That with respect to Notice of Motion EC2025-0857, the following be adopted: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct Administration to: Consider the $7.5 million required for the residential conversion of the Barron Building a high priority need and include a new ask for one-time funding in the 2026 Budget Document for Council approval. Subject to the $7.5 million of one-time funding described above being approved, and notwithstanding any dates or deadlines to the contrary in the Program Terms of Reference: (a) establish and implement a time-frame to accept applications for the Program, and (b) if an application is approved, negotiate a funding agreement with the successful applicant (if any). Conduct reasonable due diligence on all applicants to the Program which an applicant must pass to be eligible for Program funding and which will inform the evaluation of application.
The city is being asked to treat a one-time $7.5 million request to convert the Barron Building into housing as a high priority for the 2026 budget. If the money is approved in the 2026 budget, the city would open the program for applications, negotiate funding agreements with selected applicants, and check that applicants meet eligibility rules (due diligence).
The motion directs the administration to prioritize a specific $7.5M residential-conversion request in the 2026 budget and defines the immediate next steps (opening the program, negotiating agreements, and performing eligibility checks) if the funding is approved, shaping the timeline and procedural actions for the Barron Building conversion effort.