Council Highlights - September 3, 2019

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.

Ellen Aust, GYPSD
Aust shared information regarding GYPSD's 2019 initiatives, including a focus on early childhood literacy, as well as thanking the Town for its role in supporting literacy through the work of the Hinton Municipal Library, FCSS, and the Growing Great Kids Coalition.

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. Community Helpers Program - Presented by Hannah Fitzgerald
The Community Helpers Program (CHP) is a free program that has been designed to increase the knowledge of the participants and the support provided by the professional community.

Learn more in the agenda package, available here.

2. Retail Investment Pitch Deck - Presented by Scott Kovatch
With a goal "to enhance the quality and diversity of retail experiences and personal services that Hinton’s permanent population and visitors have access to", the pitch deck introduces statistics on why Hinton is a good fit for retail, and information on the potential customers of new retail operations.

Learn more in the agenda package, available 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.

The were no public hearings.

Action Items

1. Partners for Climate Protection Program Milestones 1 and 2 - Presented by Emily
Olsen
In November 2018 the Town of Hinton hosted the Energy Futures Roadshow (EFR), which was organized and supported by the Natural Step Canada. One of the requirements for participation in the EFR was for the Town of Hinton to participate in the Partners for Climate Protection Program (PCP Program). In May 2019 Council made a resolution to participate in the PCP Program.

The PCP program is based on a five-milestone framework that involves completing a GHG inventory and forecast, setting a GHG reduction target, developing a local action plan, implementing the plan, and monitoring progress and reporting results. PCP members commit to carry out the five-milestone framework within 10 years of joining the program and to report on progress at least once every two years.

It was moved that Council approve the use of FCM grant funds available for Hinton by the Natural Step Canada to complete Milestone 1 and 2 of the Partners for Climate Protection Program. This motion carried.

2. Whitecourt Retreat - Added by Councillor Haas
Following discussions started by Councillor Haas, it was moved that Council direct administration to bring back a report to standing committee, on the costs associated with a Council retreat in Whitecourt, the comparative costs for equivalent time in Hinton, and costs of a strategic planning session of one day. This motion carried.

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.

There were in motions coming out of in camera.

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.

There were no inquiries.

Notice of Motion

If Councillors have motions they wish to lodge, this will be the time at which they do. This is in accordance with Council's procedural bylaw.

Councillor Nelson:

That Council direct Administration bring a report and recommendation to Council regarding labour negotiation.

Information Items

Councillor Jo-Ann Race: Councillor Race reported a successful meeting with Minister Glubish, as well as having attended a Beaver Boardwalk Committee meeting on behalf of Councillor Nelson, whereat vision statements were discussed. Race concluded by detailing the recent Garden Expo at the West Fraser Guild.

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson shared thanks to Councillor Race for attendance at the Beaver Boardwalk Committee meeting.

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councilor Haas reported having also attended the Glubish session, saying there is much to be done and highlighting the importance of enforcement of the Landlord and Tenancy act. Haas went on to say there is a policing meeting upcoming, as well as a library meeting.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh had nothing to report, saying that his committees are expected to meet in the coming month. Waugh also shared excitement at seeing the public out at the Info and Registration fair tonight (Wednesday).

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn reports that a golf society meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Maguhn also asked fellow Councillors who had attended the Minister meeting what the next steps are; the response was that a report is being prepared. Councillor Race informed Maguhn that the process for sharing concerns is to share to MLA Long.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek reported having also attended the Beaver Boardwalk Committee meeting, reiterating that the vision statement is still to come before Council. Ostashek went on to speak to a recent HREDC meeting, whereat the economic development plan was discussed and the pitch deck was presented.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels stated that his committees were HREDC and Beaver Boardwalk Committee and had been discussed previously by other Councillors.

CAO Martin Taylor: CAO Taylor shared a welcome to Emdad Haque, the new ISB director, and expressed fond goodbyes to Jace Rush and thanks for his time in the role. Taylor then also thanked Hans van Klaveren for his time as interim Community Services Director. Taylors reporting concluded by informing Council that staff are currently working on the budget cycle.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

Public Market Tailgate Sale

The HREDC and EDO Scott Kovatch invite all Hinton Residents to attend the Public Market Tailgate Sale on Green Square September 7, 2019. Book a spot by calling 780-865-2777 or by emailing info@hintonchamber.com.

Don't Play With Your Trash

Put the bins wheels to the road - or have to put your wheels to the road as you drive your refuse to the landfill.

The Town of Hinton ISB staff have noticed a significant amount of improperly placed bins on residential streets, and have begun an education campaign with Communications to help everyone understand how to place your bins.

Click here to learn more.

Council Video Recordings

As some residents may have noticed, we have recently experienced difficulties with our streaming video provider online. The service provider has changed the accepted methods of posting, which has made all older videos in the inventory non-functioning. These non-functioning videos will removed from the inventory for the time being, however, administration is investigating ways of making a larger library available for residents to access online. In the interim, a new format has been selected, and new recordings are being posted as before; however, the new format is slightly larger, and so less videos will be accessible online than in years past. Recordings of the videos are also available on DVDs at the Hinton Municipal Library, which can be checked out and viewed on either computers or DVD players, or by contacting the Town of Hinton should those DVD recordings not be available.

The Town of Hinton is on Facebook!

As over 1700 people have already figured out - The Town of Hinton now has a corporate Facebook page! This new service adds another resource to the communications toolbelt, and will house information on many different areas; some days, you’ll see information on bylaws, others recreation programs, others information about council decisions or highlights from Council meetings. We will, however, endeavour to ensure that we are sharing content relevant to the widest possible audience. Like us today by clicking here!

You can view the entire agenda package here.

The next Regular Council meeting will be held September 17, 2019, at 4pm
in the Council Chambers.