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| Council received a report from the City's Financial Officer on Monday, accepting the findings for Community Enhancement Grants for 2019. |
The incoming City Council membership will be taking on the challenge of revisiting how the City of Prince Rupert allocates grant money to community organizations, that as the departing Council members approved recommendations from City staff for funding for 2019.
Monday night Council members addressed some of their frustrations with the current process, noting that it at times seems that they reward those that got onto the list many years ago, leaving little room to provide funding for new groups who may be just as deserving of civic support.
For 2019, City Council accepted the list of allocations that was provided by the City's Financial Officer Corrine Bomben, with $748,000 dollars set aside for the Community Enhancement Grants.
The largest amount, that of 670,000 dollars will be directed towards the Prince Rupert Library.
Eleven other applicants will share in the remaining $78,000 from that pool of money.
Among the successful applicants to receive cash or in kind funding are:
AFFNO
Guns N Hoses Hockey game
National Aboriginal Day Committee
Navy League of Canada
Prince Rupert Community Arts Council
Prince Rupert Community Halloween Fest
Prince rupert Special Events Society
Prince Rupert Skating Club
Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab Shelter
Tourism Prince Rupert and Visitor Centre
Prince Rupert Crime Stoppers
That funding is in addition to the funding agreements that the city already has place with such organizations as the Museum of Northern British Columbia, the Performing Arts Centre, the SPCA, the Golf Club and the Racquet club.
The list of applicants both new and old and the recommended financial disbursement can be reviewed below:
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| The successful and unsuccessful applicants for Community Enhancement Grants for 2018 (click to enlarge) |
As they look ahead to the future, there was much talk of changing the system that is in place, with Mayor Brain calling for a reinvention of the Community Enhancement Grant process, providing for one that will allow for new people to approach the city for funding and allows the city to be more flexible.
He noted for Council how the current system is not fair to a number of other community groups.
"We seem to be locked into once you're in, you seem to be in and that's that type of thing, and that's not fair to other community groups that are working hard in the community. This year I agree that we hold the line and come up with a new process. I do agree with the recommendation by staff, and that hopefully by the time next year rolls around we have a new process in place that is different in nature for sure"
Councillor Mirau also recommended that the future of the Community Grant Process make room for in kind donations, as well as for cash funding. He observed how the current situation where the local groups have to come to council hat in hand every year is not suiting anyone's interest.
You can explore all of the statements from Council members on the topic through our Council Timeline feature.
The full discussion on the Community Enhancement Grant process can be reviewed through the City's Video Archive starting at the three minute mark.
More notes related to the Monday Council session can be reviewed through our Council session archive page.
A wider overview of Council Discussion themes can be found on our Council Discussion Archive page.
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