The Kimmett family attended the Dec. 14 Town of Cochrane council meeting to request the eve of the Kimmett Cup be declared as Children’s Wish Day.
All councillors agreed to pass the declaration, with Coun. Gaynor calling the family “an inspiration.”
Children’s Wish Day will be on Jan. 14, on the eve of the Kimmett Cup.
Council passed recent bylaw 14/2015 that would no longer allow backlit signs in town boundaries. In the past year there had been two open houses for the public, along with an online survey welcoming any opinions. Town staff told council that they heard generally positive feedback about the bylaw change.
Some concerns voiced by the public during these sessions were regarding the signs in town that were already backlit, and digital signs. The new bylaw states that any previously existing backlit signs were going to be grandfathered in and not affected, with digital signs still being allowed as those types of signs were listed under a different bylaw.
The new bylaw now controls the architectural design, character and appearance of the signs. According to the council agenda, all signage is now required to incorporate western heritage design elements outlined in the town’s western heritage design guidelines and any signs in town should be compatible with the overall site design.
Some of the new rules include a maximum number of A-frame signs for each development, and removal of the previous two-limit maximum for permanent freestanding signs in commercial and industrial districts. Council unanimously approved the new bylaw.
ATCO entered another 10-year agreement with the town. The renewal included lowering the franchise fee from 23 per cent to 20 per cent of gross distribution fees and for ATCO to pay its future property tax bills, instead of the cost coming out of the franchise fee revenue collected.
The Town of Cochrane receives annual franchise fees from utility companies for the right to use lands throughout the town for their infrastructure. The ATCO Gas franchise fees for the 2015 budget is $900,000 with a projected actual of $984,000. The previous 10-year agreement expired this year. The agreement was unanimously approved.
Land in Fireside had the use redesignated to better suit the land and building needs. In 2010, the land in Fireside Stage 1 neighbourhood plan was originally approved for residential high density multi-unit dwelling (R-M) but the developer realized the subject land would be inefficient for R-M use due to the shape and size of the area.
The developer asked that the land be changed to residential single and two-dwelling (R-2), to allow for the development of two-additional single detached dwellings along Fireside Circle.
The land is currently owned by La Vita Land Inc. and, according to the council agenda, research suggests the change in land use will have a marginal effect. Administration determined the change will comply with the municipal development plan, West Ridge area structure plan, Fireside Stage 1 neighbourhood plan and the land use bylaw. The amendment was passed.
The town updated its purchasing policy to clarify the intent of the policy, incorporate a new trade agreement, align the language with the current organizational structure and realize efficiency.
Council approved to amend Purchase Policy 1701-03 and replaced it with 1701-04. The document can be found in the council agenda at cochrane.ca/169/Council-Meetings
Currently, all local business owners receive all town Request For Proposals (RFPs) via email but now there is a new “Notify Me” option on the website that allows for residents to sign up for email alerts for multiple options, including bid posting.
Let’s Touch the Skies Steering Committee presented their final report to mayor and council at the last council meeting.
In 2012, the Status of Women Canada provided a three-year grant of $269,488 to Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO). The project was led through a partnership between CSHO, Cochrane Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) and the Western Rocky View Family & Community Resource Centre (CRC). The goal of the project was to increase women’s economic security in rural and remote areas. The project was titled, “Let’s Touch the Skies” (LTTS).
The key objective for the community plan was to enhance coordination of community services to promote women’s economic security in Cochrane and area using a gender-based analysis lens.
The priorities selected to implement into the community plan included development of public policy to support social inclusion and integration, and coordination of services to improve service delivery and enhance economic security for women in the region.
Council accepted the report as information, also allowing administration to continue working with the community stakeholders on initiatives in progress.
The Town of Cochrane has sold the 134 William St. 4-plex to the Cochrane Society for Housing Operations for $10.
The building was originally purchased with the intention of using it for affordable rental units. In 2007, the building was purchased for $983,953, with $516,869 paid through a grant from the Provincial Affordable Housing program and the remaining $422,084 funded from the Town of Cochrane reserves. The reserves have since been paid back with no money owed on the building any more.
While the town has always owned the building, the Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO) has been operating the rentals.
Town administration and CSHO explored the option of selling the building and purchasing a new one but realized it would not be financially beneficial.
Under the provincial grant requirements, the units purchased under the program must rent for a minimum of 10 per cent below market value (determined annually by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
The province will set a maximum income a household can earn in order to live in the units and the units must remain an affordable rental housing for a minimum of 20 years from the date of contract.
