Report to: General Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT: Municipal
Infrastructure Investment Initiative – Town of
PREPARED BY:
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report titled “Municipal
Infrastructure Investment Initiative – Town of
And that Council approve the Town’s participation in the Province of Ontario’s Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative by approving a grant request in the amount of $4,500,000 for the “Cycling and Trail System - 2008” project:
And that the By-law to “Authorize
the Submission of an Application to the Ontario Infrastructure Projects
Corporation (“OIPC”) For Funding From the Municipal Infrastructure Investment
Initiative for a New Eligible Capital Project of The Corporation of the Town Of
Markham (The “Municipality”) and to Approve the Expenditure of Funds on Said
Eligible Capital Project” be enacted:
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Not applicable
1.
Purpose 2. Background 3. Discussion 4. Financial
5. Others
(Environmental, Accessibility,
Engage 21st, Affected Units) 6.
Attachment(s)
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to confirm
Council’s approval to submit a grant request for $4,500,000 for the Town of
BACKGROUND:
On January 28th, staff presented an overview of
the MIII to the Budget Sub-Committee, describing the terms and conditions of
the grant, general criteria for qualification and an estimate ($4.1 million) of
the share of the grant that would be available to the Town of
“That the Cycling and
Trail System be the preferred option for a grant submission under the Municipal
Infrastructure Investment Initiative.”
A by-law in support of the application is also required under this grant program, and is attached to this report.
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
The recent “Click With Markham”
survey identified cycling paths and trails as emerging issues, and the
Environics Customer Satisfaction survey identified walking and biking trails as
a “Primary Area of Investment” with low customer satisfaction and higher
spending support. These results, when combined
with the benefits to the community, environment, and health of
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)
The Cycling and Trails Master plans have identified a system with over 340 km of bicycle routes and recreational trails. One of the major challenges in implementing these plans has been identifying sufficient funding. The receipt of the $4.5 million MIII grant will allow the Town to accelerate the implementation of the Cycling and Trails Master plans due to additional funding.
The proposed 2008 Capital Budget allocated $714,950 in gas tax funding to the cycling Lanes and Pathways project. Upon confirmation that the Town’s application for MIII funding has been approved, this gas tax funding can be reallocated to other initiatives eligible under the Federal Gas Tax program.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Facilities that encourage active
transportation are vital to supporting a shift away from increased automobile
use, thereby reducing the negative environmental and climate change impacts
related to carbon dioxide and other tail-pipe emissions.
ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
N/A
ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:
N/A
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
N/A
RECOMMENDED BY:
_______________________ ______________________
Barb Cribbett, Andy Taylor
Treasurer Commissioner, Corporate Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Project Description – Cycling and Trail System
By-law