Data Challenges and a Response

Data, a word we usually do not think of as being sexy. However, data, or the lack thereof in our case, is at the heart of some of the challenges we are having as we work with other levels of government, government agencies, and others.

The data issue creates a lag for the Town when it comes to receiving transfer payments from the province, the delivery of health care, market analysis, credit analysis and more. Last fall I was challenged by a provincial Minister of the Crown to develop an alternative. What follows is part of an email I sent to the Minister.


My suggestion is cost effective and comparatively easy to implement. It will give the province accurate population counts on a yearly basis with which to make sound decisions based on timely and relevant data. As a result transfer payments from the federal government to the province will be more in line with population totals. Likewise, provincial transfers to municipalities, such as through the PST, will be timely and relevant. No longer will transfers be based on data that is 4 or 5 years old but based on data that is at most months hold.

The solution is to add a field to the database holding Health card data. The extra field would be the physical address of the holder. With this additional field, to be filled by clerks at health facilities across the province or through a mail out update form, the government will have accurate data that can be trusted.
Here is a brief look at the problem and solution along with strengths and weaknesses.

PROBLEM:

• Municipalities and the provincial government lack accurate demographic and population data at the municipal level to make informed decision.

SOLUTION:

• Using health cards, add an extra field in the database to include the holder’s physical address.
• Consider the Health card I carry would show both my postal address and now my physical address.

STRENGTHS:

• Comparatively inexpensive.
• It is about adjustments to existing database(s) and collation rather than rolling out a new program.
• A variety of methods are available to implement the collection of the data.
• Once updated the information can be collated on a yearly basis.
• Decision making involving population counts and demographics, such as policy making, formulas for transfer calculations and physician recruitment, can be based on data that is months old rather than years old.
• Greater confidence in the integrity of the data.
• Based on SK residency.

WEAKNESSES:

• Privacy(?).
• Change in application forms and the database to add the extra field.
• Does not address out of province residents who move to a municipality, and because of housing problems, may not have a physical address.

Brookhollow Estates House Plans

The other day I received the floor plans for some houses to be built along Brookhollow Blvd and Cooper Way. Theses are the houses that will face both streets. I don't know how much these homes will cost.

Some Federal Budget Items

Here are some points regarding the Federal Budget and how it may effect Kindersley and other municipalities.

• Good news: the federal government is committing to new, long-term, predictable, and stable infrastructure funding for municipalities.
• Revenues for municipalities from the Gas Tax Fund are to be indexed to inflation ensuring predictable and stable funding.
• Smaller communities with populations less than 100,000 like Kindersley will now have access to a dedicated Small Communities Fund of $1 billion.
• The new Building Canada Fund is for ten years.
• Currently municipalities own and operate approximately 66% of the infrastructure across Canada.
• The infrastructure deficit across Canada is been calculated to be approximately $172 billion.
• I am concerned municipalities are being tasked to carry more infrastructure costs despite having less revenue streams than other levels of government.
• There is still too much uncertainty regarding the Federal Government's P3 process for small communities like Kindersley.
• The Federal Government needs to provide more details regarding the allocation and distribution of funds for infrastructure.
• The Federal Government is only allocating $210 million for infrastructure this year. This is significant underfunding of our and other municipalities needs.

Carpe Diem! and Surgite!

There is a saying behind the reception at the Hospital attributed to Thoreau that goes something like this: go confidently into the future. How do we, Kindersley, move confidently into the future regarding the West Central Community Centre (WCCC)? We prepare. Carpe Diem! (seize the day) and Surgite! (onward).

The West Central Community Centre (WCCC), formerly known as Phase II, is a critical part of our future. How do we move towards its completion when the current signs are not encouraging? We prepare. We start working on the administrative framework including a building committee and a fundraising committee: we finalize our building plans, start raising funds and making partners. Also, the Town will continue to develop its priorities of its capital needs regarding its infrastructure to prudently plan capital investments so we can ensure the WCCC is achievable and sustainable. Community groups need to continue to build their own capacity so when we have new facilities there is an effective transition ensuring the facilities are well used and governed effectively.

Why do we do the work now when we don't know when it will be complete or the final price tag? First, we have a reasonable idea of both items due to the Needs and Operational Assessment and our talking with other communities with similar facilities. The opening date and the price tag are moving targets dependent on circumstances beyond our control. The work starts now so when the financial environment changes we can seize the moment and make sure we do not miss the window of opportunity. So, we work on knowing it will happen, ready to seize the moment to ensure the West Central Community Centre meets the needs of West Central Saskatchewan and is sustainable.

Moment with the Mayor: First Steps Towards the West Central Community Centre

Hi Everyone:

Last week, Council made its first decision toward the development of the West Central Community Centre (WCCC), known by many as Phase 2. Utilizing the Kindersley Recreation and Culture Building Fund, a charitable account first created to build the West Central Events Centre in the 1990’s, Council supports the development of an arm’s length fundraising group dedicated to the WCCC. This decision is in keeping with recommendations outlined by the firm Group 2 in its Phase 2 Needs and Operational Assessment and community workshops. There are several things to note:

1.       The WCCC fundraising group is intended to be citizen-driven with financial responsibility for the fund granted to any qualified member of the group with the appropriate accounting or financial background.

2.       While Council has not yet determined which of the building options to proceed with, we have to start raising money. It is possible that the project will take between 3 and 10 years to complete, and there will be changes, including changes to Council. Regardless of where we are today, we have to have an eye on the future and work towards being financially ready to build a facility that meets the needs of Kindersley.

3.       Funds generated from prior fundraising efforts toward the Multi-Use Facility, such as the Leaf Your Legacy Campaign and the annual Trip of the Month Lotto, remain in reserve until such time as Council authorizes them to be spent toward the WCCC.

A this point, the total amount to be raised and the final design of the WCCC are a little like moving targets. The Needs and Operational Assessment gives us a very good start, but may need refinement to reflect the current environment.

The greatest obstacle facing Kindersley right now is our financial capacity. We are at our maximum borrowing capacity and have the responsibility to address a wide range of infrastructure needs in order to keep our community’s growth healthy and sustainable.

The success of the WCCC will be through community champions leading the way. With community leaders driving the fundraising, fine-tuning the building design, and working within the Town’s fiscal responsibilities, WCCC can be a reality. The Town’s ability to leverage support from other levels of government and to provide an environment for the fundraising efforts to be successful will also be key.

Change may be the only constant for this project. This is okay. The fiscal environment we are currently working within will change, volunteers will come and go, government support may change, and other things will change as well. The one thing we have to agree on is that the WCCC will be built, and we will built it. If we can’t agree on that, then the project will not succeed. I believe it will.

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.

Schedule Note

This week my family is going on a mini family trip. One of the expected highlights is the Harry Potter Exhibit in Edmonton. Due to this trip I will be mostly unavailable all week.

Valentines

Yesterday was Valentines Day and my wife put it into context for me. From our first Valentines to yesterday was 6,941 days. Our time together, from our first date to Valentines, has been 6,990 days. It makes it sound like a long time. So, our 7,000 day anniversary is fast approaching. What does one do to celebrate the 7,000th day?

For the record: last night we had a romantic dinner served by our two oldest sons' youth group. The food was great, the service excellent, and we even had live entertainment.

Poor Design = Bad Smells

This is another note on the ongoing saga of poor design at the West Central Events Centre. Frankly, it is beyond frustrating.

The elevator pit is located near the sump pit. Staff have discovered a couple of deficiencies leading to the smell: there seems to be a valve missing to block the fumes and it looks like the wrong cover was placed on the sump pit.

Recently the Town had a walk through with Clark Construction to identify ongoing issues. However, when it comes to design issues such as I just discussed, and others you know of, it is an issue with Walker Projects and we are still negotiating with them on these issues. Currently, negotiations with Walker go through our lawyers.

Rental Units to Condos

During the last Council meeting Council voted to approve the conversion of some rental units to condos. Kindersley has a shortage of accommodations, both for ownership and rental. In recent years our rental inventory has decreased through condominium conversion. This reduction in rental inventory affects many companies as they work to recruit and retain employees.

Not everyone can afford a home. Not everyone has money for a downpayment. If someone graduates from school and comes to Kindersley for one of their first jobs they are not likely to have money for a downpayment. I have met families who work in retail and the service industry and it is a challenge for them to scrape the money together to buy a home; they need rental units. Immigrants mostly don't have money to purchase a house. Further renting accommodations in Kindersley is not cheap. I met one gentlemen and his wife, they are a young couple, who are paying almost $2,000 to rent a two bedroom trailer.

Currently there are a number of businesses in Kindersley that own homes for their employees to live in. In one case an employee has lived in the home for a few years and can't afford to move into a rental unit of their own nor purchase a house.

Don't get me wrong: I firmly believe that owning a home is a very good thing to do. But we have to remember that not everyone can afford it. When I graduated from university I could not afford to buy a home. If we want young people to move to Kindersley we have to give them options to live here and that includes rental units to live in until they can afford to purchase a house.

If Kindersley is not careful and does not get affordable housing for purchase and rental units at a reasonable price we risk our sustainability.

Alternate Truck Route

With new development such as hotels sprouting up, Council is considering developing an alternate truck route to ensure trucks are not disrupting neighbourhoods nor putting undue wear and tear on our streets. We also do not want to take business away from the service industry on either side of the highway.

Last Monday Council directed Administration to examine the viability and expense of developing an alternate truck route that would run along Ditson Road north of the HWY #7 to 14 Ave, east along 14th Ave until the road between Shell and Boychuk's.

If you have a business along there let us know how you think it may affect your operations. If you own a home along 12th will this better address some of your concerns?

As usual please contact me with your suggestions or concerns.