Pincher Creek Town Council Meeting, September 12, 2011

Pincher Creek Town Council settles into renovated Chambers
C. Davis photo

Pincher Creek's Town Council met on Monday evening, September 12.
In attendance: Mayor Ernie Olsen and Councillors Don Anderberg, Sahra Nodge, Lorne Jackson, Wayne Oliver, and Roy Smyth.


Homelessness Partnering Strategy
Council heard two scheduled delegations from David Green.  He represented Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) in regards to the Rural and Remote Homelessness Partnering Strategy.  According to Green Pincher Creek is one of six southwest Alberta communities with populations of 25,000 or less identified as eligible for assistance with homelessness issues. 
Green indicated there was a deadline of September 30, 2011 to make a proposal for funding.  He sadi the proposal should be broken down into three categories: capital investment, delivery of client services, and community co-ordination.  Sustainability is a required component, and partnerships of various kinds are recommended.  "It's got to be a team, a sustainable partnership situation," Green emphasized. "We're also under a tight timeline." 
Green said potential partners might include Family Support Services, the Women's Shelter, NAPI, and the NAPI-administered foodbank, which he says is in crisis.
Shayne Gurney of Service ALberta and Green presented information about this topic as delegates to the August 4, 2011 Committee of the Whole (COTW). Gurney will be meeting with available Council members and service agencies at 11 am on Wednesday, September 14.

Panhandling concerns
Green's second presentation as a delegate was an update on Panhandling concerns raised by the Downtown Merchants Association and others at the August 4 COTW meeting.
Green referred to a study undertaken in June, 2007 which included a "widely distributed" survey of Pincher Creek residents.  231 surveys were completed, identifying social issues and safety concerns that were of the greatest concern to the respondents.
Public intoxication, loitering, panhandling, general mischief, and drug related issues were the most frequently cited concerns.
Green indicated that an advisory board of some kind be established, composed of members from the Town of Pincher Creek, the M.D. of Pincher Creek, the Piikani Council, the Downtown Merchant's Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the citizenry, and the R.C.M.P.  He said this advisory board could then review the 2007 report, gather current information, and make recommendations to the Pincher Creek and Piikani councils.  He suggested that implementing those recommendations start by 2012.  "It seems like a short timeline," remarked Councillor Sahra Nodge when Green had finished his presentation.  Mayor Ernie Olsen said he had been in discussions with the Piikani Council, "who are young and very bright", and he believed they "really want to move ahead with this."

Unscheduled delegations
Council also heard two unscheduled delegations.  The first was from citizen Hugh Dunham, who raised his concerns about a fallen sign along the creek path that he said was removed instead of reinstalled.  Dunham was also concerned that no one had responded to a "citizen request" he had recently made via the Town's website.

The second unscheduled delegation was from citizen Harold Jumango, who had inquired at the August 22nd meeting of Council as to why the Juan Teran Park had been locked up at night, according to the draft version of that meeting's minutes.  He sought to clarify his concerns.


Previous minutes
Council adopted the minutes of the August 22nd Council meeting.

Council then adopted the minutes of the September 1st Committee of the Whole (COTW).  
(click here to read a summation of that meeting) 

Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying and Violence Policy #132-97
Next up, the council discussed a motion to adopt the harrassment policy as proposed for Town employees.
Councillor Anderberg indicated he would like to see it deferred "until the Municipal Inspection Report is in."  Councillor Nodge disagreed, saying "This has been in old business for quite a while.  It feels like we're contracting out our judgement.  I would like to put it to bed and review in the future if it's needed." "How easy is it to make that revision?" asked Councillor Oliver.  CAO Laurie Wilgosh indicated it would be achievable by normal council procedure.  The motion was passed.

TRAVIS MJ (Road-use regulation)
Council next addressed a motion to direct Administration to support the Government of Alberta Transportation Department's proposal to adopt the Transportation Routing and Vehicle Information Multi-Jurisdictional (TRAVIS MJ) system. In the words of the proposal, TRAVIS MJ would "enable them to monitor and enforce the movement of oversized vehicles".  It would also "track such (oversized) loads and and also channel monies from permits appropriately".
CAO Wilgosh indicated there would be little cost to the Town, except for staff time.  "We're recommending we go with this system," she said.
The motion was passed.

Parade
In response to the complaints of some citizens, council discussed the feasibility of changing the parade route to alleviate chaos before, during, and after the parade.
"We only have two main routes through town running east and west," said Councillor Oliver.  "I don't see what we could change.  "It's part of having a vibrant summer festival," said councillor Nodge.

Access to Juan Teran Park
The situation at Juan Teran Park was on the agenda next.  Councillor Smyth asked "could there be a notification (when it is closed) instead of just chain across the entrance?" Councillor Anderberg asked "What is our policy?  Some of the comments, excuses as to why the park is shut down, I just don't get it."  Council discussed the terms of a deal that had been made with some organized groups that used the park, seemingly to the purposeful exclusion of others.  "Our solution is to put a chain across the gate and tell everyone to go home.  We pay for this facility with our taxes, big time," said Councillor Anderberg. "We shut it down because a few people won't pick up after themselves.  I don't think it's handled well.  If we're going to make major changes in regard to uses of our facilities, Council should be made aware of it." 

"I wonder if we do need to do a review of the public sports field policy, or some public input into the issue," said Councillor Nodge. "We need to have something that is consistent."

Mayor Olsen said "I recommend taking this back to the recreation board."

Councillor Oliver said "some employee locked it, who shouldn't have locked it.  One of the big problems they are hearing is people are letting their dogs into the areas, because it is fenced."  Oliver sits on the Recreation Advisory Board. "I will take these suggestions back to the (recreation) committee," he said.

Pincher Planters
A submission from Pincher Planters Chairman John Hancock expressed thanks to the Pincher Creek council for their support.

Public Works
Public Works Director Al Roth addressed council.  He said that there were approximately 70 commercial garbage accounts in the town, being served by aging trucks.
He said that Public Works was looking to phase out these trucks over the next months and will have an open house to demonstrate the new collection procedure to commercial account holders.
He also said sewage tie-in issues may turn out to be more expensive than previously thought.
He will bring these issues to the next COTW meeting.