Getting down to the final strokes, Council Oct 1

My reflection of Tuesday night’s meeting and what jumped out:

Minutes of the previous council meeting Councilor Saje pointe out that the minutes failed to reflect some of the costs on the failed Medican deal. The $130 for advertising the open house in the papers, and the $500 spent on the PR consultant were not included.

CAO Report of Activities:

CAO will be bringing back to council soon Action/Timelines to respond to the Municipal Inspection.

There will be a meeting on Oct 23 to address the Workplace Assessment study.

The CLC demolition should be complete prior to the end of the month (I suspect by Oct 20^th)

Residents should be receiving the Recreation Surveys in the mail shortly.

Departments are preparing for the 2014 budget review.

Administration will be in contact with their municipal Insurance shortly to see how much rates will jump for next year.

12 members of the Fire Department passed their NFPA 1001 training.

CAO briefing meeting Councilor Saje questioned how you could have actions and timelines for meeting where no motions or directives can be given, the CAO responded that those were his own actions/timelines.

There were three calls made to various government agencies regarding the CLC site all were checked out, and found to have no validity to them.

Councilor Gail congratulated Fire Chief Munshaw on what a great job he has done.

Tender for winter sand was not filled by the successful bidder, sand will be delivered by another company falling within budget.

Investment Task Force Initiative;

The Economic Development and Tourism Board is putting in place a short term Task Force to investigate the possibility of finding Investments/Investors for the Best Western and Crowsnest Crossing site.

Human Resources Administrator Position:

On the Municipal Web site this position as been advertised and still is for at least a month  http://www.crowsnestpass.com/finance-a-administration/employment this was questioned at the previous council meeting as it was never approved by council. Administration felt that in light of all the labor relations problems they were having despite the position being vacant for 15 months it was now of a emergent nature to fill the position. They proposed to pay for it by using the wages saved from the Director of Protective services position not being filled until the end of the year. Then find the money for next year in the 2014 budget. We were also informed surprisingly that the position will become full time as of Jan 1. The question was asked by Councilor Saje why the job was advertised prior to being approved by council, the only answer he got was that was an error.

As this point Councilors Saje, Saindon, Gallant and Gail felt that it would be out of line for this council to fill this position this close to the election, felt that it should be left for next council. Councilor Saindon made very good arguments in regards to this issue that I felt were bang on. Council voted down administrations recommendation and suggested that they bring it back to the next council.

Comment: Council did not take a similar position (with the exception of Saindon and Saje) to spending an unbudgeted $600,000 just a few months prior to the election to demolish the centre.

Before any one jumps down my throat (I support the demolition) It should have been done either last year when it was budgeted, or early next year when it could have been built into the 2014 budget.