With a newly elected mayor for the City of Morden, lots of work started late in 2023, will take shape in 2024.
Mayor Nancy Penner is looking forward to bringing the new council together.
"We are going to go into 2024, kicking off the year with some strategic planning. We've hired A consulting firm to come into the city and help us with some strategic planning right off the bat. We're into our second phase of budget planning. The skeleton crew council started already with budget planning and met with department heads and looked at some of the numbers they needed for their departments."
Penner looks forward to Morden hosting the Scotties Tournament of Hearts at the end of January and there are several projects underway as well.
"We're preparing space for the new daycare to go in. We have our industrial park expansion underway. We've got design plans there to get the sewer and water built to accommodate that expansion. And once we get the subdivisions approved, then when the properties are purchased, the ownership can switch hands quickly. So, that is encouraging to see. We have property available for either existing industry to expand or new industry to come into the neighbourhood."
In 2023, the city purchased the historical Land Titles building on the corner of 8th and Stephen Streets and looks forward to those who will reply to Request for Proposal (soon to be put out) to enhance and develop the building, without changing the integrity of the exterior of the building.
The number one issues in the 2022 Municipal Election and 2023 By-Election in Morden were wastewater treatment and water supply, they remain top priority heading into the new year.
"I know when council went to AMM (Association of Manitoba Municipalities) in November and shared some of the economic numbers that are reliant on our wastewater being addressed, the province cannot ignore our need for wastewater and meeting our needs to develop a wastewater treatment facility. And I'm not sure what form it's going to take because every time I turn around, that number is just increasing."
With Penner still adjusting to the role of Mayor, being away from council for a couple months, she is still getting a handle on the work done by council to prepare for the 2024 budget planning season over the coming months, recognizing affordability is a key component while responding to the needs of the residents and businesses in Morden.
One item of great importance to the new mayor is keeping the lines of communication open with the community.
"To let the community know what is going on with council, and some of the decisions we are making or why we make those decisions, is key. If you want to talk about transparency, that's how you build trust in your community, by letting them know how and why you make decisions and making sure that communication is going back and forth."
For example, a delegation from the newly formed climate action group approached City Council at the first public meeting on December 27th, to talk about concerns regarding green space in a new development in Morden. Penner said it was great to have people enthusiastic to be part of the discussion and consultation, recognizing the reality is not all decisions will have the opportunity for deep discussions or consultations, but hopes to help residents better understand why the decisions are made.