A pair of resolutions regarding money being provided by Vale were both approved at the Nov. 25 council meeting, but one sparked far more debate than the other.
A resolution to allocate $528,00 of the $600,000 voluntary contribution that the company added to its grant-in-lieu amount last year towards the cost of designing a new pool was supported by seven of the nine councillors, with Coun. Duncan Wong opposed and Coun. Jeff Fountain abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
“We need a new pool and this money came along so I’m OK with using it for the design of the pool,” said Coun. Earl Colbourne.
Coun. Judy Kolada and Mayor Colleen Smook said improving the quality of life in Thompson is important both to the city and Vale.
“I’m certain that Vale would be in favour of us approving that funding toward initiating getting a new pool," said Kolada.
“In conversation at the mining convention with [Vale Manitoba Operations head] Gary Eyres, he’s very happy that this money has gone toward quality of life in Thompson,” said the mayor. “It’s very important to the company and it’s very important to the rest of the citizens of Thompson to show Vale’s support for our community so I’m definitely in favour of how this money is spent.”
A few minutes later, when it came time vote on a “gift” agreement that will see Vale contribute $30,000 over three years to arts and cultural programming like concerts and Canada Day festivities in exchange for the right to advertise its support, one rink board each in the Gordon Beard and C.A. Nesbitt arenas and the ability for Vale employees and their family members to pay corporate membership rates for the City of Thompson’s gym, two councillors said the city was giving away too much for too little.
Colbourne asked how much the items being provided to Vale were worth over the life of the agreement. The rink board advertising costs $1,000 per board per year, while the discounted gym membership would depend on how many people took up the offer, said city manager Anthony McInnis.
A bid by Colbourne to table the resolution was voted down 6-2, with Fountain once again abstaining.
“I can’t believe this council here buckles down to Vale just for a few dollars when we can’t buckle down to the people that need our help,” Colbourne said.
“This is the argument I put up previously about the naming rights,” said Wong. “My question to the council and mayor: as a private corporate company, do I get this offer? We don’t. It’s not a lot of money to me, $10,000, but I would never get this offer. Are we caving? Are we bowing down? That’s what I made the comment last time about the $50,000 name rights. The value there is greater than what the money is.”
“We aren’t losing money by doing this deal,” said Coun. Kathy Valentino. “It’s enhancing our programs, it’s enhancing our cultural events that we bring to the city for citizens. I once again take disrespect that a councillor would make reference to anybody being a puppet, especially our administration. If you have a corporation or a business, you’re welcome to try and enter into an agreement with the City of Thompson for anything so I take offence to those comments greatly. Let’s keep in mind the previous resolution for this company that gave us $600,000 that we just designated a portion of to build a pool.”
Wong and Colbourne opposed the resolution and Fountain abstained. The remainder of the mayor and council, three of whom - Valentino, Smook and Coun. Andre Proulx – were participating by phone from Winnipeg where they were attending the Association of Manitoba Municipalities convention, voted in favour.
