Town Council Notes December 10, 2012 meeting

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Town Council met on the evening of December 10.  In attendance were Mayor Ernie Olsen, Councillors Don Anderberg, Sahra Hancock, Lorne Jackson, Murray Lauder, and Wayne Oliver.  CAO Laurie Wilgosh was also present.

Parking problem for one resident

Robert Bruckner lives on Broadway Street and came to council looking for a solution to his parking problem.  His property has no driveway, and he would like to park in the alley.  "I wasn't aware there was a parking ban in the laneways," said Bruckner.  He would like to be allowed to park in an area of the alley that he says will not impede traffic, but will require council approval and signs.  Mayor Ernie Olsen requested that Bruckner send in copies of some photographs that Bruckner had with him to the administration for further consideration.

Municipal Heritage Partnership Program is nearing completion


Diane Burt-Stuckey and Farley Wuth made a presentation to council regarding the  Municipal Heritage Partnership Program (MHPP).  According to Stuckey this project has almost completed its' two year course.  The program helps municipalities to manage their historic properties, and offers guidance, expertise and some funding.

Town of Pincher Creek, The Pincher Creek and District Historical Society, and volunteers have conducted the heritage survey, which was used to find, research, catalogue and register historic resources and primary heritage buildings.

Farley Wuth's presentation included a 'Places of Interest' list that included 34 buildings and areas that were found to have significant historic value in the area. He admitted that there is still some work to be done on the project, but is hoping to have it all wrapped up early in 2013.  The council moved to accept all of this as information.

Handfords waiting for answers

Randy and Cheryl Handford approached council on November 26, 2012, to find out answers to questions they had about development on a property close to their home. The couple has concerns about inconsistencies with land use bylaws, including set back restrictions, implementing a basement in the flood zone, and how this development impacts their neighbouring property.  (click here for more information)

Mayor Olsen spoke directly to the couple saying, "Council has discussed this situation, and we feel that Mr. Kollee (Referring to Manager of Legislative Services Gus Kollee) is the man who should be dealing with this completely."

"It would be nice for you to get answers for all your questions."

Randy Handford asked when the answers would be available, and it was indicated to him that the couple should expect answers within two weeks.

MD asked to help with Curling Club and Arena expenses

Pincher Creek Curling Club has asked for financial help to help pay for repairs and maintenance on their building with an estimated cost of $30,000.  The building repairs portion is part of the 2013 operating budget for the Town.  The council moved to direct administration to send a letter to the MD of Pincher Creek to suggest that they both share in this expenditure equally, as well as for the $150,000 expense for a new Zamboni for the arena.

Costs increasing for a number of recreational and other activities 

Third and final reading passed regarding changes to Fee Structure Bylaw 1584-12.
All fee changes will be implemented January 1, 2013. Some of these changes in the fee schedule will affect recreational programming, the pool, the arena, parks, camping and sporting fields, and corporate services.

Community Services Department completed a fee and services review in comparison with other communities in the fall of 2012 and their assessment of changes within the community of Pincher Creek was reviewed by the Recreation Advisory Committee.

Council consolidates a number of reserve accounts

Councillor Sahra Hancock asked to speak on the issue.  "This came about when we were going through our budget process.  We found that there are a lot of reserves that are either for projects that have been completed years ago and still had remaining amounts in them, or were redundant with other reserves.  Its a motion to shuffle things around and allocate them into tidier reserves.  An example is there was one called Town Hall Reserve and another one called Town Hall Building Reserve.  This is consolidating reserves like that."

The motion to consolidate these reserves was passed unanimously.

2013-2014 budget passed

Council passed the budget for 2013 with an operating amount of $10,344,778 in revenues and $11,413,184 in total expenditures and $1,069,002 in amortization expenditure for a budgeted cash surplus of $597.  They also approved the 2014 budget for an operating budget of $10,026,563 in revenues and $11,094,917 in total expenditures and and $1,069,002 in amortization expenditure for a budgeted cash surplus of $648.

Mayor Olsen said "One of the advantages of a two year budget right now is that after the election a new council, whoever that might be wont be sitting here after three weeks on council, trying to do a 10 million dollar budget, it will be done for them."  Olsen also thanked the staff, and council for the work done on the budget, and the number of meetings the councillors attend.

Councillor Lorne Jackson said "Something I'm particularly happy about is our entire council's dedication to look toward a minimal tax increase in each of the next two years, as well as the previous year that we have been on council.  I think that was something that was mandated by the people that voted us in and something that we've accommodated  as much as we can."

Children's World Daycare granted a five year lease

Council unanimously passed a five year lease agreement that will continue the daycare operating out of the Town Hall building for the cost of $954.50 a month, plus GST.  This new lease agreement will go into effect January 1, 2013.

Town supports Landfill for a grant

Crowsnest Pass/Pincher Creek Landfill has approached the Town for a letter of support for a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant application.  If successful this grant will go towards the construction of a recycling collection facility at the landfill.

Councillor Wayne Oliver said that "I appreciate the background information that says this facility with work in conjunction with the current recycling program in the town of Pincher Creek, and wouldn't attempt to replace it."   The new facility would collect recycling such as cardboard and paper and alternate deliveries with the current Crowsnest and Pincher Creek recycling facilities.  The motion was unanimously passed.

Senior Services to access ASSET Database

Senior Services is being granted access to the Assessment Shared Services Environment (ASSET) database that is a part of the Milenet secure portal operated by the Alberta Municipal Affairs.  Senior Services is a division of Alberta Health and will be accessing the program for property tax assessment data.  The Town of Pincher Creek currently uses this portal and programs as a way of gathering, reporting, and sharing information.  "There is an attempt to have greater working relationships between different ministries in accessing and sharing information, so there is less duplication of information collection.  I see this as another part of that trend.  It's expedient," said Councillor Hancock.

Arial photography approved

The Town of Pincher Creek has approved to have the Oldman River Regional Urban Orthophotography Project to participate in an application for a 2013 River Regional Urban Orthophotography Project.  This is a project with 40 members sharing the cost of aerial photography  resulting in less fuel costs and in-air capture time.  The more recent displays were taken in our area in  2009, and a vast amount of growth and development has taken place for all 40 partners in that time frame.

Councillor Don Anderberg explained that this project will be even more cost effective than the previous time because part of the process is correcting and mapping of spacial land contours and many contours haven't changed.

Councillor Smyth resigns

Effective December 7, 2012 Councillor Roy Smyth has resigned from council due to health reasons.  Council expressed their deep regret at the loss of this valued member of council, and gratitude over all of his efforts in the service of the Town of Pincher Creek.

According to administration Council is not required to hold a by-election in this case under section 162 of the Municipal Government Act.

Ambulance Contact draft to go to legal council for review

Pincher Creek Emergency Services  are currently in negotiations for a new contract with Alberta  Health Services to provide ambulance services for the community.  The new contract will be a five year contract with up to two extensions of two years each, making a potential nine year contract.  Councillor Anderberg said that each group has had chances to make amendment to the agreement to come to a workable compromise.  "With a contract that long, it would feel irresponsible not to have some legal advice," said Councillor Hancock. The contract will be going to Brownlee LLP for legal review, opinion and advice.



Following the public meeting Council went in-camera with legal development issues on the agenda.


Correction: In an earlier version of this article it was stated that the Curling Club was asking for funding for a Zamboni.  That request was actually bundled with the Curling Club's separate request for funding for repairs.  We regret the error.