The newly re-elected mayor signaled a focus on creating policy that will outlast this iteration of council during his inaugural address on Monday night.
Mayor Nolan Crouse noted a lack of policy work to support various plans developed in the city.
“I say these things because in order for a council to be truly effective, one has to ask ‘will this body of work continue to live for five, 10, 25 years, or is it simply a fleeting piece of mini-legislation that does not truly embed change?’ Without policy, it does not sustain itself beyond ourselves,” Crouse said.
Crouse’s speech came after a ceremony where a judge led council through their affirmations of office and the mayor led council through their affirmations of the code of conduct. A piper as well as an honour guard of Mounties in red serge and firefighters attended as part of the ceremony, and a nearly-full gallery watched as the councillors-elect and mayor-elect officially took office.
In addition to signalling a desire to lead council in developing more policy, Crouse’s speech covered a number of areas that he said combined what he’d heard on the campaign, his nine years of council and in recent discussions with the new council.
The nature of St. Albert is something Crouse said he’s determined to maintain, even in the face of “decline” like graffiti or the challenges of the budget.
“Maintaining that uniqueness will not be easy in this post-recessionary time when we hear from many that an even tighter fiscal restraint philosophy is necessary,” Crouse said.
Crouse mentioned things like diversifying the economic base and selling the city as not only a great place to live, but a great place to do business in, as well as environmental plans and concerns. Crouse said the city needs to become more age-inclusive, especially as regards housing choices.
Planning and public transit will be a focus regionally, Crouse said, but local land planning also needs attention, opening up the possibility that a municipal planning commission or some equivalent may be considered by this council.
“Locally, there is an interest by most at this table to assess how local land matters are handled, whether that be through a planning commission or some other entity. We cannot shy away from that. We all know that there are local land matters ongoing that raise the attention, matters that are at times local, at times in a neighbourhood and at times regional,” Crouse said.
Traffic problems in the City of St. Albert were another highlight of the speech. “Traffic matters are in need of review, it seems, wherever we turn. Fatalities are the sad and unacceptable outcomes of systems, behaviours and processes always in need of review,” Crouse said.
Contemplating celebratory moments in the city’s history, Crouse suggested an improved relationship with Sturgeon County might be on the horizon.
“I might suggest that a new working relationship with Sturgeon County may be one of those celebratory times,” Crouse said.
In addition to the affirmations of office and code of conduct, council also established their meeting schedule, set the deputy mayor roster, appointed a nominating committee and voted on the rules of procedure.
Regular council meetings will still start at 3 p.m. and be held on Mondays.
All the votes were passed unanimously, with no debate occurring on any of the motions.
