COCHRANE–– Cochrane Council has set its Strategic Priorities for the next two-years which help guide the growing community and its pursuit of infrastructure projects.
During Monday's (June 8) council meeting, chief administrative officer, Drew Hyndman presented the group with its Strategic Priorities for the 2020-2022 years.
The purpose of the Council Strategic Priorities is to pave a course of action for the organization's efforts, outline programs and services offered to the community and guide the budget process.
Hyndman explained Council has four strategic priorities –– Community Connectivity, Community Development and Planning, Community Engagement and Community Facilities and Services.
Hyndman touched on what was completed in 2019 in regards to Councils Strategic Priorities.
"Under Community Connectivity we've finalized the agreements for the ultimate access to Sunset Ridge, implemented local on-demand transit which included finalizing a contract with Southland, and tested the on-demand systems for the fall implementation. We completed the design and construction of the Sunset Ridge pathway connection. We completed the Spray Lake to Jim Uffelman Memorial park pathway connection and improved pathway connectivity along George Fox Trail."
In terms of Development and Planning, Hyndman said a long term community visioning plan was completed, the annexation of the Heritage Hills quarter section was completed, a master plan received approval from Rocky View Schools, and the annexation of the 40-acre site north of Sunset Ridge was also completed.
On the community engagement side, Hyndman mentioned a customer satisfaction survey was conducted, finally addressing that a focus was emphasized on achieving organizational efficiencies for Facilities and Services.
"I continue to be really excited about our Council Priorities that we're talking about," said councillor Patrick Wilson. "The road network, improving our local infrastructure, getting rail crossings and bridges and road widenings going are all things that we're all very excited about."
Hyndman said that the goals for 2020 are already underway.
For Community Connectivity the Town is working to acquire bus fleet, install transit stops, and complete construction of the asphalt pathway surrounding the east side of Jumping Pound Bridge.
On the agenda for Development and Planning is to create a 10-year Economic Development Strategy.
Hyndman explained that Community Engagement has been challenging this year due to COVID-19, but they are always looking at innovative ways to address and adapt to the situation.
"We still want to emphasize the importance of engagement where we can," Hyndman said.
As for Community Facilities and Services, Hyndman said while they continue to work on organizational efficiencies, throughout the COVID period they have reached out to the organization and requested that managers find efficiencies in the operational budgets and have also looked at capital projects which are being reviewed and altered to make strategic efficiencies going forward.
Hyndman added that the many projects are anticipated to be completed in 2020 including the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge which is on budget and on time to open in the fall. The highly anticipated Horse Creek pedestrian crossing is virtually right there he said explaining the wait is on Canadian Pacific to activate the signals. Upgrades to the asphalt pathway on Crawford Ranch and construction on the asphalt pathway between River Avenue and the regional pathway near Bow River are also taking place
Hyndman said they will continue with Community Engagement opportunities through the land use bylaw as well as the Centre Avenue upgrades.
While the annexation is complete in Heritage Hills, Hyndman said, they need to formally acquire the 130-acre parcel from Rocky View Schools, complete the land use bylaw review and update, implement an annual review and update every five years which the land-use bylaw team is working on and will be presenting in the fall and finally design a new integrated RCMP and Municipal Enforcement, detachment.
Coun. Marni Fedeyko said she was optimistic about priorities and the work done by council, she cautioned there are many moving parts involved in big infrastructure projects that can affect the eventual outcome.
"It's one of those things where it sounds like we're moving forward on projects, I just don't want to misconstrue that to the public. People are going to expect them next year that they're going to be opened up and we're going to be moving forward. A lot of these have a lot of extra steps and a lot of contingencies behind them," she said.
Wilson followed up on Fedeyko and comments pertaining to the budget. He said through all the good being done, he is worried about the allocation of CRL funds to future projects saying they are going to hand the baton off to a future council and its concerning because when funding is already allocated, there lies an expectation.
Mayor Jeff Genung said this was something that could be addressed and broken down at a future meeting.
"For your comfort, the priorities will not be setting any direction, so there's no worry that if we pass the priorities tonight that those funds are actually allocated there," said Genung. "We have a lot of opportunity in the future and future councils to change that."
