Highlights of July 3, 2012 Council Meeting

Council meetings are webcast live and on tape for three months. The background reports for every meeting are on the site by the end of day, Friday prior to the Council meetings.

Recycle Stations & Enviro Service Enhancement

Council approved a 1.75 million dollar increase in the 2012 budget to be funded from the Federal Tax Grant program for a centralized and greatly enhanced urban recycle station. 

The   increase will take the total project cost to 4.225 million dollars - allowing the municipality to create a one stop enviro service centre with vastly improved safety and efficiency features.

Residents and our local Landscape Companies will find drop off of branches and grass clippings more convenient and safer in the future with new ground level access instead of current steep metal stairs. The site will be controlled with a permanent building and services yard where residents can drop off hazardous and yard waste as well as computers, metal and recyclables.

New Meeting Procedures Bylaw Passes with Amendment

Council passed an amended version of the proposed Meeting Procedures Bylaw  that ensured that a motion to amend bylaw must be seconded (section 10.7(b)).

One significant outcome of the changes to the bylaw is that Council Open House is available only at the first regular meeting of each month. The public no longer has the right to speak at every public meeting unless Council makes a special concession to allow for a resident to speak. Limiting times restricts access and, I predict, will discourage public participation. Engaging citizens reflects the spirit of a government’s philosophy in being open to citizens’ opinions and needs. The rationale given for restricting the number of Open Houses was that this would save Councillors’ and staff time and ‘that not enough public attended anyway’. Bylaw changes take effect in September.

On the plus side of openness and transparency, this bylaw revises the order of business to facilitate the publication of ‘in camera’ agendas. Most municipalities are already providing this for their taxpayers. By September, residents should be able to see what their Council is discussing in private meetings. In camera or out of the public eye discussions are limited to land, legal and human resources by the Municipal Government Act (See my January 27, 2012 blog post).

Busy Night at Council Open House

Both citizens and local business were lined up with presentations at this Council meeting. Resident Trina Boymook spoke to the negative impact of all three readings (and approval) of a bylaw being allowed at one sitting. She referred to the Meeting Procedures Bylaw as an example of a bylaw that was passed without any time lapse that would enable the public to contact their Councillor or ask for permission to address Council to have input into decisions that affect their daily lives. She stated that three readings in one session limited the ability of taxpayers to influence change, be engaged, and communicate with their government.

Abbey Lane Homes, Christenson Group, Landmark and Granger Advertising – all companies that do businesses in Strathcona County presented to Council on different aspects of the recently approved sign bylaw that are negatively impacting their businesses. 

While several meetings had been held recently to reach a mutually agreeable solution to decrease the sandwich board signs for Open Houses, businesses noted that it was in need of Council’s review of a section of the bylaw that dealt with signage size. They contended that this section was more applicable to single unit housing sites.     

The Provincial Board of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) 

PDD brought a welcome message to Council: The Premiere has shifted increased support to persons with disabilities by directing PDD Community Boards to raise awareness, support those municipalities to increase community capacity and recognize communities that are progressive. Strathcona County was given a glowing commendation for its current Vision Statement, Social Inclusion Policy, Social Sustainability Framework, Affordable Housing Program, Everybody Gets to Play Program, Transit Master Plan and the achievements of the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Rotary Service Clubs and the Chamber assist in finding employment opportunities and some municipal Recreational & Parks buildings provides job opportunities. Robin Hood is also extremely active in the area of job training and search.

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

Your calls and opinions are welcome at Roxanne.Carr@strathcona.ca  or contact me at 780.267.3137 or a Twitter: @CouncillorCarr