MOVING FORWARD
...Neebing and The City of Thunder Bay
Community Issues
Budget and Lobbying Priorities:
Priorities must be established to ensure good services and affordable taxes for our citizens and businesses. Community surveys clearly show that people value the roads, utilities, Fire, Police and EMS. The City Budget should better reflect those priorities, and in the bigger picture, there is a great need for Federal and Provincial money - homes for the aged, detox facility, social housing, roadwork, water lines, relief for the overcrowded hospital and jail.
Municipalities own more than 60% of the country's public infrastructure, but property taxes only represent 9% of all taxes collected in Canada. Federal and Provincial Funding is essential for our communities.
Parkdale Access and Arthur Street traffic flow
City Debt and Reserves:
Until 9 years ago, the debt for social housing was included, but about $30 M is now considered as a separate amount - owed by the District Social Services Administrative Board (DSSAB), of which the city is the main member (by capita) at about 82%. Most of the debt for Tbaytel is also considered separately.
Annually in recent years, the city has been paying approximately $26 M in debt repayment - about $19 M in principal and $7 M for interest. And, the city borrows more money annually for a variety of projects.
The City has been advised to have an equal amount of Debt and Reserves (a ratio of 1:1)... but if one includes the DSSAB and Tbaytel debt, the ratio is approximately 2:1.Municipal Finances:
There is a huge "urban sprawl" here - which is very costly to maintain. When amalgamation occurred in 1970, it was predicted that the population would double. The population has not doubled, but there are many more homes, neighbourhoods and roads to service. There are fewer paper mills and grain elevators, so the industrial tax base has declined greatly. The province's Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has also allowed a lowered assessed value for the paper mill and other companies! Residential property owners have made up the difference. Expansion of the Mining Industry in Northwestern Ontario looks promising for the Thunder Bay economy, so there is hope that more non-residential taxes will be collected in the future - and there should be good mining-related jobs to pay residential taxes. Meanwhile, vigilance regarding spending is needed at city hall. Taxes must be affordable for businesses and residents.
Women in Municipal Politics
Linda has advocated for more women to become involved in politics. She has been Vice Chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) "Women's Committee" for 2 years. The United Nations recommends that there be at least 30% women in government for women's issues to be heard, but in Canada only about 25% of politicians are female. And since Federal and Provincial election candidates often come from municipal councils, it is important that women are there.... to be chosen. Several provinces are having municipal elections this fall, so it will be interesting to see if the gender split improves. Maybe we can get closer to 30% for women.
When FCM held a National Board meeting in Thunder Bay, Linda hosted an Election Campaign Workshop for local women in conjunction with the Thunder Bay "Women in Politics" committee. Twenty FCM members from across Canada stayed after the board meeting to present the program, and they were happy to do so. The local Women in Politics Committee coordinated, advertised and "live streamed" the workshop. The event was described as a great success.
Linda continues to work on the national committee as well as locally - encouraging and educating women to become more politically aware and involved. For example, the City will be looking for volunteers to sit on various committees during the next term of Council, from 2018 to 2022. It would be great if more women would volunteer. Check with the Office of the City Clerk and/or on the city website for the list of committees and boards.Roadwork:
Capital and Operational (Maintenance) Roadwork is essential for Neebing Ward and the entire city. However, capital and operational needs are under-funded. Proper road drainage would be helpful - more dollars are advised for ditching, asphalt, culverts, storm sewers. The Roads Supervisor does what he can, but the budgets for ditch cleaning, road patching and culvert replacement are inadequate. Good road maintenance helps us to safely get through the long cold winters (not many "chinooks" here), so Council recently voted to continue with winter funding. Linda has consistently championed the budgets for roads - capital and operations - and would appreciate more support from Senior Administration and Council.
Traffic Speed and Traffic Flow:
Speeding has been expressed as a big concern during the election campaign this fall... on virtually EVERY street and road in the ward. Police have been issuing speeding tickets. Electronic speed reading signage is used.
Statistics show that the average speed has decreased with placement of the bollards on Porcupine Blve, but some drivers continue to drive too fast.
At some intersections, there are also safety concerns related to Traffic Flow - especially during peak traffic times in the morning and early evening. Concerns have been noted along Hwy 61, Chippewa Road, Rosslyn Road/20th Side Road, Arthur St and Mapleward Road, and Arthur St. from Canadian Tire (Parkdale/Hawker) to the Expressway (Hwy 61). Various traffic studies are being done to help the city determine appropriate action.
Meanwhile, drive defensively, and with consideration for others.Highway 61 and Chippewa Road Intersection:
There has been a large volume of traffic since the CN's James St bridge was burned on October 29, 2013. Despite the actions taken by the MTO and OPP, there have been several accidents - and numerous "near-misses". Commendations go to the careful drivers who have kept the accident rate down. The Ontario Court of Appeal has ordered CN to open the bridge to vehicles, so CN is hiring an engineering firm to ensure bridge safety. CN has also filed an appliction for appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. We should kow by January if that application will be accepted.
Kaministiquia (Kam) River Bank Erosion:
Via the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA), the City provided $400,000 and the Province matching dollars to invest $800,000 in erosion prevention along Victor Street in 2014. OPP have patrolled to enforce the 10 Kph speed limt.
The LRCA's Erosion Study on the Kam will be released soon.Community Centres in Neebing Ward:
South Neebing, Vickers Heights and West Arthur are doing well. However, VOLUNTEERS are always welcome to oversee the activities and rentals. Please donate some tme and energy!
Urban Deer Population and Deer-related Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA's):
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, there has been a significant increase in the urban deer population compared to previous decades. Concurrently, there have been more deer-related MVA's and people going to hospital. Some folks have had too many MVA's close together, and have lost insurance coverage for any more deer-related accidents.
In 2012 Linda proposed that the city take some action. Thus Council decided that residents NOT feed the deer and that a limited bow hunt be allowed. City Police are keeping MVA statistics so that analysis cam be made. The OFAH has noted that the cities of Winnipeg and Kenora have now adopted the Thunder Bay model to address their urban deer population. Hopefully, there will be success for all of the municipalities.
Due to the 2018 Municipal Election, ward councillors are unable to schedule ward meetings this fall. There have been some recent changes and plans that residents have been asking about, so here is some information important to the local residents of Parkdale, Stanley Park, and west Arthur Street. If you have any further questions or comments, please contact me.
