Council Highlights - June 22, 2016

Delegations

Seniors Week
Randy Smith presented to Council the highlights of Seniors Week 2016, and announced the winners of the various prizes. Twenty-five events were held, an additional six over last year, and more than 1800 citizens got involved.

Hinton Grant Funding Advisory Committee 
Albert Ostashek and Joann Race presented recommendations including to leave the CGP at $250,000 as demand is anticipated to continue to exceed available funds. Other recommendations were that the safety initiatives extra points be removed, and that a CSI be fund set up in their place to address those types of requests. As well, a more concise and thorough application guide and an editable online application form were requested. It was reported that neutral feedback was heard from community groups, which can be inferred to mean that applicants felt the process was fair and the judgments made in awarding grants reasonable. 

Ft. McMurray Experience & Observations 
Fire Chief Todd Martens and S/Sgt. Mark Fitzgerald reported on their experiences from early May when members from their departments went north to assist in Fort McMurray fire management. Two rotations of four members were sent up from the fire department, enough to assist but also to ensure Hinton remained protected with a full compliment here. Firefighters were deployed in many capacities, from wildfire to structural firefighting duties. Firefighter Brian Potter has been recognized for his role in establishing ICS protocols in his assignment. Martens reports that firefighters learned a lot and have brought that knowledge and experience back.
Fitzgerald reported a similar experience from his officers, some of their duties were in a peer-to-peer capacity alongside psychologists to help members and public servants that had experienced losses. His officers were apart of efforts to lock down the city and establish a perimeter, with every street and access in blocked. 

Action Items

Hinton Grant Funding Advisory Committee Recommendations 
Laura Howarth presented, informing council that many recommendations made during the delegation can be made at the administrative level. Some areas did need Council input and direction:

• Council approved the recommendations put forward by the Hinton Grant Funding Advisory Committee with CGP funds operating expenses of organizations in the development stage once per year for up to three years (option #2). 
• Council also approved the Community Grant Program Eligibility Checklist and Ranking Criteria & Weighting Form as amended by Council and presented in Attachments 1 &2 respectively and effective immediately.
• Council then approved the Automated Traffic Enforcement Proceeds Policy #078 as amended by Council and presented in Attachment #3, but reflecting the committee recommendation of a CGP allocation to a max of $250,000 including the creation of a Safety Initiative Reserve Fund, effective January 1, 2017.

211 Regional Coalition Initiative
Also presented by Laura Howarth,  Council voted that the Town of Hinton partner with Yellowhead County and the Town of Edson to form a 211 Regional Coalition Service. They also approved that the initial set up cost of up to $5,000 be allocated from the 2016 Council Contingency Fund. Council then also voted to approve that the annual operational costs be requested as additional resources through the 2017 budget process.

Performing Arts Venue - Construction Tender Award 
Presented by Wendy Jones, the awarding of this Tender to Jen-Col Construction Ltd. follows Council’s decision at Regular Council Meeting on December 1, 2015 stating: “That the Arts Venue project be advanced as a full build-out costing up to $6 million, with any shortfall in funding (once grants, sponsorship's, community fundraising etc. are maximized) be covered by a 4.5 million debenture". Council awarded the tender received for the Performing Arts Venue to Jen-Col Construction Ltd. in the amount of $3,101,416. This tender identifies five local subcontractors that will be working on the project, who’s scope of work forms approximately $1,085,000 of the budget, supporting local business in Hinton in the form of services and materials. As well, Jones announced to Council that in efforts to find a solution to the Potter’s Studio tender, Jen-Col Construction Ltd. has been provided with a building cap of $250,000 to construct the Studio. She stated that if the scope of work is changed so that we are not entering into a separate contract, and Jen-Col is able to use the same sub-contractors for construction and utilities, a significant cost efficiency can be achieved.

Additional Regular Meeting of Council
Rhonda West presented this item, a recommendation to add another meeting to help ensure that the candidate voted in on July 18 wouldn't be immediately drawn into a large Council agenda on July 19. Council approved, scheduling a Regular Meeting of Council July 12, 2016 at 4:00pm in Council Chambers.