SUNDRE — Council approved some changes to the municipality’s Grants to Organization Policy that was created in 2019, among which to add a third intake round for funding applications.
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, presented to council during the regularly scheduled June 13 meeting the policy’s amendments as proposed by the Bylaw Policy Review Committee, which is comprised of council members.
Among the main recommended changes was to increase the number of annual intake rounds for local groups to submit an application for funding from twice per year to three times.
The deadlines are as follows: Jan. 31, May 31 and Sept. 30, or the last working day of those months.
Another proposed amendment pertained to the section of the policy that outlines the program’s intent.
The wording “with a demonstrated need” was struck from the end of a sentence that now reads “Grants are intended to provide modest levels of support and assistance to community non-profit organizations and other organizations.”
Among a few other changes, wording was also updated to clarify that the policy is not applicable for supporting the wages of regular permanent or part-time employees, and that grants will not be awarded for the salaries or wages of regular staff positions or board honouraria.
“That does look like it cleans it up quite a bit,” said Mayor Richard Warnock.
“I think it reflects how council originally intended this grant policy to be,” said Coun. Jaime Marr, adding she looks forward to participating in the process of considering applications submitted in future intakes.
Council unanimously approved the revised policy as presented.
Funds awarded
Later during the same meeting, council also approved funding allocations to nine groups that had applied through the grant program as per the review committee’s recommendations.
Nelson told council 10 applications representing an accumulated total of a little more than $54,000 had initially been received. In the end, the committee forwarded to council recommended approvals for nine of them.
The first was for the Sundre and District Cemetery in the amount of $1,000 to assistance to replace an aging computer and software for the board.
“They’re using very old software that is no longer working for them,” she said.
Coun. Paul Isaac asked if the municipality has ever in the past provided assistance to that group, and whether the town helps organizations that are not in the municipal boundaries.
“We have not given the cemetery grants in the past,” said Nelson, adding the group “believes that this space is also utilized by town of Sundre citizens.”
Isaac said Mountain View County hasn’t historically provided funding either, and added there had been past discussions whereby the town would agree to allocate a level of funding for the cemetery provided the county does as well.
“They did contribute this past year,” Warnock said about the county.
Nelson added the county approved the full $1,000 requested by the cemetery organization.
Council proceeded to approve the request unopposed.
The Slingshot Garage, which hosts an annual rally, was awarded $1,500 to help pay for entertainment, welcome bags, as well as location and venue expenses within town.
The Sundre Rodeo and Race Association, which hosts the annual Sundre Pro Rodeo, was awarded $5,000 to offset the cost of advertising including signage, banners, programs, radio spots and print ads.
The Sundre Pickleball Club was granted $2,200 to go toward the purchase of three, heavy-duty nets for the outdoor courts behind the Sundre High School, a project budgeted at about $9,100 by the club, which also fundraised to cover the cost.
Sundre Bulls and Wagons was given $3,000 to pay for promotion and advertising as well as equipment rentals such as portable toilets and trash removal.
The Sundre Bike n’ Ski Club was allocated $4,050 to assist the group’s efforts to expand trail grooming and cover the cost of obtaining national coaching certificates for volunteers.
The Sundre Curling Club was also earmarked to tentatively receiving funding to help cover a substantial cost of repairing their facility’s roof. Council carried a motion approving $11,616 for the curling club, pending the group’s successful allocation of $50,000 from the Community Facility Enhancement and Alberta Tourism provincial grant programs.
Speaking in favour of that motion, Coun. Chris Vardas said the curling club has never really much asked for money over the years and brings in plenty of business to the community.
The Sundre Daycare got $2,000 to help offset the cost of admissions for their youth summer program’s 2022 field trip.
“We as a community need to support some of these programs,” the mayor said. “I don’t think we can fund them, but if we can make the cost to the young families by paying a portion of – or half of – the event, I think we owe that.”
Last but certainly not least, the Play 4 Sundre Kidz organization, which hosts an annual golf fundraiser to help ensure youth have access to sporting opportunities, was awarded $500.
Following a closed-door session of council after the regular public meeting, council resumed open session and proceeded to pass a motion approving one-time funding for the Sundre Curling Club in the amount of $18,384 for their facility’s emergent roof repair, pending successful allocation of $50,000 from the Community Facility Enhancement and Alberta Tourism Grant Program, with the funding to be drawn from the General Corporate Stabilization restricted surplus account.
