22 2017 ELECTION PREVIEW


Immanuel Moritz


2 1 Say hello, start a conversation, learn something new, find some common interests, enjoy the


evening.


The City is fortunate to have large volumes of clean burning natural gas for electrical generation. For the foreseeable future this will be our fuel of choice. Renewables should be part of any energy portfolio. Given our distance from the foothills, wind is not the best option. We are one of the sunniest spots in Canada, we have land, solar is the more natural choice. A long term investment strategy that takes advantage of increases in efficiency and lower costs of panels is worth pursuing. By not putting all your eggs into the solar basket at once, it will provide us with opportunities as new technologies are available. Currently, we need to maintain enough generation capacity for those instances when solar or wind generation under perform.


3


Striking the balance between service delivery and fiscal restraint is always a challenge, especially in economic downturns. Financially fit is a good start, but departments must continue to streamline operations, and make effective use of staff and resources. Empower staff to make better decisions, they need to be part of the conversation. Focus on core responsibilities — police, fire, recreation, seniors, planning, poverty reduction, transit. The city needs to get out of the business of being in business (construction, for instance, as a competitor to local taxpaying companies). Cities do not have the resources to do everything. We need to assess if any particular service is required, is cost effective, and meets the planned goals. Creative solutions. Better ideas. Work smarter.


4


The key priority is economic growth and jobs. Our percentage population growth is half the Alberta average, but even with that increase, we have lost population in every demographic from birth to age 54 — more than 4,000 people between 2009 and 2015. While having seniors age in place is an enormous benefit, it is not enough to maintain prosperity, city services, and drive growth. You need more jobs, more people, more taxpayers. Part of economic development is attracting outside companies, but focus on retention and success of local entrepreneurs is equally as important. Business and government can create a positive climate to encourage job creation. They share the same goal, prosperity. When an opportunity walks into City Hall, we must find a way to say a positive yes. We earn our money here, or in the City.s case, gets its taxes here, as much as we can, buy local.


5


The Intermunicipal Development Plan is a government mandated good neighbour policy. No one wants residential on one side of the boundary and a giant chemical plant across the road. The existing IDP addresses core issues: Future residential and industrial growth, subdivision, annexation, development phasing, regional utility delivery, sand and gravel, among others. Not much has changed since the original agreement was created in 2010, the expected growth has not yet occurred. A regional landfill, extension of sewer to the county, revisiting country residential for people who wish to live on small acreages, ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas are protected, and Burnside development are worth a look. We need to focus on making the plan simple and flexible, keep lines of communication open, and keep in mind that the needs of the three parties are different.


Colette Smithers


2 1 Hello, I’m Colette, what brings you here this evening?


In Southeast Alberta we have some of Canada’s best solar and wind resources, lots of skilled energy workers, and over 40 per cent of planned commercial solar and wind projects in Alberta. I believe an opportunity exists for us to capitalize on the growing solar and wind energy industry.


I support the work of the S.E. Alberta Energy Diversification Strategy (SEEDS) group. They are a regional collaboration of partners (including the City, MHC, EDA, Community Futures, AB Government, Brooks/Newell) who recognize that the renewable energy industry presents an opportunity to attract commerce, grow the job market, support existing business, and diversify business within Southeast Alberta. I attended the SEEDS community stakeholders’ session in September and met local community leaders from our region who agree that the renewable energy industry provides an opportunity to further showcase and grow our city and our region as a leader in energy!


3


The focus of the current Council has been ‘Financially Fit for the Future’ to make up a funding shortfall of $23 million. Seven ‘levers’ have been identified from which to recover that shortfall: Cost Containment, Service Level, Property Tax, Grants and Investment, Utility Rates, User Fees, Financial Reserve. The $640,000 ‘Service Level Adjustment’ to Public Transit failed, requiring a 2017/18 budget amendment, and additional unknown costs to revert to the old transit system.


The new Council, in consultation with City staff, will undoubtedly need to review Financially Fit and Budget 2017/18 to determine how to move forward with a sound financial plan and a commitment to support all citizens with high quality and accessible public services.


4


My election platform is based on three main issues: Community, Transportation and Economic Development. However, it is very important to me that the people of Medicine Hat set the agenda for Council.


The lack of communication from City Hall is a frustration for both individuals and businesses, therefore, a clear communication strategy is a fundamental requirement of the new Council. As a Councillor, I will continue my informal ‘Coffee with Colette’ chats and I would encourage other Council members to engage with residents on a regular basis.


5


The Tri-Area Inter-municipal Development Plan (IDP) of July 2010, is a collaboration of the City of Medicine Hat, the Town of Redcliff and Cypress County, outlining the region’s shared responsibility in the areas of: Land use; rural and urban development, service and growth; roads and transportation; environmental protection; oil and gas; water.


As the 10th anniversary of the IDP approaches, collaboration will no longer be voluntary, but a requirement of the MGA. This is a timely opportunity to review the tri-area IDP and propose amendments. A diverse panel, representative of all IDP collaborators, would be required to conduct such a review.


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