CANDIDATE 101 Candidate Briefing Session 2014 Local Government Election

CANDIDATE 101 Candidate Briefing Session 2014 Local Government Election

Welcome! And THANK YOU for considering to run as a candidate for the upcoming local government election!

Council 101 Being a member of Council can be a very rewarding and exciting experience. The candidates that are elected will be guiding the City through a variety of challenging issues over this next term. This session will provide you with additional information regarding Council s roles and responsibilities.

Fort St. John Statistics Population: 20,268 (2014 BC Stats) Trading Population: 60,000 2014 Capital Budget: $29,145,000 2014 Operating Budget: $88,888,086 Median Age of Residents: 30.6 years old (one of the youngest populations in Canada)

Term of Office The Province amended legislation earlier this year to a four year term of office for local government. The next election will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018.

Community Charter and Local Government Act Local governments are legislated primarily by: Community Charter Local Government Act Under that legislation Council adopts: City of Fort St. John Bylaws City Policies These documents provide the basis for staff in maintaining the City s operations and providing services to the community.

Local Government Framework (excerpt from Municipal Councillors Handbook 2008) The structure of local government is divided into two primary roles: political (policy making) and administrative (day to day operations). Examples of a Council s policy initiatives to direct the present and future operation of a community are: Adopting a budget Adopting an official community plan bylaw Adopting zoning bylaws Making policy resolutions

Local Government Framework (excerpt from Municipal Councillors Handbook, Staples McDannold Stewart Barristers & Solicitors, 2008) Administration (staff) puts the Council s policies into effect, under the coordination of the City Manager through such activities as: Capital and operating expenditures as set out in the budget Bylaw administration and enforcement Administration of provincial and federal laws affecting local government The City Manager is the liaison between Council and staff.

Council s Role (excerpt from Orientation of Effective Governance George Cuff, January 2009) Provide leadership: vision, priorities, dispute resolution Decision making: best process, access to quality information and advice Public participation: determining best approach Ensure transparency: provide access to information and make sure it s available Guard resources: set up policies Policy leadership: identify issues and review, revise, update as required

Council Responsibilities Section 115 of the Community Charter: Every council member has the following responsibilities: Consider the well-being and interests of the municipality and its community Contribute to the development and evaluation of policies and programs of the municipality respecting its services and other activities To participate in council meetings, committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which the member is appointed, To carry out other duties assigned by the council, Carry out other duties assigned under the Community Charter or any other Act.

Mayor s Responsibility Section 116 of the Community Charter: (1) The mayor is the head and chief executive officer. (2) In addition to the mayor's responsibilities as a member of council, the mayor has the following responsibilities: (a) to provide leadership to the council, including by recommending bylaws, resolutions and other measures that, in the mayor's opinion, may assist the peace, order and good government of the municipality; (b) to communicate information to the council; (c) to preside at council meetings when in attendance; (d) to provide, on behalf of the council, general direction to municipal officers respecting implementation of municipal policies, programs and other directions of the council; (e) to establish standing committees; (f) to suspend municipal officers and employees in accordance with section 151; (g) to reflect the will of council and to carry out other duties on behalf of the council; (h) to carry out other duties assigned under this or any other Act.

City Policy Mayor as a member of Council The Mayor is one member of Council and cannot make decisions on his/her own and has no individual authority to supervise or direct the City Manager (Council Policy No. 13/02)

Duty to Respect Confidentiality Section 117 of the Community Charter: (1) A council member or former council member must, unless specifically authorized otherwise by council, (a) keep in confidence any record held in confidence by the municipality, until the record is released to the public as lawfully authorized or required, and (b) keep in confidence information considered in any part of a council meeting or council committee meeting that was lawfully closed to the public, until the council or committee discusses the information at a meeting that is open to the public or releases the information to the public. (2) If the municipality suffers loss or damage because a person contravenes subsection (1) and the contravention was not inadvertent, the municipality may recover damages from the person for the loss or damage.

Remuneration Effective December 2014 to November 2017 (policy to be reviewed in early 2017) Mayor s annual salary = $62,132 Councillor s annual salary = $23,300 Acting Mayor s salary = $500.00 per month

Benefits Coverage Group life $25,000 (reducing to $12,500 coverage at age 65) Accidental death and dismemberment $25,000 coverage (reducing to $12,500 coverage at age 65) Dental Extended health

Time Commitment So how much time does a member of Council really spend on civic duties? The number of hours can vary substantially depending on the Council portfolios that are assigned, number of special projects that the City has underway (Energize Downtown, participating in regional land use planning) and the time of year.

Time Commitment Regular commitments: 2 nd and 4 th Mondays of each month, except for September and December, are Regular Council Meetings (Stat Holidays = Tuesday) Regular meetings start at 3:00 p.m. and can run as late as 8:30 p.m. (or longer by resolution) Most meetings end by 7:00 p.m. Supper is usually provided (since the end time of a Council meeting can vary depending on the agenda topics and the discussion) Closed Council meetings follow the regular Council meetings if required

Time Commitments Council Committee of the Whole (COW) Meetings are also scheduled on an as required basis on the Mondays (and sometimes other days) as well On Regular Council days, COW s can start as early as 1:00 p.m. COW Meeting start times vary depending on how much time is required in relation to the topics on the agenda During budget season (starting in October) there are usually COW meetings scheduled every Monday until the end of March

Time Commitments Agenda packages are available the Thursday prior to the meeting to allow Council the opportunity to read the material for the meeting on the following Monday. Reading the agenda package can sometimes be quite time consuming depending on the topic and background material included

Committee/Commission Liaison Responsibilities Each Council member is allocated a portfolio of responsibilities in addition to attending City meetings, functions, workshops, open houses and special events. These meetings can take place during the day, evening and on weekends.

Committee/Commission Liaison Responsibilities These appointments require additional meetings with other organizations (ie: Regional District) that Council members are required to attend Some of these appointments are made by Council resolution and some are allocated by the Mayor and ratified by resolution

Conference Travel and Expenditures Approved conference travel expenditures are outlined in Council Policy No. 98/10 There are conferences that Council is authorized to attend (subject to budget considerations) in accordance to Council Policy 20/12 Council members should expect to be away for at least 14 days each year for conference attendance

Typical Council Calendar

What s next? So you decide to run for Council

What s next? Open an election bank account Complete and submit the nomination package THE Election

Qualifications for Office Canadian Citizen 18 years of age or older Resident of BC for at least 6 months Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other Act from voting in an election in BC or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law. Candidates can run for office as a School Trustee and for a local government position simultaneously. A candidate cannot run for two local government positions simultaneously.

Council Member Expectations (excerpt from Orientation of Effective Governance George Cuff, January 2009) A willingness to learn a new role A desire to provide effective leadership to the community An understanding that Council and their administrations are two distinct components of the same team Respect for the distinctiveness of each role; desire to overlap and enhance accountability High level of integrity Questions!!!!!

Candidate Binders Information regarding the nominations (nomination package) is contained in the Candidate binder NEW - Campaign financing forms are administered by Elections BC Candidate binders are available tonight, online or at City Hall during office hours

Election Day Candidates are not permitted to loiter in the polling station during voting hours Candidates can come and vote (if eligible) but must leave the polling station once this has been completed Candidates and their immediate family (spouse and children only) can arrive at the polling station at 7:50 p.m. A room adjacent to the polling station will be used as the holding room until 8:00 p.m. Please note that candidates arriving after 8:00 p.m. will NOT be allowed into the polling station.

You re Successful! If you run and are successful, you will receive numerous full day training sessions that will provide you with an in-depth look at local government and your role. Yes - you will get another binder! (maybe even 4 or 5)

Important Dates for 2014/15 December 1, 2014 - New Council Orientation December 1, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. - Inaugural Council Meeting January 14 to 16, 2015 - Local Government Leadership Academy Elected Officials Seminar in Richmond February 11, 2015 - Elected Officials Workshop with George Cuff

More info? Here are some resources: Union of British Columbia Municipalities http://ubcm.ca/ Fort St. John Candidate Package Provincial Government http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/ Local Government in British Columbia- 4 th Edition Bish & Clemens, 2008 http://www.northernrockies.ca/assets/city~hall/pdf s/local_government_in_bc.pdf

Questions? Have we left anything out? Need clarification? Laura and I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have!

The best thing about being on City Council? Working with our fantastic City staff of course! Thank you for attending this session and good luck! We look forward to working with you over the next 4 years!