2012 Annual Rural Municipal Administrators Association (R.M.A.A.) Convention Highlights

Transcription

1 2012 Annual Rural Municipal Administrators Association (R.M.A.A.) Convention Highlights Monday, May 14 th Annual Golf Tournament: On Monday, May 14 th, the R.M.A.A. held its annual convention golf tournament at the Murray Golf Course in Regina. 128 golfers participated in the shotgun start event. The Gang of Three (Canada Culvert, Kramer Ltd and Signal Industries Ltd.) were once again major sponsors for this event. SGI Canada sponsored the buses that transported golfers to and from the golf course. On Monday evening, the staff of Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance Association registered the delegates for the annual convention. Delegates enjoyed a wine and cheese reception at the Delta Hotel Regina. Special thanks to Fosters Wine Estates for their sponsorship of the wine and cheese reception. Tuesday, May 15 th Morning Seminars: Convention delegates had the choice of attending any two of three training seminars in the morning: 1. Working Near Water Regulatory Requirements For Municipal Infrastructure Jeff Hovdebo Senior Habitat Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Regina Jennifer Merkowsky Area Fisheries Biologist, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Saskatoon Warren Thomson Manager, Regional Services, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Yorkton 2. Asset Management Taking the First Step with Life Cycle Costing Nicole Allen, P. Eng. VEMAX Management Inc., Saskatoon Darren Elder, RMA Administrator, R.M. of Wilton No Rural Municipalities and the Social Web: Where to Start Philippe Leclerc Interactive Communications Manager, City of Regina Opening Luncheon: The 92nd annual convention officially opened at Noon on Tuesday with a luncheon. There were 249 Administrators, 20 Spouses, 9 Associate Members,2 Honourary Members and 40 Visitors for a total number registered of 320. President Tim Leurer called the luncheon to order and asked for a moment of silence for those Administrators who had passed away during the previous year. Following the meal, Ida- Mae Leek, the former Administrator of the R.M. of Gull Lake, officially opened the convention. Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture, David Marit, President of S.A.R.M., Fred Clipsham, Councillor for the City of Regina and Bernie Bolen, from Sask Power Corporation, brought

2 greetings to the delegates from their respective organizations. R.M.A.A. Vice-President John Eberl responded to the greetings. President Tim Leurer presented each of the 31 new members of the R.M.A.A. with a membership certificate and an association pin. Tuesday Afternoon President s Address: Executive-Director Kevin Ritchie reconvened the meeting at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Ritchie made several convention announcements, asked for and received a resolution to accept the annual audited financial statement for 2011 and a resolution to appoint Mr. Dale Harvey as returning officer for the 2012 elections. Mr. Ritchie then introduced R.M.A.A. President Tim Leurer,who gave his address to the delegates. 25 Year Members: President Tim Leurer presented the 25 year membership pins to six members. Board Of Examiners: President Tim Leurer, Rural Board of Examiners Representative John Eberl, and Secretary to the Rural Board of Examiners, Jim Angus, presented the advanced Rural A Certificates and Rural Superior A Certificates to the successful applicants. Secretary to the Rural Board of Examiners: President Tim Leurer presented two paintings to Jim Angus in appreciation for Mr. Angus many years of service to the R.M.A.A. as Secretary to the Rural Board of Examiners. Fraternal Delegates: Each of the fraternal delegates brought greetings from their respective organization. U.M.A.A.S. Nicole Lerat, CAO, Town of Rosthern, Saskatchewan A.A.R.M.A. Sheila Kitz, CAO, County of St. Paul, St. Paul, Alberta M.M.A.A.- Lloyd Leganchuk, CAO, Boissevain, Manitoba

3 S.A.R.M.Update: David Marit, President of S.A.R.M. and Dale Harvey, Executive-Director of S.A.R.M. brought greetings and spoke about current issues that S.A.R.M. was working on that involved rural municipalities. Keynote Speakers: RBC Dominion Securities and Shawn Milligan sponsored the afternoon address by Mr. Garry Peters, former NHL Player and Kid sport Activist and Mr. Bob Hughes, former Leader Post Sports Editor and Author. The presentation was entitled A Light Hearted Look at Life and Sport by a Broken down Hockey Puck and Ink-Stained Wretch. Convention adjourned for the day at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 16 th The morning began at 9:00 a.m. with an address by the Honourable Darryl Hickie, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Minister Hickie s address was followed by an Advisory Services Branch Staff presentation reviewing several changes in the local government election process. There was also an address by Deputy Minister Van Isman which was followed by a presentation by the New West Partnership Trade Agreement At 11:45 a.m. R.M.A.A. Director Tammy Franks presented the 2012 Blood Donor Challenge Award to Division 2. A soup and sandwich luncheon, sponsored by BHP Billiton, was served to the delegates. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., lunch was followed by a one hour Round Table discussion session where delegates were encouraged to discussany of the suggested topics or any other pertinent topic they wished. President Elected: At 2:00 p.m. Returning Officer Dale Harvey announced that Tim Leurer, Administrator for the R.M. of Kelvington No. 366, had been re-elected by acclamation as President of the R.M.A.A. Mr. Leurer spoke briefly to the convention thanking them for putting their trust in him.

4 S.M.H.I Address: S.M.H.I. CEO Rodney Schoettler gave a brief address concerning changes to the S.M.H.I. process for Mr. Schoettler then introduced the S.M.H.I. sponsored keynote speaker, Mr. Jeff Mowatt, whose address was entitled The Art of Public Service.Influence With Ease. The afternoon session was recessed at approximately 3:30 p.m. S.M.H.I. Banquet: At 6:00 p.m. delegates enjoyed a banquet sponsored by S.M.H.I. Master of Ceremonies for the banquet was Tim Leurer, President of the R.M.A.A... Also at the head table were John Eberl, Vice-President of the R.M.A.A., David Marit, President of S.A.R.M., Wayne Black, President of S.M.H.I., Dan Dufour, grandson of the late Lou Jacobs, and Mr. Sam Edgerton, recipient of the 2012 Lou Jacobs Award along his wife Margaret Edgerton. Ten Retired Members were recognized for their years of service to rural Saskatchewan. Mr. Wayne Black and Mr. Rodney Schoettler made presentations recognizingextraordinary sales and performance in David Marit, President of S.A.R.M. made three draws for door prizes at the conclusion of the evening. Thursday, May 17th At 9:00 a.m. it was announced that nominations for Vice President would be received until 9:15 a.m. R.M.A.A. Committee Reports were presented by the R.M.A.A. Board from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Returning Officer Dale Harvey announced that nominations for Vice President were closed at 9:15 a.m. and John Eberl, Administrator for the R.M. of Moose Jaw No. 161 was declared re-elected as Vice President. Mr. Eberl gave a brief address thanking the members for placing their trust in him. Divisional Meetings: At 10:15 a.m. all members went to their respective divisional meetings. Each of the Divisional Directors in Divisions 1, 3 and 5 were re-elected by acclamation. At approximately 11:00 a.m. the divisional meetings adjourned and the main meeting reconvened. President Leurer introduced the members of the executive for

5 There were three resolutions brought forward, discussed and passed by the membership Resolution 1. Moved by the Resolutions Committee and Seconded By R.M. #316 WHEREAS, the extended Health and Benefits Plan has no limit on pharmaceutical coverage; and WHEREAS, the Retiree Rollover Plan has a limit of $800 annually for pharmaceutical coverage; and WHEREAS, this may have a significant financial impact on retiring administrators; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that RMAA negotiate with SARM and Blue Cross to improve pharmaceutical coverage in the Retiree Plan CARRIED. Resolution 2. Moved By the Resolutions Committee on behalf of Division 3 and seconded by R.M. #108 Whereas Acting Administrators currently are not eligible for Health and Dental and Life Insurance, we ask for an investigation into this to have it changed that Acting Administrators are eligible. Resolution 3. CARRIED Moved by the Resolutions Committee on behalf of Division 4 and seconded by R.M. #332 That the RMAA Executive approach SARM to implement a Web Portal where all municipalities could devise their own web page. CARRIED S.A.R.M. Door Prize Draws: Annette Ellert, S.A.R.M. strading Department Manager, drew for several door prizes. CAA Travel: The CAA Travel Voucher was won by Barb Webber from the R.M. of Frontier No. 19. The 2012 R.M.A.A. convention adjourned at approximately 11:30 a.m.