It is now unlawful for Sundre children and youth 15 and younger to be in a Sundre public place without a parent or legal guardian present between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Councillors gave final reading to a new bylaw No. 06.11 during week's council meeting.
Under the bylaw a public place includes “any place, within the Town of Sundre, to which the public generally has access, whether public or private property.”
It defines a child as anyone under the age of 12, and a youth as a person between the age of 12 and 15 inclusive.
Any child found in violation of the bylaw may be taken by a peace officer to the child's home or referred to an appropriate agency. The peace officer will, in writing, inform the child's parent or guardian of the offence and that officer may charge the parent or guardian under the bylaw.
Any youth found in violation of the bylaw may be taken by the peace officer to the youth's home or referred to an appropriate agency, and may be handed a fine, starting at $50 for second offence, and/or community service hours, starting at four hours.
The parent or guardian of the youth may also be fined, with fines starting at $100 for first offence.
The new bylaw includes additional definitions and a schedule for the fine and penalties, to both youth and parents/guardians, that can be amended from time to time by a resolution of council, he said.
In an earlier presentation to council, Sundre RCMP Const. Abe Letkeman, who co-wrote the new bylaw, said the bylaw may help prevent vandalism and other mischief.
The bylaw has been written to replace the existing youth bylaw, interim CAO Ryan Leuzinger told council.
“After discussion with youth by the RCMP, it was felt that penalties and fines to the youth, in the form of money or community service, would assist with the impact of the curfew bylaw,” said Leuzinger.
“It was indicated to the RCMP that the youth were not greatly affected by the fine or penalty to their parents or guardians.”
Administration will explore arena options
In other town news, councillors have passed a motion authorizing administration to “investigate all options available to the Town of Sundre for the repair or replacement of the Sundre arena.”
The facilities committee has been investigating options to replace the existing arena, with committee members meeting on several occasions with Jungle Jim Hunter Management and others regarding the matter.
“The facilities committee has gone to their capacity with this task,” said Leuzinger. “They have met and received documentation from organizations but cannot authorize administration to move forward. Council can authorize administration to move forward and present (options) back to council.”
Pinkest Little Town hockey tourney OK'd
Councillors have given the OK for the Pinkest Little Town in the West to host a fundraising street hockey tournament on June 18.
The Father's Day 4 on 4 Street Hockey Tournament will be played at the Sundre Community Centre parking lot.
“It is our wish to not only raise funds for breast cancer research, but to put Sundre on the map as the winner of the Pinkest Little Town in the West 2011 contest,” organizers said in a letter to council.
In a note to council, interim CAO Leuzinger said the committee has spoken to Ron Baker, the town's Director of Operational Services about setting up a barrier to the parking lot so no vehicles would interfere with the game.
“The committee hopes to invite alternative community groups to the event to sell food and beverages to help in their fundraising effort,” he said.
Staff engagement sessions
In his monthly report to council, interim CAO Leuzinger said he recently completed his first staff engagement sessions with town staff.
“These meetings were intended to begin the relationship-building process with each staff member on a one-on-one basis,” he said. “Even though a few concerns were raised, all of the discussions were extremely positive, with the common theme prevailing that we have a great team, which is made up of exceptional people. This truly says a lot of the people we have.”
Leuzinger recently met with other area CAOs to discuss the regional fire services agreement and regional capital recreation funding, he said.
“A number of positive discussions occurred surrounding the funding of recreational capital infrastructure. I believe the discussions that took place will significantly enhance the relationships within the region, which will benefit all that are involved.”
Leuzinger said final engineering and design has been completed for the Museum and Elks street improvement project and tendering of the project will take place in the near future.
“It is expected that the tender will be awarded by the end of June, with project completion occurring by the need of August,” he said.
Residents voice concerns, views
The recent Town of Sundre open house saw visitors discuss a host of topics with councillors, Mayor Clews said in her monthly report to council.
Those topics included “snow removal, the complaint process, taxes, summer student employment program, possible historical designation of buildings, speed limits in town, wildlife crossing at base of Snake Hill, and county residents concerned over provincial downloading of responsibility,” she said.
Clews said she has also had a “few calls this past month from the general public over inquiries that I have brought up at committee levels such as the Sundre Community Centre renovations, communications (need for more), and east side servicing project.”
In her same report, Clews said she has recently had a number of conversations with MLA Ty Lund regarding the need for riverbank stabilization in town.
In his monthly report, Coun. Tony Jordan gave a report on the status of Sundre Aquatic Society.
“Post AGM, there is a new and quite large group of very interested people at the board meetings. It is a complete shift in group dynamic involving a very positive outlook with many new and rethought approaches to making the Aquaplex a success in our community.
“Fundraising plans are going forward for a number of events with a variety of those on the new board volunteering to lead subcommittees and help out where needed.”
