PORT McNEILL—Satisfied with financial documents it had requested, Port McNeill Council renewed its support for Port McNeill Museum by voting to fund the community repository with $10,000 toward operations for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
The funding approval came during council’s regular meeting June 16. It followed submission by the museum of a current list of its board of directors, a financial statement compiled by Dave Hamilton, CA, of Port McNeill, and minutes of the two most recent directors’ meetings.
Museum officials also committed, upon receipt of funds, to schedule a directors’ meeting to set its objectives, priorities and ongoing projects for the coming year.
Grad goes forward
Seeking a way around the ongoing teachers’ strike and provincial lockout, a group of Sunset Elementary School parents received a waiver of rent to use the Community Hall for a Grade 7 leaving ceremony, held last night.
Council, following precedent in similar requests from local groups, agreed to waive the facility rent charge for the evening, but required the petitioners to provide a $75 facility cleaning fee.
The Grade 7 graduation evening has traditionally been held in the Sunset School gym with the participation of teachers, who are currently on picket lines while seeking a new contract from the province.
Dog park mulled
Council heard from a delegation of residents interested in establishing an off-leash dog park inside or near town limits.
Kathryn Hawrys and Nick Adair had submitted the request for a dog park in a written letter, then attended the council meeting to answer follow-up questions by council.
“We have a lot of rules right now in our bylaw, but we don’t have enforcement,” coun. Grant Anderson said. “And real estate is at a premium in town.”
Hawrys acknowledged rules would have to be established for any prospective dog park, including licensing of all animals using the facility — which might serve to actually cause an uptick in the number of local dogs being licensed.
“Council’s biggest concern is that we’re trying to watch things right now, and funding may be an issue,” said coun. Gaby Wickstrom.
Hawrys replied that she would take the lead on fund-raising, fencing and clearing any potential lot that might be identified for a park.
Council thanked the delegation for its input and said it would explore possible venues while inviting the petitioners to continue its research into the logistics of establishing a new park.