BARRHEAD - It wasn't the answer Barrhead's Ripple Connection Support Centre (RCSC) was hoping for.
The RCSC is a not-for-profit organization which opened in 2010; it provides services for people who directly have mental illness and brain injuries, as well as their families and caregivers.
On April 22, Town of Barrhead councillors turned down a request from RCSC executive director Vernice Aitken, who, on March 11, asked if the municipality could add the Ripple's natural gas and electricity under their umbrella so the not-for-profit could take advantage of the savings due to the lower rates they receive.
In his motion to deny the requests, Coun. Don Smith cited potential liability to the municipality.
Aitken also asked the town for a letter of support, which she received and could use when applying for grants.
Aitken went before council looking for their support after officially learning that the province had cancelled their Alberta Health Services (AHS)/Alberta Recovery grant, with the last payment coming in May.
Ripple Connection had a three-year $79,000 annual agreement with AHS. It was in its second year. RCSC used the funds to pay for its monthly operational costs.
Council tabled a decision, asking administration to review whether the municipality could add the Ripple Connection to its power, natural gas and insurance accounts.
Presently, four organizations are listed under the Town of Barrhead's utility umbrella, including the Barrhead and District Historical Society, Barrhead and District Family Support Services (FCSS), the Barrhead Curling Club, and the Blue Heron Support Services Association.
They also requested the admin to look into potentially adding RCSC to the municipality's insurance as a rider, which the organization would be responsible for paying. In another way, the town could help the Ripple lower its costs.
After the meeting, the Barrhead Leader asked mayor Dave McKenzie for more details on why council opted to deny the requests.
On the insurance front, he said they learned that several years ago, the town's insurance policy, which they receive through Alberta Municipalities (ABMunis) — an advocacy group that works to lobby the provincial and federal governments on issues concerning its members (summer villages, villages, towns, cities and other specialized municipalities).
"Any facilities or organizations that fell under that umbrella, we were told [by our insurer] to drop them," he said. "When we inquired again about the possibility, this time about having the Ripple added to our [insurance policy], we were told no."
Similarly, McKenzie said that although the municipality learned they could add not-for-profit organizations to their utility accounts, they were advised not to because if the Ripple, in this case, were to dissolve or fall into financial difficulties, they could end up holding the bag.
However, he said, regardless of whether the town agreed to add the RCSC utilities to the town's account, any savings would be negligible.
"They wouldn't have seen any savings on their natural gas and only minimal savings for electricity. I think it was something like $34 monthly savings," McKenzie said.
Aitken said that although she was disappointed, she understood council's decision.
She also added the Ripple still had a poker in the fire in terms of a potential funding source, and she hoped to have news soon.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
