Following a recent council discussion regarding the rental agreement between the Village of Burns Lake and the Lakes Artisan Cooperative, Mayor Luke Strimbold weighed in on the discussion.
He said to Lakes District News that following a May 2012 meeting with the artisans, he learned a lot about their organization.
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of July 25, 2012, the issues surrounding the interpretive centre have again come up for discussion at the council table as the Lakes Artisan Cooperative rental agreement is set to expire next month.
The group made a presentation to council asking that their $500 a month rent be reduced to $400, and continue to include snow removal, electricity and natural gas costs as well as water, sewer, garbage services, maintenance costs, capital repairs and property taxes.
Mayor Strimbold said to Lakes District News, "I believe that we need to review our costs of the building to make sure that we are covering our costs so there is no burden to tax payers. After discussions with the artisan cooperative and reading the Society Act, I support having a look at the rental rate to make sure the municipality covers its costs and to make sure the cooperative is successful."
He said, "The Lakes Artisan Cooperative work to help develop local artists and they are striving to promote local First Nation artists. They provide art workshops and tourism brochures and often when visitors arrive they can watch some of the local artists doing their work right on site."
He said, "The Lakes Artisan Cooperative is a not for profit organization that displays and sells local art only."
Mayor Strimbold said a decision on the reduction in rent has not been made yet as council has asked Village of Burns Lake staff to bring back a report to show the expenses of the building so they can determine if the current rent is sufficient or if changes need to be made.
The issue will be brought back to the council table at the Aug. 14, 2012, council meeting.