Ladies and Gentlemen
Happy New Year - 2017
The New Year starts with celebration but 2017 will also be
a critical year for Midland. The Town’s agenda contains a number of major items
and the time to accomplish them is short. I expect that by 2018, an election year,
Council’s energy will be increasingly focused on politics and less on the
important work before us.
In this first News from the Town of 2017 I will take you
through those major agenda items. But before doing that it is important to step
back and ask the question “Why?” – Why are these items important to Midland and
for our future? Why can’t we just stop
and do things the way we did them 10 years ago?
The answer to that question is that you the citizens told
us that you want to move Midland forward. That direction has come in a number of ways:
by electing your progressive Council in 2014; by participating in the many
planning/information sessions organized by the Town; but most importantly by
being engaged in the many supportive and civic activities that make Midland
such an exceptional community.
In my many conversations with residents I hear about how
they want Midland to be a livable community for the elderly, for children, for
families, for all. They want to have
access to a healthy lifestyle that includes good healthcare and recreational
opportunities. They want good schools for their children and educational
resources for adults. They want quality jobs that will attract and retain young
workers. And they want a tolerant community where they can socialize with their
friends and confidently welcome new citizens, such as our Syrian refugee family.
A community for all to take pride in.
It’s a high bar but it is doable. Your Council’s 2017
agenda takes major steps in realizing your vision. But remember it is your vision too. Make 2017
your year for getting it done.
Council Issues Update
Town Hall – Planning
and Staffing
Before starting any major job you need to have the right
people in place and a sound plan of action. In September 2016 Council brought
in our new CAO John Skorobohacz and new CFO/Treasurer Susan Turnbull. They have
spent the last three months coming to grips with the realities of our municipality
and are now ready to turn to the major work items of 2017.
In late 2016 Mr. Skorobohacz presented Council with a “strategic
critique” of our municipal operations entitled Midland Forward. http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/CAO-2016-9%20Midland%20Forward.pdf#search=midland%20forward
The report identified many areas for improvement
including communications, information technology and the need for a complete
operational re-assessment. Many of the
work items in Midland Forward will be actioned throughout 2017-18.
Some further staff adjustments will also be required. Our
Clerk, Andrea Fay has announced her move to Wasaga Beach. Mr. Jamie Galloway, our Engineer, has decided
to move back to the private sector. These positions will be filled over the
next few months.
OPP Costing
A quality policing service is vital to our community’s
safety. The Midland Police Service provides a great policing service but it
comes at a cost - approximately 26% of our 2015 tax levy is devoted to police costs.
While most residents are satisfied with the quality of the service, many have raised
the question “Are we paying too much?”
In the previous term of Council, the decision was made to
have a fair look at other policing options. The initial review showed that only
the OPP was in a position to service Midland. At the start of this term of
Council the OPP was asked to provide a costing for their service. I expect that
costing estimate to be provided to us later this month. Council will then have
approximately 6 months to assess their service offering and decide on how best
to maintain Midland’s high standards of policing service.
Midland Bay Landing
Even though Midland is situated on the shores of Georgian
Bay residents have told Council in numerous ways that they want better access
to the Bay. In 2013 Unimin Inc. announced it would be closing its operation. Council
took the bold step to purchase the Unimin property - some 40 prime downtown
acres located right on our waterfront. At the same time many Midland citizens
worked with the Town to develop a vision for the land. That vision came to be
known as Midland Bay Landing.
Two year ago, Council entered into an agreement with a
private sector developer to work with us in implementing that vision. While
some preliminary work has been undertaken on the site, much remains to be done.
Over the next four months Council will be addressing this gap and making plans
to ensure that our vision for Midland Bay Landing becomes a reality.
MPUC
Both residents and the municipality agree that the Midland
Power Utility Corporation (MPUC) is one of our major assets. Since MPUC was
formed as a corporation in 2000 it has faithfully supplied electricity to the
Town. But just distributing electricity is no longer enough. Changes in energy
technology, new business models, increased provincial regulation and provincial
emphasis on consolidation make operating a small power utility a risky
proposition. Is there a better way to
ensure citizens will continue to receive quality electricity services while
reducing the risk for everyone?
Council decided some two years ago to ask that question.
After a lengthy public discussion Council decided to retain a legal firm to
solicit bids for the sale of MPUC. The bids are expected in February/March.
Council will then have to decide if any of these bids provide Midland with the
electrical services it requires for its future. A final decision is expected
before year’s end.
Downtown Health Clinic
Midland citizens clearly identify healthcare as one of
their top priorities. One of the key needs in our community, even though it is
not widely recognized, is having convenient access to mental health services. Mental
health services should be as available as any other visit to the doctor’s
office would be.
Two years ago Council was approached by Chigamik/Waypoint
to help them provide these needed services to many residents in our downtown.
Council agreed to lease a portion of land at Edgehill Park for a downtown healthcare
facility. The project has been approved
by the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN and is waiting scheduling by the Ministry of
Health. I expect that the site plans will be back before Council this spring
with construction to start shortly thereafter.
GBGH
It
has been a tumultuous year for our hospital. Citizens have been engaged in the
debate about funding our hospital and more recently the consultant’s report
recommending the closure of a number of clinical services. The good news is
that the clinical services are staying and the hospital has received nearly a
million dollar increase to its base funding plus additional funding to complete
its Emergency Department.
While
Council has no formal responsibility for the hospital, a sustainability community
hospital is essential to Midland’s future. Council will continue to participate
in the healthcare discussion in 2017, especially as the provincial strategy for
homecare services is rolled out.
Budget
The
key annual planning document for Council is the budget. Far from being “a lot
of numbers” this budget identifies specifically what Council and staff intend
to do and how we are backing that up with your taxpayers’ dollars.
The
2017 budget has been delayed due to getting new key staff in place. The public
budget process will start in late January and is expected to wrap up by March.
The delay should not affect Town operations. Look for some of the strategy
ideas from Midland Forward to appear in the 2017 budget.
Official Plan Review
Another
key document that guides Council and our Town’s future is the Official Plan.
This provincially mandated document describes in some detail the physical shape
of the Town – what the roads look like; where people will live; where the parks
will be – and much more. The Town is currently updating its Official Plan,
which will keep staff and Council busy for most of 2017. http://www.midland.ca/official-plan-review
One
of the challenges of planning is ensuring effective public engagement. While planning
can be a dry topic, it none-the-less gives all citizens the opportunity to see
what is proposed for the next 5 years and to make comments on those plans. Some
of the ideas that staff have come up with to improve engagement include:
-
Informal
meetings with staff to discuss specific Official Plan topics
-
An
“Official Plan 101” meeting to improve interest in the process
-
Public
Open House on the draft Official Plan
Look
for these opportunities for your participation in the months ahead.
Economic Development
Without economic development (jobs and wealth creation)
we will not be able to sustain our standard of living. The wealth created by
good jobs puts money in the pockets of residents plus provides the tax base for
delivering the public services that we all rely upon.
In 2014 your Council, together with the other North
Simcoe municipalities, created and
funded the Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe. Its purpose is to attract and retain local
businesses (especially manufacturer) plus promote our tourism economy.
While EDCNS is off to a good start, economic development
requires a long-term commitment. This year Council will reaffirm its commitment
to economic development in the budget and potentially start to focus on other
areas for development such as healthcare services and entrepreneurism.
*****
As you can see Council and Staff are in for a busy year.
The
Week Ahead
Despite the busy agenda (above), the first week of January
looks pretty quiet. Enjoy it while it
lasts.
On a reflective note, the past Deputy Mayor of Tay
Township, Bill Rawson, has passed away. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday
January 7th at 1:00 pm at the Oakwood Community Center in Victoria Harbor.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Getting it Done - 2017
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