Waskesiu Local Governance

1. Waskesiu Local Governance Council Overview

2. Consultation Process • First of several communications • Purpose: To inform constituents –local governance; to receive feedback • Dealing with major principles; not details at this time • Working with PCA and stakeholder groups

3. MOU – Basic Principles • Value the character and nature of the community • Local participation in community management • Appropriate and affordable levels of services to residents and visitors • Waskesiu-a national park community • Protect cultural and natural resources • Shared vision for future management

4. MOU Limitations • WCC totally dependent on Parks for funding – operating and capital • No revenue generating capacity • No ability to pass bylaws • No capacity to deal with public concerns except through influence on PCA • No capacity to initiate programs – recreation

5. Sutter Report Conclusions(1) • Municipal status – burden of governance – accountability • Terms and conditions of incorporation agreement critical to success • Contractual arrangements for services • Waskesiu can operate successfully as a municipality • Public consultations – important to success

6. Sutter Report Conclusions (2) • Municipal status allows for local priorities and local control of destiny • Federal cutbacks have impacted on infrastructure • Municipal status mutually beneficial to Waskesiu and PCA • Council accountable for its actions; year round commitment • Can unite a community under common values or mire in politics

7. Sutter Report Conclusions (3) • Projected costs to taxpayers – based on reports assumptions: • Cabins - $565-$831 • Cottages - $400 - $1700 • Small businesses - $1,000 - $1400 • Large businesses – newer - $13,000 - $30,000 Notes: Includes capital program of $2.5 million; assumes current debt elimination; no market adjustment in assessed values; less than projected lease and license revenues from Park

8. Sutter Report Conclusions (4) • Budget Estimates – Municipal - $704,780, including $266,000 for capital works • Results in mill rate of 8.2 mills, 5.2 excluding capital program • Revenue Sources: NowProjected Cabin 135,300 311,600 Cottage 156,500 125,460 Business 229,800 181,220 Other 91,000 **Estimates only; will change with detailed negotiations; market adjustment factor?

9. Sutter Report Conclusions (5) • Utilities Costs – Water, sewer and garbage – Projected Costs - $288,400 • Paid through Fees NowProjected Water 163,800 167,200 Sewer 78,000 82,300 Garbage 38,900 38,900 **PCA currently pays 1/3 of utilities costs – included in numbers above; cost-sharing agreement to be negotiated

10. Issues • Council has identified several major issues to be addressed • Begin with concepts and principles • Then negotiate details

11. Townsite • No changes proposed to townsite boundaries • Includes golf course, Kapasiwin, maintenance compound • Excludes marina

12. Land and Assets • PCA to transfer assets for nominal sum of $1. • Land titles remain with PCA but use of land by municipality through leases or other agreements • Equipment, tools, inventory and perhaps buildings – municipal ownership • PCA – pay for environmental assessments and remediation on all land tranfers

13. Land Rent system - Now • Land rent based on appraised land value at fixed point in time • Amount = % times appraised value • Several options available • New appraisals when leases renewed • Revenues accrue to Parks Canada to be used at its discretion • Cabins – camping permits to be replaced by leases

14. Municipal Tax System • Taxes based on municipal requirements • Applied to land and improvements • Amount = mill rate times taxable assessment • Funds accrue to municipality; stay in Waskesiu • Reassessment occurs when changes made on property and provincial schedule

15. Land Rent System - Future • No changes to lease terms except land rent • Land rent on all leases and Licenses of Occupation - $1 per annum • Municipality pays PCA an amount on behalf of lessees; e.g. Jasper - $330,000 • PCA administers leases and licenses • Land titles remain with PCA

16. Capital Infrastructure • $8 million in planned capital projects, of which $4.31 million for utilities • Municipality to assume some responsibility for infrastructure costs • Currently, utility fees include debt repayment • Higher Federal standards PCA responsibility • Independent verification of estimates • Identify unplanned projects • Financial sustainability - critical

17. Land Use Planning and Development • Most likely to remain with PCA • Release of cabin and cottage lots • Future of Montreal Drive complexes • Seasonal staff housing requirements • Constraints on commercial lot development • Community plan – Federal requirement with municipal input • Provincial legislation – need to address

18. Parks Canada Financial Input • PILT -Applies to PCA land and improvements • One level of government does not tax another so PILT is mechanism • PILT - Typically, equivalent to municipal taxes • Currently pay 1/3 utility operating costs; pay fair share in future • Cost-sharing agreement? Recognize use by visitors and non-residents • Initial capital contribution; amount to be determined

19. Governance • Provincial legislation is required • Must be joint request of PCA and community • Will seek legal advice • Information on Federal and Provincial agreements required

20. Staffing • Could involve some current PCA staff • Currently costs determined by Federal collective agreements • Municipality have authority to hire or contract services • Could examine joint staffing with Elk Ridge for some things • Manage own affairs

21. Bylaws • In Jasper, all municipal bylaws require Superintendent approvals • Has created unnecessary work • Bylaws that have environmental impact subject to Supt. Review • Others – at municipal discretion

22. Transitional Funding • Required if decision is made to proceed • To be provided by PCA

23. Sundry Items • Management of heritage buildings • Recreation facilities • Policing • Hazardous tree management • Wild life management • Trail maintenance within Waskesiu • Extended residence usage • Street lighting • Business licenses • Use of maintenance compound

24. Community Benefits • Exercise more control over priorities • Ability to raise funds for community needs • Improved infrastructure • Clearer accountability for revenues raised • Tax revenues stay in community • More flexibility for joint ventures – Elk Ridge; Lobstick • Define Waskesiu community vision • Can accept tax-deductible donations from Foundation • Possible reduction in number of organizations • Deal with issues on a timely basis • Develop recreational and cultural programs

25. Next Steps • Major stakeholder consultation – February - done • Analyze PCA response – and begin discussions - ongoing • Initial public meetings in March - done • Additional meetings and public information in April, May and June • Community referendum in July • Finalize negotiations with PCA if referendum passes • Final agreement presented to community before signing • Council elections in August, 2006 • Seek provincial legislation • Target date – municipality – January 1, 2008

26. Major Considerations • Financial impact – who pays for what? • Financially viable and sustainable? • Control over expenditure increases? • Who establishes priorities? • Can a municipality deliver the services efficiently and effectively? • Responsive? • What is the long term vision for Waskesiu? • Accountability? • Joint ventures with Parks, Elk Ridge, Lobstick?