Council Highlights - May 19, 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.

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. Hinton Youth Advisory Council 2019/2020 Term and Outcomes
The Hinton Youth Advisory Council (HYAC) Bylaw #1128 was passed by Council in May, 2019. HYAC’s first term commenced with Council’s annual appointment of Committee Members in October, 2019. At that time, eight students were appointed to HYAC. From October to February, HYAC met monthly to hear guest speakers, set goals, and devise workplans. HYAC Members presented their plans to Council at the February 4, 2020 Regular Meeting of Council. On March 13, 2020, the decision was made to close all Town facilities to the public in light of the COVID- 19 Pandemic; several additional safety precautions were implemented, including the elimination of all public meetings when possible. As such, HYAC has been unable to meet since February. At the May 12, 2020 Standing Committee Meeting, the following directions were provided: That Committee recommend Council approve that the Hinton Youth Advisory Council meetings and activities be concluded for the 2019-2020 Term; and That Committee recommend Council award full bursary payments to the 2019-2020 Hinton Youth Advisory Council youth membership, conditional upon the fulfillment of sections 9.3 and 9.4 of Bylaw #1128 Appendix #1.

It was moved that Council approve that the Hinton Youth Advisory Council meetings and activities be concluded for the 2019-2020 Term, and that Council award full bursary payments to the 2019-2020 Hinton Youth Advisory Council youth membership, conditional upon the fulfillment of sections 9.3 and 9.4 of Bylaw #1128 Appendix #1. Both motions carried.

2. Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 1088-14
Land Use Bylaw 1088 was adopted at the September 6, 2016 Regular Meeting of Council. The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) is reviewed on a regular basis and recommended amendments are made to continue to keep the LUB current with best practices. The purpose of this report is to establish the Director of Development Services as a Planning Authority for the municipality to exercise subdivision and development powers and designate the duties to any other person. An Edits Overview is provided (Attachment #1), accompanied by the revised Bylaw 1088-14 (Attachment #2). The Edits Overview summarizes the changes made (with rationale) for ease of reference.

It was moved that Council give First Reading of Land Use Bylaw Amendment 1088-14, and that Council schedule a Public Hearing on June 16, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the Government Centre or on-line to hear public comments on Bylaw Amendment 1088-14. This motion carried.

3. Council representation on boards and committees

It was moved that Council appoint Councillor Tyler Waugh be appointed to the Hinton Police / Town Liaison Committee and be removed from the West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority Committee and that Council appoint Councillor Trevor Haas be appointed to the West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority Committee and removed from the Hinton Police / Town Liaison Committee. This motion 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.

That Council approves Administration to proceed with the Option 1 regarding the Golf Course Asset Acquisition Agreement as discussed in camera.

That Council direct Administration to bring the completed Golf Course Assets Acquisition Agreement back to an In Camera Regular Meeting of Council for approval.

These motions 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

It was moved that Council accept the 2019 Fourth Quarter Year End Financial Statements and Capital Project Plan as information. This motion carried.

It was moved that Council direct Administration to bring a draft Fiscal Management Policy to a Standing Committee meeting before December 31, 2020. This motion carried.

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councillor Haas reported an upcoming library meeting, and reminded council that a package is available to take part in the Hinton Community Reads video campaign. Haas concluded by informing Council that a WYRWMA meeting is upcoming.

Councillor JoAnn Race: Councillor Race had nothing to report.

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson informed Council of a recent CFWY meeting, saying that update would be shared by Councillor Waugh.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn shared that the Golf Course is now open, included both the front and back 9. The pro-shop is also reopened with social distancing provisions. A meeting with the Society is scheduled for May 25.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh shared that there had recently been a Community Futures West Yellowhead Meeting whereat the Regional Relief and Recovery Loan, a federally implemented program managed through local Community Futures across the Country, was discussed and announced to be available locally through CFWY with applications expected to open this week.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek shared that there had recently been a Beaver Boardwalk Committee meeting, saying survey results were shared and a brief update offered.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels shared that CAO recruitment is now underway, and that the Town is looking to schedule interviews in July.

Interim CAO Emily Olsen: Interim CAO Olsen introduced Municipal Intern Mir Faiaz, a new member of the staff funded through a grant to bring an intern in for a one year term in a municipal environment. Olsen then shared that HKFS will reopen this summer, but that Discovery Camp will not and then concluded by sharing information regarding the Family Resource Networks new programming.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

Use AlbertaFireBans.ca to Check Fire Ban Status Province Wide

The Town of Hinton has recently received questions regarding fire bans, stemming from provincial fire ban statuses and a Google Listing from 2016 for a former fire ban.

As of May 06, 2020, the Town of Hinton is not under a fire ban. There is a Fire Ban in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta, impacting the areas outside of the municipality (read ministerial order here).

If you are ever unsure about fire ban status anywhere in the province, visit the Alberta Fire Bans Website here or download their app to check. You can also visit https://www.hinton.ca/CivicAlerts to view all current news items from the Town of Hinton.

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 2000 people have already figured out - The Town of Hinton 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 June 2, 2020,
at 4pm via Zoom, in the Committee Room, and streamed via YouYube.