In a recorded 3-1 vote, Puslinch council has turned down a proposed 75 per cent discount for the Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market Association to rent the Optimist Recreation Centre (ORC).
On April 5, council reviewed the agreement with the association for the use of the ORC Arena Pad for 23 weeks from the spring to fall.
The Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market is a not-for-profit corporation that has operated the market from the ORC arena pad since 2012.
The agreement with the market expired in February.
As part of a report to council, the market association advised the township that they wish to continue to operate the market.
Township staff reviewed the agreement and modified it to reflect current practices and standards for agreements of this nature. The market board was to review the proposed agreement at its meeting on April 12.
The agreement would extend the use of the arena pad for 23 consecutive Saturdays, starting Victoria Day, from 8am to 2pm for an additional four years.
Use would include the ORC arena pad, one change room, washroom facilities and the green shed for storage.
The township would provide the market, through the assistance of township staff, access to its PA system.
The market could install directional signs on the Puslinch Community Centre grounds directing patrons to the market on market day.
The market also asked council to incorporate a clause in the agreement to permit a seasonal sign for the duration of the agreement.
The market is agreeable to obtaining a sign permit subject to the conditions recommended by staff, and is requesting that an issued sign permit be valid for the duration of the term of the agreement.
However the point of contention for council was a request for a 75% discount to fees for the use of the arena pad.
The full cost is based on the number of hours used multiplied by $66 per hour. The 2017 fee would be $9,108 but the market is asking that be reduced to $2,573.
Prior to discussion, councillor Matthew Bulmer declared a conflict of interest as he provides services to the market. He remained absent from the conversation and subsequent vote.
Mayor Dennis Lever said, “I have some challenges with the (proposed) fee schedule.”
Lever stated a 75% discount is too high.
In visiting the market a number of times, Lever said usually 15 to 20 vendors are present, meaning the rental rate as proposed would work out to $4.95 per vendor for the township.
“I am not even sure we would be recovering our expenses,” said Lever.
The agreement states the market is open for six hours, but Lever said the reality is that for some vendors it is closer to 6:30am to 2pm because of setup times.
Lever said he would be more agreeable to a 50% reduction in the fee.
He pointed out there are township-incurred costs for hydro and staff time as needed, which are not discounted.
“While I think the market has been a great thing for the municipality, I am not sure we want to subsidize it to the (75%) extent,” Lever said.
Councillor Susan Fielding asked what the market paid in 2016.
CAO Karen Landry stated the market paid $4,219 in 2016.
The proposal for 2017 of was $2,573 was based on what the township had provided for other non-profit organizations.
Councillor Susan Fielding questioned how the township could justify providing a 75% discount for one group and not another.
Lever said the 75% discount was given to non-profit groups to rent facilities in non-prime hours, whereas, “To me this would be setting up a separate agreement with this organization for a long period of time.”
He pointed out that even at a 50% reduction, the group would be paying considerably less than the full fee.
Councillor John Sepulis asked why council would want to reduce the fees even further.
Sepulis agreed with the idea of the township recovering its costs, as did councillor Ken Roth.
Lever asked if council would agree to maintain the existing rate for 2017 with minor increases in subsequent years – based on cost of living increases.
Fielding asked for a recorded vote.
Council agreed to amended rates in a 3-1 vote. Lever, Roth and Sepulis voted in favour, while Fielding was opposed.
