Councillors here have finally passed a document to provide strategic direction to council for 2015 to 2018.
During the past three terms, strategic plans were drafted to guide each council through each term of office.
Work on the current priorities and initiatives document has occurred over the past nine months in conjunction with Winegard Consulting.
Bill Winegard was on hand to present the final amended document to councillors on Sept. 28. He agreed the process took a few months longer than anticipated but said he believes what’s included in the document will be feasible during the current term of council.
Considerable discussion was held to re-word revisions.
In looking at challenges ahead for the municipality, Winegard included reference to the Nestlé Waters proposed supplementary well near Elora and its possible impacts.
Councillor Kirk McElwain took exception to including commentary from a Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) study that indicated there exists a plentiful supply of groundwater for the next 15 years.
Winegard also noted the new reality of municipal finance was that despite increased needs, the township might have to rely less on help from other government sources and should strive to be more self-sufficient, seeking new revenue sources.
Further in the document was a recommendation that council lobby the province to prohibit commercial water taking unless there is clear and publicly available scientific evidence that there will be no significant impact on the quality and quantity of the local water supply.
Winegard acknowledged the matter is not under the direct control of the township, but stated, “Council should certainly take a position on this.”
McElwain noted 50% of the comments on the draft plan were on the topic. He expressed disappointment in the GRCA wording, which seemed to indicate the township would have lots of water forever.
He said other studies indicate the water supply is vulnerable both to shortages and contamination and to suggest otherwise could hurt the township’s chances of getting concessions from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC).
Winegard said the intent was to say it would be up to the MOECC or the proponent to demonstrate there would be no impact to the local water supply.
Councillor Don Fisher suggested council simply state the expectations of the township, without inclusion of the GRCA report. He said he wants to promote the township’s own water supply to educate the public that it is portable, safe and clean.
“There are lot of people in this community who rightly or wrongly have issues with commercial water taking operations,” said Fisher.
Without picking a side, he said people want water which is portable and at events in the public, so “The only alternative they have … is bottled water.”
Fisher said the township is unlikely to ban bottled water, but steps could be taken to make township water more available as an alternative to bottled water.
McElwain noted the township tourism office already provides a water refill station. CAO Andy Goldie pointed out water refilling stations are also in place at local recreation centres.
Next under discussion was urban design guidelines and a growth strategy. Winegard included a new paragraph in the plan outlining the goal of maintaining the “small-town feel” of the community while conforming to provincial and county requirements.
He said the township is regulated through Places to Grow guidelines and Wellington County population growth targets.
McElwain asked whether the township could instead suggest it would follow the principles of the legislation and county targets – “so it is not black and white … sometimes grey is a good colour.”
It was pointed out the township must conform to provincial and county guidelines.
“It is harsh that we have to comply with the legislation – but it is a reality,” said clerk Kerri O’Kane. “We would be doing a disservice if we don’t lay it out the way it really is.”
In the area of good government, Winegard said some wording in the plan was broadened to place more emphasis on citizen input and ideas regarding budget, spending and program decisions – to ensure efficiency and that alternative approaches are considered.
Councillor Stephen Kitras had considerable comment on both the report and the “extremely interesting” process.
He said the document charts council’s path for the next three years and is very comprehensive – and, “I learned a lot.”
However, he said he is concerned with costs, the process and taxes. Kitras explained he is a little bit leery because there are no real costs associated to achieve goals contained in the plan.
In his own business, Kitras said he generally has an idea of the money involved with such decisions.
He also suggested the document did not seem to have direct connection to the councillors – “I don’t think I am alone in that feeling.”
While pleased some ideas from councillors made the cut, Kitras said in some cases the information was not complete to make a decision.
He also spoke on the township survey – which he noted was very broad and comprehensive – pointing out councillors did not have any input on those questions. He would have preferred more questions on taxation.
“Surveys are only as good as the questions asked and how they are phrased,” Kitras said, adding council must ensure the questions are not leading the responder to provide an answer council wants to see.
Kitras said he is hopeful the revisions will allow more public input on budgetary matters.
“This council needs our fellow citizens help so that we don’t get locked into building an empire,” he said.
Kitras then offered the mayor some advice.
“This is not a part-time job. You are the CEO of a $28-million operation. I know the pay stinks, but this is the job you wanted. You cannot do this job part time and do it well,” he said.
Kitras added the job cannot be done by having residents absorb tax increases.
“You need to be vigilant and not just lead us down a path that is just ‘happy-clappy and bubbly’. (Government) needs to be responsible and one year ago you made those promises and you won the election on those aspects of frugality and responsibility.”
Kitras said he hopes to achieve the goals of the strategic plan which he called is very action-oriented, aggressive and ambitious – “So let’s get to work.”
Councillor Steve VanLeeuwen said “staff has to know where we are going.” He was excited to see the questions and the input and was encouraged, but stated there is always something to learn.
McElwain agreed the plan is more detailed than the previous one, but he also agreed with Kitras on council’s fingerprint on the document. The cover letter indicates the plan was written by council but it wasn’t, McElwain stated.
“These are not council words, they are an interpretation without council input,” he said, adding council should have been more involved.
Linton said he believed the document will give staff good direction for the next three years, adding it is “among the best” plans he has seen.
