City’s Council Remuneration Committee has proposed salary adjustments for the Mayor and Councillors to align with comparable municipalities before the next election. Key recommendations include setting the Mayor’s salary at $72,000, with a 2.5% annual increase starting November 1, 2025. Councillors’ base salary would be $30,000 with the same yearly increase. The base salary covers all standard council duties. Additional updates include adjusting meal allowances to Canada Revenue Agency guidelines of a flat rate of $23 per meal and a JBS Canada Centre membership.

Activities Covered under Base Rate:

• All Council Meetings

• Budget meetings

• Council Orientation

• Preparation for meetings

• Phone calls, informal discussions or meetings, constituency work and other miscellaneous activities.

Sense of Belonging and Employee Well-Being - City Council is reviewing 9 key projects in the Sense of Belonging and Employee Well-Being Focus Area of the Strategic Plan. Below is an update on the projects. Council reviews sections of its work plan regularly to guide budgetary decisions and staff plans.

• Iconic sign visible from the TransCanada Highway - Possibly at the dog park adjacent to the TransCanada Highway. Not started, budget has not been allocated for this project yet.

• Muslim cemetery - Outreach with the Muslim community to investigate possible locations, with potential integration into the 2024 cemetery expansion as per the cemetery master plan.

• Community beautification plan - Staff is working on a pathway and beautification design. The Urban Forestry Plan is constantly updated. Notices are issued for weeds/grass and unsightly areas, and contractors complete the work if it wasn't finished. The city collaborates with Communities in Bloom, BRZ, and EcoBrooks to address litter. ME Officers manage overflowing garbage bins. The graffiti control project has provided residents with reporting guidelines and removal products, with social media posts promoting the reporting process.

• Community spirit marketing campaign - Encouraging residents to call Brooks “home.” Marketing materials were created by the Economic Development team, but a specific focus on "home" is not central. Could become part of Inclusion Coordinator responsibilities.

• Community events - Held in 2023 include the Alberta Air Tour, Pancake Breakfast, Rodeo, Taste of Nations, AB55+ Street Dance, Canada Day, and Movie in the Park. Planned 2024 events include Seniors Appreciation, Canada Day, Taste of Nations, Truth and Reconciliation, Women's History Month, and a variety of smaller events.

• CUPE negotiations - A review of the entire collective agreement was conducted to identify potential issues or gaps. The rough draft of the new agreement was completed.

• Compensation review - Information and data were collected from 8 municipalities to ensure that each position within the City is competitive in the current labour market.

• Recruiting plan for challenging positions - Recreation pool positions are among the City’s toughest roles to fill due to high demand across Alberta, contributing to a labour shortage in this field. Recruitment for Junior Lifeguards was conducted over the summer of 2023, with all positions filled and at full complement. Other difficult positions remain, and tailored plans will be developed for each role.

• Employee engagement and satisfaction post-pandemic - The survey was distributed, but results have not been compiled yet.

Lower Speed Limits - Safe Communities Committee is recommending to Council that the speed limit in Brooks be lowered to 40 km/h in residential areas. The speed limit would remain 50 km/h on arterial and collector roads. This suggestion follows a request from a resident on the Newell Connect App to change the speed limit within residential areas. Suggested areas to keep at 50 km/h are:

• 2 Street W

• Cassils Road

• 1 Avenue

• 2 Avenue (from 4 Street W to College Drive/Horticultural Station Road)

• Young Road

• College Drive

• Sutherland Drive

• 3 Street W/4 Street W (from 15 Avenue W to Cassils)

• 6 Street E

• 7 Street E

• 12 Street W (north of Cassils)

• 15 Street W

• Industrial area

Changing the speed limit would have significant financial implications. The estimated cost for purchasing and installing new speed limit signs is $355,000.

Farm & Business Succession Workshop on Nov. 14th at the Heritage Inn in Brooks. When it comes to selling your business or maybe passing on the farm to the next generation, there are some tough questions that need to be asked. How can I manage the tax hit? Is it fair to the kids? Why is it so hard to talk about this? A panel of experts will answer these questions and many more. Pre-register here.

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