Town Council Notes from February 25, 2013 meeting

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Town Council met on the evening of February 25, 2013.  In attendance were Mayor Ernie Olsen, Councillors Don Anderberg, Sahra Hancock, Lorne Jackson, and Wayne Oliver.  CFO Wendy Catonio was also present.


Mayor Olsen receives Diamond Jubilee Award

Mayor Ernie Olsen was presented with a Diamond Jubilee Award by Councillor Wayne Oliver.  Click here for that story.

Council gets a friendly visit from RCMP

Acting Detachment Commander Kevin McKenna came to council and introduced himself and the newest member of the Pincher Creek detachment, Officer Spencer Cerwin to the councillors.  "I am posted in Crowsnest Pass, but I am running the detachment because we're short manpower,"  Commander McKenna explained.  He said hehas 35 years policing experience. "They know they need a Detachment Commander here and they're working on it," he said.

Town gives Figure Skating Club a financial break

Pincher Creek Figure Skating Club requested to waive fees for the use of the MCC Arena for the day of their annual Figure Skating Carnival event, scheduled for Saturday, March 23 this year.  The club requested that they have the use of the arena the evening of March 22 and all of March 23 to allow for set-up and tear-down of the event.  Council was unanimous in agreeing to their request.

Community Peace Officer vehicle to be replaced

Council weighed in on the decision to fix or replace the aging town vehicle used by the Bylaw Officers.  Some of the repairs to the vehicle currently in use, a 2004 Ford F150, that are needed or will be required soon include a new transmission, new axles, brakes, and investigating an electrical short that causes the battery to die, as well as cosmetic changes.

Councillor Don Anderberg said that it does go through a lot of town driving, that will affect brakes and transmission more than highway driving.  Anderberg said that the current vehicle does have a value, even if it might not be used for it's original service any more.  He suggested, "To fix it, and use it in another service, such as Parks."

Other considerations to a new vehicle would be emergency lights and a video recorder.  Council approved an adjustment to the 2013 capital budget for the tendering out for a replacement bylaw vehicle to be funded out of the bylaw reserve account up to $40,000.

Edmonton meetings coming up for councillors

Two councillors will be going to Edmonton to meet with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Doug Griffiths, regarding the Emergency Services Commission at a future date.

Council also approved for two councillors to go to Edmonton on March 21 2013, to attend a meeting with Alberta Health Services regarding the ground ambulance contract.  Expenses from these two meetings will come out of Legislative Services Training and Travel account.

Garbage Bylaw getting cleaned up

Council discussed bylaw 1605-13,  Garbage Utility Bylaw.  Councillors suggested some changes to the wording to clarify some of the language before it goes to third reading.

Town of Pincher Creek declines Alberta Winter Games joint bid with Crowsnest Pass

Town of Pincher Creek chose not to partner with Crowsnest Pass on a joint bid for the Alberta Winter Games to be held in 2016. Some of the concerns that were discussed included the time frame, transportation in winter, budgeting and fundraising concerns. Councillor Wayne Oliver pointed out that in addition to the expense,  Pincher Creek will have held the Southern Alberta Summer Games in 2014, putting a strain on the volunteers required to coordinate and run each of these large sporting events. The councillors were agreeable to entertaining the prospect of a joint bid for the year 2018.  Council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek responded similarly to the partnership request at their regular meeting on February 26.


Reports

Counsellor Hancock said during her report that she attended a presentation by Greg Weadick talking about MSI Municipal Sustainability initiative Grants for FCSS Family and Community Support Services.  Reading from her notes, Hancock said "Where your grant to a community is very broad, and you can use it in a variety of different projects."  Continuing to comment on this she also read, "What programs should be delivered municipally  and how should they be funded?  If larger municipalities take on social services, how would that affect the funding flow?"  She then said "This is the part that I actually wanted to bring back, because that's a really big change that would affect us."

Hancock said that she was optimistic about the Ambulance Contract. "We are closer, rather than farther."  She also said that some citizens have complained to her that some of the temporary changeable signs for businesses are not properly permitted.

Wayne Oliver said that at a Recycle Committee meeting three points were brought up.  Costing out for a trailer to capture some of the waste cardboard at the MD garbage bins, cost and value comparison of three different trailer options, and the new recycling of Styrofoam at the recycling centre. 

"Expanded polystyrene can be recycled right here in Pincher Creek and that's an exciting thing for  Superform," Oliver explained that Superform will be making a new product for exterior cladding out of this recycled material.

Councillor Anderberg said that the city of Brooks was in the process of joining Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC) as a member.