City Budget Submission - Spruce Grove Heritage FACTS

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL:

Further to last year’s budget submission and FACTS presentations to council, we are proposing that funding be allocated to heritage preservation, planning, programming, and website development.

OBJECTIVE:

To partner with the City of Spruce Grove, Young Lions Media and other community organizations to preserve, plan for and develop heritage resources.

DISCUSSION:

Heritage preservation and planning is a municipal responsibility that should not be delegated to non-profit organizations for the following reasons:

1. Municipalities can designate historical sites and buildings, which do not qualify as provincial sites (in Spruce Grove we do not have any that qualify).
2. Non-profit organizations come and go and change leadership, heritage planning and preservation are ongoing community responsibilities.
3. Community interest and consistent heritage programming also vacillates with non-profit involvement.
4. Previous generations volunteered for heritage planning and preservation. This is not the case with the Baby Boomer generation, which is more interested in their leisure etc., than passing on heritage to the next generation.


With the above factors clearly in mind, FACTS is proposing to develop partnerships and community websites so that we can work together with the City to plan for and preserve our heritage as follows:

1. That the City host Spruce Grove Heritage FACTS website. FACTS has a working prototype, which can be easily mounted on the City’s server.
2. That demolition of the Little Church on King Street be suspended until all options are explored. (See presentation to council on March 26th and ongoing discussions with the Kinsmen). The Centre could be renamed the Kinsmen Heritage Centre.
3. That the 1908 house on McLeod Avenue be preserved as a heritage resource. Either in its present location or the cost for moving it to another location be considered in the budget.
4. That we look into making architectural drawings of the McLachlan (Nelson) farm house for future reconstruction.
5. That we designate the central area of the City as a heritage area and plan for redevelopment accordingly.
6. That we designate the brick block on First Avenue as a heritage site.
7. That we look into preserving some of the Huber’s garage history as it is being renovated.
8. That we develop heritage signage and corresponding website.
9. That a comprehensive heritage plan be developed in conjunction with the Municipal Development Plan and through several public consultations.
10. That we investigate partnering with schools, and other community organizations to investigate joint agreements to preserve our educational heritage and develop generations together programming.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

If the City is to assume the overall responsibility for heritage planning and preservation, then City Staff need to be involved in the specific financial impact of this budget submission. The resulting financial impact will then be presented to council.
1. Hosting website
a. Initial software provided by FACTS through their agreement with Collaborative Information Networks. (Cost of updates will be presented for future budgets).
b. Installation – FACTS STEP employee and City Staff.
c. Maintenance – computer storage.
2. Investigating the options for the Little Church site – Public meeting space minimum.*
3. Maintenance of the Little Church site facility. *
4. Heritage planning and designating heritage sites (especially in the central area and 1st Avenue – major costs would be associated with moving the 1908 house). There would be costs for consultants, volunteers and City staff and facility use.
5. Architectural drawings of the McLachlan (Nelson) farm house – slightly more than drawings for the Little Church.
6. Heritage signage and corresponding website.
7. FCSS staff for generations together and youth programming need to be involved with community groups.

* These items need to be considered by FACTS and the City in consultation with the Kinsmen.

CORE STRATEGIES:
References to pages from the Strategic Plan show how this proposal relates to core strategies:

· Pg. 14 A Visionary (50 years in the future and as far back as we can go) Comprehensive Heritage Plan (developed through public consultation) should be included in the MDP. Pg. 27 specifically mentions, “Identifying community needs and desires”.
· Pg. 17 Our historical Central Area should be retained in its current state (where ever possible) and sustained for future generations. Public consultations (not just public hearings) should be required for any changes in this area of our City.
· Pg. 21 The Queen Street heritage park needs to be considered in relationship to this page.
· Pg. 39 Consider including heritage programming for youth and generations together projects.
· Pg 43 FACTS is in the process of seeking funding for a website and Digital Heritage Centre - this could be done in conjunction with seniors and youth resource centres.

Provide an opportunity for public discussion (the current system only provides for presentation).
· Pg. 17 On the historical street signage program.
· Pg. 19 As part of the community and facility needs review.
· Pg. 22 On including heritage in the review of the City’s involvement in special events.
· Pg. 32 Corporate Communications Strategy
· Pg. 33 Public consultation protocol & guidelines for community consultation events.
· Pg 42 Engaging property business owners and residents of Spruce Grove in heritage preservation and future planning for the Central Area.

ATTACHMENTS:

Please find our financial statement attached. This year’s statement is being audited and will be available by the first of May.

AUDIO-VISUAL REQUIREMENTS: Overhead projector

Representative of organization: David Ibsen Date: April 2007