Friday, January 27, 2012

The Trust of Transparency

Residents elect a government for a reason. They have families, work and a myriad of personal obligations. They do not have the time or information needed to govern by plebiscite.

Our democracy is based on electing knowledgeable people of high moral and ethical principles. We then entrust them to run our municipality, province and nation in our best interests.


Transparency is recognized as a valuable tool to hold elected officials responsible and accountable to those who elect them. There has been a lot of talk in the media and government circles about transparency.


“Be open and honest with your citizens”; “Shine the light on secrecy.” Is it motherhood and apple pie rhetoric with elected officials running to the social media and TV interviews in an attempt to prove how very transparent they are? Are we just shouting clichés at each other?


What does transparency and openness mean in the real world? I have a very simple definition and code that I live by personally and am committed to professionally.


Transparency to me means: if there is no legal reason for information to be held private, then that information should be made public, available to all.


I believe that without transparency, there can be no trust.


I believe that the public does have a right to information that does not infringe on the rights of others.


The Municipal Government Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act direct that: matters of commercial (land dealings), legal (contractual matters) and labour relations are confidential and must not be put in the public realm.


These acts were created to protect the public interest.


In order to be truly open and transparent, in order for there to be public assurance that elected officials are not using the system for their own benefit, information must be accessible, whenever legally possible.



Meetings must be open to the public and media. Bylaws and budgets must be open to public scrutiny and
discussion.


Decisions must not stand in isolation — the public must have access to the path that led to that decision.
I have championed the webcasting and archiving of public council meetings. The acceptance by council is an example of how council has cracked open a window to transparency.


It is now time to open the door. Let’s look at our council workshops. These meetings are, I’m told, “technically” open to the public, and yet, strangely, we do not advertise them to the public.


I see this as an opportunity to engage the public. I welcome residents watching councillors filter through the onerous amounts of information and studies to make decisions on building a better community.


So many residents ask for more information. They want to understand and support the decision makers — they want to be a part of the process.


Residents should be made to feel welcome at council workshops.


Now let’s talk about these private or “in-camera” meetings, which are held before every public meeting and last about four hours.


There has been a fair amount of discussion lately in local social media on what issues should be private and what should be held in public.


If there is no legal reason for information to be held private, then comfortable or not comfortable, that information should be made public.


Did you know that our municipality will not even release the subject of issues that we discuss in our private meetings?
Other governments, including the City of Edmonton publicise an agenda for their private meetings so that taxpayers can at least know what topic is being discussed behind closed doors.


Because I believe strongly in the value and necessity of transparency, I have found myself conflicted over a number of topics discussed in private meetings by this council — but that is a discussion for another time.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Council Meeting Highlights - Jan. 10, 2012

Council Meeting Highlights
Tuesday’s meeting included a review of the Capital Region Boards activities in the past year, and presentation of reports and requests from several departments. Information on all of the background reports and minutes


Webcast
To obtain the rationale behind decisions made by your elected representatives tune into the webcast. The webcast is timed and titled so that you can refer immediately to your topic of interest. Videos are stored for six months. 


Community Social Services Grant Program 2012
A total of $225,000 in grants has been approved by Council. Partnership grants of $141,000 were allocated to: Strathcona Youth Justice, Strathcona County (SC) Mediation Society, Boys & Girls Club, Linking Generations and Parents Empowering Parents. Operating grants of 84,000 were allocated to Robin Hood, Big Brothers Big Sisters, altView Foundation, SafePlace Shelter, Saffron Sexual Assault Centre, SC Overacting Imaginations Youth Theatre Society.
Applications for this funding are reviewed by an Advisory Committee and serve to expand the scope of social services programming to fill identified gaps in our community.


Economic Development & Tourism Committee
The Economic Development brought forward an update indicating an upward trending of retail sales and industrial leasing. Both office leasing and housing prices are holding steady. Housing starts are lower than 2010. The department is working on baseline statistics to provide meaningful comparables for more detailed reporting of business attraction, retention, expansion and growth in the future. Current initiatives include a business ambassador program and a new business mentorship program. Report available here 

Traffic Bylaw 13-2011 Passed Third Reading
Nine bylaws on traffic regulations have been repealed and rolled into one more comprehensive bylaw. Council passed third reading of this bylaw which includes weight restrictions, transportation of dangerous goods, special roadway events, construction activity, and parking. More information will be available through local media advertisements.


Emergency Management Bylaw approved
Council approved an important piece of policy that brings the Strathcona County’s Management program in line with provincial legislation and industry best practises. Bylaw 1-2012 replaces a 1994 bylaw. The new policy is more inclusive and clearly outlines roles and responsibilities in the event that a state of local emergency is declared. In the 1994 bylaw the Disaster Services Committee consisted of two elected officials: the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The new bylaw includes a change in that all of Council are on the new Emergency Advisory Committee. The implementation arm is the Emergency Management Agency. This internal operations group will liaise with the province and other nongovernmental groups in the preparation and implementation of a Municipal Emergency Plan to mitigate damage and protect the lives and property our citizens.

Budget Amendments
Two changes were approved by Council that will impact residents in positive ways.
The Biomass Demonstration facility  has exceeded cost project estimates but will be receiving a further $350,000 from the Federation of Municipalities Green Municipal Fund that is allocated to emissions monitoring projects. The remaining $40,000 will be drawn from Strathcona County Utilities Reserve.
The 2011 budget was amended to allow for $323,501 expenditure for twelve ‘Life Pac 15’ monitors. Ambulances and select front line fire trucks will carry this improved technology equipment that will provide a broader scope of patient assessment and treatment.

Repeal of Cellular Phone Bylaw 27-2009
With the passing of the provincial Distracted Driving Law, which came into effect on September 1st. Driving Council repealed the municipal cellular phone bylaw.


Councillor Reports
I would like to acknowledge an initiative of staff and the Seniors Advisory Committee who assembled and found sponsors for our first Strathcona County Seniors Calendar. It has timely safety, fire and crime prevention tips in it. Residents who would like one of these free calendars can contact 464.4044 or visit this site.

Residents often express interest in the Priority Fund policy and requests which generally receive rubber stamp approval by council. At this council meeting,  I voted against a $4,500 request to pay for the airfare for three cadets from the RCACS (Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron) to fly to the United Kingdom. 


This was presented as a written motion for $2,500 but amended verbally to $4,500. The supporting document from the RCAF Edmonton office requested $1,500 and did not indicate that the beneficiary would be a Strathcona County resident. Given that information,  I decided to not support the use of tax payers money for this endeavour.

At this point, Council has very broad and flexible guidelines on spending taxpayers money from the Priority Fund. I have a Building Strong Communities Committee that reviews most of the applications for my ward funding. One of their criteria is that the ward priority funds specifically benefit a number of residents within the ward and are spent within the ward. This is a good example of why I initially supported removing priority funds from the budget and have requested more rigid guidelines.

E News Bulletin
I send out an E News Bulletin about four times a month to residents. It is an opportunity for me to inform you of events and matters of interest to your family and neighbours in a timely manner. These electronic news flashes also help me to get your input and touch base with you. Contact me at carr@strathcona.ab.ca to receive your copy!