Discover the Achievements of Mayor Colleen Jones in her first term

ACHIEVEMENTS

Over the last four years, we have had some very difficult issues to deal with, but we have also accomplished a lot.

I am proud of the work we have done as a Council, with our staff and with so many community partners. I am also proud of the things I personally pushed forward as Mayor.

When I look back over this term, I see a community that has made real progress.

We protected important health services. We secured millions of dollars in outside funding. We invested in our infrastructure and recreation facilities. We strengthened first-responder training and public safety. We moved childcare, housing and downtown projects forward. We strengthened our City staff team. We built stronger relationships with other governments. And we made sure Trail continued to have a voice at the table.

There is always more work to do, but I am proud of what we have accomplished together.

1. PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRST RESPONDERS & COMMUNITY WELL-BEING

We helped bring the new Regional Fire Training Centre to Trail. This means our firefighters and other first responders can train right here at home instead of always having to travel away for training.
It also gives other departments the opportunity to come to Trail to train, which creates an economic benefit for our community.
I have continued to push for adequate RCMP staffing, visible policing and the resources our detachment needs.
I have supported the Special Crimes Unit and the Integrated Border Enforcement Team.
I have also supported stronger coordination between our RCMP, firefighters, ambulance, bylaw officers, outreach workers, health partners and volunteers.
We have moved forward with the Situation Table, so agencies can work together better when someone or a situation is considered high risk.
I have continued to push the Province for more mental-health, addictions, treatment, recovery and housing supports because we know policing alone cannot solve these issues.

achievements in the last 4 years

2. HOMELESSNESS, TREATMENT & OUTREACH

achievements in the last 4 years

I created the Regional Strategy for Rehabilitation, Homelessness and Public Safety resolution and worked with our neighbouring communities to build support for it.
That resolution gave us a stronger regional voice when asking for more detox, treatment, recovery, supportive housing and public-safety supports.
I also spearheaded our successful application for $474,148 in federal Emergency Treatment Fund funding.
That funding includes a mobile outreach van and a pharmacy access window, which will help bring services directly to people who may not otherwise be connected to care.
I have continued to advocate directly with both the provincial and federal governments for more treatment, recovery and mental-health supports.
We have also started planning early for what comes after the temporary Riverside shelter. I do not want us waiting until the last minute to figure out what happens next.

achievements in the last 4 years

3. HEALTH CARE

One of the things I am most proud of is the work we did to protect our outpatient laboratory services in Trail.
I kept asking questions, kept pushing for information and worked with community members and health-care partners to make sure Trail's voice was heard.
That work also helped bring more attention to the shortage of laboratory professionals in our area.
One very positive outcome was the creation of the Medical Laboratory Assistant program at Selkirk College's Trail Campus, supported by about $400,000 in provincial funding.
I have also continued my work as Chair of the Trail Health & Environment Committee, which has a long history of bringing the City, community, health and industry together.

achievements in the last 4 years

4. INFRASTRUCTURE

We secured $4.53 million in funding for the new twin transmission watermain along Charles Lakes Drive.
This is a very important project for the reliability of our water system and gives us a critical backup connection.
We completed major work at the Trail Memorial Centre, including the arena floor and dasher boards.
We have also continued with heating and energy-efficiency upgrades at the Memorial Centre.
These are major investments in facilities that were built by generations before us, and it is our responsibility to look after them properly.
We have continued to go after grant funding wherever possible so local taxpayers are not carrying the full cost of these major projects.

5. DOWNTOWN, HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT

achievements in the last 4 years

We took the important steps to acquire and clear 900 Spokane Street and 901 Helena Street.
That has created a real opportunity for new development in our downtown.
We have moved forward with planning for that site and I would like to see housing be a major part of what happens there.
We have continued working on downtown revitalization and bringing more activity into the downtown.
I have also continued to talk about the need for workforce housing, student housing, seniors housing and attainable housing.
Housing is not just a social issue. It is also an economic issue. If someone is offered a job here and cannot find a place to live, that affects our ability to recruit and retain workers.

6. OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN & FUTURE GROWTH

achievements in the last 4 years

We have moved our updated Official Community Plan a long way forward.
I have served on the OCP Committee and have pushed to keep that work moving.
This plan will help guide future housing, development, infrastructure and growth in Trail.
It is important that we are planning ahead instead of reacting after development pressures are already here.

achievements in the last 4 years

7. OUR CITY STAFF TEAM

It was my idea to create the combined City Planner and Climate Action Manager position.
I felt strongly that planning, development, infrastructure and climate work needed to be more connected.
Under my leadership, we have also moved forward with hiring our own City Building Inspector.
I believe having that service within the City will make the development and permitting process smoother and more responsive.
We have also worked hard to build a strong staff team. We now have people who want to work for the City of Trail and want to live here.
I think that says a lot about the organization we have built.

8. CHILDCARE & FAMILIES

achievements in the last 4 years

We have continued moving the Unicorn Childcare Centre forward.
This is important for families, but it is also very important for our workforce and our local economy.
Employers need workers, and workers need childcare.
I have continued to push to make sure this project gets completed.

9. RECREATION, EVENTS & QUALITY OF LIFE

achievements in the last 4 years

We have continued investing in our recreation facilities because they are such an important part of Trail.
The work at the Trail Memorial Centre is a good example of that.
We have also continued bringing events and tournaments into Trail.
Events like Silver City Days, the BC Winter Games, hockey tournaments and the AKBLG convention bring people into our community, support our businesses and build community pride.
I have worked hard to promote these events because I know the difference they make for our community and our businesses.

10. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

achievements in the last 4 years

I have continued to support our local businesses throughout downtown, the Gulch, Waneta, Rossland Avenue and East Trail.
I have supported Teck and our other major employers while also supporting new opportunities in technology, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, battery recycling and Metal Tech Alley.
I believe economic development is about more than attracting a new business.
It is also about making sure we have housing, childcare, health care, good infrastructure and recreation so people actually want to live and work here.

11. RESPONSIBLE SPENDING, GRANTS & OUR TAX BASE

achievements in the last 4 years

We have been very successful in bringing outside grant funding into Trail.
That allows us to get important work done without putting the entire cost on local taxpayers.
I also chair the Major Industrial Property Taxation Committee, which deals with one of the most important financial issues facing our community.
Teck is our largest industrial taxpayer and a major employer, so those discussions have to be handled carefully.
My responsibility has been to protect Trail's long-term financial stability while maintaining a respectful and constructive relationship with Teck.
I have also continued to ask more questions about Regional District spending and whether Trail taxpayers are getting good value for the services we pay for.

12. REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

achievements in the last 4 years

I have worked hard to strengthen our relationships with Rossland, Warfield, Castlegar, Nelson and the Regional District.
The regional homelessness resolution is a good example of communities working together and speaking with one voice.
We have also moved forward with discussions with Warfield around the amalgamation study.
Whatever the outcome of that study, I believe strong relationships with our neighbours are important.

13. ADVOCACY & RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOVERNMENT

achievements in the last 4 years

One of the biggest parts of my job as Mayor has been making sure Trail's voice is heard outside City Hall.
Over the last four years, I have built strong relationships with regional, provincial and federal representatives.
I have brought Trail's concerns forward on health care, homelessness, treatment and recovery, public safety, RCMP resources, housing, infrastructure and funding.
I believe advocacy is more than going to a meeting. It is knowing the issue, making our case, following up and continuing to push when we do not get an answer right away.

achievements in the last 4 years

14. LEADERSHIP

I am proud that this Council has been able to work together through some very difficult issues.
We have not always agreed, but we have continued to work as a team.
I have always believed that a Mayor does not accomplish things alone.
Council sets direction, staff bring their professional knowledge and do the work, and our community partners and residents bring their own experience and ideas.
My role has been to provide leadership, build relationships, keep things moving and make sure Trail's voice is heard.
I believe we have accomplished a great deal together over the last four years, and there is still more work I want to see through.