Checking up on Sam

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/01/2010 (6044 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IF you happen to drive in Winnipeg today, you may notice our streets are “the pride of the country.”

You may delight in the city’s "fully revitalized downtown." You may develop a sense of pride knowing people around the world are so impressed with our government they refer to the "Winnipeg model" of civic reform.

These are among the predictions made by Mayor Sam Katz in his wildly ambitious 2007 State of the City speech, delivered to a Chamber of Commerce audience months after he was re-elected.

To be fair to the mayor, optimism is something that should be admired. But as the top elected official in Winnipeg, the pronouncements he makes during his annual policy-platform address deserve to be revisited.

In 2008 and 2009, Katz delivered much more careful speeches, laden with fewer promises. Looking back, he feels he has accomplished most of what he set out to do.

"The realities are, we are doing things in Winnipeg other cities are taking note of, other media are following up on and other mayors are asking questions (about). It’s funny how they’re getting much more exposure and acknowledgement in other cities," Katz said earlier this week.

"Everywhere I go, people are feeling really good about Winnipeg because they see positive things happening. And there’s still more on the go."

If that sounds like pre-election language, it is. Katz will vie for a third term in office in October and may face challenges from the likes of Winnipeg North MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis and Elmwood Coun. Lillian Thomas.

On Tuesday, the mayor will lay the foundations for his re-election platform during his 2010 State of the City speech, once again slated for the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

For anyone keeping score, here’s how well he’s followed through on some of the promises made during the previous State of the City addresses of the current council term:

�ñº 2007 PROMISES

 

Police commission

"Ø THE PROMISE: Create a commission to oversee the Winnipeg Police Service.

"Ø THE REALITY: After a robust council debate, the city created the Winnipeg Police Advisory Board, which was intended to monitor the efficiency of the police service and consult with the community. But it’s been disbanded to pave the way for a new provincially ordered police commission that will have more oversight of police operations and policies.

Trade commission

"Ø THE PROMISE: Create a new committee called the Mayor’s Trade Opportunities and Economic Growth Council to come up with a strategy to help Winnipeg compete in the global economy.

"Ø THE REALITY: The committee was created, albeit with a less onerous name. It produced a report that recommended a new ring road within the Perimeter.

Winnipeg’s attractiveness

"Ø THE PROMISE: "In four years time, we will be recognized as the city to do business and make a living for yourself." As well, Winnipeg in 2010 will be "a city whose workforce can compete with leading cities around the world" and will be "seen as the No. 1 place in Canada to start up new businesses and create jobs."

"Ø THE REALITY: It’s safe to say we’re not there yet, but Katz believes otherwise. "I’m pretty sure 2010 has 12 months in it, and we’re only in January," he said.

Civic governance

"Ø THE PROMISE: "People will refer to the ‘Winnipeg model’ of civic innovation and reform."

The reality: If you conduct Google and Infomart searches for ‘Winnipeg model," you won’t get any references

to civic governance. But you do get several thousands hits for Meaghan Waller, the winner of reality TV contest Canada’s Next Top Model. Katz, however, says Winnipeg is being noticed elsewhere. "I can tell you we’re getting calls on a regular basis from people in major cities saying, ‘hey, we like what we see, tell us how you’re doing it,’" he said.

Efficiency

"Ø THE PROMISE: "We will see a leaner, more efficient city government with affordable taxes, and customer friendly service delivery."

"Ø THE REALITY: In 2009, the city eliminated dozens of middle-management jobs, which ideologues of a certain

persuasion could consider an efficiency improvement. Property taxes remain frozen. The 311 telephone line has fielded millions of calls since it went online, which is definite evidence of improved customer service.

Roads

"Ø THE PROMISE: "The changes and decisions made today will mean a Winnipeg in 2010 with roads

that are the pride of the country."

"Ø THE REALITY: Sure, if that country is Burkina Faso. It’s safe to say most Winnipeggers are not satisfied with their roads.

Red tape

"Ø THE PROMISE: Implement all the recommendations of the Red Tape Commission by Jan. 16, 2008.

"Ø THE REALITY: The following year, only two out of 30 commission recommendations had yet to be ticked off the list: creating standardized development agreements and a "red tape budget" for the next five years. Even Katz’s critics concede the Red Tape Commission has been an outstanding success for his administration.

Red-light synchronization

"Ø THE PROMISE: Winnipeg in 2010 will have "synchronized traffic light signalization resulting in

more efficient traffic flow and less congestion and less pollution."

"Ø THE REALITY: The city now spends $2.3 million a year on synchronized signals. Kenaston Boulevard and McGillivray Road, among other major arteries, have already been upgraded.

 

Police stations

"Ø THE PROMISE: Winnipeg in 2010 will have four new police stations.

"Ø THE REALITY: One of the new stations has been built, in St. Boniface Industrial Park.

Soccer complex

"Ø THE PROMISE: Winnipeg in 2010 will have "a new soccer facility for our youth."

"Ø THE REALITY: Mission accomplished. The facility was built at the University of Manitoba.

Major roadworks

"Ø THE PROMISE: 2010 will see the "extension of Chief Peguis Trail East (and) the overhaul of the Disraeli Overpass."

THE REALITY: Both projects are fully funded but remain in the planning stages.

Water and waste

"Ø THE PROMISE: Winnipeg in 2010 will have new water and sewer treatment plants.

"Ø THE REALITY: The $300 million Winnipeg Water Treatment Plant is up and running and improvements are underway at the North End, South End and West End Water Pollution Control Centres. But roughly $615 million in plant-upgrades has yet to come.

Downtown parks

"Ø THE PROMISE: In 2010, "downtown parks will be rejuvenated and restored and bring pride to our community."

"Ø THE REALITY: A $5.5 million overhaul of Central Park is all but complete, and Old Market Square is undergoing the second phase of a similar rehabilitation.

New airport

"Ø THE PROMISE: In 2010, "the new James A. Richardson Airport (will be) standing as a welcoming

gateway to a thriving and vibrant city."

"Ø THE REALITY: The Winnipeg Airports Authority says its new terminal should be open this summer.

Downtown revitalization

"Ø THE PROMISE: Winnipeg in 2010 will have "a fully revitalized downtown that’s noted for its sweeping reforms and demonstrated success."

"Ø THE REALITY: New structures downtown include the Manitoba Hydro Building on Portage Avenue, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority building and forthcoming United Way facility on Main Street and a pair of residential developments along Waterfront Drive. But the population density required for true revitalization remains elusive, as there is a shortage of apartments and condos due to the high cost of renovating existing heritage structures. The responsibility for downtown revitalization remains diffused among too many quasi-governmental organizations.

 

�ñº 2008 PROMISES

 

CrimeStat expansion

"Ø THE PROMISE: "Residents should know if a string of garage fires are set in their neighbourhood, or if a violent knife attack occurred around the corner, or if shots were fired just a few streets away. These are a few of the crimes we will be looking at adding to the CrimeStat model, beginning later this year."

"Ø THE REALITY: Garage fires and knife attacks have yet to appear on the CrimeStat website.

Green vehicles and buildings

"Ø THE PROMISE: "This week I brought a motion forward to EPC to develop a green vehicle plan that encourages anti-idling, purchasing hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles and a continued emphasis to downsize the city’s fleet. I will bring a motion forward to require all future civic buildings to be built to LEED silver equivalent standards."

"Ø THE REALITY: The motions came forward. But the Winnipeg Fleet Management Agency — under a new chief operating officer — is still working toward green targets. And the green building plan remains a goal for the city’s acting environment director.

Water-and-waste utility

"Ø THE PROMISE: "EPC and Council will explore how to change our approach to the water utility so it becomes a ‘real’ utility, free to seek out customers, free from day-to-day financial or political interference, and with a clear, transparent financial relationship that can stand up to scrutiny from the Public Utility Board."

"Ø THE REALITY: Council approved the creation of a new water, waste and power utility.

Aggressive panhandling

"Ø THE PROMISE: Ask the public service to see if bylaw-enforcement officers can handle aggressive panhandling complaints.

"Ø THE REALITY: Bylaw enforcement officers can now deal with a much broader list of violations, but aggressive panhandlers remain under the aegis of police and BIZ patrol members.

 

�ñº 2009 PROMISES

 

Chief performance officer

"Ø THE PROMISE: "This spring, I will work with council and our public service to expand the role of our city auditor and increase the ability for us to measure our performance by implementing a Chief Performance Officer."

"Ø THE REALITY: This hasn’t happened, although the city did create Service Stat, a new means of tracking 311 requests and monitor the public service’s performance.

Transportation authority

"Ø THE PROMISE: "In the coming months, I will be announcing details of a Transportation Authority Commission."

"Ø THE REALITY: This also didn’t happen. No details of a transportation commission have been announced. Katz says it’s still in the works.

Aboriginal training

"Ø THE PROMISE: The city will spend $3 million over the next three years on an aboriginal youth strategy.

"Ø THE REALITY: This one was fulfilled quickly, as $1 million for aboriginal training went into the 2009 operating budget.

Long-term planning

"Ø THE PROMISE: In the spring, the city will host a symposium called A Sustainable Winnipeg as part of the an effort to replace Plan Winnipeg, the city’s almost obsolete long-term planning blueprint.

"Ø THE REALITY: The symposium was held at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the successor to Plan Winnipeg — renamed Our Winnipeg — is in the works.

 

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca