Children from Iglesia Canaan attended Monday's Personnel and Finance Committee meeting.A local church may get a discount to use Horlick Field for an event the hope will reduce crime and other negative activities in the area.
Iglesia Canaan, 1119 Kewaunee St., is hoping to use the field Aug. 21-22 for music, speakers and other events. Church officials estimated 150-200 people would attend.
The church, which brought about 25 children to the committee hearing, appeared before the Personnel and Finance Committee Monday hoping to get the fee for use of Horlick Field waived. The field costs $1,271 per day to rent for events.
The committee was reluctant to waive the entire fee and tried to steer the church towawrd a second site, Douglas Park, which costs less to rent. Church officials initially said Douglas Park was acceptable, but when pressed, said they would prefer Horlick Field because of the nearby parking and safer setting.
The committee then voted to charge Iglesia Canaan a one-day fee for the two-day event. If approved by the City Council, the church would have the field all-day Friday, but only in the morning on Sunday because of a football game that night.
Alderman Q.A. Shakoor II said Iglesia Canaan's efforts were "commendable." He said it was important for faith-based organizations to get involved in their neighborhoods to reduce crime and improve the quality of life.
The reduced fee now moves to the full council for consideration. The proposal could run into opposition, committee members warned the church. Some alderman oppose reducing city fees and could object to cutting the Horlick Field rental cost in half.
Iglesia Canaan was represented at the meeting by Mildred Cordova and the Rev. Olla Rios.
