- McMan association asks to be considered to run Food Bank
- Macleod riding Conservative candidate John Barlow addresses Council
- Citizens On Patrol updates council
- Municipal Emergency Plan discussed
- Community Futures loans program to receive $5,000
- Town to cover Elected Officials Dinner costs
- Mill rate bylaw adjustment passes second and third reading
- EDC invites participation from MD and Piikani councils
- Councillor Thornton reports on Lethbridge College convocation and expansion
Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice
Council for the Town of Pincher Creek met on the evening of Monday, April 28, 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 and CFO Wendy Catonio were also in attendance.
McMan association asks to be considered to run Food Bank
The first presentation to council was from McMan Youth Family and Community Services Association
representatives David Strong and Anne Gover, with other McMan members also present and available to answer questions. Currently the Napi Friendship Centre runs the Pincher Creek Food Bank. McMan has been working with Napi to see if McMan could take over the running of the Food Bank.
Currently the McMan Agency Rural Program is coming to the end of a three year term in Pincher Creek. They currently offer support for a variety of social needs in the community. They run a support group for parents of special needs children, they operate the southwest Alberta Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Service Network, and they complement the Food Bank's efforts with a Wednesday drop in lunch. The two agencies have some crossover clients at this point in time.
The local McMan branch would like to put a proposal forward within their own association to take over the operation of the Food Bank. According to the presenters This would keep the services of McMan in the area, and would benefit the food bank by leveraging McMan's leadership, additional partnerships and fundraising, and administration skills. Towards this end McMan requested a letter of support from the Town.
"We want to show her (Southern Alberta McMan Executive Director Chris Christie) that there is continued support for the food bank," explained Gover. "We've got Napi on board, they support it. If we can make the case with your help, we think the Food Bank is a good thing and we want to see it in our community." Gover believes that it would take $60,000.00 to run the food bank for one year.
"It would be nice to have it stable, so we don't have the same issues year after year," said Councillor Wayne Elliott.
Macleod riding Conservative candidate John Barlow addresses Council
Macleod riding Conservative Candidate John Barlow appeared before council. "November, your MP Ted Menzies retired, forcing a by-election in May," explained Barlow. "We are probably looking at a mid-June election. We should know in the next week or two what exactly is transpiring."
Barlow told council he would like to support communities that access the Building Canada Program, and see the P3 Program funds become more accessible to small communities. "There's 1.25 billion dollars there for municipalities to access," he said about the P3 Program. "The paperwork is just too onerous. We have to find a way that communities in my riding can access that funding." He also said he would like to see flood mitigation continue.
He answered questions about electoral boundary adjustments, and how it will affect voting and elections in the area. He said that Vulcan will be part of an area that called Bow River while Pincher Creek and area will be in Foothills. "For the most part, that's all that's going to change, we'll lose Vulcan, and a bit of the north." Whoever is voted in for Macleod will become the MP for the Foothills electoral district. "We will have to do an election for Bow River, which would happen about a year from now."
Related story: An interview with Macleod riding hopeful John Barlow
Citizens On Patrol updates council
Citizens on Patrol (COP) Representatives George and Robyn Dowson appeared before Town Council. George is on the Board of Directors for Alberta COP, and Robyn is the President of the Pincher Creek and Area COP. Robyn said that after a rash of vandalism in 2010 in Lundbreck, Officer Doug Sokolowski invited interested people in the area to start a group in Lundbreck, or join Pincher Creek's COP group. "Now we are one of the largest groups in Alberta," said Robyn.
The group currently covers the areas of Pincher Creek, Cowley, Lundbreck, the Snake Trail, Twin Butte, Beaver Mines and Beauvais Lake.
"Constable Doug has worked tirelessly for our group, and in September of last year, I nominated him for Liaison of the Year Award offered by Citizens on Patrol. Lo and behold, he won."
The group consists of concerned citizens that patrol specified, usually rural areas. they look for suspicious or unusual activity and report back to the RCMP. They check the doors of businesses in industrial area of Pincher Creek leaving cards that explain who the group is, and why they were there. The public can let the group know when they are going on vacation and the group will add that property to places that they check until the owners return. They assist in seat belt drives and other RCMP public awareness sessions. Robyn said that the group will also be acting as additional parking and security help during the RCMP Musical Ride and RCMP Ball later this year.
Fuel for the volunteers vehicles is currently the largest expense for the local COP. They also invest in safety equipment for the use of the members that are kept in cases at specific locations. The cases contain flashlights, safety vests, binoculars, and camera equipment. "Basically gas for the patrollers and equipment for the cases are our greatest expenditures," said Robyn.
The Alberta COP AGM is being held in Pincher Creek on September 19, 2014 will attract over 150 people to the area. At an earlier meeting of Town Council it was decided for the Town of Pincher Creek would match the MD contribution to the AGM, including 150 pins to give to the attendees. These contributions were given to the Dowsons during their time in chambers.
Due to health issues and changes in the local group the local COP missed the application date for joint funding for 2014. Mayor Don Anderberg invited the group to apply for future joint funding in June.
Related story: Pincher Creek Town and MD councils grant a combined $3000 toward Alberta Citizens on Patrol AGM
Municipal Emergency Plan discussed
Pincher Creek Director of Emergency Management Chief Dave Cox and Deputy Chief of Emergency Services Pat Neumann appeared before council to discuss the Municipal Emergency Plan. "We have a list of the changes with us tonight, so we can address those," said Cox.
The plan covers the MD of Pincher Creek, the Town of Pincher Creek and the Village of Cowley.
"I think we got really lucky that Brett Wuth was available when we wrote the plan. He created a plan that has set a standard throughout the Province,' said Cox. "Our plan, maybe, is a bit cumbersome to read," he said while holding a thick binder.
The plan covers in detail a variety of emergency situations such as wildfire, hazardous material spills, and floods. "There is a lot of repetition in the book, but the idea is that anyone could pick up the manual, flip it to, say, the flood section, and everything they need to read to do a flood response is there," said Cox. "When you're doing an operation, your not flipping through the book trying to find reference material."
Cox said that partners in the program currently include Emergency Services, Public Health, RCMP, an MD Council member, Alberta Parks, and he said the Town of Pincher Creek is welcome to the send a representative to the quarterly meetings.
Citizens On Patrol updates council
Citizens on Patrol (COP) Representatives George and Robyn Dowson appeared before Town Council. George is on the Board of Directors for Alberta COP, and Robyn is the President of the Pincher Creek and Area COP. Robyn said that after a rash of vandalism in 2010 in Lundbreck, Officer Doug Sokolowski invited interested people in the area to start a group in Lundbreck, or join Pincher Creek's COP group. "Now we are one of the largest groups in Alberta," said Robyn.
The group currently covers the areas of Pincher Creek, Cowley, Lundbreck, the Snake Trail, Twin Butte, Beaver Mines and Beauvais Lake.
"Constable Doug has worked tirelessly for our group, and in September of last year, I nominated him for Liaison of the Year Award offered by Citizens on Patrol. Lo and behold, he won."
The group consists of concerned citizens that patrol specified, usually rural areas. they look for suspicious or unusual activity and report back to the RCMP. They check the doors of businesses in industrial area of Pincher Creek leaving cards that explain who the group is, and why they were there. The public can let the group know when they are going on vacation and the group will add that property to places that they check until the owners return. They assist in seat belt drives and other RCMP public awareness sessions. Robyn said that the group will also be acting as additional parking and security help during the RCMP Musical Ride and RCMP Ball later this year.
Fuel for the volunteers vehicles is currently the largest expense for the local COP. They also invest in safety equipment for the use of the members that are kept in cases at specific locations. The cases contain flashlights, safety vests, binoculars, and camera equipment. "Basically gas for the patrollers and equipment for the cases are our greatest expenditures," said Robyn.
The Alberta COP AGM is being held in Pincher Creek on September 19, 2014 will attract over 150 people to the area. At an earlier meeting of Town Council it was decided for the Town of Pincher Creek would match the MD contribution to the AGM, including 150 pins to give to the attendees. These contributions were given to the Dowsons during their time in chambers.
Due to health issues and changes in the local group the local COP missed the application date for joint funding for 2014. Mayor Don Anderberg invited the group to apply for future joint funding in June.
Related story: Pincher Creek Town and MD councils grant a combined $3000 toward Alberta Citizens on Patrol AGM
Municipal Emergency Plan discussed
Pincher Creek Director of Emergency Management Chief Dave Cox and Deputy Chief of Emergency Services Pat Neumann appeared before council to discuss the Municipal Emergency Plan. "We have a list of the changes with us tonight, so we can address those," said Cox.
The plan covers the MD of Pincher Creek, the Town of Pincher Creek and the Village of Cowley.
"I think we got really lucky that Brett Wuth was available when we wrote the plan. He created a plan that has set a standard throughout the Province,' said Cox. "Our plan, maybe, is a bit cumbersome to read," he said while holding a thick binder.
The plan covers in detail a variety of emergency situations such as wildfire, hazardous material spills, and floods. "There is a lot of repetition in the book, but the idea is that anyone could pick up the manual, flip it to, say, the flood section, and everything they need to read to do a flood response is there," said Cox. "When you're doing an operation, your not flipping through the book trying to find reference material."
Cox said that partners in the program currently include Emergency Services, Public Health, RCMP, an MD Council member, Alberta Parks, and he said the Town of Pincher Creek is welcome to the send a representative to the quarterly meetings.
Cox and Neumann talked about the Classes of activation:
One of the big changes is the expansion of Disaster Social Services during one of these events. Cox has been working with local churches to make sure that this area of care is covered during an emergency. "We are starting to flesh out that part of the plan, which has been a very weak part of the plan," said Neumann. "It will take some of the pressure off of administrative staff."
Another change is that the Director of Emergency Management (DEM) and Emergency Command Center (ECC) Director became two distinct positions. "So in doing that, the Director of Emergency Management is still left as the communication point between the Councils, and the EAC (Emergency Agency Commission), and also between there and the ECC," said Neumann.
Two of the ways they are looking at to reduce to volume of the document is to make the pages double sided and create a reference area for non-critical information that is pertinent to the Agency but not necessary during an emergency.
Cox talked about Incident Command System (ICS) management structure, terminology, roles, responsibilities, and training. "The only way we are going to stay current and understand the roles and responsibilities is through training," said Cox. "We're certainly not going to get it through experience."
Neumann told the council that Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4- May 10, and invited members to come on Friday, May 9 to meet the different agencies that will be sharing information at the Pincher Creek event, which will be located between 7-11 and the Provincial building from 10:00 am until 2 pm. Neumann said that representatives will be present from Pincher Creek Emergency Services, Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Piikani Fire Services. There will be food available. "It was very well attended by the public last year."
After Cox and Neumann made their presentations council accepted the information regarding the 2014 amendments to the Municipal Emergency Plan (MEP) as presented, and recommended that the MEP be amended to reflect that the present Director of Emergency Management has been appointed 'Acting Director' and that the position of Deputy Director has not yet been appointed.
- Day to day alertness - "We're ready, but nothing is going on," said Neumann.
- Monitoring - There is awareness that a situation could happen (examples would be a wildfire to the west of Pincher Creek area that could spread, or heavy rains raising water.)
- Activated - Crews are working with an emergency
- Full Event
One of the big changes is the expansion of Disaster Social Services during one of these events. Cox has been working with local churches to make sure that this area of care is covered during an emergency. "We are starting to flesh out that part of the plan, which has been a very weak part of the plan," said Neumann. "It will take some of the pressure off of administrative staff."
Another change is that the Director of Emergency Management (DEM) and Emergency Command Center (ECC) Director became two distinct positions. "So in doing that, the Director of Emergency Management is still left as the communication point between the Councils, and the EAC (Emergency Agency Commission), and also between there and the ECC," said Neumann.
Two of the ways they are looking at to reduce to volume of the document is to make the pages double sided and create a reference area for non-critical information that is pertinent to the Agency but not necessary during an emergency.
Cox talked about Incident Command System (ICS) management structure, terminology, roles, responsibilities, and training. "The only way we are going to stay current and understand the roles and responsibilities is through training," said Cox. "We're certainly not going to get it through experience."
Neumann told the council that Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4- May 10, and invited members to come on Friday, May 9 to meet the different agencies that will be sharing information at the Pincher Creek event, which will be located between 7-11 and the Provincial building from 10:00 am until 2 pm. Neumann said that representatives will be present from Pincher Creek Emergency Services, Salvation Army, Red Cross, and Piikani Fire Services. There will be food available. "It was very well attended by the public last year."
After Cox and Neumann made their presentations council accepted the information regarding the 2014 amendments to the Municipal Emergency Plan (MEP) as presented, and recommended that the MEP be amended to reflect that the present Director of Emergency Management has been appointed 'Acting Director' and that the position of Deputy Director has not yet been appointed.
Community Futures loans program to receive $5,000
Council unanimously agreed to approve the Community Futures Alberta Southwest Business Improvement Loans Program, granting it $5,000 for one year. Community Futures offer interest free loans up to $10,000 to businesses with the interest paid by the Town of Pincher Creek at a rate of Prime plus 3%.The loans are for eligible interior and exterior improvements and is open to businesses licensed in the Town of Pincher Creek.
Town to cover Elected Officials Dinner costs
Town of Pincher Creek voted unanimously to pay for the cost of the 2014 Elected Officials Meeting dinner scheduled for September 11, 2014, to be hosted by the Town of Pincher Creek this year. Participating districts and municipalities take turns hosting a regional Elected Officials Meeting. Participating partners include the Regional District of East Kootenay, the District of Elkford, the District of Sparwood, the City of Fernie, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, the Municipal District of Pincher Creek, and the Town of Pincher Creek.
The event is to be held at the Heritage Inn and Councillor Doug Thornton said that he believed that a guest speaker will be provided courtesy of the Crown of the Continent and Alberta Southwest. CAO's and elected officials are invited to the function. Mayor Anderberg believes that at the last 6 or 7 people attended the last Elected Officials dinner.
Mill rate bylaw adjustment passes second and third reading
Council gave second and third reading to Mill Rate Bylaw 1615-15. It passed first reading on April 14, 2014. At that time CFO Wendy Catonio projected the mill rate increase was to be 2%. Between first and second reading there were a number of adjustments made.
"What happened with the new software, I didn't have the exact breakdown between the public school and the separate school," explained CFO Wendy Catonio. "It didn't end up being any change in the mill rates, we still need to collect the same overall amount of dollars, it's just the amount we were collecting for the public, and the amount we were collecting for the separate." Catonio said that she knew that it had to go through three readings, so it would have the time to get adjusted. "I didn't think I would have quite this many changes. The overall total is the same, it's just the breakdown so people can see how many dollars are being collected."
Related story: Pincher Creek Town Council notes from April 14, 2014 meeting
EDC invites participation from MD and Piikani councils
Town Council members unanimously voted to formally invite a representative from the MD of Pincher Creek and a representative from the Piikani Band Council to serve on the Economic Development Committee (EDC) in an advisory capacity. "The wish is to get all the players to the table," said Councillor Adrian Hartman, who is currently on the EDC Board. "The MD and Piikani are noticeably absent and are a big partner of ours. We would like to have their representation, their voice."
Plans for Huddlestun improvements moving forward
The Huddlestun Senior Centre applied for and received a grant money for renovations and improvements. Some of the renovations are to make the building more handi-accessible, and for new flooring and paint. The Town owns the building. Council unanimously agreed to allow the improvements to take place. Councillor Tammy Rubbelke said "It will really brighten it up." Wilgosh added that "In their eagerness" the project is already underway.
Councillor Thornton added that on April 24th "The Premier was there, with a backhoe moving the first dirt for a three football-field size trades and technologies centre."
"It's a 65 million dollar project and replaces a building that was originally built in 1962. The first shovel was moved by Premier Hancock, with a backhoe."
According to a Lethbridge College press release:
Council unanimously agreed to approve the Community Futures Alberta Southwest Business Improvement Loans Program, granting it $5,000 for one year. Community Futures offer interest free loans up to $10,000 to businesses with the interest paid by the Town of Pincher Creek at a rate of Prime plus 3%.The loans are for eligible interior and exterior improvements and is open to businesses licensed in the Town of Pincher Creek.
Town to cover Elected Officials Dinner costs
Town of Pincher Creek voted unanimously to pay for the cost of the 2014 Elected Officials Meeting dinner scheduled for September 11, 2014, to be hosted by the Town of Pincher Creek this year. Participating districts and municipalities take turns hosting a regional Elected Officials Meeting. Participating partners include the Regional District of East Kootenay, the District of Elkford, the District of Sparwood, the City of Fernie, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, the Municipal District of Pincher Creek, and the Town of Pincher Creek.
The event is to be held at the Heritage Inn and Councillor Doug Thornton said that he believed that a guest speaker will be provided courtesy of the Crown of the Continent and Alberta Southwest. CAO's and elected officials are invited to the function. Mayor Anderberg believes that at the last 6 or 7 people attended the last Elected Officials dinner.
Mill rate bylaw adjustment passes second and third reading
Council gave second and third reading to Mill Rate Bylaw 1615-15. It passed first reading on April 14, 2014. At that time CFO Wendy Catonio projected the mill rate increase was to be 2%. Between first and second reading there were a number of adjustments made.
"What happened with the new software, I didn't have the exact breakdown between the public school and the separate school," explained CFO Wendy Catonio. "It didn't end up being any change in the mill rates, we still need to collect the same overall amount of dollars, it's just the amount we were collecting for the public, and the amount we were collecting for the separate." Catonio said that she knew that it had to go through three readings, so it would have the time to get adjusted. "I didn't think I would have quite this many changes. The overall total is the same, it's just the breakdown so people can see how many dollars are being collected."
Related story: Pincher Creek Town Council notes from April 14, 2014 meeting
EDC invites participation from MD and Piikani councils
Town Council members unanimously voted to formally invite a representative from the MD of Pincher Creek and a representative from the Piikani Band Council to serve on the Economic Development Committee (EDC) in an advisory capacity. "The wish is to get all the players to the table," said Councillor Adrian Hartman, who is currently on the EDC Board. "The MD and Piikani are noticeably absent and are a big partner of ours. We would like to have their representation, their voice."
Plans for Huddlestun improvements moving forward
The Huddlestun Senior Centre applied for and received a grant money for renovations and improvements. Some of the renovations are to make the building more handi-accessible, and for new flooring and paint. The Town owns the building. Council unanimously agreed to allow the improvements to take place. Councillor Tammy Rubbelke said "It will really brighten it up." Wilgosh added that "In their eagerness" the project is already underway.
Councillor Thornton reports on Lethbridge College convocation and expansion
Councillor Doug Thornton said he attended Lethbridge College's convocation on April 25. "I have to tell you how proud I am that Lethbridge College is here, available to our citizens. There were several young people (from Pincher Creek) that graduated there with various degrees and diplomas, and several in the apprenticeship program that were there."
Councillor Doug Thornton said he attended Lethbridge College's convocation on April 25. "I have to tell you how proud I am that Lethbridge College is here, available to our citizens. There were several young people (from Pincher Creek) that graduated there with various degrees and diplomas, and several in the apprenticeship program that were there."
Councillor Thornton added that on April 24th "The Premier was there, with a backhoe moving the first dirt for a three football-field size trades and technologies centre."
"It's a 65 million dollar project and replaces a building that was originally built in 1962. The first shovel was moved by Premier Hancock, with a backhoe."
According to a Lethbridge College press release:
"The new facility will measure more than 15,000 square metres, providing nearly three football fields’ worth of space. It will accommodate an additional 880 students, increasing overall capacity to 2,300 students who will get hands-on experience in skilled trades, as well as in existing and emerging technologies."
"The new trades and technologies facility will house skilled apprentices in electrical, welding, agriculture equipment, automotive service, parts, and heavy equipment as well as students studying to work as technicians and technologists in wind turbine technology, engineering design, interior design, geomatics, and civil engineering. All of these fields are linked to careers that are in high demand in the region, province and country."
Thornton is a former board chair of Lethbridge College.
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