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.

1. Municipal Reserve Disposal

During the past several months, Administration has been working with the landowner of 816 Carmichael Lane on the proposed development of their undeveloped parcel. As the landowner has been working with their clients, several design concepts have been discussed with feedback provided in order to aid the landowner in maximizing the use of the parcel while maintaining compliance with Land Use Bylaw 1088 and legislation. In order to facilitate improved vehicular flow on the parcel, 816 Carmichael Lane would like to access Meier Street from the rear of their parcel. Currently, they do not have legal rear access to Meier Street because of a small sliver of Municipal Reserve (MR) land between this parcel and the Meier Street road right-of-way (refer to Attachment 1 Municipal Reserve Disposal Map). This sliver of land is approximately 157 m2 (0.04 acres) in area and is a part of 137 Meier Street (Plan 962 0706, Block 1, Lot 40MR) which contains the majority of the Natural Resources Interpretive Park. In order to grant a development permit with access to Meier Street, the small sliver must either be purchased by 816 Carmichael Lane or converted to road right-of-way. The landowner of 816 Carmichael Lane applied for the disposal of this small portion of MR with the intent for it to be converted into road right-of-way and extend the Meier Street road right-of-way to the property lines of 816 Carmichael Lane. Administration introduced this MR disposal at the April 13, 2021 Standing Committee Meeting. Notification of the public hearing held on May 4, 2021 was posted in the April 22 and 29, 2021 editions of the Hinton Voice newspaper, mailed to adjacent landowners, and physically posted on the site. No written submissions, for or against the MR disposal, have been received to date.

The Council moved that Council proceed with the removal of the Municipal Reserve designation from approximately 157 m2 of Plan 962 0706, Block 1, Lot 40MR (137 Meier Street) as shown on the Municipal Reserve disposal Map and that Council direct Administration to convert the approximately 157 m2 of Plan 962 0706, Block 1, Lot 40MR (137 Meier Street) as shown on the Municipal Reserve disposal map to road right-of-way. This motion carried.

2. Proposed Policy CS 7200 Recreation & Parks User Fee Policy

Policy CS 7200 (known as Policy 082 at the time, Attachment 1) was amended by Council in the fall of 2020 to reflect their intent to provide additional financial support for residents, incentives for special events and charitable organizations, as well as incorporate an additional outdoor spaces category into the policy. The associated Fee Schedules expiring on August 31, 2021 were not amended at that time as the process to do so is prompted in the spring before each three-year term expires. At the Standing Committee Meeting of April 13, 2021, the following motion carried: “That Committee direct Administration to collect public feedback regarding the proposed Policy CS 7200 Recreation & Parks User Fee Policy, including 2021- 2024 Fee Schedules A and B as presented, and bring a report to Regular Council on May 4, 2021 for decision.” Administration implemented a three-week period for public feedback/engagement in which the public and user groups were provided information about the proposed policy changes and three year term fee schedules. The results from the public engagement period up to the submission of this report are provided herein. Any additional feedback received between the report submission deadline and the Regular Council Meeting of May 4, 2021 will be presented during that meeting.

The Council moved that Council approve Policy CS 7200 Recreation & Parks User Fee Policy, including 2021-2024 Fee Schedules A and B as presented. This motion carried.

3. Aquatics Promotional Program Rates Subsidization

On March 2, 2021 Council moved that the promotional program fees were to be subsidized by 50% up to April 6, 2021 by a contribution out of reserve created from the Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) funds. At the Regular Council Meeting of April 6, 2021, the promotional program fee reduction was discussed and the following motion carried: “That Council direct Administration to reduce the promotional program rates of $20 for nonmember / $ 10 for member per half hour by 50% until the end of day May 4, 2021 and recuperate lost revenues from MOST funds.” During this meeting Council discussed potential service hour adjustments and subsequent financial implications. Changes of opening hours could expand the service level or have the facility open for the public at alternate times than currently scheduled, for example in weekends. The following motion was moved and carried: “That a Request for Decision Report be presented at the May 4, 2021 Regular Council Meeting regarding the current service level and budget impacts of the Promotional Program as well as opportunities for adjusted hours at the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre.” The service restrictions that are currently in place are related to Step 1 as per Alberta Health Services regulations. There is no indicated timeline for easing or further restricting of these safety measures or any implications to the allowable usage of indoor recreation facilities.

The Council directed Administration to further extend the subsidization of the aquatics promotional program rates of $20 for non-members / $10 for members per half hour by 50% until the end of day June 15, 2021 and recuperate lost revenues from MOST funds and that Council direct Administration to increase the hours of bookings available in the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre to include Option C until the end of day June 15, 2021 and recuperate the increased direct expenses from MOST Funds. The Council also moved to direct Administration to further extend the subsidization of the aquatics promotional program rates of $20 for non-members / $10 for members per half hour by 50% until the end of day June 15, 2021 and recuperate lost revenues from MOST funds and that Council direct Administration to increase the hours of bookings available in the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre to include Option C until the end of day June 15, 2021 and recuperate the increased direct expenses from MOST Funds and that a Request for Decision be brought to the Regular Meeting of Council June 8, 2021 that contains usage and updated MOST funding numbers. Both motions carried.

4. Rescind Council Motion MD-2050 (In-fill Policy)

This item was before Council at their Regular Meeting of April 6, 2021 and was requested by Councillor Ostashek in writing (Attachment 1) to be brought back to the Regular Meeting of Council on May 4, 2021 as it relates to Council’s Procedural Bylaw. Council, at their Regular Meeting of August 18, 2020 made the following motion as follows: That Council direct Administration to bring back an In-Fill Development Policy to a Standing Committee Meeting by March 31, 2021. This motion was put forward by Council because our Town has many situations where services to existing lots are incomplete and/or not up to municipal standards. This often means no water, sanitary sewer, paved roadways and storm water plan, or no sidewalks, curb, gutter, etc.

The Council moved to rescind Motion MD – 2050 as per Council Action Pending List. The Council also moved to instruct Administration to embed infill design guidelines in the form of Appendix A as part of a new directive. Both motions carried.

5. Tax Rate Bylaw #1155 and Supplementary Bylaw #1156

The Tax Rate bylaw is an annual legislative requirement of the MGA. The Tax Bylaw outlines the property tax rates that are required to levy sufficient funds to support the Municipalities annual operating Budget and collect on behalf of the Province of Alberta the requisitions for the Provincial Education Tax and the Senior’s Housing Tax. The property tax rates of the municipality are comprised of three components: The Municipal component, the Provincial Education Tax component, and the Senior’s Housing component. The Municipality influences only the Municipal component and the Province of Alberta and the Senior’s Housing Authority maintain control over the requisitions. The Municipality is simply charged with collecting levies on behalf of those agencies. Council is reminded that the timely passing of the Tax Rate bylaw is paramount in ensuring that the taxpayers of the Municipality are provided with their tax notices in a timely manner. Delays in approving the Tax Rate bylaw will affect the timeline of tax notice, tax deadlines, tax penalties, tax collection, assessment complaints and tax recovery.

The Supplementary Tax bylaw is an annual legislative requirement of the MGA if the Municipality wishes to levy taxation on development and improvements completed during the tax year. The bylaw authorizes the municipality to conduct a supplementary assessment of these properties and subsequently tax these new assessments. The full authorities and requirements of Supplemental Assessment and Taxation are outlined in sections 313 to 316.1 of the MGA.

The Council moved to give the First, Second, unanimous consent for Third reading, and Third reading for both the Tax rate and supplementary Bylaws. All the motions carried.

6. COVID-19 Business Resilience Support Program Report

At the April 20, 2021 Standing Committee Meeting, Committee directed administration to take the following action for the COVID-19 Business Resilience Support Program: • Include retro-active support for the COVID-19 Resilience Support Program to April 1, 2021; • Cap the grant amount to $750.00 per business; • Limit program support to businesses that were operating at any point prior to March 2020 and maintain a business license through 2020-and 2021; and • Create a mandatory review for the program prior to November 15, 2021. The report presented to Council covered research that Administration and the Chamber of Commerce had completed into the types of programs seen in other communities. This information can be referenced through the April 20, 2021, COVID-19 Business Resilience Support Program Direction Request report. https://www.hinton.ca/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4200 Further to the $100,000 COVID -19 Business Resilience Support Program Council received information on a Collaborative Marketing Program of $30,000 that would promote local businesses working in partnership of three or more partners to promote their businesses. Each business involved in the partnership would receive up to $500, providing a minimum of $1500 towards marketing activities. This program would reach a maximum of $5000 or 10 businesses. Funds could be provided upon approval of the marketing activities, with 50% provided up front, and 50% provided upon substantiation of the purchases (receipt, or email confirmation). Committee did not provide direction to pursue the Collaborative marketing Program during the April 20, 2021 Standing Committee Meeting; however, a decision on the program could be considered in the future.

The Council moved to approve a collaborative marketing program of $30,000 that would promote local businesses working in partnership of three or more partners to promote their businesses. The Council also moved to direct Administration to bring back a report no later than June 22, 2021 on available options to assist the non-government Town of Hinton tenants. The Council also moved to approve the COVID-19 Business Resilience Support Program of $100,000 for a local business goods and services program funded by the Emergency Operations Reserve, with the grant criteria and eligibility as presented. The Council also moved to approve the Town of Hinton entering into an agreement with Community Futures West Yellowhead to administer the COVID-19 Business Resilience Support Program. All the motions carried.


7. Hinton Golf Course Economic Opportunities

At the April 20, 2021 Standing Committee Council provided direction to Administration to bring back a Request for Decision (RFD) for an EOI process to be undertaken. Furthermore, on November 10, 2020, Council directed Administration to bring back a report outlining options for the land consolidation of the Hinton Golf Course to a Standing Committee before the end of Q2 2021. As well, Council directed Administration to present options regarding any potential economic development opportunities involving the Hinton Golf Course to be brought forward in the same timeframe. Currently the Hinton Golf Course is operated by the Hinton Golfing Society. Previous motions have requested that Administration investigate options that could enhance the golf course’s viability, harness its potential to generate economic spin-offs, while balancing such best model/s to keep it affordable for local golfers. Council directed Administration through the following motions: That Council direct Administration to bring back a report outlining options for land consolidation at the Hinton Golf Course to a Standing Committee Meeting before the end of Q2, 2021. (MD - 2112) That Council direct Administration to present options regarding any potential economic development opportunities involving the Hinton Golf Course. (MD -2113).

The Council moved to direct Administration to undertake an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, that upholds the availability of golf in Hinton as a requisite component of the EOI. This motion carried.

View the entire agenda package here.

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.

The Council moved to accept the Council Information Packages #1, #2, #3, #4 for May 4, 2021. This motion carried.

View the information in the agenda package here.

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.