Town Council News – May 22, 2024

All members present.

Delegations

Hank Smit, Board Chair, and Karla Palichuk, Director, from the Yellowhead Regional Library (YRL), presented information about the YRL, their activities over 2023, and their goals for 2024. The organization’s broad goals for this year include being a hub for learning and connection, providing quality information and resources, sharing knowledge and skills, and being an excellent place to work. So far this year, the YRL has successfully advocated for increased funding from the provincial government (as reflected in the most recent provincial budget), upgraded the websites for member libraries, improved network security, and delivered professional development and training opportunities to member municipal libraries and their library boards. In 2025, they plan to work on any remaining areas of potential cybersecurity threats. As a point of interest, the Swan Hills Municipal Library received a $14.29 return on investment for every $1 paid to YRL, receiving $77,869.88 in materials and services for the Town’s municipal levy of $5,448.

Request For Decision (RFD)

Council reviewed 5 RFDs:

· YRL Reports: The YRL has submitted its 2023 Annual Report and Swan Hills Library ROI for Council information as part of its annual presentation. Council passed a motion to receive the 2023 Yellowhead Regional Library reports, including the Annual Report and Return on Investment Statement for the Swan Hills Public Library, as information.

· Cancellation of Meetings: Council usually cancels two meetings in the summer to assist with holidays, etc. Council passed a motion to cancel the last Council meetings in July (July 24) and August (August 28).

· CAO Vacation: The CAO’s employment contract states that any vacation greater than a week’s duration must be approved by a motion of Council. Council passed a motion to approve the CAO's vacation days from July 15 to August 2 and August 19 to August 30.

· Summer Municipal Leaders Caucus: Some Council members attended this one-day caucus in High Prairie last year. Since none of the sessions are close to Swan Hills this year, there is a virtual attendance on June 14 that Councillors could attend if they are interested. Council passed a motion that Council direct administration if any councillors would like to attend the virtual 2024 Municipal Leaders Caucus on June 14.

· Bill 21- Emergency Statutes Amendment Act: The provincial government has put forth changes to the Emergency Management Act, Water Act, and Forest and Prairie Protection Act under Bill 21 - Emergency Statutes Amendment Act. Alberta Municipalities has released a preliminary analysis of Bill 21, which discusses the proposed changes and their analysis of those changes. Council passed a motion to receive as information the proposed changes under Bill 21 - Emergency Statues Amendment Act and the preliminary analysis of Bill 21 provided by Alberta Municipalities.

CAO Report

· The FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) conference is in Calgary from June 6 - 9.

· Administration continues to work with representatives from the Disaster Recovery Program on reimbursement for the May 2023 evacuation.

· The Swimming Pool triathlon will be held on Sunday, June 2.

· Community Clean-Up weekend was held on May 9 - 12.

· Seniors’ Week is June 3 – 9.

· Administration has submitted the yearly FOIPPA statistics report to the province.

· The SHTC (Swan Hills Treatment Centre) committee will meet at the Big Lakes County Offices on May 28.

· The CAO met with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) regional engagement specialist, Leanne Chartrand, on May 16.

Operations And Infrastructure

· The Reservoir upgrade and equipment installation are ongoing. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of June.

· PW's focus will be on potholes and tarring moving forward.

· Parks and Recreation are clearing debris from parks and areas to be mowed.

Reports

· Councillor Goebel reported that the internationally educated nurse coming to Swan Hills is now in Edmonton. He will begin orientation in the city on June 3 and come to town on June 19.

· Councillors LaBerge and Kuyek attended an Economic Development meeting on May 13. They worked on the community profile sheet for submission to Invest Alberta, creating a list of services available in Swan Hills and putting together day trip itineraries for visitors to town in search of things to do.

· Councillors LaBerge and Kuyek attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting on May 15. Dale Clark from the Barrhead Association for Community Living (BACL) gave a presentation about the counselling services currently being offered in Swan Hills through BACL’s Together Talk program. Two counsellors have been offering services in town twice a month through the FCSS office and at the school. As the current funding for these services does not include the summer months (July and August), Dale asked the Chamber to cover the costs for these months. The Chamber passed a motion to pay $3,402 to cover the salary, travel, and administration costs for Together Talk’s two counsellors to continue providing services in Swan Hills over the summer. The Chamber also passed motions to sponsor the Best Lemonade Stand and Best Tasting Lemonade awards for Lemonade Day.

· Councillors LaBerge and Kuyek also took shifts to cover GROWTH and WILD Alberta’s table at the Whitecourt Chamber of Commerce trade show on May 11 – 12.

· Councillor Krawiec reported that Lemonade Day will take place on June 15. Councillors Krawiec, Kuyek, and Clermont will be judges for the event.

Dean LaBerge, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Grizzly Gazette