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.

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 [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