More stuff we don't need in the Crowsnest Pass

Well it sounds like the problems are compounding.

I found the following post this morning concerning legal and more potential legal problems for the municipality.
Plus a further hang over from the highly successful weekend known has Rum Runner Days. Check it out for your selves.

http://www.sasha-yourvoiceoncouncil.com/blog/2012/09/14/Here-a-Lawsuit-There-a-Lawsuit-Everywhere-a-Lawsuit.aspx

Debating the Numbers in the Crowsnest Pass

The debate over numbers continues on Councilor Saindon’s blog he states the following

“As for all those new  municipal staff hirings that keep coming up on certain websites, I would ask that when you make comments you should do the research as to the actual net numbers that have been hired to replace those who have left through retirement, resignation or termination. Once you have actually taken the time to get the facts you might be surprised of the results you get”.

Well lets take a better look at the numbers, when the election took place in October of 2010 the municipality had the following positions between administration and office staff.

Administration

CAO-1

Director of Finance-1

Director of Public Works-1

Director of Community Services-1

Director of HR-1

Hourly and Contract Employees

Finance-3

Rec and FCSS-2

Taxation-1

Utilities-1

Inter Departmental-1

Reception-1

HR-1

Development Officer-1

Bylaw-1

Safety-0.5

Public Works-1

Building Inspector-0

(Inspections + safety codes done by Park Enterprises)

Agricultural Fieldman -0.5

Assessor-1 Working on a contract basis  

That was a total of 19 municipal employees comprised of 5 Administrators, 14 Hourly staff and Park Enterprises and the Assessor working on a contract basis

Today we have the following  

Administration

CAO-1

Director of Finance and Corporate Services-1

Director of Planning Engineering and Operations-1

Director of Protective and Community Services-1

(At this time being filled by Transitional Solutions)

Manager of Corporate Services-1

Manager of Operations-1

Fire Chief-1

Hourly and Contract Employees

Finance-3

Rec and FCSS-3

Taxation-1

Utilities-1

Inter Departmental-1

Reception-1

HR-2

Development Officer-1

Bylaw-1 (Will be increased to 2 soon)

Safety-0.5

Public Works-1

Building Inspector-1

(Inspections + safety codes done by Park Enterprises)

Agricultural Fieldman -1

Assessor-1 Working on a contract basis  

That is a total of 24.5 municipal employees comprised of 7 Administrators, 17.5 Hourly staff and Park Enterprises and the Assessor working on a contract basis. I have also only counted 1 bylaw officer at this point, but I am anticipating that this will increase by June 1. So the number then between administration and other office staff will be 25.5 employees.

Now I understand that since the last election the Taxation Clerk and the Development Officer retired. But you can see those positions are filled today and included in the numbers both  in 2010 and now.

If the above positions are not accurate anybody is welcome to email me with the corrected information and I would be glad to change the numbers.

Nobody still wants to answer the question what have we paid consultants? 

I was informed  that the "Weed Inspector" is actually called the "Agricultural Fieldman". It is now corrected, I have not received any other comments regarding errors in my numbers. 

Is this the way business should be conducted?

On Tuesday August 16, an  item titled “Enforcement Services Audit” appeared on the agenda, with a recommendation coming forth from Administration stating the following.


“That council direct administration to engage Transitional Solutions Inc. to undertake an Enforcement Services Audit to examine the existing Municipal enforcement practices in reference to the enforcement of Provincial statutes and Municipal Bylaws. The Audit is not to exceed $7,000 and will be assumed within the Municipal Enforcement Budget.

The argument was made by the Interim CAO Kevin Robins about concerns in this area that required clarification. Administration also stated that the Municipality did not have the expertise internally to conduct this audit.

This recommendation was voted on by Council, which subsequently passed by a vote of 6-1 with only Councilor Saje opposed.

What appears at first impression has just another study to clear up an area of confusion and answer questions raised by council and the residents of the community due to frustrations in the area of the Municipality’s enforcement program.

Upon further study this recommendation raises other questions? the Interim CAO who is also the CEO of the Transitional Solutions is recommending that the municipality conduct an audit on our Enforcement Services using an outside contractor that just happens to be “Transitional Solutions”.

I know its only $7,000 but no tendering process no opportunity for any other company to take a look at this?????
Does anybody else have concerns regarding even the perception of a conflict of interest?

Interim CAO for the Crowsnest Pass

Tuesday night there was a new person sitting at the administration table, Mayor Decoux at one point during the discussion on the South Sasatchewan Regional Advisory Council referred to him as the Interim CAO. Surprisingly he did not introduce him, maybe he is saving it for the council meeting next week.
His name is Kevin Robins he worked for 24 years with the city of Leduc the last 12 as the CAO. He is presently the CEO of Transitional Solutions Inc. You can find more out about him at the following link.

Any way a big welcome to our new (Interim) CAO.

   http://www.transitionalsolutions.ca/team