HomeMy WebLinkAboutFND-016-01
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REPORT II 2
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Clw:il1gton
REPORT
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Meeting:
COUNCIL
Date:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2001
Resolution #:
Report #: FND-016-01
File#:
By-law #:
Subject:
ORONO CROWN LANDS TRUST INC. REQUEST FOR FUNDING
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended to Council the following:
1. THAT Report FND-016-01 be received;
2. THAT the request for funding from the Orono Crown Lands Trust Inc. be denied;
and
3. THAT the applicant be advised of the Municipal Grant process,
Reviewed ba.~~
Franklin Wu
Chief Administrative Officer
NMT/hjl
"
REPORT NO.: FND-016-01
PAGE 2
BACKGROUND
1.0 At the Council meeting held on November 26, 2001, correspondence was
received from John Thomson, Chair, Orono Crown Lands Trust Inc., (Attachment
"A"), requesting funding from the Municipality for some of their start-up and
property improvement costs regarding the Orono Crowns Land.
1.1 The correspondence was referred to the Director of Finance.
1.2 The Orono Crown Land Trust Inc, is an incorporated, non-profit organization.
They have applied for charitable status and are awaiting approval. Until the
charitable registration number is issued, funding abilities are temporarily limited
in that many organizations require a receipt with a charitable number for income
tax purposes.
1,3 The Trust has a signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Natural
Resources. Their objective is to ensure the continued availability of the facility
for the public for passive recreational uses. There is also an outdoor education
centre on the site,
1.4 The Ministry of Natural Resources owns the lands in question and is still
responsible for capital costs associated with the facility. The Orono Crown Land
Trust Inc. has some input in prioritizing improvement projects being
recommended for provincial budget financing (ie. Fire road access, gate
maintenance, parking lot improvements, etc.).
1,5 The Trust has the goal of providing and maintaining public input into what is
happening on the site and assists in maintaining and improving the safety of the
site,
1.6 The request by the Orono Crown Land Trust Inc. for funding from the Municipality
is primarily to recover start-up costs of the Trust already incurred, such as
incorporation costs and insurance costs.
1.7 From a municipal liability perspective, this issue was discussed with the Durham
Municipal Insurance Pool. It is determined that there is no liability attached to the
Municipality in providing grant funding. The Municipality has no involvement in
the day-to-day management or operation of the site and is not a party to the
partnership agreement between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Orono
Crown Land Trust Inc.
1.8 The request has been discussed with the Community Services Department. The
request complies with the provisions of the Municipal Grant Policy with respect to
funding categories and is therefore eligible.
REPORT NO.: FND-016-01
PAGE 3
CONCLUSIONS
2,0 The Municipal Grant Policy states the following; "Late applications or requests
received subsequent to the current year's municipal budget approval will be
referred to Council for direction." Often, in this case, the applicant is referred to
the next year's budget process.
2.1 There is a concern that a portion of the funding will be directed towards the
maintenance and upkeep of provincially owned lands, While the ability to provide
public input into the use of the lands is a positive opportunity, costs reflecting to
the lands and improvements thereto should be borne by the Province of Ontario,
2.2 As mentioned above, the funding request is primarily to recover costs already
incurred. The Municipality did not authorize or commit to any funding in advance
of costs being incurred and therefore has no obligation to provide funding,
Generally, it is anticipated that grants are provided to allow for a future benefit for
Clarington residents, not to recover costs already incurred. However, due to the
timing of this request, the applicant still has the opportunity to apply for funding
through the 2002 grant process.
2.3 It is therefore recommended that the request for funding be denied,
REPORT NO.: FND-016-01
PAGE 4
Attachment "A" _ Correspondence from Orono Crowns Land Trust Inc,
Interested Party:
Orono Crown Lands Trust Inc.
5995 Main Street
Orono, Ontario
LOB IMO
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0608
I'.';~:~il:,'?:':~:< ' D - 0;
, - JRONO CROWN LANDS TRUST INCIIGL
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
p~
NOV 2 0 2001
5995 MAIN STREET, ORONO ONTARIO LOB IMO
TEL:905-983-5970 FAX:905-983-6115
ATTACHMENT "A"
20 November 2001
Members of Clarington Council.
Bowmanville, Ontario.
As you are aware the Orono Crown Lands Trust has successfully negotiated a partnership
agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources to provide ongoing stewardship for the approximately 1100
acre Orono Crown Lands. We are seeking fun.<ling_ fro!ll_tl1~mllIlicipa1ity for some of our start-up and property
improvement costs.
We have recently completed our first lIll\ior maintenance project which included the re-
cutting of the fire breaks and the opening of the major vehicle roads through-out the property. Some future near
term projects include erecting a gate at the west end of the bridge over Wilmot Creek, to limit unauthorised
vehicle access to the property. We also plan re-vegetation of the area surrounding the Second Flume.
The Orono Crown Lands Trust is a volunteer organization formed to provide and
5Upervise the day-to-day operation, management and maintenance of this valuable natural resource.
or your consideration
w
Jo Thomson
Chair, Orono Crown Lands Trust