requested $3,000

1998 funding $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 1998, Council approved a phase-out grant of $6,000.

The 1999 grant request of $3,000 is to assist in funding of the same programs that were funded in 1998: for the on-going administration costs related to the written and road testing program, and to continue the preparatory seminar for the road test.

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 continuewithout ongoing City financial support for a report back as part of the grant process in 1998. Cycling BC in conjunction with the Licence Branch 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. This is the final year of the grant payment to Cycling BC under this arrangement. Continuation of a grant at reduced levels for 1999 is recommended.

Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver Requested $6,000

1998 funding $3,500

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 1998, a grant of $3,500 was approved. The Association completed the 1998 fiscal year with a moderate surplus of $4,246.

The Association has submitted a 1999 grant request of $6,000 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 1999 funding level be held at not more than 1998 approved levels.

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, 1999 to December 31, 1999 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 1999 Cultural Grant - Theatre Rent budget.

NOTE FROM CLERK: ELECTRONIC COPY OF APPENDIX A IS NOT AVAILABLE -ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK.

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