Council Meeting Highlights

After most Council meetings, I pick out specific issues that I want to comment on – especially to give residents a little behind the scenes insight as to why I vote the way I do. Information on 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 your topic of interest.

Organizational Meeting

On  Oct. 25, 2011 Council started with an organizational meeting that left some Councillors wanting to see the Mayor move forward with her promised change in committee selection. Currently the Mayor picks Councillors to serve on the dozen or so committees and boards. Immediately after the election, the Mayor indicated that her preference would be to have Council’s input. This did not occur. I for one look to aligning the interview process with the one the public goes through. I would like to see Council examine one another’s resumes and past experiences to determine who the best fit is for each committee. An open and honest discussion would be a relationship builder.

I also requested discussion on whether or not elected officials should take the position of Chair or Vice Chair on a public Advisory Committee to Council. I do not mind Councillors being on the committee, but do not see the need for them to be in a position of influence on a public committee which acts in an advisory capacity - it defeats the purpose. 

As to changes: I was disappointed to see Councillor Brian Botterill removed from the Capital Region Board Transit Committee after he proved himself as a clear thinking, mature member who brought issues back to Council where warranted and always gave excellent reports. 

Perimeter Fencing Along Arterial Roads

As residents and visitors travel into and through the urban area of Strathcona County they are greeted with a welcoming landscape of trees, shrubs and flowers with a background fence on major arteries. The fence creates a consistent and orderly backdrop, as well as providing some sound and visual protection for homeowners. If benefits accrue to both the community and homeowner - who should pay for the repair, replacement and upkeep of these fences?

Historically, on County property, arterial road fences are maintained and replaced by the County. These fences are not the issue. At a certain point in our urban history, developers were told to put fences on private property. The fence became the property of the owner to maintain and replace.

Most residents I have talked to bring forward the good neighbour policy. It is the responsibility of land owners to maintain fences on their own property; having said that, a good neighbour will contribute to upkeep. As a balance between fiscal accountability to the taxpayers on the whole – and as a contribution to upkeep – I made a recommendation that the County look at the possibility of staining or painting the public side of the fence. This will be considered by Council in the budget process. Council did approve a motion to enforce the Nuisance and Unsightly Premises bylaw under which property owners along arterial roads must maintain, repair and replace those fences.

Has Council fully addressed the issue? Not in my opinion. The track record of developers/builders in putting up high standard durable fences is not impressive. Anyone having bought a new home on Lakeland Drive can attest to this. Why are we getting flimsy single board fences on major arterial roadways? Because our County standards and regulations do not ask for double boarded or cement sound attenuation fences. This needs to be addressed by administration and Council.

Canadian National Railway Crossing at Range Rd 221 north of Hwy 16

CN and Transport Canada has funded the majority of a $316,400 capital project required on the ‘at grade’ railway crossing warning system that the Canadian Transport Commission ordered upgraded. As the road authority, Strathcona County was responsible for a portion of $70,914 – which Council approved to come from the Future Municipal Operating Reserve.

Social Inclusion

Council passed a new municipal policy that will reduce barriers to community participation and ensure that residents are able to engage in the social, economic and cultural life of our community to a greater extent. Social inclusion is fostered by this policy and will be promoted in municipal services, programs and facilities. The Policy is ground breaking in that it uses a baseline of LICO (Statscan low income threshold) plus 10% in many of its subsidy guidelines. We are the first municipality in Alberta to adopt the higher threshold in recognition of the higher cost of living in our area.

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 obtain your copy by sending me your e mail address. 

Council Meeting Highlights of October 11

The October 11^th Council was an interesting one with both EMS and the RCMP reporting their semi annual reports. NRCaer made a very informative presentation. In our public session thirty five local residents brought forward a critical piece on fencing and the effect of construction on the Cloverbar/Baseline intersection on their homes. Mr Gary Burns brought forward valuable comments on BBQ gas line installation permits that enlightened Council...and Lily Kleinke represented the Lions Club with an informative presentation on guide dogs. My questions brought forward a disturbing fact that Lily and her dog had been asked to leave a local convenience store – and even had trouble on a few Transit buses. Of course, we know that the law prohibits bias against our service animals....I ask my residents to speak up for those who are in a difficult situation.  

Please refer to the reports and minutes of all issues.

Sidewalk Snow Clearing Bylaw

In Council, I opposed an immediate debate and reading on the bylaw brought forward to Council on a sidewalk snow clearing bylaw. I was supported – after great discussion to have public input slated for Nov. 29, 2011 and followed by debate Dec. 13, 2011.

Why would I want to delay such a debate and fight for you to have your say in a public input session? Three of your current Councillors are brand new. They have not had the benefit that I have had of hearing your concerns every winter. Interestingly enough, my files indicate a nearly even split of residents in the pro versus anti sidewalk clearing bylaw. Beyond that, the information that was given to Council was lacking. Sidewalk clearing is critical for mobility and accessibility. The stakeholders in this bylaw are businesses and you and I – the residents. So – why did Council not receive information on the number and content of winter complaints from residents – you did call didn’t you? I know many of you did! I did not get a comment from the Chamber. I did not get a statement from the Accessibility Advisory Committee to Council. What about schools? Are they happy with current standards? Did anyone ask them?

I believe strongly that a municipality has an obligation to dialogue with and listen to its residents. Two years ago Council approved about $60,000 to bring in consultants to help us create a public engagement policy. The policy now exists – but does it permeate all departments? Not yet. We created a position for a public engagement professional. 

Back to the snow clearing bylaw – I had a problem with the lack clarity and user friendly terms in the bylaw.

Those of us that use the sidewalks in winter – and that would be about six months of the year, for recreation, getting to stores, school or work want walkways to be safe and passable within reason. So when a bylaw states “keep sidewalk clear of ice and snow” we are going to have to remember, our expectations of property owners should be reasonable. We cannot expect dry pavement after a 13cm snow storm in February. We can expect easily passable walks that have sand or kitty litter on them to prevent a fall.

I am asking our administration do a comprehensive review of other municipalities’ policies and procedures to come up with some clear and user friendly wording. I ask you to join Council on Nov. 29, 2011 at the Chamber or send in your comments to Transportation with a copy to Council.

Further I have requested that Council look closely at a program that exists in a couple of municipalities that provides for snow clearing for those who cannot do it for themselves. I was key in initiating Snow Busters and am proud of the volunteers and staff that makes Snow Busters  work. I just do not like the financial strings attached. Let’s not make people crawl through red tape. Let’s just take care of our neighbours in need – in whatever way we can. Here’s how some easterners make it work.

Winter Maintenance: Roads, Sidewalks and Parking Lots

Kudos to our Transportation Department for refining the winter maintenance program with credit to our previous Council who pressed hard, while working within budget to improve road clearance in urban and rural areas – to a standard I believe we should be proud of.  

New this year, thanks to residents’ comments...Transportation and all other departments will be working much closer together to ensure faster clearing of parking lots and bus stops. 

Also, coming up Nov. 8, 2011 is a bylaw on removal of vehicles during snow clearance. It promises to be a lively debate, so please contact me on your thoughts. I have to say I am leaning toward user pays on this one. If you make us tow you to keep the street clean. Tax dollars should not be spent, as they have been for so many years.

Councillor Inquiries & Report

I reported to administration that our Glen Allan residents truly deserve a community entrance sign. I do not want tax payers to pay. We have one landscaper willing to help. We just need a few more residents and administration support to make this happen. Call me if you are willing to support this project.

I reported that I attended a Calgary conference on community collaboration and engagement. I was pleased with the high calibre of speakers and the fact that two of our staff attended and made significant contributions. 

Webcast

I invite residents to go to the 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 your topic of interest. 

An E-News Bulletin is sent out from me to residents on community information and issues. It gives me an opportunity to ‘touch base’ with you on a regular basis. You can obtain your copy by sending me your e mail address.