There was a lot of public involvement at the final community neighbourhood meeting put on by the City of Thompson, which took place at R. D. Parker Collegiate on Nov. 4.
Mayor Tim Johnston and members of city council hosted seven community meetings in total, focusing on finance and budget consultation, community pride, infrastructure and development, public safety, housing, recreation and services and an open forum.
The last meeting was a chance for the public to ask questions of city council or broach subjects that were not addressed at the other meetings or that they wished to discuss more extensively.
One of the major issues that dominated the talk of the night focused on the City of Thompson's new automated waste management system - and the new garbage bins the City handed out to each household recently.
City council approved spending $860,000 April 6 for a Labrie automated solid waste garbage truck and 3,300 pairs of garbage and delivery bins from the 2009 capital budget to allow for single-operator truck combined curbside collection. The city took delivery in August of 3,300 pairs of garbage and delivery bins that can be emptied into a collection truck by mechanical arms, eliminating the need for garbage and recycling collectors to empty bins by hand. Each household was given one garbage bin, with the option to acquire another by paying a $100 down payment on the cart, to be returned later on with only normal wear and tear on the cart, and a $20-a-month fee to use the second cart.
A few members in the audience said that it is not fair that people who can't afford to pay the down payment or the monthly fee for the second cart aren't able to take advantage of the second cart option. Others complained that one - or even two - garbage bins were simply not enough for some larger families, even when those families recycle.
Johnston pointed out that limiting the number of bins is all part of the City of Thompson's waste management plan, while other audience members suggested that perhaps people who needed more than two bins were not recycling, reusing or purchasing items as wisely as they could be.
Another question put to city council asked what the city's plan is to combat greenhouse gas emissions. Craig Finlay, manager of infrastructure and assets with the city, says the city has hired a co-ordinator to look at the amount of greenhouse gases that the city creates. He says the co-ordinator will look at the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the City of Thompson in 2003. The City of Thompson will then attempt to reduce its emissions by 20 per cent, while the rest of the city will be challenged to lower their emissions by six per cent. Coun. Charlene Lafreniere also added that the city is looking at an entire environmental strategy, which will encompass dealing with greenhouse gas emissions.
The next big issue involved affordable housing and the University College of the North project that is currently being worked on in Thompson. Johnston reiterated his stance that the UCN development is an important part of Thompson's future.
The city also discussed cracking down on property standards with landlords as well as home owners; meeting with the Manitoba Justice Department to work on a gang and drug initiative for the North; and making the city more wheelchair and senior friendly.
Johnston says the city has been recording the comments that have come from each meeting and will refer back to them in future decision-making processes.
