Council Highlights - August 24, 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.

1. Marilyn Mantai spoke to Council regarding her tax penalties. Ms. Mantai asked Council to consider waiving her tax penalties on all her town properties.

2. Bill McDonald spoke to Council regarding the proposal in front of Council tonight to move the Fireworks to Halloween. Mr. McDonald is asking Council to consider taking the funds and use them towards free drop-in at the Hinton Recreation Centre for our youth and elderly.

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.

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.

Closed Session

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. KPMG - 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements - Closed per Section 24 of FOIP
2. Code of Conduct Investigation - Sheri-Anne Doolaege, SAGE Analytics closed per Section 24 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.

None.

Action Items

1. 2020 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE TOWN OF HINTON

The 2020 Financial Statements have been prepared by KPMG and reviewed by Administration.

Municipal Councils must approve annually the Financial Statements and the Financial Information Return of the municipality. The reports on the annual statements must be in accordance with the form and the reporting standards recommended by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Further, the statements must be made public and forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. For detailed information on this item see Attachment 1: Page 18 - 66

Council Motion: That Council approve the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Town of Hinton for Year Ended December 31, 2020, as presented.

Carried 7-0

2. REGIONAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD APPOINTMENT

The Specialized Municipality of Jasper, the Town of Edson, the Town of Grande Cache and the Town of Hinton, as Partner Municipalities, entered into an agreement in 2007 to establish an Inter-Municipal Assessment Review Board.

Pursuant to section 454 of the Municipal Government Act, a Council must by bylaw establish a Local Assessment Review Board and a Composite Assessment Review Board.

Pursuant to section 455 of the Municipal Government Act, two or more Councils may agree to jointly establish a Local Assessment Review Board and a Composite Assessment Review Board to have jurisdiction in their municipalities as a Regional Assessment Review Board.

Bylaw #1123, the Regional Assessment Review Board Bylaw, provides for the establishment of a joint Local Assessment Review Board and a joint Composite Assessment Review Board with the Partner Municipalities to be known as the West Yellowhead Regional Assessment Review Board.

The Town of Grande Cache has withdrawn from the Inter-Municipal Assessment Review Board due to their dissolution into a Hamlet of the M.D. of Greenview. The M.D. of Greenview has an established Assessment Review Board

For detailed information on this item see Attachment 1: Page 67-70

Council motion: That Council appoint Paul Butler as the Designated Chair for the West Yellowhead Regional Assessment Review Board, for a one-year term effective August 24, 2021, and that the Designated Chair’s remuneration and expenses follow the Town of Hinton’s Council Remuneration Policy.

That Council appoint Michelle Deschene as the Designated Clerk for the West Yellowhead Regional Assessment Review Board, for a one-year term effective August 24, 2021.

That Council appoint Sandra Rendle as Clerk to the West Yellowhead Regional Assessment Review Board effective August 24, 2021.

Carried 7-0.

3. SPRAY PARK SHADES CAPITAL PROJECT

During the ongoing conversations in 2021, the option to have a shade structure commissioned locally has been brought forward by the legacy committee representative, though this request is not made official yet as a condition of funding commitment.

The current information that Administration has obtained is that supply and install of a wooden shade structure are only viable in 2021 in case the order can be secured on short notice, pending other projects and availability of contractor, weather conditions, and final funding allocation.

The Rotary Play and Spray Park opened at the end of May for the 2021 season.

At the Standing Committee Meeting of May 18, 2021, the following motion carried:

That Committee direct Administration to bring a report to the Regular Council meeting of July 6, 2021, for a decision regarding a revised Capital Budget 2021-2025 that reflects a Parks & Trails Major Reserve funding contribution of up to $ 20,000 for the 2021 Spray Park Shades project.

This item was postponed to the Regular Council meeting of August 24, 2021.

Since the Standing Committee Meeting of May 18, 2021, Administration has endeavored to meet with the legacy committee in order to report to Council on confirmed funding contribution amounts for this project. While an estimate has been provided below in the analysis section, Administration is still waiting for the legacy committee to come together in order to formally approve the funding/donation amount that will be provided to the Town for this project.

For detailed information on this item see Attachment 1: Page 74-88

Council motion: That Council direct administration to explore current and supplemental funding sources for the Spray Park Shades project. If by December 1, 2021, no supplemental sources can be found a funding source change of up to $20,000 from the Parks & Trail Major Reserve be utilized.

Carried 7-0.

4. MAXWELL LAKE BRIDGE REHABILITATION

On April 27, 2021, Standing Committee, Administration brought a report to Council for direction request pertaining to the Maxwell Lake Rehabilitation project. At this meeting, Council’s consensus was achieved for the following direction:

That the Maxwell Lake Bridge ramps be constructed to allow pedestrian access only with a budget of $125,000 and that the project scope details, timeline, and deliverables come to Council no later than July 31, 2021.

That the total budget for the Maxwell Lake Bridge Rehabilitation project not to exceed $251,000.

That Administration incorporate the lowering of the Maxwell Lake Bridge and the modification of the balustrades in the Maxwell Lake Bridge plan due to be presented no later than July 31, 2021, to a maximum dollar value of $90,000 and providing a total deck lowering of at least 450 mm.

For detailed information on this item see Attachment 1: Page 89-97

Council motion: That Council proceed with Option 3 – Build Boardwalk Approaches (North, South & West) to Maxwell Lake Bridge with limited plaza features as required for connectivity, with no modification to the bridge structure or elevation.

Carried 4-3
Against: Haas, Michaels, Race

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.

That a fireworks display be held on Halloween 2021,

WHEREAS all budget and product from the canceled Canada Day display are utilized, resulting in no budgetary implications.

WHEREAS the Town recognizes the legacy of Buzz Johnson who passed away earlier in 2021. Buzz was a catalyst for many years of Halloween celebrations, including fireworks. Buzz was also a Councillor with the Town of Hinton.

WHEREAS the community is yearning for celebration and a fireworks display in 2021 would be beneficial for community spirit and connectedness. October provides an earlier sunset which may make the event more accessible to families with young children and seniors.

WHEREAS fire risk also tends to be lower in October.

Carried 5-2
Against: Haas, Ostashek

Councillor Maguhn also provided a new notice of motion:

That Council direct Administration to proceed with naming the Football Field and Track Area at the Hinton Recreation Centre to Chris Johnstone Field.

Information Items

1. Council Information Packages #1, #2 and #3 for August 24, 2021

Council Reporting:

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Attended Municipal Leaders Caucus in Wetaskiwin, where the main focus of discussion was building cultural respect within municipalities and designing the funding municipalities need. Thanked Director of Protective Services and Fire Chief Mac de Beaudrap for presenting to Rotary.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek had nothing to report.

Councillor Trevor Haas: Attended the Wellness fair which celebrated the resiliency the community has had during Covid-19 and noticed it was well attended, it included live music, food trucks as well as other types of services. Congratulated the 2021 graduating class of Harry Collinge High School.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh had nothing to report.

Councillor JoAnn Race: Congratulated several students for their work on the Youth Advisory Council. They achieved attendance requirements and volunteer hours. She went on to encouraged residents to sign up to the Citizen Self Service where residents can see their Business Licenses, Tax/Assessment information, Utility Accounts, among other things.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn had nothing to report.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Attended the Municipal Leaders Caucus in Wetaskiwin. Also attended an Evergreens meeting in which the focus was the two future developments in Grande Cache and Wildwood. Further information will be coming to Council in the coming weeks.

The Mayors Golf Tournament was a great success, the Hinton Employment and Learning Place and the Friendship Centre were the two local organizations that benefited from this event.

Mayor Michaels also congratulated the 2021 graduating class of Harry Collinge High School.

Acting CAO Laura Howarth: CAO Howarth had nothing to report.

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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