Puslinch council has agreed to reduce the rental fee for an upcoming environmental workshop at the Puslinch Community Centre here.
On Dec. 2 councillors discussed the idea of either reducing fees or waiving them altogether.
The discussion came in response from Don McKay, a member of the 2016 Sharing Experiences Workshop organizing committee.
The workshop is slated for March 5 in the Puslinch Community Centre.
McKay came to council specifically seeking a rate reduction on behalf of a group of Conservation Authorities (Grand River, Hamilton, Credit Valley, and Halton) and environmental organizations (Friends of Mill Creek, lroquoia Bruce Trail Club, Green Venture, Elora Cataract Trailway Association).
McKay explained Sharing Experiences is a biennial capacity-building workshop for individuals and community groups who undertake environmental initiatives.
“Our goal is to provide groups and individuals with resources that will help them to build their capacity to develop and implement environmental projects for their communities,” McKay said.
He added “We, as community outreach practitioners ourselves, recognize the hard work and dedication that members of the community put into environmental projects each year. We are showing our appreciation by sponsoring this event, which provides individuals and community groups with a forum for networking and sharing ideas with others who have similar interests and goals.”
McKay added that since 2009, over 180 participants, representing 100 different community-based environmental groups in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area, have attended the workshop.
“This is an opportunity for everyone to share their success stories, to learn from each other and to establish relationships with like-minded people,” he said.
In order to appeal to more organizations officials have moved workshops around in the past, having held them in Hamilton, Dundas, Stoney Creek and Milton.
However, given the interest in environmental issues in the Puslinch community, organizers felt it appropriate to hold the 2016 Sharing Experiences Workshop in Puslinch.
“Given we are on a very tight budget we would appreciate any reduction in the rental fees for the community centre on March 5.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley noted that in other areas the group has asked for waiving of fees and/or cost reductions. He wondered whether other municipalities had offered waiving of fees or simply reductions.
“I think it’s a wonderful event, but are we setting a precedent?” he asked.
Mayor Dennis Lever noted there is a public meeting set to discuss township policy on waiving of fees/reduced fees for local groups and those from outside the area.
However that meeting is not until next year.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer suggested the draft policy could offer staff guidance.
“I don’t think it hurts to look at that for some direction.” Bulmer said that while the organization benefits other areas “it also benefits some of our residents.”
He noted earlier at the Dec. 2 meeting, council had waived rental fees at the Puslinch Community Centre to hold Family Day activities. He then suggested a 40% reduction rather than a full waiving of fees, pointing out “it is difficult to give up a prime time rental time for nothing.”
Councillor Susan Fielding instead suggested it was great the event was coming to the community and the township policy had yet to be finalized. So Fielding recommending waiving the fees.
Councillor Ken Roth concurred with councillor Bulmer on the idea of a reduced fee.
Stokley added that even with the waiving of fees for the upcoming Family Day event, the local Optimist Club is still covering the cost for the part-time staff required.
Mayor Dennis Lever asked councillors if they supported a 40% reduction – and council quickly endorsed that idea.
