A majority of Gimli council voted against a resolution last week to provide the Gimli Community Development Corporation with over $76,000 in funding.
Despite concerns about financial losses at the CDC that were broached at council’s April 17 meeting, a grant of $50,000 for the CDC was included in the municipality’s budget, which was presented in early May.
A resolution was introduced at council’s regular meeting on June 12 to grant the CDC that funding and to also cover its property insurance bill.
The resolution states that council “approve” a $50,000 grant to the Gimli Community Development Corporation and that an invoice from the RM to the CDC for property insurance of $26,386 “be canceled.”
Coun. Richard Petrowski said the resolution was defeated and Coun. Andy Damm said a majority of council voted against it.
Coun. Thora Palson said she asked for a recorded vote on the resolution.
The recorded vote should appear in meeting minutes, which are eventually posted online beside the corresponding agendas.
Other council news:
– The RM’s assistant chief administrative officer Kristin Strachan is no longer with the municipality.
The RM’s strategic projects coordinator DJ Sigmundson, who was filling in for CAO Kelly Cosgrove last week, said Strachan “decided to move to a new opportunity outside of municipal governance.”
– Council held a public hearing to consider an application from Pelican Beach resident Anthony Herntier, who wants to establish a printing business as a home occupation.
Herntier’s business, Harbour Ink Gimli Inc., will print T-shirts, hoodies and ball caps through a process that uses computer-generated designs and a multi-coloured printer. It will also print [designs, etc.] on to items such as mugs, glasses and tote bags, as well as business cards, tickets and posters.
The business will operate in Herntier’s detached garage with an office in the home. Business hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round with an expected two to three visits from clients each week to pick-up finished products.
“There should be no noticeable increase in traffic on the roadway,” states Herntier in his proposal. “The front driveway easily parks six vehicles.”
Sigmundson said the home occupation was approved by council.
– Council was scheduled to discuss changes to the public works portfolio and the public works committee, on which councillors Andy Damm and Kurt Reichert currently sit.
Sigmundson said the public works item “did not receive a mover or seconder so it did not move forward,” and “died on the floor.” Damm and Reichert are still representing public works, he added.
– Council approved meeting minutes from May 10, which show that council had approved $250,000 for the Gimli Youth Hub, a youth centre that will be built near the Gimli Recreation Centre.
– Although livestreaming was offered during council’s presentation of the budget in May, council meetings are not yet being livestreamed.
“Council will be looking at a policy to regulate livestreaming later this month. Until then meetings will not be livestreamed,” said Sigmundson.
