Andy Morel answers the six questions
By Rossland Telegraph
Current Mayor Andy Morel is standing for re-election as a member of Rossland City Council. His answers to our six questions arrived in our inbox yesterday (Friday) afternoon.
- Why do you want to serve on City Council? What do you think are your strengths as a member of Council?
Twelve years ago, I was asked to consider running for Rossland City Council. With a passion for politics and service, rubbed off from my parents, and having run as a candidate in both Federal and Provincial campaigns, I was intrigued by the idea of serving at a more local level where direct Municipal and Regional decisions support our communities and citizens in everyday life. I’ve never looked back. It truly is grassroots level service to our citizens.
I love and enjoy our Community, and the region I have called home for over 28 years now. Giving back to the community in service as both a Councillor for 8 years, Regional Director for 8 years and as Mayor of Rossland for the past 4 years has been one of the most impactful, educational and proudful experiences of my life.
Bringing my knowledge and experience base of 12 years from both the Council and Regional Director roles will provide continuity to the new Council membership. The growth curve in learning politics and the workings of Municipal and Regional governments is steep and long range. I hope to be able to assist in supporting new and returning councillors with my experiences to date.
I bring to the table a skill-set of listening, collaboration, team building, civil engagement, connections (local, regional and provincial) and 12 years of knowledge base of both our municipal and regional government workings.
- If Rossland must cut any services or lose any amenities to keep taxes manageable, which ones do you think are least essential and could be lost without impacting community life unduly? How much money would that save?
To date, I have chosen general tax increases to support the levels of service citizens have come to rely on. However, and especially since the pandemic, costs of operating all City and regional operated services and facilities have continued to increase – often at twice the consumer price index or more, (CPI). Construction costs have ballooned for infrastructure projects. Grant funding from both Provincial and Federal Governments has been oversubscribed and overall dollars reduced. If citizen expectations continue to include the core current levels of services, the upkeep and accessibility to the recreational facilities and amenities in use, we must raise the taxes and associated user service cost fees to support them.
On a daily basis, City Staff look for efficiencies in operations at all levels. There is continuous room to find efficiencies but appreciable savings will need to be addressed by reductions in services. I will continue to reinforce the need at both the City and Regional levels to look for cost efficiencies, and I look forward to engaging fellow Councillors and citizens in finding the balance of supporting services expectations and the costs associated.
- Should Councillors explain their reasons at Council meetings for how they vote, when there is not unanimous agreement? Why or why not?
I think it is important for accountability to have a robust, civil conversation on issues at the Council table. Having an opinion one can back up with their knowledge base on the subject supports the debate and allows others to consider the six Councillors’ and Mayor’s thoughts and community represented considerations to be heard. Transparency and accountability are important to the political process!
- Do you understand the distinctions between municipal powers, provincial powers and federal powers? Explain. And, do you understand the meaning of the word “intermeddling” and how it may apply to the relationship between councillors and staff members?
Yes, after 12 years serving 3 terms as both Councillor and Mayor, I have learned and understand the jurisdictional responsibilities of all 3 levels of government. As well, within the municipal governance structure, we also have a regional split of responsibilities and collaborations that I have been fortunate enough to have learned and worked with on behalf of our community for the past 8 years.
I understand well that term of “intermeddling” and respect the separation of staff and council roles and the importance of not injecting oneself into the daily business of managing City operations – at any level. Our CAO is the one and only employee of Council. All other City employees fall under the direction of the CAO for senior staff/department managers. The balance of operational staff report directly to their department managers. If a Councillor has heard of or privy to an issue with a City employee, it is important to take that issue to the CAO.
- It is not within Rossland, but if it happens it will affect Rossland, so what are your thoughts about the proposed open-pit mine on Record Ridge? What would be your position on it as a Council member?
For Rossland and region, my opinion from early on has been, this proposed project is not in the best interest of our economic, social, environmental, or human health. Since first hearing of this project a number of years ago, in researching this project, meeting with the proponent and team, I have had concerns about the potential impacts this project could have on Rossland and region. As Councillor previously and current Mayor, I have continued to build my knowledge of this proposed project implications, the legislative process of mine applications and the political realities of an outdated regulatory system. For the past few years, I and Council members have voiced our concerns through numerous letters to and met with Provincial Ministers and regulatory staff at the annual UBCM conferences. We’ve worked through our local MLA, Steve Morissette who has been a strong advocate for Rossland on this file to voice our concerns and has assisted in setting up meetings with strategic Ministers and staff. I will, if elected as Councillor, continue raising my voice with the many potential impacts on our citizens and environment.
- Please give your opinions on climate change and municipal efforts to curb it. Do you think municipalities have an important role? What would you like Rossland to do?
Yes, municipalities have an important and critical role in climate action!
I have been a strong advocate of local climate mitigating efforts at both the Municipal and Regional tables, starting a decade ago with the Rossland Energy Diet program, advocating for residential building retrofits. As municipalities across Canada contribute 50+% of greenhouse gases in our environment we must continue to take responsibility for what we can influence in our communities. Supporting the Zero Carbon Step Code to build more energy efficient buildings including the success of increasing the efficiency of our new City Hall and Rossland Yards Workforce Housing project with funding from FCM Green Municipal Fund.
Other Rossland specific programs such as the Integrated Climate Action Plan, promoting EV public charging infrastructure, zero scape and fire-resistant landscaping, water usage reduction programs – implementation of water meters over a decade ago are some examples of Council efforts.
At the Regional District (RDKB), I’ve supported a number of initiatives including the electrification of the service fleet of vehicles where possible, the Green Bin curbside pickup and composting program in partnership with RDCK has diverted tons of organic kitchen waste materials substantially reducing greenhouse off gassing (GHGs) in our landfills and extending the life of those landfills. Advocating strongly to Provincial and Federal governments for financial incentive programming to continue and expand for retrofits, strengthening efficiency building standards and any initiative to support the 3Rs -reduce, ruse and recycle when possible.
As an aside, I have been working on a home retrofit project (for too long now) and have successfully made our home much more comfortable year-round as well as removing natural gas reliance completely.
