Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-004-25Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: March 3, 2025 Report Number: CAO-004-25 Authored By: Justin MacLean, Director, Strategic Initiatives Submitted By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: Resolution Number: File Number: Report Subject: Bowmanville Hospital Foundation and Marigold Hospice Recommendations: 1.That Report CAO-004-25, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2.That the CAO be directed to provide support to help advance the fundraising and public awareness efforts of the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation and Marigold Hospice; and 3.That all interested parties listed in Report CAO-004-25, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report CAO-004-25 Report Overview Council has shown its commitment to helping improve health care services in Clarington through significant financial contributions and enhanced engagement with the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation and Marigold Hospice. As these two critical projects continue to advance, this report provides Council with an overview of Staff’s approach to assist both organizations as they navigate through the next stages. 1. Background 2024-2027 Clarington Strategic Plan 1.1 As part of the public engagement component of the design of the 2024 -2027 Clarington Strategic Plan, healthcare was ranked as a top priority by the community. 1.2 Council included the following in the Strategic Plan - Priority C.2.1: Support efforts to improve access to medical practitioners and health care services. As part of that Priority area, the following Actions were endorsed: • Advocate for construction to begin on the Bowmanville Hospital Expansion • Continued support for the construction of the Clarington Hospice 1.3 Council has demonstrated that commitment in a variety of ways, notably through the following recent financial investments: Bowmanville Hospital Foundation Marigold Hospice* $7.5 million contribution through 2024-27 Multi-Year Budget $1.25 million grant to the Durham Region Hospice – Clarington in 2023 to start construction *Land was previously donated by Municipality, and the municipal development charges were paid by the Municipality. $28K+ raised from the 2024 Mayor’s Golf Classic $32K+ raised from the 2023 Mayor’s Golf Classic Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report CAO-004-25 2. Continued Commitment Enhanced Engagement 2.1 As part of the workplan to implement the Actions outlined in the Strategic Plan, Staff in the Office of the CAO met with the CEO and staff from Bowmanville Hospital Foundation and members of the Board at Marigold Hospice Board to understand how best we can collaborate and support them in their journey. 2.2 Both organizations were appreciative of staff’s time and the offer to assist where possible, noting the financial and in-kind support they both received to date from Council. 2.3 A critical piece of the discussions was establishing a primary staff point of contact – which has been done with both organizations through the Office of the CAO. This will help streamline requests and navigate specific municipal and/or regional issues as they come up. This has been completed, and some work has taken place through this channel already. Communications and Community Engagement 2.4 To support fundraising efforts, both organizations identified that they would benefit from support through various municipal communications efforts, including social media. Staff have committed to assisting by leveraging Municipal communication vehicles to assist with public awareness and overall education efforts. Financial 2.5 The Municipality has historically supported the United Way through a payroll deduction and Christmas auction. Staff are looking to re-allocate those efforts to support the hospital foundation and hospice as the charities of choice over the next two years. 2.6 Interest was also expressed in advertising opportunities in municipal facilities. Staff are prepared to work with the two organizations to design an advertising support package that would include flexible financial costing. Other 2.7 Staff will work with Marigold Hospice, as directed by Council, to formally recognize the volunteer construction that made the project a reality. Consideration is being given to a commemorative art piece, which could hang in the lobby of the facility, or something similar. Those conversations are ongoing. Staff will be able to cover any costs through existing budgets. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report CAO-004-25 3. Financial Considerations 3.1 With the request for direction to support both organizations in their fundraising and public awareness efforts, some fee waiving/reduction, or in-kind resource allocation, will be required. 4. Strategic Plan This work directly links to the following items in the Clarington Strategic Plan: C.2.1: Support efforts to improve access to medical practitioners and health care services – Advocate for construction to begin on the Bowmanville Hospital Expansion – Continued support for the construction of the Clarington Hospice. 5. Climate Change Not Applicable. 6. Concurrence Not Applicable. 7. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Council provide staff direction to build upon the support efforts to date. Staff Contact: Justin MacLean, Director, Strategic Initiatives, jmaclean@clarington.net. Or Melissa Westover, Manager, Communications, mwestover@clarington.net Attachments: Not Applicable. Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.