Regional & Provincial Relationships

In a previous blog, I talked about the role of your local government and why it is critical to the vitality and sustainability of our community. The three key functions of our local government are the provision of core services, community planning and money management. 

But we cannot do that in a vacuum. We need to, and do, interact and participate with our municipal neighbours, regional stakeholders and province.

We work with our neighbours on Water Commissions, the River Valley Alliance, Industrial Heartland, and the Beaver Hill Initiative. These and many more partnerships ensure that we share responsibility for adjoining areas and wisely utilize our resources. 

On the regional level we contribute to and benefit from interacting with 24 other municipalities on the Capital Region Board. Mayor Oleson has been a strategic player in the evolution of that organization and retains a key position of several committees. Councillor Wlodarczk, Dunn and myself represent Council in the areas of GIS, Transit and Affordable Housing. The principal goal of these 25 autonomous municipalities is to plan as a team to meet the challenges of the future. Sharing knowledge and planning together with the Province, we can more effectively use what resources we have.

Provincially, we work as members on both the of the Alberta Municipalities’ Associations for urban and rural jurisdictions. In addition, I am a member of the Inter City Forum on Social Policy – meeting and lobbying with other municipalities to get our concerns across to the provincial government.

It is true that all municipalities are ‘children’ of the Province. Local governments were created and are legislated by the Province. The Municipal Government Act (MGA) is the primary statute governing the municipal affairs and does give municipalities’ a fair amount of autonomy in local decision making.

As I said, we cannot live in a vacuum. Taxes are not enough to provide for all the needs of our people. Secure, direct funding is imperative to implement the needed programs in our communities. As the Province downloads more responsibilities for things like affordable housing and health care - we as municipalities must increase our lobbying power with the government.

While we do not make the decision as to when and how big Strathcona County’s hospital will be, or whether to bury the powerlines, we do have many avenues and ways to influence the Provincial government. As individual Council members, we must continue to engage you, our residents, listen to your opinions and advocate your wishes to our local provincial MLA’s. Council as a whole works with MLA’s and Ministers to make our position known and further our case for fair treatment.

Please continue to let your concerns be known to your Councillor.

Local Government - the Engine of the Community

How much do you know (or care) about your local government?

As I look into the gallery on a Tuesday Council meeting I usually see 2 to 5 members of the public, the local media and a dozen or so staff. Estimates suggest that only 3% of the Canadian public are actively engaged in politics. I believe that our residents in Strathcona County fit into this norm.

Residents usually become engaged and interested for two reasons: either because our municipality has demanded resident participation by holding open houses and other public meetings, or because our municipality has failed to meet expectations.

Most of the calls to my office are from people who are voicing the failings of local government to provide the services they need and expect. If a resident experiences drainage issues, lack of recycle pick up or potholes in the street, the light is fully focused on the failures of local government and what their municipality is not doing for them.

For a moment – let’s focus on the bigger picture and why your local government is critical to the vitality and sustainability of our entire population. Three key functions are provision of services, planning and money management. 

Your local government’s core function is providing community services. Residents’ health and well being in day to day and emergency situations rely on an effective delivery of: fire, ambulance and police services; water, road and sewer operations and infrastructure; recreation facilities and programming; and public transit. Another vital community service provided for by local government is social programming that offers a broad range of opportunities for young families, seniors and residents who face challenging situations.

A less visible, but just as crucial function is providing long range planning that results in a safe, caring and well run community of the future. To do this, your local government must plan and effectively manage growth that will provide a high quality of life for all citizens. 

Possibly the most critical role of your local government is their fiscal responsibilities. They are responsible for taxation and the allocation of those tax dollars. Budget creation and management includes a long list of responsibilities such as proactive raising and management of grants and other monies.

Your local government needs to be held accountable by its electorate in all of these areas. The good news is that local government is the most communicative and most accessible of all levels of government. Our elected officials live, work and play in our community. They are your neighbours. Most are able communicators who know that the key to success in serving our community is in engaging you, our residents. I and several others utilize many forms of social media, make ourselves available by phone, personal and group meetings and public engagements.

If your local level of government is the engine of the community – then it is people that are the fuel that drives the engine. Never hesitate to approach your elected representative to raise issues and discuss how we can make our community a better place for our children and parents.

Future Growth

Future growth and capacity will be directed to a significant extent by the Capital Region Board. At this time, the province, through the Capital Region Board has directed the entire region's location of growth by designating future growth areas.

Colchester area (a former discussion focus for an urban node (last Council)) was changed by the Province from country residential densities to full urban densities.

There are two areas North of Yellowhead that are zoned full urban densities: 700 acres called the proposed Cambrian Crossing development that lies to the west of Hwy 21 (build out 10 years; 7,000 people; mixed use). The second area is the one that has been discussed by a previous Council: 16 quarter sections that lies to the east of Hwy 21 (build out 50 to 100 years; 100,000 people, mixed use).

The above are the basis on which this municipality could move forward. Locations are designated. It is up to our residents how far and how fast we want to move.

As representatives of residents; Council must consider the needs of residents to maintain and improve their quality of life, current economic factors and sustainability in all its aspects.

I will add that I believe that growth - both residential and commercial/ industrial must be carefully evaluated and managed by the municipality. In addition, growth must be supported and paid for by developers.

On August 31, 2010, Council will be asked to give second and third readings to a bylaw that proposes to adopt an Area Structure Plan to allow the development of a mixed use community that incorporates residential, commercial, industrial and institutional uses in the 700 acres north of the Yellowhead and west of Hwy 21.

Heritage Tree Policy

On June 8, 2010, administration brought forward a Heritage Tree policy to Council (available at www.strathcona.ab.ca   under Council minutes). The intent is to ensure retention of heritage trees throughout the process of commercial and subdivision development. This policy will provide for landowner nomination and voluntary dedication to benefit future generations.

The proposed policy states that Strathcona County will ensure the retention of Heritage Trees during and following land development, building, construction and infrastructure installation. Strathcona County “will develop a Heritage Tree Program which will include a process for the nomination, assessment, inventory control, recognition, maintenance, and legal protection of specified trees on public and private land.”

With all the environmental, health and social benefits that trees offer our community – what’s not to like about this policy? Well as often happens in the realm of policy creation – the devil is in the details.

The management of this policy will require both capital and operational funding that was not determined or presented. The economic impact is undefined and open ended. Enforcement is not clearly outlined. Process and criteria are detailed but there is no mention of penalties for non-conformance on public and developer owned lands. The criteria is complex and could be time consuming for developers and county staff.

After the inspections and approvals, the designated trees become the responsibility of the taxpayers to retain and upkeep.

There are good reasons to develop and embrace a Heritage Tree policy. Because the County would review, designate and protect valuable trees, developers could not follow a clearcut policy as they have in recent years. Several Charlton Heights residents still bitterly recall when they opposed the wholesale removal of trees on a proposed development site. The day Council left town on a retreat, the developer called in the bulldozers. Residents could have used this type of policy with enforcement teeth to save a valuable stand of wood cover in our urban area. The policy as initially brought to Council lacks enforcement teeth.

The proposed Heritage Tree policy as respect to private lands could hold some pitfalls. Strathcona County would support registration of heritage trees on land title under voluntary dedication by the current land owner who wishes to protect trees beyond the time that they own the property.  Will the caveat on private land titles lead to lengthy and complicated issues down the road? What is the impact on sale and resale of the resident’s property?

Last year in Glen Allan a resident wanted to cut down an ancient willow that was invading the sewer pipes. Neighbours agreed that the tree was a risk. Residents tell me that they had significant altercations with the County before being ‘allowed’ to remove the tree (located on the County easement). There was no policy at that time. This and several other incidents relayed to me indicate to me that the County is already doing a forceful job of protecting the trees on County property.

When I asked if local business and the public have been engaged and participated in the policy I was told no. Were residents informed in any way? No. While it is not necessary or even desirable for residents to participate in all policy formation – this is one that I believe you need to examine carefully and weigh in on. Council did agree and this policy will be coming to you soon to comment on and participate in its  development.

Light Efficient Community

Throughout the past three years, I have been a strong advocate for a number of initiatives that focus on improving the quality of life of our community. Some have come to fruition while others are a work in progress.

The Light Efficiency Policy is one that has seen the light of day!

On July 06, 2010, Council approved a new policy that will provide guidelines for future development and orderly, economically efficient retrofit of our older neighbourhoods and businesses.

This policy has its roots in work by the regional Royal Astronomical Association, Councillor Glen Lawrence and key staff from Strathcona County and Elk Island Park who are passionate about the Dark Sky Initiative. Over the past several years they planned several events in local rural areas, including our own Wilderness Centre, to create an awareness of the benefits of smart lighting practises.

This new Strathcona County policy improves both urban and rural areas utilizing the Dark Sky principles.

Overlit and over bright cities create light pollution that has a detrimental effect on human and animal life, actually facilitates criminal activities and wastes millions of taxpayer dollars. In 2009, the American Medical Health Association adopted resolutions that support the reduction of light pollution and advocate the use of energy efficient lighting and fully shielded outdoor lighting.

This year, members of Edmonton’s 150 Community Leagues relayed their concerns to Edmonton’s municipal Council. Residents were attempting to reduce their neighborhood carbon footprint and had concerns about new residential street lighting in mature neighbourhoods. Many people felt that neighbourhoods were suffering negative impacts from being over-lit, lighting not put where it is needed the most, the latest technologies not being used, glare inhibiting vision and as a consequence, the safety of people (especially seniors), unwanted light in private yards and excessive street light costs. 

Many cities have light efficient community policies to enhance safety while reducing the energy bill. The City of Calgary expects to save 40% on their street lighting bill alone. Smarter lighting is the solution. 

Lights that cause confusion or visual distraction can be deadly while driving. Erratically spaced roadway lights decrease the ability to see a pedestrian or other roadway obstruction. The glare of street lights cause distraction to the driver. High speed, bright luminescence video signs and flashing lights offer another challenge to people's con­centration.

Many police departments are embracing Criminal Prevention through Environmental Design. Lighting plays a significant role. Installing a motion sensor, or turning off lights - forcing a trespasser to use a flashlight that attracts more attention - is emerging as a more effective way to combat graffiti and vandalism.

Strathcona County’s new policy embraces the concept of the principles of a Light Efficient Community. It sets guidelines and standards that will update and ensure alignment throughout departments. The policy will ensure that future development has clear concise direction in creating an efficient, less stressful community.  Older, less efficient lighting devices will be grandfathered in so as not to cause undue financial hardship on our businesses and residents. When existing sub-standard lighting is due for replacement, repair or relocation, the retrofit policy will be initiated. Educational programs including economical and environmental tips will be developed in the upcoming months.

More information on this policy can be obtained at www.strathcona.ab.ca  Council minutes. If you are interested in more information on what other communities are doing in this area try this link www.darksky.org

Splash Pad Versus Water Park

In 2009, a number of residents expressed to Council, their enthusiasm for having a major destination water park here in Strathcona County. They created a facebook page and lobbied Councillors.

Council had a lengthy discussion in open council and reached a decision that followed the already mapped direction of our walkable community philosophy. We agreed that the most far-reaching benefits would result from the creation of several small community splash pads with ten or so spray elements as opposed to a multi million dollar water park.

Council requested that administration build into the budget a means to refurbish existing but woefully inadequate spray decks (that required volunteers to staff and consisted of virtually a hose and tap) into automatic more environmentally friendly splash pads. The concept was to implement this plan as budget allowed – starting with Cloverbar Park  that had dollars already allocated for a major renovation in 2010.

While it would be great to build a dozen or so community splash pads immediately, this would not have been a cost effective or fair and equitable way of providing recreational opportunities to our residents.

Different demographics and special interest groups all have their recreational needs that need to be looked at and responded to as resources allow. 

In a short span of three years, I have seen large groups of people representing various groups approach Council. Sports teams urge us to look at artificial turf fields. Seniors ask for senior friendly exercise stations in our parks. People ask for tennis courts, skating parks, bike parks and snowmobile trails. All interests are valid, but need to be planned in an appropriate manner to serve the greatest numbers of people and provide the greatest impact in improving health and wellness with the funding available.

Administration, in putting together the Open Space  Recreation and Facilities Plan (LINK) is attempting to implement, in a logical and timely manner, more recreational programs and facilities to both rural and urban communities that will improve the quality of life for all residents  through both organized and more leisurely family activities.

In the recent past, we have seen significant improvement in walkable trails system, an expansion of both the Ardrossan arena and Millinium Place, as well as revitalization of several parks and playground areas. The first of hopefully many neighbourhood splash pads will join these improvements. ..ensuring that we retain our reputation as a Community of Choice, one that we are all proud to live in.

Arts & Culture Policy - Revised - but is it enough?

Council approved a revision of Cultural Services Policy SER-011-012 on June 8, 2010 (available at www.strathcona.ab.ca under Council minutes). Some people have asked me why I did not support that particular policy update – given my solid support for the arts and culture community in our municipality.

I believe policies should be created and revised with great care and with a strong focus on both current circumstance and future development. In this case, a policy on arts and culture should include all components. It should be clear and complete in how, and to what extent, we support all aspects of arts and culture.

The stated purpose of Cultural Services is “to guide the cultural development of Strathcona County by providing management, programming, grants, facilitation, and evaluation of services in arts, culture, and heritage.” Personally, I see  a municipal role as less ‘managing’ and more supportive than the procedure outlined on the policy.

The stated goal of Strathcona County’s Cultural Services is “to ensure access to culture, for all residents; to champion excellence in all cultural endeavours; and to promote the important role of culture in community well being, economic vitality, and quality education”.

My concern was that while the ten goals focused on the varying forms of art - none gave explicit reference and support of the Museum, Arts Council, and Library. All are strong, vibrant organizations that have played a significant leadership role in our community. I see a need to define the opportunity and direction of these organizations in our municipal policy.

Finally, I would like to have seen some reference to our rural aspect in the area of arts and culture. We are a specialized municipality – one of only four in the province- and we should be consistent in our acknowledgement of that unique urban – rural character.

Arts and culture in our community would benefit from a more comprehensive and better rounded policy to provide increased guidance and support. I look forward to this happening in the near future.