INNISFAIL – The town’s draft Strategic Plan has been tabled with a dozen high priorities to guide council as it reshapes the community over the next four years.
The draft plan, which includes developing more housing options and creating a new marketing strategy as key priorities, was tabled at a special council meeting on Jan. 29.
The document is now available to the public for input. The report coincidently includes the development of a revised public engagement strategy as a high priority strategy.
Copies of the 60-page plan will be distributed throughout the community and given to community groups for feedback, as well as posted on the town’s website.
"We want to encourage the public, and we will make (the strategic plan) as available as we can, and hit as many spots in the community as we can with copies of it,” said mayor Jim Romane. "The whole idea here is public engagement.”
Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer, also emphasized citizens will be fully engaged in the discussion to determine the town’s highest priorities.
"We have evolved as a local government based on the expectations of the community,” said Becker. "Communities are demanding a difference in how we do our business.”
Town council accepted the long-awaited document in principle and it will be brought back on March 5. At that time, council, after reviewing public feedback, could make changes. Council could also formally approve the document, or take more time to review public submissions.
Early feedback on the report by council members indicate that developing more housing options could succeed as being the number 1 priority for the community, despite the results of the report’s consultant priority ranking.
"All types of housing. We have five subdivisions on the books in this town, two in Napoleon Meadows and Hazelwood that actually have some lots in them available but we are really missing the boat on housing options right now,” said Coun. Jean Barclay. "For me that is urgent. We can have all this other stuff going on like the refinery down in Bowden and the proposed solar farm but how do we make this community grow and how do we have options for people who want to live and work here.”
Becker noted the highest priority determined by the consultant ranking was to look at how to increase the number and capacity of community gathering spaces, and to consult with Innisfailians to determine the level of need for a new or upgraded community facility, one that could ultimately be a huge cost to the town and taxpayers. Added to this priority was working to ensure citizens do not have to leave the town to take advantage of community activities.
"We need a good gathering place for people. It is high on my list but right now our immediate concern is to get development going again,” said Romane, who said exploring the idea of a major community gathering place for the young and arts community, with a large community hall and other meeting areas for local groups, was next to housing on his list of top priorities.
"Last year we had two new starts. We are due for a shot in the arm with housing development,” said Romane.
Meanwhile, the report also identified other high priority strategies to pursue over the next four years, some of them already reported like creating a positive first impression for visitors to Innisfail. As well, the plan calls for engaging in open discussions with Red Deer County to achieve an intermunicipal collaboration agreement, enhancing safety in the community, and developing a diversified marketing strategy to attract new businesses, with a performance goal of bringing in two new businesses to town each year.
As for an economic development officer, Becker said existing staff would handle that role for now before additional resources are seriously looked at.
"The next logical step would be to evolve into a position that is geared towards some economic development concepts and build from there,” said Becker. "I think we are starting nice and easy and likely ramping up a portfolio more towards the 2019 budget.”
Mayor Jim Romane
"We want to encourage the public, and we will make (the strategic plan) as available as we can, and hit as many spots in the community as we can with copies of it. The whole idea here is public engagement."
