DIDSBURY - At its recent regular council meeting, Didsbury council voted to defeat a motion to write a letter of support for the Wild Rose Humane Society.
The letter would have helped with applications for a Community Initiatives Program (CIP) grant for a full-time manager and a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant for some capital asset items, such as a cement pad for an outdoor dog run and shed.
The humane society's animal shelter in Didsbury opened on June 22. The mandate for the society is to provide services to the public and animals and to promote animal welfare in the area.
Council did carry a motion to direct administration to investigate how criteria works for the CFEP grant and how allocations are carried out to be brought back at the next council meeting.
"There are many groups that seek letters of support from council for grant applications," said Rhonda Hunter, Didsbury mayor. "Council wants more information on grant allocations by the governing bodies who approve the grants as to the impacts and outcomes of multiple letters of support from council on local projects.
"Council needs to understand the effect these letters of support have on the decisions from the governing body when designating funding allocations of the grants."
Hunter said council supports and appreciates the presence of the Wild Rose Humane Society in Didsbury and is looking forward to its grand opening.
"The letter of request will be addressed again at our June 26 council meeting once council has more information available so as to make an informed decision," she said.
In other council news, council carried a motion to approve the sponsorship of $400 to adopt a flower bed on hole number 1 at the Didsbury Golf Course. An earlier motion to accept as information only was defeated.
Hunter said that supporting the community is important to council.
"Council presence in our community and support of community groups is important to this council," said Hunter. "We are proud to adopt the flower bed on hole number 1 and just as proud to recognize this terrific board-operated recreational facility in our community that hosts hundreds of local and visiting golfers for an enjoyable and challenging round of golf every year."
The policy for project endorsement and/or support is currently being created by staff and will come back to council for review and consideration for approval at the June 26 regular council meeting, said Hunter.
"The policy was amended to include direction on accessing council approval of projects, not specific to just funding, that community groups are interested in pursuing," she said. "The policy will provide clear direction to groups on such initiatives and projects, financial and otherwise."
