Council Meeting of June 7, 2011
Mayor Decoux prior to the meeting commencing said some kind words about former Mayor Irwin’s years of service to the municipality and requested everybody present to take a moments silence.
Public Hearing: None
Agenda: Mayor Decoux added Emergent Land Issue in Camera. He also changed Item #5 under Bylaws to come after delegations. He deleted the following items correspondence #2 letter from Hon. Luke Ouellette regarding Federal Gas Tax Fund. He also deleted under other business, Drum Creek Flooding, Draft Budget Policy, and Municipal Office. He added Gifts for members of the task force under other business. Motion to accept the Agenda as amended was passed unanimously
Adoption of previous minutes:
1. Minutes of the Council Meeting of May 17, 2011, with minor corrections. Motion to accept was passed unanimously
2. Minutes of the Special Council Meeting of May 11, 2011, with minor corrections. Motion to accept was passed unanimously
Delegations:
1. Mark Murphy Emergency Management Field Officer for Southern Alberta reviewed the Emergency Management planning process with council and administration.
2. Larry Simpson, Director Strategic Philanthropy and Conservation for the Nature Conservancy gave an over view of what they do and stated that they own 1600 acres in the Pass and have conservation easements on 400 more acres.
Bylaws: 826 Land Use Bylaw third reading (Green Mountain Company in West Coleman)
Mayor Decoux gave the public the option to present anything new on this issue, no response either for or against.
Comments from council: Councilor Saindon needs to be convinced that the developer will address the public’s concerns.
Councilor Gallant felt that those issues would be covered off in the development agreement.
Councilor Gail had concerns about old mines workings, underground creeks, and the highway and really could not see this area being used for development. Motion for third reading passed 5-2 (Saindon/Saje opposed)
Administrative and Agency Reports: None
Business arising from the Minutes: None
Correspondence:
1. Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Library Board-Pat Korble-Closure of the Bellevue Library. Mayor Decoux asked for comments or questions none provided.
Committee Reports:
1. Minutes of May 24, 2011 G+P committee meeting, no discussion. Motion to accept passed unanimously.
2. Minutes of May 10, 2011 G+P committee meeting, no discussion. Motion to accept passed unanimously
Bylaws:
1. Bylaw 805,2011- Road Closure Frank Industrial Park (2nd & 3rd reading) No discussion. Motion passed 2nd reading 6-1 (Saje) 3rd reading passed 6-1 (Saje)
2. Bylaw 816, 2011 – Walking Trail Bylaw given (2nd & 3rd Reading). No discussion 2nd reading passed Unanimously, 3rd reading passed unanimously
3. Bylaw 821, 2011 – Property Tax Penalties Bylaw given (1st Reading) No discussion 1st reading passed unanimously
4. Bylaw 825, 2011 – Agricultural Services Board Bylaw given (2nd & 3rd Reading). No discussion 2nd reading passed unanimously 3rd reading passed unanimously.
5. Bylaw 826, 2011 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment given (3rd Reading) - (Green Mtn. Company) Dealt with previously after delegations.
6. Bylaw 828, 2011 – Traffic Bylaw Amendment given (1st Reading) No discussion passed 1st reading unanimously.
7. Bylaw 829, 1011 – Noise Bylaw Amendment given (1st Reading) No discussion passed 1st reading unanimously.
8. Bylaw 830, 2011 – Long Grass Bylaw Amendment given (1st Reading) No discussion passed 1st reading unanimously.
9. Bylaw 831, 2011 – Community Standards Bylaw Amendment given (1st Reading) No discussion passed 1st reading unanimously.
10. Bylaw 832, 2011 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Sign Standards given (1st Reading) – now has a Public Hearing No discussion passed 1st reading unanimously.
11. Bylaw 833, 2011 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment - Rezoning - given (1st Reading Tartal in Frank) – now has a Public Hearing No discussion passed 1st reading unanimously.
Notices of Motion: None
Other Business:
1. Rescind Endorsement Policy: Councilor Mitchell as been opposed to this policy from its concept, the intent of the policy was to have any council member inform council and seek its approval before appearing in any promotional material for business, developers etc. Motion to rescind passed 5-2 (Saindon/Gallant opposed)
2. Code of conduct for Council and Council committees: Motion to send this to the Policy committee passed 6-1 (Saindon opposed)
3. Council summer schedule: Motion to cancel July 26 G+P, August 2 Council and August 9 G+P, with an additional council to be added August 30. Motion passed 6-1 (Gallant opposed)
4. Draft reserve policy: Motion to accept passed unanimously.
5. Purchase gifts for task force: Mayor Decoux explained that the task force gave their time for free for five meeting since February, felt it reasonable to present the committee members with gifts up to a value of $2250. Motion passed unanimously
6. Draft Budget Policy: Motion to defer to the June 21st meeting passed unanimously.
7. Request for enhanced policing for Rum Runner Days: The municipality to pay $10,000 for 178 of policing, question of administration is this sufficient CAO stated that the RCMP felt not. Councilor Saje felt that moving forward this whole weekend needs to be dealt with more as a business plan, to get away from the huge costs the municipality incurs. Councilor Gail asked if administration had received a revenue report from the fire department yet for the weekend, administration stated they were still working on this. Motion to incur the $10,000 cost passed unanimously.
8. Independent Trucking Enterprise Parking Request: Request to park the coal haul trucks at the old Crowsnest Centre parking lot. Numerous concerns raised by council motion to defer to the next meeting passed 6-1 (Saindon opposed)
9. Municipal Auction Fund Disbursement: Administration recommended that the proceeds from the auction held on the weekend ($2700 approximately) be donated to the Town of Slave Lake. Councilor Mitchell strongly disagreed felt the money should be placed into reserves. Motion passed 5-2 (Saindon/Mitchell opposed)
10. Notice of Motion Transportation: Motion to have a needs assessment conducted and bring back to council on September 6th passed unanimously.
Council Member reports: Comments about various groups sending condolences regarding former Mayor Irwin.
Public Input: None
Motion to go In Camera: Passed Unanimously
****Additional information from last nights meeting****
The package from last nights meeting was just posted on the municipal web site. As noted previously Mayor Decoux deleted several issues from the agenda one of which was the Municipal Office.
Now reading the package I was expecting administration to come back with a reconfiguration as directed by Council a number of weeks ago.
Instead it again raises the issue of moving to the MDM which I have expressed my opinion on previouly. One of my concerns was the cost, especially when council has made it clear that they will improve inefficiencies by reducing the number of staff over time which would make the space issue in the office a non issue.
In the package it shows that $15,000 will be used to facilitate that move, with that money to come from savings by the delayed hiring of staff.
That raises a number of concerns with me first of all how necessary were those positions here we are almost half way through the year and they are still not filled.
Second of all its an old fiscal management trick to make one look good down the road by building additional costs in the budget and then showing savings at the end of the year.
Third it becomes a slush fund for ideas like these that should have been dealt with in the budget process and given a yes or no at that time, or did we not know that the proposed positions would require a place to be?
Fourth does this mean that administration does not believe Councils position that the work force will be reduced in time by the means that council has previously discussed.
Fifth these delays in hiring should provide the opportunity to save a few dollars that could be used to lessen the burden on the taxpayer next year.
Showing posts with label Public Transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Transportation. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Public Transportation in the Crowsnest Pass
Last week council was given a presentation regarding public transportation.
Cam Mertz presented an analysis that showed, a public transportation system running Monday through Friday with 24 stops between West Coleman and the MDM operating 14 hours per day.
Based on the revenue numbers provided there would be $25,200 a year coming in divided by 250 days per year that's $100 per day at $2 per trip 50 passengers a day or 4 per hour or $8 per hour.
On the cost side of the equation the numbers showed that the service would cost $201,600 to set up and $311,950 to operate, divided by 250 days per year that's $1248 per day or $89 per hour.
Plus every year an additional $30,000 would have to be put aside to cover the replacement of the bus every three years, in reality the cost would increase to $1368 per day or $98 per hour.
Cost minus revenue leaves this service being subsidized by the taxpayer to the tune of $90 per hour.
The key questions have to be asked here, first of all is there a need and can we afford it.
Looking at the present town rounder its clientele averages somewhere between 8 and 12 daily.
So is the 50 passengers a day realistic? lets look at our neighbours, the Regional District of East Kootenay offers a daily service that runs between Sparwood/Elkford/Fernie and the South Country (Once a week).
Their budget for 2011 based on having twice the population in the Elk Valley that we do plus having a service that runs between communties not just within their boundaries is 6000 passengers. So yes I feel the 12600 rides here is a little optimistic.
Even if the numbers turn out to be real we are looking at having every home in the Crowsnest Pass pay an additional $100 to fund a service that will be used by 4 people per hour.
How many tmes a day do you think you will see that bus travelling back and forth empty.
Unless of course there is $317,000 per year in inefficiencies in the present budget that can be saved.
If there is that kind of fat in our municipal budget first of all I would like to know where, and second I would want to know why we would not just get a $100 tax reduction.
There was some suggestions about reducing those costs, charge $3 per trip selling advertising on the bus (lets assume $20,000 per year), then the cost would come down to only $81 per hour. Even with all that considered if you reduced the service to three days a week it would still cost the taxpayers $200,000 per year.
The municipality will be sending out a survey with an upcoming utility bill to ask for the public's input. I hope with in that survey it explains the costs of this venture, and the assumptions of how many people will use the service. Too often people will support an idea because it sounds good up front, its one of those things government should be doing. Then they are out raged later when they find out the cost.
I don't mind paying taxes for things we need, schools, hospitals, roads, recreation facilities etc etc. But for a transportation system that will be funded to the tune of $90 per hour for an average of four riders?
But then again maybe just maybe this is one of those old political games, maybe there is no intent to proceed with this idea at all. Maybe its just going through the motions.
Cam Mertz presented an analysis that showed, a public transportation system running Monday through Friday with 24 stops between West Coleman and the MDM operating 14 hours per day.
Based on the revenue numbers provided there would be $25,200 a year coming in divided by 250 days per year that's $100 per day at $2 per trip 50 passengers a day or 4 per hour or $8 per hour.
On the cost side of the equation the numbers showed that the service would cost $201,600 to set up and $311,950 to operate, divided by 250 days per year that's $1248 per day or $89 per hour.
Plus every year an additional $30,000 would have to be put aside to cover the replacement of the bus every three years, in reality the cost would increase to $1368 per day or $98 per hour.
Cost minus revenue leaves this service being subsidized by the taxpayer to the tune of $90 per hour.
The key questions have to be asked here, first of all is there a need and can we afford it.
Looking at the present town rounder its clientele averages somewhere between 8 and 12 daily.
So is the 50 passengers a day realistic? lets look at our neighbours, the Regional District of East Kootenay offers a daily service that runs between Sparwood/Elkford/Fernie and the South Country (Once a week).
Their budget for 2011 based on having twice the population in the Elk Valley that we do plus having a service that runs between communties not just within their boundaries is 6000 passengers. So yes I feel the 12600 rides here is a little optimistic.
Even if the numbers turn out to be real we are looking at having every home in the Crowsnest Pass pay an additional $100 to fund a service that will be used by 4 people per hour.
How many tmes a day do you think you will see that bus travelling back and forth empty.
Unless of course there is $317,000 per year in inefficiencies in the present budget that can be saved.
If there is that kind of fat in our municipal budget first of all I would like to know where, and second I would want to know why we would not just get a $100 tax reduction.
There was some suggestions about reducing those costs, charge $3 per trip selling advertising on the bus (lets assume $20,000 per year), then the cost would come down to only $81 per hour. Even with all that considered if you reduced the service to three days a week it would still cost the taxpayers $200,000 per year.
The municipality will be sending out a survey with an upcoming utility bill to ask for the public's input. I hope with in that survey it explains the costs of this venture, and the assumptions of how many people will use the service. Too often people will support an idea because it sounds good up front, its one of those things government should be doing. Then they are out raged later when they find out the cost.
I don't mind paying taxes for things we need, schools, hospitals, roads, recreation facilities etc etc. But for a transportation system that will be funded to the tune of $90 per hour for an average of four riders?
But then again maybe just maybe this is one of those old political games, maybe there is no intent to proceed with this idea at all. Maybe its just going through the motions.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Public Transportation and Indoor Swimming Pool
The following Notices of Motions were presented at the last two Council Meeting the first regarding Public Transportation and the second regarding an Indoor Swimming Pool recreation program.
I am providing them as a benefit for my readers I will comment more over the next few days.
The one obvious question that I assume will jump out at everybody is how are these programs going to be paid for, Councilor Saje does offer some options how realistic they are I don't know.
Staying on that issue Council set a budget that I suspect will "not" mean 0% tax increases this year, which did not place any money into reserves, and in fact put the municipality further in debt to buy new equipment (Almost $600,000).
But did do its share to help the economic recovery by creating additional employment.
Notice of Motion for Councillor Andrew Saje
February 15, 2011
The Need for Alternative Public Transportation
WHEREAS it is important to realize that the Crowsnest Pass is a unique linear mountain community spanning a corridor distance of over 30 kms.
AND WHEREAS it is important to realize that alternative modes of transportation for its citizens is vital to the community’s sustainability.
AND WHEREAS it is realized that greener (Mother Nature friendly)public modes of transportation are welcome by the citizens of the Crowsnest Pass.
AND WHEREAS the Crowsnest Pass has a diverse community requiring a broader mode of public transportation.
AND WHEREAS the Crowsnest Pass has a gap for low income individuals and families, youth,and seniors,who do not fit the criteria for the Town Rounder and were not able to get around the municipality easily due to its long geographical constraints.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
1. Direct Administration to create a plan to implement an alternative public transportation system. The specific scope, timeframe and potential resources required for this study be identified and reported to Council no later than one Governance and Priorities Committee or Council meeting before the 2011 Spring Town Hall meeting and further.
2. Request that Administration investigate all transportation revenue avenues besides fare box recovery including but not limited to advertising, grants,and corporate contributions.
NOTICE OF MOTION
FOR COUNCILLOR ANDREW SAJE
DATE: March 1, 2011
SUBJECT: 2011 – 2012 Fall – Winter – Spring Indoor Pool and Recreation Program
WHEREAS it is important that Council realized from the 2010 Fall election that indoor pool and facility programs of a Recreation Centre are important for the quality of life for the citizens of the Crowsnest Pass.
AND WHEREAS it is important to realize that Council is aware that with the current trend of a declining population that the construction and maintenance of a local Recreational Facility cannot be considered until the stabilization of sustainability is achieved.
AND WHEREAS it is realized that an interim solution can be attained by partnering with our neighboring communities and establishing a shuttle service program to their indoor Recreation Facility.
AND WHEREAS such a shuttle service program would help neighboring Recreational Facilities with maintenance and program costs and would enhance neighboring community spirit and relations.
AND WHEREAS it is important for the major employers of the Crowsnest Pass residence that their employees and their families enjoy alternative fall to spring indoor programs.
AND WHEREAS it is realized by Council that such a shuttle service program would provide valuable statistical information for the demand of Indoor Recreation Programs and would impact the implementation of the future Recreation Center in the Crowsnest Pass.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
1. Direct Administration to contact our neighboring communities and propose the creation of a collaborative fall to spring indoor pool and recreation program using a shuttle service from the Crowsnest Pass to their facility and further
2. Request that Administration contact all major employers and all potential contributing organizations to receive financial commitments covering the costs of buses,labour, maintenance,and program fees for such a service and further
3. The specific scope, timeframe and potential resources required for this program be identified and provided to Council no later than May 25, 2011.
I am providing them as a benefit for my readers I will comment more over the next few days.
The one obvious question that I assume will jump out at everybody is how are these programs going to be paid for, Councilor Saje does offer some options how realistic they are I don't know.
Staying on that issue Council set a budget that I suspect will "not" mean 0% tax increases this year, which did not place any money into reserves, and in fact put the municipality further in debt to buy new equipment (Almost $600,000).
But did do its share to help the economic recovery by creating additional employment.
Notice of Motion for Councillor Andrew Saje
February 15, 2011
The Need for Alternative Public Transportation
WHEREAS it is important to realize that the Crowsnest Pass is a unique linear mountain community spanning a corridor distance of over 30 kms.
AND WHEREAS it is important to realize that alternative modes of transportation for its citizens is vital to the community’s sustainability.
AND WHEREAS it is realized that greener (Mother Nature friendly)public modes of transportation are welcome by the citizens of the Crowsnest Pass.
AND WHEREAS the Crowsnest Pass has a diverse community requiring a broader mode of public transportation.
AND WHEREAS the Crowsnest Pass has a gap for low income individuals and families, youth,and seniors,who do not fit the criteria for the Town Rounder and were not able to get around the municipality easily due to its long geographical constraints.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
1. Direct Administration to create a plan to implement an alternative public transportation system. The specific scope, timeframe and potential resources required for this study be identified and reported to Council no later than one Governance and Priorities Committee or Council meeting before the 2011 Spring Town Hall meeting and further.
2. Request that Administration investigate all transportation revenue avenues besides fare box recovery including but not limited to advertising, grants,and corporate contributions.
NOTICE OF MOTION
FOR COUNCILLOR ANDREW SAJE
DATE: March 1, 2011
SUBJECT: 2011 – 2012 Fall – Winter – Spring Indoor Pool and Recreation Program
WHEREAS it is important that Council realized from the 2010 Fall election that indoor pool and facility programs of a Recreation Centre are important for the quality of life for the citizens of the Crowsnest Pass.
AND WHEREAS it is important to realize that Council is aware that with the current trend of a declining population that the construction and maintenance of a local Recreational Facility cannot be considered until the stabilization of sustainability is achieved.
AND WHEREAS it is realized that an interim solution can be attained by partnering with our neighboring communities and establishing a shuttle service program to their indoor Recreation Facility.
AND WHEREAS such a shuttle service program would help neighboring Recreational Facilities with maintenance and program costs and would enhance neighboring community spirit and relations.
AND WHEREAS it is important for the major employers of the Crowsnest Pass residence that their employees and their families enjoy alternative fall to spring indoor programs.
AND WHEREAS it is realized by Council that such a shuttle service program would provide valuable statistical information for the demand of Indoor Recreation Programs and would impact the implementation of the future Recreation Center in the Crowsnest Pass.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
1. Direct Administration to contact our neighboring communities and propose the creation of a collaborative fall to spring indoor pool and recreation program using a shuttle service from the Crowsnest Pass to their facility and further
2. Request that Administration contact all major employers and all potential contributing organizations to receive financial commitments covering the costs of buses,labour, maintenance,and program fees for such a service and further
3. The specific scope, timeframe and potential resources required for this program be identified and provided to Council no later than May 25, 2011.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Issues in the Crowsnest Pass
I would like to take a few moments to address some issues raised by one of my fellow bloggers, who recently declared his candidacy for the Mayors position in the Crowsnest Pass.
Some of the issues raised I agree with and some I obviously will not. But I will address each one of them the best I can.
Municipal Shell Game-Finances
Infrastructure Grants were committed to the municipality, administration argued that these projects needed to be completed last year and this. I felt we should have waited until we received the grant monies first and then did the projects. We moved ahead both years with full knowledge that the grant money was on the way, but the projects would be complete possibly prior to the money arriving, contractors had to be paid. So last year we approved a bylaw to borrow up to $1.9 million, (this was never used) and this year we approved a bylaw to borrow up to $2.6 million. If the federal and provincial government come through in a timely fashion our usage of this money should be similar to last year.
This also refers back to the need I have raised again and again for five years of building our reserves, if we had decent reserve levels we would not find ourselves in this position.
Affordable Housing
A study was done and at that time affordable housing was shown to be very necessary for our community due to a shortage of affordable accommodation, then the recession happened and the availability of rental accommodation at more affordable pricing became greater.
But there is no question that not too far down the road this will be an issue again, the municipality would have to partner up with the Feds, Province and developers to make this happen because we do not have the cash, but we do have suitable land available. This is what as happened in other communities the municipalities supply the land the two levels of government financial assistance and the developers build the homes.
Public Transportation
Important issue but one that comes with it great cost, there is nowhere that I am aware of where public transportation pays for itself. Our present town rounder is subsidized to the tune of roughly $120,000 a year. To run for 40 hours a week that works out to about $60 per hour that the taxpayer subsidizes that service. Its only a matter of money we could double the availabilty but it would likewise double the cost.
Community Centre Including an Indoor Pool
Should we go after federal and provincial dollars for this type of project, of course but this is something that will take time and a lot of money to happen, future council will have to get very creative to achieve this goal.
Local Businesses
Every election I have heard people stand up and talk about attracting business here, nobody every talks about "how". We have to make this community as attractive as possible from a visual point of view and the cost factor (taxes) to attract people here and sell what we have (proximity to the mines, and cities and one of the most beautiful places to live in the world).
Anyway I know it makes good propaganda to slam the local council for the loss of business, but to expect us to shoulder the blame for a national chain going bankrupt? for companies making the decision to move out of rural areas? and for other businesses closing due to unfortunate circumstances, how could any of those be councils fault.
Reality in the Crowsnest Pass is that we have a very mobile population, 40% of our home owners are week enders who have the opportunity to shop else where, another 25% work at the mines and have four days off every week to go shop out of town.
Its tough to have a business here that can compete with the big box stores out of town.
What always interests me is when you see some of the strongest proponents of shopping locally in Costco or Walmart.
River Run
Big investigation go ahead, from a municipal point of view the mistake we made was not having security in place. Some Council members asked for this again and again and was told by our administration and our leader that it would be provided at the required time.
We all know where we are at today. Personally I will never vote for a development again unless there is security in place prior to the project starting.
Should our Mayor have been involved in promoting this developer? should an employer of the developer been on council? the Mayor told us it was not a conflict and the councilor excused himself when an issue with the developer came up.
This was a private acquisition of a private piece of property, funded by people that choice to invest their money. I think this is between the developers, the investors and a whole bunch of lawyers.
Silence of other candidates
Obviously I can only speak for myself, every candidate that runs for office as some kind of strategic plan for their campaign. I will announce what I am doing at the time that works best for my plan. The election will decide who is right and who is wrong. (But I am running, just have not decided for which position)
Full Time Mayor
Over the years the present Mayor as been accused of micro manging the municipality, which was confirmed by George Cuff when he recommended that the Mayor no longer attend management meeting.
I can not find a rural community of our size that as a full time Mayor, how much would we pay a full time Mayor?, we have some people that feel that council members should do their job for no remuneration. Its suggested that we take some of the funding away from our CAO and use it to pay for a Mayor, if you think you are going to attract a CAO here for $60-70 000 a year good luck, go look at what other small communities pay their CAO's its part of public record.
We need to have good strong administration that will provide sound unbiased apolitical information to the council so they can make informed decisions
Hiring of a CAO
Interesting to hear our Mayor talk about how this council should not hire the next CAO, our present CAO started in August of 2004 the election took place in October of 2004.
When we received the Cuff report it revealed to us that our present CAO would be retiring at the end of 2010. The election takes place on October 18 2010, new council will not meet until the first Tuesday in November, anybody that as sat on council knows that the first meeting is about swearing everybody in, saying hello, having councils picture taken for the web site, appointing members to various committees and a light agenda.
The real work starts at the second council meeting in November leaving a period of six weeks prior to the CAO's retirement to make a decision, at that same time council is slammed with the 2011 budget, and a group of administrators that are all very eager to justify why their departments need more money.
This would not be such a big deal if you had an experienced council making the decisions, but what if you have a lot of new faces around the table? what if you had a strong Mayor that took advantage of the newness of his council to take advantage and pick his man for the position? (I know that as never happened here but I am sure it as elsewhere)
Local Media-Bias
I cannot imagine what my fellow blogger is referring to, in the Crowsnest Pass!
I like wise believed that the job of the media is to report the news, I could ramble on for hours about this issue buts whats the point.
Anyway there are a few comments about issues in the Crowsnest Pass.
Some of the issues raised I agree with and some I obviously will not. But I will address each one of them the best I can.
Municipal Shell Game-Finances
Infrastructure Grants were committed to the municipality, administration argued that these projects needed to be completed last year and this. I felt we should have waited until we received the grant monies first and then did the projects. We moved ahead both years with full knowledge that the grant money was on the way, but the projects would be complete possibly prior to the money arriving, contractors had to be paid. So last year we approved a bylaw to borrow up to $1.9 million, (this was never used) and this year we approved a bylaw to borrow up to $2.6 million. If the federal and provincial government come through in a timely fashion our usage of this money should be similar to last year.
This also refers back to the need I have raised again and again for five years of building our reserves, if we had decent reserve levels we would not find ourselves in this position.
Affordable Housing
A study was done and at that time affordable housing was shown to be very necessary for our community due to a shortage of affordable accommodation, then the recession happened and the availability of rental accommodation at more affordable pricing became greater.
But there is no question that not too far down the road this will be an issue again, the municipality would have to partner up with the Feds, Province and developers to make this happen because we do not have the cash, but we do have suitable land available. This is what as happened in other communities the municipalities supply the land the two levels of government financial assistance and the developers build the homes.
Public Transportation
Important issue but one that comes with it great cost, there is nowhere that I am aware of where public transportation pays for itself. Our present town rounder is subsidized to the tune of roughly $120,000 a year. To run for 40 hours a week that works out to about $60 per hour that the taxpayer subsidizes that service. Its only a matter of money we could double the availabilty but it would likewise double the cost.
Community Centre Including an Indoor Pool
Should we go after federal and provincial dollars for this type of project, of course but this is something that will take time and a lot of money to happen, future council will have to get very creative to achieve this goal.
Local Businesses
Every election I have heard people stand up and talk about attracting business here, nobody every talks about "how". We have to make this community as attractive as possible from a visual point of view and the cost factor (taxes) to attract people here and sell what we have (proximity to the mines, and cities and one of the most beautiful places to live in the world).
Anyway I know it makes good propaganda to slam the local council for the loss of business, but to expect us to shoulder the blame for a national chain going bankrupt? for companies making the decision to move out of rural areas? and for other businesses closing due to unfortunate circumstances, how could any of those be councils fault.
Reality in the Crowsnest Pass is that we have a very mobile population, 40% of our home owners are week enders who have the opportunity to shop else where, another 25% work at the mines and have four days off every week to go shop out of town.
Its tough to have a business here that can compete with the big box stores out of town.
What always interests me is when you see some of the strongest proponents of shopping locally in Costco or Walmart.
River Run
Big investigation go ahead, from a municipal point of view the mistake we made was not having security in place. Some Council members asked for this again and again and was told by our administration and our leader that it would be provided at the required time.
We all know where we are at today. Personally I will never vote for a development again unless there is security in place prior to the project starting.
Should our Mayor have been involved in promoting this developer? should an employer of the developer been on council? the Mayor told us it was not a conflict and the councilor excused himself when an issue with the developer came up.
This was a private acquisition of a private piece of property, funded by people that choice to invest their money. I think this is between the developers, the investors and a whole bunch of lawyers.
Silence of other candidates
Obviously I can only speak for myself, every candidate that runs for office as some kind of strategic plan for their campaign. I will announce what I am doing at the time that works best for my plan. The election will decide who is right and who is wrong. (But I am running, just have not decided for which position)
Full Time Mayor
Over the years the present Mayor as been accused of micro manging the municipality, which was confirmed by George Cuff when he recommended that the Mayor no longer attend management meeting.
I can not find a rural community of our size that as a full time Mayor, how much would we pay a full time Mayor?, we have some people that feel that council members should do their job for no remuneration. Its suggested that we take some of the funding away from our CAO and use it to pay for a Mayor, if you think you are going to attract a CAO here for $60-70 000 a year good luck, go look at what other small communities pay their CAO's its part of public record.
We need to have good strong administration that will provide sound unbiased apolitical information to the council so they can make informed decisions
Hiring of a CAO
Interesting to hear our Mayor talk about how this council should not hire the next CAO, our present CAO started in August of 2004 the election took place in October of 2004.
When we received the Cuff report it revealed to us that our present CAO would be retiring at the end of 2010. The election takes place on October 18 2010, new council will not meet until the first Tuesday in November, anybody that as sat on council knows that the first meeting is about swearing everybody in, saying hello, having councils picture taken for the web site, appointing members to various committees and a light agenda.
The real work starts at the second council meeting in November leaving a period of six weeks prior to the CAO's retirement to make a decision, at that same time council is slammed with the 2011 budget, and a group of administrators that are all very eager to justify why their departments need more money.
This would not be such a big deal if you had an experienced council making the decisions, but what if you have a lot of new faces around the table? what if you had a strong Mayor that took advantage of the newness of his council to take advantage and pick his man for the position? (I know that as never happened here but I am sure it as elsewhere)
Local Media-Bias
I cannot imagine what my fellow blogger is referring to, in the Crowsnest Pass!
I like wise believed that the job of the media is to report the news, I could ramble on for hours about this issue buts whats the point.
Anyway there are a few comments about issues in the Crowsnest Pass.
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