Council Highlights Oct. 9, 2012

Information on background reports andminutes

Webcast

To get the ‘skinny’ on why your Councillor voted the way she did, tune into the webcast. The webcast is timed and titled so that you can refer immediately to the specific agenda items.

Councillor Business Expense Policy

It is time for all elected officials to show that they are walking the talk when they spend tax payers dollars. A long overdue review of staff and elected officials expense records is intended to provide increased detail in accommodation, meal and hospitality expenses. This will include online posting of expenses in support of greater accountability and transparency. Councillor Riddell has introduced a program request that will see Administration will bring forward a review of policies GOV 001 026 and HUM 026 to bring municipal elected officials’  and staff business expenses in alignment with the new provincial  disclosure guidelines first quarter of 2013.

At this time I expect a robust discussion on the merits (and not) of using taxpayer dollars to pay for liquor bills. I look also to see an immediate posting of expenses back to the start of this political term.

Strathcona County Boards and Committees Bylaw 51-2012

Council approved this bylaw with few changes. My amendment to appoint an alternate Councillor to every committee that has one or more Councillors was accepted.

Two other amendments that would have increased the effectiveness and public accountability of Public Advisory Committees were not accepted by council.

Members of public advisory committees have expressed concern in the past about the influence that both staff and elected officials have on those committees. Both staff and Councillors support the public body. While they bring context, background and the function of reporting back to Administration and Council, having either staff or elected officials in the chair or vice chair position causes imbalance. Authority can now outweigh and influence public members.

The same can be said for the privilege of voting on those committees. Do we want the public’s perspective and wisdom to be presented in its pure form as recommendations to Council or do we accept direction that is influenced by administration and Council to be regurgitated and funneled back to Council? Imagine the proposed Finance committee with three elected officials and three members of the public – how is that not a perfect opportunity for three elected officials to bring forward their own agenda, snow or out vote public members and so present their own views to Council in the guise of it being a ‘public’ advisory board recommendation? We actually have provision in the bylaw that states that administrative representatives shall not be a member of a Committee or have voting privileges. We just have not taken it far enough.

I want the opinions and insight from the public to come forward to Council, to balance the information from administration and our own elected officials’ comments. That can only improve current decision making.

Brand Launch

Council allocated 600,000 last budget year to phase in the brand change for Strathcona County. Municipalities generally take from 3 to 5 years to complete a change over in a fiscally responsible manner. To date the brand identity has been unveiled on the intra and internet, rebranding of 20 buses, 20 zambonis, 90 vehicles are nearing completion. As new projects come on line they will take on the new identity as a matter of course.

E News Bulletin

I send out an E News Bulletin three times monthly to residents. It is an opportunity for me to inform you of community events and matters of interest to your family and neighbours and keep in touch you. You are welcome to sign up at roxanne.carr@strathcona.ca