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Home My WebLink AboutFND-002-04 ~ CllJ!inglOn REPORT FINANCE DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE E'oS Date: MONDAY, JANUARY 26,2004 Resolution #:GPA- Ora;;J-O'f Report #: FND-002-04 File#: By-law #: Subject: FRIENDS OF THE SECOND MARSH Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report FND-002-04 be received; 2. THAT an interest free loan not be approved to the Friends of the Second Marsh for the Great Lakes Wetland Centre; and 3. THAT the Friends of the Second Marsh and Mr. Chris Conti be advised of Council's decision. Submitted by: Reviewed by: C'J ~--.::...~ Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer. NT/hjl 1 ~ : J,,) i REPORT NO.: FND-002-04 PAGE 2 BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: At a meeting held on April 28, 2003, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington approved recommendation #GPA-193-03: "THAT Report FND-011-03 be received; THAT the request from Mr. Chris Conti for a grant of $50,000 to be payable over several years to the Great Lakes Wetland Centre be denied; THAT Mr. Conti be thanked for his delegation to Council; THAT staff discuss with the Friends of the Second Marsh and report back on the feasibility of the Municipality granting them an interest free loan; and THAT Mr. Conti be advised of the Municipal Grant process for future years." A copy of Report FND-011-03 is attached, Staff have reviewed the implications of an interest free loan. During discussions with staff of the Friends of the Second Marsh, it was indicated that their goal would be an interest free loan that would be forgiven by the Municipality of Clarington over a period of years. This would simply be a grant and in discussion with our auditors would have to be recorded as such in our financial statements. Even if there is no reference to "forgiving" the loan, as there is no collateral or guarantee, our auditors still indicate that it would have to be recognized as a grant up front and funded as a grant. CONCLUSION: Given the significant number of projects within our municipal boundaries, ie. Valleys 2000, Samual Wilmot, etc., along with the future needs of our conservation authorities, it is not recommended that an interest free loan be approved. Attachment A: FND-011-03 I nterested Parties: Mr. Conti, Executive Director Friends of Second Marsh 206 King Street East P.O. Box 26066, RPO King Street Oshawa, Ontario L 1 H 1 CO CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOW MANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-4169 1 j, L Attachment A Clfll-mgton REPORT FINANCE DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: TUESDAY APRIL 22, 2003 Resolution #: Report #: FND-011-03 File#: By-law #: Subject: GREAT LAKES WETLAND CENTRE. PROJECT Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report FND-011-02 be received; 2. .THAT the request from Mr. Chris Conti for a grant of $50,000 to be payable over several years to the Great Lakes Wetland Centre be denied; and 3. THAT Mr. Conti be thanked for his delegation to Council. Reviewed cl- ,~-- ~~ Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer. NT/hjl 1 ,{; ..J .j REPORT NO.: FND-011-03 PAGE 2 BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: 1.0 At the Council meeting of February 24, 2003, Council passed the following resolution: "THAT the delegation of Chris Conti requesting a gift of $50,000 payable over several years, to the Great Lakes Wetland Centre be referred to staff." 1.1 At the same Council meeting, Mr. Chris Conti appeared as a delegation to provide Council with a presentation pertaining to the Great Lakes Wetland Centre Project. The Friends of the Second Marsh wish to construct an interpretive centre to increase the education potential of the Second Marsh. The construction of the centre and the commissioning of the display is estimated to cost $6 million. Attachment A is a brochure provided by the Friends of the Second Marsh outlining the project. 1.2 It is not recommended to proceed with funding for the Great Lakes Wetland Centre. Clarington currently has a significant number of projects underway and in the design stages that will require funding over the next several years. Some examples include the Hampton Pond recovery project, the Valleys 2000 initiative, and several Lake Ontario waterfront projects for which Superbuild applications were submitted, such as the Bowmanville Waterfront Recreation Area. 1.3 Clarington also currently supports, both through the capital and current budgets, nature trail development and maintenance, acquisition of valleylands and waterfront properties, Port of Newcastle waterfront trail, the Syndey B. Rutherford Walkway, Soper Creek Valley and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. Clarington is also an active partner with the conservation authorities for areas such as the Westside Marsh. CONCLUSION: 2.0 At this time, it is recommended that Clarington continue its strong, proactive focus towards trail development and preservation/rehabilitation of sensitive nature areas within its borders. Due to the magnitude of the current projects at various stages of completion and the limited funding available, it is not recommended at this time that funds be directed towards the Great Lakes Wetland Centre. Clarington has historically provided some funding for the Friends of the Second Marsh for projects located in Clarington. 1 ),-i REPORT NO.: FND-011-o3 PAGE 3 Attachment A: The Great Lakes Wetland Interpretive Centre Interested Parties: Mr. Conti Executive Director Friends of Second Marsh 206 King Street East P.O. Box 26066, RPO King Street OShawa, Ontario L 1 H 1 CO CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVllLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-4169 1) ,! J Attaclunent A The Great Lakes Wetlands Interpretive Centre i I i ! I I I I I I . Fnends is acti,'e!v engaged m planning for the construction of the Grea/ Lllkes Wetlalld" Interpretive Centre. to be located on a site located immediatelv adjacent to Second Marsh on Colonel Sam Dnve. . The Centre will feature a Large Viewing Deck. 5tate-ot~the-an Exhibit Space. a Theatre. Classroom alld Meeting .Space. an Ornithological Hall of Fame. a Licenced Restaurant. a Giji Shop. a Book Srore. and much more' . The estimated cost of constructing the C entre and commiSSIOnIng the displays will be 56 millioll. estimated to open m December 2005. Benefits of the Great Lakes Wetlands Interpretive Centre .\I,.TL'rU! E"lunuiv/1l.."u' Ul1dEtH'lrOJwlenh-1I Benetjrs \1'/1/ hi:: gall1f:djj-urn ,he Ct:nlre. Jr \!"ill.. . ProVide year-round enhanced programming for new and eXlstmg educational. programming. . Enhance the protile of Friends within the GT.". as an en\.ironmental resource for the region. . Educate CItiZenS and bus messes on the imponance of havmg an urban wetland in this region. (}:;Ju.nnl and Durham Rt:gion \1,/11 r;l1jOY many econoJllh.: bene.firs. The Ct::nfre trill . F unClion as a valuable toUrist attraclion m Durham Region. attracling over 5./J)()() tourist". ~.y.()U/) "lIIdem" and 56.()()() cOl11mllllity visitors each year. . Generate 51.35 million per year m direct expendnures and substantial spm-off revenue. which \\ III proVIde sustamable re\.enue for Friends operatlons and programs . Generate - FlllI-TilJ1e .lob.\" ~U1d .\'IlJlWrOll.\' Purt-Titlle PositiO/lS and COJlstrza:nOolZ .Job.\' ( h,,. partners lrii! hf: gi\'t'n lhe upporf1ll1lries 10. . Demonstrate theIr En,'ironmelltal Leat/er,hip positIOn. . JOIl1 with leaders aff~ct1l1g "nvIronmentai change through Increased Pllblic Edllcation and .-1 warellt!.'".\ . Invite the Comfllllllity to expenenc,=, first-hand the Environlllentlll isslles surrounding the protectlon or wetlands 111 Ontario. . Demonstrate ;'vfllrket Leadenllip and COlllnlllllit)' Investment m the GT A. ! . Dlsplav their brand name 111 a Pmfile Blli/t/ing ,,'nll High Alltll",1 VisilOr,,'hip. :.. ,~ FRIENDS OF SECOND MARS 905-723-50" frien dsofsecondmarsh@rogers. co' www.secondmarsh.co 1 j) () .. ... t.. Friends of Second Marsh . Friends of Second Marsh (Friends) is a not-for-proflt charitable organization dedicated to wetlands education and the stewardship of Second Marsh and llS watershed. . For the past thirty years. Friends (formerly the Second Marsh Defense Association, credited WIth Protectmg Second Marsh from Harbour Development) has provided leadership in the community-based movement to secure a future for this unique wetland. . Friends is a leader in environmental education, with over 1,300 people annually panicipating in their premier educational programs; Kids in the Marsh Summer Programs and Curriculum Based Wetlands' Walks for school children. . More than 300 communtty volunteers panicipated in Friends Stewardship Projects last year, including the Yellow Fish Road storm drain marking program. Rain Barrel pilot project, construction of the Bob Mills Boardwalk, and the Planting ufTrees and Native Plants. . Throughout its history, Friends has parmered with many organizations for restoration effons and operational requIrements. Key panners include: the City of Oshawa, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Environment Canada, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority and General Motors of Canada Ltd. The Second Marsh Wildlife Area . Second Marsh is a unique resource for the Oshawa area. In combination with adjacent areas, McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Darlington Provincial Park, Second Marsh comprises nearly 400 /lectares of publicly accessible waterfrunt space within the Greater Toronto Area. . This habitat suppons over 380 plant species, 288 bird species. numerous species of mammals, repllles. amphibians and iish, and hundreds of specIes of insects. . Over the past 50 years, more than two thirds of Great Lakes wetlands have been lost to development, drainage and pollullon Education is critical to restoring and maintaining these wetlands in order to protect biodiversity . Throughout Second Marsh. self-guided walks are enhanced by a well-mamtained trail system, way-finding signs, viewing towers and Interprellve sIgns. . The Waterfront Trail, which spans the shores of Lake Ontario from Nlagara-on-the-Lake to Ganonoque, runs through Second Marsh Wildlife Area. , _,". .:.':l , ,. f ,1,! '.. ~ . Second Marsh Wildlife Area comnbuted to Oshawa winntng the Highe".t Level Award in the 2001 Communities in Bloom competition. " ',. :1/' "I ~ 'I"'e" \'. !~., .. , - j) / FRIENDS OF SECOND MARSH 905-723-5047 friendsofsecondmarsh@rogers,com www.secondmarsh.com