Three weeks after voting to decline a $350 fee waiver request from the Swing for Charity Sno-Pitch community fundraising tournament, Sundre town council has reversed its decision with a second motion.
During last week's regularly scheduled council meeting, Coun. Paul Isaac put forward a motion to waive the fee.
It passed by a 3 - 2 vote, with councillors Myron Thompson and Tony Jordan voting with Isaac, and Coun. Patricia Toone and Mayor Annette Clews voting against.
Councillors Michael Baird and Chris Vardas were not present during last week's council meeting.
“With this particular situation there was some miscommunication,” said Isaac. “I think it's important that we support them.”
On February 7, councillors passed a motion denying the waiver following a presentation by a representative of Sundre Minor Ball, who told council the fee money was needed to pay for maintenance of the diamonds.
At the time Mayor Annette Clews said the fees are needed to help maintain the diamonds for all users.
“It's time they (Swing for Charity) start reinvesting back to the ball diamonds,” said Clews.
In a letter to council, tournament organizer Kim Comfort said waiving the fees would allow more money to go to the designated charities: Sundre Fire and Rescue Society, Sundre Skatepark project, Sundre Hospital and Care Centre, and Sundre Playschool.
During last week's council meeting, Coun. Myron Thompson said he thought the minor ball delegation was representing the Swing For Charity event, which was not the case.
“Had I known that I would not have voted as I did,” said Thompson.
Coun. Jordan said he also understood the minor ball delegation was representing the Swing For Charity event.
In voting against last week's motion to waive the fee, Mayor Clews said she still believes the fees could have been well used in “reinvesting back to the ball diamonds.”
“I feel very comfortable about the decision we made last time,” said Clews.
Tournament organizer Dallas Rosevear said he is pleased the fee has been waived.
“I'm glad that we now have the town back behind us,” said Rosevear.
During the last council meeting councillors instructed administration to review the waiver of fees policy regarding charitable events, and to start tracking the town costs of helping put on charitable events in town.
“We need to be fully aware of those costs,” said Clews.
The tournament itself was held last weekend.
Hockey tournament fees waived
In other council news, councillors voted in a split decision to waive fees for two other upcoming community events.
Angela Schmiemann, coordinator of Nutrition for Learning, and Tara Tooth, president of Sundre Minor Hockey, appeared before council to request the $1,024 fee for the arena be waived.
Nutrition for Learning, with assistance from minor hockey, will host a two-day three-on-three atom level tournament at the Sundre arena March 31-April 1.
In a letter to council, Schmiemann said the tournament will benefit hundreds of local students by helping run the nutrition programs at River Valley and the high school.
“Nutrition for Learning knows that there are many children in our community that come to school hungry and are not able to perform academically or physically to the best of their ability,” said Schmiemman. “As caring members of our community, we feel that it is not our place to judge ‘why' kids are coming to school hungry, but rather to offer a solution and provide food for kids who go to our schools.
“We are respectfully asking that the ice fees for this event be waived, allowing NFL to have an even more successful event and ultimately allowing them to provide the valuable nutrition the kids at our schools need to succeed.”
Councillors Isaac, Jordan and Thompson voted for the waiver, while Coun. Toone and Mayor Clews voted against.
Councillors also passed a motion to waive the $157.50 rental fee for use of the arena for the Sundre Skatepark fundraiser on April 14.
The fundraiser will put all monies raised into the construction of the skatepark in the spring of 2012, organizers said in a letter to council.
Councillors Isaac, Jordan and Thompson voted for the waiver, while Coun. Toone and Mayor Clews voted against.
Councillors had earlier waived the development fee for the project.
Following the votes on the Nutrition for Learning and skatepark motions, Clews said, “In order to improve facilities, you have to invest.”
Coun. Toone said she would like see charitable events receive a reduced fee rather than a complete waiver.
“That seems to be the fair way,” said Toone.
Coun. Thompson said the town must consider the long-term benefits of charitable events when deciding whether to waive fees for town facilities.
Amendment to rollout cart bylaw passed
Councillors have given final reading to a change to the solid waste collection, removal and disposal bylaw dealing with residential rollout carts.
The change was made to clarify the existing bylaw, which was ambiguous when it comes to damage and replacement.
The current bylaw states: “The repair of damage or replacement of carts assigned to the unit due to theft, misuse, alternations or abuse shall be the responsibility of the owner or occupant of the eligible premises shall be the responsibility of the owner or occupant of the unit to which the cart is assigned.”
The amendment approved last week adds the following sentence to the bylaw: “If the theft, misuse, alterations or abuse has been caused by the owner or occupant of the unit to which the cart has been assigned.”
In a note to council, interim CAO Dave Dubaukas said: “The solid waste curbside pickup system requires that carts be placed on the curb in front of each residence. This exposes the carts for potential theft and abuse by passing cars and pedestrians but this sort of vandalism has been minimal.
“As discussed by council, it is difficult to charge residents for theft or abuse of the cart if they are following the bylaw by setting the cart out for pickup.”
The present cost of replacing a cart is $75, council heard.
