Council Highlights - December 14, 2021

December 14th, 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.

Dennis Hellum spoke in front of Council on the matter of issues pertaining to the service lane behind his street. Dennis raised his concerns about getting service vehicles through the narrow lane with the utility lines running through the area. Dennis discussed the issue of what would happen if that area lost power or how a service vehicle would maneuver to get to the transformer. He also spoke to the issue of fires that have been in that area as well and how a Firetruck would not fit through that pathway.

Civic Agency Presentations

(YouTube timestamp: 10:02 to 2:44:50)

1. Foothills Recreation Management Association (in person)
2. Performing Arts Society of Hinton (in person)
3. Hinton Disc Golf Association(in person)
4. Hinton Mountain Bike Association (in person)
5. Hinton and District Chamber of Commerce (Zoom)
6. Hinton Golfing Society (Zoom)
7. Hinton Historical Society (Zoom)

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. Pine Valley Expansion Fundraising Team Donation Request - Brad Bancroft
(YouTube timestamp: 2:46:06)

Boards and Committees of Council Reporting

None.

Action Items

1. British Columbia Wildfire Deployment Revenue
(YouTube timestamp: 3:03:42)

This item is before Council today because the total revenue obtained from the BC Fires was not anticipated in the 2021 Budget. A total of $130,331.00 was invoiced to the Province of British Columbia and the City of Kamloops. Wages and travel expenses amounted $35,000.00 and have been paid to the Hinton and Grande Cache members that responded. Equipment lost or damaged has been replaced leaving a balance of $95,331.00 that Administration is requesting to have placed into equipment reserve for the Fire Department.

Council Motion
That Committee recommend Administration bring forward a Request for Decision to transfer of the 2021 unbudgeted revenues, generated by the Fire Rescue Service Branch related to the British Columbia Wildfire deployment, to the Fire Equipment Reserve, to the December 21, 2021, Regular Council Meeting for decision.

Carried Unanimously

Discussion Items

1. Whistle Blower Policy

To consider to be added to the Town of Hinton Policies.
(YouTube timestamp: 3:08:25)

Council Motion

That Committee direct Administration bring forward a draft Whistle Blower Policy before the end of May 2023.

Carried 6-1
For: Ostashek, Michaels, Taylor, LaBerge, Maguhn, Haas
Against: Race

Information Items

None.

Council Reporting:

Councillor Ostashek: None.

Councillor Haas: Councillor Haas spoke to his meeting of the senior members of HYAC regarding a strategic approach for the success of HYAC kids and the next steps for the HYAC.

Councillor Taylor: Councillor Taylor is looking forward to spending more time focusing on Council duties as he has a little more free time on his hands.

Councillor LaBerge: None.

Councillor Race: None.

Councillor Maguhn: None.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: The Mayor thanked Yellowhead County for the meet and greet for their new Council. Mayor Michaels also spoke to the Calforex Cup hosted at the Hinton Nordic Centre. He stated there was great racing and a great turnout from all over Alberta.

Interim CAO Laura Howarth: None.

Closed Session

1. Hinton Golf Course Memorandum of Understanding - Closed as per Section 16 of FOIP 2. Personnel, CAO Update - Closed per Section 17 of FOIP

Council Motion
That Committee direct Administration to advise the proponent of what was discussed in closed session regarding the Hinton Golf Course Lands Memorandum of Understanding and bring back further information and recommendations to council on December 21, 2021.

Carried Unanimously

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 December 21, 2021,

at 4 pm via Zoom and streamed via YouTube.

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