Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership Committee (FIP)

1. Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership Committee (FIP) Council Presentation 2011

2. History • Formed in 2003 • BRAED provided the group with a $2000 start up grant • A workshop/planning session was held • Grant funding was accessed through the Alberta Municipal Affairs Regional Partnership Initiative

3. 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

4. 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

5. Membership • Ten towns & villages and Flagstaff County • One council member and the CAO from each municipality • The membership meets bi-monthly

6. Consensus Decision Making • Decision made by consensus when possible • If 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

7. Sub Committees • Committee may appoint sub-committees to undertake a task and report back to group • RESC job description • FIP Coordinator job description • RFP for Regional H2O Operators Consortium

8. Projects and Funding • Originally five projects were identified for implementation: 1. Employee Safety Policy Development 2. Emergency Services 3. Regional Bylaw Enforcement 4. Publics Works Cooperation 5. Business and Community Development

9. Funding Sources • Regional Partnerships Initiative • Municipal Sponsorship Program (MSP) • Regional Exploration and Implementation Grants • Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) • BRAED • Rural Community Adaptation Grant • Alberta Transportation (Water for Life Program) • Municipalities within FIP

10. 2005 • Exploration 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

11. 2006 • Implementation 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

12. 2007 • JEPP(Joint Emergency Preparedness Program)$40,000 • Pagers, hand held and mobile radios, voice repeater drop sites and dispatch voice access for emergency response units in region • Municipal Sponsorship Program $234,280 • Purchased an ambulance, RESC’s salary and implemented regional dispatch

13. 2008 • Municipal Sponsorship Program $232,280 • All municipalities updated their land use bylaws and created municipal sustainability plans

14. 2009 • Municipal Sponsorship Program $125,388 • Purchased and currently renovating a building to house the Flagstaff Food Bank • Project will be complete in October 2011

15. 2010 • Exploration Grant $50,000 • Acquired a contractor to explore regional emergency management and fire services • Water for Life Program $35,775 • Conducted a feasibility study for a Regional Water Operators Consortium • Rural Community Adaptation Grant $130,700 • Fund 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

16. 2010/11 RCAG Projects • BRSD 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

17. 2011 Projects • Water 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 $43,000 • Partners – Flagstaff County, Killam, Sedgewick and Daysland • Employ an intern for one year • Succession planning for administrators in rural Alberta

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Strategic Planning Session • 5 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

23. Future • Since 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

24. 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.