Council Highlights - February 06, 2018

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Hinton & District Chamber of Commerce - Presented by Natalie Charlton
Charlton presented a powerpoint regarding the Chamber of Commerce, it's role in the community, and its status as a Travel Alberta Visitor Information Centre. 

Find the full presentation in the agenda package, available here, or in the Council Video, expected online before end of day Thursday here. 

There were no public hearings

1. Automated Traffic Enforcement Proceeds Policy #078 Review - Presented by Jenna Altrogge
This item is before Council as directed at the January 30, 2018 Standing Committee Meeting. At that time, Council directed Policy #078 be updated to reflect changes to funding allocations as approved in the 2018 Operating Budget. These changes are a result of decisions made by Council as part of the 2018 Budget. It was moved that Council approve the  Automatic Traffic Enforcement (ATE) Proceeds Policy #078 as amended and presented in Attachment #1. This motion was carried.

2. 2017 - 2021 Proposed Strategic Plan - Presented by Carla Fox
Council and Administration have been working over the last few months on the development of a Strategic plan. The Plan was created through collaboration between Hinton Town Council, Administration, and MNP LLP. The strategic plan is an overarching document that outlines Council’s Vision and Mission statement for the Town of Hinton. The Vision and Mission were the key inspiration in the creation of the goals and objectives. Building upon the goals and objectives, key strategies were developed to ensure achievement of these goals and to further support the wishes of the community and Council. This overarching document supports the Community Sustainability Plan and is used by Administration. The Strategic Plan influences the decision making in day-to-day operations, projects and planning. The Strategic Plan summarizes Council’s goals, objectives and strategic initiatives for the Town of Hinton. Council deliberated on its Strategic Plan on November 17 and 18, December 6 and 7, 2017 and again on January 23, 2018 as well as January 30th at a Special Meeting of Council to review the draft Strategic Plan. Several changes were recommended and at the conclusion of the meeting, on January 30th direction was given to Administration to bring the completed document forward to the next regular meeting of Council February 6, 2018.

It was moved that Council approve the 2017 - 2021 Proposed Strategic Plan as presented. This motion was carried. View the approved document here.

3. Administrative Inquiry - Marketing Activities of the Town of Hinton - Presented by Carla Fox
Councillor Race’s inquiry was answered by Fox, who presented a memo addressing the questions regarding town of hinton marketing. The entire memorandum is accessible via the agenda package, available here. It was moved that Council accept the Marketing Activities of the Town of Hinton as information. This motion was carried.

4. Water Rate Bylaw #859-22 - Presented by Dale Woloszyn
During the 2018 budget process, Council approved an increase to the residential and commercial utility rates by 10% effective April 1st, 2018. This adds $175,100 to the utility revenue to offset increased operational costs. The bylaw received first and second reading and unanimous third reading.
 
5. Sewer Rate Bylaw #858-16 - Presented by Dale Woloszyn
During the 2018 budget process, Council approved an increase to the residential and commercial utility rates by 5% effective April 1st, 2018. This adds $44,500 to the utility revenue to offset increased operational costs. The bylaw received first and second reading and unanimous third reading.

6. Waste Bylaw #933-2 - Presented by Dale Woloszyn
During the 2018 budget process, Council approved an increase to waste rates by 5% for residential and 10% for non-residential effective April 1st, 2018. This adds $40,000 to the utility revenue to offset increased operational costs. The bylaw received first and second reading and unanimous third reading.

7. Assessment Services Contract - Presented by Denise Parent
The current assessment contract expires February 2018. A tendering process for assessment services for the Town closed on January 25th, 2018. After review of the proposals, administration recommends renewing the contract with Powers and Associates Appraisal Services Inc. It was moved that Council authorizes Administration to enter into a five-year service contract with Powers & Associates Appraisal Services, to expire February 2023, to provide assessment services. This motion carried; it was then moved that Council appoints Mr. Warren Powers with Powers & Associates Appraisal Services to the position of Assessor as per bylaw 961 for the term of the agreement. This motion was also carried.

8. Designation of Assessor for Delegated Responsibility from the Provincial Assessor - Presented by Denise Parent
The Modernized Municipal Government Act (MMGA) received Royal Assent on December 9, 2016. Effective January 1, 2018, responsibility for the assessment of properties defined as Designated Industrial properties (DI properties) will be transferred from municipalities to the provincial assessor (PA). It was moved that Council appoints Mr. Warren Powers, Assessor with the responsibility for the preparation of the Designated Industrial (DI) property assessments (excluding Linear Property) in accordance with the Municipal Government Act and the regulations passed thereunder as delegated by the Provincial Assessor. This motion was also carried.

1. Town of Hinton - Water Treatment (Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy RSA 2000, Chapter F-25, Section 6, 23, 24 and 25)
Following Councils return from In Camera, the following motion was made: that Council direct Administration to enter into negotiations with Aquatera Water Earth Innovation (“Aquatera”) for the purpose of providing contracted services for operations of the Water Treatment Plant Transition Phase 1 commencing May, 2018 for a period up to 5 years (pending approvals by Alberta Environment and Parks); this motion carried, at which point the motion that Request for Decision titled, “Town of Hinton – Water Treatment Plant – Contracted Operating Services” and any attachments, remain private pursuant to Sections 16, 23, 24 and 25 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSA 2000, Chapter F-25 was made. This motion was also carried. 

2. CAO Interim 100-Day Plan Update (Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy RSA 2000, Chapter F-25, Section 24)
Council moved to accept the verbal report as information; this motion was carried. 

Councillor Trevor Haas: (while Councillor Haas was absent from this meeting, Councillor Tyler Waugh offered the following update on his behalf) Starting on of February 14, the Hinton Municipal Library will begin offering free library cards, giving all Hinton and Yellowhead County residents the opportunity to take out up to 40 items for free.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: nothing to report

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn spoke to having attended a Disaster Services orientation meeting, saying he looks forward to coming training and exercises in the future. He also spoke to being confident in the representatives and staff in the committee.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: nothing to report

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson spoke to his attendance at a recent West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority Meeting, saying it was good to get everyone onto the  same page through orientation. He went on to  speak to having attended the Disaster Services meeting, speaking to all members of that committee's obligation to remain in the community in the event of a disaster, as well as a Community Futures West Yellowhead meeting. 

Councillor Joann(Jo) Race: Councillor Race also reported having attended the disaster services meeting. Race went on to inform Council of having attended a ASH meeting, and informing them that the society will be holding their AGM on February 19, 2018, and will be seeking new board members. 

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels discussed the recent mountain pine beetle meeting, saying the group is getting close to narrowing all of the represented interests into key messages and goals. Mayor Michaels went on to speak to the Chamber of Commerces Beer and Blue Jeans networking event, saying there were close to 50 in attendance. Michaels also spoke to a meeting with Grande Prairie Regional College, meeting new members of their team, with a meeting scheduled in the early fall to speak to that group with Council. Finally, Mayor Michaels shared his excitement at this weekends HMBA Growler Fat Bike Endurance Race, one of the many events of this years Winter Magic Festival (find links to further information in the newsflash section below). 

CAO Stephane Labonne: CAO Labonne informed Council of a recent meeting hosted by the Town of Hinton, in which regional CAO's including representatives from Jasper, Yellowhead County, Edson, Community Futures West Yellowhead, Grande Prairie Regional College, Grande Yellowhead Public School Division, Yellowhead Regional Library and the Evergreen Foundation all met and shared priorities and plans for the coming years. CAO Labonne pointed to the Strategic Plan strategy of fostering regional collaboration, saying this is a good example of work towards that goal, as is the next meeting of the group, which will be scheduled for June.