Council Highlights - May 3, 2021
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Municipal Grant Allocation
On Monday, May 3, 2021, Council received the Municipal Grant Allocation report from staff, approving the 2021 Municipal Grant allocations of $6,948 waived facility fees; $30,700 cash allocations; and $10,600 of estimated in-kind labour requests, as outlined in the 2021 Municipal Grant Summary.
In accordance with Municipal Grants Policy S400-04, applications for funding are accepted annually from not-for-profit organizations that implement significant events & services within the Town of Pelham. These organizations are eligible for grant funding of in-kind contributions. In-kind contributions include the waiving of fees for use of Town facilities for the purposes of developing and organizing significant events and can also include staff labour. In addition to in-kind contributions, Council may, at its discretion, approve grants to support community not-for-profit organizations groups or events that will be of a direct benefit to the residents of Pelham.
As per the Policy, there are two categories of grant awards:
Application based process (up to $20,000.00 maximum for the calendar year)
- Qualifying applicants are eligible to receive up to $4,000.00 of non-cash, in-kind funding.
- The grant provides relief to organizations from the Town established user fees. - In-Kind funding can be granted as waived fees and in-kind labour assistance.
Requests to Council (up to $40,000.00 maximum for the calendar year)
- Requests are considered on a first come first serve basis
- Requests to Council for this category may be for cash or in-kind contributions. Total 2021 Municipal Grant Budget is $42,000.00
After a review of the applications received for waived fees; in-kind assistance; and cash contributions, it is recommended that $6,948.00 be allocated to waived fees and $30,700.00 in cash funding. It is estimated that $10,600.00 of in-kind labour requests were received.
Due to the COVID pandemic many events/facility use had to be cancelled, resulting in $4,352 remaining in the budget. Applications for use of facilities that are summer/fall uses are on-hold because of the pandemic. Additional requests may be received during the year as facilities open. Staff will keep Council informed of future requests. Please see the attached proposed funding summary for details and past grant recipients.
Streaming at the MCC
Council received the staff “Proposed Purchase and Installation of Video Streaming Equipment for MCC", approving the purchase and installation of video streaming equipment for the Accursi Room in the Meridian Community Centre, with $51,000 be funded from the new 2021 COVID-19 Recovery Funding for Municipal Programs; and $32,000 be funded from the carry forward capital funds in IT-01-20.
COVID-19 has severely restricted participation in recreation programming for all ages. This is especially the case with seniors and persons with disabilities in the educational, social, health and wellness, fitness, cultural activities and information programming at the Meridian Community Centre (MCC), a designated Senior Active Living Centre. The 2016 Census Data indicates that 41% of Pelham’s population are 55 years of age or older, residing in 5 rural and semi-rural Villages.
In an effort to break down barriers and increase access the installation of video- streaming equipment in the Accursi Room at the MCC would be very beneficial.
This equipment will enable both live-streaming of activities on multiple social media platforms and recording of activities for access at any time using the Town of Pelham’s YouTube channel. This will reach seniors, persons with disabilities and other residents who cannot access in-person programs, reducing social isolation and improving inclusion and opportunities for participation. Participants will be able to view the events and programs (both livestreamed and recorded) from the comfort of their individual or congregate residences. The Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee and its volunteers are directly involved in recommending and supporting programming and activities.
By installing video equipment, programming will permanently be available live streamed on multiple social media platforms or as a recording, making it accessible 24/7 for those who cannot participate in person. Live streamed and recorded programs are expected to at least double participation in current programming and support program expansion. This significant increase in participation is expected based on a recent experience with a planned in-person Coffee House series at the MCC which pivoted to a virtual activity due to the pandemic restrictions. The redesigned virtual 4-part series was viewed by a total audience of 5,170 on Facebook and YouTube, far surpassing the maximum 600 persons anticipated for an in-person series. The popular Big Band series and informational activities such as the Fraud seminar and the Seniors Fair, both co-hosted by the Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee, will be available live or as a recording.
The proposed video streaming equipment will be well utilized during the pandemic and after increase use of the MCC for private rentals and Council public meetings, to name a few.
Snow clearing on Steve Bauer trail this winter
Municipal sidewalks and paved multiuse trails receive snow and ice clearing services in accordance to the Town of Pelham Winter Operations Policy S802-04 through the use of a local contractor. The Steve Bauer Trail is designated as a recreation trail and does not receive this service. The Steve Bauer trail has been signed accordingly to warn users of the lack of winter maintenance.
It is generally believed that the newly paved portion of trail has experienced an increase in use since the hard surfacing was completed, and as a result of the covid-19 pandemic as people seek outdoor activities and recreation opportunities. The trail also provides an important link between neighborhoods in South/East Fonthill and the Downtown area throughout the year.
Through a quote provided by the contractor currently engaged by the Town to perform the snow clearing on sidewalks and trails, the cost of completing winter service on the 1.6km paved portion of the Steve Bauer Trail is $125 per event.
The Town of Pelham ranges between 25 and 35 winter events per year. The cost of providing this service is estimated at $3,750 annually based on an average of 30 winter events. This cost represents 0.78 % of the total winter operations budget of $476,650.