Report dated May 9, 2026 from the Director of Development Services re: Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program Policy

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council
DATE: May 9, 2026
FROM: Leanne Taylor, MCIP, RPP, Director of Development Services
MEETING DATE: May 19, 2026

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM POLICY

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council approve the Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program Policy No. 6400-044.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval for the proposed Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program Policy No. 6400-044.

BACKGROUND:

The Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program is an approved non-capital project (N-110) in the 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan to be implemented this year. The purpose of this project is to develop a program to allow individuals or community groups to apply for grants to voluntarily undertake community-building and beautification projects within public space and foster positive connections among residents in View Royal. A grant program, which would include an application process, would be administered in-house. The budget is $2,500 to provide grants of up to $500, which is equivalent to approximately five community projects a year.

Staff introduced the draft Volunteer Improvement Grant Program Policy at the Community of the Whole meeting on January 13, 2026, to confirm if Council wish to proceed with this program in the current Financial Plan (refer to Attachment 1). However, the recommendation in the original staff report was to receive the report for information. There have been no changes to the policy since it was introduced to Committee in January.

ANALYSIS:

The proposed Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program Policy (refer to Attachment 2) outlines the purpose, definitions and examples of projects, eligible and ineligible expenses, laws and regulations, evaluation process, and other administrative requirements. Given that this program is not a continuous operational budget item in the 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan and may not be extended beyond one year, it is advised to create a standalone policy instead of embedding it into the Grant in Aid Policy. This approach would reduce the amount of staff time and resources necessary to implement or cancel the program.

It is recommended that Council adopt the proposed Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program Policy No. 6400-044.

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

• Community Impact: If this program is successful then it could foster positive connections among residents in the Town and build neighbourhood resiliency.
• Financial Implication: The 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan budget is $2,500 and is funded by Casino Revenue.
• Inter-governmental Relations Impact: N/A

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:

Strategic Plan: This project aligns with the following guiding principle in the 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan: positioning sustainability as the foundation of our municipal culture.

Official Community Plan: Section 7: Community Facilities and Social Well-being contain the following goal: Promote a strong sense of community in all areas and neighbourhoods of the Town and create an enhanced sense of place and identity throughout.

Other Policy Documents: N/A

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

☐ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower

TIME CRITICAL:

This report is time critical should Council wish to implement this project in 2026.

CONCURRENCE:

REVIEWED BY:

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1: Committee of the Whole Report dated December 2, 2025
Attachment 2: Volunteer Community Improvement Grant Program Policy No. 6400-044