A proposal to introduce a bylaw allowing for the public to in effect participate in governing the Town of Bashaw was defeated in a 4 to 1 vote at the regular council meeting Sept. 4.
A “potential frame of reference” was presented by Coun. Kyle McIntosh for a community services advisory board that, according to the document presented at the meeting, would advise town councillors before they made certain decisions.
“The board shall act in an advisory role subject to the general policies of the town, within an approved budget, for all matters pertaining to service delivery, programs and events,” stated McIntosh’s document under the “purpose” heading.
“The board is to stimulate and promote citizen awareness of town service delivery, programs and events and to take feedback on these.”
McIntosh’s document also noted the proposed advisory board could include nine members, including one town councillor and up to eight community members at large, including one from the rural areas outside Bashaw. Youth between 14 and 18 years of age and seniors would also be included.
Under the “powers and duties” section of the proposal it was noted the board “…shall provide recommendation, feedback and constructive suggestions on service delivery, programs and events that serve the needs of the community,” noting such areas as arena use, utilities or road programs and programs that are “cultural or educational,” among others.
Under that heading the proposal also noted the board “…shall act as an advisor to the municipality and council in formulating plans and priorities” and “…shall receive quarterly reports from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO),” among other powers and duties.
McIntosh described the proposed board as a “new way of doing things,” and moved that first reading of this bylaw be considered at an October council meeting.
Coun. Jackie Northey stated that community consultation is important before anything like the proposed community services advisory board is done.
Northey stated she had the impression this proposed bylaw could be seen as crossing the line into administration rather than governance.
Readers should note the Municipal Government Act (MGA) describes the roles of elected councillors as governance and paid staff as being administrative.
McIntosh responded he was not submitting a bylaw for consideration but rather a potential frame of reference with appendices which he believed avoided the provincial government’s tight rope walk on governance versus administrative roles.
Northey repeated that she felt the Bashaw community should be consulted before this bylaw is passed, with Coun. Cindy Orom agreeing.
Orom pointed out Bashaw already has a lot of boards, committees and commissions, many of which seem to have trouble recruiting board members. Orom added she hesitated to introduce this bylaw without first getting community feedback.
McIntosh responded that the potential frame of reference addresses demographic shifts in Bashaw’s population that may not be reflected by the current town council. He further added not everyone in Bashaw is affected to the same degree by some issues, such as accessibility.
CAO Theresa Fuller stated she had concerns about the status of the board, noting councillors are responsible for governance and the CAO for administration. Fuller noted the first paragraph of the document was broad and could be interpreted as crossing into the CAO’s responsibility; she added that parts referring to management of staff and departments also concerned her.
McIntosh stated the potential frame of reference met MGA requirements, and quoted sections 7b, 7f and 145a as examples of how the MGA grants authority to create such an advisory committee.
When Mayor Rob McDonald called for a vote on McIntosh’s motion it was defeated by a 1 to 4 vote: McIntosh in favour, all other councillors opposed.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
