Council Highlights - September 5, 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.

Dave Rees - Hinton ALS Society

Rees spoke to Council requesting their support for this weekends ALS Walk. Presented to Council by Rees was a number of t-shirts bearing the ALS Society logoing, and a picture was taken to recognize Council's support. Visit their facebook page to learn more about the event.

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.

1001-2 Certifications - Presented by Fire Chief Todd Martens

Martens was proud to be able to present two firefighters with their 1001-2 Certification. Firefighters are a vitally important part of any communities protective services division. Protective Services has been working towards holding 1001-2 as the standard level of certification for the community, with 25 firefighters certified and more working towards it. During this meeting, firefighters Mike MacKinnon (left) and Dave Rees (right) were presented with their certification.

Public Hearings

In some instances, Council is required to conduct public hearings regarding land use bylaws, rezoning, etc., or on any other matter council deems appropriate.

1. Municipal Development Plan - Bylaw No. 1084

Find the Public Hearing report in the agenda package, available by clicking here.

Action Items

1. End of Term Council Meeting Schedule (Verbal) - Mayor Rob Mackin
Mayor Mackin made motion to make changes to the schedule for the final meetings of this Council's term. It was moved that the September 26 Standing Meeting be cancelled, that the October 3 Regular meeting be cancelled, and that a Regular Meeting be scheduled for September 26. These motions allow for necessary public hearings be held. All motions passed unanimously.

2. Municipal Development Plan - Bylaw No. 1084 - Presented by Lorraine Walker This Bylaw came before Council for Second and Third Reading. The Comprehensive Planning and Development Strategy (CPDS) identified the review and update of major plans; the proposed Bylaw rescinds the previous MDP Bylaw No. 940 to assure alignment to the other major plans identified in the CPDS such as the Land Use Bylaw No. 1088 and the proposed East and West Area Structure Plans (Bylaw Nos., 1117 and 1118, respectively). Second and third reading was received unanimously.

3. Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 1088-3 (176 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 Council at the regular meeting of October 3, 2017. A motion of Council at their August 15, 2017 regular meeting to direct Administration to bring back Land Use Bylaw No. 088 for amendment to 176 Cheviot Drive, Plan 5662 RS, Block 13, Lot R1 (See Attachment #1 – Site Area Map and Attachment #2 – Bylaw No. 1088-3). The lands are currently designated under Land Titles as Reserve, however zoned as R-M1 Low Density Multiple Dwelling Residential District under the Land Use Bylaw No.1088. Passed first reading unanimously

4. Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 1088-4 (439 MaKenny Street) - Presented by Lorraine Walker
An application has been received to amend the Land Use By-Law from S-COM – Community Services District to C-HWY Highway Commercial District for the purposes of approving a commercial use within an existing building. The subject lands are located at 439 MaKenny Street (see Attachment #1 – Site Area Map and Attachment #2 – Bylaw No. 1088-4). The existing building and lands was formerly constructed for the purposes of a place of worship (known as the Ark) under the Community Services designation. This Bylaw is presented for First Reading only. Administration will obtain public feedback through advertising and will bring back a report to Council at the regular meeting of October 3, 2017. A Motion made to grant first reading passed.

5. Recreation Centre Strategy Development - Presented by Wendy Jones
The Business Case findings on Concept 1 are estimated to be in the neighborhood of $70 Million dollars. Compressing Concept 1 seeks to evaluate financially viable options focused on exploring a new pool and renovating the existing pool area with program uses that develop an integrated facility. The Field House and other components can remain status quo under Concept 1 and identified in an overall Master Plan Strategy specific to the Recreational Centre to align to long-term capital planning. It was moved That Town Council direct Administration to advance the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre Business Case with a third iteration that will further evaluate the capital, operating, maintenance and program model by compressing Concept 1.

Concept 1 will be compressed to evaluate the:

pool design and features;
renovation of the existing pool area to identify and model “uses” that develop an integrated
facility; and
facility program modelling.

Concept 1 will seek to identify a budget that is financially viable and attainable from concept to construction and for operational and maintenance for the community of Hinton based on a sustained population of 10,000. This motion Passed.

Citizen Budget Engagement Tool - Denise Parent
Parent presented to Council an early look at the Citizen Budget Engagement Tool. The tool is created as a new way for users to engage with, understand, and share feedback on, the ways in which their property tax is utilized in the community. The tool is expected to launch in the coming weeks; an awareness campaign is planned for when the tool is ready for launch.

Information Items

Proclamation - Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
WHEREAS, prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men; and WHEREAS, 1 in 7 Canadian men will be diagnosed with the disease in his lifetime; and WHEREAS, an estimated 23,100 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year; and WHEREAS, the survival rate for prostate cancer can be over 90% when detected early; and WHEREAS, those with a family history of the disease, or those of african or Caribbean descent, are at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer; and WHEREAS, Prostate Cancer Canada recommends that men get a PSA test in their 40s to establish their baseline; THEREFORE, I, Mayor Rob Mackin, do hereby proclaim September 2017 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Hinton. Dated at Hinton, Alberta this 5th day of September, 2017.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn - Councillor Maguhn reminded the public that school has resumed, advising residents to watch for children on the streets and to make sure to keep an eye behind cars and buses for excited or distracted children getting back into the swing of day to day schooling once again.

Councillor Marcel Michaels- Councillor Michaels offered a reminder of this weekend's MS Bike tour, as well as recognizing the ALS Walk scheduled for this Sunday at 9am.

Councillor Glen Barrow - Councillor Barrow also offered a reminder of the ALS Walk. In addition, he raised a question regarding ATE hours in school zones, at which time Interim CAO Laura Howarth referenced a previous decision limiting enforcement times in any one zone to no longer than 2 simultaneous hours. Howarth also spoke to RCMP and Peace Officer's frequent presence in the zones. Barrow then spoke regarding ensuring that enforcement was present in school zones as much as possible. Finally, he inquired in regards to the LED Crosswalk lights pilot project, requesting more information on the result

Councillor Albert Ostashek - Ostashek spoke regarding attending ASH meetings, saying most of the discussion has been centered around the PATH. He informed Council that the facility is scheduled to open end of month, and that "on time, on budget" has been the group's mantra. He mentioned that the installed lobby LED lights are "very cool" from outside, mentioning preprogrammed "shows" featuring programmed lights based on the current natural light.

Councillor Matthew Young - Councillor Young informed Council that he will not be in attendance next week for standing.

Mayor Rob Mackin - Mayor Mackin spoke to a number of items, including an animal incident which occured in the community recently. He made motion That Council direct Administration to begin an immediate review of our current Animal Control bylaw to determine how we can strengthen and enhance it and hold owners accountable. This review should look at how other jurisdictions have addressed similar situations, be non-breed specific and should be brought back to Council with recommendations for changes in a timely manner; that motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Mackin also spoke to having spent the day with Honourable Oneil Carlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and the Deputy Government House Leader. They spent the day touring mountain pine beetle impact, seeing first hand the impact in the MPB has had on Jasper National Park, calling it "utter devastation". He informed Council of alarming statistics expected to be coming out shortly saying that the sawmill yard traps in 2015 captured 14,000 of the insect; as of August 3 of this year, the traps have captured 86,000 already. Mackin told Council that experts do believe making a stand can be done, saying that province community and industry need to coordinate together to make a stand, calling it a "long battle that we may have to continually fight, but we can win". He spoke to a planned meeting with the Canadian Council of Forestry Ministers next week, saying he will be working to muster support from Ottawa.

Mayor Mackin announced that the HREDC Alternative Energy Task Force has been created, with the intention of becoming a point of contact for alternative energy options including pumped hydro, geothermal, more. Finally, he informed council that he may be late to next week's meeting due to the Grey Matters Conference, which he will be MC'ing. Mackin let Council know that the event has hotels full, calling it exciting and hoping that it will be the first of many more to come.

Interim CAO Laura Howarth - Howarth offered a reminder to the public that school zones are in effect from 8am - 5pm in our community, and that all communities operate their own school zone hours, and so some communities may be different. She also offered a reminder that crosswalks are enforced from curb to curb, not just until the pedestrian has passed your path.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

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

Pool Shutdown Now in Effect

Are you a frequent user of our pool facility? Make sure you're aware, annual shutdown is now in effect!

Shutdown started September 4, and is expected to be completed October 2.

Through an agreement with our neighbours in Edson Jasper and Grande Cache, Hinton Recreation Centre passholders are able to use their passes at no extra charge in their facilities during this time.

You can view the entire agenda package here.

As a reminder, the next Council meeting will be held September 12 in The Committee Room at 4:00 pm