Morden City Council brings back valuable learning from AMM Spring Session

Last week Morden city council and CEO along with a couple staff members from the Public Works Dept attended AMM’s Spring Session and Trade Show.  

Mayor Nancy Penner said they were able to see some new equipment and opportunities to see what is new at the trade show. 

She was pleased with the opportunities to learn and grow along with other municipalities through professional development, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. 

“The topics were timeless and valuable for our work with city councilors and municipal government sessions, and how we can work. We had sessions on upfront communication opportunities. We had breakout sessions on municipal governance and economic development. We had sessions with Southern health.” 

Sessions on maintaining a sustainable medical response team, affordable housing, water rights act and drainage, liability and risk management for community events, preventing invasive aquatic species, which was especially relevant for Lake Minnewasta, Penner felt supported the work council will use in the future. 

(From AMM Social Media) Morden Mayor Nancy Penner

Penner said the session of repairing and strengthening workplace communication was a highlight for her. 

“That's very important to be able to work between your city manager and council, but also between your city manager and staff to have a very cohesive, friendly workplace environment. Not all municipalities are fortunate to have smooth working councils, I have to commend our staff and council on how we work very well together because it's not happening in all communities.” 

She was pleased to network with other municipalities, noting it was also very positive to talk about challenges and ways to work towards a solution. 

“During the two-day event, AMM had the city caucus meeting, which the 10 cities within the province met. That is an opportunity for the 10 cities to share some of the issues and successes that are happening within their communities or their cities. That was my first time attending the city caucus as the Mayor of the City of Morden, so that was a new opportunity for me.” 

Penner was proud to represent Morden saying she had someone asking about the successful immigration program others about the Corn & Apple Festival and the Minnewasta Golf Course, adding Morden has so much to be proud of.