Council Highlights - March 17, 2020

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 Michaels opens the floor to the public to speak and share with Council members, administration and meeting observers.

There were no speakers.

Delegations

Presentations are required to be arranged through the Executive Assistant, so that presenters can be sure time is set aside for their presentations on the Council agenda. Find out more about how to be a delegation by following this link.

There were no delegations.

Public Hearings

In some instances, Council is required to conduct public hearings regarding land use bylaws, rezoning, etc., or on any other matter council deems appropriate.

There were no public hearings.

Action Items

1. COVID-19 Related Financial Update
This item was added to the agenda, and following the beginning of Council's Meeting, Council immediately went in camera to address it.

2. 2020-2022 Three Year Operating Budget and 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan
There has been an extensive process for establishing a three-year operating budget and a five-year capital plan. Each year public budget meetings are held to discuss and debate the budget in detail before Council considers final approval. Residents are encouraged to attend open houses, as well as to take part in surveys, Council’s strategic planning engagement and open budget discussions which help to influence and establish the final budget priorities. There is significant upward financial pressure on the Town due to increased legislative changes/demands, union negotiated wage increases, recruiting and turn over challenges, as well as pending legal issues.

Additions and deletions passed by motions of Council included:

Reduction to Economic Development Budget of $30,801 to adjust the Chamber of Commerce Agreement to $53,000 from $22,000,
Movement of the Gerard Redmond Playground project from 2021 to 2020 in the Capital Budget
Reduction to the FDM Software one-time project from $135,000 to $35,000, reduction in transfer
to reserve of $100,000,
Service Level reduction strategy initiated of $75,000 (Report to Council by quarter 2),
Reduction of cost of living Increases to non-union staff from 1.9% to 1.7%,
Reduction in management grid increases from $65,000 to $10,000,
Addition of the Beaver Boardwalk Maintenance costs of $60,000,
Addition of STARS donation of $20,000,
Administrative reductions of $21,077 plus an additional $37,047 required, and
Reduction of Council wages of $30,000.

Council made the following motions:

That Council amend the current draft budget to remove the COLA increases reflected and be put towards capital reserves.
That Council approve the 2020 Operating Budget of $29,137,747 as amended and that Council approve the 2020-22 Three-Year Operating Plan as amended.
That the above motion be split.
That Council approve the 2020 Operating Budget of $29,137,747 as amended.
That Council approve the 2020-22 Three-Year Operating Plan as amended.
Move to table the split motion.
That the following motion be raised from the table –
- That Council approve the 2020-22 Three-Year Operating Plan as amended.
That Council approve the 2020-22 Three-Year Operating Plan as amended.
Move that Administration bring forward the 2021-2023 three year Operating Budget with no more than 4% tax rate increase in each year.
That Council approve an increase in commercial waste collection fee of 5% each year for the next three years.
That Council approve the 2020 Capital Budget of $10,130,302 and the 2020-24 Five-Year Capital Plan as presented.

These motions carried.

In Camera

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.

Action Item 1
That Council direct Administration to implement cost mitigation strategies within the 2020 Operating Budget to offset the ongoing financial impacts of COVID-19. Administration to provide Council with ongoing regular reports related to these mitigation strategies.

This motion carried.

McMillan Lands (Section 24 of FOIP)
That Council direct Administration to proceed with a design charrette and preparing a development proforma for the Town owned parcels at 133, 159 and 134 Boutin Avenue.

This motion carried.

Administrative Inquiries

If Councillors have queries they would like to submit to admin, this will be the time at which they do. This is in accordance with Council's procedural bylaw.

There were no inquiries.

Notice of Motion

If Councillors have motions they wish to lodge, this will be the time at which they do. This is in accordance with Council's procedural bylaw.

There were no notice of motion.

Information Items

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councillor Haas reported learning the difference between a trustee and a board member at a recent library meeting, and shared thanks for the budget process to admin and council. Haas concluded by encouraging safe prevention practices and encouraging residents to access AHS resources for questions.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh reported many plans and dates are being changed due to the outbreak. Waugh then shared that Community Futures West Yellowhead asks that local businesses wanting to learn more about the supports being announced, and possibly still to come, from the Provincial and Federal Government please contact them via email by clicking here.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn reported recent attendance at the Golf Society meeting but that those details may be up in the air. Maguhn then thanked admin for work relating to the COVID outbreak.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek wished to share thanks to both administration and council for the budget process.

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson withheld reporting for a later time.

Councillor JoAnn Race: Councillor Race had nothing to report at this time, but did offer thanks for work done.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels offered thanks to administration for EOC decisions and actions thus far.

Interim CAO Emily Olsen: Interim CAO Olsen shared thanks for Councils work with administration on budget and the honest dialogue. Olsen then shared that the EOC does have a dramatic impact on operations, and shared thanks to the EOC staff as well as senior leadership working through the process. Olsen concluded by thanking the budget team for their work on the process.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

COVID-19 Resources

The Town of Hinton is acting in the interest of public safety, proactively responding to an evolving worldwide scenario involving COVID-19. Community health and safety is our priority. We are taking immediate steps to help reduce the risk to our residents, visitors and employees.

Find information on our responses here.

Split Assessments

In 2020, Hinton residents will experience the first year of a different, more transparent, assessment and taxation notice process. Council and Town Administration has made the decision to move our community to a split assessment and taxation notice, creating numerous efficiencies and allowing for a more accurate budget estimation and tax rate computation. This move brings the Town of Hinton taxation process in line with many communities across the province, including major cities Edmonton and Calgary as well as similar sized communities like the City of Lacombe. To provide answers to likely questions arising from this change, Town of Hinton Corporate, and Strategic, Services have partnered with the Powers & Associates Appraisal Services to provide the following Ask the Town.

View the webpage to learn more by clicking here.

The Town of Hinton is on Facebook!

As over 1800 people have already figured out - The Town of Hinton now has a corporate Facebook page! This new service adds another resource to the communications toolbelt, and will house information on many different areas; some days, you’ll see information on bylaws, others recreation programs, others information about council decisions or highlights from Council meetings. We will, however, endeavour to ensure that we are sharing content relevant to the widest possible audience. Like us today by clicking here!

You can view the entire agenda package here.

The next Regular Council meeting will be held April 7, 2020, at 4pm
in the Council Chambers.