Council Highlights - February 21, 2017

Citizens' Minute with Council

Residents are welcome to speak to Council about issues, events, celebrations or concerns during Minute with Council. At the beginning of each regular Council Meeting, Mayor Mackin opens the floor to the public to speak and share with Council members, administration and meeting observers.

There were no speakers

Delegations

Presentations may be arranged through the Legislative & Executive Assistant. You are strongly urged to register in advance so that you can be sure time is set aside for your presentation on the Council agenda. Find out more about how to be a delegation by following this link.

Arts Society of Hinton (ASH) - Presented by Denise Boutin
ASH represents the combined interests of Hinton's Art's groups, sharing a common goal of visual and performing arts coming together to achieve together. A new board was elected on February 13, 2017, and new bylaws have been created and passed. View their presentation slides in the agenda package, available here.

Action Items

1. Town Council Representative Appointments to the Home for Fine Arts Society of Hinton (ASH) - Presented by Mike Schwirtz

At the May 24, 2016 Standing Committee Meeting, direction was given by Council to move forward with a Town-Owned / Society-Operated model for the new Performing Arts Venue (PAV). This model provides the greatest degree of community involvement and the most programming flexibility while establishing Town stewardship and minimizing financial risk to the taxpayer. On February 13, 2017 new bylaws for ASH were adopted (Attachment #1) and a new board was established. This registered non-profit society has been established for the sole purpose of operating the new PAV. The Board consists of up to 8 community members plus up to 2 Town Council Appointed Representatives. One significant highlight is that no Board members of the Society shall be employed by or sit as a Board member of any other society or group that engages in a rental contract or tenant contract with ASH. This maximizes operational objectivity, particularly around tenancy and facility use decisions, and ensures the overall best interest of this community asset is maintained. The Board’s next steps include developing an operating agreement with the Town of Hinton, hiring personnel and building supportive systems needed to operate the facility. They will become more familiar with the inclusions and exclusions of the current construction project as well. New tenancy agreements will be negotiated and facility bookings confirmed. Council designated Councillors Marcel Michaels and Albert Ostashek will serve as representation on the board.

2. 2017 Operating and Capital Budget - Presented by Denise Parent

As per Section 242(1) of the Municipal Government Act, Council must adopt an operating budget. Administration, working with Town Council, is presenting a balanced operating budget. There is no increase to the total amount property tax collected. There is a proposed increase of 3% to the utilities and waste management fee. This represents a bi-monthly increase of $3.28 per billing. Council voted to accept the budget. View the budget at Hinton.ca/Budget

3. Water Rate Bylaw #859-21 - Presented by Dale Woloszyn, C.E.T. Public Works Planning & Project Manager

This item came before Council to seek approval for the implementation of Bylaw #859-21. The Bylaw provides for the levying and collection of monthly water rates and approval for budget increases. During the budget process, Council approved an increase to utility rates of 3%. This increase is the result of increased operational costs. To maintain existing services to the Town of Hinton, the current water rates need to be adjusted to reflect increases in operational costs. The 3% increase will add $79,050 to the water revenue annually. Council gave first, second, and final reading to the new bylaw.

4. Sewer Rates Bylaw #858-15 - Presented by Dale Woloszyn, C.E.T. Public Works Planning & Project Manager

This item came before Council to seek approval for the implementation of Bylaw #858-15 which provides for the levying of monthly Sewer rates and collection of monthly sewer rates and approval for budget increases. During the budget process, Council approved an increase to utility rates of 3%. This increase is the result of increased operational costs. To maintain existing services to the Town of Hinton, the current sewer rates need to be adjusted to reflect increases in operational costs. The 3% increase will add $29,590 to the sewer revenue annually. Council gave first, second, and final reading to the bylaw.

5. Waste Bylaw #933-1 - Presented by Dale Woloszyn, C.E.T. Public Works Planning & Project Manager

This item came before Council to seek approval for the implementation of Bylaw #933-1 which provides for the levying and collection of monthly waste management fees and approval for budget increases. During the budget process, Council approved an increase to utility rates of 3% to reflect increased operational costs as well as to strive for full cost recovery. To maintain existing services to the Town of Hinton, the current waste management fees need to be adjusted to reflect increases in operational costs. The 3% increase will add a projected $28,950 increase to revenue from residential and commercial customers per year. Council gave the Bylaw first, second, and final reading.

6. Overhead Crosswalk Lights - MacLeod Avenue - Presented by Gordie Lee, Director of Infrastructure Services

The crosswalk safety concerns raised by the Parent’s Council at Ecole Mountain View School are consistent with the statistics the Town have been seeing with photo radar enforcement. Administration believes that the addition of overhead crosswalk lights will enhance the safety of this crosswalk especially during the darker winter mornings and afternoons. Council approved adding the project to install Overhead Crosswalk Lights on MacLeod Avenue to the 2017 Capital Budget list, with $40,000 funded from the Safety Initiative Reserve and $25,000 from the Roads & Sidewalks Reserve. Council approved this action item.

7. Town of Hinton Library Board Bylaw #1105 - Presented by Mike Schwirtz, Chief Administrative Officer

Council formally approved the Letter of Understanding between the Town of Hinton and the Town of Hinton Library Board at the Regular Meeting of Council on September 20, 2016. The Letter of Understanding addresses funding and operational models while providing the Board autonomy on providing and maintaining services. On February 7, 2017 Council adopted Bylaw #1105. Bylaw #1105 included the appointment of one (1) Councillor to the Library Board. At the Standing Committee of February 14, 2017, Council directed Administration to amend Bylaw #1105 to add up to two (2) Council members to the Library Board. This item is before Council to review draft Bylaw #1105-1 with respect to the establishment of the Town of Hinton Library Board. Council gave the Bylaw first, second, and final reading, and added Councillor Stuart Taylor to the board.

Information Items

Councillor Matthew Young: Young reported having attended a Waste Management meeting, speaking to the discussions ongoing surrounding compost. He expressed interest in seeing the matter return to a future meeting, which was echoed by Councillor Taylor. Young also spoke to a recent golf course meeting, saying he feels optimistic about the direction the society is moving.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Maguhn expressed excitement to be representing council at this weekend's Alberta and Western Canadian Biathlon Championship. He also expressed concern, following recent messages appealing for volunteers for the event; as many as 20 more are needed. He encouraged residents to help support the event.

Councillor Glen Barrow: Barrow expressed his appreciation for the Hinton Fire Department, following their quick and effective response to a condo fire last week. He believes that their efforts were responsible for the building being saved from the flames.

Mayor Rob Mackin: The Mayor spoke to a recent letter regarding the Coal Branch Archive, the Obed Mountain pumped hydro project, and a visit he and admin made to Harry Collinge High School last week, saying he wishes to make more such visits in the future. He also encouraged residents to get out for the last weekend of the Winter Magic Festival, and expressed his excitement at recent PAV sponsorships confirmed. More information on the sponsorship announcements will be coming soon.

CAO Mike Schwirtz: Schwirtz offered his thanks to the ASH Board, and offered support as the board undertakes the task of establishing an arts venue for Hinton. He also offered his thanks to Admin, the Chamber of Commerce, Council and all others who weighed in on the Budget 2017 process.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

Can you help? We need your assistance in making our workplace better for employees who grapple with scent sensitivity. All it takes is the decision to forgo cologne or perfume and choosing scent free grooming products when you come to visit the government centre. This simple change can help staff members avoid symptoms that can range from sniffles to difficulty breathing. Thanks for doing your part!

Last Weekend of Winter Magic! There's still time to get out and enjoy the 30th Annual Winter Magic festival. Find the schedule, and information about the festival, here.

You can view the entire agenda package here.

As a reminder, the next Standing Committee meeting will be held February 28, 2017 at 4:00 pm.