Hinton Town Council briefs

June 6 meeting

Action Items 1. Amendments to Land Use Bylaw No. 1088

LUB Edits Overview and Redesignation of Local Zoning - Presented by Dani Woodman

Land Use Bylaw No. 1088 was adopted at the Regular Meeting of Council September 6, 2016. In the six months following the adoption of the LUB, Administration has identified some typographical errors and omissions. Administration has also since identified that Steele Crescent is currently zoned as C-SHP - Shopping Centre Commercial District. The current zoning and its’ permitted and discretionary uses identified in Land Use Bylaw #1088 do not support existing established businesses that have been developed to date. All the existing developments and their permitted and/or discretionary uses are supported under the I-LHT - Light Industrial District.

Rezoning Application for 100 & 200 Drinnan Way – Presented by Lorraine Walker

An application has been received to amend Land Use Bylaw No. 1088 as follows: The subject lands are located at 100 & 200 Drinnan Way and Administration has received an application to rezone these lands from R-S3 – Residential Narrow Lot Density to I-LHT – Light Industrial District, to accommodate the demand in the market for light industrial land. Rezoning of these lands has been supported by Council in the past and were made under Land Use Bylaw #960, however, remained a residential land use.

Council gave first, second and achieved third reading, passing unanimously

2. Award of Tender for 2017 Capital Work Projects - Presented by Wendy Jones

The Town of Hinton released a Request for PreQualification(RFPQ) for the 2017 Capital Work Projects (Meadow Drive, Athabasca Avenue, Switzer Dr./Kelley Road Waterline abandonment and replacement and Firehall sidewalk and drainage swale) on April 12, 2017. The RFPQ was published on the Alberta Purchasing Systems (APS) and the Town of Hinton Website. The RFPQ closed on April 26, 2017 with the Town receiving eight (8) submissions from respondents. The submissions were evaluated through the identified predetermined criteria (available in the agenda package here) Town Council awarded the Tender received for the 2017 Capital Work Projects for Meadow Drive and Athabasca Avenue to GS Construction in the amount of $5,779,074; and the Tender for the construction of Switzer Dr./Kelley Road Waterline (abandonment and replacement) and Firehall (sidewalk and drainage swale) with a not-to-exceed budget of $300,000 to support overall cost savings, was awarded to GS Construction.

3. Legal Matter - $35,000 Capital Expense Approval Presented by Wendy Jones

The purpose of the $35,000 and the type of services to be procured was discussed with Council InCamera on May 23, 2017. The procurement of services cannot be delayed for the reasons identified In Camera. The findings from the procurement of services will allow the Town to consult with legal counsel and obtain their evaluation and recommendations on how best to proceed. Council will be briefed and direction sought once the findings and legal counsel’s evaluation and recommendation are established. Town Council approved Administration to spend a maximum of $35,000.00 for the purposes of procuring services in support of a legal matter as disclosed to Council at the Standing Committee Meeting (In-Camera) on May 23, 2017.

4. Inter-Municipal Assessment Review Board Agreement & Bylaw #1115 - Presented by Jenna Altrogge

This item is before Council to update and revise the Inter-Municipal Assessment Review Board bylaw. In 2008, the Town of Hinton entered into an InterMunicipal partnership with the Town of Grande Cache and the Specialized Municipality of Jasper with respect to Assessment Review and Subdivision & Development Appeals. Each municipality has citizen councilappointed representatives that sit as board members and attend appeal hearings on assessment and subdivision and development appeals as required. Appeals are handled in a timely and effective manner and the partnering municipalities have been able to share resources, best practices, issues, and concerns. The appeal process itself is perceived by the communities as being more equitable and transparent. In 2017, the Town of Edson requested to join the partnership. Additionally, the roles and responsibilities of Clerk and Clerk Coordinator are being revised to ensure that the delegation of work is equitably shared by the partnering communities. Council gave Bylaw #1115 first and second reading, also achieving third and final reading unanimously.

5. Appointment of Interim Chief Administrative Officer - Presented by Jenna Altrogge

This item is before Council to address the upcoming vacancy in the Town’s CAO position (due to the resignation of the current CAO Mike Schwirtz, whose last day will be June 16, 2017). Provincial legislation mandates Council to appoint one or more persons to the position of Chief Administrative Officer (Town Manager). The role of the CAO is an important function within the Town structure and appointing an interim CAO will ensure continuity of Town plans and services for the citizens of Hinton during the recruitment process. Council Appointed Laura Howarth as interim CAO effective June 17, 2017.

No dogs on the Beaver Boardwalk After consulting with provincial and industry biologists, we have determined that the boardwalk may be opened for residents and visitors without further disturbing the beaver’s habitat. However, as the water has receded and provided unprecedented access to the beaver’s lodge, one core section of the Beaver Boardwalk will be closed off to dogs. The four access points closest to the beaver lodge now identify the boundaries of the No Dog Zone, and have been marked as such by signage.