Today Council begins year two of a four year term. Its been an absolutely pleasure working with each of my colleagues. Ive found a wonderful connection with many of them. I hope that well each be able to see the various initiatives we are working on to completion before the end of the term. So much change is underway now and so much growth is coming. This year will be pivotable in determining social infrastructure priorities and to meet housing needs. Well see better marketing and promotion of our central advantage, being within 2 hours drive to 86% of Albertans. Well see plans for an improved airport which further enhances our location, and makes us a better choice to logistics. The Riverlands plans will begin to materialize. The downtown residential strategy offer new housing in the core and improve the tax base for the whole community. Our trails network will grow. Plans for the 2019 Winter Games will start to take shape and new amenities will be under construction. During the upcoming operating budget council will attempt to settle on the priorities for future amenities for the next 10 years as a follow up from the extensive public dialogue we held throughout the year. As the Audit Committee continues its work well see better communication about the citys financial position, reserve balances, debt ratios, and other indicators -- in plain understandable language. Next year we will also see the completion of the replacement of the remaining expired trees along our streets, an improved snow clearing program -- which does include much better standard for city owned sidewalks. And as a council we will be focusing together on quality amenities, better dialogue with citizens, and financial leadership. Well continue to work on community safety, policing, crime prevention, designing healthier and better connected communities. These are just a few of the many many items that well be dealing with this. I hope to continue my work with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities working on the policy committees for the housing, the environment, advocacy, and conference planning. It will be an interesting and tumultuous year federally with international and global issues taking front stage, leading to many domestic conversations about safety, security, and the environment. How can we best help as Canadians in a global world? And then there is the federal election in October next year. What will the wisdom of the country be? Will we be able to sort through the rhetoric coming from all parties, and find a perspective that will serve as nationally? How we will get our voices into the national debate? I hadnt intended on a long update, before I head out to council meetings today. Please know that my door is always open to any of you for face-to-face dialogue about anything... even if all you need is someone to listen. I appreciate so much the way each of you contribute our community in your own ways, making it a better place for all of us. Keep up the passionate work big and small. Theres a new seating arrangement today. Il be sitting on far south with Councillor Dianne just to my right. Oh yes, the media will be right behind me. Good thing we get along. As always the chambers are open to the public for council meetings and for governance and policy committee. Minutes are always public but dont really give you a real impression of the work that goes into every decision and plan. I encourage you all to attend a meeting or two this year -- get a sense of the work and the important role that citizens have to elect and support council in achieve the communitys vision for the future.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:26:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015