Council Highlights - August 15, 2017

1. Municipal Reserve Disposal for 176 Cheviot Drive - Presented by Mindi Petkau
The Town of Hinton has been working with Habitat for Humanity in support of a proposed affordable housing development on 180 and 176 Cheviot Drive. The housing project would require a portion of 176 Cheviot Drive, therefore a reserve disposal is required. This item is before Council to provide a Resolution of Council to allow for the removal of the reserve designation from 5662RS, Block 13, Lot R1; 176 Cheviot Drive. This item was the subject of a public hearing on July 18, 2017 and August 15, 2017 previous to this Agenda. Assuming the resolution is passed, the reserve designation would then be removed via the Land Titles Office and the land would be available for this housing development subject to the provisions of the Land Use Bylaw. Council passed a motion to adjourn and continue the Public Hearing held relative to this item. Section 184 of the Municipal Government Act (shown below) addresses voting at Public Hearings if a Councillor was absent from all or a part of the Public Hearing. Administration supports the reserve disposal to remove the reserve designation from Plan 5662RS, Block 13, Lot R1; 176 Cheviot Drive so that we can secure the site and continue to move forward with site development plans to facilitate in preparing a project budget and development agreements as necessary. 176 Cheviot Drive provides the cost effective and viable access to the primary developable lot at 180 Cheviot Drive. Without this access, any housing development and infrastructure options for 180 Cheviot Drive would be significantly reduced. It was moved that Council accepts this report as information and no further action is taken. It was then moved that Council direct Administration to bring back Land Use Bylaw #1088 for amendment to 176 Cheviot Drive Plan 5662RS Block 13, Lot R1 for the rezoning to S-PRK.
 
2. Land Use Bylaw No. 1088-2 for Rezoning 180 Cheviot Drive - Presented by Lorraine Walker
This item was removed from the agenda following the result of action item one.
 
3. West & East Area Structure Plans - Presented by Lorraine Walker
The West ASP and East ASP plan areas are a significant part of the Town’s future development lands as identified in Hinton’s Draft Municipal Development Plan. The West ASP replaces Terrace Heights North ASP (Bylaw No. 917), Hinton West Urban Fringe Joint ASP (Bylaw No. 981), Terrace Heights ASP (Bylaw No. 1032). The East ASP replaces Eaton ASP (Bylaw No. 908), Hinton East Boundary Joint ASP (Bylaw No. 955) and Thompson Lake ASP Bylaw No. 1012). Upon adoption of the West ASP and East ASP, the above noted ASP’s will be rescinded. Area Structure Plans are a framework for subdivision and development of an area of land and adopted pursuant to the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The West ASP and East ASP describe the sequence of development proposed for an area, the land uses, density of population and general location of major transportation routes and public utilities. The West ASP and East ASP were identified as a focus of Council’s 2014 – 2017 Strategic Plan. The ASP’s align with new municipal plans like the Land Use Bylaw and Draft Municipal Development Plan. The Town retained ISL Engineering and Land Services to undertake a Comprehensive Planning and Development Strategy (CPDS) involving the review and updates of four major plans; including the West ASP and East ASP.  It was moved that the West Area Structure Plan Bylaw No. 1117 receive First Reading, and then that the East Area Structure Plan Bylaw No. 1118 receive First Reading. Both motions were passed. 
 
4. 2017 Council Remuneration Review - Presented by Denise Parent
The Council Remuneration Review Committee met in May 2017 and analyzed the compensation, expenses, and benefits for the positions of Mayor and Councillors as elected officials for the Town of Hinton. They proposed amendments based on comparative research analyzing council remuneration of comparable communities, as well as feedback from current Councillors and the community (see Attachment 1). It was moved that Council approve the revised Council Remuneration Policy #052, effective October 17, 2017. That motion was passed. 
 
5. FOIP Regulation Information re: Order 2015-03 - Presented by Denise Parent
At the July 11 Standing Committee Meeting, Council made a motion as follows: “That Administration review the FOIP Order F2015-03 and see if it applies to the release of the financial schedule for the Global Traffic Group Agreement and report to Council.” In response to that motion, Administration researched the issue and analyzed the applicability of FOIP Order F2015-03. To ensure a thorough analysis, the Town of Hinton’s legal representation, Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP (RMRF), was consulted as well. Their response is available in the agenda package, available here. It was moved that Council accept the FOIP Regulation Information re. Order 2015-03 as information, that motion passed. 

Councillor Ryan Maguhn - Councillor Maguhn made a motion regarding providing free transit for all CNIB members. He was then reminded that 80% of all public transit in Hinton is already subsidized, and that there are multiple supports in the community to ensure riders can in situations of financial need attain transportation. As discussion continued, Councillor Ostashek clarified a statement by the CNIB that Council had revoked the support of this program, when in fact, there does not seem to be any record of such an agreement ever having existed, save a recollected verbal agreement at one time. All Councillors agreed to wanting to provide subsidies to those who need it, but also not to single out any one group. It was then moved that Council direct Administration to bring back the May 23, 2017 report to a Standing Committee with additional information on the needs in the community to ensure the inclusiveness in regards to Transit. This motion passed. 

Councillor Albert Ostashek - Councillor Ostashek informed council that the Arts Society for Hinton has chosen a name for the PAV facility; it will be known as PATH, or Performing Arts Theatre for Hinton. He also provided some information regarding budgets for the Society.