Belleville city council spent a lengthy debate struggling with the issue of a grant request from the Navy League of Canada during its meeting Monday night.
The request was for $48,354.15 to pay to rebuild a dock at the Navy League establishment on the waterfront.
The grant committee had already denied the request.
The committee has only $75,000 to handle grant requests for the rest of the year.
Councillor Pat Culhane argued in support of the grant, citing the League’s work with young people.
She said that young people get the support through the Navy League to accomplish things that they don’t get at home or school.
Councillor Chris Malette refuted that argument.
Culhane indicated that if the grant wasn’t approved the request should go to the social infrastructure grant fund, and “if that doesn’t meet the requirements then it should go to budget (in the spring).”
Mayor Mitch Panciuk argued against it saying he would not support a capital project on private property.
He read out a long list of organizations seeking modest amounts, mainly under $2,000, and mainly not cash but in municipal resources.
Panciuk tells Quinte News, “These are difficult decisions to make.” He pointed out that later this week the grant committee would be dealing with requests for money three times as much a the committee has to deliver.
He added, “Council asked the grant to committee to make decisions and they made it and it’s tough. The Navy League is a great organization with lots of roots but we don’t typically contribute to other people’s property. What they’re asking of us today is to replace some of the dock In my opinion it didn’t meet our criteria.”
Culhane, who spoke on the issue a number of times, said the federal government and the provincial government would not rescue the municipal government. “We’re not gong to be rescued, we need to get together to do it” she said.
Chair of the grant committee Councillor Paul Carr noted there has to be a balance.
Carr added “It was the dollar figure in comparison to other applicants. Maybe we need to firm up our requirements a little bit.”
Council voted against sending the grant to social infrastructure in a tie vote with Councillor Ryan Williams absent.
A motion for a $25,000 grant was defeated in a tie vote with Councillors Culhane, Bill Sandison, Kelly McCaw and Malette in favour.
A motion for $20,000 lost as well.
Council decided to send the matter to the finance department to see if there is any money for the project.
