Just posted the following comments on John Prince's blog
The following is from the CUPE 812 collective agreement.
4.01 The Employer recognizes the Union as the sole bargaining agency for all Employees.
At the council meeting on Tuesday administration stated that the municipality has 100 non-union "employees". When asked to clarify who? they stated Firemen, Rescue, Swimming pool, Ski hill, and Library.
If and I do not use that word lightly, I was CUPE I would be looking at those "employees".
For years they were defined as either volunteers, or employees of a society to avoid the costs of them being "municipal employees". Cupe rates probably start at $25 per hour and higher none of these "employees" were making close to that rate.
This action could lead to some more very serious ramifications.
How the hell are the taxpayers going to be to afford to pay for all these new found "employees"?
Showing posts with label Rescue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rescue. Show all posts
Friday, October 5, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Confusion in the Crowsnest Pass
Below is a Municipal "Press Release" simply titled "Press Release" can anybody clarify what is going on here?
This "Press Release" seems to say what?
Maybe tomorrow there will be a "Press Release" that says "the municipality will continue to perform business as usual, and we will update you when there is something different going on"
"The Municipality continues to transition the Fire Services and Search and Rescue Departments towards a single integrated department as per the structure change approved in November 2011. Council and Administration wish to thank All Fire Services Incorporated for the assistance and support towards the initiation of this process. The Municipality will continue to move forward in the restructuring process as the new Director of Protective and Community Services assumes their duties."
On March 6,2012 the following motion was passed by council:
M#6441-12: Councillor Mitchell moved that Council through resolution appoints Donna Tona, CTS Interim Manager of Enforcement Services and KJ (Ken) Brands Interim Manager of Protective Services with all the permissions and requirements for decisions within the Departments of Fire & Rescue Services and Enforcement Services.
On the Pass Herald site http://passherald.ca/archives/120327/index.htm they have announced that Interim Manager of Protective Services Ken Brands has ended his relationship with the Municipality.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Great Expectations in the Crowsnest Pass! Realized or still just Smoke and Mirrors (Part 3)
Next issue on the agenda was the Protective and Community Services Reorganization which is available at the address below.
http://www.town.crowsnestpass.ab.ca/component/docman/doc_download/1234-protective-a-community-services-organizational-chart
Next after just what everybody needed to make the evening a little long (Coffee Break) the Mayor turned the forum over to Mr Robin’s the Interim CAO, I give the guy credit despite what sounded like a terrible cold he did a very clear precise presentation.
Mr Robin’s first spoke about what a wonderful job all the people in the fire and rescue department do, he made it clear that there was no intention to get rid of fire departments just to make the coverage we had better. He spoke to how there was rumors floating around that a lot of people were upset with the new approach. After ten minutes he gave me the impression that all the affected parties were on board with the only issue left to be resolved being setting up a roster to provide the necessary coverage. Which he was waiting for the fire chiefs to bring back to him.
Then the question was asked by a member of the audience how many new positions were being added to which he replied one the full time Fire Chief which will come at a cost of $105,000 (Wages and Benefits)
Now I’m not buying that the cost of this is going to be $105,000 a year. Let’s go through the different additions at the end of 2010 there was the following in this department:
Director of Community Services who was making less than the proposed amount for the Fire Chief.
There was no Fire Chief there.
Under FCSS there was one full time person.
Under Recreation there was one full time person.
Bylaw Officer there was one position.
Agricultural Fieldman was a part time position.
So what additional costs will be incurred? These are my estimates but I would have no problem being “proven” wrong.
Director of Community Services who will now have his position expanded to cover the Protective Services area. Minimum at least $30,000 (Wages and Benefits)
Fire Chief $105,000 (Wages and Benefits) plus lets not forget the cost of a pickup, cell phone, uniform, courses, computer, etc $30,000)
One additional full time person under FCSS $61,000 (Wages and benefits)
One additional full time person under Recreation $61,000 (Wages and Benefits)
Bylaw Officer I only see one on the chart? council is in the process of changing this to a community peace officer with the indication that a further peace officer will be hired $86,000 per year plus the cost of a pickup, cell phone, etc $30,000
Agricultural Fieldman used to be a part time position which the former Director found grant money for to turn it into a full time position the only question here is what happens after the three year grant runs out.
Total additional costs for next year:
Director $30,000
Fire Chief $135,000
FTE FCSS $61,000
FTE REC $61,000
Peace Officer $58,000 (Only used half year cost)
Total additional costs $345,000 per year this makes no allowance for additional increases in honouriums, on call allowances, or increased hourly rates for firemen or rescue squad members.
Where will the money come from?
http://www.town.crowsnestpass.ab.ca/component/docman/doc_download/1234-protective-a-community-services-organizational-chart
Next after just what everybody needed to make the evening a little long (Coffee Break) the Mayor turned the forum over to Mr Robin’s the Interim CAO, I give the guy credit despite what sounded like a terrible cold he did a very clear precise presentation.
Mr Robin’s first spoke about what a wonderful job all the people in the fire and rescue department do, he made it clear that there was no intention to get rid of fire departments just to make the coverage we had better. He spoke to how there was rumors floating around that a lot of people were upset with the new approach. After ten minutes he gave me the impression that all the affected parties were on board with the only issue left to be resolved being setting up a roster to provide the necessary coverage. Which he was waiting for the fire chiefs to bring back to him.
Then the question was asked by a member of the audience how many new positions were being added to which he replied one the full time Fire Chief which will come at a cost of $105,000 (Wages and Benefits)
Now I’m not buying that the cost of this is going to be $105,000 a year. Let’s go through the different additions at the end of 2010 there was the following in this department:
Director of Community Services who was making less than the proposed amount for the Fire Chief.
There was no Fire Chief there.
Under FCSS there was one full time person.
Under Recreation there was one full time person.
Bylaw Officer there was one position.
Agricultural Fieldman was a part time position.
So what additional costs will be incurred? These are my estimates but I would have no problem being “proven” wrong.
Director of Community Services who will now have his position expanded to cover the Protective Services area. Minimum at least $30,000 (Wages and Benefits)
Fire Chief $105,000 (Wages and Benefits) plus lets not forget the cost of a pickup, cell phone, uniform, courses, computer, etc $30,000)
One additional full time person under FCSS $61,000 (Wages and benefits)
One additional full time person under Recreation $61,000 (Wages and Benefits)
Bylaw Officer I only see one on the chart? council is in the process of changing this to a community peace officer with the indication that a further peace officer will be hired $86,000 per year plus the cost of a pickup, cell phone, etc $30,000
Agricultural Fieldman used to be a part time position which the former Director found grant money for to turn it into a full time position the only question here is what happens after the three year grant runs out.
Total additional costs for next year:
Director $30,000
Fire Chief $135,000
FTE FCSS $61,000
FTE REC $61,000
Peace Officer $58,000 (Only used half year cost)
Total additional costs $345,000 per year this makes no allowance for additional increases in honouriums, on call allowances, or increased hourly rates for firemen or rescue squad members.
Where will the money come from?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Fire Departments/Rescue Meet with Administration
Big meeting Thursday night at the Elks Hall between, Administration, Fire departments and Rescue.
The press release is available on the municipal web site regarding Emergency and Protective Services.
Note: Another chance to voice your opinion on this issue http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/
Here is the way it was explained to myself.
There will be a Director of Protective and Community Services hired, basically a replacement for the former Director (Cam Mertz) probably cost the community a little more money due to the expanded duties of the position.
Under that position will be a Manager of Protective Services/Fire Chief I am told that this will be another new full time position. (You are not going to fill this position for less than $80,000 a year, plus a pickup, computer, clerical support etc etc.)
Under that will be a Deputy Chief which I am told will still be a volunteer position.
Then from there the municipality will be broken into two areas West (Coleman + Blairmore) and East (Hillcrest + Bellevue) each will have a District Chief. So the four positions that used to be fire chiefs will now be replaced with a West and East District Chief.
Then there will be a rotation put in place (Emergency Response Model Deployment) which will for example in the West have Coleman providing coverage for week 1 and 3 each month and Blairmore providing coverage in week 2 and 4 each month.
Once again the way it was explained to be is each squad will have a minimum of five people on call during its turn in the rotation.
My opinion of where this is going. The Fire Departments have always been a very hot potato here politically. I was told a long time ago that the politician that stood up and demanded fire departments to be closed would be committing political suicide.
So how do you achieve that goal with out a huge back lash. First of all you bring in a consultant to look at your protective services. (Politicians love consultants, they have somebody to blame for their actions other than themselves).
Then you come out with a recommendation that says you could better serve the municipality by having two areas of coverage instead of the present four. In reality, you will only have one fire department in each area at any given time because in the East for example Hillcrest will provide coverage in week 1 + 3 and Bellevue in week 2 + 4.
Any of us that have been privy to the numbers will tell you that there are very few fires in the East end of the community, in a year the argument will be made that the East as been provided ample coverage with one department. Due to the fact that there were very few incidents and you have only one fire department covering you at any one time. Nobody will speak up in the west because their departments will not be touched at that time.
In essence the fire departments will do such a good job of providing coverage that they themselves will prove that you can get away with one department on each side of the municipality. Even our former Mayor stated in a strategic planning meeting that some where down the road there would only be two fire departments one on each side of the slide.
I hope that the municipality will maintain the fire coverage it requires, I also hope that there is going to be long term sustainable funding found to pay for another new position.
The press release is available on the municipal web site regarding Emergency and Protective Services.
Note: Another chance to voice your opinion on this issue http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/
Here is the way it was explained to myself.
There will be a Director of Protective and Community Services hired, basically a replacement for the former Director (Cam Mertz) probably cost the community a little more money due to the expanded duties of the position.
Under that position will be a Manager of Protective Services/Fire Chief I am told that this will be another new full time position. (You are not going to fill this position for less than $80,000 a year, plus a pickup, computer, clerical support etc etc.)
Under that will be a Deputy Chief which I am told will still be a volunteer position.
Then from there the municipality will be broken into two areas West (Coleman + Blairmore) and East (Hillcrest + Bellevue) each will have a District Chief. So the four positions that used to be fire chiefs will now be replaced with a West and East District Chief.
Then there will be a rotation put in place (Emergency Response Model Deployment) which will for example in the West have Coleman providing coverage for week 1 and 3 each month and Blairmore providing coverage in week 2 and 4 each month.
Once again the way it was explained to be is each squad will have a minimum of five people on call during its turn in the rotation.
My opinion of where this is going. The Fire Departments have always been a very hot potato here politically. I was told a long time ago that the politician that stood up and demanded fire departments to be closed would be committing political suicide.
So how do you achieve that goal with out a huge back lash. First of all you bring in a consultant to look at your protective services. (Politicians love consultants, they have somebody to blame for their actions other than themselves).
Then you come out with a recommendation that says you could better serve the municipality by having two areas of coverage instead of the present four. In reality, you will only have one fire department in each area at any given time because in the East for example Hillcrest will provide coverage in week 1 + 3 and Bellevue in week 2 + 4.
Any of us that have been privy to the numbers will tell you that there are very few fires in the East end of the community, in a year the argument will be made that the East as been provided ample coverage with one department. Due to the fact that there were very few incidents and you have only one fire department covering you at any one time. Nobody will speak up in the west because their departments will not be touched at that time.
In essence the fire departments will do such a good job of providing coverage that they themselves will prove that you can get away with one department on each side of the municipality. Even our former Mayor stated in a strategic planning meeting that some where down the road there would only be two fire departments one on each side of the slide.
I hope that the municipality will maintain the fire coverage it requires, I also hope that there is going to be long term sustainable funding found to pay for another new position.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Torch is passed to the "Dream Team"
Mayor’s Final Task Force Report June 20 2011.
Well last night I attended the presentation of the Mayor’s Final Task Report, the task force and council was all there with by my estimation 150-200 local residents.
The Mayor gleefully informed us at the beginning that his council was now known as the “Dream Team”. I love dreams the only down side is when you are just really getting to enjoy one, you wake up and realize it was just a dream and now you have to deal with reality.
The Mayor put a lot of emphasis on the Task Forces member’s great wealth of expertise (no argument) and their many connections to the Crowsnest Pass. I think some how trying to distant the initial public reaction to the fact that there was no “locals” named to the team, but any way the report is here now and needs to be addressed.
Did I hear anything really new? No. I have always taken the position that there are many good ideas here in the Crowsnest Pass, the issue then, now and in to the future. Is embracing the ideas, implementing them and eventually the most important part of the equation paying for them.
Therefore, what did I hear from the report:
1. One unified community,
2. One Crowsnest Pass Fire and Rescue Department with one chief and multiple substations, one library system with multiple branches.
3. Hiring an Economic Development Officer
4. Clarity on the timing and route for the Highway 3 realignment
5. Establish a Community Economic Development Advisory Committee
6. “Crowsnest: Mountain Freedom” branding and put in place gateway signage
7. Establish a grant and funding process to support specific economic development projects
8. Full time Tourism Coordinator Position
9. Implementation of a Tourism levy as part of the hotel rate structure as well as a 1 cent/litre gas tax to fund tourism/community marketing.
10. Review and re-develop Rum Runner Days/Thunder in the Valley, establish a community committee to run this weekend, and develop a financial model that is transparent regarding sources and uses of funds and results in profits to the Municipality, local businesses and the event.
11. Seek investment or partner to add chair lift to the Pass Powderkeg Ski hill.
12. Work with historical partners to expand the Crowsnest Museum
13. Demolish and remediate the former Crowsnest Centre site and issue an RFP to developers for proposals to redevelop the site.
14. Investigate opportunities to re-appropriate the Bridgegate River Run property.
15. Work on a Centre for excellence in Field Studies
16. Develop strategy to attract new development.
17. Develop and maintain relationships with major employers.
18. Build community pride to increase support for local business
19. Explore feasibility of a regional Truck stop/Bulk Fuel/Tire Sales along Highway 3
20. Enhanced services and activities for retirees and seniors
21. Enhance amenities for families, community recreation centre
I have not listed all the recommendations, a lot of them are similar these are the ones that jumped out at me. The tricky part as I stated previously is going to be the implementation and paying for these great ideas. To that end the Mayor informed us that Council will be coming back to the public in early fall with a strategic plan.
How do we the public measure the success of this report? A couple of ways, 29 recommendations, 15 of them have a timeline of this year attached to them. Budget 2012 will be here before you know it.
Note: Just received a call mentioning to me that at this time we all need to keep in mind that these are the recommendations of the Task Force, Council does not have to accept them all, or any for that matter. Right now this is one of those famous political trial balloons so for my readers if you wish to influence where this report or any of its suggestions go. You need to speak to your members of council.
Randy thanks for the call, your right.
Well last night I attended the presentation of the Mayor’s Final Task Report, the task force and council was all there with by my estimation 150-200 local residents.
The Mayor gleefully informed us at the beginning that his council was now known as the “Dream Team”. I love dreams the only down side is when you are just really getting to enjoy one, you wake up and realize it was just a dream and now you have to deal with reality.
The Mayor put a lot of emphasis on the Task Forces member’s great wealth of expertise (no argument) and their many connections to the Crowsnest Pass. I think some how trying to distant the initial public reaction to the fact that there was no “locals” named to the team, but any way the report is here now and needs to be addressed.
Did I hear anything really new? No. I have always taken the position that there are many good ideas here in the Crowsnest Pass, the issue then, now and in to the future. Is embracing the ideas, implementing them and eventually the most important part of the equation paying for them.
Therefore, what did I hear from the report:
1. One unified community,
2. One Crowsnest Pass Fire and Rescue Department with one chief and multiple substations, one library system with multiple branches.
3. Hiring an Economic Development Officer
4. Clarity on the timing and route for the Highway 3 realignment
5. Establish a Community Economic Development Advisory Committee
6. “Crowsnest: Mountain Freedom” branding and put in place gateway signage
7. Establish a grant and funding process to support specific economic development projects
8. Full time Tourism Coordinator Position
9. Implementation of a Tourism levy as part of the hotel rate structure as well as a 1 cent/litre gas tax to fund tourism/community marketing.
10. Review and re-develop Rum Runner Days/Thunder in the Valley, establish a community committee to run this weekend, and develop a financial model that is transparent regarding sources and uses of funds and results in profits to the Municipality, local businesses and the event.
11. Seek investment or partner to add chair lift to the Pass Powderkeg Ski hill.
12. Work with historical partners to expand the Crowsnest Museum
13. Demolish and remediate the former Crowsnest Centre site and issue an RFP to developers for proposals to redevelop the site.
14. Investigate opportunities to re-appropriate the Bridgegate River Run property.
15. Work on a Centre for excellence in Field Studies
16. Develop strategy to attract new development.
17. Develop and maintain relationships with major employers.
18. Build community pride to increase support for local business
19. Explore feasibility of a regional Truck stop/Bulk Fuel/Tire Sales along Highway 3
20. Enhanced services and activities for retirees and seniors
21. Enhance amenities for families, community recreation centre
I have not listed all the recommendations, a lot of them are similar these are the ones that jumped out at me. The tricky part as I stated previously is going to be the implementation and paying for these great ideas. To that end the Mayor informed us that Council will be coming back to the public in early fall with a strategic plan.
How do we the public measure the success of this report? A couple of ways, 29 recommendations, 15 of them have a timeline of this year attached to them. Budget 2012 will be here before you know it.
Note: Just received a call mentioning to me that at this time we all need to keep in mind that these are the recommendations of the Task Force, Council does not have to accept them all, or any for that matter. Right now this is one of those famous political trial balloons so for my readers if you wish to influence where this report or any of its suggestions go. You need to speak to your members of council.
Randy thanks for the call, your right.
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