Council Highlights - March 23, 2021

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.

None.

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.

None.

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.

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.

None.

Action Items

1. Scout Hall Decommissioning

During the 2021 budget deliberations, Council requested additional information from Administration be brought forward on this capital funding request for decommissioning the Scout Hall. This report is being brought forward with reference to the motion from the Special Meeting of Council held on November 20 and 21, 2020, whereby Council unanimously approved, “that the Scout Hall decommissioning come to Council for a decision” (Action Item MD-2126). In May 2016, Scouts Canada notified the Town of Hinton that they wished to extricate themselves from their land lease at 180 Cheviot Drive and turned over the building to the Town of Hinton. The building was owned and operated by Scouts Canada and the Town only provided the lands on which it was situated. Administration has had a Structural Assessment completed (ISL 2015), Electrical Assessment (2016), Hazardous Materials Assessment (Pinchin 2018), as well as quotes for the abatement of asbestos insulation from the block walls.

The Council approved the hazardous materials abatement for the Scout Hall in 2021 at a cost of $72,000. The Council also moved to direct Administration to bring a Request for Decision to the May 4, 2021 Regular Council meeting regarding the decommissioning of the Scout Hall in the 2021 budget year.

2. Locker Replacement

During the 2021 budget process, Council requested additional information from Administration be brought forward on the capital funding request for locker replacement for the swimming pool change rooms. This report is being brought forward in relation to the motion from the Special Meeting of Council held on November 20 and 21, 2020, whereby Council unanimously recommended; that the pool locker replacement come back to Council with a request for decision (Action Item MD-2129). There are currently 154 metal lockers (77 per area). The lockers are from the original construction of the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre in 1980, and are showing signs of deterioration [rusty, sharp metal edges] from high usage, and are creating higher maintenance issues and pose a potential safety risk to patrons from cuts to skin or clothing. The option of locking out the unsafe lockers would reduce capacity and does not visually reflect the high standards set for our facilities.

The Council moved that the $100,000 previously allocated to the pool locker replacement be reallocated to the Recreation Centre Construction Reserve.

3. Options for Future Town Hall and Engagement Events

On October 13, 2020, a report was presented outlining options for a virtual Town Hall Meeting ahead of the 2021 Budget Cycle. The following motion was postponed until after a simplified Town Hall Meeting was held: "That Council direct Administration to prepare a report detailing recommendations on Options 2 and 3 in preparation for a future Town Hall and other organizational engagement events before end of Quarter 2, 2021." The options within the approved direction refer to “Option 2: Zoom Webinar Configuration w/ World Café Engagement Session”, and “Option 3: New Digital/Tele-Town Hall Configuration” which were presented in the previous report. At the March 2, 2021 Regular Council Meeting, Council addressed the postponed direction. The motion was passed. Three distinct options are provided in this report. While option 2 and 3 do specify named software providers, there are other software that could be engaged in a competitive bidding process, although it will require significant time commitment from the Town staff. Option 1 presented with Zoom webinar level package, however, does not have a competitor at scale with the amount of integrations and benefits offered, and with the current level of familiarity with the software existent in the organization. The recommended action of the Town of Hinton Strategic Services in consultation with the Information Technology unit is to proceed with acquiring Zoom webinar licensing and to formulate a strategy for its use internally and externally.

The Council approved Option 1 for future virtual Town Halls and other online organizational engagement events.

4. Council Remuneration Review Committee (CRRC)

The Town of Hinton commits to providing fair and reasonable level of remuneration for elected officials consistent with comparable municipalities. As per the Council Remuneration Policy #052, the Council Remuneration Review Committee (CRRC) is an independent citizen committee appointed by Council to examine the issue of remuneration and make recommendations to Council. Council shall appoint up to five citizens to the CRRC in the manner they deem appropriate. The members of the CRRC will receive no salary or honorarium for their voluntary services. The CRRC will review the Remuneration policy and determine appropriate honorariums, meeting fees, expenses, and benefits for the Mayor and Councillors, and will provide recommendations in a final report to Town Council. As a part of their review, the CRRC will review similar practices of the Town’s municipal comparative communities in Alberta. The CRRC will prepare and forward their final report to Council at a Regular Council meeting in the months preceding the municipal election. Town Council will review the recommendations received from the CRRC. Unless otherwise recommended by the CRRC, the recommendations approved by Council will become effective after the General Election for the four-year term of the new Council.

Council directed Administration to advertise seeking five members of the public for the Council Remuneration Review Committee.

View the entire agenda package here.

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.

None.

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 was no notice of motion.

Information Items

1. Commercial Bin Replacement

The commercial capital bin replacement was requested by Administration and approved by Council in the 2020 - 2022 capital budget in the amount of $530,000. On July 14th, 2020 Administration presented Council with the Solid Waste Management Report. Council approved Administration to modernize the waste collection system and continue to provide services to Residential and Commercial Customers as per Full Cost Recovery (Option 1B-4). Sixty-four 6-yd front load commercial bins were ordered in late October of 2020. An additional twenty 4-yd plastic bins were ordered on November 13, 2020. These bins all came with the auto locking mechanisms. Moving forward approximately 316 additional front load bins are still required. During 2021 Budget deliberations (November 20, 2020), Council provided direction for brief reports for information items to be brought forward prior to March 31, 2021. This report is being brought forward to Council in relation to this motion: That the replaced 400 commercial bins over two years project come to Council for a request for decision.

Council accepted this report regarding the purchase of 400 commercial bins as information.

2. Council Information packages #1 and #2 for March 23, 2021

View the information in the agenda package here.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh had nothing to report.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn shared that he will be attending the RCMP Committee meeting.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek had nothing to report.

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councillor Haas shared that he attended ASH meeting, a library board meeting, and informed about the hiring of a new Librarian. He also thanked the Administration for clean streets.

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson shared attending Youth Advisory Council (HYAC) meeting and a Wetland Policy review meeting.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels shared that he attended the Waste management authority meeting and moving forward with an external consultant for the governance review. He also shared that BRIDGES, a valued community organization, is looking for new volunteers. He also shared that the Hearing for Coalspur/Bighorn mine has been cancelled.

Acting CAO Winston Rossouw: Acting CAO Rossouw shared the successful continuation of street cleaning and informed of the progress in major capital projects such as Boardwalk and Rob road.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

COVID-19 Vaccines available for Albertans born in 1954 or earlier
The province has expanded the age group of those eligible to receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine. People born in 1954 or earlier can book appointments, as can First Nations, Métis and Inuit people born before or during 1969. You can book appointment here.

Mayor's Beaver Boardwalk Engagement Session

Interested in knowing more about upcoming maintenance activities at the Beaver Boardwalk? Join Mayor Michaels from 6-7pm on Thursday. March 25, 2021 via Zoom (find event information and zoom link here.)

The session will include an update on the MSP Grant Funded Workplan, and a question-and-answer period. Please submit questions to Hinton Listens prior to the meeting. Additional questions may be permitted during the meeting as time permits.

Hinton Votes: Virtual Information Session

Interested in running in the 2021 Municipal Elections as a candidate? Join our “Hinton Votes” session on March 22 and find out how. Learn about important election processes for candidates, including how to register, upcoming deadlines and changes to rules and regulations.

Our first session took place on March 22nd and was livestreamed via YouTube here.

2021 Municipal Election Nomination Package Available now!

The Town of Hinton Corporate and Strategic Services in cooperation with Returning Officer Emily Olsen are pleased to announce the release of the 2021 Town of Hinton Municipal election information webpage and download package.

The next Town of Hinton general municipal election is on Monday, October 18, 2021. Electors will be voting for one mayor and six town councilors.

Find the election webpage at Hinton.ca/Election

Town of Hinton facilities and services will be closed on April 2, Good Friday and some facilities and services will be closed on April 5, Easter Monday.

Facility and Services' Status (for Easter Monday, April 5):

Government Centre, Infrastructure Services, and Protective Services - Closed (No call-in appointments taken on April 5)
The Guild - Closed
Public Transportation – Open
Accessible Transportation Services - Closed
The Recreation Centre - Open
Library - Open
Garbage collection - Open

Garbage Collection Notice

Please be advised that there will be no garbage collection on Good Friday, April 2, 2021. The Infrastructure Services Department will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Garbage normally collected on Friday will be collected on Thursday, April 1, 2021. All bins should be out on the street by 7:30 a.m. Garbage bins that are missed due to them not being placed out on time and/ or placed out incorrectly, will not be collected until the next regular collection day i.e., the following Friday.

Please call Infrastructure Services at 780-865-2634 for further information.

West Yellowhead Regional Landfill Notice

As of April 1, Landfill summer hours will be 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and Holidays.

The West Yellowhead Regional Landfill will be closed on Good Friday, April 2, 2021. The Landfill will be opened on Saturday and Easter Monday.

Reminder of Fee increase January 1st, 2021 – Please check on our web site or copies can be picked up at the Landfill, Government Centre or Infrastructure Services.

Residential customers may bring furniture, appliances, clean yard waste (small branches and grass), passenger tires, batteries, wood, used oil and filters, E-waste (computers and T.V.’s) paint and metals for free. All material must be sorted and placed as directed into the appropriate bins. All wet waste is placed in the Transfer Bins. Fees are in place for special products such as railway ties and Asbestos. Fess are applied to construction waste over 500 kgs.

For further information contact Infrastructure Services at 780-865-2634 or West Yellowhead Regional Landfill 780-865-1414.

Annual Street Spring Cleaning

Street sweeping will commence this year as weather allows. Its hanging on longer than most years, so please be patient if you see the signs and we are delayed by weather getting to your area. The order of street sweeping will progress as follows: Residential Streets, Arterial roads, Shopping Center Parking Lots, and Highway 16 (scheduled to accommodate the line painters).

This year the residential sweeping will be starting first on the Thompson Lake Subdivision, Hill and then Valley. We are operating on a three-year rotational basis. In addition, crews will be patching potholes, washing signs, cleaning guard rails and bridge decks. Fresh line painting will commence after the streets have been cleaned and the frost is out of the ground.

Crews will be sweeping residential roadways throughout the Town, area by area. Advance signing will be placed on main access roads.

Please remove your vehicles when you see this sign – or when you see the street cleaning equipment in the area. The Peace Officer will be patrolling each area to ensure that all vehicles have been removed so that the sweeping crews can do a better sweeping job.

The Annual Spring Clean Up will be combined with Environmental Week from May 30 to June 5, 2021. Watch for further advertising. For further information call the Infrastructure Service Department at 780-865-2634.

Minute with Council Access

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, 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.

Learn more here.

The Town of Hinton is on Facebook!

As close to 2500 people have already figured out - The Town of Hinton has a corporate Facebook page! This new service adds another resource to the communications channel 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. Like us today by clicking here!

ComServ Issue #20 will be available this Friday!

ComServ is the Community Services Status Guide, a new product of Community Services and Strategic Services at the Town of Hinton to provide an all-encompassing update on our Pandemic Status. The next issue of ComServ will be published this Friday! Find the previous issues here.

Subscribe here for future issues.

You can view the entire agenda package here.

The next Regular Council meeting will be held March 02, 2020,

at 4pm via Zoom and streamed via YouTube.

To subscribe to our newsletters, please go to hinton.ca/notifyme to get the latest updates!