Just a brief update to keep you all in the loop. The MD administration is impacted, like all organizations with staff practicing social distancing and meeting service needs. It recognized that key services need to be delivered, others delivered with precautions, while others may be deferred for awhile. Regardless, we are exploiting our capabilities with technology to meet challenges.
I am working from home. I am more in touch using the phone, Teams, and Zoom, Sharepoint, and One Drive, etc. and other collaborative applications. This along with remote server access has been a godsend. At some point, we will try some of this out with you. Murray and I are staying in touch on a daily basis.
Our closures and activities are in alignment with higher orders of government. You will see communications coming to you on public access at MD administration facilities (Slave and FB). Basically, we will be ensuring that people can drop and receive document, make payments, drop off tenders, development permits, and get items from the MD. By doing this, the work of the MD administration carries on with limited health risk. Staff can work at the office. Those isolated can come in at after hours to grab or drop items.
Our outside crews have not been significantly affected. One grader operator is in isolation. Russ will be in isolation. Scheduling is being maintained.
Our utility crews have made plans within their group for service continuity for plant operations and pump failures. They have been innovative. They are also about to X-train with the TOSL.
The LSLRWMSC and waste transfer stations have curtailed recycling/scavenging for social distance reasons.
The TOSL was seeking to fire up an EOC, they were trying to pick locations. I advised that they should stick to digital linkages and that is how MD administration will proceed.
Note: There have been programs announced that will help our businesses and our citizens who are socially isolated from work. Right now there is no one portal for information, but its coming. One is that the CRA will provide $900 biweekly subject to certain conditions. Learned this on a webinar over lunch.
Remember to get your FACTS from the AHS COVID-19 site and alberta.ca or from the Canadian Government. Information is flowing quickly. Each day the Chief Medical Officer of Alberta speaks around 4:00 pm.
So, know that the MD administration is working and that some things that were saved for a rainy day may be worked on during this time.
Keep smiling.
Allan Winarski, CPA, CGA
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No.124
