Report to: General Committee                                                   Report Date: February 5, 2007

SUBJECT:                          Approval of Celebrate Markham Grants for the First Quarter of 2007

PREPARED BY:               Fuwing Wong, Manager of Financial Planning

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report entitled “Approval of Celebrate Markham Grants for the First Quarter of 2007” be received;

AND THAT $6,000 of the 2007 Celebrate Markham grants budget be allocated to the two events/initiatives as outlined in Table A;

AND THAT the $6,000 be funded from the Celebrate Markham account 220-220-7802;

AND FURTHER THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The 2006 Celebrate Markham budget was approved at $211,800. The breakdown for the 2006 budget and 2006 actuals are summarized in Appendix A.

The following table lists events, totalling $6,000, that occur in the first Quarter of the year (in advance of final budget approval):

TABLE A

Black History Month                                    $ 1,000

Chinese New Year Celebration                    $ 5,000

TOTAL                                                       $ 6,000

It is recommended that the two events listed in Table A be approved in order for the organizations/initiatives to receive grants prior to the approval of the overall budget, which is projected to be in April, 2007.

The allocation of the remaining Celebrate Markham budget will be finalized by the Grants Sub-Committee.

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

To obtain approval for two Celebrate Markham grants, totaling $6,000, where the events/initiatives occur in early 2007.

BACKGROUND:

Celebrate Markham grants are funds provided to community groups/organizations that enhance and promote the Town, and are committed to building the community by celebrating the artistic and cultural uniqueness of Markham.

In 2005, Council approved a Grants and Sponsorships Guideline that included an outline of the Celebrate Markham grants allocation process as follows:

The level of funding for the Celebrate Markham grants is set during the Business Planning/Budgeting process.

After the Budget is approved by Council, the Grants Sub-Committee meets to allocate grant funding amounts for individual Celebrate Markham events.

For the select Celebrate Markham events that occur early in the year, the funding levels are to be determined during the Budgeting process.

Appointments to the Grants Sub-Committee were finalized by Council on January 23, 2007 and a Grants Sub-Committee meeting will be scheduled in February to review the 2007 Celebrate Markham requirements.  Celebrate Markham budgetary changes, if any, arising from the Grants Sub-Committee meeting will be incorporated into the 2007 Budget process.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Not Applicable

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not Applicable

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not Applicable

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not Applicable

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Not Applicable

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED

BY:    ________________________          ________________________

Barb Cribbett,                                    Andy Taylor, Commissioner

Treasurer                                            Corporate Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix 1 – 2006 Celebrate Markham