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Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: April 16, 2018
Report Number: FND-007-18 Resolution: GG -210-18
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Ontario's Main Street Revitalization Initiative
Recommendations:
1. That Report FND-007-18 be received; and
2. That the By-law attached to Report FND-007-18 be approved.
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Report FND-007-18
Report Overview
This report is prepared to seek Council approval to enter into a funding agreement with the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario for the Main Street Revitalization Initiative under the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as well as identify the proposed
municipal projects under this funding.
1. Background
Program Overview
1.1 On January 23, 2018 the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and
Small Business announced the "Main Street Revitalization Initiative" at the Rural Ontario
Municipal Association (ROMA) annual conference.
1.2 The program will distribute $26 million in support for Ontario's main streets and business
communities. All single and lower tier municipalities in Ontario are eligible for funding.
1.3 On March 12, 2018, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) signed an
agreement with OMAFRA to administer the funding for this program, effective April 1,
2018. Municipalities are required to enter into an agreement with AMO to receive funding
under this program.
1.4 The Municipality was informed that its allocation is $110,988, this increased from the
original funding announcement of $106,265.
Eligible Projects
1.5 There are two streams for eligible projects: a) Implementation of priority incentives in
existing Community Improvement Plans (CIPS) and b) Strategic municipal infrastructure.
1.6 Investment in existing CIPS includes:
x Commercial building fagade improvements;
x Preservation and adaptive reuse of heritage and industrial buildings;
x Provision of affordable housing;
x Space conversion for residential and commercial uses;
x Structure improvements to buildings (e.g. Building Code upgrades);
x Improvement of community energy efficiency; and
x Accessibility enhancements.
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Report FND-007-18
1.7 Investments in strategic municipal infrastructure include:
x Signage — wayfinding/directional and gateway;
x Streetscaping and landscape improvements (such as benches, planters, lighting, etc.);
and
x Marketing plan implementation.
Restrictions
1.8 Eligible costs are those incurred between April 1, 2018 up to and including March 31,
2020. Funds must be spent and the project must be complete by March 31, 2020.
1.9 Funds may cover 100% of the project's costs and maybe stacked with other projects or
funding. If the funds are used with another funding program any restrictions in place with
that project are still in force.
1.10 Work for highways, short -sea shipping, short -line rail, regional or local airports and
brownfield redevelopment are not eligible.
2. Proposed Projects
2.1 The Municipality is required to provide an information report to AMO immediately upon
signing the agreement. The information report will provide information regarding the
proposed project(s) and the expected costs.
2.2 Staff from the Planning Services, Engineering Services and Finance Departments met to
discuss potential projects under this program. While there are several eligible categories
for projects, many of those categories have alternative funding opportunities which the
municipality is or will utilize in the future. There are existing programs that provide
funding for affordable housing, energy efficiency improvements, active transportation, and
business marketing initiatives. Funding for the Community Improvement Grants are in
place. There are few opportunities for public art funding available for municipalities and
Staff believe this would be a way to engage the arts community and provide a lasting
legacy from this program.
2.3 Because there are few opportunities for public art funding, as well as the role public art
plays in the beautification of main street areas, Staff are recommending the funds be
used for public art pieces in each of the downtowns including Courtice (within the CIP
boundaries). Staff will be working with the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington to develop a
process for the creation of the public arts pieces and to involve the local art community
and artists.
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Report FND-007-18
2.4 Given the time to organize the process and commission the final artworks and determine
the appropriate municipal lands to locate the artwork on in each downtown, it is
anticipated the project can be completed in March 2020.
3. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by the Director of Engineering and the Director of Planning
Services who concur with the recommendations.
4. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that the funding agreement and the proposed art
competition identified be approved under this funding initiative.
5. Strategic Plan Application
The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan.
Submitted by:
Nancy Tayjor,4BA,. CPA, CA,
Director of Finance/Treasurer
Reviewed by:
Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B
CAO
Staff Contact: Trevor Pinn, CPA, CA, Deputy Treasurer, 905-623-3379 or
tpinn@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - By-law to authorize execution of a Funding Agreement with AMO — Ontario's
Main Street Revitalization Initiative
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.
If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the
Accessibility Co-ordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
By-law 2018 -XXX
Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Funding Agreement with the Association
of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) — Ontario's Main Street Revitalization Initiative.
Whereas the Municipality wishes to enter into an agreement in order to participate in
Ontario's Main Streets Revitalization Initiative;
And Whereas the Municipality acknowledges that funds received through the
Agreement must be invested in an interest bearing reserve account until the earliest of
expenditure or March 31, 2020;
Now therefore the Council of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows:
That the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute, on behalf of the
Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, and seal with the Corporation seal,
a funding Municipal Funding Agreement for the transfer of Main Streets
Revitalization Initiatives funds between the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario and the Municipality of Clarington as in Schedule A attached hereto.
2. That Schedule A shall form part of this by-law.
Passed in Open Council this 30th day of April, 2018.
Adrian Foster, Mayor
C. Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk