Kincardine council

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Any changes to Kincardine's emergency services committee will be left up to the new council when it takes over Dec. 1.

That was the decision by council in committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (June 2).

Chief administrative officer John deRosenroll presented the report, noting the committee wanted to re-align its structure to make it more effective.

The major problem, he said, is that the existing committee has staff acting as voting members which causes confusion between governance and management roles and responsibilities.

In addition, the fire department requires a dedicated committee for governance reviews; and all emergency services staff commented on the importance of communication among fire, police, emergency medical services and water rescue (Mysis rescue boat).

The changes, said deRosenroll, would include the following:

• Create a new emergency services committee terms of reference
• Include two council members on the committee
• Include three members of the public
• Relegate emergency services staff to non-voting positions
• Redesign the committee meeting schedule to include eight dedicated meetings to provide oversight on fire department governance issues (including emergency management co-ordinator and health and safety issues)
• Have four committee meetings designed to have all services in attendance to ensure communication and co-ordination of all public safety activities

"Why are we doing this in the middle of a council term?" asked councillor Ron Hewitt.

Deputy mayor Laura Haight suggested leaving the committee as is until the fall, and simply not invite the fire and Mysis representatives to meetings where their attendance is not required.

The current structure is not working, said deRosenroll, but he conceded that the proposed changes could start with the new council.

"If we implemented it now, it would be a good test period to see if it works," said mayor Larry Kraemer.

"Then we'd have to appoint a second councillor," said Hewitt. "We're wasting time. I recommend leaving it for the new council to decide."

Council agreed to postpone any changes to Dec. 1, when the new council takes over.

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Saturday, June 05, 2010