The following are highlights from the Monday, November 28, 2022 Regular Meeting of Town Council.
Public Hearing – Road Closure Bylaw #1696-2022
Town Bylaw No. 1668-2021 proposes changing the use of a portion of 52 Street Close (adjacent to the current roadway) to accommodate a lease agreement with a local company. On November 28, 2022 a public hearing was held and members of the public spoke in favour of the proposed bylaw. Council then carried a motion directing Administration to prepare and submit the Road Closure Bylaw 1696-2022 package to the Minister of Transportation for consideration and approval.
Delegation – Parent Societies: École John Wilson Elementary, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Schools
Representatives from the École John Wilson Elementary School and St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School Parent Societies presented Council with a request for funding towards a playground on the schools’ properties. Council suggested that the Town could provide an in-kind contribution rather than a monetary commitment and directed Administration to work with the groups to develop a framework for collaboration.
CAO Report – Police Advisory Committee (PAC)
The idea of having a regional police advisory committee (PAC) was introduced at a previous Innisfail Policing & Safe Community Committee meeting. The Town has had a PAC since 2019, and Town CAO Todd Becker sought Council direction on developing a regional group. Council expressed concern about the need to retain focus on policing in Innisfail but carried a motion directing Administration to research a regional police advisory committee governance model and report back to a future Council meeting.
Red Deer County Recreation & Culture and Library Agreements
Red Deer County provides operational funding to the Town to support the provision of recreation & culture and library services to area residents. The current agreement will expire at the end of 2022 and the County has proposed an updated five-year agreement. After discussion, Council carried two motions to approve each of the two presented agreements.
Community Coach Disposal
The current operation of the Community Coach is not profitable and current rates are well below those charged in the private charter market. The coach is not currently operating due to the absence of a qualified operator. The age of the coach also requires investment if the service is to be continued. On Monday, Council carried a motion directing Administration to dispose of the community coach bus by reserved auction and carried a second motion to allocate the current balance of the Bus Reserve and the proceeds of the sale of the coach and any operating surplus to the PACE Bus reserve.
PACE Bus Operations Schedule
On November 10, 2022 the Transportation Committee supported a motion to change the Pace Bus operating hours. On November 28, Council approved the revised PACE bus hours of operations, effective January 3, 2023.
Provincial Victim Services Re-Design
As a result of the Innisfail Victim Services’ presentation to Council on September 6, 2022, Council directed Administration to provide information regarding the Government of Alberta’s Victim Services Program Redesign and the anticipated impacts on Innisfail Victim Services’ programming. On Monday, Administration provided a report to Council, after which Council carried a motion to accept the report as information.
Innisfail Town Council strives to maintain a level of openness with its residents. The highlights only briefly touch upon the exchanges and decisions reached during the most recent Council meeting.
The full meeting is available to view on YouTube (click here)
Visit www.innisfail.ca/council to review full meeting agendas and minutes.
