1 00:07:13,330 --> 00:07:40,450 I'll call the meeting of Municipality District of St. Stephen Council of the Whole to order. So, first item of business, before I begin, I'd like to respectfully acknowledge that we are gathered today on the ancestral and unseated territory of the Biscotto-McCoddy people. And with that, I'd like to call for a motion before I call for a motion of approval agenda. I'd like to add one item under new business, and that's item five, correspondence from the City of Calis. 2 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,800 So, with that, could I call for 3 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:51,580 more somebody move the approval of the agenda as amended, moved by Councillor Brest, seconded by Deputy Mayor Greenlaw. 4 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:55,480 Call for the question. All those in favor? 5 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:55,940 Aye. 6 00:07:56,820 --> 00:07:57,300 Opposed? 7 00:07:57,660 --> 00:07:57,900 Carried. 8 00:08:01,270 --> 00:08:07,330 Disclosure of conflict of interest. Does anyone here this evening have a conflict of interest relative to the business of the evening? 9 00:08:08,910 --> 00:08:09,490 Hearing none, 10 00:08:11,830 --> 00:08:18,030 adoption of the minutes. Could I have a motion to adopt the minutes of the last council meeting? 11 00:08:19,050 --> 00:08:21,430 on April the 8th. 12 00:08:23,980 --> 00:08:25,620 I'll move by Councillor Morgan. 13 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:29,420 Seconded by Councillor Wesselink. 14 00:08:30,580 --> 00:08:36,440 Are there any errors or emissions that you want to bring to the attention of the hearing none? 15 00:08:36,580 --> 00:08:39,920 I'll call for the question. All those in favor? Signed by saying aye. 16 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,300 Opposed, nay? Carried. 17 00:08:46,470 --> 00:08:49,790 New business. Establishment of award information 18 00:08:49,790 --> 00:08:51,570 commission centers, second sessions. 19 00:08:53,050 --> 00:09:00,130 And so as many will remember, that was part of our campaigning progress. 20 00:09:00,350 --> 00:09:05,810 It was to increase potential for feedback to Council and for 21 00:09:05,810 --> 00:09:09,590 Council to be able to distribute more information. 22 00:09:11,250 --> 00:09:16,670 And so the general outline is put in your package. 23 00:09:16,670 --> 00:09:23,230 But I basically just want to like emphasize that the primary reason for this is to provide updates on municipal projects, 24 00:09:23,790 --> 00:09:30,230 services and strategic initiatives, present proposed capital projects, any policy and issues or changes, 25 00:09:30,890 --> 00:09:38,490 receive feedback from the residents regarding priorities and community needs, identify emerging issues, 26 00:09:38,790 --> 00:09:43,730 affecting specific neighborhoods and concerns, and allow residents to ask questions 27 00:09:43,730 --> 00:09:51,830 in a more informal setting and municipal staff open to a respectful setting and hopefully 28 00:09:51,830 --> 00:09:56,930 our goal is to strengthen relationships between the municipality and the community it serves. 29 00:09:57,590 --> 00:10:05,790 So the basic outline is there and so I'm asking tonight for approval to proceed with that 30 00:10:05,790 --> 00:10:11,770 arrangement and so I'd like to, before we all go around to each councilor and to see if 31 00:10:11,770 --> 00:10:14,210 do you have any questions or concerns about the policy 32 00:10:14,210 --> 00:10:15,110 as it was distributed? 33 00:10:15,650 --> 00:10:17,210 So I'll start with Councillor Westerling. 34 00:10:20,010 --> 00:10:21,350 Well, thank you very much, Mayor. 35 00:10:22,410 --> 00:10:24,630 Yeah, the only concern I've seen that residents have raised 36 00:10:24,630 --> 00:10:27,850 with the ward meetings is to not just label them 37 00:10:27,850 --> 00:10:31,050 as a rule or urban ward sort of setting. 38 00:10:31,050 --> 00:10:33,750 It's a meeting that should be attended by both rule 39 00:10:33,750 --> 00:10:35,870 and urban residents. 40 00:10:36,330 --> 00:10:38,330 We're probably just changing locations obviously 41 00:10:38,330 --> 00:10:40,910 for easier access to the rule side of things, 42 00:10:40,910 --> 00:10:47,030 but basically to keep the definitions out of the titles if that makes sense. 43 00:10:48,950 --> 00:10:57,470 With that, the main reason why we broke it up into rural and urban is that during the 44 00:10:57,470 --> 00:11:03,650 campaign, at least when I was doing both, the issues raised were considerably different 45 00:11:03,650 --> 00:11:07,770 between the rural areas and the urban areas. 46 00:11:07,770 --> 00:11:17,630 So, I'm assuming that the areas of discussion would be slightly different, but that doesn't prevent anybody from any ward attending the meetings. 47 00:11:18,250 --> 00:11:26,930 So, they'll be, and that way we have a focused meeting in Ward 1 and we'll have focused meetings in Ward 2 and they're actually interchangeable with people. 48 00:11:27,170 --> 00:11:35,890 So, I think we'll just keep, I would like to keep the names just so that people know that the main focus of the discussion will be on which one. 49 00:11:35,890 --> 00:11:42,030 but people are free to bring up, it's a mechanism for us as Councillors and a council to get feedback. 50 00:11:42,330 --> 00:11:46,910 So, anybody can go and anybody can give feedback and we're more than open to take it out. 51 00:11:48,150 --> 00:11:49,470 Okay, it's Councillor Best. 52 00:11:52,220 --> 00:11:56,080 Thank you. When I look at the information note, 53 00:11:56,380 --> 00:12:03,500 the one thing that comes to my mind is that up until now we've really enjoyed the ward meetings 54 00:12:03,500 --> 00:12:07,960 that we've had and I feel just a little bit concerned and I would probably go out and 55 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:13,800 talk more to constituents about this about it not being councilor led as opposed to administration 56 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:18,400 led. So I'm just a little bit concerned about whether or not that layer of administration 57 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:24,680 in between would impact the way that the meetings are run or the flexibility or anything like 58 00:12:24,680 --> 00:12:28,520 that. So I just would want to look into that a little bit more. 59 00:12:30,860 --> 00:12:33,380 Yeah, I think that's the one comment I would have. 60 00:12:33,700 --> 00:12:53,700 Okay, actually I did look into that and it's required because if we go, if we go as a council and three of you attend an item, we're at quorum, whereas if it's a council sanctioned activity led by the administration, we don't, we're not covered by all the codes of having an official council meeting. 61 00:12:53,700 --> 00:12:58,320 And so it opens it up so that it makes the discussion freer and allows greater input. 62 00:12:58,660 --> 00:13:05,460 So that's the main reason why we chose to have it led by, or I chose to have it led by the administration rather than council. 63 00:13:06,700 --> 00:13:06,920 Thank you. 64 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:08,020 Councillor Porter. 65 00:13:08,900 --> 00:13:09,440 Thank you. 66 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:11,420 I think it's a great idea. 67 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:12,420 We'll try it. 68 00:13:12,540 --> 00:13:15,640 If it doesn't work out, well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. 69 00:13:17,460 --> 00:13:18,420 Thank you. 70 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:21,120 Councillor Morgan. 71 00:13:22,420 --> 00:13:23,360 I have no issues. 72 00:13:25,740 --> 00:13:33,220 That was easy. Councillor Cunningham. I'd like more training prior to taking the forefront 73 00:13:33,220 --> 00:13:37,840 because I would like to know like answering questions, what to do with the questions, 74 00:13:38,020 --> 00:13:43,020 what to do with the information because I get a lot of information fed to me, but then 75 00:13:43,020 --> 00:13:48,080 what do I do with it? I still don't have a clear explanation of what I do with that information 76 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:52,660 where it goes, how to deal with it. So for me personally, I would like to have better 77 00:13:52,660 --> 00:13:54,960 training so that I'm not set up for failure? 78 00:13:55,260 --> 00:14:00,120 Well, I agree with more training and actually number three under new business is additional training. 79 00:14:00,660 --> 00:14:04,640 So I think we'll be doing the training before we do the meeting. 80 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:06,820 So I hope that addresses your concern. 81 00:14:07,300 --> 00:14:07,660 Thank you. 82 00:14:08,460 --> 00:14:09,820 Finally, Deputy Mayor Greenlaw. 83 00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:16,380 No, I think it's a good idea to continue the practice and the only thing I just wanted to clarify so 84 00:14:16,380 --> 00:14:20,500 many per year is that calendar year because we started in June. 85 00:14:20,500 --> 00:14:23,000 So, is it June to June or January to December? 86 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:27,960 Offensively of the calendar year, so it makes it easier to coordinate in time. 87 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:31,320 Anything else? 88 00:14:32,220 --> 00:14:32,440 Okay. 89 00:14:32,660 --> 00:14:35,320 With that, I'll call for the question. 90 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:41,900 Because it's a new thing, I'm going to ask each individual council to vote independently. 91 00:14:42,460 --> 00:14:43,600 So, Councilor Westerling. 92 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:44,780 Oh. 93 00:14:47,670 --> 00:14:53,430 So accepting and initiating the program to have public meetings. 94 00:14:53,970 --> 00:14:58,570 So moved by Councillor Westerling, seconded by Councillor Morgan. 95 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:23,260 Is it allowed to vote on something at this meeting? Or is it just we'll just take it back to our council meeting and vote on it. That's right. Yes, I'd like to answer that question. So yes, you can, you can vote at this meeting, but you're not in decision-making mode. So basically it would be that you would, that you're recommending it to council for formal approval. 96 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:30,300 Could you, could you would like to make that motion, Councillor Westerling, since you called it. 97 00:15:30,300 --> 00:15:36,360 So the motion is that we're in agreement with the principal and we'll forward it to the 98 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:38,780 council meeting for our final approval. 99 00:15:40,020 --> 00:15:40,140 Okay. 100 00:15:40,420 --> 00:15:41,880 And you agree with the seconder? 101 00:15:42,660 --> 00:15:46,100 And seconded by council Morgan, I'll call for the question. 102 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:47,100 All those in favour? 103 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:49,320 Opposed? 104 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:50,960 Great. 105 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:52,560 Okay. 106 00:15:56,270 --> 00:15:57,230 So the next one. 107 00:15:58,370 --> 00:16:02,410 Again, coming out of 108 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:24,820 the pre-election and campaign discussions that we had leading up to our being here is an establishment of a counselor hours program so that again, this is to increase accessibility to counselors and solicit more public feedback. 109 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:35,640 So the purpose is to implement a counselor office hours program, which again strengthens public accessibility and engagement and provide 110 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:41,580 providing regular opportunities for people to come here to the administrative office and meeting with counselors. 111 00:16:42,340 --> 00:16:53,500 So we have to get together later and manage your schedule so that the sessions are staffed by you. 112 00:16:53,500 --> 00:17:00,840 because it'll be either one-on-one or small group on one sessions and we want to increase 113 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:03,480 your accessibility, like I said, and enhance engagement. 114 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:08,920 Also improve the understanding of community concerns so if people are, if there's a concern 115 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:13,320 brewing there they can give and give you a lot more time and you can give them more time to 116 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:18,580 understand more deeply the nature of the concern and that hopefully will build a stronger relationship 117 00:17:18,580 --> 00:17:23,780 between the residents and council and give greater transparency to our decision-making process. 118 00:17:25,360 --> 00:17:30,080 So, again, I'll go around. I'll start the side. If there are any questions or concerns you would 119 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:37,260 like to deal with about the Councillor Administration. So, maybe just a question. We will develop some 120 00:17:37,260 --> 00:17:43,060 sort of a form so we can gather people's tombstone information and then the body of the conversation 121 00:17:48,350 --> 00:17:57,470 So there would be a form that you would probably have as they come in to get through information, or they could book it online and fill out some information. 122 00:17:58,250 --> 00:18:04,370 The actual mechanics we haven't worked out because we haven't got that, but we need to get the process started so we can initiate it. 123 00:18:05,330 --> 00:18:06,010 Councillor coming out. 124 00:18:08,220 --> 00:18:15,500 So again, I would just like to walk into it confidently going, this is the direction, this is going to go, this is where it goes. 125 00:18:15,500 --> 00:18:19,500 and not just have words that I don't fully. 126 00:18:19,940 --> 00:18:22,740 I just need it to make sense and be, 127 00:18:22,980 --> 00:18:24,040 feel like I'm trained on it, 128 00:18:24,100 --> 00:18:26,320 because I still don't feel like I have confidence 129 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:28,820 of where things go, what the process is, 130 00:18:28,940 --> 00:18:30,000 what the backgrounders are. 131 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:34,000 I feel like, yeah, it's a physical, sorry. 132 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:37,360 I agree, it's kind of a frightening thing to go in cold, 133 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,520 and it's a bit of a, you feel kind of vulnerable 134 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,160 when you can't know every single thing 135 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:44,740 that people could bring forward you, 136 00:18:44,740 --> 00:18:52,300 But I think if, for those that are uncertain, I don't mind coming in and piggybacking with any 137 00:18:52,300 --> 00:18:56,420 Councillors that are concerned at the start, but I really want to, my focus and I think 138 00:18:56,420 --> 00:19:02,700 everybody kind of talked about that focus is to get people talking to us and not on Facebook. 139 00:19:03,020 --> 00:19:08,100 So we want to hear the real issues and hear what people's real concerns are so that we can 140 00:19:08,100 --> 00:19:09,580 build it into our long-term strategy. 141 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:13,300 Councillor, sorry, Deputy Mayor Greenlaw. 142 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:15,740 Yeah, I'm good with that. 143 00:19:15,860 --> 00:19:19,020 So, if we're going to do like an online sign-up thing, 144 00:19:19,020 --> 00:19:20,380 is there going to be walk-ins as well? 145 00:19:22,100 --> 00:19:25,880 So, what I'm thinking is, for instance, if you had four or five people, 146 00:19:27,180 --> 00:19:27,880 is there a time limit? 147 00:19:28,020 --> 00:19:29,220 Do we want to put a time limit on it? 148 00:19:29,380 --> 00:19:33,060 If there's people waiting, you can have ten minutes or, you know, do you want to? 149 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:34,280 That's what I'm thinking. 150 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:40,140 We'll sit out in the hallway for an hour waiting to see you. 151 00:19:47,350 --> 00:19:49,270 Councilor Porter, we'll start going down that way. 152 00:19:50,270 --> 00:19:50,970 Thank you Mayor Backman. 153 00:19:51,650 --> 00:19:55,010 I just have three little things and they're all related to the same thing. 154 00:19:55,670 --> 00:20:00,830 So I've seen no reference in here about how many times a week we'll be doing this. 155 00:20:01,010 --> 00:20:03,970 Will it be like Monday, Wednesday, Friday or every day? 156 00:20:05,030 --> 00:20:12,370 I think it was one day a week, one afternoon a week, so it'd be like a one or two hour session 157 00:20:12,370 --> 00:20:17,310 and be established based on schedule and be one councillor every week. 158 00:20:17,490 --> 00:20:20,310 So your rotation would be every six week or seventh week. 159 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,000 Oh, I thought you had two more questions. 160 00:20:27,020 --> 00:20:28,180 So councillor best. 161 00:20:29,900 --> 00:20:35,840 So a couple of questions I would have, and as first of all around sort of the location, 162 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:39,600 just thinking about privacy and confidentiality when people do come in. 163 00:20:39,980 --> 00:20:45,580 And on that note, also security, if we do have, you know, someone who's really irate 164 00:20:45,580 --> 00:20:50,220 or something like that, what will be in place to deal with those types of situations. 165 00:20:51,420 --> 00:20:53,840 I do want to say, I do think that these are a great idea. 166 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:57,780 I don't think that you're ever going to keep everybody off of Facebook by doing it, but I 167 00:20:57,780 --> 00:21:00,620 do think at least it's another opportunity, another option. 168 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:05,740 So those were two concerns, and everything that everyone else has brought up, I agree 169 00:21:05,740 --> 00:21:08,100 with as well, that those are questions that I would have. 170 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:16,060 The other thing is, is I would like to see, and if we're going to implement something 171 00:21:16,060 --> 00:21:20,000 like this, that it is more of a pilot. 172 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,240 And I think that it should be somehow quantified. 173 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:29,980 Because if we go ahead and invest the time, and it is a lot of time and energy for everyone 174 00:21:29,980 --> 00:21:35,520 to be there and to take on, you know, this very important role, how do we know at the end 175 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:40,860 to fit if it was actually successful without any numbers of people who attended, numbers 176 00:21:40,860 --> 00:21:44,940 of issues discussed, and what was the outcome of those. 177 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:51,880 And I'm a bit concerned about having this as a new process when we don't have any processes 178 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:57,600 in place for dealing with email correspondence or phone call correspondence and that kind 179 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:57,920 of thing. 180 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:03,900 So I feel like this is adding another layer of complexity around gathering input from people 181 00:22:03,900 --> 00:22:09,400 and being engaged but no real way to measure or to track it and to make sure that we actually 182 00:22:09,940 --> 00:22:15,700 resolve or close the loop for people. So that's probably the main thing that I'm concerned about 183 00:22:15,700 --> 00:22:20,420 with this one. I do think it's a good idea, but I think that more needs to go into thinking about 184 00:22:20,420 --> 00:22:25,960 the mechanics and that it definitely needs to be measurable. And at the end of a pilot, if that was 185 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:30,020 the way that we went, then at least we would have some information that would help us to justify 186 00:22:30,540 --> 00:22:36,380 Yes, we went ahead with it or no, we weren't getting any updates, so therefore we shouldn't, we should just dissolve it. 187 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:37,660 So, thank you. 188 00:22:38,380 --> 00:22:50,620 No, I think you raised a number of really good issues, like security, I think the plan, or at least my initial plan, was to either meet here, which is an open space and you've got the whole staff right behind you here. 189 00:22:50,620 --> 00:23:20,300 So there's I think that that's good although I'm not expecting many I rate people if if you keep that lines of communication open and people that are felt heard I think the level drops so and then in terms of it is a pilot and because if nobody shows up when they will know right very quickly whether or not it's it's an avenue people want to give feedback on if we get really busy and part of the the follow-up will be each counselor that 190 00:23:20,300 --> 00:23:24,500 But does that is going to produce a summary report to report back to Council. 191 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:29,320 And either summarize it, you don't have to give specifics of the individual, but 192 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:32,460 you can, you know, summarize the nature of the complaints and concerns. 193 00:23:32,880 --> 00:23:37,120 And then we can start looking at how big of a scope and is this a one-off situation, 194 00:23:37,120 --> 00:23:41,540 or is it actually happening in a number of locations and people have a generalized concern? 195 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:44,600 So that comes into the processing afterwards. 196 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:49,180 But we need to get a, I would like to get the mechanism out there that gets people giving 197 00:23:49,180 --> 00:23:52,420 feedback to us. And we become accessible. 198 00:23:55,330 --> 00:23:56,010 Okay, last. 199 00:23:58,190 --> 00:24:04,650 Just to touch on Deputy Mayor Greenlaw's point about a number of councillors for the 200 00:24:04,650 --> 00:24:07,430 meeting. So if there was a registration or something like that, let's say we had ten 201 00:24:07,430 --> 00:24:11,550 or fifteen people want to show up, would we set up then to have multiple councillors as 202 00:24:11,550 --> 00:24:16,790 well? That way it's not just, you know, your schedule day to be here having to deal with 203 00:24:16,790 --> 00:24:26,470 multiple people like that, or at that point having enough counselors here, so we can get a fair sort of interview or conversation with each constituent all in kind of one big go. 204 00:24:27,890 --> 00:24:38,670 Thank you. I would hope that's the case. I hope we get tons of people coming and talk to us, and that's a good problem. That's a problem we can solve by adding, you know, increasing the number of people. 205 00:24:39,030 --> 00:24:45,970 But generally, I'm expecting a few people each time and have a nice one-on-one conversation or a small group say a, 206 00:24:46,830 --> 00:24:54,310 We're going to do with the kids from the Boys and Girls Club and have them come and make a presentation and we can talk to them. 207 00:24:54,790 --> 00:25:05,150 So I think we've got a couple of weeks before the next council means to sort some of those issues out, but I think that's a really valid point and I appreciate that. 208 00:25:05,350 --> 00:25:05,470 Thank you. 209 00:25:07,450 --> 00:25:12,630 So, I'll call, oh, sorry, follow up, okay, Councillor Arbor. 210 00:25:13,710 --> 00:25:18,230 Just to Councillor Bess's comments there, I know we've talked about media training and 211 00:25:18,230 --> 00:25:22,470 I think some de-escalation training, de-escalation methods might be good idea if we're going 212 00:25:22,470 --> 00:25:27,230 to do this. As you noted, you could get somebody come in that's upset and, you know, rather than 213 00:25:27,230 --> 00:25:30,850 make things worse, you should understand how to make sure that you can handle the situation. 214 00:25:30,850 --> 00:25:32,590 So we might include that in some of the training. 215 00:25:32,590 --> 00:25:33,170 Oh, 216 00:25:36,470 --> 00:25:37,110 Councillor Brest. 217 00:25:39,540 --> 00:25:47,340 One other question is, would these sessions be having access to Councillors apply only 218 00:25:47,340 --> 00:25:49,720 to residents of St. Stephen? 219 00:25:51,750 --> 00:25:54,150 Well, the whole municipal district of St. Stephen. 220 00:25:54,510 --> 00:25:54,610 Yeah. 221 00:25:55,650 --> 00:26:00,670 If they, we would have to ask them, are you a resident, and if they said no, they wouldn't 222 00:26:00,670 --> 00:26:01,830 qualify to meet with us? 223 00:26:02,650 --> 00:26:07,930 I wouldn't disqualify them, and a bit just question if somebody from outside the municipality 224 00:26:07,930 --> 00:26:16,010 what their objective is, but yeah, oh, councilor Porter. 225 00:26:17,070 --> 00:26:23,230 Just one other thing I think we need to consider is that everybody that works isn't able to attend in the daytime usually. 226 00:26:23,830 --> 00:26:29,190 So we probably should consider an evening time, at least for one of the sessions. 227 00:26:32,190 --> 00:26:36,310 Yeah, good, no, since I've been retired, I forget everybody else has to work. 228 00:26:36,970 --> 00:26:44,830 So, yeah, a valid point, well taken. Thank you. So, could I have a motion that we put this 229 00:26:45,370 --> 00:26:52,770 except the idea and put it on for the next council? Okay, moved by Councillor Porter, seconded 230 00:26:52,770 --> 00:27:00,370 by Councillor Wessor-Linke. I'll call for the question. All those in favor? Opposed? 231 00:27:00,370 --> 00:27:01,410 carried. 232 00:27:03,890 --> 00:27:08,750 Okay, so number three, which is I think what 233 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:13,080 I've heard a number of people talking 234 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:18,860 about already and that is to add to create a couple of Councillor training sessions. Five out 235 00:27:18,860 --> 00:27:28,700 of a six of our Councillors are green and new and feeling a bit abandoned or lost in the wilderness. 236 00:27:28,700 --> 00:27:30,720 This might be a better description. 237 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:36,260 So I've sat down with Jeff and we've looked at a couple of issues, and 238 00:27:36,260 --> 00:27:39,960 to see, to come up with a training program to help new counselors and 239 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:42,960 existing counselors understand the process and 240 00:27:43,740 --> 00:27:49,400 plus open it up for some specific training requests so that we can be all more 241 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:51,080 equipped to do our jobs appropriately. 242 00:27:51,560 --> 00:28:01,380 So, with that, we're going to try to facilitate at least two, maybe three, or more depending 243 00:28:01,380 --> 00:28:02,440 on how the first two go. 244 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:11,050 So, sessions and the first one being municipal governments. 245 00:28:11,610 --> 00:28:13,370 So how do you create a motion? 246 00:28:13,910 --> 00:28:15,690 What are your responsibilities as a councillor? 247 00:28:16,170 --> 00:28:17,670 What can you do as a councillor? 248 00:28:17,750 --> 00:28:19,230 What can you not do as a councillor? 249 00:28:19,230 --> 00:28:30,510 and go through some of those procedures and ideas so that we're better equipped to answer questions of the public and better equipped to ask questions of our administration. 250 00:28:31,210 --> 00:28:47,330 And the second is maybe Councillor Porter might be able to assist with this one and that is finance for the non-financial manager type course so that it's so that we're all become better aware and better trained on how budgets are created, 251 00:28:47,330 --> 00:28:53,270 how we manage budgets, how we look at budgets, how we determine the success or failure of our budgeting process. 252 00:28:53,930 --> 00:28:59,910 So that would be the second session and I'm also open to a third and fourth session of other topics, 253 00:29:00,530 --> 00:29:11,150 which we feel that we might need to be addressed and I've been assured that our staff is going to be more than helpful in helping to get through those processes. 254 00:29:11,150 --> 00:29:11,710 So 255 00:29:13,820 --> 00:29:18,440 one more round of questions, so I'll do what I haven't started with the beginning. 256 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:20,960 I'll start with Councillor Greenlock, or Deputy Mayor Greenlock. 257 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:23,400 Yeah, I think more training the better. 258 00:29:23,860 --> 00:29:27,460 You can never have too much training, the continuous improvement. 259 00:29:27,900 --> 00:29:32,720 I like some of the stuff that Jeff put together with regards to flow charts. 260 00:29:33,220 --> 00:29:38,600 It helps you if you get a problem, you start here, and it'll walk you through the process so that you hit all the right steps. 261 00:29:38,780 --> 00:29:41,800 So I think that kind of stuff is definitely going to help everybody. 262 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:45,860 I'm a big fan of training, so Councillor Cunningham. 263 00:29:48,140 --> 00:29:53,080 So I'm looking forward to training, making sure that I can follow the processes that they're clear. 264 00:29:53,580 --> 00:29:57,080 I'd love opportunity for lots of questions to be able to- 265 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,060 Questions doesn't cut it. I think there's a lot of questions that can get thrown in the middle and ones that are very specific to our municipalities. So I'd like to go from the ideas to the actual, because I want to be able to take concerns that I have piled up all over the place. How do I address those? Because that's the loop that I want to switch and get dealt with. So. Very, very valid point. And actually part of the process to develop the training sessions will be. 266 00:30:29,060 --> 00:30:36,080 The council are submitting areas which they would like to be addressed and so that we can 267 00:30:36,080 --> 00:30:43,080 maybe even produce some theoretical scenarios so that you can have a test run so that we 268 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:50,380 maybe do some mock council meetings, we'll do some mock citizen concerns or any of them 269 00:30:50,380 --> 00:30:55,720 to mock citizen concerns with a lot of controversy so we can see how we can go through the steps 270 00:30:55,720 --> 00:31:04,020 to manage those appropriately within the, yeah, within the direction of the, I'm going to call it the Municipality Act, but it's a local governance act. 271 00:31:05,060 --> 00:31:06,000 That'll show you my age. 272 00:31:07,680 --> 00:31:08,460 Senator, Councillor Morgan. 273 00:31:10,180 --> 00:31:22,460 No, I think the train's a good idea, and I'm on board for that, and it's like, so we're all on the, so we all get on the same page, and our messaging is clear consistent, consistent, the constituents, so we're not sending it more confusion, and we'll get all this minus. 274 00:31:22,460 --> 00:31:24,900 It is, it makes our lives better. 275 00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:29,920 So count, I'll start with Councillor Bess, I haven't done her on the first side. 276 00:31:30,380 --> 00:31:31,420 First on her side yet. 277 00:31:33,540 --> 00:31:35,460 I'm totally on board with the training. 278 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:40,700 I know I have a ton of questions and a lot to learn and so anything that we can learn from 279 00:31:40,700 --> 00:31:47,060 the administration to, you know, work better, work better together is great and I agree with 280 00:31:47,060 --> 00:31:53,380 Bernie too, that as, or sorry, Councilor, I'm sorry, that as thorough as it can be and 281 00:31:53,380 --> 00:31:57,920 the hands-on, the, you know, test cases, you know, the scenarios that those are really 282 00:31:57,920 --> 00:31:58,280 helpful. 283 00:31:58,860 --> 00:32:00,600 So yeah, I definitely agree with it. 284 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:01,600 Okay. 285 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:03,560 Councilor Westerling. 286 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:06,280 I agree with more training as well. 287 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:09,900 I'm just a young pup, ready to learn some new tricks, so I'm all for it. 288 00:32:12,510 --> 00:32:12,830 Thank you. 289 00:32:13,150 --> 00:32:18,250 I'm in favor of training, and this is just the start of it, so as Deputy Mayor Green 290 00:32:18,250 --> 00:32:23,150 There's another good one there for dealing with customers, so worth taking. 291 00:32:24,590 --> 00:32:30,750 Perfect, so thank you very much and so your assignment will be to create that list of questions you need answered. 292 00:32:32,670 --> 00:32:37,570 But before I ask you to do that homework, I have to get you permission to put it on the next agenda. 293 00:32:38,210 --> 00:32:41,410 So could I have a motion to put it on the next agenda? 294 00:32:41,770 --> 00:32:47,390 Thank you, so Councillor Westerling and seconded by Councillor Morgan, I'll call for the question. 295 00:32:47,390 --> 00:32:48,310 All those in favor? 296 00:32:48,910 --> 00:32:49,070 Aye. 297 00:32:49,550 --> 00:32:50,130 Opposed? 298 00:32:50,930 --> 00:32:51,530 Carried. 299 00:32:52,750 --> 00:32:53,870 We're playing along. 300 00:32:54,770 --> 00:32:55,030 Okay. 301 00:32:56,510 --> 00:33:05,010 So last or the second last of the new business is a starting the 2027 budget development process. 302 00:33:05,330 --> 00:33:09,310 And this again is another promise we had made during the campaign. 303 00:33:09,610 --> 00:33:15,490 And that was to push back the start date of the budget process so we could solicit more input from the community. 304 00:33:17,470 --> 00:33:27,510 And Jeff's done a nice job here producing a multi-phase report and with a lot of dates in milestones for creating the budget and submitting it. 305 00:33:27,890 --> 00:33:34,870 And so, officially, if you got, if you, if Council accepts it tonight, the budget process will have been open for the 2027. 306 00:33:36,210 --> 00:33:45,690 And so it's going to go through multiple phases, but basically, it's to get public input so 307 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:49,970 that we can strategically align it with our strategic plan that we've been working on and 308 00:33:50,770 --> 00:33:54,870 avoid to communicate our goals and a way for the public to communicate their goals and 309 00:33:54,870 --> 00:33:58,010 make sure that we're both aligned with the same goal process. 310 00:33:58,010 --> 00:34:05,950 this. So there's several phases in this. And first of all, there'll be a public consultation 311 00:34:05,950 --> 00:34:14,350 period and they can do that either online, we'll have dated sessions. So the community 312 00:34:14,350 --> 00:34:19,010 can submit their submissions and ask for anything they want. So if you had the perfect 313 00:34:19,010 --> 00:34:23,450 town and you wanted everything, write it down and tell us what you want in St. Stephen. 314 00:34:23,450 --> 00:34:35,190 And then our administration will gather that, summarize it, cost it out, and we'll tell you how much it's going to cost you in your next year's tax bill. 315 00:34:35,890 --> 00:34:45,150 And then we'll have follow-up consultation periods and online consultation periods where you can say, well, that's a little steep, maybe better cut that back a little bit, here's what's less important. 316 00:34:45,150 --> 00:34:54,050 and will prune down the budget till it becomes an acceptable cost, and an acceptable delivery of services and processes. 317 00:34:55,310 --> 00:35:03,730 So I think in case there's any other questions, I'm just going to start around again and we'll start with Councillor Porter since this is the budget. 318 00:35:05,950 --> 00:35:11,440 Thanks, I'm good with everything here, so Councillor Brest. 319 00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:17,770 I really like the level of detail and the entire plan. 320 00:35:17,910 --> 00:35:23,650 I think that it's obviously all the dates are great and it's achievable, hopefully. 321 00:35:23,990 --> 00:35:29,150 I mean, it's always challenging to stick with our schedule, so hopefully we will actually 322 00:35:29,150 --> 00:35:30,430 achieve the schedule. 323 00:35:31,130 --> 00:35:38,970 I guess two questions that I have are around with all the deliverables that are in here or 324 00:35:38,970 --> 00:35:43,070 the tactics that are in here around seeking public input. 325 00:35:47,850 --> 00:35:49,590 We've done most of them in the past. 326 00:35:50,110 --> 00:35:56,550 Have they been successful enough to justify doing it again? And I guess, how do we measure 327 00:35:56,550 --> 00:36:01,750 success? I don't know, is it just numbers or what level of engagement have we had? And 328 00:36:01,750 --> 00:36:07,250 the other question I have is the actual resourcing. So there's no mention in here about the financial 329 00:36:07,250 --> 00:36:15,550 implications, how much morality is going to cost, and that's one of the things that Council is supposed to know before we approve this kind of a proposal. 330 00:36:16,910 --> 00:36:18,810 Yeah, so those are the two things that I'm wondering. 331 00:36:20,330 --> 00:36:24,590 Okay, I'll defer the financial one to Jeff since he's worked out the plan. 332 00:36:28,340 --> 00:36:37,700 Yeah, so there's not significant financial, it's all within our operating budget for things like hosting our open houses and whatnot. 333 00:36:37,700 --> 00:36:44,320 But as far as what we've done in the past, I would say that over the years it's been 334 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:45,660 mixed results, depending on the year. 335 00:36:48,640 --> 00:36:52,720 Some of the people that are seeing around this table have sat through budget meetings 336 00:36:52,720 --> 00:36:59,160 with me before, where my goal is to step that up another level here with a little bit more 337 00:36:59,160 --> 00:37:04,960 opportunity for not only the input, but also the feedback loop on it by starting earlier. 338 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:33,560 We have more time to do that, and I think what we, when it comes to the, what I would say is the most significant policy document for municipal council to pass, which is the budget, even when attendance is lower at some of the meetings and stuff, you don't want to walk away from it, yet you have to provide the opportunity, because it may be two people that show up, but they might have great ideas too. 339 00:37:33,560 --> 00:37:42,000 If you don't want to remove that, so what we've built here is an intent to make it a little 340 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:46,560 more robust than we have in the past, more opportunities and both more opportunities 341 00:37:46,560 --> 00:37:49,420 and Councillor or Deputy Mayor Greenwell can speak this too. 342 00:37:49,760 --> 00:37:53,540 I think there's more opportunities here for the Council administration back and forth 343 00:37:53,540 --> 00:37:59,040 than we've historically had on the budget documents as well by starting earlier and creating 344 00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:04,900 more time. So I think in general, and we always do those meetings in public as well. 345 00:38:05,060 --> 00:38:09,400 So that's another public, these viewable portion of the dialogue around the budget. 346 00:38:11,180 --> 00:38:14,740 So I think we're, I think it's a good plan. I don't think it's going to be 347 00:38:15,940 --> 00:38:23,280 over the owners on any of the resourcing. I see that looking at Frank who just the back, 348 00:38:23,280 --> 00:38:28,600 the backroom side of it and they sell sheets and I tend to take on the public, more public facing 349 00:38:28,600 --> 00:38:36,260 elements of the budget process, it's standard course for our yearly operations. 350 00:38:37,140 --> 00:38:41,880 So I don't think there's any challenges there, but certainly the biggest challenge, 351 00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:44,340 I think is correctly identified, is staying on the timelines. 352 00:38:44,660 --> 00:38:48,200 We, other things pop up and what that things happen. 353 00:38:49,960 --> 00:38:56,100 But we also know that November 15th is a looming date in the legislation and have every intention 354 00:38:56,100 --> 00:38:57,980 of hitting that data for the final adoption. 355 00:39:00,920 --> 00:39:02,500 Thank you, Jeff. 356 00:39:02,720 --> 00:39:05,980 Yeah, so we're adding another two months to the process. 357 00:39:06,200 --> 00:39:08,520 So we have to be able to get this feedback. 358 00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:13,220 We've got two more extra months of breathing space. 359 00:39:13,440 --> 00:39:15,340 Now, we're putting stuff in that breathing space, 360 00:39:15,340 --> 00:39:18,520 but I'm confident that we can pull it off. 361 00:39:18,700 --> 00:39:21,720 And like I say, that November 15 deadline 362 00:39:21,720 --> 00:39:24,320 is carved in titanium. 363 00:39:24,640 --> 00:39:25,300 It doesn't move. 364 00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:27,480 So, 365 00:39:30,580 --> 00:39:34,370 we're going to end up with Councillor Westerling. 366 00:39:35,390 --> 00:39:40,610 Yeah, I mean the timeline looks, I don't say aggressive, but it's certainly achievable. 367 00:39:41,330 --> 00:39:43,910 I'm okay with how this is laid out as it's presented. 368 00:39:44,750 --> 00:39:47,930 And yeah, if we buck it down state of the timeline, we shouldn't have any issues. 369 00:39:49,850 --> 00:39:50,730 Councillor Morgan. 370 00:39:52,310 --> 00:39:53,890 Yeah, it looks well thought out to me. 371 00:39:53,990 --> 00:39:55,050 I like to plan the phases. 372 00:39:55,050 --> 00:40:03,870 And what would be like rolling this out on our web page and our social media so that the constituency the whole plan if they're not here to make? 373 00:40:05,350 --> 00:40:17,970 Actually, the phase one has already been launched. It was launched on Monday. A number of residents have already taken up the opportunity to submit via the online portion. 374 00:40:17,970 --> 00:40:18,870 And so it is on the website. 375 00:40:19,250 --> 00:40:22,250 It was also sent out by Alertable, which also had our Facebook feeds. 376 00:40:23,230 --> 00:40:26,670 So it is out there, and people are taking us up on it. 377 00:40:28,610 --> 00:40:29,890 So that's a good part. 378 00:40:31,430 --> 00:40:34,410 So yeah, we'll just keep working the program as it goes. 379 00:40:35,710 --> 00:40:36,510 Perfect, thank you. 380 00:40:37,310 --> 00:40:38,030 Councillor Cunningham. 381 00:40:39,830 --> 00:40:41,630 So I think it looks pretty good. 382 00:40:41,850 --> 00:40:44,350 I attended the public engagement. 383 00:40:44,350 --> 00:40:48,270 I came in lots of information so I think that's valuable. 384 00:40:48,930 --> 00:40:56,710 The one thing I would see if it's possible that the engagement that people put in, that they end up feeling like it made a difference. 385 00:40:57,270 --> 00:41:10,490 So I don't know if that transfers where the constituents really feel like the time spent made an impact on what did their voice make a difference when they came and showed up. 386 00:41:13,030 --> 00:41:19,030 Oh, thank you, and I think we heard that during the campaign as well, but I think by having 387 00:41:19,030 --> 00:41:26,590 them give us feedback, information out front, distilling it, presenting it to them and then 388 00:41:26,590 --> 00:41:31,930 getting a second round of feedback and they'll see where their impact or their feedback is 389 00:41:31,930 --> 00:41:33,550 actually having an impact on our direction. 390 00:41:34,270 --> 00:41:40,730 And so I think it's because if you give feedback once and you don't see an impact, you assume 391 00:41:40,730 --> 00:41:46,270 that the decision was made before they asked for the feedback, but we're asking for feedback before any decisions are made. 392 00:41:46,910 --> 00:41:52,750 We're going to distill it, present back the options, and then the feedback will drive the rest of it. 393 00:41:53,530 --> 00:42:02,970 So I'm hoping by giving more accountability and more transparency that people will buy into it, because they'll understand it and they'll see what's actually happening. 394 00:42:03,830 --> 00:42:05,650 Count, Deputy Mayor Greenlaw. 395 00:42:06,330 --> 00:42:07,970 Yeah, it looks great. 396 00:42:08,890 --> 00:42:14,330 I think it's very important that this gets put out there so that as many people as possible 397 00:42:14,330 --> 00:42:14,910 know. 398 00:42:15,150 --> 00:42:17,090 And I really want to encourage everybody to come. 399 00:42:17,270 --> 00:42:22,090 There's a lot of variables this year with the property tax freeze coming off, with the 400 00:42:22,530 --> 00:42:28,790 new regulations and legislation around what we can and can't do with tax rates, you know, 401 00:42:28,790 --> 00:42:32,830 You've got RCMP contracts, there's all kinds of variables coming into this budget process. 402 00:42:33,370 --> 00:42:35,650 And the more people that come out in here and listen and learn, 403 00:42:36,030 --> 00:42:37,530 the better you're going to understand. 404 00:42:38,130 --> 00:42:42,450 And to Councillor Cunningham's point, it's always good after the process is finished and 405 00:42:42,450 --> 00:42:46,390 we've already established the tax rates or whatever to go back and ask some of the people, 406 00:42:46,590 --> 00:42:48,290 how did you feel about that whole process? 407 00:42:48,910 --> 00:42:51,350 So it's like a quality control check, so I'd like to see that. 408 00:42:51,670 --> 00:42:51,930 Thank you. 409 00:42:53,010 --> 00:42:53,910 Perfect, awesome comments. 410 00:42:53,910 --> 00:43:03,910 So could I have a motion to put this before the next council meeting as a move by Councillor 411 00:43:03,910 --> 00:43:09,250 Cunningham, seconded by Councillor Best. Call for the question. All those in favour? 412 00:43:10,630 --> 00:43:11,190 Opposed? 413 00:43:12,490 --> 00:43:13,050 Carried. 414 00:43:15,960 --> 00:43:21,700 The last item is an agenda item that I add it. And first before I go into that addition, 415 00:43:21,700 --> 00:43:29,260 I'd like to thank Deputy Mayor Greenlaw for being me for the last, for a couple of key appointments. 416 00:43:30,100 --> 00:43:36,480 And so he filled in as the mayor for the last council meeting, and he also represented me in Calis. 417 00:43:36,900 --> 00:43:40,860 And at the Southwest Service, oh no, that was Council reporter at the Southwest Service Commission. 418 00:43:41,320 --> 00:43:44,860 While I was away getting my continuing education for my professional life. 419 00:43:45,060 --> 00:43:49,480 So I appreciate all the backup and people stepping up and doing all that. 420 00:43:49,480 --> 00:43:59,240 So, with that, there's one item of correspondence, and I think Councillor Greenlock can take a bow for it, so I think you wanted to read that into Council's minutes today. 421 00:44:00,220 --> 00:44:02,480 Do you want to set it up and explain what it is first? 422 00:44:03,380 --> 00:44:03,880 No, okay. 423 00:44:04,240 --> 00:44:16,920 All right, well, so Mayor Bachman did up a nice speech and letter for the City Council in callus, 424 00:44:16,920 --> 00:44:25,400 and, you know, to celebrate their 250th, and he also created himself, crafted a nice 425 00:44:25,400 --> 00:44:32,820 gavel, which had the gavel was actually the head of an eagle, and that in a nice basket 426 00:44:32,820 --> 00:44:40,340 from Genongs was presented to Council. So I was over there, Councillor Cunningham, 427 00:44:41,240 --> 00:44:46,700 Councillor Morgan, and Councillor Bess also attended. It was very good. We got to see 428 00:44:46,700 --> 00:44:57,000 some of their council process, and they've good issues too, they're working through budget issues, but anyway, it was very good. 429 00:45:00,050 --> 00:45:29,990 So I'll read that. On behalf of the City of Calis, we extend our sincere appreciation to the town of St. Stephen for your generous and thoughtful gift basket and beautifully carved mayor's gavel presented in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Your kindness and generosity are deeply appreciated. The handcrafted gavel is not only a meaningful symbol of civic leadership and public service, but it also represents the enduring friendship and mutual respect shared between our neighboring communities. The gift basket further reflects the warm 430 00:45:29,990 --> 00:45:32,310 warmth and hospitality for which St. Stephen's will know. 431 00:45:32,770 --> 00:45:37,230 Although an international border separates our municipalities, our history, traditions, 432 00:45:37,470 --> 00:45:40,910 and daily lives have long demonstrated that friendship knows no boundaries. 433 00:45:41,430 --> 00:45:45,190 For generations, the people of Calis and St. Stephen have enjoyed a unique relationship, 434 00:45:45,450 --> 00:45:50,750 built on cooperation, mutual support, and a shared commitment to strengthening our cross-border communities. 435 00:45:51,350 --> 00:45:54,610 As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, 436 00:45:54,670 --> 00:45:59,010 we are especially grateful to receive such a thoughtful gesture from our Canadian neighbors. 437 00:45:59,010 --> 00:46:04,430 It serves as a reminder that our partnership extends far beyond geography and is rooted 438 00:46:04,430 --> 00:46:07,250 in respect, goodwill, and a shared vision for the future. 439 00:46:07,770 --> 00:46:10,390 Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your generosity and friendship. 440 00:46:10,830 --> 00:46:15,010 We look forward to continuing the strong relationship between our communities for many years to come. 441 00:46:15,550 --> 00:46:18,750 And that was signed by the mayor and all of the councillors. 442 00:46:23,340 --> 00:46:30,220 And I apologize for not getting there, but Callus has always been a sister community for us. 443 00:46:30,220 --> 00:46:37,000 In fact, Councillor Morehead, his father graduated with my mother-in-law, so those connections 444 00:46:37,000 --> 00:46:40,640 run deep and they're long historical, so we very much appreciate the relationship we've 445 00:46:40,640 --> 00:46:46,060 had with all our neighbors in the St. Croix Valley, so it's a very positive note to end 446 00:46:46,060 --> 00:46:52,440 on, so with that, I think that's the end of the agenda, and I'll ask for a motion to close 447 00:46:53,440 --> 00:46:55,580 for tonight's evening, so can I have a motion? 448 00:46:58,090 --> 00:47:06,050 Okay. Can I have moved by Councillor Greenland for the closed session and seconded by Councillor 449 00:47:06,050 --> 00:47:12,310 Westerling that we move into a closed session and I'll call for the question. 450 00:47:14,780 --> 00:47:15,040 All those 451 00:47:15,040 --> 00:47:17,440 in favour? Opposed? 452 00:47:18,060 --> 00:47:22,560 Carried. So I'll give a five minute recess while we empty out and then 453 00:47:22,560 --> 00:47:23,080 Thank you.