Pincher Creek Town Council Notes August 26, 2013 meeting

• Stop signs on Main Street concerns to go to Committee of the Whole 
• Senior Huskies granted reduced cost in practice ice time 
• Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission Membership and Services Agreement to be taken to Edmonton 
• Municipal Development Plan Bylaw #1518-13 passes first reading
• Squash Courts to be repaired
  

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Town Council met on the evening of August 26, 2013.  In attendance were Mayor Ernie Olsen, Councillors Don Anderberg, Sahra Hancock, Lorne Jackson and Murray Lauder.  CAO Laurie Wilgosh, Al Roth and Diane Burt-Stuckey were also present.  Over a dozen people were in the public gallery for much of the meeting.

Stop signs on Main Street concerns to go to Committee of the Whole

Citizens Robert Roth and Vic Walker approached Council regarding noise at the four way stop sign on the corner of Main Street and Robertson Avenue. This is an issue that has come before council several times.

"Again, we're back with a petition, Mr. Mayor this time with twice as many signatures at a time when a number of people were on holiday" said Walker, who owns a house located at the corner in question.

The delegation brought up a number of issues:

• Health issues that stem from noise issues
• Environmental issues
• Asbestos brake pads causing possible future health issues
• inconvenience and financial costs to motorists
• environmental impact
• Frustration levels of both motorists and residents
• Noise and safety concerns

"What we are dealing with is a 1970's solution to a problem that we're trying to get council to address in a more appropriate manner in 2013," said Walker.  He said that according to information from the  Government of Alberta Highways that all-way stops are not designed to be a speed-control method.  "There are other, better solutions.  In earlier presentations, we included 17 noise complaints.  What we're concerned with is what appears to be an over regulated and under-policed scenario."

Walker suggested that alternatives included having bylaw or crossing guard officers direct traffic during school hours when the buses are arriving and departing, or flashing lights at the corner of Main and Robinson that are timed specifically for the times when buses are using the area.

"We are not in any way suggesting to interfere with the safety of high school students and buses," said Walker.  "By timing it so it's only on when it's needed, on the half days of the year that it's required,  you'll significantly change our quality of life and the noise level within your community " Walker said that in the town of Crossfield all of the roads in residential areas at set at 30 km per hour.  He suggested removal of  the stop signs and a 30 km speed limit from Highway 6 to beyond the Legion corner at Hewetson and Main Street.

"If something isn't done, the problem isn't going to go away.  And if the problem doesn't go away, we won't go away."

Councillor Sahra Hancock said that the area in question is an area that people live in but  not zoned for residential use as its primary use. She explained that the area is currently zoned as Transitional Commercial. She invited those involved to attend in the future when Council reviews the land use bylaw to offer their input at that time as well as in the present.

Council agreed to allow Vic Walker and Robert Roth a half hour time slot at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday September 5, to present their concerns there.

"That is as much as we can possibly expect, and we appreciate Council's consideration," said Walker.

Related stories:
Main Street traffic concerns aired before Town Council
Opinion: Stop sign needed
Street safety concerns discussed by Town Council
Stop Signs: Please, Less NOT More

Senior Huskies granted reduced cost in practice ice time

Jeff Kaupp approached Council on behalf of the Pincher Creek Senior Huskies in the Ranchland Hockey League.  Previously Council granted the newly developed team reduced rates for ice time during practice for the 2012/2013 season and Kaupp asked for the same consideration during the 2013/2014 season.  

"I hope for your continued support of the Senior Huskies team,"  The request is to have a discounted rate for practice ice time during  9:00 pm to 11:00 pm.  "It's not exactly a desirable piece of time, and we wouldn't be able to afford the full amount."

"Attendance wise, we were the best in the league.  We averaged about 125 people with our highest being about 174 on Hockey Day in Canada."  Kaupp invited members of the Council to attend the games.

Later in the meeting Council discussed the issue.  Councillor Sahra Hancock asked if the staff through the recreation department would be being paid overtime during the times requested, and Mayor Ernie Olsen asked if the ice time would be utilized if the Huskies did not take the time slot.  Recreation Manager Diane Burt-Stuckey said that the staffing would not be into overtime costs and that the ice time would most likely be left empty.

Stuckey said that a few alternatives including charging the Minor Hockey rate at $68.00 per hour or a 25% reduction in the adult rate.

Council unanimously agreed to charge the team the same rate that Minor Hockey is charged for practice time.

Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission Membership and Services Agreement to be taken to Edmonton

The Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission Membership and Services Agreement has been in the making for many years.  "This is the document that outlines each of our roles and expectations in the transition from our present structure under an agreement into the new organization that will be the Emergency Services Commission," said Councillor Sahra Hancock.

In the document it outlines the partnership between the Town and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek.  The Commission is to be governed by a board of directors that will include two members of each council, and the CAO's of both will be advisers, but non-voting members.  The board will employ the Chief of Emergency Services.

Councillor Lorne Jackson said that the creation of the commission will allow for the commission itself to apply for funding through grants or loans as a separate entity from the Town or MD.

According to CAO Laurie Wilgosh the Town and MD jointly own property that will be transferred to the commission at market value.

"It's an important achievement," said Councillor Don Anderberg.  "It's going to be the first of it's kind in the Province.  Hopefully, it'll be the model for the Province."

Copies of the document are available online and at the Town Hall office.

The members of the Council voted unanimously to accept the terms and conditions of the Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission Establishment and Membership Agreement.  Council members also agreed to approve the travel expenditures for two members of the Town Council to deliver the agreement to Jamison Kissel of Alberta Municipal Affairs if required.  MD representatives would be going to the same meeting if the meeting is required.

Squash courts to be repaired after flooding

There was flooding in the squash courts located in the golf clubhouse building on June 22 due to a sump pump problem.  Members of the Council did move to repair the damages and considered weeping tile system to further protect the building from future problems.

One of the issues brought up was the future use of the court space.  Council has several options to consider, including fixing both courts back to a playable area, fixing one court and making alternate use for the remaining area or converting both courts to an alternate use, such as storage or party facility space.

It was agreed to repair the building and to talk to the schools about having students use the facilities.

Stardust Motel to be more appropriately zoned

Council gave first reading to to Bylaw 1547-S that will amend Bylaw 1547 from Manufactured/Mobile Home R2 designation to Highway Drive-in Commercial designation.  This property location is designated as Plan 1112158, Block 2, Lot 1 and has been in use as the Stardust Motel, a drive in commercial enterprise, for approximately 40 years.

The amendment passed first reading and administration is to schedule a public hearing on September 23..


Tax penalty bylaw 1395-13 passed first reading

Tax penalty bylaw 1395-13 passed first reading.  The purpose of this bylaw is to change the penalty date on unpaid current property taxes for August 1 to July 1.  If this passes third and final reading this new penalty date will come into effect for 2014.

Municipal Development Plan Bylaw #1518-13 passed first reading

Municipal Development Plan Bylaw #1518-13 passed first reading through Town Council on August 26, 2013.  The Municipal Government Act requires all municipalities with a population of 3,500 people or more to adopt a municipal development plan.

This document is designed to be a comprehensive planning document which will guide long range growth, change, and development within the community in an orderly and economic manner that follows the provisions outlined in the Municipal Government Act.

Some of the points within the document include the purpose of the plan, the physical setting of Pincher Creek, historical background, population and projections, economic activity, land use, municipal services and facilities, transportation, sour gas facilities, and services within the community including municipal, school, and environmental.

Administration is to schedule a public hearing on September 23.

Council accepted Oldman River Health Advisory Councils Annual Report

Oldman River Health Advisory Councils Annual Report 2012 - 2013 information was brought to the Town of Pincher Creek.  This Council represents municipalities in the southwestern region of Alberta including Lethbridge, Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, and Cardston.   was accepted as information unanimously by the members of the Council.

Winter Street Maintenance Policy 302-13-A accepted

Winter street maintenance in Pincher Creek undergoes an annual review.  Policy 302-13-A has been amended in part because of public concern of snow removal at the schools and school crosswalks.  The administration recognizes that during a major snowstorm all drivers want safe driving conditions and expect roads to be cleared in a timely fashion.  The  amendments to this policy identify  the priority of snow removal areas.

The revisions in this policy were unanimously accepted.

Related story:  Town Council Notes, February 11 meeting, 2013

Council supports 'Becoming a Community Builder' initiative

Becoming a Community Builder (BACB) is a program that has been created by philanthropist Ian Hill, the man behind the Let them be Kids program that helped in the creation of the playground developed at St. Michael's School.  BACB is a 15 week community leadership development program.

Pincher Creek has been chosen as one of seven Alberta communities to participate in the program.  For Pincher Creek to participate in BACB it will be required to raise $7,500 + GST to offset participation costs.

Members of the council agreed to support in principle this initiative, and make the Town of Pincher Creek logo available to the program.  They also agreed to provide a grant of up to $3,000 to help with the participation fee.

Anderberg to run for Mayor

Councillor Don Anderberg publicly announced that he was going to run for Mayor during the election to be held in October.

After the public meeting the council went in camera to discuss lease and sublet agreements and legal issues.