Although this may seem like an obvious commitment, a council must purposefully determine what "services, facilities or other things are necessary or desirable for all or part of the municipality". In fact, providing these services or facilities is one of three purposes of having municipal corporations in place, according to law. This is a core purpose and function of the municipal corporation. These services and facilities are not luxuries, they are deemed necessary to support the quality of life of the citizens who live here.
I have been teased in the past for stressing how crucial this aspect of governance is to sustaining a viable community. People say, everyone knows that! But, at budget time when councillors sit to deliberate about which services and facilities can be provided in the short, medium and long term given revenues and expenses, confusion and angst over what to fund is common. No interest group likes to be told that their pet project is not a council priority. No one likes to be told to wait until a plan is finished or a funding proposal complete. I know I don't.
There are a number of needed services and facilities that I would like to get done in the next three years. Some I would like to start, some to get underway and some to finish. Our staff are already involved in day to day activities to provide us with good community services such as policing, water, garbage collection, etc. The list of services or facilities I would like to see completed is provided below:
To start and finish-short term 1-2 years
Secure water supply for full build out
Highway 22/Highway 1A intersection
Downtown public washrooms
Performing arts centre
Public transit service to Calgary
Lights at Centre Ave and Highway 1A
Seniors centre
Taxation policy
Wetland and riparian land conservation and management implementation plan
Comprehensive bylaw/ bylaw enforcement review
Comprehensive consultant recruitment and RFP process review
Implementation of Cochrane Sustainability Plan
Review statutory plans for consistency with Land Use Framework and regional plans
Revised storm drainage management plans-introduce low impact development/naturescaping/xeriscaping/green roof technology on commercial buildings
Investigate use of geothermal energy in large commercial industrial and multi family or institutional buildings
Volunteer recognition program
Revitalize the area around the Men of Vision statue/build a proper pathway
Get started- 1-3 year project
Pool (with therapy)
Public transit internal
Review of middle managment team/ Sustainability Plan
Implementation of low impact development strategies and technologies
Water conservation review and implement tax incentives/technologies
Review election process and requirements to prove residency
Long term-ongoing
Public consultation process to understand shared community values
Comprehensive riverside natural conservation areas and parks
Integrated water and land conservation and management plans
Cumulative effects management of land base
Improved communication tools and outreach to all sectors
Sometimes studies are required to ensure that projects are needed and can be accomodated within municipal budget. Sometimes studies help council to prioritize which projects can be done quickly and which projects require more sources of income or design considerations. For many of the projects listed above, I think we have had too many studies and too little action over the last ten years. Time to get them done. For example, the idea of public washrooms downtown was suggested every budget year that I served on council, and I understand that this year we may actually get them. This is an item that the downtown business community has asked for every single year.
I would be happy to know what you think are priority services or projects that we need to put in place over the next three years. Your priorities are my priorities.
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