Enterprise back on track
Co-management agreement concludes between hamlet and MACA
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 13, 2014
ENTERPRISE
An arrangement has ended under which the Hamlet of Enterprise received GNWT help to run community affairs.
Hermann Minderlein, left, the new senior administrative officer with the Hamlet of Enterprise, and Mayor John Leskiw II stand outside the hamlet hall. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo |
The co-management agreement between the hamlet and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) began in February, was extended for two months in May and officially ended on July 31.
However, it continued unofficially until mid-September when the hamlet hired a new permanent senior administrative officer (SAO), one of the main goals of co-management.
Mayor John Leskiw II is pleased with the results of the co-management period.
"It was a big insight to council on how they should be functioning," he said.
The agreement was established to help overcome dysfunction at the Hamlet of Enterprise, which included such things as persistent disagreements among council members and motions that were not acted on by administration. It was announced just days after the hamlet and a former SAO parted ways.
Leskiw has some reservations about the end of the co-management agreement.
"I've got to think of a really diplomatic way to put this," he said. "I think some councillors were more behaving themselves knowing that we were under scrutiny by MACA. And with them not here, I want to see how they react to having a free hand.
"That's my primary concern right now. If it does get out of hand, I think I would be forced to ask MACA to go back to it. I'm hoping it doesn't go that way. We really won't know with the election coming up until we get a new council."
Three of the six seats on council will be filled in regularly-scheduled elections in December.
Leskiw said he was slightly surprised MACA let the co-management agreement end, considering two councillors have resigned this year.
"I didn't think things were going as well as they are, but what we did complete and how we handled the problems that arose it looks as if they have a bit more confidence in who's left on council," he said of MACA.
Tom Williams, the deputy minister of MACA, explained the co-management agreement was established because council was facing a number of challenges that were hindering the community's government progress.
"Overall, we thought it was successful," said Williams. "Both the hamlet and ourselves acknowledge there was excellent progress and we were seeing positive results in the co-management agreement. Council and administration have demonstrated that they are committed to overcoming their challenges and to continue working to completion of their objectives."
The deputy minister wrote a letter to the hamlet in mid-September to wrap up the agreement by outlining its successes and requesting that council take a few more steps.
The successes included council passing a budget for the current fiscal year, approving a five-year capital investment plan, appointing an interim SAO who helped recruit a permanent SAO, and conducting a review of bylaws.
"We think they're back on track again," said Williams.
MACA also requested council move to complete a number of outstanding objectives, including public governance training sessions, a strategic plan review workshop, workshops and public engagement opportunities to resolve some of the conflict that has affected the hamlet's operation, a review and update of the council procedures bylaw, as well as orientation and training for the new SAO.
Council passed a motion at its Oct. 6 meeting to undertake those extra steps.
The new SAO is Hermann Minderlein, who began work on Sept. 15.
Minderlein has extensive and varied work experience, including time with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal civil service and municipal administration, including time serving as a chief administrative officer (CAO) in Faro, Yukon, and a number of communities in Alberta.
Most recently, he was CAO in the Town of Oyen, a farming community in southeastern Alberta.
Minderlein said he is familiar with the co-management process.
"I've been in other communities that have been under administration, as they call it down in Alberta," he said, adding those have been very good learning experiences.
The new SAO noted MACA will remain involved with the Hamlet of Enterprise, including providing training and workshops.
"It's not that they're walking away completely," he said. "They're still going to provide assistance."
Leskiw, Williams and Minderlein all praised the efforts of John McKee, who served as the hamlet's interim SAO during the co-management period.
"Certainly having a very senior and experienced former SAO like Mr. McKee helped the community refocus, and they got a lot of things accomplished under his tenure working with the hamlet," said Williams.
McKee ended his work in Enterprise in late September.
Leskiw said he would recommend co-management to other communities that are having problems.
"It is a good exercise in learning what is required of the council," he said. "It's like learning to walk. Somebody has to hold your arms until you can stand on your own. And basically that's where we are now, hopefully."
