Mayor Thomas Tarpey, Deputy Mayor Elaine Manzer, Councillors Tanin Behnke, Terry Sawchuk, Orren Ford, Rod Burr, Cohn Needham

Transcription

1 PRESENT: REGRETS: STAFF PRESENT: Mayor Thomas Tarpey, Deputy Mayor Elaine Manzer, Councillors Tanin Behnke, Terry Sawchuk, Orren Ford, Rod Burr, Cohn Needham Kelly Bunn, CAO Anna Aleksov, Executive Assistant CALLTO ORDER Mayor Tarpey called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 1. Additions: VIII NEW BUSINESS 8.6 Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce - Sponsorship Request 2. Deletions: MOTION Deputy Mayor Manzer moved to accept the Agenda of the December 8, 2014 Regular Meeting of Council as amended. III ADOPTION OF MINUTES 1. Minutes of the December 1, 2014 Special Meeting of Council MOTION Councillor Needham moved to accept the Minutes of the December 1, 2014 Special Meeting of Council as presented. 2. Minutes of the December 1, 2014 Regular Meeting of Council 1

2 MOTION Councjllor Behnke moved that words moved to be added to MOTION and Minutes of the December 1, 2014 Regular Meeting of Council be accepted as amended. 3. Minutes of the December 3, 2014 Special Meeting of Council MOTION Councillor Burr moved to accept the Minutes of the December 3, 2014 Special Meeting of Council as presented. IV PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. None V PRESENTATIONS 1. Daycare Jeannette Danks, President, Peace River Child Care Association, provided Council and public with an update on progress made in regard to rebuilding of Sugar Plum Tree Day Care Centre. 2. Alberta Health Services Trevor Maslyk, Executive Director, Alberta Health Services, provided Council and public with statistics information in regard to response times and medical co-response currently offered by the Peace River Fire Department. 3. Lac Cardinal Regional Economic Development Albert Cooper, Chair, Lac Cardinal Regional Economic Development Board, discussed the role of LCREDB as it pertains to economic development in Peace River. Mayor Tarpey recessed the meeting at 6:37 pm. Mayor Tarpey reconvened the meeting at 6:54 pm. 2

3 VI BYLAWS 1. Proposed Off-Site Levy Bylaw Amendment - Bylaw 1952 (1st reading) The proposed Off-Site Levy Bylaw updates Schedule A, The Off-Site Levy Areas, and Schedule B, The Off-Site Levy Rates, increasing the off-site levy rate collected by the Town of Peace River to ensure that funds are available to put the needed infrastructure in place to accommodate future growth. MOTION Councillor Needham moved to provide first reading to Bylaw 1952 to amend the Off-Site Levy Bylaw 1851 and further to direct Administration to begin the consultation process with an Open House to be held at a date where, presumably, the Corvex representative is available, perhaps on January 22, VII UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Adoption of Council Strategic Plan (Tabled at the October 14, 2014 Regular Council Meeting, MOTION ) Council is required to adopt the Draft Council Strategic Plan. MOTION Councillor Burr moved to table the Adoption of Council Strategic Plan until early next year, Downtown Revitalization Strategy Council is required to provide direction with respect to a business revitalization strategy for the Downtown area, based on two strategic initiatives identified by Council as part of their strategic Plan, A Path for Success: Town of Peace River s Strategic Plan. Councillor Behnke moved to direct Administration to draft a bylaw addressing tax incentives tailored to Downtown revitalization as it pertains 3

4 MOTION to multi-family housing and vacant buildings for the development of mixed use and commercial use. VIII NEW BUSINESS 1. Emergency Purchase of Pump for Lift Station 3 Engineering is requesting an increase in 2015 Operating Budget ( ) for the amount of $30, to accommodate the emergency purchase of a Lift Station Pump. MOTION Deputy Mayor Manzer moved to increase the 2015 Operating Budget by $30, in account to accommodate the emergency pump replacement in Lift Request for Tax Penalty Waiver Town of Peace River has received a request from a ratepayer to waive tax arrears penalties on three properties. MOTION Councillor Behnke moved to deny the request for the waiver of the penalties for tax roll numbers , , and Dance Society - Letter of Support The Peace Region Dance Society is requesting a letter of support from the Town of Peace River, in support of their grant application to the Community Initiative Program. MOTION Councillor Behnke moved to direct Administration to provide a letter of support to the Peace Region Dance Society to support their application to the Community Initiatives Program. 4

5 Year in Review Newsletter Peace River Town Council is requested to provide approval of the format and timeline for the 2014 Year in Review newsletter. MOTION Councillor Behnke moved to enable Administration to solicit proposals for a contractor to prepare the newsletter for the 2014 Year in Review with a format that is shorter and a little more precise. 5. Carnaval de St. Isidore - Invitation Mayor Tarpey is invited to attend the 33rd Annual St. Isidore Carnaval. MOTION Deputy Mayor Manzer moved to enable the Mayor or designate to attend the 33rd Annual St. Isidore Carnaval on February 13-15, 2015 at the St. Isidore Cultural Center. 6. Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce - Sponsorship Request Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce is in the process of planning the annual Davis Business Award Show, which will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015, and requests the Town of Peace River to sponsor one of two categories, the Customer Service Excellence Award or Industry Leadership Award. MOTION Councillor Behnke moved to provide a $500 sponsorship to Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce for the annual Davis Business Award Show, in the category of Customer Service Excellence Reward. X COUNCILLOR REPORTS COUNCILLOR REPORTS was brought forward. 1. The following meetings will/have taken place: Mayor Tarpey attended the Northern Alberta Water and Wastewater Stakeholder Group meeting. 5

6 Councillor Sawchuk will be attending the annual joint Municipal Planning Commission and Subdivision Development Board Committee supper, as well as the Lac Cardinal Economic Development Board meeting. Councillor Behnke attended the Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce Luncheon meeting. Councillor Behnke has a Hospital Committee meeting coming up and will also be attending the annual joint Municipal Planning Commission and Subdivision Development Board Committee supper. Councillor Behnke continues to work on creating the Physicians Recruitment Committee and is currently in the process of meeting with the surrounding municipalities gathering ideas and suggestions. Deputy Mayor Manzer will be attending the Watershed meeting as well as the Northern Alberta Elected Leaders meeting. Councillor Needham will be attending the North Peace Housing meeting. Councillor Burr will be attending the Peace Regional Waste Management meeting. Councillor Ford will meeting. be attending the Community Services Board All members of Council will be attending the joint supper meeting with the Northern Sunrise County where the two Councils will share information on 2015 work plans and work plan priorities. Council will be hosting the 2014 Town of Peace River Open House at the Peace River Museum. All Council members, with the exception of Councillor Ford, will be attending the Regional Arena meeting. Council will be attending the Northern Sunrise County Open House on December 16th, 2014, followed by Special Meeting of Council at 6:30 pm. 6

7 IX REPORTS 1. Cheque Register to: 1. December 3, 2014 MOTION Councillor Ford moved to accept the Cheque Register to December 3, 2014 for information. X COUNCILLOR REPORTS COUNCILLOR REPORTS was viewed earlier in the meeting. XI IN FORMATION 1. Monthly Reports: 1. Community Services 2. Corporate Services 3. Engineering & Infrastructure 4. Protective Services 2. Letter of Response - Peace No. 135 Subdivision of Pt. NW W5M in MD of 3. CASA - Clean Air Strategic Alliance Annual Report 4. Brownlee - Emerging Trends in Municipal Law Peace Library System - Board Meeting Highlights November 29, Chris Warkentin - News Release: Warkentin Congratulates Woodland Cree First Nation on Water System Improvements 7. Chris Warkentin - News Release: Warkentin Pays Tribute to Generosity of the Peace Country 8. Substance Abuse in the Workplace Conference 9. Primary Care Connection - Newsletter: November

8 10. Statistics Canada - Guide for Data Users 11. The Make Peace Foundation - Thank 12. Snow Removal - Update You 13. Garbage Collection and Recycling Program MOTION Councillor Burr moved to accept XI INFORMATION, items 11.1 through for information. MOTION Councillor Needham moved to direct Administration to find a suitable date in February, 2015 or March, 2015 to bring back the Garbage Collection and Recycling item as the focus of the Priorities and Governance Committee meeting. XIV KEY COMMUNICATION ITEMS KEY COMMUNICATION ITEMS was brought forward. 1. Successes and Opportunities for Improvement: Council received a presentation by the Peace River Child Care Association (PRCCA). The presentation was centered on the progress they are making with the rebuild of the Sugar Plum Tree Day Care Centre that was lost tragically in a fire last spring. Jeannette Danks, President of PRCCA provided an update to council regarding the first draft of concept plans for the new facility as well as where they stand financially. There were a few asks made of Council that Council will be reviewing and responding to as soon as possible. PRCCA will be paying back the debenture in full to the Town in the amount of $ Previously this debenture had been deferred to three payments in 2015, 2016, 2017 but PRCCA has the monies and is looking to pay that back in full. PRCCA has presented the Town to consider the following asks : 1) PRCCA is asking for additional land to be provided to them on an $1/annum lease agreement to allow for the increase in size of the facility as well as accommodating the green space play area they are required to have 2) they have requested the Town donate $55, towards the rebuild 3) inquired about the Town and NSC considering a contribution from the Joint Capital Fund towards the 8

9 ii MINUTES OF THE PEACE RIVER TOWN REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD rebuild in the amount of $250,000. These funds would be used to leverage against other possible Provincial grants. 4) PRCCA has requested Peace River Town Council to consider possibly providing a loan to them in the amount of $500,000 in the event they are unable to meet their fundraising goal of $2.5 million. Council accepted the presentation and will be discussing the ability and scale of commitment the Town can make. Council has been continually impressed with the organization s commitment and the strides they have made over the past 18 months. For further information please contact Jeannette Danks, President, prccaboard@gmail.com or Councillor Tanin Itanin.behnke@gmail.com. The second presentation of the night was brought to us by Alberta Health Services in regards to response times and medical co-response currently being offered by the Peace River Fire Department. Council is in the process of reviewing medical co-response and deciding if it is a need that the Town should provide or if it is best left to Alberta Health Services. Alberta Health Services indicated that the relocation of the new emergency hall to the West hill will likely improve response times by up to 3 minutes. For further information please contact Councillor Orren ofordcouncil@gmail.com. The third presentation of the evening was provided by Lac Cardinal Regional Economic Development Board. The Board Chair, Albert Cooper, was on hand to discuss the role of LCREDB as it pertains to economic development in Peace River, specifically relating to the current contract the Town holds with LCREDB, as well as the ongoing decision Council needs to make as to whether or not to extend the contract or hire a dedicated Economic Development Officer in the Town Administration. Mr. Cooper reviewed the format of the Committee which is comprised of four (4) members of Council (one (1) from each represented municipality), members from each respective Chambers of Commerce, and members from public-at-large specific to areas in which the Board requires expertise. The priorities of the Board are set by the direction of each Council member as well as Chamber of Commerce representative and work plans are put in place. Ideally, they focus on 2-3 projects per community at any one time to ensure appropriate time is dedicated to the projects. They outlined projects currently in the works for Peace River and those projects are 1) a multi family housing project for the down town core, 1 developer is interested and will be in town on Wednesday Dec 10th to tour potential sites 2) An increase in retail specifically highway developments similar to the Slave Lake retail section and South Common...contact has been made and both developers are collecting 9

10 information on available lands...further discussions are ongoing 3) Regional relationships working on the development of the land between the Town of Peace River and the Airport 4) A land inventory list is being compiled of all infill lots currently available within the town of Peace River that would allow for immediate development. This inventory is passed out to those who inquire and look to develop within the Town. For further information please contact Councillor Terry o Council had first reading of the proposed amendment to the Offsite Levy Bylaw. The Bylaw will now be advertised and will be open to public input and consultation. An open house will be hosted in the New Year where Administration, Council and the Consultant, who provided the review of the bylaw, will be on hand to discuss the proposed amendments and the impacts this will have. We encourage those interested to download the information from the Council agenda package from the Dec 8th meeting, review the report and provide comments and feedback to best assist Council in this decision. Please watch for more information on this in the New Year. For further information please contact Councillor Terry Council in its draft strategic plan has an emphasis on the revitalization of the Downtown core. At last night s meeting a motion was passed directing administration to draft a Bylaw that relates to tax incentives for those interested in the development of multi- family units, mixed use developments (residential and commercial/retail), commercial developments and those looking to inhabit currently vacant commercial buildings. The idea is to stimulate interest in the downtown core. For further information please contact Councillor Tanin Council passed a motion to provide a letter of support to the Peace Region Dance Society to be included in their grant application for the Community Initiatives Program to help offset their operational expenses. Council wishes the Society the best of luck in their application! o Additionally Council passed a motion approving a donation to the Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the Davis Award for Customer Service Excellence. The Davis Awards are slated to take place Saturday January 17,

11 2. Current Areas of Focus: Ongoing planning for the arena if you re interested in getting involved please contact Councillor Behnke ( , or Councillor Sawchuk ( ) for more information. Council continues the process of budgeting for the 2015 fiscal year. Tuesday December 16, 2014 Budget Meeting will focus on a review of the budget process to date. It will encompass all changes and updates made over the past few months to provide a current overview of where both the operational and capital budgets sit and what changes may still be required. The meeting will take place in Council chambers at 6:30 pm. 3. Notes and Reminders: The Town of Peace River will be hosting a Christmas Open House at the Museum on Dec 10th from 5 pm-8 pm. Please join us, tour the museum and visit with staff & Council! For more information please contact Anna Aleksov, Executive Assistant to the CAO and Council at On Dec 13th there is a Community Service of Remembrance for those working to process through the pain of the loss of a loved one. This event will take place at Athabasca Hall from 2 pm - 3:30 pm. Also on Dec 13th is the Christmas Farmers Market at Al Adair Rec Centre from 11 am to 3 pm. Dec 14th please join the Peace River Community Choir, School Choirs, Church Choirs and the Pax Recorder Consort for a Choral Christmas Sing Along. This event takes place at the Catholic Church starting at 3 pm. Donations to the Salvation Army or the Food Bank are appreciated! Dec 15th there is an Alberta Government Presentation on the new Canada-Alberta Job Grant. Learn all about it and how it is designed to help employers attract, train and retain the workers they need to be successful! Takes place in the Northern Lights Room in Manning from 11 am i pm. 4. Welcome/Kudos: Council would like to pass on our sincere Thanks to the staff in Public Works for the efficient snow removal of the last several days. 11

12 We d also like to remind people that in order to continue to be efficient in these efforts to please watch for snow removal signs and assist by ensuring cars are not parked on the streets during snow removal periods! The Town administration has had contact from 4 municipalities inquiring as to our snow removal methods as they have received feedback from their own residents wondering how the TPR does it so effectively! Again, our thanks and KUDOS to the staff who worked so efficiently! XII NOTICE OF MOTION 1. Gravel Road and Alley Policy Councillor Burr moves that Administration develop a Gravel Road and Alley Policy for the improved maintenance of the Town s graveled roads and alleys. 2. Amendments or a Replacement for the Procedural Bylaw 1841 Counçillor Burr moves that Administration develop amendments or a replacement for the Procedural Bylaw. 3. Pat s Creek Councillor Burr moves that Administration provide a written report on why the information requested by Council regarding the Pat s Creek event have not been provided. Mayor Tarpey recessed the meeting at 9:06 pm. Mayor Tarpey reconvened the meeting at 9:15 pm. MOTION Councillor Ford moved that the meeting go in camera at 9:15 pm. XIII IN CAMERA 1. Personnel (2) 12

13 2. Legal (1) MOTION Councillor Needham moved that the meeting go out of camera at 10:29 pm. MOTION Councillor Burr moved to enable the Mayor to enter into a contract with Bill Holtby to facilitate a performance review of the CAO. MOTION Councillor Ford moved to enable Mayor and Deputy Mayor to seek legal advice regarding potential matters raised by the Municipal Inspection Report by George Cuff. XII KEY COMMUNICATION ITEMS KEY COMMUNICATION ITEMS was viewed earlier in the meeting. XIII ADJOURNMENT MOTION Councillor Sawchuk moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting of Council at 10:31 pm. Thomas Tarpey, Mayor / Kelly CAO 13