Council Briefs - City of Portage la Prairie

COUNCIL BRIEFS HOLIDAY ISSUE 2014
Wishing you happiness, peace, and joy
in the holiday season and throughout 2015
Mayor & Council
Management & Staff
City of Portage la Prairie
Portage la Prairie City Council 2014-2018
Back: Councillors Brent Froese, Ryan Espey, Brent Budz, Wayne Wall
Front: Councillor Liz Driedger, Mayor Irvine Ferris, Councillor Melissa Draycott
www.city-plap.com
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
M
erry Christmas, everyone!
This is the time when we reflect back and become thankful
for the many good people and times we have shared in the past year. May you
also take time to remember those in our community who are less fortunate and
provide support to those agencies depending on us for assistance in making
this holiday season enjoyable for all.
I look forward to 2015 and to new beginnings as our new Council
continues its journey in making Portage la Prairie a City of Possibilities.
May you and your family have a safe and happy holiday!
Mayor Irvine Ferris
204-239-8333
[email protected]
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR COUNCIL...
B
rent was born and raised in Holland, Manitoba and grew up involved
in several small businesses owned and operated by his family. He and his wife
Jody have called Portage la Prairie home for the last 15 years. They have two
children, Hannah and Logan.
After graduating with honours in Business Administration, Brent entered
the financial services industry and is now Austin Credit Union’s Chief Operating
Officer, working in Portage la Prairie. Brent is passionate about giving back to the
community, having held positions like Chamber of Commerce president, E.F.
Moon Western Canadian Pond Hockey Championship chair, Portage Minor
Hockey coach, and more. He serves on the boards of the Portage Regional
Recreational Authority, Portage la Prairie Planning District
and Portage la Prairie Regional Economic Development.
Brent has enjoyed his time on City Council and
Deputy Mayor &
looks forward to the coming years, feeling momentum
Councillor Brent Budz building in our community.
[email protected]
(Finance, Legislative, &
Property Committee)
M
elissa grew up in Macdonald, but has considered Portage la Prairie home all
her life. She lives in Portage with her husband Ryan and two children, Ethan
and Abigail. Melissa has been part of the team at Craig Dunn GM for the last twelve
years, starting on the sales floor, and now working in Marketing and Financial
Services. She enjoys cheering Ethan on at the Hockey Arena, sewing new tutus for
dance class for Abby, or fishing on the boat while their dogs Reese and Pitunia
Councillor Melissa Draycott
go for a swim. This is Melissa’s first term on Council.
[email protected]
(Transportation Committee)
C
Councillor Liz Driedger
[email protected]
(City Planning & Economic
Development Committee)
oming from a business
background, Liz is
excited to continue
involvement in Portage la
Prairie’s economic scope,
along with PRED, the
Planning District, Tourism,
and the Chamber of
Commerce. Plans for
Saskatchewan Avenue
revitalization will give
travellers cause to stop and
stay in Portage. Liz has also
been assigned to the Safety
Committee and looks
forward to dialoguing with
the departments in
maintaining the highest
level of safety possible.
One major change in her personal life since her
2010 election is the birth of two lovely granddaughters. Wednesdays are “Grami days,” also known as
stress reliever days for Liz. Another addition to the
family is their youngest daughter’s boyfriend, bringing
their family to eight.
C
ouncillor Froese is
entering his second
term with a new portfolio,
Public Safety, to learn
about, and an interest in
finishing projects started
last term.
Brent is in his 15th
year of teaching carpentry
at Portage Collegiate, and
is heavily involved with
Habitat for Humanity and
the Canadian Mental
Councillor Brent Froese Health Association.
Brent and his partner
[email protected]
(Public Safety Committee) Karen Wohlgemuth have
three adult children and a
new granddaughter. They enjoy traveling and
gardening as well as walks in the park with their
dog. Together they maintain a Heritage home and
enjoy the many community events in Portage.
R
yan was born in
Thunder Bay,
Ontario and moved to
Portage la Prairie in
1980 just before his
fourth birthday. He has
been here ever since,
completing schooling at
Crescentview School
and Arthur Meighen
High School. Ryan has
worked at Agassiz
Youth Centre
since 1998. He has
Councillor Ryan Espey
two daughters, Jordyn
[email protected]
(Community
Services Committee)
(6) and Brooklynn
(10). He has served
on Council since 2010. Ryan has had success as a
professional arm wrestler, compiling two World,
11 National, and over 20 Provincial titles. He is a
former “Manitoba’s Strongest Man,” has held the
provincial record in the bench press, and may be
the world’s strongest city councillor. (Or at least,
Portage la Prairie’s.)
W
ayne was born in
Saskatoon but
grew up in Portage la
Prairie. He is married to
Pat, a retired nurse, and has
one daughter and four
granddaughters. Wayne is a
Red Seal Journeyman
Plumber but has had a
broad and diverse working
life which included retail
management, engraving,
operating a car wash and a
septic tank pumping
Councillor Wayne Wall
company—to name a
[email protected]
(Waterworks Committee)
few. For the 20 years
prior to retirement in
2012, he was employed by the City of Portage la
Prairie as Facility Maintenance Foreman and
Manager of the Wastewater Treatment Division.
New to Council, Wayne looks forward to serving
the people of Portage for the next four years.
D
id you know? Clothing
with our new City logo is
available for purchase for
yourself or for gifts. You can
promote Portage la Prairie and
support local businesses by
wearing caps, toques, T-shirts,
and more. Ask about them at
The Screen Door or Keystone
Sports Excellence, with the
possibility of more retailers to
come.
COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2015
NEW
VENUES!
To make our Council
meetings more accessible
for everyone, we will be
holding four of our 2015
meetings at venues other
than City Hall. See
schedule at right.
ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD AT CITY HALL UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Monday, January 12, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015 – Wm Glesby Centre
Monday, March 9, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Monday, April 13, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015 – PCU Centre
Delegation Process
Delegations will be scheduled for all Council meetings at 7:00 p.m.
unless otherwise directed by Council. The Mayor or other presiding
officer shall have the right to limit the time taken up by a delegation
to 5 minutes. The delegation should be encouraged to appoint one
spokesperson.
To allow Council to prepare for delegations, please provide your
request in writing including the topic and scope of your presentation
on or before the Wednesday prior to the Council meeting. You may
submit your written request to the Manager of Administration for the
City of Portage la Prairie at 97 Saskatchewan Avenue E, Portage la
Prairie, MB R1N 0L8 or via fax to 204-239-1532 or email at
[email protected]
Meetings begin at 7:00 pm on the 2nd floor of City Hall at 97
Saskatchewan Avenue E. on the 2nd and 4th Mondays unless
otherwise stated.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 (due to FCM Conference)
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday, July 13, 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015 – Wm Glesby Centre
Monday, September 28, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 (due to Thanksgiving)
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015 – PCU Centre
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM
YOU!
Members of Council depend on citizens to
not only provide feedback on important
issues, but to assist in making us accountable
to you, the taxpayer. We want to hear from
you! Get involved in the processes available
to have your concerns & ideas heard. Contact
us today!
Phone 204-239-8337
Email: [email protected]
97 Saskatchewan Ave. E
Portage la Prairie, MB
R1N 0L8
www.city-plap.com
All meetings are open to the public. To attend as an observer, there is
no need to register. Council meeting agendas and minutes are located
on our website: www.city-plap.com
Council Briefs is a semi-annual publication of the City of Portage la Prairie. Terrie Todd, Editor