Council Highlights - July 12, 2016

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 Mackin opens the floor to the public to speak and share with Council members, administration and meeting observers.

Lorraine Johnston Mackay from the Northern Rockies Museum of Culture and Heritage spoke to Council to introduce their new employee, Monica, and to bring attention to the progress they have made in preparing the museum facility for opening. She reported they hope to have the facility open for next year's 150th Canada Day Celebration. It was also reported that the group has been working to try and forge partnerships with area organizations to start providing programming in the near future. Council was welcomed to come down and see what progress has been made in preparing the building.

Representing Hinton's LGBTQ + Allies group, Chelsea West informed council of their coming event recognizing the LGBTQ community in Hinton. The First Annual Pride Event will be held in the Valley Zoo on September 24, 2016, and volunteers will be out collecting donations in the near future. All proceeds from the event will go to HIV West Yellowhead.

Public Hearings

Municipal Reserve Disposal 14 - 22
A public hearing, chaired by Deputy Mayor Stuart Taylor, was held in regards to the Municipal Reserve Disposal of a lot near Griffiths Ford to allow for purchasing by the business. This process must be held before proceeding with a decision on the Action Item.

Municipal Development Plan Bylaw #940-11 / Land Use Bylaw #960-54
A public hearing, chaired by Deputy Mayor Stuart Taylor, was held in regards to the changes needing to be made to the Municipal Development Plan Bylaw in order to allow the sale of a piece of land near Griffiths Ford to the business. This process must be held before proceeding with a decision on the Action Item of the same title.

Action Items

1. Municipal Reserve Disposal - Presented by Mindi Petkau
Council unanimously approved proceeding with the removal of the Municipal Reserve designation from a portion of Plan 4262RS, Block 26, Lot R (110 Forest Heights Drive) with the purpose of land sale and in support of future development by the local business owner.

2. Municipal Development Plan #940-11 and Land Use Bylaw Amendment #960-54 (Procedural Requirements in Support of Action Item #1) - Presented by Lorraine Walker 23 - 30
Council approved these changes, which are required in order to proceed with the land sale of Plan 4262RS, Block 26, Lot R (110 Forest Heights Drive) to Griffiths Ford.

3. Options for Commercial Waste Collection - Presented by Dale Woloszyn
Citing the want to get more information, and to ensure that all stakeholders feedback is heard, Council made motion "That Council direct administration to explore alternate service delivery for commercial waste collection and to bring a report back to standing committee". Options will be brought back to Council during the August Standing Committee meeting.

Information Items

It's Wild Mountain Week in Hinton! The main festival gets underway Friday, July 15, but you can get in the festival spirit Wednesday, July 13, in the Hinton Centre with Boogie Patrol. Tickets are 20$ dollars.

Reminder - Voting for the 2016 Hinton by-election will take place on Monday, July 18 2016 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm in the Hinton Centre. As well, institutional voting will be taking place in the Hinton Hospital, Mountain View Centre, and Pine Valley Lodge.

A Public Open House for the 2016 Land Use Bylaw is scheduled for July 14 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Town of Hinton Government Centre Foyer. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions, and provide clarification on areas of the document.

CAO Mike Schwirtz informed Council that he has been told paving work on Highway 16 within Hinton is now mostly complete. Schwirtz informed Council that there is some spot repair and painting still to be completed, and offers his thanks to all residents for their patience.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

The Town of Hinton will be conducting its annual Uni-Directional Hydrant Flushing Program commencing the week of July 11th, 2016. We anticipate the flushing program will be completed by end of August. Please watch for signs posted advising when hydrant flushing is in your neighbourhood.

This program may cause some disruption to your water quality and pressure. The water may become murky, should you experience murky water, and we suggest running your tap for a few minutes until the water becomes clear.

The Uni-Directional Flushing Program is conducted to maintain and improve water quality to you, our valid customers. The hydrants are flushed to clean out any sediment in the main distribution lines. In addition, hydrants are flushed to ensure the hydrants and control valves are operational.

We apologize for any inconvenience resulting from this program. If you have any questions or require further information, please call Infrastructure Services at 865-2634.

You can view the entire agenda package here.

Reminder, the next Council meeting will be held August 9, 2016, in The Committee Room at 4:00 pm.