As North Miami emerges from a difficult budget season, concerns that the city should not spend money on organizations that request special fee waivers or in-kind donations were rampant at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Despite these concerns, raised by residents and council members, the city council in two separate votes granted an $1,100 fee waiver and over $7,000 worth of services to two different organizations.

Citing a tight fiscal year and limited resources, Councilman Scott Galvin cast the lone dissenting vote both times.

In the first case, the council voted to give Camille Merilus a fee waiver to use the Gwen Margolis Community Center for a December fundraising event for his nonprofit organization Camille and Sulette Merilus Foundation.

City Manager Clarance Patterson informed the council that there was no money allocated to provide the funds because special events were removed during the budget process. ``There is no pot for this, period case closed,'' he said.

Patterson also warned the council that they have never waived a fee for an organization looking to host a fundraiser on city property.

In a 4-1 vote, the council decided it would tap into its general fund reserve, which amounts to $950,000, to provide Merilus the waiver.

Resident James Tracton said the council's decision will be an invitation for other organizations to make similar requests.

``We cant afford to start something like this . . . they'll be coming in like a choo-choo train,'' he said.

The waiver will be awarded pending documents that Merilus' nonprofit is legitimate and in good standing.

The council also approved a request from a for-profit organization, Diaspo Cup Entertainment, which holds a yearly soccer tournament in the city.

In the past the city has provided in-kind services to the event, according to Roland Jerome, one of the organizers. This year, he returned to ask for in-kind donations totaling $7,762 -- for use of the FIU stadium, 50 barricades, three police officers, two generators and additional staff and supplies.

Considering the economic downturn, Galvin suggested the city should consider being a bit more frugal.

``This is overtime on a Thanksgiving weekend,'' he said.

Resident Judy Feldman asked the council to put a stop to the donations.

``You don't have money for this,'' she said.

Although Vice Mayor Marie Erlande Steril voted for the request, she expressed concern about the amount of overtime that will be accrued by staff.

``We need to think about this,'' Steril said.

Mayor Andre Pierre, who played in past tournaments and is scheduled to play in this year's soccer match in a game labeled lawyers versus doctors, said this was a prime opportunity to show off the city's parks.

As a condition of the council passing both requests, Pierre negotiated a deal: any resident with a valid ID can attend either function for free.

However, in an interview with The Miami Herald after the meeting, Merilus said because of a maximum capacity of 200 for his fundraiser, he will only allow between 50 to 100 North Miami residents free -- if they call before to secure a reservation.

Jerome from Diaspo Cup Entertainment said in an interview that it's not yet definitive how many or if North Miami residents will be allowed into the soccer game for free.

``By myself, I cannot say yes. I'm going to meet with my staff and [North Miami] officials again before we conclude on that.'' To reserve a seat for the Camille and Sulette Merilus Foundation fundraiser on Dec. 12 at the Gwen Margolis Community Center, 1590 NE 123rd St., call 305-687-0621.

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