The subject of Gallery 2 and the Boundary Museum Society was a point of contention at a city council meeting on Jan. 31.
Coun. Christine Thompson put forth a resolution that both the gallery and museum society submit “realistic” budgets by June 1 and it was seconded by Coun. Joy Davies.
She revisited a special meeting back in December, where it was decided that both the art gallery and the museum society would work together in order to avert a possible November 2011 referendum question regarding funding.
She said that the two were supposed to do two things, get together to discuss their scopes of service and present to council realistic budgets that will inform council what both societies require to continue community services.
Thompson said that council didn’t put a deadline on the two requests in that December meeting and she said the first request was now moot.
Earlier in the meeting Bob DeMaertelaere, from the museum society, made a presentation and had submitted a report that said the museum society had wanted to set up an archival service in a small area in Gallery 2 but the art gallery said that it wanted to use the area for a permanent historical display.
Coun. Chris Moslin said that council had budgets from both groups already but Thompson said that they needed updating.
“I think what we want are the realistic budgets. The information that was presented by the art gallery society did not include the cost of the services previously paid for by the city, which would be their utilities – electrical, heating, water, garbage and janitorial services,” she said.
“What we had requested was budgets from both organizations and in respect to the museum, it only had one full year of operation and the budget it presented was, in some respects a guesstimate, as the year hadn’t been completed.”
“If it comes by June 1, it will have had (one-year), at least for the museum at any rate, and the art gallery has had more years of experience and they can get utility cost and other costs from city staff.”
She said that council would then know what it costs to run both venues.
Coun. Gene Robert, speaking on behalf of the art gallery, said that art gallery society wanted to move on and the gallery already submitted a budget.
Heated discussion ensued on the topic of the museum and the gallery.
Thompson eventually wanted to withdraw her motion but did not have the consent of the councillor that seconded the motion, Davies, which meant council had to vote – it was defeated.
Thompson then put forward a motion to enter into a service agreement with the museum society by June 1 (seconded by Robert). It carried and she put a forward a resolution, similar to her previous, with a deadline of July 1 and the word “realistic” removed and it carried.
In other city council news, it looks like the wheels are in motion again for a multi-purpose field to be set up at City Park as a motion on that subject was passed.
Final reading on the five year financial plan (2011 to 2015) was made and a resolution passed appointing city Corporate Officer Diane Heinrich as chief election officer and Chief Administration Officer Lynne Burch as deputy chief election officer for the upcoming 2011 civic election.
Both will be paid $1,000 and $750 respectively and will hire other election officials.