Split council axes Veiner garden
By Collin Gallant on March 22, 2018.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com @CollinGallant
Council has cancelled a plan to put $70,000 in reserve funds toward a planned accessible garden at the rebuilt Veiner Centre when it reopens this summer.
A 5-3 vote at Monday’s meeting rejected the plan that had gone back and forth to committee level, as council members questioned costs and whether the general community should be asked to support the project.
“I can appreciate the project, but at this time, with the challenges facing the city, and the (low) number of garden boxes, I don’t support it,” said Coun. Kris Samraj before Monday’s vote.
He had questioned construction costs at public services committee as well as whether groups outside city hall should be responsible for the operational costs.
Administrators had replied that operational costs would be minimal, but the construction costs were what they were because of a required retaining wall and also a large concrete pad to make half the site wheelchair accessible.
A majority of councillors on Monday said the total budget of $95,000 was too much.
“It’s a hefty bill,” said Coun. Brian Varga, who, as a landscaper in private life, added that a demonstration garden he built at the Medicine Hat food bank cost half the amount.
He and several others appeared before the public services committee early this year saying a community garden at the Medicine Hat food bank could be a model use for less used park space across the city.
Others on council said the price was too large for the dozen of so planters that were being proposed at the west end of the building.
“If we truly believe that we need more community gardens in the city, we can get more planters for the (same) money elsewhere,” Coun. Jim Turner said.
The project budget also included a $25,000 federal seniors programming grant that cannot be applied to a different project.
Coun. Robert Dumanoswki said use of long dormant reserve funds and a grant, meant the cost to taxpayers was minimal, and the garden would accent the centre, opening it up to the entire city as plots could be assigned to any applicant.
“If we want to make the centre a state-of-the-art community space, then a community garden is a must,” he said.
Coun. Julie Friesen also voted in support, saying the project would add a social aspect to the physical and mental benefits of gardening.
Mayor Ted Clugston said he’s not a gardener but sees huge benefit to having seniors stay active and healthy.
“I like it,” he said.
Coun. Jamie McIntosh also said the project was out of step with the city’s financial priorities, but it would be a valuable project.
“This doesn’t need to be a city project to make it happen,” he said.
Coun. Darren Hirsch said council had agreed to prioritize spending decisions, adding “this is a want, not a need.”
The $70,000 would have been allocated from the city’s “Natures Best Reserve,” which was created 10 years ago with a $1 million deposit from excess natural gas projects. Its purpose is to create and showcase environmental projects in the city.
It currently has a balance of $865,000 after council voted in late 2016 to cover some late claims to the city’s HatSmart energy conservation grant.
