Council Highlights - November 5, 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.

There were no speakers.

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.

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.

The were no public hearings.

Action Items

1. Draft Health and Safety Policy #1402
A new and updated Health and Safety Policy will replace the current Health and Safety Commitment. A Council approved Policy will help set the tone for a successful health and safety culture and is powerful when these commitments are shared throughout the organization. It is best practice to have an overarching Health and Safety Policy supported by Town Council. A successful HSMS functions with a strong and positive health and safety “culture”. Culture is based on the organization’s beliefs, values, and principles associated with health and safety. Changes in new OHS legislation health and safety include physical, psychological, and social well-being. The corporate values identified in Council’s 2017-2020 strategic plan help define our “culture”. The value to “Be Safe”, creates a work environment that contributes to employee health and well being, focuses on the health and safety which helps others recognize that it is an integral part of day to day operations. It was moved that That Council approve Health and Safety Policy #1402.This motion carried.

2. Land Use Bylaw Amendment #1088-9 – First Reading
In accordance with the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw, under a DC District, all applications for development permits are considered by Town Council and their decision must take into consideration the Town’s Statutory Planning documents. The intent of the amendment to a DC District is to provide for that additional control and authority over the development but also provide some liberties with proposed development densities, types and location of same. The district is used where it is necessary to exercise particular control over certain areas of the community which do not lend themselves to the standard land use districts. Unique characteristics, unusual site conditions, innovative design are considered when amending to a DC District. It was moved that That Council give Land Use Bylaw #1088-9 first reading as presented. This motion carried.

3. Automated Traffic Enforcement Contract
This item was before Council at Standing Committee on October 8, 2019. Council referred it back to October 22, 2019 Standing Committee requesting additional information. This item was previously before Council In-Camera on September 10, 2019. Since July 2006 the Town of Hinton has contracted to Global Traffic Group to provide photo traffic enforcement. The goal of the program is to provide a safer community to citizens and an additional safety tool for Protective Services. Automated Traffic Enforcement is governed by a group made up of the RCMP Staff Sergeant, Protective Services Manager, and the Town of Hinton Chief Administrative Officer. The program follows Alberta’s Automated Traffic Enforcement Guidelines and the Town’s Automated Traffic Enforcement Policy. It was moved that Council approve the Standing Committee’s recommendation for Administration to invite Request for Proposals (RFP) to bid on the ATE program contract. 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.

Following returning from in camera, Council made the following motions:

That Council approve the Town of Hinton Labour Negotiations Team to proceed with negotiations as discussed In-Camera.

And that Council direct Administration to bring a report back to Council for ratification once a tentative agreement between both Parties has been reached.

Both motions carried.

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.

There were no notices.

Information Items

Councillor Jo-Ann Race: Councillor Race reported having attended an ASH meeting, sharing congratulations to Wendy Laurila for their Chamber of Commerce Business Award win. Race then shared information regarding a nearly full calendar for November, including the Empower Hour. Race detailed the No Stone Left Alone event on Monday, calling the process of honouring fallen soldiers grave sites very moving. Race also encouraged residents to attend the Legion's Cenotaph lighting ceremony, and then concluded by speaking to a Valley Business meeting.

Councillor Dewly Nelson: Councillor Nelson reported having been busy of late, in preparation for Thursday's Energy Futures Roadshow. Nelson thanked admin for their support, as well as partner in the event CFWY. Nelson then discussed the SPARK conference in Edmonton, calling it a non-polarized discussion around energy.

Councillor Albert Ostashek: Councillor Ostashek spoke to October's Town Hall, thanking citizens for the respectful dialogue that they engaged in and for their attendance. Ostashek went on to remind of the Citizen Budget Tool (more information below), and attendance at the Harry Collinge Award Ceremony.

Councillor Trevor Haas: Councillor Haas reported an upcoming learning opportunity (not clear in recording, apologies for inconvenience) and then detailed a recent Library Organizational Meeting, whereat new member Scott Kovatch was welcomed and plans for a new visual look for the library were discussed.

Councillor Tyler Waugh: Councillor Waugh thanked administration for support on the Town Hall event, and then went on to speak to No Stone Left Alone, as well as thanking the Chamber for the Business Awards Gala. Waugh also detailed a CEAC meeting, at which next steps were discussed. Waugh shared the groups want for clear direction from Council.

Councillor Ryan Maguhn: Councillor Maguhn briefly discussed the Town Hall, saying that there were a number of anticipated questions, which was powerful insight into residents thoughts. Maguhn then discussed Halloween, thanking Emergency Services for their presence in the community over the evening as well as the Timberwolves.

Mayor Marcel Michaels: Mayor Michaels also discussed the Town Hall, saying that there is a want for the event to return next year. Mayor Michaels then discussed the strategic planning session which occured recently, thanking administration and the facilitators for their role in the process.

CAO Martin Taylor: CAO Taylor offered thanks to Natalie and the Chamber of Commerce for their work on the Gala, saying a wonderful time was had, and then reminded of Remembrance Day on November 11.

Town of Hinton Newsflash

Budget 2020

Interested in how Budget 2020 comes together? The Town will be holding budget meetings, starting November 16, and interested citizens are welcome to observe the proceedings. Visit Government Centre during the below dates and times to watch the meetings yourself.

Department Meetings – November 16 all day
Budget – November 18: 4 – 8 PM
Budget – November 20: 4 – 8 PM
Capital – November 25: 4 – 8 PM

Hinton Town Hall and 60 Minutes with Council

The Town of Hinton Strategic Services Division is currently working on community engagement, following Council's direction, surrounding the Town Strategic Plan and 2020 Budget Cycle. To ensure we have the input of our stakeholders in recreation, seniors interests, and community members at large, we've built a variety of input methods to ensure that 24/7 anyone can share their thoughts and be represented in our governance. Please review the variety of methods listed in this week's Civicsend, and engage in whatever way is convenient to you, here.

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 1800 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 November 19, 2019, at 4pm
in the Council Chambers.