OCP Update

The long running saga of our OCP is coming to an end. The province has reviewed it and made a couple of recommendations. The primary recommendation is to strengthen the cultural component of the OCP. That work is being done and we hope the OCP will be approved the end of April beginning of May.

Moment with the Mayor: Sask Business Magazine

Hi Everyone:

Kindersley is featured on the cover of the province-wide magazine Sask Business. The Town was profiled at length, as was Jem-Creative Web Solutions. A number of local businesses were also featured, highlighting Kindersley’s strong family values and entrepreneurial ethic. Among them:

·         Staples Apparel,

·         Lela's Music Centre

·         The Bean,

·         Saskatchewan Pension Plan, and

·         Kraz-E Threads

Through research and discussion of the many projects underway in Kindersley, the Sask Business feature provides a positive impression of our community as we grow and face the expected challenges that come with growth. As readers of the magazine will see, much has been accomplished, and we are continuing to move forward.

We have a lot to be proud of, and yet there are times when we can be quite critical of our community. Why is that?

Have you seen the Dove video in which a forensic artist draws portraits of women as they describe themselves and then does another portrait based on a description provided by someone who the woman just met? The result was astounding: the women's self-perception was much worse than the way others saw her. We often don’t see the beauty in ourselves, and that is unfortunate; we all need to look at ourselves and recognize the good and the bad – sober self-judgment.

Communities are the same. We can have a tendency to be very self-critical, often only seeing the barriers and challenges in our community, rather than what we are doing well. Our self-perception is much worse than the way others see us. Yes, we have challenges but, you know, there is a lot of good stuff going on in Kindersley, and it is good for us to see the good others see in us.

When I look at Kindersley and reflect upon her, I see challenges such as health and infrastructure. But I also see a Kindersley that is a good community, filled with good people, good organizations, good businesses, and a will to succeed. That is what I see and it is very good that Sask Business Magazine sees it as well. It has helped me get a more sober understanding of who we are as a community.

On another note: the Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment started and regular updates will be provided. The first meeting of the Steering Committee gives me optimism.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback. 

Community Garden

This spring Kindersley will have a community garden behind Dawnview. The expected start up date is May 1 and is an initiative of two ladies and the Kindersley Housing Authority is also partnering with the project.

Please watch for advertisements to become involved.

April Schedule

This is my tentative schedule for April. Like the other months there will likely be additions.

March 31 – Mayor’s Hours

March 31 – Professional Development Webinar

March 31 – Budget Meeting

April   1 – Out of Town

April   2 – Council Retreat (Kindersley) w/George Cuff

April   3 – Council Retreat (Kindersley) w/George Cuff

April   4 – Mayor’s Hours

April   4 – Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment

April   7 – SUMAssure (Saskatoon)

April   8 – Budget Consultation (Caleb)

April   9 – Mayors/Reeves Roundtable (Kerrobert)

April 10 – Creative Kids Meeting

April 10 – Budget Consultation (Town Chambers & Live Streamed with Chat Capabilities)

April 11 – Mayor’s Hours

April 14 – Mayor’s Hours

April 14 – Council Meeting

April 15 – Municipal Infrastructure Conference (Kindersley)

April 16 – Municipal Infrastructure Conference (Kindersley)

April 17 – Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment

April 18 – Good Friday

April 21 – Mayor’s Hours

April 22 – Out of Town (Professional Development - Personal)

April 23 – Out of Town (Professional Development - Personal)

April 24 – Out of Town (Professional Development - Personal)

April 25 – Out of Town (Professional Development - Personal)

April 28 – Mayor’s Hours

April 28 – Council Meeting

Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment Update

There is a change in personnel with the Needs Assessment. Perry Martin, a senior advisor to the Ministers, and responsible for pushing the project forward has been transferred. Perry will be working with Justice and Corrections.

Perry has been a great help and I wish him every success with his new responsibilities.

Highway 7 Signal Lights Update

The good news is that the project to replace the lights on HWY 7 and Ditson is moving ahead; the bad news is that it is a slow process. As you can tell Ministry of Highways, who are responsible for the lights, have tried repairs and those repairs have worked on Ditson but not HWY 21. The report from the consultant who has worked on the lights is that the parts are no longer available, as Town staff have indicated, and the technology is obsolete.

Here are some quick update notes:

• advance warning signals are a part of the project;
• crosswalk lights may be considered at a later date;
• the tentative schedule to replace the lights including tendering the project, awarding the project, and the work may not be until August;
• redesigning the intersection at HWY 7 & Ditson is still be negotiated and the design is to create ease of turning for trucks and improved safety for pedestrians and autos;
• the funding for the lights is a Highways responsibility and the intersection redesign is cost shared.

In summary: the project is going ahead, the Ministry of Highway's is funding most of the project, and we still need to be patient.

Passing Lanes Update

The recent  provincial budget dedicated money to be used to complete preconstruction work on passing lanes between Delisle and Rosetown this year. This is a significant change given last year the government indicated that they would study the effectiveness of the passing lanes for 3-5 (?) years prior to expanding their use in other parts of the province. I would like to applaud the government on this change. Further, at our recent WCMGC meeting held in Neilburg the following resolution was passed.

31/14                           John Enns-Wind, Town of Kindersley/Kathy Heilman, Town of Wilkie:

                                    THAT the West Central Municipal Government Committee request the Ministry of

                                    Highways & Infrastructure to complete an assessment of traffic between Rosetown

                                    and Delisle with Rosetown and Kindersley to determine the greater need for passing

                                    lanes and further that, the WCMGC recommendation is to see Rosetown to

                                    Kindersley completed first.

                                                                                                                                    CARRIED

Good news for the continued economic development of West Central Saskatchewan.

Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment

JOINT PRESS RELEASE WITH THE TOWN OF KINDERSLEY

Date: March 24, 2014

Review of the Health Service Needs of Residents in Kindersley

The Town of Kindersley, the Heartland Regional Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health have entered into an agreement to conduct a review of the health service needs of residents in Kindersley and the surrounding area. In view of heightened economic activity in the area and the potential for population growth, its location, and the complexity of stakeholder relationships in healthcare the parties want to ensure a sustainable and stable model for primary care delivery now and into the future. Western Management Consultants from Edmonton have been selected to conduct the review. The group has done similar work in other Saskatchewan communities.

The review will focus on the following objectives:

·         Assess current and anticipated demand and allocated resources for primary and acute care, emergency services, and long term care in the area.

·         Identify strengths and challenges impacting access to health care services including family physician services within the region.

·         Discuss and document the input of health care providers, the public, and other key stakeholders about current and potential service delivery options.

·         Based on current best practices in rural health service, document key considerations in the design and development of health service programs going forward.

·         Identify key service delivery considerations and recommend specific approaches and strategies within the context of the legislative and policy frameworks of Saskatchewan Health and the Province.

The first meeting of the Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment Steering Committee took place at the Kindersley Town Hall on March 21st.

At this meeting:

·      A draft set of health service planning principles were reviewed. These will be updated and finalized at the next meeting of the Steering Committee.

·       A decision was made to complete the health services needs assessment by June 30, 2014.

·    Steering Committee members were tasked with confirming existing data and sources to inform the work. Steering Committee members were tasked with confirming key stakeholders to interview – either on an individual basis or as part of a focus group.

·      Terms of Reference for the Steering Committee will be finalized prior to the next meeting.

·      The next meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for April 4, 2014.

Mayor Enns-Wind stated that “He is looking forward to participating in a transparent process to identify and address the challenges that have been front and centre with stabilizing health care in Kindersley over the past few years."   Greg Cummings, CEO of Heartland Health Region said “The Health Region acknowledges the importance of positive partnerships between all kinds of stakeholders to address the complexities of an accessible and sustainable primary care system today."

For further information, please contact Mayor Enns-Wind at 306-463-2675 or Greg Cummings, CEO Heartland Health Region at 306-882-4111.

-30-

Media: To arrange interviews contact:

LeAnne Paproski, Communications Coordinator, Heartland Health Region

(306) 882-4111, ext. 2311 or

Wayne Gibson, Communications Manager, Town of Kindersley

(306) 463-2675, ext 237

Moment with the Mayor: Infrastructure Funding Challenges

Hi Everyone:

Perhaps the most significant challenge we are facing is to raise funds for our infrastructure projects:

·         Reducing our 20-year infrastructure deficit of ~$40 million (this includes everything from paving and pipes to lights and sprinkler systems);

·         New lift stations (possibly);

·         Increasing our water plant capacity;

·         Moving the sewage lagoon (possibly);

·         New regional landfill site;

·         Fire Hall;

·         Town Square; and

·         West Central Community Centre (Phase 2).

The reason I am writing about this again is that the New Building Canada Fund (BCF) may not be as good as advertised. BCF is a $14 billion federal funding program over 10 years to address an estimated $170 billion national infrastructure deficit problem. However, this year only $270 million is to be allocated. I have heard, though not confirmed, that Saskatchewan will only receive ~$17 million this year. Further, when looking at the details of the program, it appears:

·         Requests will take longer to process;

·         There are more restrictions on the types of programs; and

·         Municipalities will have to carry a larger portion of the funding.

These details are problematic because they will slow down growth, limit community development, and cause further financial stress for municipalities. Also, the province doesn’t have its own infrastructure program, leading me to these questions:

·         How are we to fund growth needs?

·         How long is maintenance to be deferred on critical infrastructure?

·         How are we to pay for a larger share of infrastructure projects with limited revenue?

We have to address this issue, and we are. Linked to this challenge is the access to timely and relevant data. Accurate data is required to ensure financial transfers meet community needs. We are in correspondence with the province discussing this issue as well.

Regarding health, local physicians are working with us to address our health services challenges.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.

---

 [WG1]There is no context about what the suggestion was.

Provincial Municipal Infrastructure Conference Update

It looks like the conference will be sold out! As of Thursday there were very few spaces left. If you want to learn more about the conference click here.

Kindersley in the Sask Business Magazine

In the most recent issue of Sask Business Magazine you will find an extensive look at Kindersley including:

• The Town,
• Jem Creative Web Solutions,
• Staples,
• Lela's
• The Bean,
• Saskatchewan Pension Plan, and
• Kraz E Threads.

Take a look!

The issue is positive but I want to share something with you: have you seen the Dove video in which a forensic artists draws portraits of women as they describe themselves and then does another portrait based on a description provided by someone who the woman just met? The result was astounding: the women's self perception was much worse than the way others see them.

Communities are the same. We are very self critical and yet we have much to celebrate. Our self perception is much worse than the way others see us. Kindersley is a good community filled with good people, good organizations, good businesses, and a will to succeed. That is what I see and it is very good that Sask Business Magazine sees it as well.

Thanks and have a good day!

Mayoral Report: February - March 2014

A very busy month dominated by healthcare issues. I am optimistic we are making headway but very aware that the progress is fragile. There is no room for complacency: Surgite!

Date	Activity	Purpose/Outcome	Follow Up	Policy Number
Feb 24	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0., GP.1.
Feb 25	SUMAssure	·      Presentation	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
Feb 26	WCMGC – Paynton	·      Urban Co-Chair	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
Feb 26	Chamber of Commerce AGM	·      Support	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
Feb 28	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
Feb 28	Head Start	·      Met with representatives to clarify situation	·      ongoing	·      GP.4.
March 1	Health Care Emails	·      Set up meetings with mayoral colleagues	·      Discuss health care options given current situation	·      GP.4.
March 1	Health Care Meeting	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 3	Health Care Meetings (5)	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 3	Budget Meeting	·      Revenue	·      Ongoing	·      GP.0.; GP.4
March 4	Health Care Meetings (4)	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 5	Health Care Meetings (5)	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 6	Council Special Meeting	·      Health Care	·      KHS NA ·      Mayoral Health Summit	·      GP.3.
March 7	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
March 7	Dominion Provincial Club Curling Championship	·      Bring Greetings		·      GP.4.
March 10	MLA Bill Boyd	·      Represent  concerns & knowledge sharing	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
March 10	Youth Council	·      Support	·      Ongoing	·      GP.6.
March 10	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
March 10	KHS NA Meeting	·      Determine Funders	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
March 10	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0., GP.1.

March 10	Fire Department Meeting	·      Q & A	·      Ongoing	·      E.O.
March 11	George Cuff	·      Council Retreat	·      Set Agenda	·      GP.1.; GP.8.
March 11	Health Meeting	·      Discuss health care	·      ongoing	·      GP.4
March 14	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
March 14	Health Meeting	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 14	CAO Meeting	·      Knowledge Sharing	·      Ongoing	·      EO
March 16	Health Meeting	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 17	Mayor’s Hours	·      Human Resources ·      Health	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
March 18	Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment	·      Initial Meeting	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
March 19	Health Meeting	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 19	Kindersley Regional Medical Arts Authority	·      AGM	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4
March 20	Health Care Meetings (5)	·      Discuss health care	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4