Town Council Notes from March 11, 2013 meeting

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Town Council met on the evening of March 11, 2013.  attendance were Mayor Ernie Olsen, Councillors Don Anderberg, Sahra Hancock, Lorne Jackson, Wayne Oliver, and Murray Lauder.  CAO Laurie Wilgosh was also present.


Garbage Bylaw is tidied up

Council reviewed Garbage Utility Bylaw that reflect the new solid waste collection system. Council unanimously approved this bylaw on third and final reading.

Road to be reopened

Third and final reading was given to Bylaw #1612-12 that will repeal Bylaw #1239-A.  This will open up the road allowance that runs in an east-west direction connecting the north east corner of Bev McLachlin Drive (adjacent to the hospital) and Waterton Avenue.

Related link: November 13, 2012 Town Council Notes

Elementary crosswalks to be a snow removal priority

Council reviewed the Winter Street Maintenance Policy 302-93 after a delegation approached council January 28, 2013, regarding child safety and snow removal near the elementary schools.

The council moved to put the clearing of elementary school cross walks as the #5 priority of the snow removal list, with the clearing of elementary school zone bus loading areas as #10 on the priority listing.  The motion was carried unanimously.

KBPV gains letter of support from Town

Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village requested a letter of support from the Town to apply to Community Initiatives Program (CIP) in an effort to supplement their operational budget through a grant application.  This request was approved unanimously by council.

Reviewing Property Review Committee

After a suggestion from Councillor Sahra Hancock during reports, council directed administration to bring a review of the Property Review Committee to see if that board is effective and still necessary now that the process on the leases of most Town properties has been streamlined.  "Gus (Manager of Legislative Services Gus Kollee) has definitely put some systems into place that has made it a lot more efficient in identifying ahead of time when leases are coming due, and making sure that there is a review of those leases.  I don't know if a committee structure is the best way to review it, or if it can go to Committee of the Whole, and comes to council for review," said Hancock during her report.

Pincher Creek Foundation

Councillor Wayne Oliver reported that Pincher Creek Foundation reports that vacancies have decreased, and there are only four rooms available right now at Crestview Lodge.

Southern Alberta Summer Games 2014 organizational meeting.

Councilllor Wayne Oliver reported on a Southern Alberta Summer Games 2014 organiational meeting he attended on the Town's behalf.  "I'm pleased to report that there were 14 people at that meeting, a good solid core of volunteers, ready and willing to participate and have successful games in 2014."

New fire truck proposed

Councillor Don Anderberg attended an Emergency Service meeting where they proposed to purchase the new fire truck for Pincher Creek.  This will replace engine 12.  Anderberg reported on a Oldman River Regional Committee financial meeting that he attended.  "The challenge is we have some big communities, we have some small communities, and basically the 20 or so communities in the middle are subsidising both ends of the spectrum."  The committee are trying to work out a fair and equitable way to go forward,'  Anderberg also said that there was a lot of good discussion that came out of the three hour meeting.

Municipal Emergency Plan under review

Councillor Sahra Hancock reported that review of the Municipal Emergency Plan is on track and will be coming back to council within the next few months. Attending Property Review Committee for Murray Lauder, the committee reviewed the Five Pin Bowling Association lease, and moved that it go on a five year renewal period, rather than a three year lease.  They also looked at a property on Kettle Street that backs onto a hill that is Town property. "Their usable space of back yard is all Town property," said Hancock.  That the long term property agreement on that location was up for review.  "We had discussions about whether that was the most appropriate way to deal with their use that space."