Organizational meeting
Before diving into the regular agenda, council worked through its annual organizational meeting. Coun. Paul Isaac, who was unable to attend the meeting, was elected deputy mayor for a term of six months, a position previously held by Coun. Cheri Funke. Coun. Richard Warnock will assume the role for the following six months. The next two deputy mayor appointments will then be decided during next year’s organizational meeting.
Council also discussed the coming year’s meeting dates, deciding to meet every two weeks as of February while accommodating holiday Mondays by instead meeting the Tuesday immediately following, as well as the option to call special meetings when required.
Coun. Charlene Preston recommended scheduling at least one meeting during the summer months in July and August. Chief administrative officer Linda Nelson said administration could provide council with information in advance of anticipated items a couple of weeks ahead to schedule summer meetings as needed.
Council also largely reaffirmed its list of committee appointments and alternative representatives, with only a few shuffles and additions.
Coun. Cheri Funke moved to accept council’s committee appointments, which was carried unopposed.
Subdivision development update
Mike Marko, Sundre’s director of planning and economic development, presented council with an update on a subdivision that was approved last spring.
“Council approved the 56-unit bareland condominium back then with conditions to enter into a subdivision development agreement to tie down the responsibilities of building the subdivision,” said Marko.
“But before the applicant moves forward to build the subdivision, he needs to secure funding and get that funding through a financial institution that will recognize him as the actual owner of the parcel of land.”
The quarter section, located immediately west of Centre Street North after 13th Avenue, is owned by a syndicate, he said.
“This is an update to just advise council that this individual, the applicant, has submitted to the subdivision authority an application to subdivide out the 12-acre parcel as a single title so he can move forward to secure financing.”
Coun. Cheri Funke’s motion to accept Marko’s report for information carried.
Seniors' fall prevention month
Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, presented a request from the Central Alberta Falls Prevention Coalition, which sought the municipality’s support in recognizing and promoting a proclamation by acknowledging November as Seniors’ Falls Prevention Month in Sundre.
Mayor Terry Leslie planned to participate in the 2018 Walk With the Mayors at Innisfail High School to promote seniors' fall prevention on Thursday, Nov. 1. Leslie sought his council colleague’s support to attend the event as well as for a motion to sign the proclamation.
Coun. Cheri Funke’s motion to proclaim November seniors’ fall prevention month in Sundre was carried unanimously, as did a motion by Coun. Rob Wolfe to support the mayor's participation at the awareness event in Innisfail.
Hope 4 MVC Kids Society
Lisa Nicholson, founder of the Hope 4 Mountain View County Kids Society, presented council with some background information on the non-profit organization.
It was established in 2013 and seeks to help families in the county cover the costs of a variety of medically related expenses while also providing outreach support.
Based in Nicholson’s home between Olds and Didsbury, the society is 100 per cent run by volunteers who are passionate about the cause, she said.
“How do we help children? A lot of people still don’t know exactly what we do,” she said.
Primarily, the family of any person aged 18 or under who lives within the county’s boundaries and the urban municipalities within it, is eligible to apply for help to cover medical and related expenses ranging from fractured bones to cancer, she said.
“We will assist that family with car parking, gas, meals and accommodation costs,” she said.
Assistance is also offered for children who require specialized equipment recommended by a medical professional.
Cash is never directly distributed to families, but rather the society helps pay the bills, she said.
After outlining in greater detail what the society offers, Nicholson invited council to its Raise the Roof fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 24 east of Olds at Willow Lane Barn. The organization has also sought council representation from Olds, Didsbury, Cremona as well as the county.
All of the proceeds raised go to supporting families, she said.
“If you give us $10, $10 goes to a family.”
Following Nicholson’s presentation, Coun. Cheri Funke said through tears that she had lived through a difficult premature birth and expressed her gratitude for the group’s mission to help families cope with such tribulations.
“And that’s why we do what we do,” replied Nicholson after giving Funke a hug.
Coun. Richard Warnock’s motion to accept the presentation for information carried. Later during the meeting, Funke’s motion to authorize the purchase of a table on behalf of the Town of Sundre for the fundraiser at a cost of $500 was also carried.
Visit www.hope4mvckids.org for additional information.
