Pincher Creek Town Council notes from February 10, 2014 meeting

Toni Lucas

• Phil Rowland visits Pincher Creek's Town Council
• Nigel Whittington recognized by Pincher Creek Town Council for his service to the community
• Tony Walker explains the role of Community Futures 
• Town supports attempt to change designation for Lebel Mansion 
• A national dementia strategy is approved by Town Council
• Selected Skating Carnival arena fees waived
• Economic Development Committee presents recommendations
• RCMP and Town of Pincher Creek solidifying agreement
• Highway 3 concerns discussed
• Notes to be prepared and discussed regarding the SSRP 
• Town Council supports a regional Lethbridge Dispatch Center 

Council for the Town of Pincher Creek met on the evening of February 10, 2014.  In attendance were Mayor Don Anderberg and Councillors Adrian Hartman, Wayne Elliott, Mark Barber, Tammy Rubbelke, Lorne Jackson, and Doug Thornton. CAO Laurie Wilgosh was also in attendance.

Delegations

There were three delegations at the beginning of the council session, including two that have been the subject of earlier articles:

Phil Rowland visits Pincher Creek's Town Council

Macleod Riding Member of Parliament candidate Phil Rowland came as a delegation and introduced himself to Pincher Creek Town Council.

Nigel Whittington recognized by Pincher Creek Town Council for his service to the community

Town of Pincher Creek Bylaw Officer Nigel Whittington was presented with a plaque for his years of service to the Town of Pincher Creek. Whittington announced his retirement recently.

Tony Walker explains the role of Community Futures 

Community Futures Alberta Southwest General Manager Tony Walker came as a delegation to council. He passed out packages of information to all the councillors and explained the history and the role that not-for-profit Community Futures plays in the area. He spoke abut the structure of the organization, programs, the board of directors and business partnerships.

According to Walker this is a federally funded program that encourages Economic and business development. "We are an entrepreneurial development center.  We're actually created under Mulroney's Canada's job strategy, 22 years ago."

"One of the things I'm here to talk to you tonight about is the business improvement loans," Walker said. He explained that the organization previously offered interest free business loans up to $10,000.00 in the town of Cardston, with the interest paid by the municipality. He discussed the terms of the loan structure with council. "The municipality can help to decide what the loan is to be used for," said Walker.

Mayor Don Anderberg said that he would like to take the information to the Committee of the Whole. Walker thanked the council for their time.

Town supports attempt to change designation for Lebel Mansion

The Lebel Mansion located at 696 Kettles Street was designated as an Registered Historic Resource in 1976. Now the Town of Pincher Creek is attempting to change that designation to "Municipal Historic Resource". This will offer more meaningful protection of the structure and allow better access to funding if  approved. Council discussed the advertising of this to the public as a notice of intent. It was decided that it will be advertised for 60 days.

A national dementia strategy is approved by Town Council

The Council for the Town of Pincher Creek agreed to urge other levels of government to adopt a national dementia strategy. One of the goals is to make citizens more aware regarding the effects of dementia and Alzheimer disease.

Some Skating Carnival arena fees waived

Council waived the fees for the time it takes set up and take down decorations for the Pincher Creek Figure Skating Club's annual Carnival event that will take place on Saturday March 22 this year.  The Town will charge the club for the ice time needed for the performance itself the performance. This has been a long standing practice between the Town and the club.  Pincher Creek Skating Club is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. 

Economic Development Committee presents recommendations

Council reviewed and accepted to receive the long range work plan information from the Economic Development Committee (EDC). The EDC overarching goal is to "Help position Pincher Creek and District as a region that is recognized as a leader in working with individuals and businesses in converting their interests that are aligned with community goals, into investment actions.

Some of the recommendations include revitalizing Main Street, engaging businesses that have interests align with community goals, and support youth entrepreneurship. Council unanimously accepted to receive the information.

RCMP and Town of Pincher Creek solidifying agreement

The long standing Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Pincher Creek and RCMP expired on September 24, 2012. Council agreed to enter into a new agreement with RCMP K Division (Alberta’s Provincial Police Service) that will be dated February 10, 2014 and end March 31, 2018. The office of the Alberta Solicitor General requires all employers of peace officers to enter into a MOU with the police service of their jurisdiction.

The renewed MOU was accepted unanimously.

Highway 3 concerns discussed

Mayor Don Anderberg gave a verbal report about the progress of recent meetings about Highway 3. According to Anderberg, at the southwestern Alberta Mayors and Reeves meeting held in Lethbridge on Friday, February 7 an ad hoc committee was formed regarding Highway 3. The committee had the first meeting immediately after the Mayors and Reeves meeting and had MLA Pat Stier and Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs Greg Weadick attended the meeting. Issues that were discussed included safety and economic factors of the highway. "We are going to continue, we've got some real passionate people who have some real issues with the highway," said Anderberg. "There is broader support than just those who live on the highway."  Council agreed unanimously to allow either Mayor Don Anderberg or Councillor Mark Barber to attend these meetings.

Notes to be prepared and discussed regarding the SSRP

The Government of Alberta has extended the comment period of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) to February 28, 2014 from the initial deadline of January 15, 2014. Members of Council agreed to meet with notes ready on February 24 to discuss this issue. One of the issues brought up was the lack of enforcement with limited Fish and Wildlife officers in the area. Another was development having a proper water flow and drainage plan in place. Camping issues were also mentioned. It was decided that as many Town councillors as can attend a special meeting on February 19th at 6:30 pm are to have their reports individually ready to discuss and critique. From that point each individual can forward their own concerns as a citizen and one unified report could be made from the whole of these reports to be presented from Town of Pincher Creek.

Council supports a regional Lethbridge Dispatch Center

Council unanimously agreed to send a letter of support to the City of Lethbridge's  bid for a regional Emergency Services Dispatch center. Pincher Creek Emergency Services dispatch for fire and ambulance are currently operated through Lethbridge. According to Mayor Anderberg, Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman would like to see Lethbridge become the dispatch for the southwestern Alberta region. Councillor Doug Thornton recommended the wording of that letter of support be careful to express that the Town of Pincher Creek was not speaking on behalf of any other community.

Many at the meeting agreed with Anderberg when he said, "The closer, the better. The person on the other end of the phone may come out here once in a while."

Report notes

Councillor Doug Thornton reported that he was led to understand that the funds granted by the government of Alberta to St. Michael's School for modernization is "to be in excess of 10 million dollars."   Related story:  Modernization plan for St. Michael's School announced.

Councillor Wayne Elliott said he made time during Literacy Week to read to children in the local daycare.

Mayor Don Anderberg reported that the Winter Games Bid Committee came from Lethbridge on Thursday, February 6, to tour the area.

After the regular meeting council met in camera to discuss several issues including Economic Development Committee appointments, Municipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (MSDAB) member at large appointment, Highway 507 access engineering plan, and a letter of support for Crestview Lodge.