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National Public Works Week 2010

When I joined APWA in 2004, I received a very comprehensive package of promotional material in the mail which included a letter of thanks, information about their services, the Info Now network, the historical society, benefits of membership and a publications/resources catalogue. Needless to say, I was impressed and as we all know…you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”.

Harry Campbell's graphic interpretation of the theme "Public Works: Above, Below & All Around You".

Over the years their publications and promotional materials have been consistently relevant, essential and timely. The National Public Works Week (NPWW) flyer that I received this week is no exception. The flyer cover – a copy of the 2010 NPWW poster by illustrator Harry Campbell – is an amazing interpretation of the theme “Public Works: Above, Below, & All Around You” .

Harry’s distinctive graphic line illustration work can be found in most major publications including The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, and many others. A graduate of The Maryland Institute College of Art where he also has taught. Campbell has received numerous awards from The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and American Illustration.

National Public Works Week (NPWW) 2010 is celebrated on May 16-22. Instituted as a public education campaign by the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 1960, NPWW calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. The Week seeks to enhance the prestige of the often–unsung heroes of our society–the professionals who serve the public good every day with quiet dedication.

The Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) has formally partnered with the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA) – A Chapter of APWA/CPWA. One of the goals of this agreement is to cross promote the partner’s significant events and awards including NPWW. OPWA has two awards available for NPWW in Ontario including:

Municipalities with more than 150,000 (The Bruce Brunton Trophy)
Municipalities with populations of 150,000 or less (The Roger Brown Trophy).

Township of Scugog staff and elected officials - winners of the Roger Brown Trophy.

The 2009 winner in the first category was the City of Brampton and the second category was the Township of Scugog. Congratulations to both Municipalities and their staff or organizing such great programs that met the strategic objectives of the program.

In my opinion, NPWW activities are like APWA publications. They’re opportunity to make a great impression…a lasting impression of your Municipal public works department and its important role in providing essential quality of life services in our communities. From my conversations with representatives of the winning teams, it doesn’t take a great deal of time or resources to make any NPWW celebratory event memorable. On the other hand, the benefits – award and trophies notwithstanding – including increased morale, teamwork and pride amongst participating Municipal staff are enormous.

So….don’t forget those dates…..May 16-22. If you and your Municipality are interested in supporting NPWW in Ontario please contact anyone at OPWA or AORS or better yet, talk to the Municipalities who have participated in the past. There is no sense in reinventing the wheel.
These folks have lots of experience and good ideas so tap into it.

CentreLine: NPWW is an opportunity to shout from the rooftops “We are public works”.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Buildings & Grounds, Certification & Training, Fleet, Municipal Elected Officials, Parks & Recreation, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Snow & Ice Control, Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling, Stormwater, Transportation, Water, Winter on February 17th, 2010 - No Comments »
Tags: AORS, apwa, Bruce Brunton, City of Brampton, CPWA, NPWW, OPWA, Roger Brown, Township of Scugog

Canada’s Local Governments/Cities Legislation Is Antiquated

According to a recent study by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy Canadian municipal law is characterized by its prescriptive rules-based codes of compliance. That contrasts starkly with modern local government laws of other countries which seek to facilitate best-management practice by setting outcomes rather than rules. The approach of other countries leads to a performance and service-delivery framework designed to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of local taxpayers and residents.

All Canadians rely on a municipality of some kind to provide essential infrastructure, and unlike their dealings with private enterprises, which are disciplined by competition, they face a monopoly for the services that a municipality provides.

The study – Creating proper incentives for Canada’s cities through smart provincial legislation: A best-practice model of local government – compares municipal law in New Zealand with equivalent law in Canada. The New Zealand Act provides for the following:

It sets local government outcomes that can be achieved within practically based best-practice management processes;
These include asset and financial long-term planning, consultative process and democratic decision-making

Recommendations and likely results:

Canada should adopt much of New Zealand’s local government legislation.
Federal support for local provincial government law reform could be an impetus for change for the provinces. This might take the form of linking federal infrastructure funding to the required improvements in law.

This adoption would have the following results:

It would improve local government performance. There is no argument that improvements are necessary, as Canadian municipalities score poorly when measured on a number of international performance scales.
The national economy would benefit directly from local government law reform. Much of the economy’s vital arterial economic lines of production and supply, the nation’s roads and the water and waste-water systems, are owned and managed by the municipalities.

RoadMap: View entire report as .pdf – 57 pages

Ontario Municipalities have reported on their tangible capital assets and move from a modified accrual format to full accrual accounting with new financial statements since 2009. The Municipal Finance Officers’ Association (MFOA) and the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), have forged a strategic partnership to provide ongoing information and education to assist municipal staff who will have to deal with the changes. The PSAB/Asset Management web site is designed to be a resource and information-sharing centre.ongoing information and education to assist municipal staff who will have to deal with the changes.

CentreLine: Infrastructure assets can be properly maintained and monitored if the legal framework of municipal operations is specifically designed to mandate best-practice asset management as measured by performance-based systems.

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Municipal Elected Officials, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling, Transportation on February 3rd, 2010 - No Comments »
Tags: AMCTO, asset management, best practices, Canadian Municipal Law, FCPP, Frontier Centre for Public Policy, MFOA, municipal, PSAB

New Blood Required On Municipal Council – Apply Within

Is Ottawa’s situation a template for Ontario?

When I open up my daily Ottawa Citizen (yes, still delivered to the front door) I always read Randall Denley’s column first. Why? Because no one else covers Municipal politics with the same great combination of astuteness and sardonic flair.

His article today – A Job Worth Doing; ‘Councillor’ an important post for the public-spirited – hit the nail on the head again. His contention? Ontario Municipal elections are coming up on October 25, 2010 and we need more qualified candidates to step up to the plate.

Construction, rehabilitation and monitoring of municipal water and sewers are essential services that must be well managed by our elected officials and corporate technical staff.

According to Denley, Municipal councillors have “the best job in politics” and “are free to make up their minds and choose their own policy directions” without the yoke of political party directives. The pay is good – in Ottawa at least – for providing real essential services like “clean water, functioning sewers, adequate roads or sports fields for our children to play on”.

Here in Otown it’s the same old faces that get re-elected every year. I suspect – no, I know – the same issue is at play in every Ontario Municipality. I don’t have any statistics for this however I have a good personal perspective.

The annual ROMA/OGRA Convention in Toronto at the Royal York Hotel is a Mecca for municipal councillors and senior administrators. 1500 delegates – mostly elected officials – attend various presentations, Minister’s forums, delegations, workshops and the trade show over the four day event. Every year I participate in the AORS booth – front and centre in the main hallway – and without fail my fellow associates and I always guess the average attendee age at around 65. (yes we see lots of folks well into their 80′s!) I know we are not too far off the mark.

Politicians with vision and tenacity need to steer important issues like the Landsdowne project being debated here at a public information session in Ottawa.

No disrespect to those incumbents who do a great job, have stood for political office and made a real difference in their communities. But there are too many who have made a career out of the job and are just hanging around for the pay check, celebrity and pension. “Now truly is the time for some good people to come to the aid of the city. We need people with vision, leadership experience and a knowledge of budgets to restore sensible decision making at City Hall” says Denley.

Could that be said about your Municipal Council as well? I suspect so.

RoadMap 1: Preliminary ROMA/OGRA Program – On the Road To Recovery

RoadMap 2: Municipal Elections Act Reforms Promise Increased Accountability

CentreLine: Past Ontario elected officials have laid a great foundation of stability and accountability. Now it the time for some fresh younger faces to build on that legacy.

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Municipal Elected Officials on January 5th, 2010 - No Comments »
Tags: Municipal Elections Act, municipal politics, OGRA, Ontario elections, Randall Denley, ROMA

Municipal Elections Act Reforms Promise Increased Accountability

Will ‘New Blood’ be elected to Ontario Municipal Councils?

Between 2004 and 2008 spending on Ottawa Transit increased 44.8%,

Not much changes here in Ottawa when it comes to Municipal elections. In the 2006 municipal election, 68 candidates ran for 23 council seats. The 19 incumbents who ran all won. The other four seats were won by candidates in wards that didn’t have incumbents. It wasn’t much different in the 2003 election.

Ottawa has many big ticket projects on the drawing board (e.g. light rail, green bin recycling, Landsdowne Park redevelopment etc.) for our Municipal Councillors to implement. Unfortunately, our elected officials – lead by Mayor Larry O’Brien – have a very poor project management track record. The result is that we have been treading water for too long and falling behind other major cities in terms of our ‘liveable’ quota. As the Ottawa Citizen recently reported “ Our city’s political scene needs fresh faces, but the odds are stacked against newcomers”.

Perhaps the following changes being made to the Municipal Elections Act, which will create a more level playing field for candidates in 2010 elections and promote greater accessibility. Some of these changes include:

moving the election date forward to the fourth Monday of October, beginning October 25, 2010;
a new contribution limit of $5,000 per contributor in each jurisdiction;
greater accessibility to the election process for voters and candidates with disabilities; and
elimination of the carrying forward of surplus campaign funds by candidates from one election to the next (existing surplus will be grandfathered for use in the 2010 campaign).
More….

RoadMap: Municipal Elections Act

CentreLine: We need further reforms to the Municipal Elections Act to include some form of mandatory voting to improve turnout.

By Graham Zeisner in Municipal Elected Officials on December 28th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: Larry O'Brien, Municipal Elections Act

CAL PATTERSON NEW SIMCOE COUNTY WARDEN

Mr Patterson's financial management background will be a real asset as Simcoe County warden.

What appeared to be a two-horse race for the warden’s chair in Simcoe County turned into an acclamation. Tony Guergis declined the nomination for another term. He had served as Warden since 2007. Wasaga Beach Mayor Cal Patterson takes the top political job in the county, effective immediately. He served six years as a Wasaga Beach councillor and six as deputy mayor – the job that first brought him to Simcoe County council. He is the first Wasaga Beach politician to hold the post of Warden.

The Town of Wasaga Beach has always supported our AORS Local Association (LA) – Simcoe County Road Supervisors Association – and their volunteer efforts on behalf of our organization. We expect that Mayor Patterson and his fellow councillors will maintain this support and perhaps attend some of the LA meetings.

RoadMap: Full story in The Midland Mirror

CentreLine: Mr. Patterson seems to have the credentials to do a first rate job as warden in Simcoe County.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Municipal Elected Officials on December 11th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: Cal Patterson, Simcoe County, Wasaga Beach

Wellington County Councillor Receives Long-Standing Service Award

Wellington County Councillor Robert Wilson was honoured by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on

Wellington Ward Councillor Robert (Bob) Wilson (right) receives Long-Standing Service Award from Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Jim Watson, at the 2009 Ontario West Municipal Conference.

Wednesday, for his 25 years of municipal government experience. At the annual Ontario West Municipal Conference, Wilson was presented with a pin at the banquet, where he was supported by his family and members of County Council and Staff.

Under this program, the Ontario government recognizes councillors and heads of council who have served 25 years or more on municipal council. A second award has been created for those achieving 50 years of service. Award recipients are recognized at the ministry’s annual regional conferences.

Award for 25 Years of Service

The strength of Ontario has always been dependent on the spirit and dedication of its municipal politicians. The long-standing service program was introduced by the Ontario government in 2004 to recognize councillors and heads of council with at least 25 years of service on municipal council.

RoadMap: The County of Wellington - named one of the top 100 employers in Canada by MacLeans Magazine.

CentreLine: Wellington County has created a good working environment for staff and elected officials.

By Graham Zeisner in Municipal Elected Officials on December 3rd, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: MMAH, Ontario West Municipal Conference, Robert Wilson, Wellington County

South Bruce Peninsula Councillor Receives Long-Standing Service Award

South Bruce Peninsula Councillor Stan Hoath is the recipient of a 25-year Long-Standing Service Award from the Province of Ontario (MMAH).

South Bruce Peninsula Councillor Stan Hoath (right) receives Long-Standing Service Award from Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Jim Watson, at the 2009 Ontario West Municipal Conference

Before becoming councillor of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula in 1999, Hoath served in the capacities of councillor, deputy reeve, and reeve for the former Town of Wiarton from 1980 to 1988, and 1991 to 1999.

Award for 25 Years of Service

RoadMap: Full story at MMAH

CentreLine: There is something to be said for continuity on Municipal Councils and we are glad to participate in acknowledging long service as a municipal politician. There is something to be said however for a new perspective and new blood on local political councils.

By Graham Zeisner in Municipal Elected Officials on November 30th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: Jim Watson, Long-Standing Service Award, MMAH, municipal politics, Ontario West Municipal Conference, South Bruce Peninsula, Stan Hoath

Woolwich Mayor Receives Long-Standing Service Award

McGuinty Government Honours Municipal Official

Woolwich Mayor William (Bill) L. Strauss is the recipient of a 25-year Long-Standing Service Award from the Province of Ontario.

William L. Strauss, Mayor of the Township of Woolwich. He is presently serving in his third term.

Before becoming Mayor of the Township of Woolwich in 1997, Strauss served as a member of council, first in the Township of Wellesley from 1969 to 1974, and later in the Township of Woolwich from 1985 to 1994.

Long-standing Service Program

Award for 25 Years of Service

RoadMap: Full story MMAH Newsroom

By Graham Zeisner in Association, Municipal Elected Officials on November 27th, 2009 - No Comments »

OGRA/ROMA Combined Conference Preliminary Program

Theme: On The Road To Recovery

ROMA/OGRA Combined Conference - 'On The Road To Recovery' - is a must attend Municipal event in 2010.

The Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) has announced the preliminary program for the 2010 ROMA/OGRA Combined Conference (February 21-24, 2010; Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto).

As usual, an excellent agenda of speakers, workshops, forums, awards and entertainment is planned for the event.

The Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) will be hosting a workshop related to the conference theme. Details are yet to be worked out however I will keep you informed over the next few weeks as we get organized.

RoadMap: Preliminary Program (PDF)

CentreLine: AORS will develop a relevant and interesting workshop that enhances this iconic event.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Municipal Elected Officials, Roads & Bridges on November 2nd, 2009 - No Comments »

Quebec Contract Troubles Serve As Warning For Other Provinces/Municipalities

The cost of roadwork in Montreal and Quebec is much higher than in the rest of Canada.

In a recent post about the high cost of road construction in Quebec I noted that the potential for corruption, bid rigging, price fixing etc. in the construction industry respects no Provincial or Territorial border.

Today, the Ottawa Citizen editorial echoes my point.

Quebec’s troubles should also serve as a warning to the rest of the country. Public-works projects are vulnerable to corruption because they’re based on contracts. There’s a lot of stimulus money flowing these days, and a lot of opportunities for unscrupulous people to get rich, unless municipalities keep an extra-close watch on their bidding processes.

RoadMap: Ottawa Citizen editorial – The Cost of Corruption

CentreLine: The high professionalization and accreditation level of Ontario public works Municipal staff is the best barrier to preventing a similar predicament in our transportation sector.

By Graham Zeisner in Municipal Elected Officials, Roads & Bridges on October 28th, 2009 - No Comments »