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.
It surprises me that councillors aren't part of the discussion about recpresentation on various committees. Desire to be on a committee probably leads to greater participation by the councillor(s) selected. Lack of interest in a committee by a councilllor is likely noticed by the rest of the committee members.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't see the list of committee appointments as part of the Oct. 25 organizational meeting agenda package that was available online, and the County's website still doesn't have the updated list.