Saturday 31 January 2015

SUMA Convention 2015 Schedule


This week is SUMA (Saskatchewan Urban Municipality Association) Convention in Saskatoon. Here is my tentative schedule at SUMA.

·         January 31, 2015

·         MLDP: Community and Land Use Planning Workshop

·         February 1, 2015

·         Property Assessment and Taxation Workshop

·         The Pulse of Procurement Session
 
·         The Beat of the Street: Community Safety Officer
·         SUMAssure AGM (I am making a Director Presentation)

·         Energy East Prairies Reception

·         Supper with Town of Nipawin Council and Staff

·         February 2, 2015

·         Associated Engineering Breakfast

·         SUMA Business

·         Premier’s Address

·         Lunch with City of Warman Council and Staff

·         Sector Meetings

·         Pumping Up Youth Session(I am a Panelist)

·         Council/Staff Supper

·         February 3, 2015

·         Chantal Hebert

·         SUMA AGM

·         Sector Reports

·         Lunch with Legal/Procurement

·         Minister of Government Relations

·         President’s Banquet (I am extending sponsorship greetings on behalf of SUMAssure)

·         February 4, 2015

·         Dialogue with Ministers

·         Bear Pit with Cabinet

·         Home for Supper

MLDP: Community and Land Use Planning Workshop


Today Councillor Henry and I attended Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDP). This is a program to help elected officials and administrators better understand best practices and legislation for municipalities. The program is sponsored by:

·         Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities,

·         Saskatchewan Association of Urban Municipalities,

·         Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association of Saskatchewan,

·         Urban Municipal Administrators’ Association of Saskatchewan,

·         Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations, and

·         New North – SANC Services,

While Councillor Henry was sitting in on Human Resources I was attending Community and Land Use Planning.  The workshop outline included:

·         Planning Structure Overview,

·         Official Community Plan,

·         Zoning Bylaw,

·         Amendments,

·         Public Consultation,

·         Subdivision,

·         Dedicated Lands,

·         Servicing Agreements,

·         Development Permits,

·         Appeals,

·         Enforcement,

·         Fees,

·         Regional Planning, and

·         Building Permits.

Here are some highlights of the workshop:

·         Canadian Institute of Planners Definition of Planning:

·         “the scientific, aesthetic, and orderly disposition of land, resources, facilities and services with a view to securing the physical, economic and social efficiency, health and well-being of urban and rural communities”.

·         Planning is governed by Provincial Legislation:

·         The Planning and Development Act, 2007,

·         Statement of Provincial Interest,

·         The Subdivision Regulations,

·         The Dedicated Lands Regulations

·         Municipal Plans

·         Official Community Plan (OCP),

·         Zoning Bylaw

·         The role of the Provincial Government through Government Relations, the Community Planning Branch:

·         Review and Approve Plans,

·         Planning Inquiries,

·         Subdivisions,

·         Protect Provincial interests.

·         The role of the municipality:

·         Create plans,

·         Subdivision review and servicing agreements,

·         Development Officer,

·         Development Permit,

·         Enforcement,

·         Appeals, and

·         General Inquiries.

·         Role of the Planner

·         Research, analyze, and recommend,

·         Balance a variety of interests,

·         Develop clear plans for action for Council and community.

·         Why a planner?

·         Legislative Requirement: Planning and Development Act, 2007 Section 29(3) “The official community plan shall be prepared in consultation with a professional community planner”.

·         Community Need: many municipal issues revolve around planning considerations, such as housing, infrastructure, environmental, social services, location of development, conflict.

·         The OCP is a Statement from Council to residents about what the municipality wants to do in terms of growth management and as a growth guide for the community.

·         Included in the OCP are:

·         Goals, objectives, and policies for land use, subdivisions, services, green space, and public utilities, etc

·         Specifies what types of development are appropriate and under what circumstance to ensure healthy community growth.

·         The plans are important so the community is ready for development so services are planned, regulations are set, community is aware of Council’s attention.

·         The plans provide regulatory and cost certainty for developers.

·         The benefits of the Zoning Bylaw include:

·         Districts/Zones,

·         Development Permits,

·         Minor Variances,

·         General Conditions and Regulations,

·         Clarity,

·         Alignment between current and future users.

·         The difference between the Zoning Bylaw (ZB) and OCP include:

·         ZB s specific and OCP is broad,

·         ZB is regulatory and OCP is policy,

·         ZB is used daily while OCP is a guide for future direction and guidance

·         Recently Council has been amending the ZB and here is the process:

·         Application,

·         Fee,

·         Administrative Review,

·         Referral,

·         Council Approval,

·         Ministerial Approval.

I had a lot more notes but my computer has not been cooperating.

Getting Flocked!

The KCS Interact Club has started another fundraiser. They thought they should do my house. It cost $35 to remove the birds and signs and assign them to someone else and then $15 as insurance against having them placed on our yard again. It is funning. We decided our friends the Klassens should look out their front window and gaze upon some pink flamengos.
Flocked! January 29, 2015

Wednesday 28 January 2015

Moment with the Mayor: Changes to Revenue Sharing by the Province

Hi Neighbours:

Premier Wall has been in the news recently discussing the effect of falling resource revenues on the upcoming budget. The Premier has also said that one of the items up for consideration is the share of the PST revenue given to municipalities. The stated goal of the government is to have a balanced budget.

Municipalities now receive 20% of PST revenue. This is an agreement that is the envy of municipalities from other jurisdictions across Canada. The intent behind this program is to provide municipalities with a stable and predictable source of funding. We received notice of the amount of this year’s share prior to completing our budget.

What does this mean for Kindersley? The revenue the Town receives from this could be up to $1 million. Should this funding decrease, the Town would have to revisit the budget to either cut the budget, raise taxes, or a combination of both. This is another instance of the province downloading costs onto municipalities. Who is bearing most of the cost of the growth of Saskatchewan? 

Municipalities. How are we coping with this pressure? Municipalities are requiring developers to pay for infrastructure and they, in turn, include those expenses in the cost consumers pay for the end product. This is one of the reasons lots are expensive.

Unlike the provincial and federal government, municipalities cannot run deficits. The only revenue streams municipalities have are property taxes and user fees. Some municipalities, such as RMs, have another stream that taxes large equipment on property.

The Premier stated in the Leader-Post of January 9th: "The broader context is a tighter budget, we want to balance it, and that means some tough decisions and everything needs to be on the table." I’m wondering if the province realizes that when they say “everything is on the table” it is a very broad scope. They will indirectly determine the level of service the Town could provide, the repairs to the WCEC, new parks, and more. Administration and Council made these budget decisions based on the numbers the province provided to the Town.

I appreciate that the province wants to balance their budget. My question is: Why is the province doing it on the back of municipalities? By reducing funding to municipalities the province reduces the gap between their revenues and expenses. However, to accomplish this municipalities are expected to either increase taxes, reduce services or infrastructure investment. Frankly, how is this balancing the budget?


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.

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Mayoral Report: December 2014 - January 2015


Date
Activity
Purpose/Outcome
Follow Up
Policy Number
Expense
12/8
KRPA Meeting
·      Discuss current issues
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/8
FCM Green Municipal Fund
·      Potential opportunities for Kindersley
 
·      GP.4.
$000
12/8
COPP
·      Discuss current issues
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/8
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
12/8
Pre-Council Meeting
·      Prep for Council Meeting
·      Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7
$000
12/8
Council Meeting
·      Public Meeting
·      Refer to minutes
·      GP.0.; GP.1.
$000
12/9
Institute of Corporate Directors
·      PD: Building Better Board Evaluation Tools
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.8
$000
12/9
KDAC: Discuss NRCC
·      Discuss alternative NRCC operations methods
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/10
Legal Meeting
·      Develop a legal understanding of a current issue
·      Ongoing
·       
$000
12/11
EK Waterline
·      Regular meeting
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
12/11
COPP Xmas Party
·      Merry Christmas
·      Greetings
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/11
Town Xmas Party
·      Merry Christmas
 
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/12
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
12/12
KRPA
·      Discuss ongoing issues
·      Bring to Council
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000

12/12
KHS NA
·      Discuss process
·      Ongoing
·      GP.4
$000
12/12
Councillor Lunch
·      Discuss issues
·      Ongoing
·      GP.4
$000
12/12
RM Xmas Party
·      Merry Xmas
 
·      GP.4.;
$000
12/15
Meet w/Mayor of Unity
·      Discuss issues of mutual concern
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$95.53
12/15
Meet w/mayor of Kerrobert
·      Discuss issues of mutual concern
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
12/15
Media: Talk Radio
·      Drop in Oil Prices
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
12/17
Leaf Your Legacy
·      Discuss display
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/19
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
12/19
Health Meeting
·      Discuss current issues
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
12/19
Lunch w/Mayor of Steckborn, Switzerland
·      Discuss issues of mutual interest
 
·      G.P.4
$000
12/21
Visit with Doef
·      Extend best wishes
 
·      G.P.4
$000
12/22
KHS NA Steering Committee
·      Review Draft
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
12/23
Lunch w/WCEC Staff
·      Appreciation
 
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
12/23
Meet w/Mayor of Humboldt
·      Discuss governance
·      Ongoing conversations
·      G.P.4
$000
12/23
Phase 2
·      Discuss ongoing issues
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/24
Bill Boyd
·      Discuss ongoing issues
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
12/29
Synergy Credit Union
·      Cheque Presentation
 
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
12/29
Lunch w/Bernie Morton
·      Discuss ongoing issues
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
1/5
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
1/5
Media: JAMAC
·      Interviews with Sarah M & Ken B
·      Discuss current issues
·      G.P.4
$000
1/6
Health Meeting
·      Discuss ongoing issues
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$17.82
1/8
SUMAssure
·      Duties as Director of the Board
·      Ongoing
·      GP.4.
$000
1/9
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
1/9
Legal
·      Develop legal understanding of current issue
·      Prepared for decisions
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
1/12
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
1/12
Development Appeals Board
·      Discuss transition
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
1/12
Council Meeting
·      Public Meeting
·      Refer to minutes
·      GP.0.; GP.1.
$000
1/13
WCC&FSC 30th Celebration
·      Deliver remarks
 
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
1/14
Rotary Club
·      Discuss TFW Program
 
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
1/14
Stranded Motorist
·      Liaison w/Red Cross & Salvation Army
 
·      G.P.4
$000
1/16
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
1/16
Community Planning
·      Discuss Development Appeals Board
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
1/16
Media: JAMAC
·      Interview
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
 
1/19
KHS NA Steering Committee
·      Discuss roll out
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
1/19
Culture Meeting
·      Discuss future direction
·      Ongoing
·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.
$000
1/19
CUPE
·      Sign Contract
 
·      G.P.4
$000
1/19
Mayor’s Hours
·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc
·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
1/20
Media: Golden West
·      Discuss current issues
·      Ongoing
·      G.P 4
$000
1/21
HR: Interviews for Director of Community Services
·      Enhance organizational effectiveness
·      Recruit new Director
·      GP.2.; GP.7.
$000
1/21
PD: Public Sector Compensation
·      Improve understanding
·      Enhance understanding and abilities
·      G.P.8
$000
1/21
K&D Medical Arts Authority
·      Regular Meeting
·      Ongoing
·      G.P.4
$000
Total Expenses
$113.35

 I have been ill and missed activities, meetings and events.