The City of Belleville will enter negotiations with the Children’s Safety Village regarding a loan for the long-time city institution.
Last month, Children’s Safety Village CEO Bill Glisky asked council for a $125,000 loan to pay for the planning and public engagement phase leading up to a $4 million fundraising campaign to build the organization’s new location at Clifford Sonny Belch Park.
The village, which has provided safety training to thousands of children over the last 20 years, has to move from its current location at the old Belleville Police Station as it will be converted into housing by Habitat for Humanity.
Council was set only to receive the request at Monday’s meeting, however, upon an amendment by Councillor Sean Kelly, agreed to enter into negotiations for a loan, including interest terms, that would be paid back over a period of 10 years.
Councillor Chris Malette says the Children’s Safety Village did not want to move but has to becuase of decisions made by the city.
“Mr. Glisky and the Safety Village had asked for consideration in maybe moving it to a different location. They’ve accepted the fact that they are now required to move to the Hillcrest area. It behooves us to help them make that happen because we were the group around this table in the last council that made that move necessary.”
Money for the loan would come from the city’s investment portfolio.
Mayor Neil Ellis says he could support the loan if it was paid back as soon they raised the money through their fundraising campaign.
“And I do support the village and I would support it if the loan came back quicker, I’m just having trouble with the five to ten years.”
The motion passed 6-3 in a recorded vote with Mayor Ellis and Councillors Kathryn Brown and Paul Carr voting against it.
Any negotiated terms would still have to be approved by council in the future.
Kellly also suggested that Glisky reach out to the local Catholic and public school boards to request funding as the Children’s Safety Village receives no funding from school boards even though it hosts hundreds of school trips.
The Safety Village will also be asking for a $100,000 donation from the city when its fundraising campaign begins.
While council does not generally grant loans, it would not be unprecedented.
The city did lend money to Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward for its new centre.
Some councillors also noted that it may be time for the city to develop a loan policy with Councillor Garnet Thompson asking for staff to prepare such a by-law to be brought before council at a future date.
