Census questions
Penhold councillors came up with a few questions to include on the upcoming municipal census that will occur if enough workers are found.
After some discussion about potential topics during the May 14 meeting, council decided to add questions about home-based businesses, attendance at Penhold schools, potential use of local professional health services, a transportation link to Red Deer and what kind of retail residents would like.
There will be an optional question about household income.
During the councillor round-table portion of the meeting, Coun. Chad Hoffman suggested councillors volunteer the time to conduct the census.
“I think a volunteer motion would be very well received by the public,” Hoffman said.
Mayor Dennis Cooper noted councillors already have jobs and work hard for their community.
“It would be a tremendous amount of work,” Cooper said of councillors taking the time to conduct the census.
“I don't think anyone should be compelled to volunteer,” said Coun. Danielle Klooster, noting if people want to volunteer they're welcome to do so.
“We can't get together for one meeting let alone a whole week or more,” said Coun. Heather Klein of councillors' often busy schedules.
Oxford Landing amendment
Council gave first reading to a bylaw that will amend the Municipal Development Plan to align with proposed changes to the Oxford Landing Plan during the May 14 meeting.
A public hearing has been set for June 11 at 5:45 p.m.
The proposed amendments would reduce the size of the commercial-office/business area in the development area, reduce the size of the commercial area, move the commercial area to the southeast corner of the development, which would be across the street from the Penhold Regional Multiplex, expand the area for residential land uses and identify major open spaces for the development.
Council passed the first reading of the bylaw.
Multiplex board concerns
A change in wording for the Multiplex Board Bylaw regarding specifications of representatives caused concern for some councillors.
The bylaw was brought to council for some changes, including changing the representative requirements from one person from Penhold High School to being one person from the school or from Chinook's Edge School Division. The new high school is supposed to be connected to the multiplex.
Mayor Dennis Cooper said the move was to add “more depth” to the board and to get someone on it before 2014, when the school is hoped to open.
Some councillors wanted it to be specific to the high school while others, like Coun. Sitter, said a local Penhold school would suffice.
“It's us who own the facility and our ratepayers who pay the bills,” said Coun. Klooster. She was arguing against having the school board being able to appoint a general member and wanted it to remain local to help ensure the future board member will have a vested interest in the multiplex.
Rick Binnendyk, the chief administrative officer for Penhold, suggested taking the bylaw back to the multiplex board for comment. Council followed that suggestion instead of passing all three readings.
