No decision yet on cat and dog bylaws
Council will vote at the next meeting on the contentious cat and dog bylaws currently up for review.
Last council meeting two petitions were brought forward. A petition requesting council not to adopt a cat bylaw brought in 429 signatures and a petition asking council not to change the current dog bylaw brought in 423 signatures. CAO Rick Binnendyk said the petitions do not stand as legally binding petitions because there is no date of signature being signed, there is no witness for each signature and there was no affidavit attached stating who is the representative of the petitioners.
Council accepted the information but wouldn't move to vote on the bylaw. During the last meeting they motioned to wait until the December meeting to vote.
Council works with CARTS on trail system
Coun. Danielle Klooster was appointed by council to become involved with the Central Alberta Trail Society.
Two representatives from the society, CARTS, went before council last Tuesday to discuss the creation of a trail system between Penhold and Springbrook.
"Between Springbrook and Penhold there is a trail but it's not completed," said board of directors president, Debbie Olsen. "Ö We would like someone involved in CARTS so we can avoid any misunderstandings with routes."
Mayor Dennis Cooper said trails are being built within the town near Rge. Rd. 281, which connects people to the schools and the multiplex. He said he'd be interested in seeing a trail link up near more popular routes.
Coun. Kathy Sitter asked what costs would be associated with the trails.
"We don't know for sure. Participating doesn't commit you (to paying,)" said Olsen. She said there is a lot of funding that's become available through Trans Canada Trail funding that they will take a look at.
Coun. Heather Klein was appointed as Klooster's alternative.
FCSS budget approved
Council approved the 2012 FCSS cost share summary after delaying approval at a previous meeting, requesting clarification on the new funding model.
The new model is up $6,000 from last year, bringing Penhold's total to $26,311. Council wanted more information on what the $6,000 was going towards.
Increased costs included $3,568 towards the Penhold Youth Club that wasn't in the funding model last year. Other increases are for direct service for the town, an in-school mentoring program, and the family school wellness program.
"I couldn't see where the biggest increases were coming from, now it's quite clear," said Coun. Klein after reviewing the added information.
Two bylaws tabled.
Two bylaws were tabled after not receiving required unanimous support during third reading. The regional assessment bylaw was halted during third reading when Coun. Chad Hoffman opposed. The Combative Sports bylaw was also stopped with Coun. Chad Hoffman, Coun. Danielle Klooster, and Coun. Heather Klein voting against. The bylaw was meant to replace the current combative sports bylaw approved earlier this year. The bylaw allowed for the creation of a commission that regulates contact combative sports at the multiplex which could include kick-boxing, boxing or ultimate fighting. The proposal for the creation of the bylaw came from a request by a company interested in hosting combative sporting events out of the multiplex. CAO Rick Binnendyk explained the change in the bylaw would delete a section on travel. Coun. Hoffman asked if the commission is allowed to operate outside of Penhold and if they have already. Binnendyk answered yes to both queries.
