Council Highlights - February 07, 2017

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.

Hank Smit:
Hank spoke as a representative of the Hinton Municipal Library Board. He raised a number of concerns about the 2017 Budget's library allocation, as well as with the proposed allocations for future years, saying there may be a impact to the level of service provided to the community. Hank encouraged all residents to get involved in the Budget Citizen Engagement Process,

Delegations

Presentations may be arranged through the Legislative & Executive Assistant. You are strongly urged to register in advance so that you can be sure time is set aside for your presentation on the Council agenda. Find out more about how to be a delegation by following this link.

Hinton Geo-Thermal District Energy - Pre-Feed Study Status Report - Presented by Lisa Mueller, Director, CEO & President and TM Gunderson, Director and CFO
Mueller and Gunderson presented, at the request of Council, offering an update on the current status of Geo-thermal District Energy Pre-feed Study progress.

You can find the full presentation here, or watch the video here.

Action Items

1. Town of Hinton Library Board Bylaw #1105 - Presented by Mike Schwirtz

Council has now granted third and final reading to bylaw #1105. With the Letter of Understanding between the Town of Hinton and the Hinton Library Board in place, Bylaw #1105 provides the legislative authority for the establishment of the Town of Hinton Library Board. Council formally approved the Letter of Understanding between the Town of Hinton and the Town of Hinton Library Board at the Regular Meeting of Council on September 20, 2016. The Letter of Understanding addresses funding and operational models while providing the Board autonomy on providing and maintaining services. Council gave first and second readings to the Bylaw at the Regular Meeting of Council on January 21, 2017. Bylaw #1105 will establish the Library Board under the authority of the Libraries Act and provides a framework for board membership, terms and role of the board.

2. Line of Credit for Operating Expenses Bylaw #1107 - Presented by Denise Parent

Council granted first, second, and third reading to this Bylaw. A line of credit allows the Town to have access to funds in case there is a requirement for short-term borrowing for cash flow operating purposes. This item is before Council to approve an operating Line of Credit up to $2,000,000 that may be drawn throughout the year in the event it is required for short-term cash flow purposes. It is recommended to renew the revolving line of credit on an annual basis.

Information Items

Council, Mayor Rob Mackin, and Town Manager Mike Schwirtz all offered thanks and well wishes to Rhonda West, as she moves up to a managerial role with the Town of Beaumont.

Councillor Glen Barrow: Barrow offered his thanks and appreciation for the work of Hans van Klaveren and family, who maintain the Maxwell Lake ice circle. He reported having heard huge accolades for the lake's ice surface.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Ostashek informed Council of the cheque presentation he attended last week on behalf of Council, when Fortis Alberta presented a cheque to fund LED Lighting within the Hinton PAV Facility.

Councillor Matthew Young: Young will be attending a Golf Course meeting this week, and reported that the Hinton Municipal Library Board is working togetehr to find funding solutions.

Mayor Rob Mackin: The Mayor requested Council support on two matters. Council voted in favour of the Mayor sending a letter to the Minister of Seniors in regard to seniors housing and long term care in Hinton. Council also voted in favour of the Mayor providing a letter of endorsement for the Wayfinder project and the benefits it will provide to the community.

CAO Mike Schwirtz: Crescent Valley pedestrian crossing lights have arrived in the community, and Ecole Mountainview School has met with Admin in regards to crossing lights in that area. A proposal is forthcoming to add the project into the 2017 budget.

In addition to a farewell message to Rhonda West, Schwirtz also extended a warm welcome to Wendy Anderson, who will be stepping into the role of Executive Assistant.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

Budget 2017 is now available for viewing online at http://www.hinton.ca/budget. It contains contextual information and updates by department. The document represents an opportunity to inform citizens on municipal spending, and also celebrates achievements of the previous year while setting goals for the next.

A number of venues are available for residents to share their feedback.

Coffee with Council – before every Hinton Town Council meeting, residents have the opportunity to speak to their Councillors. Councillors are available from 3:30 – 4:00 PM.

Hinton Listens – At any time, and on any subject pertaining to Hinton, Hintonites can share feedback, compliments, requests, and more through the Hinton Listens tool, available at http://www.hinton.ca/322/Hinton-Listens

Citizen Budget Tool - The Town of Hinton is launching the use of an educational budget simulator to encourage citizen feedback on the 2017 budget. Question topics were chosen based on the results of the Ipsos Citizen Satisfaction Survey which was completed fall 2016. Questions were designed to identify key themes related to community priorities on projects, services and programming and will assist in informed decision making by Hinton Town Council. Results from the budget consultation process will be reviewed and may be referenced in future budget cycles. The simulator will be available at http://hinton.citizenbudget.com/

As per consensus by Council, the Budget is now out for public feedback for a period of four weeks. It will return for decision during the Regular Council Meeting of February 21, 2017.

You can view the entire agenda package here.

As a reminder, the next Council meeting will be held February 14, 2017 at 4:00 pm.