Council Highlights for June 16, 2015

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. During this meeting there were no speakers.

Delegations

Senior’s Week Activities - Randy Smith shared that this year with 19 events and 1471 participants, Hinton’s Senior’s Week was the largest in the province. Council thanked the Senior’s Week committee members and volunteers, and were on hand for the prize draw. Winners included Mel Keith (attended 10 events) for a $250 Overlander Gift card, Willie Lischewski (attended 16 events) for a roundtrip Via Rail trip to Jasper with a night at Jasper Park Lodge, and finally, Joe Willick (who attended all 19 events) for a tour over the Rockies with Peregrine Helicopters for 3 people.

Atco Gas – Glen Stalker presented information on ATCO’s presence in Hinton, and the expired franchise agreement which was discussed later in the meeting. The franchise agreement is between the municipality and ATCO Gas that grants them certain rights to provide natural gas distribution service to consumers. ATCO currently has four employees in Hinton providing service to 4120 customers.

Action Items

Bylaw 1089 – 2015 ATCO Gas Franchise Renewal Agreement
Council gave this bylaw first reading, and agreed that the term of the agreement is to be extended to 11 years. Franchise fees are collected by the Town, and are applied to general revenue for Town operations. Before the bylaw is given final reading it must be announced locally, and go through the Alberta Utilities Commission for review and approval Lots of great information is included in the Agenda Package.

Pambrun Appeal of Compliance Order
Council voted to support the Pambruns’ appeal of the compliance order issued, after giving consideration to the pending revisions to the Land Use Bylaw, as well as community feedback. The compliance order was issued due to the Pambruns’ unpermitted use of their property for the storage of a horse trailer, which goes against the land use bylaw for this subdivision’s zoning. The issue came about after a resident made a complaint, and following an investigation Bylaw Services determined that a contravention was being made on this property.

Athabasca Riverfront Park
Christopher Read, Parks, Recreation and Culture Manager, presented the details on the Riverfront Park Pilot Project located on Town owned land adjacent to the Athabasca River that has mainly been used by the Junior Forest Wardens group. Day use hours of operation were proposed, and improvements to the grade of the access into the parking area, as well as washroom and garbage facilities will be provided. Success measures of this pilot project will include visitor counts and random surveys of patrons, and will culminate in a report to Council in the fall.
Council voted to approve the Athabasca Riverfront Park 2015 Pilot Project with up to $25,000 allocated from the Parks and Trails Infrastructure Reserve to cover the costs of the project.

Offer to Purchase
Wendy Jones presented an offer from Wilf Kwasny to purchase 4060 Bradwell Street, to potentially support a senior’s housing development. Council voted to accept the offer from Mr. Kwasny, however, the specific price, terms and conditions of this transaction will not be made public until after final closing and title transfer.

Mobile Home Parks in Hinton
The state of roads and infrastructure in local mobile home parks have been a topic of concern in the community. Council directed administration to research the all options for the mobile home parks in town in respect to current conditions and issues.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Presentation

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards were presented to Shelby Bambrick, Marshall Begon, Adam Danis, Thomas Kadatz, Alexis Kvill, and Brittany Rosenberger. Mayor Mackin offered congratulatory remarks to the youth, and speeches were made by Inspector Chris Culhane, Daniel Berry, Chantelle Bambrick, with Cst. Deanna Alford emceeing the event.
Award winners and families stayed for a barbecue hosted by Council in the Government Centre foyer.

You can view the entire agenda package here.

The next Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2015 in the Committee Room starting at 4:00 p.m.

Town of Hinton Newsflash!

Don’t forget to “Kick it to the Curb” this weekend and claim your neighbours trash as your treasures, keeping these items out of the landfill. Visit the Hinton Kicks it to the Curb Facebook Page for more information!

Senior Summer Fun Tour is set to begin soon, full of activities for seniors. Those interested can register at FCSS or call 780 865 6036.

There will be no garbage collection on Canada Day, Wednesday July 1. Garbage normally collected on Wednsday will be collected Thursday, July 2. Please have your bins to the curb by 7:30 am for pickup. Please call Infrastructure Services at 780-865-2634 if you need more information.

Vote for Hinton in the Coors Banquet "One Horse Town" contest! Hinton could win a concert for 1000 by the Roadhammers. Visit the Coors Website to enter!