Town Council notes June 11, 3012

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

On June 11, 2012 Pincher Creek's Town Council met.  In attendance were Mayor Ernie Olsen, Councillors Don Anderberg, Lorne Jackson, Roy Smyth, Murray Lauder, with Wayne Oliver and Sahra Hancock attending by phone.  Also at the table were Diane Burt Stuckey and Laurie Wilgosh.

Scheduled Public Hearing held regarding proposed new MD building

Council held a Public Hearing regarding a rezoning application for the proposed new Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9  administration building, which would be built on 6 lots at the corner of Highway 6 and Macleod Street.

No delegations appeared before council on the matter.  Written submissions from Fire Chief Dave Cox, Town Director of Operations Al Roth, Bylaw Enforcement Officer Gord Pitt, John Thompson of Alberta Transportation, and Mike Burla of the Oldman River Regional Services Commission expressed no opposition to the project.

Councillor Roy Smyth expressed concern over the access point. MD Reeve Rod Zielinski was on hand to clarify that concern. "All traffic will come down Heron Street, a registered street, as far as I know," he said.

Following the Public Hearing, Bylaw 1547-Q passed second and third readings, granting the MD of Pincher Creek their requested rezoning of the land from "Highway/Drive In Commercial- C2" to "Public and Institutional - PI".

Alley and park concerns

Concerned citizen Gordon Dorge requested the opportunity to address council regarding concerns and frustrations that he has regarding Castleview Park, and the alley along the back of Dorges' property.

Dorge brought up many issues and concerns over landscaping, the condition of the alley, and contractors or services personnel leaving areas in a state of poor repair after they leave.  Dorge stated that over the course of three years, little has been done in a constructive manner to upkeep the area.  He said that he has seen grass and trees planted, then not did not see anyone return to tend them. He said that he has observed areas that were seeded only to be dug up by construction vehicles.  Dorge said that the alley behind his property has been in poor repair for years.

After hearing Dorges' issues, Diane Burt Stuckey said that she was aware that there were discussions between the Director of Operations and the contractors that she did not attend, so therefore she did not know the details of those talks.  Stuckey stated that "There is money in the budget to complete the project this year."  In discussions later in the session Councillor Don Anderberg said that "We have a report that all the alleys were graded and graveled, and that one wasn't touched.  I want to see this thing get fixed." Councillor Wayne Oliver expressed concern about the home owners complaint that Shaw Cable had dug up an area and not left the area in an acceptable condition when they had finished the work. "Can we follow up on that, and make sure that other alleys aren't being compromised by the activities of an instillation contract?" asked Councillor Oliver.  Council directed administration to bring the alley area around Castleview Park up to Town standards in an expedient manner.

Recycling and garbage concerns

Councillor Wayne Oliver said that the recycle committee would like to install a trailer at the MD ratepayer garbage collection area on Macleod Street , to store cardboard for recycling.  He said the committee would "Like to capture this, and remove it from the waste stream."  Oliver also noted that people from the town have been using the bins that are meant for the use of MD ratepayers. Oliver suggested a reminder be sent to the residents of the Town of Pincher Creek by use of the Town Newsletter that bins in the MD yard are meant for the use of MD residents only.

Councillor Hancock delivers

Councillor Sahra Hancock reported that shortly after midnight on Saturday, June 2 she had a baby boy.

Councillor Hancock was the recipient of some  good wishes and teasing,  and expanded her report to include that her baby's name was Rowan Sydney Hancock. Councillor Wayne Oliver thanked Hancock for increasing the population of the Town of Pincher Creek.