The Place to Grow

Strategic Plan 2011–2013

Table of Contents

Message from the Mayor ........ 2

Vision, Mission & Values ......... 3

Meet Your Council ........................ 4

Strategic Plan ..............................5–7

Recent Achievements ................. 8

Message from the MayorThis Strategic Plan is a culmination of many months of hard work by both Council and Administration of the Town of Didsbury. We have created this longer-term planning document as a guide to help us prioritize the many projects that need to be done—infrastructure and facility upgrades, encouraging more community growth, enhancing communication to the public, and ensuring we continue to provide the basic services that residents need and expect into the future.

The unfortunate reality is that there is never enough money or resources available to meet all of the demands. It is critical that Council set priorities and make decisions based on sound information that allows us to move forward with some of these much needed projects.

This document has been provided to you in an effort to keep you informed of the decisions that Council is making on behalf of the citizens of the Town of Didsbury.

The Plan is intended to be a guiding document and will continually be updated as projects are completed, as priorities change or as funding becomes available.

We would appreciate any input and suggestions that you have so Council can take them into consideration when we review the plan each year.

Brian Wittal, Mayor

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Vision, Mission & ValuesIntroductionStrategic planning is an integral part of achieving the goals of an organization. The Town of Didsbury is committed to long term planning and to maintaining open communication about its goals for the future.

Throughout the fall of 2010, Town of Didsbury Council was involved in strategic planning meetings in order to bring forth ideas, initiatives and goals, and to prioritize these goals for the future of the community. From these discussions, Council developed a strategic plan that represents the key targets that Council will strive to achieve over the next three years.

This document provides you, the public, some background on your Council, the vision they have created for the community, the key targets they have set to achieve over the next three years, and a summary of some of the major achievements the Town has recently accomplished.

Town Council and the employees of the Town take pride in our community and are committed to promoting and maintaining Didsbury as a desirable location to live and work. This is shown through our spirit of service to the public and our dedication to friendly, efficient, and honest communication.

Our VisionMoving progressively

into the future by enhancing our

community and quality of life while respecting

our history.

Our MissionTo provide effective,

efficient and responsive governance

and planning.

Our ValuesQuality Service ■

Respect & Trust ■

Recognition ■

Teamwork ■

Community Service ■

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Brian Wittal, Mayor

Elected to Council in 2004, Brian served his first term as Councillor. He was elected as

Mayor in 2007, making this his second term as Mayor. Brian looks forward to working

with Council and Administration over the next term as they plan and work together to build

Didsbury for the future.

Brian and his wife, Kim, have been married for 30 years and have four grown children,

three daughters and a son.

LaVar Adams, Councillor

This is LaVar’s first time on Council and he feels privileged and honoured to represent the citizens of Didsbury.

LaVar, his wife Rosanne, and their youngest daughter moved to an acreage west of Didsbury in 1995. In Dec. 2009

they moved to Didsbury and immediately felt at home.

Ray Anderson, Councillor

Ray was born in Edmonton and moved to Didsbury in 1979. His family has lived in the

Didsbury area for over 100 years. Ray and his wife, Christy, have 3 children: 2 girls and 1 boy.

This is Ray’s first term on Council and he is thrilled to start a new adventure in his life.

He is here for the Town’s needs and takes pride in its growth and success.

Rick Mousseau, Councillor

Rick was first elected to Council in 2007 and is looking forward to serving Didsbury

residents for the next three years.

Rick has been married to his wonderful wife, Dean, for 35 years. They have two

sons, a daughter-in-law and one grandson, Austin.

Meet Your CouncilCouncil Contact InformationBrian Wittal: bwittal@didsbury.ca 403.335.7363

LaVar Adams: ladams@didsbury.ca 403.556.5013

Ray Anderson: randerson@didsbury.ca 403.994.1191

Rick Mousseau: rmousseau@didsbury.ca 403.335.9430

Gail Nowlan: gnowlan@didsbury.ca 403.335.3863

Gayle Veno: gveno@didsbury.ca 403.335.3401

Peter Versluys: pversluys@didsbury.ca 403.335.8674

Gail Nowlan, Councillor

Gail first became a Town Councillor in 2007. Gail is truly honoured to represent you at the

Council table. She is community focused, accountable, informed, and proactive.

Since 2004, Gail and her husband, Sean, have called Didsbury home and are proud to be

raising their three young children here.

Gayle Veno, Councillor

This is Gayle’s third term as Town Councillor and she hopes to serve the citizens of Didsbury by being

their voice at the Council table.

Gayle has been a resident of Didsbury since her husband was transferred here in 1975. They raised

their three children here and have been blessed with five grandchildren.

Peter Versluys, Councillor

Peter, an active volunteer in Didsbury, served on Town Council in 1998–2001 and again in 2002–2004. It is a privilege for him to return

to Council in 2010.

In 1976, Peter and his wife, Rita, moved from Olds to Didsbury. They are the parents of two

children, and have five grandchildren.

To learn more about your Council, go to www.didsbury.ca/town/councilprofiles4 ■ STRATEGIC PLAN 2011–2013

Encouraging Economic Development & Fiscal AccountabilityCouncil is committed to demonstrating sound financial stewardship while encouraging steady and planned community growth and demonstrating sensitivity to our environment.

TargetEvaluate the current fiscal position of the Town including an analysis ■

of the tax base, user fees, government transfers, and levies.

Complete the ■ Transportation Master Plan—including land use, population projections, engineering standards, and design standards.

Develop a strategy to fund a wastewater treatment facility that will ■

meet the needs of Didsbury, up to a population of 10,000 people.

Meet with local developers and builders and develop a move forward ■

strategy relative to off-site levies and community economic development.

Continue to build our relationship with our ‘Twin City’ Miki Town, Japan ■

and explore opportunities for business development.

Our Strategic Plan 2011–2013Corporate Accountability Council provides direction to the organization by developing a vision that reflects the goals and values of the community and through the development of a strategic plan, members of Council and Administration are held accountable to serving the citizens of Didsbury.

TargetAdopt and communicate the vision for the Town of Didsbury. ■

Develop a three year strategic plan with specific and measurable ■

goals that will serve as a stand-alone document to guide and hold accountable both Council and Administration.

Develop a performance matrix for measuring Council and ■

Administration’s success in achieving the goals of the organization.

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Building CommunityAcknowledge and build upon the pride and community spirit of Didsbury to maximize opportunities that empower residents to become active partners in our community.

TargetEnhance Council’s participation in existing community events and plan for one new ■

opportunity each year.

Develop and implement a ■ Didsbury Pride campaign that encourages residents to actively take pride in the community. Suggested activities include: neighbourhood block parties, litter campaigns, spring and fall cleanup programs, public workshops, and more active communication about the Town’s successes.

Enhance the physical beauty of the cemetery, parks, and open spaces through effective ■

landscaping plans, tree replacement programs, and pathway development.

Redevelop the land adjoining the railway tracks along 19 ■ th Street and 20th Street to encourage downtown growth and development including increased pedestrian traffic.

Reconstruct the south portion of 20 ■ th Street to 15th Avenue with heritage lighting standards and sidewalk enhancements.

Preserve and enhance the heritage ‘feel’ of the community through public awareness, ■

maintaining design standards on new construction, and assisting community members with accessing funding opportunities for renovations to existing heritage structures.

Develop and implement a ■ Come Home campaign focused on encouraging people to return to the community.

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Communicating with Our Community PartnersCouncil is committed to providing consistent, accurate, and timely information to residents, Council members, staff, and other community partners.

TargetProvide training to Council and Administration relative to establishing positive media relations. ■

Develop a communication strategy that will focus on communication between Council, ■

Administration, and the residents of the community.

Provide professional quality communication to the public that is consistent and in compliance ■

with the corporate image that Council strives to achieve.

Increase the quality and level of communication with staff to ensure that information being ■

relayed to the public is communicated in a consistent and effective manner.

Improve the visiting experience for tourists at the Visitor Information Centre. This will ■

include training for Visitor Information Centre staff, upgrades to the existing facility, and to explore opportunities for a new site.

Enhance and replace Town signage to obtain a consistent image for promotion of the ■

community. This will include downtown directional signage, tourism signage, parks signage, and other general signage within the community.

Maximize utilization of technology while at the same time being cognizant of ensuring ■

a maximum return on investment.

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Town of Didsbury2037 19 Avenue, PO Box 790

Didsbury, AB T0M 0W0 403 335 3391

inquiries@didsbury.ca

RecentAchievements2010

2009

For more information, please visit us at www.didsbury.ca.

Bethany Care Society awarded $10 million in grant funding ■

to construct 100 affordable supportive living units.

Rated one of “Alberta’s Top 5 Growth Communities” by ■

Alberta Venture Magazine.

Recipient of 3 Annual Achievement Awards from the ■

Central Alberta Economic Partnership for Collaboration, Promotion, and Impact for our Going Beyond Offi cial Twinning project with Miki Town, Japan.

Awarded $6 million in grant funding for our North Industrial ■

Area—Road Work & Storm Water Management Project.

$1.6 million in grant funding awarded to a local developer ■

for construction of 20 affordable housing units.

Awarded $106,000 in grant funding to renovate the lobby ■

at the Memorial Complex and upgrade the HVAC system within the Aquatic Centre.

Completed an Area Redevelopment Plan for 19 ■ th Street and 20th Avenue.

The Municipal Area Partnership, which Didsbury is a ■

member of, received the Minister’s Award for Municipal Excellence for Outstanding Achievement.

Rated one of “Alberta’s Top 5 Communities to do Business” ■

by Alberta Venture Magazine.

Copyright © 2011 Town of Didsbury—All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, by any means whatsoever, without written permission from CynDee Walden at 403-335-3391.

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