Council

Over the last few weeks, we have all been adjusting to a ‘new normal’. Whether it is working from home, finding new activities for the children, limiting trips to stores, socializing through new channels, or ensuring we are physically distancing from others, we are all doing our part to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

Council and Administration continue to ensure we are all up to date with the most recent information as it pertains to COVID-19. Based on recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer, as well as analysis and discussion with Administration, Council strives to make the best decisions for the safety of the community. 

We have had to make some very difficult decisions. During the April 14 Regular Meeting of Council, the unanimous decision was made to extend the closure of the Town Office, Morinville Leisure Centre, Morinville Community Cultural Centre, as well as outdoor baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, skate park and the outdoor splash park until June 30, 2020. This also includes the cancellation of programs and events. While extremely difficult, on April 15, we announced that our workforce would be scaled back to ensure the Town’s long-term sustainability. Despite the ongoing challenges, staff continue to ensure business continuity across the municipality from waste collection, to road repairs, to economic development.

At this time, our municipal census is also underway, and we need residents to participate online through our website, or by calling the Town Office. The information that is gathered assists the Town with future planning, program development, grant applications and helps shape the future of Morinville for generations to come! We have been blown away by the support our local businesses are receiving from each of you – it is a true testament to the pride our community has for its fellow residents, neighbours and businesses. We encourage you to support local and, if at all possible, to buy a little extra to donate to the Morinville Food Bank. Given our collective efforts of physical distancing, good hygiene practices and staying safe together, we are slowing the spread of COVID-19. As a result, we begin to move through stages of the relaunch strategy recently laid out by our Government, while ensuring we all continue to follow public health guidelines, all the while, shifting our focus from the fear and anxiety of the past few weeks and start looking to the future with hope and cautious confidence.

From all members of Council, thank you.

At the February 25 Regular Meeting of Council, the unanimous decision was made to join the Regional Transit Services Commission (RTSC). In support of this decision, Council has asked Administration to bring forward a plan for a pilot transit program to be operated between Morinville and St. Albert during peak hours between September and December. Also during this period, the Town will be undertaking a public engagement program to further determine the needs of the community around public transit. We look forward to hearing the thoughts of the Community, and analyzing the usage rates of this service.

Census Day in Morinville is April 1, 2020 and we encourage residents to participate on-line through our website. By this date, each household will receive a unique PIN code. On-line participation is available from April 1 – May 15, 2020. Following this date, Census workers will be out in the community collecting information from those households who have not yet completed their census. The information that is gathered assists the Town with future planning, program development, grant applications and helps shape the future of Morinville for generations to come!

We want to hear from you! If you wish to appear before Council to bring awareness of a program or project, voice concerns or even share some accolades, we have a standing item for public presentations on the agenda for each of our Council Meetings. To be included on the agenda, you can register in advance with the Legislative Officer, sign up at Council Chambers on the day of the meeting, or answer the Mayor’s public call for presentations from the gallery during the meeting.

For more information, please visit www.morinville.ca or call 780-939-4361. 

This month, Council will be begin updating the Strategic Plan for the next three years. This past year, we were successful in achieving many of our priorities, and moving others forward. Strategic planning is important to our Community as it sets our priorities, focuses our energy and resources, and ensures that Council and Administration are working towards common goals. We will share this plan once it is finalized.

Councillor S. Hall has been representing the Town of Morinville on the Regional Transit Services Commission (RTSC) –a committee tasked with examining the feasibility of combining transit services in the Edmonton Metro Region. In January, the report: “Accelerating Transit in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region: Building a Regional Transit Services Commission”, was released and it recommends combining and enhancing transit services of the 13 participating municipalities.

As reflected in the report, uniting transit services across regional boundaries will allow for a more efficient and cost effective transit service, while reducing barriers to entry for communities that want to start a new transit service and eliminating the need for duplication of services along key corridors.

This report will be presented during the February 11, 2020 Regular Meeting of Council at 4 p.m. We encourage you to attend and learn more. You can also find this report on our website.

Our work with Sturgeon County continues on the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework, as well as planning a jointly hosted regional roundtable to look at shared efficiencies. Edmonton Metro Region Board is striving to find ways of cost reduction for the entire region. Regional collaboration is important to all members of Council, and as Council we are committed to working with these groups to benefit our ratepayers.

We encourage you all to each out and share your concerns and kudo’s with us. Our contact information can be found at www.morinville.ca or call 780-939-4361.

Here’s to 2020! As we begin the New Year, Council has many initiatives that are moving forward to benefit the Town of Morinville.

In December Council passed the 2020 Operating Budget and the 2020 – 2039 Capital Plan. Being very cognizant of the challenging times in the province, Council and Administration worked collaboratively throughout this budget process to maintain existing core service levels and continuing to meet the needs of the residents and businesses.

After discussion, Council approved a 2% residential tax increase – an average increase of $49 for homeowners. The non-residential tax rate was also set at 2% for an average increase of $134 for commercial accounts and $241 for industrial accounts.

Strengthening regional partnerships will be a key focus for Council this coming year. Three key initiatives continue to be the focus of this collaboration – ICF, EMRB, and the RTSC.

The Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) focuses on integrated and strategic planning, delivery and funding of intermunicipal services. It allows for resources to be allocated efficiently and ensures municipalities contribute funding to services that benefit residents. Ongoing discussions with Sturgeon County are moving forward and we are confident that this framework will be finalized by the Provincial deadline of March 31, 2020.

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) initiative Shared Investment for Shared Benefit has been identified as the #1 priority in the regional strategic plan. We will be working together to tackle the question – “Why do the same thing 13 times individually when we could do it once collaboratively and efficiently?” The Mayor and Council appointees to this group will be sharing the ongoing work and outcomes as we move this forward.

Regional Transportation Services Commission (RTSC) will be making a public presentation to Council in February to share the final report complete with recommendations and investment information. Regional voting on this plan is scheduled for March. This group has been working diligently to develop a public transit plan that will satisfy many of the region’s needs.

Thank you for your continued support, and your commitment to Morinville.