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Annual report bodes well for progress in Fernie
By Erin Knutson
The City of Fernie approved its 2021 Annual Municipal Report following a detailed summary by Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michael Boronowski at a recent meeting in council chambers (June 27).
Boronowski outlined the strengths of the city, its council members, and its progress, highlighting achievements and growth in community priorities, corporate vision, organizational structure, and primary areas of function.
“Council and staff worked to advance many critical projects, and together with partners secured approximately $8.78 million in grants in 2021 that will support our community in meaningful ways,” he said.
Funds will go toward tourism infrastructure, evacuation and emergency planning and management, FireSmart funding, and the growth and refinement of planning and development services for Fernie.
“We are proud of our team’s work building the foundation of our organization and modernizing systems and processes. Anticipating a year of significant disruption, we advanced the renewal of our IT ecosystem to better support remote work, remote meetings and engagements for council in the community,” said Boronowski.
Touting the effectiveness of their crisis communications system, Boronowski was pleased to report that Fernie was leading by example for emergency preparedness.
“I’m proud to report that Fernie is doing well compared to most communities its size for crisis response and management,” he said.
While recognizing the efforts of council and staff to improve all areas of the community, Boronowski thanked the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation for partnering with Fernie on a reconciliation walk held on July 1 in the community.
“We want to recognize council and staff for continuing their work guiding the focus on sustainable service delivery, modernizing bylaws, procedures, and policies, and advocating for important community priorities and funding support.”
Mayor Ange Qualizza commented on the positivity of the report.
“Thank you for highlighting all of the great work that’s happened – it’s quite remarkable, our success getting grants for improving all parts of our community,” she said.
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