Council Highlights - June 8, 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.

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.

none.

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.

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.

none.

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.

1. Lease Agreement Report (Section 17(1) of FOIP)

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.

1. Hinton Community Grant Funding Committee - Presented by Jessica Hearsey

Action Items

1. COMMUNITY GRANT 2021 SPRING INTAKE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS

The purpose of the Community Grant Program is to fund the following:

• One-time projects and initiatives;
• Operating expenses of organizations; or
• Events that are primarily designed and delivered for the general public that attract visitors, significantly contribute to the local economy, and promote volunteerism.

There was a total of 11 applications submitted for the 2021 spring intake totalling $70,934.93, of which all the 11 applications met the eligibility criteria for full or partial funding. The HGFAC recommended funding 6 applicants totaling $30,000.00 as per (Attachment 1, page 21-23).

Council Motion: That Council award the Community Grant Program 2021 spring intake funding, as per the recommendation from the Hinton Grant Funding Advisory Committee, for a total of $30,000 as outlined in Attachment 1. Carried 7-0

2. 2020 OPERATING SURPLUS & EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESERVE

At the Regular Meeting on Council May 4, 2021 Council requested an update from Administration on the balance and commitments made from the funds allocated to the Emergency Response Reserve by Council in 2020 for the support of expenses related to the response and recovery actions taken to address COVID-19 impacts in the community.

Attached is a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the analysis completed by Administration (Attachment 1 - 2020 Financial Surplus Discussion Report PowerPoint, pages 25-30) detailing the information requested by Council regarding the 2020 surplus and the Emergency Response Reserve.

Council Motion: That Council direct Administration to transfer $250,000 to the Parks and Trails Reserve from accumulated surplus. Carried 7-0.

Council Motion: That Council direct Administration to transfer $250,000 to the Recreation Centre Construction Reserve from accumulated surplus. Defeated 3-4. For: Maguhn, Race, Nelson.

Council Motion: That Council direct Administration to transfer $250,000 to the Emergency Response Reserve from accumulated surplus. Carried 7-0.

Council Motion: That Council direct Administration to bring a report on 2020 tax penalties statistics. Carried 4-3. Against: Maguhn, Nelson, Michaels.

Council Motion: That Council direct Administration to transfer the final balance of the 2020 Operating Surplus from the accumulated surplus be transferred to the Operating Projects Reserve following the conclusion of the 2020 audit.

Council Motion: That the wording of Operating Projects Reserve be changed to Recreation Centre Construction Reserve. Defeated 3-4. For: Maguhn, Race, Nelson.

Council Motion: That Council direct Administration to transfer the final balance of the 2020 Operating Surplus from the accumulated surplus be transferred to the Operating Projects Reserve following the conclusion of the 2020 audit. Carried 5-2. Against: Waugh, Nelson.

3. APPOINTMENT OF FINANCIAL REVIEWER AND SIGNATORY FOR THE HINTON LIBRARY BOARD FINANCIAL REPORTS

The Financial Reviewer role as been assigned to various Town positions and specifically named Town staff members over the years with the most recent being the Accounting Supervisor (2016- 2019) and the Director of Corporate Services (2019-present). The Council-appointed Signatory is unavailable to complete the Financial Review; as such, one must be appointed by Council in order to present the financials to the Province in a timely manner for the past fiscal year (ending 2020).

Council Motion: That Council appoint KPMG LLP as Reviewer of Financial Reports & Signatory for the Hinton Library Board to perform the duties of the appointment as defined in the Libraries Act; and that a Review Engagement of the financial statement be completed annually. Carried 6-1. Against Waugh.

4. MUNICIPAL ENERGY MANAGER PROGRAM

The MEM program covers 80% of the cost of the manager’s annual salary through a contribution of up to $80,000. The Municipality is responsible for the additional 20% of the salary, benefits, and an operating budget. The program encourages regional collaboration through joint municipal applications to share the position and the related costs. Proactively, administration has submitted a no commitment Expression of Interest on behalf of the potential partnership and has met with representatives of the program.

Hinton Administration has discussed the potential of a joint application to the MEM program with Municipality of Jasper Administration. Neither municipality have a current Energy Management Plan or a current energy audit to support facility decision-making with an intent of emissions reduction and cost savings. By entering into this program jointly, the benefits of a position can be proven without the full financial impact of individual roles in each municipality.

Council Motion: That Council approve the submission of an application to the Municipal Energy Manager Program in collaboration with the Town of Jasper, with financial impacts outside the currently approved 2021 budget envelope to be approved through the 2022 budget process. Carried 7-0.

Information Items

1. Community Engagement and Advisory Committee Engagement with Partners for Climate Protection

2. Aquatics Promotional Program Usage

Council Motion: That Council accepts the Aquatics Promotional Program Usage Report for information. Carried 7-0.

3. Council Information Packages #1, #2 and #3 for June 8, 2021

Council Reporting:

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Reported his attendance at several FCM sessions and was excited to hear from all the major Federal Party leaders. Noted his participation with the Alberta Energy Regulator to provide feedback from on geothermal regulation, has had 2 engagements and a third one coming up.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Attended the Beaver Boardwalk Committee meeting on June 4, where the group worked to incorporate the motions from the May 18^th Standing Committee Meeting.

Councillor Trevor Haas: Attended recent Waste Management workshops. He has completed 2 workshops and is excited to be participating in a third. Once workshops are done, and reports are put together, a report will be brought to Council.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Reminded everyone that Lemonade Day is coming up on June 19th, he encouraged folks to attend. He noted that Community Futures will have their Start Planning on June 23rd.

Councillor JoAnn Race: On June 4^th Councillor Race attended the Beaver Boardwalk committee meeting. She too also attended several FCM sessions.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn had nothing to report.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Nothing to add on Waste Management, overall disappointed with the online format of FCM. He went on to note that he was recently asked to provide feedback on the Coal Policy Review Committee.

CAO Emily Olsen: CAO Olsen noted that information will be provided on Town Facilities reopening in the coming days with respect to COVID restrictions. CAO went on to comment on the Land Acknowledgement Statement from the starting of the meeting, noting that this is something the Town will be doing on a go-forward basis as it is the first step in in Administration’s commitment and recognition that we can do more to build relationships with our Indigenous stakeholders and community members.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

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

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!

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.

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