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DEPUTATION BY CLAUDINE BENOIT DIRECTOR OF THE BARRIE FILM FESTIVAL REGARDING MOTION 15-G-083, 2015 BUSINESS PLAN - PARKING OPERATIONS.
Ms. Claudine Benoit, Director of the Barrie Film Festival provided a deputation regarding motion 15-G-083 concerning the 2015 Business Plan - Parking Operations. Ms. Benoit advised that she was appearing in objection to the proposed $2.00 fee for evening parking on weeknights. She provided background regarding the festival and the partnership the Festival has with the Uptown Theatre. She discussed the financial impacts that the larger movie theatre operations with free parking spaces have on the Uptown Theatre and her concerns that new parking fees will impact attendance. She noted that patrons of the Uptown Theatre and Film Festival are also patrons of other businesses in the downtown core.
Ms. Benoit advised Council that a patron attending a 4:00 p.m. showing at the theatre would be subject to hourly rates until 5:00 p.m. and then the $2.00 flat rate, thus increasing the cost of attending a show between 20% and 40%. She discussed Film Festival's reliance on volunteers to deliver its events and that the City of Barrie has always been supportive of arts events in the downtown.
In closing, Ms. Benoit noted that she understands there is a deficit to be dealt with and requested that this matter be referred back to Committee to discuss a solution that works for everyone.