Moment with the Mayor: Are We Wealthy Enough?

Hi Neighbours:

We need to have a serious conversation about how much we can afford for a pool. You may be wondering why I am suggesting this so let me run some numbers past you.

As a base point, let’s assume $27.7 million for an indoor pool as suggested in the Phase 2 report. According to the 2011 Census, Kindersley’s population is 4,678. According to the 2013 health card count, we have 5,400 people. Finally, there are 2,083 dwellings in Kindersley.

Based on this data, here are some fundraising numbers we are looking at to build an indoor pool:

·         Census: every man, woman, and child pays $5,921.33

·         Health cards: every man, woman, and child pays $5,129.63

·         Dwelling: every dwelling in Kindersley pays $13,298.13.

As part of a fundraising campaign, prosperous businesses and individuals would have to be approached for significant donations (a best practice), including naming rights. Can you name 10 -15 businesses and individuals willing to donate more than $500,000? We are a wealthy community but are we wealthy enough?

As you can see, an indoor pool is a significant expense, and we haven’t included the operational expenses yet. Just to operate the indoor pool, your property taxes would have to increase 3.13% next year.

Unity is spending $1.3 million on an outdoor pool that is 5 lanes wide, less than 25 metres in length with a beach entry. What if we spent $2 - $3 million on a very good outdoor pool? The fundraising would be easier and the operations would be in the neighbourhood of the old aquatic centre.

Recently, we had a meeting with the SK Municipal Board (SMB). The SMB has to approve all Town borrowing. Given that we need to come up with some significant money for a sewage lagoon, landfill, and fire hall, and SMB has indicated that they base their approvals on hard infrastructure (utilities, safety, etc.), I am not convinced that we would get approval despite our plans. The issue is sustainability - we can only afford so much. Let me know your thoughts.

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.

Health EMS Update

Greg Cummins, the CEO of Heartland Health Region (HHR), shared at the West Central Municipal Government Committee in Luseland Wednesday that HHR is initiating a 3P process to address the challenges in the delivery of emergency services in the district.

I don't recall Greg sharing a date when the process will begin.

Water Rates

Sticker shock is the best way to describe my first reaction to the suggested water rate increase. The reason for the sticker shock? The debt servicing charge on the Water Tower and EK Water line, which benefited from a low interest program set up by the provincial government, is about $1,152,355.35 including interest per year and rates have not been adjusted since 2011.

Paying for the water tower and water line is not cheap. Equally divided between every water meter means each water meter needs to contribute $155 4 times (3 month billing cycle) a year or $620 per year to pay the $783,000 in principal plus $369,355.35 for a total of $1,152,355.35 to service the debt on the water infrastructure. Or, should there be a separate rate for residents and business such as $135 for residents and $185 for businesses? On top of this is the consumption charge.

Another factor to consider is the reserve level for utilities. Because rates have not been raised since 2011, and costs have increased, the reserves have been depleted much faster than is prudent. Approximately $1 million needs to be paid back into reserves. The question Council had for Administration is how quickly does the reserve have to be paid back? What is the risk if we pay it over 3 years rather than 2 years?

Administration has been developing some options for Council since the last meeting during which a 1st Reading was given to the new rates. As a result some of the new options, in broad terms, include:

1. the original presentation by Administration during the last meeting based on tiered rates;
2. slightly lower consumption rates, tiered, so that the reserves are replenished at a less aggressive or slower rate.
3. a 50% debt repayment fee for every water meter plus a lower tiered consumption rate; and
4. a 100% debt repayment fee for every water meter plus a lower tiered consumption rate.

These are some of the options being worked on. I have not seen the numbers they are using except the debt repayment fee.

Here is how the tiered rates work.

Residential

• two tiers
• 0 -25,000 gallons per 3 month cycle is one rate,
• more than 25,000 gallons per 3 month cycle means an extra charge only for the water used above 25,000.

As an example if you use 26,000 gallons in your 3 month water bill cycle you will the base rate on 25,000 gallons and the higher rate on 1,000 gallons.

Commercial

• five tiers

1. 0 - 50,000 gallons per 3 month cycle
2. 50,001 - 200,00 gallons per 3 month cycle
3. 200,001 - 500,000 gallons per 3 month cycle
4. 500,001 - 1,000,000 gallons per 3 month cycle
5. more than 1,000,000 gallons per 3 month cycle

• each level is to be at a different rate and the rate is only charged for water used at a particular level.

Consider, if a business uses 300,000 gallons during their 3 month water cycle then they pay the base rate on 50,000 gallons, the second rate on 149,999 gallons and the third rate on 99,999.

Considerations

• What is a fair method to charge?
• Should low users pay the same as high users given that the more water used does not make it cheaper to produce? (do low users subsidize high users?)
• What share should residents pay?
• What rate reflects a charge level that encourages business growth and water conservation?

These are some of the things we are considering with the new water rates.

There is a public meeting during Council Monday evening. Please attend if you would like to learn more, have questions, or want to express a concern.

I will be out of town with my family and unable to attend. Normally I would ask you to email me you thoughts but I will not be checking emails or messages while I am gone; my wife has laid down the law.

Motherwell Fish

During the past month I have been approached, and the Chamber has asked, about swimming and putting fish in the Motherwell Reservoir.

The Motherwell Walking Trail Committee is responsible for the development of the Motherwell area. They are committed to having the area as natural as possible. They are also partnering with Ducks Unlimited and are talking with the Kindersley Wildlife Federation.

The Committee has completed a five year plan and in the fall are developing a new five year plan. Some of the things they are considering include:

• a pier or fishing dock,
• aerating the water,
• more interpretative signs, and 
• stocking fish.

My understanding is that a beach for swimming is not a high priority at this time. The water is not of a suitable quality to safely swim in and would be expensive and time consuming to improve the quality for swimming. I also think that a swimming beach may conflict with their vision of the Motherwell Reservoir.

Currently the Town puts bluestones into the water to control algae; bluestones are not good for fish. Because the Town no longer pulls water from the Reservoir it is not necessary to control the algae and Administration is looking to stop bluestoning and will be talking with the Walking Trail Committee as they move ahead with their projects to ensure we are not working at cross purposes.

Kindersley featured in SaskCulture!

Stories from Kindersley are being featured in SaskCulture.

As Michelle McMillan writes: 

Kevin Power, a SaskCulture Culture Days Animateur has been making visits to Kindersley to meet with various individuals within our arts and heritage community in an effort to capture and preserve their interesting stories. This is an initiative of Culture Days 2014; Kevin is touring Saskatchewan to collect oral histories and publish as podcasts.

Kevin has been out to Kindersley and two podcasts are now ready to be used. 

The first podcast features a retired gentleman who work in agriculture, oil, and the railway. Click here to listen.

The other podcast features a couple of gentlemen talking about antelopes, telephone fences, and electric chairs. Click here to listen.

Thank you to are Michelle, Culture and Heritage Manager, for inviting Kevin to Kindersley for this project.

Mayoral Report: June - July

Here is my mayoral report. New for this report, per a Chamber request, includes my expenses.

Date	Activity	Purpose/Outcome	Follow Up	Policy Number	Expense
06 19	Lunch w/Stakeholder	·      Update current situation	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.	·      $000
06 19	Kinder Kollege Celebration	·      Celebrate First Anniversary		·      GP.2	·      $000
06 20	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
06 23	CAO Quarterly Meeting	·      HR	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.	·      $000
06 23	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
06 23	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0.; .1.	·      $000
06 24	HR	·      Interview Candidate		·	·      $000
06 24	MLA Bill Boyd	·      Represent  concerns & knowledge sharing	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	·      $000
06 24	Housing Authority	·      Celebrate Board Service		·      GP.2.	·      $000
06 24	Rutley Cres BBQ	·      Celebrate the Neighbourhood		·      GP.2.	·      $000
06 27	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
06 30	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
07 01	Canada Day	·      Celebrate Canada		·      GP.2.; 4	·      $000
07 02	MLA Bill Boyd	·      Represent  concerns & knowledge sharing	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	·      $000
07 02	Phase 2	·      Development of Phase 2	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.	·      $000
07 03	Health Meeting	·      KHS NA Contract	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	·      $000

07 03	Staff BBQ	·      Quarterly staff meeting & Celebration of Excellence		·      GP.2.	·      $000
07 04	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
07 07	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
07 08	HR	·      Interview Candidate		·      GP.2.	·      $000
07 09	Airport Meeting	·      Review current situation	·      Attend Board Meeting	·      GP.2.; 4.	·      $000
07 09	Chamber of Commerce	·      Question and Answer	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; 7	·      $000
07 10	Residents (3) calls	·      Provide information and hear concerns	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2	·      $000
07 10	Airport Meeting	·      Changes	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; 4	·      $000
07 11	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
07 11	Loraas	·      Review Regional Landfill	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4	·      $000
07 14	Economic Development Meeting	·      Infrastructure Needs	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	·      $000
07 14	Communities in Bloom	·      Greet the judges		·      GP.4.	·      $000
07 14	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
07 14	Group 2	·      Discuss pool issues	·      Share with Council	·      GP.4.	·      $000
07 14	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0.; .1.	·      $000
07 15	SUMAssure Meeting	·      Board Meeting	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	·      $000

07 16	Met with Resident	·      Discuss questions & Concerns		·      GP.2.	·      $000
07 17	Met with Resident	·      Discuss questions & Concerns		·      GP.2.	·      $000
07 17	Met with Resident	·      Discuss questions & Concerns		·      GP.2.	·      $000
07 18	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
07 21	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.;.7	·      $000
07 21	SK Municipal Board	·      Review Town options	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	·      $000
07 22	Premier’s BBQ	·      Rosetown	·      Meet Premier	·      GP.4.	·      $72.29
07 23	WCMGC – Luseland	·      Urban Co-Chair	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	·      $64.73
07 23	Special Council Meeting	·      Economic Development	·      Danielson Lift Station	·      GP.3.	·      $000