Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership Committee (FIP)

Council Presentation 2011

HistoryFormed in 2003BRAED provided the group with a $2000

start up grantA workshop/planning session was held Grant funding was accessed through the

Alberta Municipal Affairs Regional Partnership Initiative

Objectives

Main objective is to collaborate and interact with our neighbors to achieve long term sustainability as a regional community

A standing committee that actively addresses the needs of the greater Flagstaff region

Plan and promote cost sharing ventures to maximize potential benefits for all members

Purpose

Support mutual benefits

Improve service delivery on a regional basis

Promote regional thinking & prosperity

Provide collective voice to provincial & federal governments

Support consensus based decision making

Secure provincial & federal grant funding

MembershipTen towns & villages and Flagstaff County

One council member and the CAO from each municipality

The membership meets bi-monthly

Consensus Decision MakingDecision made by consensus when possibleIf a municipality chooses not to participate in

a specific project, a motion can be reintroduced to proceed based on calculation of costs among participating municipalities

If that municipality decides to participate at a later date, they are allowed at the discretion of participating members, by paying their share of project start-up costs

Sub CommitteesCommittee may appoint sub-committees to

undertake a task and report back to group

RESC job descriptionFIP Coordinator job descriptionRFP for Regional H2O Operators Consortium

Projects and FundingOriginally five projects were identified for

implementation:

1. Employee Safety Policy Development2. Emergency Services3. Regional Bylaw Enforcement4. Publics Works Cooperation5. Business and Community

Development

Funding Sources

Regional Partnerships InitiativeMunicipal Sponsorship Program (MSP)Regional Exploration and Implementation

GrantsJoint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP)BRAEDRural Community Adaptation GrantAlberta Transportation (Water for Life

Program) Municipalities within FIP

2005Exploration Grant $50,000

Organizational and Structure Review of FIP Service Partnership Plan – Administrative Review of FRHG, fire

services, recreation, bylaw enforcement and other shared services

Special Grant (Municipal Affairs) $18,000 Emergency services communications study

Municipal Sponsorship Program $261,275 Regional emergency communications upgrade

2006Implementation Grant$100,000

Bylaw Enforcement Health & Safety Courses Establishment of Health & Safety Programs/Policies Council & Staff Development Sessions Networking Workshop Emergency Services dispatch conversion Public Works Coordination Virtual 360 Development of Terms of Reference Communication towers monitoring costs

Municipal Sponsorship Program $208,469 Regional Emergency Services Coordinator salary New dispatch and voice systems for emergency response units

2007JEPP(Joint Emergency Preparedness

Program)$40,000Pagers, hand held and mobile radios, voice

repeater drop sites and dispatch voice access for emergency response units in region

Municipal Sponsorship Program$234,280Purchased an ambulance, RESC’s salary and

implemented regional dispatch

2008

Municipal Sponsorship Program$232,280

All municipalities updated their land use bylaws and created municipal sustainability plans

2009Municipal Sponsorship Program

$125,388

Purchased and currently renovating a building to house the Flagstaff Food Bank

Project will be complete in October 2011

2010Exploration Grant $50,000

Acquired a contractor to explore regional emergency management and fire services

Water for Life Program $35,775Conducted a feasibility study for a Regional Water

Operators Consortium

Rural Community Adaptation Grant $130,700Fund FIP Coordinator’s salary for two years as well as

develop regional rural development and youth initiative projects in 2010 and 2011

Meeting expenses, computer support, photocopying/supplies

2010/11 RCAG ProjectsBRSD Candidates Forum

October 2010 prior to the election – open to the public

George Cuff Council Orientation November 22, 2010 at Strome Community Hall

Flagstaff Trades & Education Day November 24, 2010 at Killam Community Hall November 3, 2011 at Killam Community Hall

Networking Evening for Council/CAO’s February 2011 with guest speaker, Doug Griffiths

Peter Kenyon – Community Development Conference April 6, 2011 at Killam Community Hall

Strategic Planning Session – April 30, 2011

2011 ProjectsWater for Life Grant $1,291,534.20

Received confirmation of funding through AB Transportation for the implementation of the Regional Water Operators Consortium

Currently developing a Cooperative Agreement and RFP’s to distribute to Engineering Services to install the SCADA systems

This is a huge project for the FIP Committee that will provide long term benefits especially to the smaller communities within the Flagstaff region

Municipal Internship Program $43,000Partners – Flagstaff County, Killam, Sedgewick and Daysland Employ an intern for one yearSuccession planning for administrators in rural Alberta

Flagstaff Intermunicipal Assessment Review Board

As a result of change in provincial regulations to Bill 23, the ARB was formed in an effort to cut costs and recruit fewer members

Board consists of 5 volunteer members who received the required 4 days training

Hearings are collectively held at a central location

Hearing costs are equally divided amongst municipalities with appeals

FIP Coordinator is the ARB Clerk

Flagstaff CAO Group

Formed in 2009

Purpose is to provide direction to FIP in an advisory role on methods of improving the prosperity & stability of the Flagstaff region

Provides a communication link for the CAO’s

Meet bi-monthly before the FIP meetings

FIP Coordinator administers the group

Flagstaff Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board

Currently in the process of forming a regional SDAB

7/11 municipalities are partnering

Municipal Affairs delivered training in June 2011 for staff, council, and current & new SDAB members

The CAO Group established an agreement & bylaw. Legal counsel is reviewing.

SDAB Board will function similar to the ARB

FIP Coordinator is the SDAB Clerk

Strategic Planning Session

In April 2011 Pitman Consulting Ltd. conducted a strategic planning session for the FIP Committee

9/11 communities participated

The objective was to look ahead at regional concerns and prepare a plan whereby the future of FIP can be planned on a more regional level through mutual cooperation and trust

Strategic Planning Session5 Initiatives were identified that are

aimed at strengthening the region:

1. The Partnership should be seen as thinking and acting regionally

2. Develop a regional strategy for Economic Development

3. Secure ongoing funding for the Partnership

4. Develop a regional Municipal Emergency Management Plan

5. Regional coordination of Public Works and Health & Safety - staff and equipment

FutureSince 2003 grant funding totaling $2.8 million dollars

has been obtained

The projects completed have directly or indirectly benefitted all communities in one way or another – and wouldn’t have been completed on an individual basis

As local tax revenue and provincial and federal funding continue to decrease and government regulations increase, more financial strain is placed on local government

Future

The FIP Committee offers the opportunity for our 11 municipalities to join forces to reach common goals

Now is the time to build new and strengthen current relationships, to enable us to provide thriving communities where families want to live, work and play.