City council will continue to hear appeals from groups looking to get a sweeter deal on rental rates currently being charged by the municipality to use facilities like the civic complex and Benson Centre.
A motion introduced by councillors Denis Carr and David Murphy was shot down Monday night. The motion called for the city to get tougher with the rental rates it charges and toe the line on advertised rates. In recent months council has been asked on a few occasions to grant discounts or otherwise issue sponsorships for things like hockey tournaments and the like looking to play at city-owned facilities.
Monday's vote was tied 5-5 and Mayor Bob Kilger refused to alter current municipal policy given that there was no clear majority around the council table.
Coun. Bernadette Clement, who voted against the motion, suggested councillors need to continue to listen to requests from any group who wants to make such a pitch.
"It is never a good idea to tie our hands," she said. "Discussion should always be the best option to deal with special circumstances."
Recently the city was asked to decide on a discount for a national air traffic controllers hockey tournament.
Coun. Syd Gardiner, who also voted against the motion, said council was put in place to make these kinds of decisions.
"Policies are there to guide us, and not to dictate what we are going to do. They put me here to make decisions and not have hard and fast rules," said Gardiner.
But Carr and Murphy suggested council was moving in the wrong direction.
"This is an idea that would save time and energy," said Murphy.
And Carr went a step further, suggesting council is effectively shelving rules it has already made.
"If we make rules we should stick by them," he said.
