2007 - 05 - 04 - Column

Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Council Strategic Planning Process
As a result of concern raised by myself and others during the initial session on transfomation of the City over the next 1000 days, provision has been made for public input into the process. There will be a Decima citizen survey of a statistically valid sample of 1000 citizenss to obtain views on City priorities and satisfaction with City services. The Online and 311 (phone) priority questionnaire, that any citizen can use to individually put forward views, is available until May 11th. My suggestion of using Ward council meetings to provide feedback to Councillors has now been suggested as a method for all Councillors to obtain feedback. Then on July 9th Council will sit as a Council of the Whole (that is a meeting of all members of Council listening directly from members of the public) to hear delegations on the draft Summary Council directions document that will be available on June 22nd. In September the draft City Corporate Plan, based on the directions document and outlining changes in governance, services and financing, will be tabled and additional public input received prior to finanizing the plan. This plan will then be implemented during the remainder of the 1000 days. Development of this plan is a major undertaking. It is not easy for a member of the public to respond without having some knowledge of what the City provides in the way of services, both basic services and those mandated by the Province. These are some of the areas of Council responsibility: water (municipal in the urban area and some villages plus standards set by the province in rural areas), sanitary sewers in the urban area and some villages, storm sewers and drainage including storm water ponds, roads (except for Provincial Highways), bridges, traffic signals, traffic controls, transit, para transit, parks, environmental lands, playing fields, arenas and community buildings, emergency planning, housing, planning and development, building permits, licensing, snow removal, recycling, waste services (garbage collection and disposal), fleet services, rural services, bylaw enforcement, fire protection, police and library services (through separate Boards but funded by the City), environmental issues, administration of the City (finance, Council services, human resources, legal,communications, technology etc.), City Hall and Client Service Centres, economic development, cultural services. Those mandated by the Province (which pays a part of the cost but which in other provinces are funded and run by the province), include childcare, employment and financial services (social services), paramedics, public health and homes for the aged. Many of the social services are carried out through contracts with voluntary associations with the City providing a contribution to the costs.
Funding for these services comes primarily from taxation (about 50%), development charges on new development, provincial contributions, user fees and provincial and federal gas tax contributions. City operations are varied and complicated so it is not easy to set priorities without disadvantaging some residents. However, with the tight financial situation all cities face in maintaining civic infrastructure and insufficient funds to meet basic requirements, we need to find ways to do things better and to find additional sources of revenue. Your suggestions into this process are welcomed. At the April 30th Ward Council I will start the process to gain your views. A second session will be set further along the process when I can let you know the direction in which Council is moving.
Spring Cleanup
Although it rained on April 28th hundreds of Kanata North residents were out cleaning our communities. Morgan's Grant/Briarbrook and Beaverbrook did community wide cleanups while others took care of local parks and streets. Village Green and Kanata Lake plan community cleanups on May 5th so consider going out to help as many hands make light work. I'm impressed by the number of residents who carry a bag with them on their walks to pick up litter on a daily basis. Thanks so much and keep up the good work. It's our community and by working together we can maintain it well.
Kid's Help Phone Line

The Kid's Help phone line provides immediate help and hope that young people need, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Counsellors answer calls and online questions, no matter what the problem or concern, providing help to thousands of children who don't know where else to turn. If necessary, referrals are made to local community or social agencies. To help raise fund for this service the Bell Walk for Kids Help Phone is being held on May 6th. I'm walking for kids - you can help by providing a pledge to keep me walking. Go to my website and click on 'this link' under the shoes to help out.
Website
My new website is now open. This is one more way in which I can stay in touch with Kanata North residents and provide news on developments, upcoming events and meetings affecting our ward. Go to www.mariannewilkinson.com to view the website. I'd appreciate your feedback and suggestions for improvements to the site.
A Coming Events
April 15- May 15, Spring Cleaning the Capital
May 6th - Marianne walks for Kid's Help Phone Line May 9th, Kanata Food Cupboard roasts Ben Babelowsky, May 11th, Deadline for Citizen's Priority Questionnaire at Ottawa.ca or call into 311 May 12th, Briarbrook/Morgan's Grant Community Garage Sale May 12th, Senior's Centre, inside Garage Sale June 15th, Deadline for Green Partnership Pilot Program June 23rd, Give-Away Day
Working for the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion you can contact me at City Hall at 613-580-2474 or by email [email protected] or through www.mariannewilkinson.com

2007 - 05 - 04 - Column

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2007 - 05 - 04 - Column

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Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Council Strategic Planning Process

Kid's Help Phone Line

Working for the residents and businesses in Kanata North

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