by Angela MacKenzie - Staff Reporter - Now News

Port Moody city council is adding two conditions to its acceptance of a funding proposal by the Smart Choices Society. The proposal aims to get the society's community web portal, citysoup.ca, fully operational.

After much debate, council voted to ask the society to include a wind-up clause addressing what would happen to the society's assets if it does not become sustainable.

The second condition stipulates that repayment of a bridge loan given to the society by the city include interest.

In 2001, Port Moody, Coquitlam, School District 43 and Douglas College signed an agreement with Industry Canada to contribute $4.6 million to Smart Choices to improve online business, community and civic services.

Last month, the cities of Port Moody and Coquitlam agreed to provide bridge financing over the next two years to further develop the web portal, with Coquitlam contributing a total of $450,000 for 2004 and 2005, and Port Moody chipping in $160,000 during that same period.

Concerned about its sustainability, Port Moody councillors are also asking the society to provide quarterly financial reports.

As well, the city's solicitor will be asked to look at the agreement's provisions for wrap up and asset allocation in the event that the society dissolves.

"The council has every right to be concerned and to be diligent on behalf of the citizens of the community," said Bill Brown, the Smart Choices Society chair, who said both city councils have been kept up to date on the society's activities, both formally and informally.

"I think both councils have shown an incredible amount of support and vision, and it's such a new concept that they really have had to be visionaries to understand the potential."

The non-profit society projects it will be sustainable within two years.

The society's board of directors is proposing to give the founding cities temporary veto power on any decision that requires agreement by both cities.

Coquitlam would hold three votes, Port Moody two, and the school district and Douglas College one each.

Coun. Meghan Lahti said shared veto power between Port Moody and Coquitlam would likely become unworkable in practice, noting that the cities do not even agree on whether to hold public or in-camera meetings related to Smart Choices funding - with Port Moody favouring public meetings more than Coquitlam.

Coun. Gerry Nuttall said he supports the idea of the city spelling out an "exit strategy" for funding, in case the web portal is not self-sustainable after two years.

Coun. Karen Rockwell said the closer relationship between the cities and the society's board of directors should help address any future concerns.