COVID-19 Status Update

October 15 2020
To aid in resident's understanding of Hinton Emergency Operation Centre, Hinton Town Council, and Town of Hinton Administration responses to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic event, this update gathers recent news into one document. While emergent issues and information will continue to be shared as necessary, weekly updates going forward will use this format to gather, but also distinguish between, actions in place in the community.

Hinton Emergency Operations Centre

The Hinton Emergency Operations Centre has concluded it's SOLE. As result, we now operate entirely under the restrictions of the province. As such, this section will now be used to share changes in provincial statuses relevant to the community. This is provided for ease of access - please refer to the Provincial website for up to the minute information.

Physical Distancing, Provincial Group Restrictions, and Cleaning Practices Must Continue

It is essential that residents and businesses understand that suppression activities, in particular maintaining safe distances, must be maintained.

If not maintained, transmission will rapidly rebound, potentially producing an epidemic comparable in scale to what would have been seen had no interventions been adopted.

The Town, and Province, need your help to continue to restrict your activities in the interest of community health. Distancing, hand washing, and sanitizing is absolutely crucial.

Residents, businesses, and visitors choosing to remain non-compliant on physical distancing or gathering parameters can, and should, anticipate provincial fines being levied directly moving forward.

Events or Gatherings of 200 or more in an outdoor space and 50 or more indoors can, and will, be ticketed under provincial restrictions.

To view current Provincial Restrictions, please visit the Government of Alberta's COVID web site, available here.

Hospital Capacity Closely Being Monitored

Health officials are keeping a close eye on hospital capacity as Alberta's COVID-19 cases continue to surge, driving hospitalization numbers to a new high. There are 100 people in hospital, 14 of whom are in intensive care.

View the current statistics here

Additional Measures Recommended in Edmonton

Alberta' s chief medical officer of health introduced new voluntary measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Edmonton (last) Thursday as the province surged past the all-time high of new cases in one day. "While these voluntary measures are focused on the Edmonton zone, everyone in the province should take note," Dr. Deena Hinshaw said at a news conference.

View the Provincial Update here

Appointment Only Testing

As of Wednesday, the province has switched to appointment-only testing.
That's partly because there has been a high number of no-shows for COVID-19 testing appointments, causing delays in available spots for those who need them, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, said Tuesday. She urged people to cancel their appointments online in advance if they can't attend.

L earn more about testing here.

Students Facing Diploma Exams in October and November can Choose not to Write Them
"I have made the decision to allow students and their parents to choose if they write diploma exams in October/November," Education Minister Adriana LaGrange tweeted on Tuesday. "I will continue monitoring the situation and will make decisions on future iterations of the diploma exams as we approach their administrations," LaGrange said.

View CBC Coverage Here

Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update

Posted on Wed, Oct 14, 2020

The wildfire danger in the Edson Forest Area remains LOW. There are currently no active wildfires in the area.

Several of our wildfires this year were caused by abandoned campfires. Ensure you fully extinguish your campfire before you leave. Soak it with water, stir it and soak it again until the ashes are cool to the touch.

Since March 1, 2020, there have been 58 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning approximately 6.28 ha. One wildfire occurred before wildfire season which makes a total of 59 since January 1st.

Read the rest of the update on the Government of Alberta Website.

Hinton Town Council

The most recent Hinton Town Council meeting was Tuesday, October 13, 2020. It was livestreamed via Youtube. Agenda items included PCP reporting, Town Hall options, and Hinton Grant Funding advisory committee. View the recording at Hinton.ca/CouncilLive

The next meeting is scheduled for October 20, 2020. Residents interested in taking part in Minute with Council can click here to submit their appointment notice (more information below).

Minute with Council Access (repeated)

Early in the Town Response to COVID-19, Town Council meetings were moved to remote environments, closed to the public, and streamed online to allow for easy access by residents. However, one aspect of our Council meetings that was lost in this necessary response was Minute with Council.

Traditionally, Residents have been welcomed to speak to Council about issues, events, celebrations or concerns during Minute with Council. At the beginning of each Council Meeting, the chair of the meeting opens the floor to the public to speak and share with Council members, administration and meeting observers.

As we determine the "new normal" in this pandemic response, the Town of Hinton has established a procedure to take part in Minute with Council remotely, temporarily, as we prepare for further steps in our reopening plans.

This process is being established to avoid risks of public meeting teleconferencing, such as inappropriate or abusive interjections by anonymous or false identities.

We appreciate your understanding should this cause any inconvenience for you.

Please use this form to receive an invite code to join our proceedings remotely.
Should you encounter difficulty using the form, please call 780-865-6072.

Read more here.

Administration

Facility Opening Plans

For residents convenience, the Town of Hinton has prepared, and updated, the above image representing open statuses and plans for many core facilities.

For further reference on Community Services' statuses and updates, please view Friday's edition of ComServ (more information below).

Reopened

Athabasca Riverfront Park
Spray Park/Change Rooms
All Outhouses
Protective Services Building (RCMP)
Infrastructure Services Building
Government Centre
West Fraser Guild
Emergency Services Building

Reopened (Consult ComServ for Details)

Peoples Centre
Arenas
Pool
Courts/Other Indoor Facilities
Bouldering Wall will remain closed until precautionary measures are in place.
Hinton Municipal Library
- Phase 4 Now in Effect

In Progress

Kinsmen Park Public Washroom Facilities

UPDATE: Modernized Waste Management Program

October 15, 2020

As we move into the final days of the modernized waste survey form submission period, the Town of Hinton has reviewed submissions received thus far, and their comments, and are issuing an update to answer some common questions.

Overall System Cost
At this time, we are still finalizing our costing for the system. This will make numbers shared likely imprecise and subject to change. However, with that stated, the modernized full cost recovery fee structure is estimated at roughly 13.50 per month for users; this number may change based on selections and decisions of the community. Current monthly charges amount to $12.58 per month.

Cost for Commingling
Our current estimated for costing of commingling recycling service is between $8-9 dollars a month for biweekly pickup.

Alley or Curb Pickup
Pickup locations will be selected based on safety concerns and some site specific elements.

Current Bin Size
The former bin size was 110 gallons or 410 liters.

It is very important that residents submit their forms in order to prepare for the modernized system. Please review the below links to take part.
Form types include:

Please note: one digital form has been prepared for each type of customer, as linked to above. If you have multiple types of accounts, please submit one form for each account type and location. When selecting account types, the form will adapt to assist in ensuring that your unique needs are individually addressed.

Print copies of the survey are also available at all Town of Hinton Facilities. Print forms are built to allow all types of accounts in one form.

Don't forget the deadline is this Friday at midnight!

Even more committees need someone like you!

To apply, contact 780-740-8059 or Mfaiaz@hinton.ca

Applications are due TOMORROW

Learn more and apply online at Hinton.ca/Committees

Community Grant Program Applications

The Town of Hinton is now accepting Community Grant Program Applications for the October 16, 2020 Intake Deadline.

The CGP provides for:

One-time projects and initiatives;
Operating expenses of organizations in their development stage once per fiscal year for up to three years (within the first five years);
Events that are primarily designed and delivered for the general public that attract visitors, significantly contribute to the local economy, and promote volunteerism.

Required documents include:

Financial Statements
List of Executives/Board Members
Last Filed Annual General Return
Only Applicable to Non-Registered Groups
- a motion from eligible groups board indicating approval to sponsor ineligible group

Late/incomplete submissions will not be accepted - DEADLINE TOMORROW

Visit hinton.ca/CGP to learn more.

ComServ 11 Available Tomorrow

To aid is residents understanding of all of community services current status, plans, and programming, ComServ, a newsletter from Community Services and Strategic Services at the the Town of Hinton, will be issued every two weeks on Friday morning.

The most recent edition will be released Friday morning.

During the pandemic, the newsletter will be issued through both it's own channel and this (News and Announcements) channel. The newsletter may also be subscribed to directly via NotifyMe, available here, or downloaded online at Hinton.ca/ComServ.

Learn More

Town of Hinton Previous Update (April 09, 2020)

Town of Hinton COVID Webpage
Town of Hinton Defer Webpage
Town of Hinton SOLE Webpage
Province of Alberta COVID Webpage
Province of Alberta - Emergency Management Act
Government of Canada COVID Webpage
World Health Organization COVID Website