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 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL

Town of Rocky Mountain

December 30, 2024 

Acting Mayor LenPhIllios

ph. 403-322-5575 Iphillips@trmh.ca

Councillor Dave Auld ph. 403-322-0654

dauld@trmh.ca

Councillor Marley Capraro ph. 403-322-0655 mcapraro@trmh.ca

Councillor Tina Hutchinson ph. 4 0 3 - 3 2 2 - 7 0 5 2 thutchinson@trmh.ca

Kevin Stalker, President Rocky Taxpayers' Association 6716-61 Street

Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1B5

Email: rockytaxpayersassociation@gmail.com Dear Mr. Stalker,

Thank you for your letter dated December 4, 2024, regarding the Wayfinding Project. Council discussed both the project, and your correspondence, at its December 17 Regular Council Meeting.Council shares some of your apprehension regarding the consultant's estimated costs for the project. Council's intention is to further review the project before any tenders are awarded. This is reflected in Resolution 2024-612 as passed at the December 17 meeting:

M o v e d by Councillor Ken Moesker

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopt the 2025 Operating and Capital Budget with total operating revenues and expenditures of 

$28,042,892 as well as non-cash amortization of $3,474,250 and a capital budget in the amount of $5,827,100 with the Wayfinding Project costing and design to come back to Council for final

approval. CARRIED

Wayfinding can support vibrant community districts, connectivity and integration, community diversity and inclusivity, and placemaking.

As these principles are closely aligned with several of Council's Strategic Plan targets, Council believes a cohesive wayfinding program is a means to advance several Economic, Social and Governance goals, namely:

Rocky is Recognized as a Destination;

Safe and Secure Life for All;

Building a strong community through social activities and events; and, 

 December 4, 2024 

Acting Mayor and Council 5116-50 Avenue
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta T4T 1E5 

Dear Acting Mayor and Council: 

The Rocky Taxpayers’ Association would like to draw your attention to item 7.3 Wayfinding Project, discussed on November 12, 2024, Council Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting. A review of agenda item 7.3 and a video record of the meeting reflects a consensus of the council to further discuss the project at the November budget deliberation meeting. During the November 27, 2024, Operating and Capital Budget Meeting the project was approved without further discussion (Timestamp 5:56:30). The RTA would like the Acting Mayor and Council to reconsider

moving forward with this project. 

The RTA takes this position, not because the concept does not have merit but because of the overall cost of the project. Although the expenditure is spread over three years the total budget, $652,000 for this project is approximately 10% of the one-year residential taxes collected in 2024, $6,276,448. This item was not discussed at the 2025 budget deliberations and the 2025 expenditure was approved. The reality is that over the next three years the following expenditures will occur: 

 Year Cost 

1. 2024  $42,000 Consultant Cost
   2025  $200,000
   2026  $250,000
   2027  $160,000
   Total $652,000 

*Cost per sign is: $13,583.33 

Number of Signs 

20 17 11 48* 

 This expenditure is unacceptable and is not supported by the RTA executive. To further support the RTA’s position please consider the following: the use of signs has become redundant in today’s technological society as cell phones and the use of Google Maps have become the norm when visitors enter a community. If this is a beautification and branding project/exercise, consideration should be given to using a different and far more economical approach as signs are no longer needed. 

The RTA is requesting this correspondence be placed on the next agenda for the council and discussed in an open meeting. 

Sincerely 

Kevin Stalker
President, Rocky Taxpayers’ Association 

The proposed cost of a new Town Office has risen by over 30 percent to an excess of 8 million dollars.  The RTA has taken the position that unless numerous organizations including the County, RCMP, fire department, and local First Nations are contributing to the funding the project is a non-starter. Fortunately, the medical building will be coming vacant in the near future and available to utilize as a replacement for the current Town Office.

Investigation needed!

Find out CAO, Mayor and Councillors Wages.

Find comparable Towns in Alberta.  And a few from other places in Canada.

Discover if councillors attend and get paid when they go to meeting and events outside of the  scope of their duties/committees

Find out the last Raise the CAO received and an agreement that if fired with in a certain amount of time he would get “X” amount of money.  Near time of last code of conduct.

Do we need to spend $200,000 

for another landmark?

The landmark survey that was posted on the Town website has been completed and the RTA executive were informed by councillor Hutchinson and  Acting Mayor Capraro that the results were not going to be released.  Currently, it is unclear whether this expenditure is still on the books and continuing.  The RTA will continue to seek clarification.

The annual Service Level Review for the 2025 budget will be conducted in Drayton Valley at a cost of approximately $10,000. It has been identified to council that the RTA’s membership holds the expectation that this Service Level Review should be held locally and open to the public. It could also support a local establishment but, council continues to move forward with this expenditure.  We discovered how Banff conducts their service review.  See  link below.

We need more members to make town council pay attention to us!

The Wayfinding Signage Project's $250,000 expenditure ($50,000 in 2024 and $200,000 in 2025) has been suggested by Councillor Hutchinson as not accurate.  The RTA will continue to seek clarification.

The airport terminal building expenditures have not been approved.  A comprehensive cost benefit analysis needs to occur before additional funds are allocated.  At the core of the issues should municipalities operate airports and shouldn’t expenditures be on a cost recovery base.

A Delegation brought forward a proposal promoting construction a Pump Track Park (Bike Park)was brought forward to the previous Council and was approved.  The delegation is currently working on the financing.   

  A lot of concern from the residents has been expressed in regards with the purposed location, eg Parking in an already overly busy vehicle traffic area, and the towns part in the financial commitment.                                                                          We need more Members to be taken seriously.

Look after what we have instead of building new things.  eg. skate board park, POT HOLES, ….

As of January 2024, there have been 7 code of conduct investigations initiated during this council's term.  5 against Mayor Debbie Baich from

Incumbent Councillors. 1 for Councillor Dave Auld, 1 against  Councillors Len Phillips and Marley Caparo. Brought forward by Residents.

Subject: Information Request

Date: 2023-04-21 16:05To Mayor and Council

The Rocky Taxpayers Association (RTA) requests to ascertain the total number of Code of Conducts filed since the current Town Council took office after the 2021 Election, in comparison to the filings during the time the previous Town Council was in office. In addition, please include the issue of each of the Code of Conducts submitted since the current Town Council was sworn in, the cost of any investigations that were required, and the

publicly disclosed outcomes of those investigations. Please provide copies of the policies and procedures that are currently being utilized to address Code of Conduct complaints, as there have been changes to the Code of Conduct process since the fourth quarter of 2022. Citizens and business owners in the Town of Rocky Mountain House are looking for informed transparency, confirming that all council members are acting in a fiscally responsible way when entertaining and assessing the seriousness of internal and external interactions filed via the Code of Conduct process. The RTA appreciates your cooperation in helping us to move toward that transparency.

Thank you

Brian Hudson Vice President

Rocky Taxpayers Association.

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Look after what we have instead of building new things.  eg. skate board park, POT HOLES, ….