Morinville Council briefs


Deputy Mayor Nicole Boutestein is sworn in Tuesday night by Jennifer Maskoske. – Stephen Dafoe Photo

By Morinville News Staff

Deputy Mayor sworn in

Councillor Nicole Boutestein was sworn in as Deputy Mayor by Legislative Officer Jennifer Maskoske Oct. 23. Boutestein will serve as Morinville’s Deputy Mayor until Apr. 23, 2013 and replaces Councillor David Pattison whose term of office expired Tuesday.

Under the Municipal Government Act municipalities must appoint a member of council as deputy chief elected official. With a six-member council, each councillor assumes the role for a six-month period.

Municipal Planning Commission Bylaw passes third reading

Council gave unanimous second and third reading to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) Bylaw at the Oct. 23 meeting of Council.
The bylaw has been in the works for more than a year and followed on the heels of an earlier revision to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw.

In presenting the document for second and third reading, Morinville’s Director of Planning and Development, Greg Hofmann, said there was justification for looking at the MPC bylaw due to work previously done on the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. “It’s important to note the proposed MPC bylaw … was reviewed quite extensively by the Municipal Planning Commission itself,” Hofmann said, adding highlights of the bylaw include clarifying definitions used by the MPC, setting limitations for the length of membership terms and establishing clear duties for the MPC.

The role of the MPC, which consists of two members of Council and three public members at large, is to act as Development Authority in accordance with Section 624 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). They receive, consider and decide on development applications, using the MGA and Morinville’s Land Use Bylaw as a guide.

Council approves sponsorships

Morinville Town Council voted in favour of a $1,000 sponsorship of the Very Cherdarchuk Christmas event, held each year at First Choice Tree Nursery. The annual event raises funds for the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. Council heard last year’s event raised $1,200 for the hospital. Council’s endorsement helps fund the annual Christmas festival, popular with many Morinville residents.

Council also received a request to purchase a table at the upcoming Enchantment Under the Sea event, a dinner and dance in aid of the St. Jean Baptiste Parish’s People for the Steeple initiative. Council heard the Community Cultural Centre was rented to Posh Weddings, organizers of the event, for the non-profit rate on $650 instead of the standard $1,200 commercial rate. A request to sponsor a table at a cost of $500 was not met with a motion one way or another. Councillor Lisa Holmes was of the belief any ticket purchase for the event should come from Councillor’s money not taxpayers and said she was planning to support the event’s silent auction with a donation.

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1 Comment

  1. A $1000 for an event that raised $1200?????

    Perhaps we should have just given it directly to the heart institute!!!

    It will be interesting to see if they raise more than $2200.

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