Council Meeting Highlights of August 30th

Background reports and minutes 

Time of Council Meetings

Most of Council saw the need for a consistent start time and supported my motion with a request that meetings start at 2 p.m. While this is not perfect at least our residents can rely on knowing when public meetings start. I hope this motion results in fewer errors in publicizing the information.  More of a concern to me is the volume and type of information being discussed ‘in camera’ (out of the public eye) and I look forward to Councillor Riddell’s requests for clarifications and recommendations being brought to Council in future months.

Pioneer Housing Foundation (PHF)

A borrowing bylaw was approved by the majority of Council to enable PHF to move forward with a major affordable housing project. In 2008, a Council requested Affordable Housing study was brought forward in order to evaluate the needs of our municipality in the future. 

The results of this plan were used to form guidelines and a committee. Subsequently, provincial funding designated for affordable housing was given to Robin Hood Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and PHF to create projects in our municipality.

Housing foundations throughout Alberta utilize a borrowing vehicle within the MGA to access loans from lending companies like Alberta Capital Finance Authority through their municipalities. Municipalities benefit by thus having some ‘control ‘ over  projects and align agency’s plans with municipal needs and objectives.

PHF has a solid borrowing and repayment record with the County. They will pay back the principal and interest over 25 years, (the industry norm for this type of project). The repayment will come from operational revenues – not the taxpayers’ pocket. The only pause for thought for me on making this decision was how much would this 7 million dollar loan impact our borrowing capacity. Strathcona County total debt as of Dec. 31, 2010 Annual Report is 172.8 million. The Province of Alberta and the County have regulated debt limit at 1.5 times the annual operating revenues. So our current debt is well below the limit of 391.8 million.

Integrated Regional Transportation Plan

This plan for future increased transportation links in our municipality and the region will be brought forward to the Capital Region Board next week. It was debated and passed with an amendment and secondary motion at Council. 

In response to residents issues with the plan that included the impact on environment and wildlife as well as increased local traffic, Councillor Fenske brought forward an amendment “that the east/west bridge crossing be identified as Twp. Rd 540”. The approved amendment hopefully will result in the upgraded road being moved away from residential areas and the Strathcona County growth node.

A further motion was that the Capital Region be urged to identify the North-South connector road after the adoption of the Hwy 16 Functional study east of Rng Rd 222 is passed. In other words, it is only logical that this major intersection be designated to a specific location before the North- South Road is named. These may seem like logical moves to you and I – but we have seen examples in the past where logic and common sense have not prevailed. I hope that our Mayor and the Mayor appointed alternate Councillor Bidzinski will proactively lobby to have the County’s needs accepted by our sister municipalities.

Community Partnership Projects

Administration brought forward a policy and guideline on partnership opportunities. 

This could have extremely positive impacts on our community and open up opportunities for corporations, all community sports and arts and culture organizations to contribute in P3 type partnerships to build facilities and provide more amenities. 

This will be a vehicle that can help this community get the synthetic turf field, destination Spray Park or next musical cultural centre – because budgets will tighten and taxpayers money cannot build what the public wants and expects in these uncertain economic times. 

By working together with other stakeholders with working capital – well that truly does open new doors. The policy deals with the hoped for mega projects as well as smaller community projects such as feature area entry signs and small park revitalizations.

Webcast

I urge residents to attend the occasional Council meeting or tune into the webcast. The webcast is timed and titled so that you can refer immediately to your topic of interest  

Three times a month I send out an E-News Bulletin to residents on community information and issues. It gives me an opportunity to ‘touch base’ with you on a regular basis. You can have your name put on this list by sending me your e mail address.