Council Highlights - January 23, 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 Michaels opens the floor to the public to speak and share with Council members, administration and meeting observers.

There were no speakers this meeting.

Delegations

Presentations are required to be arranged through the 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.

1. "Hinton Cares" Alberta Healthy Communities Approach - Presented by Yvonne

Rempel

The Hinton Cares initiative has been expanded to a second year. Rempel spoke to the last years efforts, and plans for next year.

The presentation is available in the agenda package, viewable 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.

There were no public hearings

Action Items

1. Operating and Capital Budgets - Presented by Denise Parent

As per Section 242(1) and 245 of the Municipal Government Act, Council must adopt an operating and capital budget each calendar year. Council may adopt an interim operating budget for part of a calendar year until the operating budget for that calendar year is adopted.

As per council direction two budget open houses were held on January 15th and January 17th from 5 to 8pm. 12 members of the public attended these events.

You can find more information on the Budget webpage, available here.

It was moved that Council approves the 2018 proposed Operating Budget of $34,182,182 and the new One-time Operating and Capital Budget of $3,040,800 - this motion was carried. It was then moved that a property tax increase be 3.5% instead of 4% to be taken from transfers to reserves. This motion was also carried. +

Find more information here.

2. 2018 Municipal Borrowing Bylaw - Presented by Denise Parent

A line of credit allows the Town to have access to funds in case there is a requirement for short-term borrowing for cash-flow operating purposes. This item is before Council to approve an operating Line of Credit up to $2,000,000 that may be drawn throughout the year in the event it is required for short-term cash flow purposes. It is recommended to renew the revolving line of credit on an annual basis. In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Town Council may authorize borrowing for operating expenditures under section 256.

The amount to be borrowed, together with the unpaid principal of other borrowings made for the purpose of financing operating expenditures, must not exceed the amount the municipality estimates will be raised in taxes in the year the borrowing is made.

A borrowing bylaw that authorized the borrowing does not have to be advertised if the term of the borrowing does not exceed 3 years.

The bylaw was given first and second reading, unanimous consent was achieved for a third reading, and unanimous third reading was then granted.

In Camera

In-camera is a legal term meaning “in private.” When a council goes in-camera, it means the Council meeting is closed to the public. In general terms, the exceptions include matters where disclosures could be harmful to personal privacy, individual or public safety, law enforcement, intergovernmental relations, or economic or other interests; reveal confidential evaluations, local public body confidence, or advice from officials; or disclose information that is subject to legal privilege.

1. Personnel Matter (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSA 2000, Chapter F-25, Sections 23 & 24)

Following the in camera portion of the meeting, Council made one motion; That the Mayor follow the direction as discussed and all correspondence remain in private pursuant to (s) 24 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act RSA 2000, Chapter F-25. This motion passed.

Information Items

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councillor Haas spoke to a recent Hinton Municipal Library Board Meeting, saying they are engaged in policy review and development. He also offered his praise to the efforts of Head Librarian Haley Amendt.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh spoke to his attendance at a Mountain Pine Beetle board meeting last week, saying that while the issue is a large and daunting one, the group is taking positive steps forward together. He also mentioned a coming Community Futures West Yellowhead meeting.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn offered his thanks for the work put into the budget engagement sessions. He also spoke to two coming meetings; Disaster Services Orientation, and the Golf Club.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek offered his thanks to all residents who took the time to attend the budget public engagement sessions last week, saying those who took the time to attends thoughts were taken into consideration. He also spoke to he and other members of Council's attendance at the Munis 101 session in Stony Plain, saying the learnings on governance, legislation, roles, finance and more were important and powerful for any councillor.

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson spoke fondly of the BSN event bringing Kristen Cummings to speak to Hinton, saying Cummings is one of his favourite speakers and that the learnings from that session were very powerful. Nelson also reported a number of upcoming meetings.

Councillor Joann(Jo) Race: Councillor Race spoke to her attendance at an ASH meeting, saying the board is currently working to continue the "Take a Seat" campaign. Race went on to inform council that the AGM for the board is coming next month, and that they are currently looking for board members.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels also spoke highly of the Kristen Cummings session, as well as the Munis 101 session. Michaels went on to speak about how powerful having all of the members around the table at the Mountain Pine Beetle meeting last week, saying they were able to identify their goals and some actions to help the board achieve them.

CAO Stephane Labonne: CAO Labonne offered information regarding FCSS' Volunteer Income Tax Program (more information below). He also spoke to a coming meeting of CAO's which Hinton will host, intended to bring all the regional CAO's together to build relationships, share documents, and more.

Administrative Inquiries

If Councillors have queries they would like to submit to admin, this will be the time at which they do. This is in accordance with Council's procedural bylaw.

Councillor Race read out a request for information, including information pertaining to:

What organizations are currently undertaking marketing and promotion activities for Hinton and what are their mandates?
What activities are the Town of Hinton undertaking to actively market and promote our community?
What activities or events could we be undertaking to market and promote our community and what is the cost? Are there groups that we could be partnering with, but are not at this time, that could help further promote marketing of Hinton?
Are there other opportunities we should be considering that would help put Hinton “On the Map” and at what cost?

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!

The Return of Winter Magic

Hinton's favourite winter festival is back!

The Winter Magic Festival kicks off February 10, 2018. More information will be forthcoming, but you can already make your plans using the winter magic calendar, available here.

You can also visit the Winter Magic Page, available here.

See how many events you can attend!

Volunteer Income Tax Program

Volunteers are needed to help with the Volunteer Income Tax Program. Can you lend a hand with taxes? Phone Family Community Support Services 780-865-6036 to find out more! You can work from your own home, with training and support provided.
You'll be helping provide free tax preparation services to individuals, families, seniors persons with disability with low incomes in Hinton. This services operates under Canada Revenue Agency's community Volunteer Income Tax Program.

myHinton App Updated!
The myHinton app has recently been updated! You can now find information for Hinton Victim Services, CEAC, your new Council, 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.

The next Council meeting will be held January 30, 2018, at 4pm
in the the Committee Room.