The Grants Ad hoc Committee (GAC) met on February 3, 2011, at 8:38 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton.

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* See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

V. Montesdeoca, Committee Clerk presided.

1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

RECOMMENDATION GAC-1-2011:

That Councillor Moore be appointed Chair of the Grants Ad hoc Committee for the term ending November 30, 2012, or until a successor is appointed;

And further, that Councillor McFadden be appointed Vice-Chair of the Grants Ad hoc Committee for the term ending November 30, 2012, or until a successor is appointed.

Councillor Moore assumed the Chair.

2. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION GAC-2-2011:

That the agenda for the February 3, 2011 Grants Ad hoc Committee meeting, be approved.

4. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

a) Sandra Solonik, Acting Manager, Community Services and Special Projects , Providing an Overview of the Grants Ad hoc Committee

Received

Councillor Carlson arrived at 8:45 a.m.

5. REPORTS

a) 2011 Community Investment Fund Recommendations
Presentation by Sandra Solonik, Acting Manager, Community Services and Special Projects

Received

The following recommendation was considered:

RECOMMENDATION GAC-3-2011:

That the proposed funding level for Safe City Mississauga be amended to $134,553 for each year of 2011, 2012 and 2013;  

And further, that t he Community Investment Fund (SP04200) be increased by $1,426,404 for a total of $3,651,404 for 2011. This includes a 2011 commitment of $2,945,970 for the multi-year operational funding and subsequent commitments for 2012 and 2013 of $2,948,842 and $2,839,729;

 And further, that the tax impact of the 2011 budget increase of $1,426,404 be phased in equally over the next three years;

 And further, that the $1,426,404 of unexpected in-year Ontario Works cost of administration funding be placed in the Grants Working Fund Reserve (R1261) as part of the year-end tax management to fund the phase-in.

Sandra Solonik, Acting Manager, Community Services and Special Projects provided an overview of the 2011 Community Grants Program. She reviewed the social trends affecting Peel’s community, indicating an increased community need versus a limited availability of funding. Sandra Solonik pointed out that the impact of the recession continues to be felt in the community where agencies continue to observe a high level of demand for services. Adding to the complexities, Sandra noted the following:
• Organizations experiencing increased operation costs,
• Increased expectations for accountability,
• Lack of understanding of other services and collaboration practices,
• Families dealing with complexity of needs versus lack of awareness of available services,
• Long wait lists for services, and
• Lack of coordination between services.

Sandra Solonik provided a high level overview of the application process for the Multi-Year Operational Fund for 2011 to 2013. She stated that the total requests for 2011 is $3,984,117, a double increase from the 2007 application requests.

Regional Chair Kolb commended Sandra Solonik for her work in bringing forward the information, which depicts the increased funding needs of the community. He reiterated the priority of addressing poverty in the Region of Peel, especially as it affects children living under such conditions. Regional Chair Kolb inquired about an additional funding request from the Boys and Girls Club of Peel, to expand the breakfast program to more schools. Sandra Solonik responded that the Boys and Girls Club of Peel is an organization recommended for funding.

Councillor Moore requested that staff review the breakfast for kids program to ensure that the fundraising efforts support the Region of Peel community and funding alternatives for the Boys and Girls Club of Peel and report back to the Committee with the findings.

Councillor Foley requested more information regarding the Strengthening Organization Effectiveness Fund (SOEF). Sandra Solonik offered to forward further information to all Committee members. Councillor Foley further inquired if the Funders of Peel Consortium assisted organizations in looking for other sources of funding. Sandra Solonik advised that through a collaborative approach, funders offer their assistance collectively by referring each other’s services.

Councillor Carlson inquired why the Mississauga Food Bank is only receiving fifty per cent of the requested funding. He noted that long term funding is very important for this organization that is trying to expand their mandate by setting up a central hub. Sandra Solonik responded that the Mississauga Food Bank is now a distribution hub for Mississauga area food banks.

Councillor Carlson further requested an overview of the volunteer sector fundraising efforts. Sandra Solonik advised that corporations have decreased or eliminated their contributions all together, since the recession.

Councillor McFadden inquired regarding the request from Safe City Mississauga, which is being recommended for a portion of its funding request. She noted that Safe City Mississauga has undergone considerable transition and the additional funding would assist the agency to be at an even level with Safe City Brampton.

Councillor Moore inquired if Safe City Mississauga could receive the full funding request for the first year to assist with the hiring of a community outreach worker. Subsequently members agreed to fund $134,553 for each funding year 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Regional Chair Kolb inquired regarding the appeal process for grant funding. Sandra Solonik responded that a document containing the policies and procedures is underway; however, any appeals will continue to be brought forward to Council.

6. COMMUNICATIONS - Nil

7. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil

8. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil


9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Grants Ad hoc Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., Council Chamber, 5th floor, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, Ontario.

Please forward regrets to Veronica Montesdeoca, Acting Legislative Specialist, (905) 791-7800, ext. 4384 or at veronica.montesdeoca@peelregion.ca.

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:28 a.m.