Council received a number of delegations that presented on a diverse range of issues, from accessibility challenges in Cochrane to the demands of citizen patrols to the library’s value in the community. All requests will be included in 2016 budget deliberations.
Angela Marinelli, Cochrane and Area Victim Services’ executive director, requested $25,000 to continue their work in providing support services for victims of domestic violence, accidental death or other trauma as well as expanding into new programs, such as workshops for female victims of abuse.
The president of Cochrane Citizens On Patrol, Bill Zuck, gave council an overview of the demands of properly equipping and training their roughly 23 volunteers, and requested $3,516 to fulfill such needs. Citizens On Patrol is a volunteer auxiliary force to the RCMP that provides traffic control, speed radar watch and walk-and-bike patrols within the town.
Cochrane Nan Boothby Memorial Library executive director Jeri Maitland presented the argument for the library’s value to the community and requested almost half a million dollars to cover their costs. Maitland told council that $464,100 would go towards staffing costs, basic building operations and participation in the Marigold Library System, part of a consortium that gives libraries access to learning materials and programs at a reduced rate.
How accessible Cochrane is for those living with disabilities was the topic of the final delegation’s presentation to council. Cochrane resident Elisa Neven-Pugh, who uses a wheelchair, and Kayla Spelliscy, a social work practicum student taken on by the town, brought council up to speed on Neven-Pugh’s investigation into accessibility in Cochrane and the plan to recognize businesses considered “accessibility champions” with decals.
Council approved first reading to an amendment that establishes the “Downtown Heritage District.”
Senior planner Ceilidh Cocoran detailed the proposal’s aim in creating design guidelines for future developments in the downtown core in accordance with a western heritage theme as well as improving overall urban design.
Coun. Jeff Toews questioned if the guidelines would affect pre-existing buildings, but Cocoran said the proposal would only apply to new construction.
A public hearing will be held Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Cochrane RancheHouse.
On behalf of council, deputy mayor Ross Watson signed a declaration affirming that racial discrimination is not welcome in Cochrane and joined a nationwide coalition of 63 municipalities in doing so.
By signing the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination Declaration, the Town of Cochrane agreed to develop an action plan to address racism and promote tolerance in the community.
Watson argued that there were not many differences between the declaration and pre-existing provincial human rights legislation, so the signing of the document was more of an affirmation and less a distinct motion.
Coun. Toews brought forth a notice of motion to council for a proposed shared-space off-leash pilot project to run from April to October 2016.
Council agreed in directing administration to identify new areas for a shared-space approach that would establish defined hours for off-leash use.
Administration will report their findings at the second council meeting in Jan. 2016.
