Hinton Town Council briefs
Mar. 21 meeting
myHinton App - Presented by Joshua Yaworski
The Town of Hinton Communications Department is proud to announce that the new myHinton app is nearly ready for our residents. At the time of presentation, the app was proceeding through the verification process for both the Apple app store and Google Play Market. The app brings all of the content from our award-winning website into an even more responsive format, and provide a quick, efficient way to connect with Town of Hinton content on mobile devices.
Features Accessible at Launch:
• Alert Centre - Emergency Notifications
• Archive Centre - one stop shop for minutes, agendas, and more
• Calendar
• Child and Youth Program Portal
• Citizen Request Tracker
• Emergency Services Portal
• Google Transit Link
• Hinton Listens
• Job Postings
• News Flash
• Recreation Programs
• Resource Directory
• Staff Directory
Plus, the Town of Hinton staff are working to bring new features in future updates, like social media integration, form centre, and more. Action Items
Formal Adoption of the WYRWMA 2017 Operating Budget - Presented by Dale
Woloszyn
Council formally adopted the 2017 Operating Budget as recommended by the West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority (WYRWMA). The WYRWMA reviews and recommends approval of the Operating Budget on an annual basis. This
recommended budget required Hinton Town Council’s approval.
Formal Adoption of the WYRWMA 2017 Capital Budget - Presented by Dale Woloszyn
Council formally adopted the 2017 Capital Budget as recommended by the West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority (WYRWMA). The WYRWMA reviews and recommends approval of the Capital Budget on an annual basis. This recommended budget required Hinton Town Council’s approval.
Appointment to Library Board Acknowledging that some vacancies remain on some Town committees, the Town of Hinton has continued to accept citizen applications. Recently, an application was received for the Hinton Municipal Library Board (HMLB) from Don Harrison. There is a desire to fill the vacancies on boards sooner than later to allow interested citizens time to orient and provide their input. However, this item was cancelled, as the applicant has with- drawn their application.
Hinton Pulp, a Division of West Fraser Mills Property, Request for Municipal Property Tax Phase In Presented by Denise Parent
Hinton Pulp, a Division of West Fraser Mills has requested from the Town a property tax phasein of 20% per year (2017-2020) in regards to the new construction of the Lignin Recovery Plant. Council approved entering into the agreement with Hinton Pulp for municipal property tax phase in of $33M capital investment in the Lignin Recovery Plant. The agreement supports the Hinton Pulp innovation of constructing a Lignin Recovery Plant in order to establish their market and business with this new product. The tax phase-in requested is a reduction of 80% in 2017, 60% in 2018, 40% in 2019 and 20% in 2020. The Lignin Plant was completed in September 2016 and is the first mill in Canada to extract lignin from its black liquor recovery stream using a new process called LignoForce. The Town has previously entered into similar agreements with the Pulp and Sawmill operation. Council approved the agreement, following which Councillor Stuart Taylor put forth a motion that council direct Administration to bring an incentive based policy to cover large scale projects in the future to a standing committee meeting. Eaton Drive 4 Phases Development Agreement - Presented by Wendy Jones
This item has been moved to later in the year so the developer could be present for discussions.
Information Items Councillor Matthew Young: Young recently attended a Library board meeting, and reports that after all of the discussions at budget time, there will be no changes to level of service provided for this year. He also encouraged residents to attend the Golf Course AGM, which is scheduled for April 4, 2017, at 7pm in the Golf Course. He advised that non-members can attend, and that they are working to turn the facility into a four season recreation facility.
Councillor Marcel Michaels: Michaels reported attending his first Arts Society for Hinton meeting, and says the PAV is in great hands, with members offering a diversity of opinions and backgrounds.
Councillor Stuart Taylor: Taylor reported having attended a Pulp Mill meeting, saying that the application for the Town taking control of water processing has been lodged ahead of the January 2018 changeover; he also informed Council that the Town will take over water management at the filtered water stage.
Councillor Glen Barrow: Barrow reported pride at seeing the Town of Hinton represented at the Edmonton Boat and Sportsman Show last week. Barrow attended the event in part to support the combined archery teams of the local schools. In addition,
Barrow made a motion that Council reimburse Hinton Fire and Rescue for 274.05 for ice fees at the Hinton Recreation Centre. The amount will cover the costs for the Firefighters vs. RCMP game, which the two groups are considering making an annual event. The event, which saw great attendance, raised funds for the local SPCA.
Councillor Albert Ostashek: Ostashek reports having attended an HREDC meeting, and shared that the Public Market (which was a big hit last summer) is looking to return, possibly even expand, to be even bigger and better in the coming warmer months.
CAO Mike Schwirtz: Schwirtz reports having attended the Mayor’s Caucus, saying it is extremely valuable to have all the Mayors and most CAO’s in one room. Schwirtz went on to say the caucasus discussed at length the coming changes to MGA, and the mandatory training that Councils will need to have within the first 90 days after election. Also discussed was the coming Council Code of Conduct, and many Mayors and CAO’s welcoming the coming teeth for the code.