The general authority for funding activities which fall under the Community Park services for Electoral Area A comes from the establishing Bylaw No.798 which has the following “purpose” statement:
Community Parks is established as a service for the purpose of acquiring, developing, operating and maintaining land and facilities on land acquired by the Regional District of Nanaimo and designated as community park land and to provide assistance for the operations and improvement of buildings owned and operated by incorporated non-profit organizations for the purpose of providing recreation and cultural opportunities to residents within Electoral Area ‘A’.
These funds are contributed under some subdivision circumstances and may only be used for parkland acquisition. This restriction is set out in the Local Government Act. The Fund balance has been accumulated over more than a decade. With the exception of one small contribution in 2007, additions to this account have arisen solely from interest earned on the funds.
General Reserve Fund $312,292
These funds were set aside from annual operating budgets . Their use is set out under Bylaw No.1455 with the following notation:
“Money in the reserve fund shall be used for acquisition of or major improvements to community parks within Electoral Area ‘A’.”
Like the Cash-in-Lieu Reserve Fund, it has taken more than a decade to accumulate the monies in the General Reserve Fund. Over the 5 year period ending 31 December 2011, surpluses totalling $105,000 have been applied to this fund.
The model Tipple project with related signage and lighting would be funded in the amount of $100,000 and the Skate-Bike facility would be funded in the amount of $139,000. Those amounts would come solely from the “General Reserve” fund.
A. Cedar Skate/Bike Park
Background History
In 2004, the Cedar Skatepark Association was formed and the Regional District was requested to help advance the development of the park.
In June 2005, School District 68 approved in principle the Association's request for use of a section of the Cedar Community Secondary School property. SD68 reaffirmed this in January 2010 on the condition that the land use agreement would be with the RDN.
The 2009 estimated total cost of development and construction was estimated to be $482,040.
The following motion is shown in the RDN Board Minutes of October 27, 2009:
MOVED Director Burnett, SECONDED Director Unger that the Regional District fund up to $139,000 or 1/3 of the project's $417,000. project costs from the Electoral Area 'A' Community Parks operational reserve fund and the remaining project funds be raised by the Cedar Skateboard Park Association through donations, in-kind contributions and applicable government and community grants.
The following motion is shown in the RDN Board Minutes of October 27, 2009:
MOVED Director Burnett, SECONDED Director Unger that the Regional District fund up to $139,000 or 1/3 of the project's $417,000. project costs from the Electoral Area 'A' Community Parks operational reserve fund and the remaining project funds be raised by the Cedar Skateboard Park Association through donations, in-kind contributions and applicable government and community grants.
The following motion is shown in the RDN Board Minutes of November 22, 2011:
MOVED Director Burnett, SECONDED Director Bartram, that the Regional District of Nanaimo apply to the Province of British Columbia's Community Recreation Program for the construction of the Cedar Skate and Bike Park in Electoral Area 'A' and the the project commence upon confirmation of approved funding from the Community Recreation Program. CARRIED
The source of funds to pay for this project per staff recommendations are as follows:
Cedar Skatepark Association $ 46,590.
RDN Electoral Area 'A' Parks Fund 139,000.
BC Community Rec'n Program 296,410.
TOTAL PROJECTED COST $482,000.
The Province of B. C. will announce the successful applicants for the grants by March 31, 2012.
B. Cedar Plaza Community Park Entrance Kiosk - Tipple Structure, Signage, Lighting
Background History
Cedar Village Estates (the small lot development behind the Wheatsheaf Inn), as a condition of a covenant registered on their property, was required to construct sidewalks throughout their proposed subdivison. The applicants proposed that they provide a cash contribution of $48,500. to the RDN to use towards enhancements of the Morden Colliery Trail. The following motion occurred at the November 2009 regular monthly meeting of the RDN Board of Directors:
Subdivision Application No. PL2009-787 Request for Cash-in-Lieu of Sidewalks Cedar Village Estates - Cedar & Hemer Roads - Electora Area 'A'
MOVED Director Burnett, Seconded Director Young, that the proposal for a contribution in lieu of sidewalks within the Cedar Village subdivision be approved and that the $48,500. be driected toward further improvements to the Morden Colliery Trail system. CARRIED
Following this, $12,000. of these monies was allocated toward culverting in front of the Cedar Plaza leaving only $36,500. of the cash contribution for enhancements.
At the November 12, 2010 meeting of the Electoral Area 'A' Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission, an RDN Staff Parks Planner acknowledged the Chairperson's (Director J. Burnett) comments that the tipple structure was to be covered by the $48,500 credit received for the sidewalks. At he RDN Committee of the Whole Meeting of the Board of Directors on October 11, 2011, the following motion occurred:
MOVED, Director Burnett, SECONDED, Director Johnstone, that the Regional District proceed with the preparation of work drawings and tending documents, including a detailed cost estimate for the kiosk project (Morden Colliery Trail Entrance) and report back to the electoral Area 'A' Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission and Board prior to tendering for construction. CARRIED
The most recent cost estimate for this structure is $100,000. with $36,500. being covered by the balance of the monies received in lieu of providing sidewalks. Presumably the balance of monies, some $63,500. will be taken from the Electoral Area 'A' Parks Fund account,
Note On Electoral Area 'A' General Reserve Park Fund
Prior to the above projects being considered, the Park Fund had a balance of $312,292. There were a few modest expenditures from this reserve fund in 2011 with the largest contribution towards a new floor in the Cedar Community Hall. If the above projects are approved and moved forward, the remaining balance in this fund will be approximately $50,000.
C. Cedar Community Policing Contribution
Background History
In October 2011 representatives from the Cedar Community Policing Office (CCPO), a registered non-profit (since 1998) organization appeared before the RDN Board requesting annual funding support in the amount of $2,000. The request has been included in the preliminary 2012 budget. In order to provide support to the CCPO, a bylaw must be adopted on or before the end of April 2012. The estimated cost of providing $2,000. annually is $0.002 per $1,000. or 20 cents per $100,000. of property assessment value. The Local Government Act permits the use of an alternative approval process when the cost of service is less than $0.50 per $1,000. of assessment.
The CCPO through its volunteer participation provides community policing activites and other support to the community. The CCPO volunteers receive guidance and support services through their liaison officer with the Nanaimo RCMP Detachment but receive no annual funding. The volunteers currently fundraise approximately $6,000. to support their annual operating costs.
Given that the Board provides ongoing funding for community safety services such as the Nanaimo Search and Rescue, the John Howard Society, and the RCMP Victim's Services, this request fits within the criteria and can be considered for annual funding.
B. Cedar Plaza Community Park Entrance Kiosk - Tipple Structure, Signage, Lighting
Background History
Cedar Village Estates (the small lot development behind the Wheatsheaf Inn), as a condition of a covenant registered on their property, was required to construct sidewalks throughout their proposed subdivison. The applicants proposed that they provide a cash contribution of $48,500. to the RDN to use towards enhancements of the Morden Colliery Trail. The following motion occurred at the November 2009 regular monthly meeting of the RDN Board of Directors:
Subdivision Application No. PL2009-787 Request for Cash-in-Lieu of Sidewalks Cedar Village Estates - Cedar & Hemer Roads - Electora Area 'A'
MOVED Director Burnett, Seconded Director Young, that the proposal for a contribution in lieu of sidewalks within the Cedar Village subdivision be approved and that the $48,500. be driected toward further improvements to the Morden Colliery Trail system. CARRIED
Following this, $12,000. of these monies was allocated toward culverting in front of the Cedar Plaza leaving only $36,500. of the cash contribution for enhancements.
At the November 12, 2010 meeting of the Electoral Area 'A' Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission, an RDN Staff Parks Planner acknowledged the Chairperson's (Director J. Burnett) comments that the tipple structure was to be covered by the $48,500 credit received for the sidewalks. At he RDN Committee of the Whole Meeting of the Board of Directors on October 11, 2011, the following motion occurred:
MOVED, Director Burnett, SECONDED, Director Johnstone, that the Regional District proceed with the preparation of work drawings and tending documents, including a detailed cost estimate for the kiosk project (Morden Colliery Trail Entrance) and report back to the electoral Area 'A' Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission and Board prior to tendering for construction. CARRIED
The most recent cost estimate for this structure is $100,000. with $36,500. being covered by the balance of the monies received in lieu of providing sidewalks. Presumably the balance of monies, some $63,500. will be taken from the Electoral Area 'A' Parks Fund account,
Note On Electoral Area 'A' General Reserve Park Fund
Prior to the above projects being considered, the Park Fund had a balance of $312,292. There were a few modest expenditures from this reserve fund in 2011 with the largest contribution towards a new floor in the Cedar Community Hall. If the above projects are approved and moved forward, the remaining balance in this fund will be approximately $50,000.
C. Cedar Community Policing Contribution
Background History
In October 2011 representatives from the Cedar Community Policing Office (CCPO), a registered non-profit (since 1998) organization appeared before the RDN Board requesting annual funding support in the amount of $2,000. The request has been included in the preliminary 2012 budget. In order to provide support to the CCPO, a bylaw must be adopted on or before the end of April 2012. The estimated cost of providing $2,000. annually is $0.002 per $1,000. or 20 cents per $100,000. of property assessment value. The Local Government Act permits the use of an alternative approval process when the cost of service is less than $0.50 per $1,000. of assessment.
The CCPO through its volunteer participation provides community policing activites and other support to the community. The CCPO volunteers receive guidance and support services through their liaison officer with the Nanaimo RCMP Detachment but receive no annual funding. The volunteers currently fundraise approximately $6,000. to support their annual operating costs.
Given that the Board provides ongoing funding for community safety services such as the Nanaimo Search and Rescue, the John Howard Society, and the RCMP Victim's Services, this request fits within the criteria and can be considered for annual funding.
