Contradictions and confusion highlights of the June 4 Council meeting.

Council meeting of June 4, 2013, Confusion, arrived at the meeting to see a representive of the Blairmore Smoke Eaters and two lawyers at the meeting. Next thing we know CAO Thompson is back and forth talking to these people who prior to the meeting starting leave. Mayor Decoux calls the meeting to order, asks CAO Thompson what that was all about. He informs council that he was off the previous week when communications between the office and the lawyers took place. The communications obviously did not work that well because the lawyers had the impression they could talk to council and the administration had the impression that they were not to talk to council. CAO Thompson stated he would clear it up and provide a formal apology if the mistake was on their end.

Contradictions, the new Economic Development Officer was introduced to council the Mayor stated “our team is now complete”, the new EDO is a lady named Sherry Poole. Bit of a contradiction on the same day that the administrative team grows by one and now becomes complete. The employees are informed that the municipality is contracting out road grading because they do not have enough operators working in Public Works to do it themselves. Mayor Decoux also announced there will soon be another wine and cheese event so the Chamber, Community Futures, Business leaders can meet the new EDO.    

Election news: Andrew Saje announced that he will, not be running in the up coming election. He also informed the public that he made a very lengthy submission in writing to the Municipal Inspector that he is having his lawyer summarize and will be realizing to the public in the not to distant future.

CAO Thompson also informed council that there will be more information coming about the hotel deal shortly.

Medican and much more (Including CAO raise)

First of all Kudo's on the new sound system in the council chambers I never realized how bad the sound was in there until I actually sat in the public gallery.

Attended council meeting last night (May 7) lots of issues but I know the one most pressing for most of my readers was the Medican development of the Old Hospital site and those previously spoken about timelines, some were for the end of March and some for the end of April, the CAO informed us last night that they all been extended to May 31.

Municipal Office will start opening at lunch hour beginning June 1

CAO is still in the recruiting process for the new Economic Development Officer

The CPO position being advertised is not a new position the original position was only a temporary position which they are now turning into a permanent position.

The municipality is still working on reaching an agreement with the SPCA.

The new Sports and Recreation committee had it's first meeting.

A new contract with CNP waste was awarded to pick up our garbage for the next two years.

Sale of the Bellevue Seniors hall, a motion was brought forth by Councilor Mitchell to enter into negotiations with the Bellevue Seniors to sell them the hall.
During the discussion on this issue Councilor Londsbury gave a speech about how well the communities of Bellevue and Hillcrest have worked together over the years,  maybe the seniors there should consider carrying on that spirit of co-operation with the Coleman Seniors and look at the option of sharing their facility.

Particular Interest during the council member reports several of the councilors mentioned that they had attended a CAO briefing. Later in the meeting Joni from the Promoter asked what is a "CAO briefing" the  CAO's answer was a regular held meeting with council that talks about management or planning issues with no minutes kept or resolutions passed. (Sounds some what like a G+P meeting) and not accessible to the public or the media.      

The following motion was passed on Tuesday night when council came out of camera:

M#6874-13: Councillor Gallant moved that the Chief Administrative Officer’s contract salary be adjusted according to the terms of his contract.