In an effort to encourage more communication with the public, the Town of Fort Frances is developing a new brochure—and a page on its website—bringing together what residents need to know in order to voice their concerns and suggestions.
“It’s another example of us [council] trying to be as transparent as we can,” Mayor Dan Onichuk said, on explaining the direction council gave to have Information Technology manager Darryl Allan devise the pamphlet, which also is expected to be posted on the town’s website (www.fort-frances.com) shortly.
“A lot of people want to give their input to us, but they don’t know exactly how to go about it,” Mayor Onichuk added. “They don’t necessarily know that, for instance, most matters get referred from council to the executive committees for recommendation.
“The fastest way of getting things done is to bring matters forth directly to those committees.
“People’s questions are varied, whether they’re asking about skunk removal or ‘Who plants the flowers where?’” the mayor noted. “We want to make it transparent where they can direct these.”
The pamphlet, entitled “Make Your Voice Heard,” details:
•when and where council and committee meetings, are held;
•which ones are open to the public;
•the process for getting an item on the agenda for these meetings; and
•how to access the complaints process.
For instance, the three ways the public can offer their input include:
•at town council and committee of the whole meetings;
•executive committees; and
•the town’s complaints process.
Council regularly meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month. Committee of the whole meeting start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the council meeting.
A portion of the committee of the whole meeting may be closed to the public if certain personnel, legal, property, and negotiation matters are to be discussed.
If a citizen wishes to have a mater placed on the council agenda, they must provide the information to Clerk Glenn Treftlin before noon on the Thursday preceding the next council meeting.
Council agendas and minutes are posted on the town’s website and also are available for viewing at the reception desk at the Civic Centre.
The town has four executive committees, each consisting of three members of council and the mayor, who sits as an ex-officio member on all executive committees.
Council regularly refers matters brought before it to these executive committees for their input and recommendations.
These executive committee meetings also are open to the public and the public can have matters brought to the executive committees for discussion.
The town also has a complaint procedure to ensure customer complaints receive proper and prompt responses.
Citizens are encouraged to call the Civc Centre to register any complaints. Complaints may be submitted by phone during normal business hours to the Civic Centre reception desk at 274-5323.
After-hours complaints also may be submitted by calling 274-5323. The voice-mail auto-attendant will provide the caller with further information to direct the complaint to the right department, or a message may be left in a central voice-mail box.
Messages left in the central voice mail box are checked at the beginning of the next business day and forwarded to whoever is responsible for responding to the concern.
If the situation is serious enough to require immediate attention, complainants can call 274-9516, where it will be answered by the fire department.
All customer complaints are recorded on a complaint form and are entered on a centralized registry for periodic review, and any additional follow-up that may be necessary.
Allan noted the pamphlet, and the information on the website, should be available to the public in the next couple weeks.
The pamphlet will be available at the various town facilities.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
