ST. PAUL - The Town of St. Paul is looking to recoup some of the costs associated with hanging banners on lamp posts along main street.
When reviewing its community grant policy, the topic of time and costs associated with an increased number of requests coming to the town about the hanging of various themed banners throughout the year was included in discussions. During the April 11 council meeting, three requests to hang banners were put before council.
The first was a request from St. Paul high school graduates. The group includes St. Paul Regional High School, St. Paul Alternate Education Centre (SPAEC) and École du Sommet. The request was to hang 22 banners that showcase the 2023 graduates from May to July.
The second request came from Champions for Change to showcase 26 banners that will be created by various community members and community groups. Those banners typically hang from May to October.
The third request came from St. Paul Regional FCSS to hang 39 banners recognizing volunteers. Those banners hang from April to September.
When dealing with the first request, council went back and forth between motions and discussions. In the past, there was no cost to groups to hang the banners, but due to a tight budget in 2023, administration came up with a cost to cover Town employees' time and the use of a vehicle to hang the banners, which is equal to $30/banner.
For the high school graduates, the cost to hang the banners would be $660. Council did approve the hanging of the banners, but did not waive the fee, therefore requiring the group to pay the $660 fee if they want to proceed with the banners.
Hanging of the high school graduation banners started in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person celebrations were not allowed. The tradition of hanging the banners has continued on, following the removal of public health measures.
When discussing the second request from Champions for Change, Coun. Norm Noel said he saw the project as "town beautification" and did not believe the organization should be charged a fee to hang the banners. The cost to hang the banners would be $780.
During discussions, it was noted that Champions for Change pays for the materials needed to create the banners, while local artist Herman Poulin works with various groups and schools to create the banners.
A motion to hang the banners was carried, followed by a motion to waive the fees being made.
Before making a decision, Mayor Maureen Miller acknowledged it was not an easy policy, and asked fellow council members what their thought process was when considering who should and should not pay to have their banners put up.
"We could be asked a lot," she said, adding, the purpose of the policy is to have a reflection of the costs associated with putting up the banners, along with having revenue to help with the town's budget.
Coun. Gary Ward said organizations could be given a heads-up that there would be costs in 2024, rather than charging them this year.
"A lot of these organizations are tight, same as we are," he said.
Noel noted that the Champions for Change banners are a form of art, and they are community banners, not advertising any one group.
“It all beautifies to me... it’s a tough question," said Miller, adding, she was hopeful the public would understand that the decision to charge groups was not an easy one. “We knew getting into this policy there would be some challenges... and here we are.”
Miller and Coun. Brad Eamon voted against waiving the fees for the Champions for Change banners, while councillors Ron Boisvert, Noel and Ward agreed to waiving the fees, carrying the motion.
When dealing with the third request, the St. Paul Regional FCSS banners, a motion to raise the banners was carried. A second motion to waive the fee of $1,170 was then made. That motion was denied, with administration noting the department was notified of the costs that would be associated with hanging the banners. FCSS operates on a 80/20 funding model, with 80 per cent of its funding coming from the provincial government.
The St. Paul graduates also applied for an operating grant to help cover the costs of raising the banners. As per policy, the maximum operating grant would be $500. The request was denied.
“I am thankful for the process," said Miller. She noted that while these discussions may be frustrating to have, they are good to have.
“We’ve got a tight, tight budget to approve here in the next few weeks," said Miller.
