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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPDS-042-22Clarington Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Joint Committees Date of Meeting: September 12, 2022 Report Number: PDS-042-22 Submitted By: Carlos Salazar, Director of Planning and Development Services Reviewed By: File Number: Report Subject: Mary -Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#: JC-044-22 By-law Number: Infrastructure Canada — Active Transportation Fund — Grant Funding Agreement Authorization Recommendations: 1. That Report PDS-042-22 and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2. That the Mayor and Clerk, on behalf of the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, be authorized to execute the Active Transportation Fund grant funding agreement for the development of the Municipality's Wayfinding System Strategy, between the Government of Canada and the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington; and 3. That all interested parties listed in Report PDS-042-22 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-042-22 Report Overview Page 2 The Municipality of Clarington submitted an application to Infrastructure Canada's Active Transportation Fund for grant funding to develop a Wayfinding System Strategy to compliment the Municipality's future Active Transportation Master Plan. Clarington has received funding up to $50,000 for this initiative. The report is written to provide authorization for the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement with the Government of Canada. 1. Background 1.1 The Active Transportation Fund (ATF) provides grant funding to projects aimed at supporting a modal shift away from cars and towards active transportation, in support of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy. The ATF invests in projects that build new and expanded networks of active transportation infrastructure in addition to supporting active transportation planning and stakeholder engagement activities. 1.2 In March 2022, the Municipality of Clarington submitted various applications for funding from the ATF which included several infrastructure projects (decisions still pending) and the development of a Wayfinding System Strategy (WSS) initiative. In July 2022, the Municipality was notified as being a successful recipient of funding for the WSS initiative in the amount of $50,000. 1.3 The WSS would be developed in conjunction with the Municipality's Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP) and would be consolidated with the ATMP's budget. The WSS would aim to provide active transportation users with an advisory system that provides specific route and wayfinding information. The initiative would aim to provide a uniform information delivery system through: • Presentation of information such as route maps and route profile information. • Information pertaining to a route's accessibility for accommodation of all users. • Development of an advisory and wayfinding signage strategy and policy. • Develop a consistent 'branding' strategy across both physical and digital information platforms. • The WSS would also engage in an audit of the Municipality's existing active transportation network to strategize optimal placement of the above information. Terms of Reference for the ATMP & WSS are presently being developed and retention of a consultant will occur in 2022 with an expected completion date of Fall 2023. Municipality of Clarington Report PDS-042-22 2. Proposal Page 3 2.1 Prior to entering into an agreement, Infrastructure Canada requires that a resolution be passed authorizing the Municipality to execute the agreement with the Government of Canada. Similar to other agreements with the Government of Canada, delegation of authority to enter into the agreement would be given to the Mayor and Clerk. 3. Financial Considerations 3.1 Grants provide the Municipality with an external source of funding programs, services and projects to the benefit of taxpayers. This grant was not contemplated as part of the 2022 Budget and provides an additional source of funding to the Municipality. 3.2 The Municipal portion of the project will be funded from already approved funds. The acceptance of the grant provides the Municipality with additional resources to meet the goals of this project and the ATMP. 3.3 If Council does not wish to enter into the agreement, the Municipality would not be able to receive the grant funding. 4. Concurrence This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO / Treasurer who concurs with the recommendations. 5. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that the Mayor and Clerk on behalf of the Municipality of Clarington be authorized to execute the agreement between the Government of Canada and the Municipality of Clarington. Staff Contact: Robert Brezina, Capital Works Engineer, 905 623 3379 Ext. 2331 or RBrezina@clarington.net Attachments: Not Applicable Interested Parties: The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: Infrastructure Canada — Active Transportation Fund