ST. PAUL - Resilience through challenging times - that is how Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller says she will remember the past year.
When asked to sum up the past 12 months, the mayor describes 2021 as a year of "adaptation and change," from a municipal standpoint. "Our community's resilience through these challenging times is definitely how 2021 will be remembered for me."
The fall municipal election that wrapped up just a couple months ago offered specific challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Town navigating through uncharted waters.
"This past year's election was certainly a challenging one with COVID restrictions in place on top of the already difficult task of getting voters to the polls. What the Town was left with was additional unbudgeted expenses with a low voter turnout. We have no choice but to accept it for what it is and learn from it for future elections," says Miller.
As for being acclaimed to her position, "I do not take it lightly, and am grateful for the opportunity to continue the momentum of the previous term."
The majority of council returned to their seats following the October election, with the addition of newly elected Coun. Sid Sood.
The mayor says the past four years were focused on working in a "proactive direction" and "removing obstacles." When a process or problem was identified, efforts were made to correct it so those problems were not pass on to subsequent councils.
Other challenges the Town battled in 2021 included significant budget constraints, as departments within the Town were faced with many unknowns throughout the year.
"At times it was very difficult to provide the level of service the residents have been received in years prior. With 2022 in our sights, we hope that our facilities remain open for the public to enjoy with a full compliment of staff without interruption," according to the mayor.
Another challenge is the uncertainty around policing and funding of the RCMP retroactive pay raise model that the federal government has "passed down to urban municipalities."
"To be clear, the Town's relationship with our RCMP members is amazing and the service they provide us is vital, it's just unfortunate that our voice wasn't considered at the table when the decision was made," says the mayor. Heading into 2022, plans for the mayor and CAO Steven Jeffery to sit down with MP Shannon Stubbs to discuss the issue and the financial implications are being made.
Accomplishments
Of course, 2021 was also filled with plenty of accomplishments. One of the biggest highlights was the completion of the new Waster Water Treatment Plant (WWTP).
Originally pegged at being an $11 million project, in 2019 when bids were received the cost of the project saw a substantial increase due to the cost of certain supplies, and the fact that the original number had been estimated three years prior. The project moved ahead, and the $16 million facility is now full operational and is expected to improve the quality of the adjacent lake over time, among many other benefits.
Another ongoing challenge that the Town was able to make improvements on was acquiring land southeast of the St. Paul Golf Course for a storm water corridor.
"This property is expected to vegetate naturally and allow the system to flow to Upper Therien Lake in the existing watercourse," explains the mayor.
As an organization, the Town has been able to fill multiple permanent positions throughout the year, allowing the municipality to maintain operations "and mitigate potential outcomes with a consistent proactive approach to COVID response in our community."
Continued work alongside neighbouring municipalities is also seen as a positive that has come out of 2021. Council members and administration have been working actively with other municipalities, and "regional collaboration will remain a guiding principle in our strategic plan moving forward," says the mayor.
Healthcare has been an ongoing topic, especially after the community saw a number of physicians leave the area in 2020, and temporary closures of acute care beds at the local hospital due to staff shortages. Most recently, surgical services were paused until January due to a lack of anesthetist coverage.
"Physician recruitment has been a time consuming but very awarding and successful endeavour for the Town," says the mayor. "I am proud to say our community has been blessed with many new doctors in 2021 and more to come in 2022."
Garbage bins
The Town also rolled out its residential garbage bin program in 2021. Town residents received roll-out garbage bins and the pilot phase of the project continues until the spring.
"The fully automized system is proving to be a much more efficient method for collection, and the goal moving forward into 2022 will be to further expand on those efficiencies based on the feedback of the public and the workers involved in waste collection," according to the Town.
Looking forward
The mayor says there are many things to look forward to in 2022. Naming a few projects, she notes that improving the community's storm water system in the northwest corner of the community is on the radar.
"It is anticipated that this area will require a storm water feature such as a pond along with an upgraded outlet structure at 60th Street to better allow for the discharge of this storm water that eventually flows into the golf course, through the newly acquired storm water corridor and into Upper Therien Lake," explained the mayor.
The St. Paul North Area Structure Plan is described as "an exciting project that will address the long-term planning and development of 588.4 hectares of land located adjacent to the northern portion of the town." The ASP will set a path for the lands and the development of the community.
Other projects in 2022 will likely include street lighting, storm water, and paving initiatives.
"Our goals for 2022 are to continue building relationships and help our community thrive in every way possible," says the mayor.
Economic development will be a driver in the community's path forward.
"We hope to be able to make the necessary decisions for appropriate growth and the enhancement of the attractions we already have to offer in this beautiful Town."
When asked if there was any message she would like to put out to the community, Miller says, "If there is anything I would like to put to the community as 2021 closes and a new year begins, it's that I truly hope we can all celebrate our resiliency together for what we're enduring. From all of us, I hope we can reach deep and pull from within the compassion necessary to push forward and remain whole."
