A dedicated action plan

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Strategic planning is considered essential for today’s successful businesses.
“In local government, not only does it entail aligning organizational aims with actions, tactics with responsibilities and resources to timelines, cuts ensuring both council and staff are on the same page,” stated Dr. Gordon MacIntosh, facilitator of Wheatland County’s strategic plan.
Wheatland County councillors worked on the strategic plan in December 2017 and put it in motion Feb. 7, with the initial top five strategic targets listed as economic development, service capacity, road planning, municipal development plans and crime prevention.
The complete plan is on the Wheatland County website under the Feb. 7 agenda package.
The report provides a global view of the county’s plans for 2018. CAO Alan Parkin said the document is fluid and as work on one area is completed, the plan shifts to insert the next priorities and actions. He said he will be giving council monthly updates on progress made in the action plan and feels this plan will enhance clarity and direction for staff in the coming year.

Code of conduct for Wheatland council
In 2017, there were a few questions about past council conduct leading to a review and initiation of a Code of Conduct for the council. The complete document is attached to the Feb. 7, agenda on the website. It covers many issues like equitable dealings with the public and staff, expenditures, confidential information and social media, conflicts of interest, bias and presenting personal opinions

Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce reach out
The president of the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce approached Wheatland County Council on Feb. 7 about growing their current membership by reaching out to businesses in the county.
“We want to work with Councillor Tom Ikert to facilitate memberships with small businesses in the County of Wheatland. Ikert represents the county on the chamber board. We are Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce after all, and sometimes the district is left by the wayside,” Chamber president Terri Kinsman.
The Chamber currently has 100 active members. She outlined some of the events coming up such as the annual general meeting, which will showcase local restaurant samplers and a beer tasting, the speakers series starting in April, revisiting human resources in a box workshops and holding a fall casino.

Marigold loan still pending
A direct pitch on Feb. 7 from Michelle Toombs, CEO of Marigold Library System, to Wheatland County council did not receive a definite decision. The presentation was taken as information.
“Marigold is not asking Wheatland County for money, we are asking for a loan. We are requesting that Wheatland County use its borrowing leverage for a loan of up to $2 million with a formal repayment plan,” said Toombs.
Marigold is hoping for a credit line with a low interest rate that will still give Wheatland County some earnings on the interest, taken over a 20 to 25-year span, with the option to make lump sum payments.
The feasibility study gave cost projections to the library and the project has already received funding from Alberta Municipal Affairs. Marigold wants the county loan to buffer any extra costs and considers it will make lump sum payments after the current building is sold.
A building lot has been located south of the No Frills grocery store. The site allows the library to tap into the Supernet connection, which is necessary for so many of its services to the public.
There is a partnership with Western Irrigation District which will move its head offices into half of the building structure, cutting costs for both organizations.
Toombs said they approached the Town of Strathmore, but the terms offered were not as flexible as they would have liked.
“We are really keen to stay in Strathmore as we have established ourselves here. We are looking forward to doing things for and with Wheatland County,” said Toombs.

Watch clerk debate continues
Clarity was the term used by several Wheatland County councillors as they discussed ongoing negotiations for RCMP support.
Councillor Amber Link strongly advocated for financing two additional clerks.
“When we look at our strategic plan, we highlighted rural crime,” Link said supporting her suggestion.
She said residents are seeing implications of coverage shortages in their areas.
“There is a lot of info we aren’t clear on here,” said Deputy Reeve Scott Klassen.
Others were unsure about details of the ask, and suggested another meeting with the RCMP and their rural municipal partners.
“The partnership is important to me and council moving forward,” said Reeve Glenn Koester.
There was doubt about how many watch clerk positions were necessary. The Town of Strathmore is currently financing two positions and indicated if support is not given it risks jeopardizing RCMP service coverage in rural areas.
Funding was also a topic as to whether it should be an outright pay or a pay per capita basis.
“We know where the policing injustices lie,” said Councillor Tom Ikert. “We have the problem that there are whole lot of policing assets that we have no control over.”
Councillor Ben Armstrong raised caution, saying any decision to finance clerks in the Strathmore detachment may mean other detachments will be looking for help in the future as well.
Administration was requested to set up further meetings and the matter will be brought to the regional partnership meeting.

Dialysis unit a no go, but push continues
Reeve Glenn Koester acknowledged the response from the Alberta health minister on getting a dialysis unit in Strathmore. He said when the Strathmore Hospital renovations had been discussed, he mentioned to the minister the need for a unit here.
“Even when they were still planning, it was indicated there was room for another x-ray machine, but no space for a dialysis unit.”
Council was hoping a private clinic may be found to host the service and they were sending a letter to the health minister to find ways to assist dialysis patients in the Strathmore area. The Siksika Health Unit will be setting up a unit for its residents; however, there was no mention of a collaborative effort with Wheatland County or the Town of Strathmore.

Empty schools in hiatus
Schools that were closed down due to the reallocation of students to Wheatland Crossing School are still available for purchase, and Golden Hills School Division (GHSD) is waiting for a decision whether Wheatland County is interested in purchasing them.
Wheatland County administration collected information on the status of the schools and determined more decisions needed to be considered.
“There are a number of upgrades necessary if they continued as schools; that wouldn’t be applicable if they were operated as community facilities,” said Wheatland County CAO Alan Parkin.
The cost of utilities to keep the buildings open averages about $30,000 per year. GHSD determined about $2 million to $3 million is needed to upgrade the buildings for school use.
Councillor Ben Armstrong requested information on what the costs would be for demolition, if the county took on the building and later needed demolition due to costs in the future.
“We have to be really careful our hearts don’t get involved in this,” stated Councillor Tom Ikert. “It’s a big thing to maintain the whole building.”
There have been some ideas for use of the buildings, such as community centres, recreation centres, adult course sites, fire training facilities, small business offices and artist studio space.
Councillor Armstrong said if the facility is developed, it may vacate spaces currently occupied.
There will be public meetings held to determine the thoughts of the community for these facilities.
Administration will request a tour of the facilities for Wheatland County council, so they can see first-hand the condition of the schools. Parkin said the renovations depend on the use for the buildings.
Councillors asked if the buildings are currently maintained, and about community interest for adapting the buildings.
Currently administration was not aware of any interested parties.
Council also asked administration to the cost effectiveness of recycling parts of the building. There were also questions about the playground structures on those sites.

Questioning Christmas hamper surplus
Wheatland County council requested that the Strathmore and District Christmas Hamper Society and Wheatland Family and Community Support Services present to council the purpose and use of an approximate $70,000 surplus to their annual budget. Administration was requested to set up a presentation to council.