City funding for the old brick mill didn鈥檛 survive 2020 deliberations.
But, some behind the scenes lobbying of Yorkton Council members by the Brick Mill Committee had the request back before Council at its regular meeting Monday.
At the July 29, 2019 Council meeting, the Brick Mill Committee requested additional funding from the City for further improvements and expansion plans for a Brick Mill Interpretive Center, explained Lonnie Kaal, City Manager with the City Monday.
The estimated costs of the entire project are $1,300,000 and the request was for the City to commit $300,000 to show support. The committee would continue to apply for grants and do fundraising. The request was referred to 2020 Budget deliberations.
But the project was cut from the final budget approved Monday.
鈥淒uring 2020 Budget talks, the project was declined primarily because of concerns regarding long-term sustainability,鈥� said Kaal.
Some Brick Mill Committee members have since had discussions with Administration and various Councillors, she added.
Kaal said the committee understood the City鈥檚 concerns but were hopeful 鈥淐ouncil will re-consider the request if they can prove that future income will ensure that taxpayers will not need to subsidize the operations.鈥�
As an option Administration suggested that Council set aside $300,000 for the Brick Mill Committee project to be funded from future rainy day reserves.
The money would only be provided on the premise that the Yorkton Brick Flour Mill Committee can demonstrate long-term sustainability.
It was also noted the Yorkton Brick Flour Mill Committee can demonstrate that they have the resources to complete each component prior to starting construction, and the concept and estimated costs be presented to City Administration for approval prior to proceeding.
And, that the Yorkton Brick Flour Mill Committee be assigned the lead on the project as long as they adhere to the National Building Code, Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and any other regulations for which the City may otherwise be responsible.
Mayor Bob Maloney said while there are questions still to be answered regarding the project 鈥淚 trust this committee to move this forward.鈥�
Maloney also noted that the mill is one of only a few historic buildings left in the city, and so has merit in being maintained.
Coun. Randy Goulden agreed on the building be worth preserving because we 鈥渄on鈥檛 have many of them in the city.鈥�
Goulden also agreed with a suggestion by Coun. Mitch Hippsley that the mill showcases 鈥渙ur agriculture background,鈥� which both said had merit.
Coun. Darcy Zaharia had concerns over whether the project could be financially viable over the longer term, but Kaal said a plan that Council would need to accept was part of the details in providing the dollars.
In the end Council voted unanimously to provide the $300,000 pending the Brick Mill Committee meeting the conditions outlined.
