HomeMy WebLinkAboutFND-018-08
Cl~iJJgron
REPORT
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Monday September 8, 2008 Resolution #6PA-lJL1;>-o2?'
Meeting:
Date:
Report #: FND-018-0~
File#:
By-law #:
Subject:
CREATING JOBS, BUILDING ONTARIO FUNDING
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
.
1. THAT Report FND-018-08 be received;
i
2. THAT Council approve the allocation of the Creating Jobs, Building Ontario
funding to the follQ\Ning priority projects:
COST:
$1,500,000
1,500,000
310,000
60,000
46,299
50,000
$3,466,299
3. THAT Premier Dalton McGuinty be thanked for providing additional much
needed funding to address infrastructure needs; and
4. THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any necessary agreements
and/or by-laws to facilitate the receipt of funds.
NT/hjl
Reviewed bye) ~
Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer.
REPORT NO.: FND-018.~8
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PAGE 2
Background and Comm,nt:
1.0
In May 2008, the Provincial government passed the Investing in Ontario Act
whereby any unan~cipated provincial year-end surpluses can be used to address
priority public need~ as well as reduce the province's accumulated deficit.
1.1
For 2007-08, muni~ipalities were identified as priority public needs. Future
recipients will be identified by the province based on provincial priorities.
1.2
The surplus for 20Q7 -08 is sufficient to enable $1.1 billion in funding to
municipalities to support infrastructure investments. The Municipality of
Clarington will rece,ve $3,466,299. All funds will be likely be advanced to
municipalities at thlll end of September, 2008.
1.3
The funds are speqifically to be used for capital purposes. Each municipality has
flexibility and discr~tion to spend its allocation on its own capital priorities.
Accountability:
2.0 Municipalities will bl:! subject to accountability requirements including: Reporting
on how the funds were used, Provincial right to independent audit verification,
and Provincial right to recover funds if they are not used for capitall purposes.
Critical Aging Infrastruc~ure:
3.0 As Council is awarEil, the Municipality of Clarington has been very fortunate to
receive several typ~s of infrastructure funding from the upper levels of
government. The federal government has provided gas tax fundiflg for the last
several years whic~ will continue into the future. This funding is primarily only
eligible to be used 9n roads and bridges. There is some opportunity for energy
retrofitting. The prbvince approved an application based grant to Clarington for a
portion of the Newqastle Branch of the Clarington Library. The Province has also
provided funding in! 2008 under a Roads and Bridge Infrastructure Program.
3.1 With the exception of the application based Municipal Infrastructure Investment
Initiative received fq,r the Library, all other grant funding initiatives have been
designed primarily to address road and bridge infrastructure projects. These are
definitely much neEjded projects. Both Engineering and Operations are involved
in this category and emphasize the need for continued sustained support.
However, there hall been no opportunity to address significant aging
infrastructure probl~ms with the Municipality's existing substantial building
portfolios. .
REPORT NO.' FND..,.+
PAGE 3
3.2 Future federal gas tax funds will continue to be primarily dedicated to Roads and
Bridges and the B~i1ding Canada Fund (still to be determined from a Municipal
perspective) also appears to be dedicated to roads and related p~ojects. The
Creating Jobs, Buil~ing Ontario funding opportunity from the Province may be the
only opportunity fo~ some time to come to address critical aging building
infrastructure.
3.3 Many of our municipal buildings now or will very soon need renov:ations to enable
them continue to meet today's expectations. The average age of our community
buildings is 91 yearts old. We are very fortunate with the support of the many
volunteers who are, responsible for the operation of these community buildings
and the support of Council over many years, that our buildings are vibrant part of
community they serve. The roof at the Orono Arena has reached its life cycle
and it is at a stage Where ongoing maintenance is timely and will hOt result in
inconvenience to the users. This will be similar to Newcastle Memorial arena
which is scheduled ,for replacement by 2011.
Recommended Projects;
Newcastle Fire Hall
4.0
As Council is awarer, the Newcastle Fire Hall is a less than ideal design and in an
aging condition to $rvice the needs in Newcastle and surrounding areas. It has
been identified for future replacement and expansion for many years in the
Development Charllles Background Studies and Fire Master Plans. Based on the
legislative requirements under the Development Charges Act, any replacement
component cannot pe funded from Development Charges. In this case, in the
recent Development Charges Update, $1,500,000 of the estimated $4,500,000
cost is attributable to the replacement share component of the building.
As the time horizon is approaching for replacement of this facility, 'it is
recommended that ~he $1.5 million non-growth component that would otherwise
have to be funded through the tax levy or other source of funding be financed
from the Creating Jobs, Building Ontario funds.
Darlington Sports Complex
4.1
5.0 As previously indicated through various staff presentations, the Darlington Sports
Complex is an agin$] facility requiring significant upgrades to ensu,re accessibility
for our patrons and the health and safety of the public and staff alike. This
project was included in the capital forecast for 2009 in the 2008 budget process
with tax levy as the ,only source of financing available. Through the Community
Services Department's strategic plan process, a facility assessment was
completed detailingithe capital requirements to keep the facility operational from
a short term (8 to 10 years) perspective.
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REPORT NO.: FNO-Q1S.ls
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PAGE 4
5.1 Although the facility assessment report indicates an estimate of $1,674,000 to
complete the requi~ed work, staff is recommending a revised tota~ project
estimate of $1,830,000 to incorporate design work and contingencies in dealing
with an aged buildirng. Therefore it would be necessary to utilize $1,500,000 of
the grant funding s~pplemented by $330,000 in the Community Services
Department 2009 ~pital budget.
Orono Arena
6.0 While monitoring hCjls been ongoing for some time, the roof at the Orono Arena
has recently been i~entified as needing complete replacement due to rapidly
deteriorating condit,ons. The cost of this project is estimated at $;310,000 and is
recommended to by financed through the Creating Jobs, Building Ontario grant.
Bowmanville Museum
7.0 Some work is need~d at the Clarington Museums- Bowmanville location
pertaining to the balcony and eavestroughs. The total cost is esti!llated at
$60,000.
Municipal Administrativ~ Centre
8.0 As a safety issue, the surface of the concrete steps, ramp and terrazzo landings
needs to be remov$d, the heating cable reinstalled, and the areas resurfaced to
the original conditiqn. The cost is $80,000. $46,299 will be allocated from the
Creating Jobs, Buil41ing Ontario funding with the balance in future budgets.
Orono Library
10.0 The roof and eavestrough need to be replaced at this location at an estimate of
$50,000.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED PROJECTS:
11.0
.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Newcastle Fire Hlall Replacement
Darlinqton Sports Complex Upqrade
Orono Arena Roof Replacement
Bowmanville Museum
Municipal Adminiistrative Centre
Orono Library
TOTAL
COST:
$1,500,000
1,500,000
310,000
60,000
46,299 .
50,000
$3,466,299
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REPORT NO.: FNO-018.Q8
PAGE 5
Conclusion:
12.0 Staff have identifie~ in the preceeding section some important priorities with
respect to aging b~i1ding infrastructure owned by the Municipality, Staff have
focused on existing buildings that will require significant upgrades and related
financing in the near future. The funding from the province is a response to
repeated Municipal! calls for assistance pertaining to infrastructurt1l deficits.
Roads and related 'infrastructure have not been included here, not because of
lack of need, but d\ile to the opportunity for funds in that category from other grant
sources that have rhOt been available from a building perspective.
9.1 Any questions pertaining specifically to the detailed project should be directed to
the appropriate Department Head.
9.2 It is important to note that the timing for undertaking the above prbjects, once
approved by CounCCil, may be somewhat lengthy. There are factors affecting
each project, due tll its nature, that will impact upon the commencement of the
project. For example, the fall ice season is soon commencing so works cannot
be undertaken during prime seasons. There is not an identified completion
deadline attached .0 the provincial funding.
9.3 It is recommendedithat Council approve the projects identified so that the funds
are earmarked and projects can be planned and co-ordinated in an orderly
fashion.
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREBT, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-4169