There were no delegations.

1. Hinton Golf Course Report
Since the October 29, 2019 Special Meeting, a transfer of assets between the Hinton Golfing Society and the Town of Hinton is being reviewed. A cheque of $129,867.67 was issued to the Hinton Golfing Society to support payroll, accounts payable and other financial commitments, as directed through a letter outlining approved expenses. An anticipated additional $50,000 - $60,000 will be required to cover what has been anticipated to be required until the end of December, leaving unspent funds through Council’s motion on October 29, 2019.

Administration is working on an arrangement for the transfer of assets between the Town and the Hinton Golfing Society. The Hinton Golfing Society has been very cooperative over the last two months, providing information quickly and supporting information requests as Administration works through the process. Parameters from Administration outlining conditions for the payments previously made from the approved $250,000 was received by the Society and followed without issue. These included accounts payable, line of credit, and Visa payments..

It was moved that Council approve the use of $86,501.57 through Council’s October 29, 2019 motion to provide operating funds into the 2020 season with the Administrative recommendations for ongoing conditions, oversight and support by the Town of Hinton. This motion carried. 

Further information is available below. 

2. Municipal Internship Program - 2020 Intake
“The Municipal Internship Program is a partnership between participating municipal organizations and Alberta Municipal Affairs. The program helps bring recent post-secondary graduates into the municipal field through one of three career streams – municipal administration, finance/accounting, and land use planning. Interns receive hands-on, real-life work experience professional development, and mentoring. Hosting an intern is a significant commitment requiring municipal financial and staff resources as well as a focus on learning and development. The program is not considered a temporary employment opportunity, but rather an opportunity to help build the administrative capacity of local governments in Alberta”. Administration applied to participate in this program in October of 2019. On December 10, 2019 Administration received notice that the Town of Hinton had been selected as one of fourteen successful host municipality applicants. It was moved that Council approve funding for the 2020 intake of the Municipal Internship Program in the total amount of $27,500, with half of the funding required in 2020 in the amount of 13,750 and the other half in the amount of 13,750 in 2021. This motion carried. 

3. 2020 Interim Operating Budget
Council and administration have endeavoured to reach a final budget; however, more time is required to finalize the operating and capital budget for 2020 – 2022. Consideration must be made regarding timelines moving forward as a delay in the approval of the three-year Operating budget past March 2020, could delay the approval of the tax rate bylaw. The Operating budget must be approved prior to the approval of the tax rate bylaw. Tax notices are traditionally sent out by May 15th and taxation collection due date is the end of June. The Interim Operating Budget will allow for Town business to continue until such time as a final 2020- 2022 Operating Budget is approved. Included in the approval of the Interim Operating Budget is the carry forward Capital Projects from 2019. These are projects approved by Council in the 2019 Capital Budget that have not been completed. Administration is not putting forward the five-year Capital Budget, nor the 2020 Capital Budget for decision at this time, as more review is required to meet the direction set by Council. It was moved that Council approve of an interim 2020 operating budget based on the approved operating expenditures from 2019 of $31,261,055 and carry-forward capital projects from 2019. This motion carried. 

4. Proposed Memorandum of Agreement: 2020-2022 Collective Agreement
The memorandum of Agreement continues to advance the objectives of the Town and provides a modest wage increase while preserving very important language regarding transfers, promotions, and appointments, stand-by, and the scope of the agreement. It also clarified the Active Living and Sick Leave benefits, further positioning the Town as an Employer of Choice. Administrative burdens were reduced, and a number of other, minor issues were achieved. The changes to the collective agreement are designed to support the above principles and to support the ongoing goals of preserving a positive working relationship while maintaining the flexibility required by the employer to continue to improve service delivery and reduce costs. The agreement is for a three (3) year term. The wage package includes a 1.9% increase in year one, a 1.9% increase in year two, and a 1.5% increase in year three. Minor increases to boot allowance and LTD benefits were also negotiated. We believe this provides a wage and benefit package that makes the Town of Hinton a desirable place to work. It was moved that Council approves, subject to Union ratification, the attached Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hinton and Unifor, Local 855, regarding the three (3) year collective agreement for 2020 - 2022. This motion carried. 

In-camera is a legal term meaning in private; When a Council goes in-camera, it means the Council meeting is closed to the public. In general terms, the exceptions include matters where disclosures could be harmful to personal privacy, individual or public safety, law enforcement, intergovernmental relations, or economic or other interests; reveal confidential evaluations, local public body confidence, or advice from officials; or disclose information that is subject to legal privilege.

There were no in camera items. 

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson reported having attended the Community Futures West Yellowhead Strategic Planning meeting and Christmas Party, as well as the Town Christmas Party and Long Term Service awards. Nelson then spoke to the Skate with Santa event, as well as the HADSANS Pancakes with Santa event at the Legion. Nelson concluded by wishing Administration, Council, and the community a safe and productive holiday season. 

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek reported looking forward to an HREDC meeting on the 18th, as well as a rescheduled Bebo Committee meeting in the new year. Ostashek concluded by wishing the community all the best of the season.

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councillor Haas spoke to attendance at a Police Action Committee meeting, informing Council that the RCMP's new Sergeant has now started, bringing the detachment back to full staffing. Haas then went on to detail the newly instated foot patrols, saying that while this action has not amounted to arrests thus far it has startled a number of questionable activity in progress. Haas then reminded the public about sidewalk clearing, and concluded by offering congratulations to the newly elected Mayor of Yellowhead County Jim Eglinski. 

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn offered congratulations to Mayor Eglinski, and then informed council that the FRAG has yet to pass on the next meeting date after missing the previous due to budget discussions. Maguhn concluded by speaking to his Harry Collinge role, saying they will be bringing students into the community to take part in caroling and sharing christmas well wishes. 

Deputy Mayor Tyler Waugh: Deputy Mayor Waugh spoke to attendance at the Skate with Santa, as well as the  CFWY Strategic Planning Session. Waugh concluded by taking a moment to thanking Acting CAO Olsen and Administration for their work throughout the year, wishing all a merry Christmas. 

Acting CAO Emily Olsen: Acting CAO Olsen thanked Administration for their work over the first week in the role, saying the support and positivity is greatly appreciated. Acting CAO Olsen then thanked all staff who took part in the low level Emergency Operations Centre activation on Friday, saying the preparedness and professionalism was greatly appreciated and that the thankfully short activation served as a good preparedness exercise.