HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN 17-1964 ,0/
DICKERING
Report to
Council
Report Number: FIN 17-19
Date: October 21, 2019
From: Stan Karwowski
Director, Finance & Treasurer
Subject: Proposed Environmental Schools Grant for 2020 Budget
Recommendation:
1. That Council support and direct City staff to work with the respective school boards to
implement an Environmental Schools Grant initiative;
2. That Council provide 2020 pre -budget approval in the amount of $8,750 (account
2195.2712.0000) in the General Government section of the Current Budget for an
Environmental Schools Grant initiative;
3. That City staff annually report to Council, the results achieved through the Environmental
Schools Grant; and
4. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary actions as
indicated in this report.
Executive Summary: The City of Pickering administers a Community Grant program that is
available to local non-profit community groups. The City provides on average, funding to 37
Pickering based community groups. The Community Grant Policy does not apply to schools or
school related extracurricular activities. Currently with 24 individual schools in Pickering, it would
be difficult to financially administer and would negatively impact the ability of non-profit community
groups to access funds if schools and related extracurricular were eligible for community grant
funding.
This challenge presented an opportunity for the City to establish a new environmental grant
specifically for schools. The intent is to provide an opportunity for thousands of Pickering students
to implement activities that contribute to a healthy environment. Funded activities, programs or
initiatives must provide an environmental benefit to the Pickering community and its residents,
have clear, measurable benefits and results, and directly support the City's goal to continuously
improve environmental sustainability.
The attached Environmental Schools Grant Application Guidelines outline the purpose, eligibility,
availability and administration of funds, reporting and allocation, assessment criteria, and project
ideas. The grant addresses the requests and aspirations of this important stakeholder group and
future environmental leaders to implement projects that enhance the Pickering community, while
not impacting other non-profit community groups.
FIN 17-19 October 21, 2019
Subject: Proposed Environmental Schools Grant for 2020 Budget Page 2
The grant does not replace funds or work that school boards are mandated to provide to schools.
The types of projects outlined in the Guidelines, are typically undertaken only when dollars are
raised and available through parent committees, School Community Council and external grants
applied to by teachers. The City's grant will provide equitable access, essentially enabling all
students, especially those who attend schools in less affluent areas, to undertake initiatives they
otherwise could not. In addition, as staff reframe some existing programs, this is an opportunity to
create new partnerships and encourage the community to champion even more 'on the ground'
sustainable initiatives.
As outlined in the Guidelines, it's suggested that Durham District School Board and Durham
Catholic District School Board each have access up to $4,000 for their respective schools. The
Ontario French Public School Board can apply for up at $750; to reflect the fact that there is only
one school in Pickering. Staff have met with all three school boards and they are excited about
this opportunity.
Financial Implications: Recommendation three is asking for 2020 pre -budget approval in the
amount of $8,750 be allocated in the Community Grants section of the Current Budget. Pre-
budget approval is required to align the program to match the school year of September to June. It
Council approves the funding, staff will contact the respective school boards so that they can
begin to work on their various initiatives with a target completion date of June 2020.
Discussion: Research was conducted to review ten other municipally administered
environmental grant programs. Pickering's Environmental Schools Grant reflects best practices,
however, is unique in many ways including, its approach to reduce the City's administrative time.
Individual schools will submit Project Details (specifics outlined in Guidelines) to their respective
school board. School boards will review Project Details to ensure alignment with the Assessment
Criteria. They will then prepare one application that outlines the complete list of projects they
recommend to be funded — ensuring not to exceed the allowable amount, and submit to City staff
for final review.
At the end of the school year, each board is responsible for submitting a report outlining how the
funds were used and how the City was recognized.
The grant will provide thousands of Pickering students the means to implement activities that
contribute to a healthy environment, therefore, allowing them to enhance and promote
environmental awareness in Pickering. An interesting and positive result of the grant will be the
increased awareness of the parents as it relates to the environment. A study conducted at the
North Carolina University found that children can increase their parents' level of concern about the
environment because unlike adults, their views on the issue do not generally reflect any
entrenched political ideology. The study's results suggest that conversations between generations
may be an effective starting point in increasing environmental awareness.
FIN 17-19
October 21, 2019
Subject: Proposed Environmental Schools Grant for 2020 Budget Page 3
Attachments:
1. Environmental Schools Grant Application Guidelines
Prepared By:
Chantal Whitaker
Supervisor, Sustainability
Approved/Endorsed By:
Stan Karwowski, CPA, CMA, MBA
Director, Finance & Treasurer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
al. 15, scvci
DICKERING
Attachment 1 to Report FIN 17-19
Environmental Schools Grant
Application Guidelines
pickering.ca
Purpose of the Grant
The Environmental Schools Grant offers financial support to school boards to help enable
schools in Pickering to implement activities that contribute to a healthy environment.
Funded activities, programs or initiatives must provide an environmental benefit to the
Pickering community and its residents.
Who is Eligible
• Durham District Public School Board
• Durham Catholic District School Board
• Ontario French Public School Board
Available Funds
The number of schools and Pickering students served by each school board varies. In order
to be fair and equitable, the Durham District Public School Board and Durham Catholic
District School Board can each apply to receive up to $4,000.00 per year. The Ontario
French Public School Board can apply to receive up to $750.00 per year. Funds can be
combined with other grants to support the project(s).
Administration of Funds
The City of Pickering will issue the Environmental Schools Grant to the school boards.
School boards are to request their respective Pickering schools to, if interested, submit
project ideas.
Schools must provide the following Project Details in a PDF format:
• school name
• key contact person
• description of project idea and how it addresses an environmental matter
• description of anticipated environmental benefits and measurable results
• who is undertaking the project and who will be engaged
• long-term maintenance plan (if applicable)
• in-kind or funding partners (if applicable)
• timeframe to complete the project
• total project cost and what the funds will be used for
School boards will do a review of the project details to ensure alignment with the Grant
Application Guidelines. The school boards will complete the City of Pickering's Grant
Application, outlining the list of environmental projects, from both elementary and secondary
schools, they recommend to be funded - ensuring not to exceed the allowable amount. The
school boards may submit one or several projects.
Application Deadline
Each school board is requested to complete the online Grant Application, outlining the
proposed environmental project(s) on or before December 20, 2019. Project Details need to
be attached.
Reporting and Allocation of Funds
Prior to the end of the school year, each school board is responsible for submitting a brief
two -three page report outlining how the funds were used, including photographs (where
feasible) and how the City was recognized.
Upon receipt and review of the final report, the City will issue the full grant payment to the
school board.
What Will the City Not Fund?
• Activities, programs or initiatives that take place outside of Pickering's municipal
boundary or provided by other levels of government
• Reimbursement (for initiatives that have already been completed)
• Administrative school expenses such as salaries, rent, utilities, insurance, etc.
• Travel, accommodation or attendance fees for a conference/seminar/workshop
• Donations made by the school to another organization
Assessment Criteria
Activities, programs and initiatives must meet the following criteria:
• Be undertaken by a school located in Pickering
• Positively impact the Pickering community and residents
• Directly support the City's goal to continuously improve environmental sustainability
• Have clear, measurable benefits and results, and preferably be long-lasting
• Complete Project Details (see above) provided
• Funds must be used by the end of the school year
Consideration will be given to the distribution of funds across all of Pickering and whether a
school has received the Sustainable Schools Grant in the previous year. The City reserves
the right to reject a project if it does not meet the Assessment Criteria.
What are examples of fundable projects?
There are lots of fun, exciting ways to help make our lives, our City and our schools more
sustainable. Pickering schools have lead many remarkable environmental projects. Drawing
from what others have done, below are examples of project ideas:
Reducing Waste
Eliminating single use plastics
Education campaigns on proper waste diversion practices and waste audits
Encouraging Active Transportation
Bike rack installation
Incentives for a bike/walk event at school
Promoting Anti -Idling in Kiss 'n Ride Areas
Distributing fake tickets for idling or rewards for those who turn off their engines
Education and awareness campaigns
Helping Birds, Butterflies, and other Species
Providing pollinator habitat
Raising and releasing butterflies, fish and/or water invertebrates
Reducing Energy Consumption
Equipping classrooms with energy monitors and auditing their use
Holding awareness, or `power down' events throughout the school year
Greening School Grounds
Native and drought -resistant plant gardens
Tree planting
Growing Green Thumbs for Local Food
Indoor food growing projects
Outdoor veggie boxes or vegetable garden beds
Questions about the Environmental Schools Grant can be directed to the Supervisor,
Sustainability at 905.420.4660 ext. 2170 or cwhitaker @,,pickerinq.ca
Alternate formats of the Environmental Schools Grant Application Guidelines are available
upon request at 905.683.7575.