Waskesiu Local Governance

Council Overview

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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:

Now ProjectedCabin 135,300 311,600Cottage 156,500 125,460Business 229,800 181,220Other 91,000

**Estimates only; will change with detailed negotiations; market adjustment factor?

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Sutter Report Conclusions (5)

Utilities Costs – Water, sewer and garbage – Projected Costs - $288,400

Paid through FeesNow Projected

Water 163,800 167,200Sewer 78,000 82,300Garbage 38,900 38,900**PCA currently pays 1/3 of utilities costs – included in

numbers above; cost-sharing agreement to be negotiated

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Issues

Council has identified several major issues to be addressed

Begin with concepts and principles Then negotiate details

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Townsite

No changes proposed to townsite boundaries Includes golf course, Kapasiwin,

maintenance compound Excludes marina

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Governance

Provincial legislation is required Must be joint request of PCA and community Will seek legal advice Information on Federal and Provincial

agreements required

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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

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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

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Transitional Funding

Required if decision is made to proceed To be provided by PCA

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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

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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

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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

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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?