Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:
1. approve the creation of a one-time sustainability fund of no more than $350,000 which may be applied to Signature Events that are successful in the evaluation process, to be funded from the Community and Options Reserve (Q621);
2. approve the reserve withdrawal to be part of the 2025/26 Budget for consideration; and,
3. subject to the approval of Recommendations 1 and 2, approve the terms and conditions of this stability fund, as such terms are set forth in the discussion section of the staff report dated October 9, 2024, including,
a. the application process that would necessitate applicants submit a sustainability plan;
b. the eligible and ineligible expenses;
c. the criteria by which an application will be evaluated;
d. the dates that the fund will be opened and closed to applicants;
e. that applicants would not be eligible for the three-year sustainability MLSER program;
f. that the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation is responsible for the evaluation of applications and the subsequent negotiation of contribution agreements; and,
g. that the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), or the CAO’s delegate, is approved to execute contribution agreements for the disbursement of funds to successful applicants.