There's been a shuffle in the location of clothing donation bins around town, and some councillors are upset about how those changes were managed.
A new blue donation bin has replaced the red Diabetes Canada bin at the town recycling centre along 49th Avenue.
The red bin is one of more than 3,000 spread across the country to support Diabetes Canada's Clothesline project, and has been at the recycling centre for several years.
At the Jan. 23 town council meeting, Elisa Humphrey, who represents the Airdrie-based charity Clothing for a Cause, gave a presentation about a new partnership with the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre in Olds, and an initiative to install a blue donation bin for their benefit.
In order to maximize profit for the pregnancy centre, however, they were seeking an exclusive placement at the recycling centre, meaning the red Clothesline bins would be displaced.
Humphreys said she was told their presentation was for information purposes and that council would not be making a decision that day.
During last week's Policies & Priorities meeting (March 20), interim chief administrative officer Pat Vincent provided an update, informing council that the Clothing for a Cause's blue bin had been installed at the recycling centre, and the Diabetes Canada red bin had been relocated next to the bowling alley. Vincent said that town staff had done an analysis and concluded that the changes would be negligible with regard to service levels.
"A decision was made which I don't believe changed the service levels on the operations within the town," he said.
In addition he noted that the new blue bins would have a direct impact on a local organization, while Diabetes Canada still offers a home pickup service.
"I think we've arrived at the best of all worlds," said Vincent.
Two councillors voiced their concern over the decision, and some confusion followed over whether town staff should have proceeded with the bins shuffle.
Coun. Mary Anne Overwater said her understanding was that the town would speak further with Diabetes Canada, and bring back the information for further discussion or a decision from council.
"But obviously the decision was made," she said.
Coun. Wade Bearchell expressed his "extreme" disappointment in the change having occurred without clear direction from council.
"It isn't about the charities, it is about respect for council," said Coun. Bearchell. "I really don't care which one is there, because both are worthy charities. What I care about is the fact that administration heard from council, and in my opinion went against it."
Coun. Harvey Walsh, however, said he was under the impression that the January presentation was indeed for information purposes and that a decision from council was not needed.
Vincent was not yet appointed interim CAO when town staff went forward with the location changes, and apologized for the misunderstanding.
Vincent said he is amazed by how many great groups are at work in the community, and that this kind of predicament isn't good for anyone.
"To have it overshadowed by a procedural element is unfortunate," he said. "But we will take measures to ensure council's direction is accurately understood and reflected in the future, and we will follow through."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
RELATED STORIES: https://www.oldsalbertan.ca/article/Firm-asks-for-clothing-bin-quotexclusivityquot-20170207
DIABETES CANADA CLOTHESLINE PROGRAM: http://www.diabetes.ca/how-you-can-help/clothesline
CLOTHING FOR A CAUSE http://www.clothingforacause.com/
