Council Highlights - June 20, 2017 - Fixed Title

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.

Tim McClelland - Hinton Rotary
McClelland spoke to Council to thank them for their support of the Hinton Rotary over the course of their term, speaking to a number of successful projects over the last three years and sharing with each of them a copy of their new commissioned historical book.

Delegations

Presentations are required to be arranged through the Legislative & 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.

Randy Smith - FCSS
Smith spoke to Council regarding the recently completed Seniors Week activities in Hinton, drawing the winning passport events and informing Council that the event was once again quite well attended.

Winners this year:

One Night at Jasper Park Lodge, including Return Tickets for Two with Via Rail
BONNIE LINKEWICH

43” Television
JAN MUNN

$250.00 Overlander Mountain Lodge Gift Card
MARLENE SCHMIDEK

Two Tickets to See Cirque du Soleil in Edmonton
LISE COTE

$100.00 Freson Brothers Gift Card
TRUDY TANNER

Mayor Mackin shakes hands with Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Elaine Koch

Action Items

1. Reserve Disposal (176 Cheviot Drive) - Presented by Mindi Petkau

The Town of Hinton and Habitat for Humanity are working towards a housing project which requires a portion of 176 Cheviot Drive. In compliance with the Municipal Government Act, in order to present Council with a Habitat housing proposal and site plan for development this land requires the reserve designation to be removed.

It was moved That Council direct Administration to initiate the reserve disposal process required to remove the reserve designation from Plan 5662RS, Block 13, Lot R1 (176 Cheviot Drive); this was passed. It is important to note that this does not necessarily indicate a decision has been made; rather, it indicates that Council will begin the process of advertising to the public and soliciting feedback before a public hearing is held.

2. Land Use Bylaw Amendment 1088-2 (180 Cheviot Drive) - Presented by Lorraine Walker

This Bylaw is presented for First Reading only. Administration will obtain public feedback through advertising and will bring back a report to present to Council at the regular meeting of July 18, 2017. It was moved that Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 1088-2 receive First Reading: FROM: S-PRK – Parks and Recreation District TO: R-M1 – Low Density Multiple Dwelling Residential District. This motion passed.

Information Items
Councillor Marcel Michaels - Acknowledging that this is the last Regular Meeting before Canada Day, Michaels encouraged residents to come out for the Fohn festival, held in Green Square on Canada Day. He also reminded residents that the Fohn Festival Society has arranged for a CF-188 Hornet Flyover, scheduled to be held at 2:25pm.

Councillor Stuart Taylor - Councillor Taylor offered his thanks to Randy Smith for his work with Seniors Days. He also acknowledged Aboriginal Day, saying the BBQ held by HELP had a great turnout. He also expressed his gratitude for the community support that has gone into the establishment of a community resource room within HELP's facility. Taylor went on to mention the coming Rocky Mountain Voyageur Canoe Brigade, saying he was excited for their arrival at the Athabasca Riverfront park boat dock and accompanying events over the next week.

Councillor Matthew Young - Councillor Young informed Council that the library hiring process is nearing completion, also acknowledging the work of Pam Stewart and the Town in helping make the process simple and efficient.

Mayor Rob Mackin - Mayor Mackin also reported having attended the HELP event, and went on to speak in regards to the Riverfront Brigade events happening over the weekend, encouraging residents to visit their Facebook page for more information

Mayor Mackin also reported having spoken with Mike Norton, of the Canadian Forestry Service, and continuing to work with stakeholders in discussion around the Mountain Pine Beetle.

Interim CAO Laura Howarth - Howarth informed Council that MPB remediation is winding down, and that administration expects to have taken down over 80% of target trees, a key measure for success of the initiative.

Howarth offered a reminder that residents should not bring dogs near the lodge structure of the Beaver Boardwalk, and that dogs should be kept on leash on all paved trails. She informed Council that most residents have been obeying this, and that as result, there has been visible work done by beavers to fix the natural interpretive area.

Howarth offered an update on spray patching currently being undertaken on town roads, saying this effort should be complete soon. She offered a piece of advice to residents, asking that they don't drive around the loose gravel, encouraging them to instead drive on it which helps complete the patching work.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

No dogs on the Beaver Boardwalk After consulting with provincial and industry biologists, we have determined that the boardwalk may be opened for residents and visitors without further disturbing the beaver’s habitat. However, as the water has receded and provided unprecedented access to the beaver’s lodge, one core section of the Beaver Boardwalk will be closed off to dogs. The four access points closest to the beaver lodge now identify the boundaries of the No Dog Zone, and have been marked as such by signage. Find more information here.

Can you help? We need your assistance in making our workplace better for employees who grapple with scent sensitivity. All it takes is the decision to forgo cologne or perfume and choosing scent free grooming products when you come to visit the Government Centre. This simple change can help staff members avoid symptoms that can range from sniffles to difficulty breathing. Thanks for doing your part!

myHinton App Updated! The myHinton app has recently been updated! You can now find information for Hinton Victim Services, CEAC, the coming Municipal Election, and more, all by downloading the app to your device by using the following links:

Download the app from the Apple App Store by clicking this link

Download the app from the Google Play Store by clicking this link

You can view the entire agenda package here.

As a reminder, the next Council meeting will be held July 11 in The Committee Room at 4:00 pm