I always enjoy the opportunity that a new year provides for reflection, as well as looking forward.

It’s important to ask how did it go? What did I learn? And then use that information to set new goals.

So what do I think have been the successes and challenges of the City from 2009? How has Council as a whole done? How have the expectations I had for myself as a new councillor fared?

I think one of the biggest successes of the City has been to rebuild their team of quality senior managers. There has been high turnover among senior staff in the last three years, mostly due to retirements. In addition to the length of time it takes to find the right person to fill a position and hire them away from their old job, there is then the learning curve of the new job.

It can take up to a whole year for a person in a senior position to “get up to speed” and be able to churn out the work at the same level as the experienced person that just retired. And “churn” is exactly what we as council and taxpayers ask our staff to do. I don’t believe there is any slack in our organization. We have a great staff, and they’ve been doing a great job, with a tight control on the dollars spent.

When I speak to individuals on the street, occasionally the conversation turns to the fact that it’s hard for the average person to know what the City has accomplished. We are not very good at getting our stories out. Sure the newspapers do it, but they are after headlines, and often take the approach of printing what they think will sell papers.

Unfortunately all the great planning work that the City has undertaken in the past couple years, and the work we are still doing on valuation of assets, transportation, climate action plans, sustainability planning etc doesn’t get explained very well. Feedback from the survey we completed in December certainly suggests that many residents are unaware of the complete range of services that the City is involved in providing.

I hope that we will do a better job in 2010 of communicating around the development of our long term plans and how it links to community priorities. Knowledge creates understanding, and I think it’s our job to provide enough information to the public so that they understand the complexities of our competing priorities.

How has Council performed? I think we’re doing a good job, as well.

It’s important to have diverse view points represented at the table, in order to look at issues from all angles. In the end what counts is that we come to the table prepared, ask the hard questions, make sure we get complete answers, and use our best judgment when we vote on an issue. That doesn’t mean we all agree, but we do have to walk away respecting the process that we have engaged in.

Each councillor also participates on various community boards and committees. A lot of good work is being done in those areas — some of the most visible have been with the Cultural Development Commission, the recreation portfolio, and with the affordable housing forums.

And how would I rate my performance after my first year?

I’ve learned a lot! I have been frustrated with the pace that we have moved some projects forward, but then have to remind myself of that learning curve I mentioned in paragraph two.

I think that now the management team has “their feet under them,” that we will move a little quicker with by-law updates, and the community based planning we want to undertake (overall sustainability planning, community climate action plan, and a downtown/waterfront development plan).

Another frustration was discovering that trying to work a regular job (even at 30 hours a week) and being a city councillor is almost impossible. It was easy enough to come to council meetings properly prepared, but so much of a councillor’s job takes place outside the Council Chambers – committee meetings, attending community events, attending the many workshops and forums put on by organizations that are meant to educate and provide ideas on best practices for all the issues facing municipalities and regional districts.

Now that I am newly retired from my “regular” job, I look forward to having more time (and energy) for these kinds of meetings and events.

Last week Council reviewed its priorities for 2010, complete with action outlines, and timelines. I think it’s going to be a good year.

Kim Charlesworth is a Nelson City Councillor.

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