External stakeholders not needed yet to help city battle pandemic

No other community agencies or groups are required yet to help the municipality battle the coronavirus since city hall’s approach is sufficient for everyone, the city manager says.

The current emergency measures organization (EMO) is composed of municipal employees who have already had several meetings with the provincial health authority, city manager Jim Puffalt explained during city council’s March 23 regular meeting. City hall is also in close contact with the province and submits any inquiries it might have, which is typical in emergencies such as this. “Most emergencies are bam!, and then things have to happen at once,” Puffalt continued. “We would bring external agencies in. But because this is a long-term project, we endeavour to communicate back and forth and ensure the city’s response is appropriate and looks after our staff and citizens.”

Other communities include outside stakeholders in an emergency, such as the chamber of commerce and police chief, who can help think proactively, said Coun. Crystal Froese, who wanted to see more people added to the EMO group.

“I’m thinking of the economic impact, as well as the dramatic change in the community,” she explained. She thought it would be great to include medical professionals — who could provide information on what else city hall could do — and personnel from 15 Wing Air Base. City administration is aware of the issue and with whom it needs to speak, while having more people in the room is unhelpful, Puffalt replied. The EMO office can sometimes be run paramilitary fashion, so extra people would not add to the discussion.

Froese explained that her intent with wanting more stakeholders added to the table was not only to address fears and anxieties in the community now, but help prepare for the recovery once the pandemic is over. She thought specifically of the chamber of commerce and other economic development stakeholders.

“I’m not trying to critique city staff by any means. I’m just asking if that would require a motion of council or if we need to set up a committee such as that,” she added. “At this time it would be premature,” said Puffalt. City hall and the EMO will have a better idea during the next several weeks of how the pandemic is progressing in the province and in Canada, he continued. City administration is already in close contact with many community groups. It will come back to council for discussion if it believes such an expanded committee is necessary.

Canadian Tire has not yet paid for the property it bought at the exhibition grounds, Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development, told Coun. Brian Swanson. In the meantime, the municipality has engaged external contractors for engineering and design work. Their work isn’t done yet since city hall won’t issue tenders until Canadian Tire makes it full payment by Monday, April 13. “We would not enter into any contracts for service of the land should something happen,” said Puffalt. “It is important that we get the groundwork done so we can meet our obligations in the contract.”

Canadian Tire purchased 4.78 hectares (11.95 acres) for $3.1 million from the City of Moose Jaw in December. The company intends to develop a retail shopping centre in the southeast corner of the property, which will likely combine SportChek, Canadian Tire, Mark’s, and PartSource under one roof.