Three priorities top the list for Okotoks council upon review of its strategic plan.
Town council received a mid-term report on the strategic plan and long-term goals it set out at the onset of the 2017-2021 term during its Jan. 27 meeting. While progress has been made on most of its directives, council is looking to narrow its focus for the next two years to just three items.
A long-term water solution, affordable housing and economic development top council’s priority list as it heads into the last half of its term.
“We only have two years left on our term and we know what the priorities are,” said Coun. Florence Christophers.
She said the overall strategic plan was ambitious as council started its term excited to tackle community issues, and though some work has been done on the broad direction it set out in 2017, it’s necessary to make sure the most important items are addressed moving forward.
“Some of these other pieces need to move forward and are important but shouldn’t deter or detract from moving the needle on our top priorities,” said Christophers.
In addition, two items would be added to the overall strategic plan – development of the Arts and Learning Campus and planning for the 2022 Alberta Summer Games, should Okotoks win its bid.
Deputy CAO Nancy Weigel provided council with a progress report on the entire strategic plan, noting areas where the Town has fallen behind or accomplishments it has made over the past two years.
She said one of the biggest achievements to-date was on increasing the water capacity of the town.
“Our needs have been secured through the water treatment plant improvements and concerted efforts to decrease water consumption, therefore sustaining the life of our water resource for about nine more years that originally anticipated based on similar growth,” said Weigel.
The long-term solution, working regionally with Foothills County on a supplementary pipeline, is well-underway and capital plan adjustments have already been made, she said.
“There are further announcements as we continue down the road with Plan B,” said Weigel.
She said the Town is working hard toward its economic development goals and has made strides in the past year with streamlining business processes and regulations, focusing on downtown investment, engaging with the business community, and working with stakeholders to reduce red tape.
The work done in 2019 has paved the way for forward trajectory in 2020, she said. The Town continues to improve its accessibility by making changes to land use, such as permitting breweries and distilleries downtown and recently changing its industrial permitted uses, she said.
In addition, she said development like the Arts and Learning Campus will help with Okotoks’ economic development.
‘We anticipate it will contribute significantly to the economic vitality of the downtown,” said Weigel.
To bring all the Town’s work together, she said two major projects are being completed in 2020 – the creation of a new Municipal Development Plan and the rewriting of the Land Use Bylaw.
“The policies consider the long-term vision, the values and principles, and also align with our master plans,” said Weigel.
The Town will continue its work on reviewing utility rated and offsite levies over the next two years, she said.
There will also continue to be opportunities for public engagement, she said.
“Council is connecting with citizens on a regular basis with Council Community Connector events,” said Weigel. “The first one was in April 2019 and looking forward to a date for 2020.”
After hearing the report, Mayor Bill Robertson commended Town administration for its work on the strategic plan.
“It takes something like this often to realize how much has been accomplished,” said Robertson. “There have been a tremendous amount of accomplishments in town by council and administration.
“All of these things have been accomplished, so kudos to all Town staff.”
Realignment of council’s priorities will be discussed at its Feb. 10 meeting.
