Council Highlights - September 26, 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.

Deena Fuller and Candace Pambrun, HELP:
Fuller and Pambrun offered an update to Council on their new resource room, which offers individuals in need a safe place to rest, bathe, eat, and do laundry. Information on accessing this service is available through the interagency communications network, including all Hinton Support Agencies and Nonprofits, and is also available by calling 780-865-1686.

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.

There were no delegations.

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. Land Use Bylaw No 1088-3 (176 Cheviot Drive)

Hearing report available in agenda package, available here.

2. Land Use Bylaw No. 1088-4 (439 MaKenny Street)

Hearing report available in agenda package, available here.

Action Items

1. Land Use Bylaw No. 1088-3 (176 Cheviot Drive) - Presented by Lorraine Walker

At the August 15, 2017, Regular Meeting of Council, Administration was directed to

bring back Land Use Bylaw No. 1088 for amendment to 176 Cheviot Drive Plan 5662 RS,

Block 13, Lot R1 for rezoning to S-PRK. The purpose of this was to remove the existing Land Use Bylaw designation of R-M1 and align the designated use of the lands to the adjacent parcel at 180 Cheviot Drive with S-PRK designation. This amendment also supports removing the existing reserve designation at Land Titles to align with the Land Use Bylaw 1088. It was moved that Bylaw 1088-3 receive second and third reading - both motions were carried.

2. Land Use Bylaw No. 1088 - 4 (439 MaKenny Street) - Presented by Lorraine Walker
The existing building and lands were formerly constructed for the purposes of a place of worship (known as the “Ark”) under the Community Services designation and has been vacant for several years.

Administration became aware of the purchase of this facility and provided a letter in May, 2017 that outlined the requirements that the Town’s Development Authority would require prior to issuing any Development Permit approvals for the changed use(s) of building, landscaping/parking and storm water management. The Applicant has advised the Development Authority that those plans are underway and acknowledges that Municipal Affairs is also vested in ensuring that this building meets Alberta Safety Codes as the building will be renovated to accommodate alternative uses. Those uses have not been identified by the Applicant. The Applicant is currently seeking to secure potential tenants and renovate the facility to accommodate tenant “uses” and the Town’s Development Authority cannot issue any Development Permits until the rezoning is approved by Council. The C-HWY rezoning provides the Applicant with permitted and discretionary uses that will revitalize this long outstanding vacant facility within our Highway corridor.
The frontage of Thompson Lake to Highway 16 and adjacent to this property is zoned C-

NOD – Urban Node Commercial District. It was moved that Bylaw 1088-4 receive second and third reading - both motions were carried.

3. Recreation Centre Strategy Development - Presented by Wendy Jones

Administration and Consultants (ISL Engineering, GEC Architecture and PwC) have completed the third iteration of the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre Business Case (“Business Case”). The Business Case powerpoint presentation was presented in the agenda (view it online here) and highlights the findings. The Consultants were in attendance on September 26, 2017 to advise and answer any questions that arose.

The Business Case final report with details will be finalized and available for further Council to deliberate and provide direction to Administration. It was moved That Council (2013 to 2017) accept the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre Business Case September, 2017 findings as information - this motion was carried.

4. Appointment of Chief Administrative Officer - Presented by Mayor Rob Mackin

Provincial legislation mandates Council to appoint one or more persons to the position of Chief Administrative Officer. It was moved that That Stephane Labonne be appointed as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) effective October 5, 2017. This motion was carried.

Information Items

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Ostashek reported that ASH held last pre-opening meeting on Sunday. Would like to remind all residents about opening events scheduled for this and next week (view more about here). He also offered his appreciation to the Hinton Chamber of Commerce, Hinton Voice, and Yellowhead Labour Council for holding the All Candidates Forum earlier in the week.

Councillor Matthew Young: Young reported having attended a Golf Course meeting, going on to say that he was proud to be able to report that the golf course is now "in the black". He also reported having attended a Library board meeting, reporting that the libraries three year budgeting cycle will have it running a deficit in the next Councils term, saying that there will likely need to be discussions surrounding what that means and options in the coming years.

Mayor Rob Mackin: Mayor Mackin offered a reminder about the coming Arts on Fire event (view more about here). Also spoken about was the coming MPB Open House at the Hinton Centre; find out more about the event here.

In addition to the above reporting, each Councillor, Mayor Mackin, and Interim CAO Howarth individually spoke, reflecting Council's term and offering thanks. View their full goodbyes by visiting our Town of Hinton Website's CivicMedia page, available here.

Council 2013-2017 (left to right)
Matthew Young, Stuart Taylor, Marcel Michaels, Albert Ostashek, Ryan Maguhn, Rob Mackin, and Glen Barrow

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! Recently Updated: 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.

The next Council meeting will be held following election day.