KITCHENER - On the heels of receiving a $20.25-million infrastructure stimulus funding (ISF) commitment from the federal and provincial governments two weeks ago, Kitchener city councillors have endorsed a plan that will enable the city to fulfill the mandatory funding criteria and match 1/3 of the eligible project costs; while striking a balance between completing the projects quickly and ensuring an open and transparent fund procurement process.

The projects receiving funding under this federal, provincial, municipal partnership are aimed at making Kitchener more environmentally sustainable, strengthening the local arts and culture community and helping to address some of the city's infrastructure deficit.

Earlier today, staff presented the finance and corporate services committee with a list of funding options and recommendations on a preferred approach that will enable the city to quickly implement the projects approved for ISF funding and work toward meeting the project-completion deadline of March 31, 2011.

''I am pleased with the way staff has put these funding proposals together -- without causing too much of a burden on our operating and capital budgets,'' said Mayor Carl Zehr. ''These funds, combined with the more than $20 million we're set to receive from the federal and provincial governments, will go a long way in tackling our own infrastructure deficit. Now we must get on with the job to ensure we meet the deadline. We have to make sure we get our fair share.''

The following list contains the local projects that have been approved for funding; the city's financial commitment to each project; and the funding sources that will be utilized to cover the city's share:

. Storm-water infrastructure rehabilitation; $690,000; storm-water management implementation account;
. Sewer and watermain rehabilitation; $833,000; uncommitted infrastructure account;
. Centre in the Square improvements; $400,000; Centre in the Square sustainability reserve fund;
. McLennan Park development; $1 million; development charges and future capital allocation in 2011;
. CMF improvements; $4.666 million; future land sales
. CMF solar roof; $1.366 million; five-year loan from Local Environmental Action Fund;
. Accessibility improvements; $332,000; Corporate Accessibility Fund
. City hall lighting; $333,000; uncommitted city hall maintenance/garage accounts;
. Energy management systems; $500,000; energy management fund.

A team of city staff has been put together to ensure that the projects that have qualified for funding are implemented as quickly as possible - while ensuring those funds are spent efficiently and transparently.

''I appreciate the focus that's been put on moving these projects forward -- striking the right balance between getting projects done quickly while ensuring the process remains open, transparent and accountable to local taxpayers," said Coun. Berry Vrbanovic, chair of the finance and corporate services committee. ''These are federal, provincial and municipal tax dollars we're dealing with; so it's important we keep close tabs on these projects.''

In an effort to strike a balance between moving the projects forward as quickly as possible and maintaining a fair, open and transparent procurement process, councillors supported implementing a number of measures to expedite the procurement activities on these projects:

* The mayor and city clerk are authorized to execute agreements for approved projects, subject to the satisfaction of the city solicitor;
* The chief administrative officer is authorized to approve tenders during the summer recess or when there is an unacceptable delay before the next council meeting, provided the costs are within the amount outlined in the application for funding and that any such awards are reported at a future meeting of council.
* Consultants involved in the preliminary phases of a project should be retained, subject to council approval;
* For consultant projects over $100,000, cost information should be included with the original submission, the interview process should be waived unless otherwise decided by the selection committee, and the selection should be based on the original submissions. It is anticipated that this exception will save up to three weeks in the consultant selection process.

In addition, a contract purchasing assistant will be hired on a part time basis for the next eight months to assist in expediting the tendering process for these projects.

These measures are only applicable to projects approved for ISF funding or projects that might be approved at a later date under the federal government's Recreational Infrastructure Canada Fund and community adjustment fund -- two additional programs through which the city has also applied for stimulus funding.