HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-029 - Bethany Evangelical Church - Bleachers for Annual Christmas PageantREPORT
REPORT TO:
Community Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
April 20, 2009
SUBMITTED BY:
Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services
PREPARED BY:
Renate Willms, Supervisor of Administration (Ext. 2395)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
N/A
DATE OF REPORT:
April 9, 2009
REPORT NO.:
CSD-09-029
SUBJECT:
BETHANY EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH -
BLEACHERS FOR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
RECOMMENDATION:
That the costs, maximum of $1,800, associated with the rental, transportation, set up and
take down of a maximum of three (3) bleacher units for the Bethany Evangelical
Missionary Church Annual Christmas Pageant be covered through the Special Events
operating budget in 2009 and beyond.
BACKGROUND:
For several years prior to 2004, the City of Kitchener supported the Annual Christmas Pageant
at the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church by providing a 200-seat bleacher to the church at
no cost, charging only for transportation costs. The City provided support with the hope that this
event would become self-sufficient after several years.
Subsequently, staff advised representatives of the church that, if the group wished to continue
to be considered to receive the bleachers at no charge in 2004 and beyond, they would have to
apply through the grant process. On September 27, 2004, Community Services Committee
considered a grant request from the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church to waive the rental
and transportation fees for a 200-seat bleacher for their annual Christmas Pageant to be held
December 3 to 5, 2004. In their report, staff recommended that the grant request not be
approved since it did not meet the general provision criteria. The subsequent Council resolution
of October 4, 2004 directed staff to continue the practice of providing a 200-seat bleacher at no
cost to the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church for their annual Christmas Pageant.
Over the next several years (2004 to 2008), the request for bleachers from the Bethany
Evangelical Missionary Church for their annual Christmas pageant increased from one 200-seat
bleacher to three bleachers (two 250-seat and one 193-seat). In the past, City staff had been
able to deliver and pick up the bleachers; however, this work now had to be contracted out due
to the number and size of bleachers. The cost for delivery, set up and take down was estimated
at $1,800. Operations staff agreed to continue waiving the rental fees for the bleachers but
advised the organization that the operating budget could no longer cover the increased staff and
contractor costs of delivery, set up and take down, and again directed the group to apply for a
general provision grant.
As a result, the Community Services Department received a grant request in the amount of
$1,800 from the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church to cover the cost to transport three
bleacher units to the church site for their annual Christmas Pageant to be held December 5 to 7,
2008. This request was brought forward for consideration at the October 20, 2008 Community
Services Committee meeting. On October 27, 2008, Council approved the following resolution:
“That a general provision grant request in the amount of $1,800 from the Bethany
Evangelical Missionary Church for costs associated with transporting three (3)
bleacher units for their annual Christmas Pageant to be held December 5, 6 and
7, 2008 be approved; and,
That the rental fees for the three (3) bleacher units be waived; and further,
That due to the positive impact from the event in the Downtown, staff prepare a
report for a future meeting of the Community Services Committee on how to
continue similar funding in future.”
REPORT:
Staff has reviewed options with respect to funding the costs related to providing bleachers for
the Bethany Church Annual Christmas Pageant and have determined that, since the event is
generally considered to be a downtown special event, the best fit for this expenditure is in the
Special Events budget.
In order to accommodate this event within the Special Events budget, staff will investigate
opportunities to reprioritize funding for other events within the work plan. For 2009, this will be
particularly challenging given the reduction in program support from corporate businesses and
the addition of costs related to the celebrations of the Olympic Torch Relay, a one time event
above and beyond the normal programming in 2009.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Representatives from Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church have received a copy of this
report.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston