Town Council notes, October 9, 2012

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Town Council met on Tuesday evening, October 9.  In attendance were Councillors  Lorne Jackson, Don Anderberg, Roy Smyth, and Murray Lauder, with councillors Sahra Hancock and Wayne Oliver attending over the phone.  Mayor Ernie Olsen was absent.

Councillor Don Anderberg opened the meeting with an explanation of why he was acting as Chair.  "The Mayor is away on holidays, and Councillor Smyth requested that I take over his duties as Deputy Mayor until the end of his term, which is October 31, which was ratified by council at a committee of the whole on Thursday."

Huddlestun Senior Centre water damage concerns raised

Local citizen Joyce McFarland appeared before council as a delegation with two issues that face the Huddlestun Senior Centre.  She told council that previous water damage has damaged a pool table at the centre, and that there is a serious problem with water condensation affecting two of the windows at the facility.

"The big thing, is the windows," McFarland said.  "The big, double paned glass windows. They are leaking.  Mainly the two middle ones.  It's a big ticket item.  I want this in your budget, and a paper trail before I'm dead and buried."

"They are huge windows, and you guys are going to look after that but I want it in your budget, and a paper trail that I have been here and said that those windows have got to be fixed."

"The Pectin Club and the Legion fixed that pool table, and made it first class.  Last year, maybe more.  There was always a cover on it, but it leaked so badly from the roof that it did affect two spots," McFarland continued. "Its a shame that they've spent so much time and money making it beautiful, and now it isn't the best table in Pincher Creek."

Council assured her that both issues will be looked into.

Barley Council looking for support

The Alberta Barley Council submitted a letter to the Town of Pincher Creek requesting support for the formation of the Barley Council of Canada.  "This proposal has support from various organizations and companies from across that industry," the letter stated, in part.

Council unanimously decided to accept the letter as information. Council for the MD of Pincher Creek received the same letter recently and also accepted it as information.

Fortis franchise fees stay the same

Council for the Town of Pincher Creek looked at the Electrical Distribution Franchise Fee percentage for the year 2013.  The maximum that the Town can charge for this fee is 20%.  The decision was unanimous to keep the fee at 8%, a rate it has remained at for a number of years now.

Alta Gas franchise fee stays the same

The Town of Pincher Creek has the option to adjust the Alta Gas franchise fee percentage annually prior to November 15.  Since 2006 the Town of Pincher Creek the fee has remained unchanged at 20%.  Council unanimously agreed to leave it unchanged.

Meals for indigent people

The Town of Pincher Creek has had a policy in place since 1995 that provides indigent people with financial support for a meal or meals on an as-needed basis.  This policy has been updated with the stipulation that the meal is not to cost more than $10.00 per person, and that Community Peace Officer personnel can assess those needs.  The wording of the policy has been changed to remove Ministerial (religious) associations from direct use of the policy. The Town of Pincher Creek Director of Community Services is responsible to ensure that a yearly budget for the program is submitted to the Town.

According to Councillor Hancock, "I agree with the changes suggested by administration. It makes more sense to keep all of this in-house rather than going out to any of the ministerial associations."

Council agreed unanimously to the proposed policy changes.