The rental of the interpretive centre building is once again up for discussion at the council table as the Lakes Artisan Cooperative's current rental agreement for the building expires Aug. 31, 2012.
The cooperative made a presentation to council last week, requesting a renewal of the agreement and a $100 per month reduction in rent.
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Sept. 14, 2011, the building, which is owned by the Village of Burns Lake, was previously intended to be an interpretive centre with First Nations involvement and was partly paid for with Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative grant funding, which was administered by Western Economic Diversification.
Because of this, the building has conditions on any future use, including the inability of the village to sell the property. The conditions also require the building to be used within the guidelines of the original intent - that being an interpretive centre.
The Lakes Artisan Cooperative has been leasing the building from the Village of Burns Lake since 2010.
The building is currently rented for $500 per month including snow removal, electricity, natural gas costs, water, sewer, garbage services.
The village is responsible for all maintenance to the parking lot and all capital repairs, as well as property taxes, while the cooperative is responsible for any maintenance required to the interior of the building and they must also take measures to minimize electrical and heating costs.
Under the terms of the agreement, the cooperative must also prepare and distribute tourist and local artisan promotional material, promote the local area and sell local artisan crafts and art work, including First Nations art.
Paula Laurie, a member of the cooperative said to council that the group is non profit. Members volunteer hours at the interpretive centre to keep its doors opened six days per week.
"It is a matter of local artists representing, talking about and selling each other's work," she said.
Each member of the cooperative shares equally in the rent and other expenses such as banking fees, telephone and insurance.
"Some of our members do not consistently make the monthly fees [through the sale of their work] but still choose to stay in the cooperative to support the arts in Burns Lake. What money we do make as individuals goes back into the community [through shopping locally], because we all live here and have a commitment to Burns Lake," Laurie said.
She said allowing the cooperative to renew the rental agreement has several advantages including; being a gallery that showcases only local art, mentoring emerging artists through workshops, providing a venue for emerging artists to showcase their work and supporting local causes through donations of gift baskets and gift certificates.
She said the group is asking that the rent be reduced from $500 to $400 per month, because membership numbers are dwindling.
Local scratchboard artist Lorna Hannett said there is currently 10 local artists involved, but this will be reduced to seven in the coming months.
"Just like every other organization, we have felt the economic pinch since the Babine Forest Products sawmill burnt down. Due to the economy, lifestyle changes and the relocation of our members we will be starting September with only seven members and as you can imagine, this will be a challenge for us manning the gallery and paying for our expenses," Laurie said.
Councillor Susan Schienbein said, "Is there any First Nations artists in the cooperative and have you approached Burns Lake Native Development Corporation to see if there is any formal overture to help support First Nations artwork being displayed at the interpretive centre?"
Laurie said, "No we haven't done that. We have talked to the Chief Louie Paddle Company but the problem with the cooperative is that we don't sell on commission. You have to put in the volunteer hours. We have approached Chief Gerow to see if there is any interest but haven't heard back. We have had First Nation's guest artists show their work at the centre," she said, adding that there is currently no First Nations members in the cooperative.
"Would you say you were successful last year," Coun. John Illes asked.
"In terms of people coming in? Yes, we have a lot of people coming in. A few artists haven't made enough money to cover the rent, but that's the exception rather than the rule," said cooperative member Beate Marquardt.
"You don't get rich as an artists ... any dollars I make go back into buying clay," Laurie said.
Mayor Luke Strimbold asked if there is any fees for the workshops?
"We charge a small fee and we charge for the cost of materials. I recently held a six hour workshop for $40 including the stone and tools, people were just asked to bring their lunch and a mask," Marquardt said.
"If the cooperative fails or we don't have a place to rent ... it won't happen again for a very long time ... it would be a loss to Burns Lake," Laurie added.
Mayor Strimbold asked for direction from council about the agreement. Both councillors Frank Varga and Quentin Beach were absent from the meeting.
Mayor Strimbold said, "We have options. We can renew the agreement, renew with a reduction in rent, or we can review it through a public process and offer a request for proposal again ... I am looking for direction from council."
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Sept. 1, 2010, a request for proposals was issued for the lease of the building in 2010. The Lakes Artisan Cooperative and local business Tom's Rocks applied and council subsequently chose to rent the building to the cooperative.
Councillor Schienbein said, "I am requesting staff look into the cost implications. We look after the snow removal etc, so I would like to have all this information. I wasn't involved when the first request for proposal was issued, so I don't know how much interest there was. I would like a review of what happened."
Councillor John Illes said, "There was just two bids and one was for free rent. I am not interested in a request for proposals this year ... with the economy, we won't get any interest. I am comfortable with the lease arrangements with the cooperative, that is my preference. Not knowing the all of the costs, I don't know if I will support the $400 per month rent though."
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Sept. 1, 2010 Thomas Pfister, owner of Tom's Rocks submitted his proposal for the Interpretive Centre to house his business, requesting rent of $100 per month, with the heat and hydro to be paid by himself.
At the time it was estimated by the village that the approximate monthly cost of heat and hydro ranged from between $200 to $250.
Previously councillors have brought up a number of issues with the rental agreement.
During a September 2011 council meeting, councillor [now Mayor] Strimbold said he feels the village should bring the use of the building more in line with the original intent of an interpretive centre and during an August 2011 council meeting Coun. Quentin Beach had also expressed concerns about renting the interpretive centre to the cooperative.
He said, "The village should not be in the position of competing with private businesses ... I am concerned with competing ... like the issues with Burns Lake Community Forest buying private businesses, I am not prepared to go down that road, I don't think local government should be competing and I cannot support that decision," he said.
Beach added, "I understand that this is hurting Wayne Brown's [Process 4 circle arts Galley] business .... he has been here for 20 or 30 years," he added.
Council had also noted that the Community Charter states the village can't have involvement with private businesses and can't provide assistance or favour one business over another in a rental.
A motion was made to provide to council a cost break down and a recap of the previous request for proposals process and the issue will be brought back to the table at the Aug. 14, 2012 council meeting.