Nov. 6, 2012 Council Meeting Highlights

Council approved a variety of reports from departments. Information on allof the background reports and minutes.

Webcast

To get the full flavour of how decisions are made tune into the webcast. The webcast is timed and titled so that you can refer immediately to the specific agenda items.

Taxi Bylaw

Council heard reports from both the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee (EDTAC) and the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) supporting the need for regulation of taxi cabs to increase public safety. ACC requested that a percentage of taxi cabs be wheelchair accessible.

Cultural Services Policy and Art Gallery Operational Guidelines

Administration is reviewing guidelines and communication protocol. They are looking at bench marking our gallery to other publicly operated galleries with a report due at month end. The focus is on how art work is chosen: practise of selection and how art exhibits are selected. 

I had introduced a program request to broaden the scope of the review to create greater public input and a more influential role of the Arts and Culture Council. I see advantages to having a public body involved in a significant way. It gives us an opportunity to champion local artists and artisans, reflect community values and see greater diversity of art forms and mediums. While Council has turned this down this initiative, I hope that the public and our stakeholders will eventually have input into this process.

Strathcona County Emergency Services Master Plan

The newly created twenty year master plan provides strategic recommendations and focuses on human resources, programs, infrastructure and equipment. About 85% of the Emergency Services budget distributed is on personnel, the remainder on operations. The recommendations include the building of a seventh fire station in the next few years to handle the new hospital and increased population in new areas of Emerald Hills and Cambrian. Having this master plan is a boon for more strategic resource and budget planning. The report is an interesting read

New Transit Terminal Update

Bethal terminal is one of the largest projects going on in Strathcona County right now. Strathcona County won the competitive provincial Green Trip grant of 13.6 million. The design is complete and tendering will occur this month. A critical piece of road is nearing completion. While budget is on target the timeline is not. It seems that scope changes, site drainage complexity and staff changes are all taking their toll as administration are advising that the opening could be delayed by as much as four months, from September to December 2013. Currently, the temporary satellite Park and Rides are well within their capacity limits.

Josephburg Community Recreation Master Plan

Council approved the Recreation Master Plan that local and surrounding residents have participated in over the past year. Through the open house process, citizens asked for various types of recreation infrastructure: trails, open space for spontaneous play, gym retrofits, entrance features and plantings, outdoor older adult fitness equipment, community gardens, upgrades on Moyer Recreation Centre and community gathering space.

Phase one will involve a revitalization of existing infrastructure and the plan will be implemented through the annual budget process. Implementation of all elements in the themes of Trails, Sports, Specialty Areas and Community Gardening will require short term funding of 368,000 and up to 1.6 million in the long term – all subject to budget approvals.

 

There is still some reclamation to do on a small part of the land sited for recreational use in the future. In 2013, Josephburg residents can expect to be asked to participate in a community hall study that examines long term usage, function and community needs.

E News Bulletin

I send out an E News Bulletin 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. You are welcome to sign up at roxanne.carr@strathcona.ca