Burlington’s loss is Calgary’s gain
City manager Jeff Fielding’s departure puts council in a dilemma
The big news in Burlington is the loss of its superb city manager, Jeff Fielding. Fielding arrived just over two years ago, planning to stay until he reached retirement age. But along came a “headhunter” who lured him to Calgary.
A real leader and idea man, Fielding is pragmatic, gets things done, and will be sorely missed.
It’s been particularly interesting to watch how he got councillors to accept their responsibility. He would provide thorough reports councillors had requested, respond fully to questions, and when they dithered (seeking further reports) he’d reply affably that the information was complete, wasn’t going to change, and that the ball was in their court for a decision.
He introduced results-based accountability, and has been working on a new budgeting system.
He managed staffing numbers on the theory that when someone left, it didn’t necessarily mean replacing that position, but checking the organization to see if there was a better way to deliver that service.
Fielding said he struggled with the offer from Calgary, but understandably he would find it compelling. He came from London, a single-tier city, unlike Burlington (which is in a region).
Halton Region’s services are divided between the city and region. Policing, social services, waste management, sewage, and water are delivered by the region. Calgary is one-tier, like London all services are delivered by the city; so that’s an attraction, and early in his career he was in charge of building and planning there. And who wouldn’t enjoy working with Calgary’s unique mayor, Naheed Nenshi?
That leaves council with a dilemma. What to do in both the short and long term? Fielding leaves May 16.
Council had a private meeting last week to discuss this, but no info was released after the meeting.
On Tuesday Mayor Rick Goldring announced that Pat Moyle, who retired as chief administrative officer of Halton Region in January 2013, will assume the city manager post May 1 on an interim basis. A search for a permanent city manager will begin later this year.
It appears to this observer that the city doesn’t have the “bench strength” it once had. There are many terrific staff people, but for the top job? The only one who readily comes to mind is Scott Stewart, general manager of development and infrastructure, and acting executive director of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation. He has proven to be a take-charge guy on several contentious files (including the pier cleanup and the Burlington Executive Airpark dumping fiasco), has a good way with the public, and keeps council and residents updated.
My bet is that if Stewart isn’t ultimately selected, he’ll seek other opportunities. He appears to be one of the most competent staffers on the payroll. This, of course, is all conjecture, because an outsider can’t know the inside machinations and the whole story.
A controversy arose over a proposed rezoning at last week’s development committee meeting. The project is for three acres on the east side of Appleby south of Mainway, between a car wash on the north, and a storage facility, A&W, and Appleby Arena on the south. It would back onto Appleby Creek.
Four buildings are proposed: two restaurants at Appleby Line, a commercial building (allowed) that also would house a bank (not allowed), and a hotel (not allowed) next to the creek.
But the Norjohn waste transfer station has existed legally for years on the south side of Mainway, very close to the proposed hotel. Walker Brothers appeared at the committee, fearing complaints from the hotel because of its proximity to their facility, in the industrial zone that stretches east along Mainway.
Councillors want new jobs, and seemed anxious to accommodate the hotel. They suggested placing it on the Appleby Line frontage, (agreeable to Walkers) but apparently staff had suggested this to the developer, who was not interested. Who will stare whom down? A decision will follow after another staff report and public consultation. In my opinion, a legal, properly zoned, existing business deserves protection.
Never a dull moment in Burlington.