Council Highlights - September 19, 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.

Jeff Ciecko and Glen Allen - Hinton Golf Course Society

With the golf season coming to an end, the Golfing Society wished to present an update to Council. The Society informed Council of an increase in society members, largely in the younger age groups under 30 and between 19-24. Also reported was a more solid financial standing, with money in the bank and current status with creditors. Ciecko also spoke to being proud of the staff, saying he would hire them anywhere.

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.

CNIB Transit Ridership - Presented by Sherry Travers

Travers again did not appear.

FortisAlberta Annual Franchise Reporting - Presented by Nicky Smith

Smith returned before Council to report stats, usage, and franchise fee information to Council.

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

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. East and West Area Structure Plan

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

Action Items

1. Area Structure Plans - Presented by Lorraine Walker
The area structure plans provide a comprehensive development concept for the future preparation of developer-led Outline Plans within its plan area. The plan areas are a significant part of the Town’s future development lands as identified in Hinton’s Municipal Development Plan. The ASP’s will align with recently adopted municipal plans such as the Land Use Bylaw No. 1088 and the Municipal Development Plan Bylaw No. 1084. This item received unanimous first, second, and third reading.

2. Scalehouse and Scale Upgrades: Site Works Tender Award - Presented by Dale Woloszyn
Administration has tendered this project twice, and prices are reflective of today’s market. Delaying the award of the tender may see increased costs in construction in 2018. Administration recommended the 2017 Scalehouse and Scale Upgrades tender be awarded to Road Bridge Services Ltd. at a cost of $629,120.00. Road Bridge Services has confirmed in writing that they would accept the contract as specified with an April 2018 start date. The funding for the project would come from the Landfill Capital Reserve. It was moved that Town Council award the 2017 Scalehouse and Scale Upgrades to Road Bridge Services Ltd. at a cost of $629,120.00; this motion passed.

Information Items

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Maguhn informed Council that he will be attending the Harry Collinge Convocation this weekend as both a Councillor and through his work as a teacher.

Councillor Marcel Michaels: Michaels informed Council that he also will be attending the Harry Collinge Convocation this weekend.

Mayor Rob Mackin: Mackin offered a thank you to the community and volunteers for their work in bringing together the Grey Matters 2017 Conference. He told Council that there had been great feedback from officials and attendees, going on to say that while Hinton is believed to be the smallest community to hold the conference, we were spoken about as one of the better events in recent memory by delegates.

Mackin also informed Council that he will be meeting with North American Forestry Commission on September 20. The group, made up of US, Mexican, Canadian, and other international forestry community members will be taking a field tour of local operations as well as meeting to discuss forestry. He went on to say that he will be presenting at an annual conference of the Alberta Forest Products Association regarding the mountain pine beetle in the coming weeks.

Finally, Mackin informed the general public that Council has selected new CAO Stephane Labonne. He thanked Interim CAO Howarth for her work over the very busy summer. Read more here.

Interim CAO Laura Howarth: Howarth offered Council and the public a reminder of the Citizen Budget Engagement Tool, reminding that it is available online until October 31. More information available below

Howarth also informed Council that West Fraser is now in shutdown. As part of the ShutDown work, there will be no water pumped out into the community September 23 as they turn the power off, prompting a request that area residents avoid doing landscape watering or car washing that day.

Finally, Howarth informed Council that the PATH will open later this month, with events planned by both the Town of Hinton and the Arts Society for Hinton board. More information available below

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.

Curious what Shut Down means? A new page has been developed to let you know! Click here to find out more.

PATH Opening Events

Ribbon Cutting: The public is invited to attend a free ribbon cutting event to view first hand the impressive accomplishments of the contractors and artists who contributed to this new community assets.

Arts on Fire: This arts recognition event is an elegant evening of the arts and is a collaboration between the Office of the Mayor of Hinton and the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture. It celebrates artists, cultural professionals and arts supporters from every creative discipline.

ASH Open Houses: The public is invited by the ASH board to attend a series of public open houses Oct. 2nd to 6th from 12pm - 9 pm, and Oct 7 from 10am - 9pm. For more information call 780-223-2787

Citizen Budget Engagement Tool

In January of this year the Town of Hinton was proud to release into the public, for the first time, an interactive budget engagement tool. The tool offered any Hintonite the opportunity to see a visual representation of where their tax dollars go, and a new way to share their feedback on how they’d like their taxes spent.

This input helped Council make their budget decisions in Budget 2017, and provided insight to administration.

Now, we’re relaunching the tool, kicking off in September rather than January. This new kickoff time offers more opportunities to use your feedback in a tangible way; instead of receiving your input after the budget is largely complete, your input will be received during the early budget planning stages for both admin and council decisions.

Get involved; try out the citizen engagement budget tool yourself by clicking here.

You can view the entire agenda package here.

As a reminder, the next Council meeting will be held September 27 in Chambers at 4:00 pm