Parade request approved
The Sundre Pro Rodeo Parade committee submitted the organization’s annual requests for allowances and staff support to set up barriers along the route during the upcoming annual event, which takes place Saturday, June 23 starting at about 10 a.m.
An administrative report informed council that Kevin Heerema, Sundre’s community peace officer as well as the director of emergency services, had met with parade organizers and is satisfied that the route meets the municipality’s safety guidelines.
Coun. Rob Wolfe moved to approve the request.
Coun. Cheri Funke wondered how municipal employees who are involved get compensated for their time.
“Do we pay the staff, make them take time off, what do we do?” she asked.
Chief administrative officer Linda Nelson said that staff who decide to work that day have the choice of either taking time off in lieu or receiving overtime pay.
Wolfe’s motion was carried unanimously.
Destination branding plan
The municipality received some additional funding from Travel Alberta this year, said Jon Allan, economic development officer.
“It came as a surprise, they offered it because they like what we’re doing,” he told council.
“I’m not seeking any additional funding from you, at all.”
Rather, Allan said he was asking for council’s blessing to proceed with requesting proposals from branding, graphic design and advertising agencies to help the municipality create marketing collateral assets such as stock photos as well as develop a branding identity to take the Explore Sundre marketing campaign to the next level.
Funds will be allocated from the economic development department's existing advertising and promotion budget at about $6,750, with the additional Travel Alberta infusion of $13,250 for a total of $20,000, states background information compiled in a report for council.
Coun. Cheri Funke motioned to direct administration to develop a destination branding plan as well as to issue a request for proposals to do so.
Coun. Paul Isaac was in favour of the motion, but cautioned council that the word ‘branding’ brings different ideas into different people’s minds.
“I like the idea of taking Explore Sundre to another height,” he added.
Funke’s motion carried unanimously.
Setting the safety bar high
Chief administrative officer Linda Nelson told council a “good news story” about several key municipal staff members who participated in a training session through Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association (AMHSA).
“The good news is that we have been selected to participate in a pilot project to review and continually improve our health and safety program,” Nelson told council, adding the Town of Sundre was selected because the municipality already has a good safety program in place.
The five-day session will be facilitated by Sharon Young, a Canadian-registered safety professional and engineer, who was hired by the AMHSA, she said.
“She also participates in auditing health and safety management systems.”
Additionally, Bill 30 — the revisions to Alberta's occupational health and safety legislation — were to come into effect on June 1. A key implication of the bill outlines a requirement to have a functioning health and safety program and committee, she said.
“We already have a fantastic safety program in place. This would just facilitate us complying with Bill 30.”
While specific direction from council was not necessary, administration felt perhaps a motion would be appropriate for a show of support, she said, suggesting one motion to support the existing health and safety program, as well as another to support participating in the AMHSA’s pilot project to review and update the municipality’s existing plan.
“As a result of this program, they would use the Town of Sundre as the pilot program to teach other municipalities of the new legislation. So this is a real feather in the cap.”
Council proceeded to carry motions to support the program as well as participate in the pilot program.
