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

Regional Park Campground Expansion

The Regional Park Authority is looking to expand their campgrounds to accommodate more campers. What follows (Objective, Goals, Solution, Project Outline) is from the Executive Summary of the proposal. My concerns can be found after the picture of the map.

Objective

To find a solution to the lack of suitable campsites, within the Town of Kindersley, for travellers, visitors, and work crews. Increase the revenues of the Regional Park to provide funding for future capital and operations. Work with our Community Partners to acquire funding for the Project.

Goals

Provide sites with the goal of having full capacity at all times but yet still provide spots for short term stays. Enhance the proposed area with trees and upgraded roads. Provide additional washroom facilities that could be used by the Walking Trail, Slow Pitch, and new sites.

Solution

The creation of full service sites and additional washroom facilities.

Project Outline

Construction of new sites with site specific stay restrictions.

·         Construction of 20 full service sites ( 30 amp power, sewer, water). See attached map.

·         Construction of washroom facility including showers.

·         Within the washroom facility provide room for a mechanical room to house irrigation pumps for the diamonds and camp sites.

·         Transplant a buffer strip of fully grown trees and shrubs to shelter and define the campsite area. (see map)

Proposed Regional Park Campground Expansion. July 2014

I agree with the Regional Park that there is an insufficient number of campsites within Kindersley at this time. I also agree that it affects our community's ability to host summer tournaments, special events (concerts, circus, etc), tourism, and family events. However, this is not the solution. My concerns include:

• the location is not in compliance with the intent of the Town's OCP: keeping different property uses separate;
• Brookhollow will have more homes and apartments available next year thus reducing the stress on temporary accommodations;
• there are more hotels coming to Kindersley;
• our goal is to convert our temporary residents to permanent residents;
• the effect the campground will have on the neighbouring residences including their quality of life, property assessments, traffic behind the houses, noise, smoke, etc; and
• the impact on the vegetation between the proposed campground and the walking trail.

It is good that the Regional Park is looking to be a part of the solution to our housing problem but I think the timing and the location need to be reconsidered. Given these concerns I can't support this initiative at this time.

HWY #7 Traffic Lights Update

We have been patiently awaiting the new traffic signals at the corner of HWY #7 and Ditson. Two bids have been received and pending a couple of approvals with the Ministry of Highways and the Town, construction of the signals should be complete mid-November.

Thank you for being patient. Your patience has saved us more than $350,000 so far and we are anticipating more savings yet at this intersection.

Phase 2 Meeting July 22, 2014

Here is the agenda for the next Phase 2 meeting. If you can make please come out. I will be in Rosetown at the Premier's BBQ.

Phase 2 West Central Community Centre Public Meeting

Agenda

July 22, 2014

1.       Purpose

2.       Review

3.       Governance

                    i.                                                             Administration

                   ii.                                                            Building/Design Committee

                 iii.                                                            Council

                 iv.                                                            Fundraising Committee

                  v.                                                           Terms of Reference – developed in tandem between Town and Committees

4.       Next Steps

                    i.                                                            Consideration to the type of facility we want and can afford to build

                   ii.                                                             Architect of Record – Council

5.       Comments

Next meeting to be booked for ?????

Moment with the Mayor: Chamber of Commerce Remarks

Hi Neighbours:

Today’s column reiterates some of my opening and closing remarks at the Chamber of Commerce Question and Answer evening held on July 9. When we have time, I will be recording answers to the questions posed that evening, and some additional questions, on video so you can watch them on the Town website.

Events like the Question and Answer session are important. The Town and Chamber of Commerce are partners working together to build Kindersley, along with all community groups. We all have responsibility in ensuring that Kindersley is an economically and socially vibrant community, and this requires that we work together as a team. Council is proud to be a part of the Kindersley team and want to work with all groups.

Council is committed to being open and transparent, and this Q&A helped address communication challenges we are facing. Council’s vision is to have a positively engaged community building an economically and socially vibrant community.

As part of the sustainability and growth of Kindersley, we are asking the Chamber to work with us on economic development; to pull together a package of potential policies that will help accomplish this. We are asking that they be partners in addressing the tough questions such as whether a hotel destination tax should be established. Do we need Business Improvement Districts? How about an economic development committee that may grow into an economic development corporation? How much of property taxes should be shifted between residential and commercial properties? These are fundamental questions and actions for which the Town is but one partner.

Council consists of 7 people who are working hard for you, and we need your help. We need the Chamber’s help with some of these questions and their input on others.

We are a team. There is no “us” and “them,” we have to work together - all of the stakeholders in Kindersley, for the benefit of all of Kindersley. 

So, come, and work with us.

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.

Moment with the Mayor: Fundraising Phase 2

Hi Neighbours:

Here are some things we need to know and consider as we move ahead with Phase 2.

·         The NRCC needs a significant amount of work and enough said about the pool.

·         All of the gym facilities in Town, including schools and churches, are fully utilized.

·         Regarding the Leaf Your Legacy:

·         At the end of 2013, the fund had $550,940;

·         With matching funds from the Town for the funds raised in 2013, the fund now has $763,040.

·         West Central Events Centre:

·         Approaching its stage in life when more maintenance is required.

·         Below is a small list of the groups and organizations actively fundraising within Kindersley:

Fire Hall

            Health and Wellness Foundation

            Klippers

            Museum

            Red Lions

            Schools

            Social Agencies

            Youth Organizations

·         Group 2 has completed (and it has been received by Council) a Needs and Operational Assessment and you can view it at the Town’s website (http://www.kindersley.ca/Multi-Use-Facility-Phase-2/).

·         There are three options: 1) A phased-in approach starting at about $27 million for pool only, 2) another comprehensive option for less than $42 million, and 3) the largest option for about $56 million.

·         We have been looking for partners to ensure the sustainability of Phase 2

·         Great Plains College: they would potentially be both an operational and capital partner;

·         Sun West School Division: potential operational partner offering arts and sports “Academies;”

·         Heartland Health Region: potential operational partner delivering health and wellness programs;

·         Regional municipalities because this is a facility to serve all of West Central SK.

·         Other government funding is uncertain but we are doing our homework to make the strongest case possible

·         The expenses of the pool include: the materials to prevent corrosion and mould, the finish with stainless steel, tiles, mechanics, filtration, etc. The design should drive down operational costs

·         For the pool to be sustainable it has to be used continually, meaning that programming has to drive the design; the same applies to the gym/banquet hall and arts centre. The key is maximizing use of the facility.

·         Some next steps include: Who is going to be involved? How much can be raised? What do we need?

Terms of Reference for committees. Architect of Record. Consensus: which option is to be pursued? Should a fundraising professional be engaged? Should the Fundraising Committee establish a “Friends of WCCC” How you can best serve Phase 2? The biggest challenge is us: having the right people doing the right job.

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.

Moment with the Mayor: Canada Day Celebration

Hi Neighbours:

Summer season has officially begun! Last week on July 1^st, I had the opportunity to join many of you at the Kindersley and District Plains Museum for our annual Canada Day festivities. It was great to see so many people out enjoying themselves with family and friends. Several of you even paid good money to see me get dunked in the Youth Council’s dunk tank event and raise money for Phase 2 of the West Central Community Centre.

Canada is now 147 years young, and while we have accomplished much in our relatively short life as a country, we are still growing. Here are some of thoughts I shared with those in attendance at the July 1^st flag-raising ceremony:

·         We are a beautiful country with picturesque scenes but we are also a country that has health care for all.

·         We are a just country that lives by the rule of law and cares for those less fortunate.

·         Canada is a country in which almost everyone here has moved to for fulfillment, whether it be for economic, cultural, religious reasons, or otherwise.

·         Canada is a country that works for healthy relationships - peace. We work together across the country to make life better here and around the world.

I have referred to the four pillars of community: beauty, justice, fulfillment, and relationships. Here in Kindersley, I see a community striving for these pillars.

Groups like the Walking Trail Committee are developing a little oasis for us to enjoy around Motherwell Reservoir. The Health and Wellness Foundation is working for our health care, along with agencies like SPOKES Family Resource Centre and the Health Region who provide the health and wellness care we all need at some point in our lives.

We take for granted our protective services staff including the RCMP, Bylaw, and Fire for their work towards justice.

Many people devote their time and money so we have opportunities to grow and learn and be fulfilled.

These opportunities range from business ownership to the spiritual to the athletic to the cultural to social services.

And finally, we have those clubs, organizations, community groups and venues that bring us together, like the respective men’s and women’s golf leagues, parent support groups, and so many more that provide opportunity for people to gather, visit, and share common interests.

A lot of different things take place to make a thriving and dynamic community. I want to thank all of the people who enrich our community so it is beautiful and just, where people have the opportunity to be fulfilled and have good relationships. Thank you for making Kindersley a great place to live.

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.