General Committee - Corporate Grants

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
1:30PM (Please note that the meeting will not begin prior to 1:30PM and is subject to the completion of the General Committee meeting)
Location:
Online Video Conference
Members
  • Mayor Bonnie Crombie
  • Councillor Stephen Dasko, Ward 1
  • Councillor Karen Ras, Ward 2
  • Councillor Chris Fonseca, Ward 3
  • Councillor John Kovac , Ward 4
  • Councillor Carolyn Parrish, Ward 5
  • Councillor Ron Starr, Ward 6
  • Councillor Dipika Damerla , Ward 7
  • Councillor Matt Mahoney, Ward 8
  • Councillor Pat Saito, Ward 9 (Chair)
  • Councillor Sue McFadden, Ward 10
  • Councillor George Carlson, Ward 11
Staff Present
  • Angie Melo

Staff Present 

Paul Mitcham, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer

Shari Lichterman, Commissioner of Community Services

Diana Rusnov, Director of Legislative Services and City Clerk

Sacha Smith, Manager of Legislative Services and Deputy Clerk

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator, Legislative Services Division


Councillor Saito, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30PM

Approved (Councillor R. Starr)

Mr. Kohli and Ms. Harris spoke to the 2020 #StayHome with #BollywoodMonsterMashup Festival at Celebration Square highlighting the transitional success to virtual events. 

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and raised the following questions and concerns;

  • Noted the COVID-19 impact;
  • The number of virtual views and how those numbers are monitored;
  • Sustainability of virtual events;
  • Live/In Person shows preference; and
  • Inquired whether virtual shows cost less.

Mr. Kohli and Ms. Harris responded to questions from the Committee.

Councillor Kovac requested virtual view statistics for previous virtual City of Mississauga events.    

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0081-2021
    Moved ByCouncillor J. Kovac

    That the deputation by Vikas Kohli, Executive Artistic Director and Emily Harris, Fundraising and HR Support, MonstrARTity regarding the 2020 #StayHome with #BollywoodMonsterMashup Festival at Celebration Square be received. 

    Received

Ms. Gulbinski and Leslie Silvestri, President, Board of Directors, AGM (Art Gallery of Mississauga) presented and provided an overview regarding a request to appeal a funding decision. The AGM requested that Council reconsider the recommendation being proposed by Culture Division staff to decrease the Art Gallery’s funding to $160,000. The AGM requested to maintain the funding of $325,000, which the gallery has been operating with for the last nine years, with conditions and hold backs if deemed appropriate.

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and raised the following questions and concerns; 

  • Inquired whether the grant reduction will effect the AGM’s programming and commitments;
  • Inquired about virtual attendance;
  • Noted the AGM’s free space at City Hall
  • Fundraising events and government grants; and
  • Inquired how the AGM is addressing the racism and lack of transparency concerns.

Ms. Gulbinski responded to questions from the Committee.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0082-2021
    Moved ByCouncillor S. McFadden

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Anna Gulbinski, Executive Director and Leslie Silvestri, President, Board of Directors, AGM (Art Gallery of Mississauga) regarding a Funding Decision Appeal be received.

    Received

Mr. Douglas and Ms. Banic presented and provided an overview on the 2021 Culture and Grant Community Programs.  The grant programs consist of  Arts & Culture, Cultural Festivals & Celebrations, Culture Projects, Community and the new Stability Fund. They noted the application process, the Peer Assessor / Grants Review Committees, the Small Project Matching Grant, the COVID-19 Impact, and the multi-year agreements as well as the Culture and Community Grant Criterion. 

Councillor Parrish spoke to the matter and inquired if the March grant installment could be postponed until after a review is conducted in April. She further requested that the applicable organizational groups provide a virtual back-up plan for their upcoming events.  Shari Lichterman, Commissioner of Community Services responded that the timing of releasing the funds related to events could be explored and be brought back to Council the following week.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0083-2021
    Moved ByCouncillor K. Ras

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Andrew Douglas, Grant Coordinator and Sonja Banic, Manager of Culture Services regarding the 2021 Culture and Community Grants be received.

    Received

Public Comments: Advance registration is required to participate and/or to make comments in the virtual public meeting. Any member of the public interested in speaking to an item listed on the agenda must register by calling 905-615-3200 ext. 5425 or by emailing dayna.obaseki@mississauga.ca by Monday, February 8, 2021 before 4:00PM.

Pursuant to Section 42 of the Council Procedure By-law 0139-2013, as amended:

General Committee may grant permission to a member of the public to ask a question of General Committee, with the following provisions:

  1. Questions shall be submitted to the Clerk at least 24 hours prior to the meeting;
  2. A person is limited to two (2) questions and must pertain specific item on the current agenda and the speaker will state which item the question is related to;
  3. The total speaking time shall be five (5) minutes maximum, per speaker, unless extended by the Mayor or Chair; and
  4. Any response not provided at the meeting will be provided in the format of a written response.

Anu Rahda Verma, Arts Community Member and on behalf of the Hold AGM Accountable Movement inquired if Council will publicly acknowledge the harm of racism and discrimination that individuals and communities have experienced at the hands of the AGM. Ms. Verma further inquired if alternative locations for the gallery are being considered.

Mayor Crombie took over as Chair at 2:49PM as Councillor Saito departed the meeting due to technical issues.

Shari Lichterman, Commissioner of Community Services responded by noting that in order to be eligible for the grant, the organizations must complete certain tasks which including an independent review on diversity and inclusion. Peer Assessor / Grants Review Committees and staff are ensuring the organization address these issues in a transparent way. 

Mayor Crombie noted that the City of Mississauga takes these allegations seriously and are working towards a solution.

Councillor Saito rejoined the meeting at 2:51PM and took over as Chair.

Councillor Kovac reaffirmed that Council and Peer Assessor / Grants Review Committees have been made aware of incidents and challenges that have taken place. The Peer Assessor / Grants Review Committee have provided feedback to the AGM.

Councillor Starr noted that there is a new Board of Directors at the Art Gallery of Mississauga (AGM) and that they do not represent the discriminatory allegations. Councillor Starr requested an amendment to the recommendation to reinstate the previous funding of $325,000 to the AGM and put 50% of the funding into a reserve fund to be released after staff and the AGM accomplish the goals they have outlined. 

Councillor Kovac inquired if any of the goals outlined by the AGM have made any progress and/or been accomplished. Paul Damaso, Director of Culture responded by noting the information presented by the AGM was provided only today and not included in their grant application.  Councillor Kovac further inquired if there is a system in place and precedent for funding release from a reserve. Shari Lichterman, Commissioner of Community Services responded noting there is no previous precedent or procedure currently in place.

Councillor Saito inquired if the AGM could apply to the Tourism Board for funding.  Ms. Lichterman responded by noting yes as long as the AGM meets the criteria.

Councillor Parrish expressed concern regarding creating a precedent.

Councillor Starr’s amended motion was voted on and defeated.

  • RECOMMENDATIONGC-0084-2021
    Moved ByCouncillor S. McFadden
    1. That the Corporate Report dated January 12, 2021 from the Commissioner of Community Services entitled “2021 Culture and Community Grant Programs” be approved.
    2. That $125,000 from the Culture grant residual balance of $457,337 be used for a one-time stabilization fund in 2021 of $100,000 to support groups that were not able to access City funding and whose operations have been impacted during the pandemic; and to fund the 2021 Small Project Matching Grant Program in the amount of $25,000.
    YES (11)Mayor Crombie, Councillor S. Dasko, Councillor K. Ras, Councillor C. Fonseca, Councillor J. Kovac , Councillor C. Parrish, Councillor R. Starr, Councillor M. Mahoney, Councillor P. Saito, Councillor S. McFadden, and Councillor G. Carlson
    ABSENT (1)Councillor D. Damerla
    Carried (11 to 0)

3:10PM (Councillor R. Starr)

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