Grant requests back before Welland councillors
Community groups and organizations such as Welland Floatfest, Faith Welland Outreach, Hope Centre and Welland Rose Festival should find out how much they’ll receive in city grants and waived fees tonight.
Last week, Welland councillors referred a report on $ 265,235 worth of permissive grants and waiving of fees back to the committee level after they were unable to come to an agreement about additional funding for at least one group.
Ward 3 Coun. John Chiocchio wanted to move around some of the amounts requested by the various groups and put forward an amendment asking that in addition to waiving fees for Welland Downtown BIA’s Feast Street, an additional $ 3,500 be given as a grant.
Ward 2 David McLeod wanted to give Niagara Safety Village, which wasn’t receiving any funding because it applied late to the city, $ 6,000 in funding.
He tried to make an amendment to Chiocchio’s amendment, giving both Feast Street and the safety village funding, but was defeated.
During last week’s meeting, city treasurer Steve Zorbas said the amount set out in grants was approved by council in its 2018 budget, and added there is actually $ 5,000 more that can be used.
Zorbas said the amounts were staff recommendations. He said there were four groups that made late submissions to the city and that staff is recommending they not get the funding they requested.
A report before council tonight shows no changes from last week. Councillors are expected to discuss the grants and fees for the various groups.
The meeting begins at 7 p. m.