Showing posts with label Fire Departments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fire Departments. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Council Meeting Nov 4, Crowsnest Pass
Some important issues dealt with at council last night. First reading were done on both of the following bylaws. They will now come back to the next council meeting for second and third reading. At that meeting anybody from the public is more than welcome to provide input, there will be an opportunity at the start of the meeting for the public to participate.
Bylaw 897, 2014 – Animal Control Bylaw-the previous version of this bylaw in my opinion was very unpopular, it was very onerous, and unenforceable.
Bylaw 900, 2014 - Council Procedural Bylaw-The previous bylaw I felt put too much decision making authority in the hands of the Mayor/CAO, this bylaw now returns the authority to council. Where in true democratic form decisions will be made by the majority of elected officials.
Fire department-Last week council met with the Fire chief, deputy fire chief and all of the captains and lieutenants from the Crowsnest Fire/Rescue Department at the Blairmore Fire Hall. It was a very blunt and open discussion with all sides agreeing that it was good that we had the meeting to open real lines of communications. The Fire dept members made it clear that training, structure, and working together were important issues. Council made it clear that our goal is to improve the fire service we provide to our residents where every possible. To increase the volunteer and expertise base where possible. The way the previous changes were handled was terrible but we has a community have to move forward. This leads to the following issue:
Alberta Community Partnership Grant Application
Previously the Alberta government provided a regional collaboration grant which was used to fund the restructuring of the Fire Department back in 2012.
The government changed the regional collaboration grant to the Alberta Partnership Grant, due to our special status afforded us by the "Crowsnest Regulation" the municipality can apply as a regional entity we decided last night to proceed with a grant application. This grant will allow us the opportunity to further train our volunteers, and enhance the services we provide, without taking additional dollars from our tax levy.
Budget process, we have had a number of budget meeting with the next one scheduled for this Thursday 2pm in the council chambers, all meetings are open to the public. If you want to follow the process so far go to the following address pages 39 to 42. http://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/8825
Survey on the logo/brand I have had a number of calls asking me how much it is costing us to do the survey? $175 the cost of the paper and the time of an employee to put the surveys in the utility bills and to post the information on our web site/facebook. Equivalent to the cost of one banner.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Press Release by the Crowsnest Pass Ratepayers Association
Press Release by the Crowsnest Pass Ratepayers Association – Feb 14, 2013
2012 was a very busy year for the Ratepayers Association of the Crowsnest Pass. Concerns of how our community was being governed were presented to council but fell on deaf ears. On October 4th and again on the 11th, 2012 we informed the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Doug Griffiths of these concerns and that the electorate wanted to petition the Minister to intervene.
We informed the Minister of the bullying that went on with our volunteer fire departments, the miss-information council was giving out regarding Thunder in the Valley, that our community wasn’t enjoying the Alberta Advantage and that we couldn’t continue to absorb increases in fees, spending and hiring. We informed the Minister a petition from the people was forthcoming.
On November 1st, 2012 we delivered a petition signed by 2510 voters here in the Pass. Since the petition was delivered it’s been three and half months and now we understand why those of us that delivered the petition were treated so poorly at the Legislative Building in Edmonton. The Department of Municipal Affairs continues to drag their feet in picking an inspection team and the Minister’s Chief of Staff indicated it would probably be summer time before the inspection takes place. At that point I informed the Minister’s Chief of Staff that wasn’t satisfactory. The damage being done to this community has to stop and the disrespect council is showing toward the electorate that signed the petition has to be addressed.
To add to our many concerns the Department of Municipal Affairs is giving a Regional Collaboration Project grant to our municipality. This $257,000.00 grant will cover communication upgrades, training of fireman and paying of personnel. We had four volunteer fire departments that in total cost us $285,000.00, now we have one fire/rescue department that needs training and from the Community and Protective Services Director down to the Fire Chief, Deputy and three paid firemen that will cost the taxpayer $500,000.00. The best part of this grant is retroactive to last year and it doesn’t even include the present volunteer fireman or the cost of fighting a fire.
The citizens if the Crowsnest Pass don’t deserve this type of bullying from our council and especially not from the Department of Municipal Affairs.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/crowsnest-pass-ratepayers-association/press-release-by-the-crowsnest-pass-ratepayers-association-feb-14-2013/521541187897441
https://www.facebook.com/notes/crowsnest-pass-ratepayers-association/press-release-by-the-crowsnest-pass-ratepayers-association-feb-14-2013/521541187897441
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Crowsnest Pass how to run a community more efficiently using your tax dollars.
It seems almost ironic, just has we the taxpayers of the Crowsnest
Pass
How much have our leaders been spending on Consultants?
Today I picked up this massive two page document at the
municipality the first page of which is basically a cover letter that says here
is the information you requested.
The second page breaks down consultants that have paid for
by the municipality since Nov 1,2010 , separated in to nine specific
areas, here are just a few that people have been talking about for months.
Lets look at the first area Planning, Development, and
Safety Codes remember the Mayor’s Task Force one of the members was Janet Hyde
according to the report I have, she received $5,303 ? I also see on the list a
payment of $19,000 made to Abiocon Strategies who could that be? Well very
interesting when you google the company, after a couple of clicks on it’s web
site who pops up? Janet Hyde.
Next appears a payment of $48,673 to “Friesen Tokar” they
are described as a “Architectural, Landscape and Interior design company” with
offices in Winnipeg and Calgary .
Then we take a look at the Fire and Enforcement area. We
have all heard lots about the integration of the Fire and rescue
departments and the upcoming establishment of the Community Peace Officer
Program. We have already spent a whooping $140,000 restructing this departments.
Of that amount we spent $43,570 on “All Fire Investigations
Inc” which when googled, pops up has Kenneth Brands of Blairmore Alberta
(Fire Chief who recently resigned). Then we see $80,345 spent with Transitional
Solutions, finally under this category appears $13,055 paid to “Inn Heaven Bed
and Breakfast” which is a bed and breakfast located right here in Coleman I can
not imagine why we would incur a cost of over $13,000 to a Bed and Breakfast in
Coleman to reinvent our Fire and Enforcement area.
Lastly I turn to Administration, there we see $123,200 paid
to Transitional Solutions. Now within the information an attempt is made to
cover off the cost of Transitional Solutions by subtracting the cost of the CAO
position and the manager of operations to the tune of $93,425.
The CAO position was
vacant from June 15 to Nov 31 five and a half months.
Total on just the numbers listed above $333,146.
What does that mean to us as individuals? From a taxation
point of view this year the Municipality is collecting an additional $264,162
from us in General Municipal Taxation an increase of 4% over last year and the
largest increase in the last four years. All in a year where the assessment base actually shrunk by 2.5%.
I wish somebody would explain to me how your assessment base can shrink by 2.5% the amount of revenue collected by the municipality can go up 4%, and yet we only have a 2.5% tax increase. There is some very interesting number juggling going on.
I wish somebody would explain to me how your assessment base can shrink by 2.5% the amount of revenue collected by the municipality can go up 4%, and yet we only have a 2.5% tax increase. There is some very interesting number juggling going on.
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?
Monday, October 17, 2011
Fire Departments create much debate in the Crowsnest Pass
Since the announcement in late September there as been a tremendous amount of debate about the changes within the fire departments in the Crowsnest pass.
First of all I feel not enough as been shared with the community, for years here there has been much discussion over the need for four fire departments. Were they all necessary could we get by with three, two, one who knows.
The arguments in favour of four departments given to me were due to the size of the community, and the fact that a lot of volunteers work shift work at the mines it was necessary to have the coverage we do.
The arguments against four departments were the cost of both operating them and the capital costs four fire trucks etc etc.
The two issues that I have heard come up again and again in the last three weeks are the issues of costs and volunteer coverage.
First of all costs, even from the people who felt that we did not need four fire halls, the question as been asked over and over again how does this plan save money. In my time on council the cost of running four fire departments was around $350,000 a year with each department costing anywhere from $75-100,000.
So the question being asked of me is where will the municipality save any money even if you close one, two fire halls. By hiring a full time fire chief, an assistant fire chief, increasing the honorariums and paying an higher rate of pay, this change will increase costs.
The second issue that keeps getting raised is the issue of coverage the new plan calls for ten people to be on call in the community night and day 365 days per year. Is that possible using only volunteers most of whom work a shift schedule. With eighty firemen maybe, how long is that number going to stay at eighty? Acting CAO Robins stated in the Promoter a couple of issues back that they fully expect that number to drop over time, he also stated that this community has about three times the number of firemen for a community of our size.
We have not heard the last of this issue, time will tell both how the new structure works and how cost effective it is. I truly hope the community doesn't receive a lessor service by creating a larger bureaucracy.
This is truly a decisive issue look at the polls on this blog 39% of the voters approve the restructuring 60% don't. The Promoter is at an even higher number opposed 67% and the Herald is pretty well spilt at 50/50.
First of all I feel not enough as been shared with the community, for years here there has been much discussion over the need for four fire departments. Were they all necessary could we get by with three, two, one who knows.
The arguments in favour of four departments given to me were due to the size of the community, and the fact that a lot of volunteers work shift work at the mines it was necessary to have the coverage we do.
The arguments against four departments were the cost of both operating them and the capital costs four fire trucks etc etc.
The two issues that I have heard come up again and again in the last three weeks are the issues of costs and volunteer coverage.
First of all costs, even from the people who felt that we did not need four fire halls, the question as been asked over and over again how does this plan save money. In my time on council the cost of running four fire departments was around $350,000 a year with each department costing anywhere from $75-100,000.
So the question being asked of me is where will the municipality save any money even if you close one, two fire halls. By hiring a full time fire chief, an assistant fire chief, increasing the honorariums and paying an higher rate of pay, this change will increase costs.
The second issue that keeps getting raised is the issue of coverage the new plan calls for ten people to be on call in the community night and day 365 days per year. Is that possible using only volunteers most of whom work a shift schedule. With eighty firemen maybe, how long is that number going to stay at eighty? Acting CAO Robins stated in the Promoter a couple of issues back that they fully expect that number to drop over time, he also stated that this community has about three times the number of firemen for a community of our size.
We have not heard the last of this issue, time will tell both how the new structure works and how cost effective it is. I truly hope the community doesn't receive a lessor service by creating a larger bureaucracy.
This is truly a decisive issue look at the polls on this blog 39% of the voters approve the restructuring 60% don't. The Promoter is at an even higher number opposed 67% and the Herald is pretty well spilt at 50/50.
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.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Where does my tax dollars go in the Crowsnest Pass
A while back a number of local residents wanted to know what some of the costs were for different services that we provide in the Crowsnest Pass. All of these numbers were for 2009 unless otherwise stated.
1/Spring Clean up-$105,241.43
Which is made up of the following
Wages and Benefits $69,133.05
Postage and Copying $643.26
Tipping Fees $28,985.12
Fuel 216 trips @ $30 per trip $6,480
2/Toxic Roundup-$6,435.41
Advertising $499.60
Contract costs $5,935.81
3/Snow Removal-$202,584
Wages $179,518
Benefits $23,066
We do not track equipment costs and fuel
4/Fire Departments-$327,000
This was the average amount for the last three years
5/Rum Runner Days-$46,072
Police $10,000
Traffic $6,572
Events $22,500
Garbage $7,000
The total of the above comes to $748,436.84
If anybody has any comments about the above please either post them or send me an email, any other questions about costs of various programs or services let me know I would be glad to get the answers for you.
This does not include any municipal wage cost.
6/Summer Games-$61,104
1/Spring Clean up-$105,241.43
Which is made up of the following
Wages and Benefits $69,133.05
Postage and Copying $643.26
Tipping Fees $28,985.12
Fuel 216 trips @ $30 per trip $6,480
2/Toxic Roundup-$6,435.41
Advertising $499.60
Contract costs $5,935.81
3/Snow Removal-$202,584
Wages $179,518
Benefits $23,066
We do not track equipment costs and fuel
4/Fire Departments-$327,000
This was the average amount for the last three years
5/Rum Runner Days-$46,072
Police $10,000
Traffic $6,572
Events $22,500
Garbage $7,000
The total of the above comes to $748,436.84
If anybody has any comments about the above please either post them or send me an email, any other questions about costs of various programs or services let me know I would be glad to get the answers for you.
This does not include any municipal wage cost.
6/Summer Games-$61,104
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