Town of Ponoka 2015 Highlights and Accomplishments

Town of Ponoka 2015 Highlights and Accomplishments
Report to the Community
Merry Christmas from Ponoka Town Council and Administration! Have a safe and happy holiday
season. We look forward to continuing to work for residents, business and industry in 2016.
Below, we’ve listed some of the work we’ve done for you in 2015. Before you read that list, please
remember that every day, our town staff work to provide daily services in Ponoka that contribute to a
safe, healthy and vibrant lifestyle.
This includes things like maintaining our community facilities, parks and green spaces; placing beautiful
floral arrangements throughout town; providing permits, electrical services and bylaw enforcement;
keeping us safe through fire and emergency response; meeting with advisory committee members;
offering fun community events and programs; maintaining roads and promoting town initiatives online.
We are proud of Ponoka and all it offers. And we are proud to present this list of 2015 accomplishments
to Ponoka residents, businesses and industry.
Working together, we can keep moving forward to keep Ponoka a place we are proud to call home, and
to welcome new people, business and industry in the future.
Ponoka Town Council
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Approval of the project and financing for replacement of the 100-year old Battle River Bridge and
50th Avenue Road Realignment
Laying the groundwork for a new Community Health and Wellness Centre
Recreation & Culture Master Plan & Facility Development Study nearing completion
A focus on enhanced recreation and town events, including Canada Day celebrations, fireworks and
the Town's first Day in the Park
Discussions are taking place on a new Regional Fire Agreement with Ponoka County
First-ever Budget Engagement process initiated, including an Open House and a Citizen Survey
identifying the Top 10 priorities of residents and business
Review and enhancement of Bylaw enforcement and decision to create a Peace Officer position for
2016
Established new boards and committees: Airport Development Board, Heritage & Downtown
Revitalization Committee, Utilities and Environmental Committee and Police Advisory Committee
Development and approval of the Town’s first Corporate Strategic Plan including new Pillars,
Guiding Principles, long-term Vision and work charts identifying the path to achieving our priorities
from now to 2035, giving a proactive focus to projects and initiatives
Discover the Real Ponoka where we are proud to be a Safe, Healthy, Ready and Vibrant community
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Corporate Services and Administration
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Manage the Town’s finances, budgets, taxes and 10 year Capital Plan
Approval of the Interim 2016 Budget
Ongoing successful independent audits
Diamond Software implementation and upgrades to provide efficient customer service including
online services; working towards a paper-free workplace and more virtual services
IT Services set up Town of Ponoka Free WiFi at the Arena, Aquaplex and other locations
Moved to a new Town Hall location on 54 Street; Enhanced Customer Service at the front counter in
the new Town Hall and relocation of the Town’s Internet Technology systems
New Staff Performance Appraisal Process based on our new Corporate Strategic Plan; this process
will identify staff goals and training needs linked to projects and priorities identified for the short
and long-term
New Town Hall located at C, 4900 - 54 Street, Ponoka AB T4J 1N8
Raising awareness for the local Foodbank with a Town staff foodbank drive every Christmas
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Community Services
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The first issue of the Community Program Guide is scheduled for release in January 2016
Increased daytime programming at the Aquaplex with weekday lessons and extra day time swims,
and incredibly positive feedback about our swim instructors and great Aquaplex staff
Arena played host to Skating Carnival, Provincial Hockey Tournament and Tournament of Champions
Hockey tournament in March
Arena is host to the weekly Farmer's Market, Lacrosse program, High School Graduation and Ponoka
Stampede Activities
All staff worked extremely hard to maintain clean facilities, ball diamonds and sportsfields plus work
with passionate local groups to make the most of our recreation facilities
Real Community Spirit
Support for our youth and sports teams
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Ponoka Fire Department
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The new Safer Community Project is a great success. This program involved the purchase of 100
smoke alarms which are provided to citizens in the community to help promote home fire safety
Since August 2015, the Ponoka Fire Department has recruited 12 new members. Member training is
provided to new recruits and long-time volunteers. Two members have just returned from Maple
Ridge BC and have successfully completed Fire Service Instructor Level 1, and 10 members are taking
part in Hazardous Materials Response training, to an Operational level. This training provides
responders with the fundamentals to safely respond to an incident involving dangerous goods.
Fire Inspections throughout the community and assisting business owners with code compliance
New technology installed in the Fire Hall and on Fire responders cell phones to help get to the scene
of an emergency even more quickly.
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Operations & Property Services
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Started work on the Battle River Bridge Replacement and Road Realignment of 50th Avenue
Cemetery Master Plan, completion of Phase 1, working with Corporate Services
Airport Feasibility Study completed and New Ponoka Industrial Airport Development Board formed
47th Street Storm Drainage Upgrade
Lagoon Force Main Extension completed
1,749 Square Meters of Asphalt Road Repairs and 24,000 Lineal Meters of Asphalt Crack Sealing
65 Meters of Water Line replaced on 50th Street
Updated Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy
Annual Water Reservoir inspection and cleaning
Tangible Assets Inventory and Infrastructure Life Cycle Plan
To read Town Bylaws and Frequently Asked Questions visit the website: www.ponoka.ca
Follow the Town on Facebook and Twitter for ongoing, daily updates of services and projects
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Planning & Economic Development
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Move of the Planning and Economic Development Department to the Visitor Centre providing a
complete development, information and permit “one-stop centre” for residents and visitors
Solid start on the review and update of the Town’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB) with well attended Open
Houses, BBQs, foray into the community with surveys and breakfast at the Ag Centre. We are
bringing forward an initial draft of the updated LUB in the early part of the New Year.
Electronic Filing implemented with new electronic permit filing and tracking system on target for
early 2016
Two successful Business Cafes for Health Services and Real Estate
Ongoing work, growth and involvement of the Economic Development Board
Thanks to our community-minded volunteers, groups, organizations, agencies and board and committee
members for your ongoing involvement, participation, enthusiasm and feedback. We look forward to
continuing to work with everyone in 2016.
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Town of Ponoka
Report to the Community
December, 2015
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates
Be sure to visit the Town Website for detailed information
www.ponoka.ca