Council

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Council ??
Thinking of running for
Pre-election workshops offered by Association of
Yukon Communities, September, 2006
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Topics

• Legislation and levels of government
• Municipal Act
• Role/responsibilities of staff, elected officials
• Communications/parliamentary process
• Nomination process, election day
• Perks, challenges, advice
• Community information

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AYC/FCM/CAO ???

• AYC Association of Yukon Communities
• CAO Chief Administrative Officer or City
  Manager
• is the administrative head of the municipality
  and reports directly to council and ensures that
  the policies and programs of the municipality are
  implemented
• CASM Council and Senior Managers meeting
• to further the establishment of responsible
  government at the community level to provide a
  united approach to community ambitions.
• FCM Federation of Canadian Municipalities
• And ??

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Governments in Canada
Federal Foreign policy National defence Criminal
Code/YCJA Fisheries
Provincial/Territorial Education,
Health Renewable Resources Implementation of
Justice Social Services Tourism
First Nation
Municipal Water, sewage, garbage Services to
property Fire protection
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Municipal Act

• Municipal holidays
• Municipal flags/crests
• Actions in emergencies
• Raising of Revenue
• Debt Restrictions
• Planning, land use and development
• Meetings of Council

• Naming of municipalities
• Forming, dissolving, or altering boundaries
• Elections
• Jurisdiction of council
• Chief Administrative Officer
• Bylaws and Resolutions

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Roles and responsibilities

• Elected Officials
• Voice of the people/community
• Sets vision, direction
• Community values
• Directs administration

• Administration
• implements bylaws, resolutions previously passed
  by Council
• implements the direction of Council

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Council CAO connections
Council
1 Council decides what is going to be done 2
then CAO decides how to accomplish what Council
has asked 3 CAO reports to Council on what has
been done 4 Council evaluates what has been
done against what was asked
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4
3
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Administration
Adapted from Finding and keeping equilibrium in
local governance. Andre Carrel and Assoc.
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Roles
Council
Council
Administration
Administration
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Council Decisions

• Decisions of council, not individuals
• Council is a body
• You are one voice in 5
• Role of mayor

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Rules of order/Parliamentary process

• Bylaws three readings
• 1st get it on the table
• 2nd get the input, generate discussion
• 3rd assess input, final decision
• Rules of order respectful debate
• Regular/committee of the whole meetings

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Perks

• Working on behalf of your community
• making a difference
• Travel to AYC or FCM meetings
• Learn in-depth what is happening with your
  community
• Being able to help people, respond to community
  needs and issues
• Meeting new people
• Remuneration
• Gain personal stature

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Challenges

• Realizing the limits to municipal authority
• Your pet issue may not be anyone elses concern
  how to keep it live
• The amount of work and time requirements
• Necessary to be prepared
• Respecting the few times you need to treat
  something confidentially
• Leaving your baggage at the door
• Not letting the squeaky wheels dominate special
  interest groups represent the majority

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Media !!!

• Building relations
• Establishing your messaging
• (27, 9, 3)

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Advice

• Show respect for delegates
• Verbal abuse directed toward council or staff
• Work as a team diverse views
• Controversial issues constantly some people
  happy, some people upset and most not paying any
  attention
• Admit mistakes you are in public anyway, cant
  hide it
• Ask if you need more info, stay open minded
• Know when to step back, to disengage
• You are a role model
• Remind yourself continually about the role and
  responsibilities of council compared to staff.

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Things to consider

• You cant be on First Nation and municipal
  council at the same time
• If you are a territorial or federal employee,
  getting leave
• Cant run if you owe money to the municipality
• Being Mayor is close to full-time job, paid or
  not

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Nomination Process

• Make sure you are on the voter list or
• Pick up your nomination forms
• Get the signatures you need always a few extra
• File by the closing time
• You can run for office or vote if
• If you are at least 18 years old on election day,
  a Canadian citizen and a resident of the
  municipality for at least one year prior to
  election day

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Campaigning

• Decide how you want to campaign
• Decide what your platform will be
• If you have lived in the community for a while,
  talk about your involvement, etc
• If you are new, talk about your ideas,
  background, beliefs

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Brochures, ads, etc

• Start by listing all you want to say about
  yourself dont be shy..!
• Do a rough copy, look at it with a critical eye
• Ask a friend(s) to give you comments
• Have fun with this you are marketing the best
  product in the world YOURSELF!!

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Brochures, ads 2

• Remember not everyone has the young eyes you have
  - font size, spacing, white space
• Check out colors of paper, sizes, folding
  (www.canadapost.com)

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E - DAY

• Brace yourself for nerves!!!
• Complement yourself on the support you received
• If you win, you win
• if you dont win, you still win.

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As new on Council

• Steep learning curve
• Come in just before budget time
• AYC training session
• Rely on your staff
• Build your network of advisors
• Be prepared to read, read, read!!!

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In Whitehorse

• 2 regular meetings a month, 2 committee of the
  whole packages ready the Friday before
• 8 10 other meetings/month depending on topics
• Budget 2-3 day meetings
• Today the 42nd CASM !!
• always on !! community members will always see
  you as on council where-ever they see you

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Remuneration

• Councillor - 13,600/year, Mayor - 65,000/year
• Travel budget - 3750
• If acting as mayor, honoraria of 125/day, or
  62.50 for ½ day
• Expenses reimbursed on receipts and mileage

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Key Information

• Pick up nomination forms from City Hall
• File nominations between Sept 20 and Sept 28
• Nomination deadline noon, Sept 28, 2006
• Advance Poll October 12, 2006
• Election October 19, 2006

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For more info

• Contact your municipal office
• Or
• Association of Yukon Communities
• 668-4388
• www.ayc.yk.ca