Ali Howat, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
On Aug. 3, municipal council came together to discuss and make decisions on the WYRWMA Governance plan, the CUPE Local 1458 collective agreement and the community child-care strategy.
Community child-care strategy
Council decided to spend funds from the COVID relief reserve on a child-care strategy.
The first motion was that council approve the use of $24,000 from that portion of the reserve previously allocated to provide subsidies to users of municipal child-care services to develop a community child-care strategy.
Coun. Paul Butler then proposed an amendment that an addition of a RFP for independent consultation be presented to council for approval.
The second motion was that council undertake advocacy to encourage the province of Alberta to join the national wide Early Learning and Child Care plan as soon as possible.
With all in favour, both motions were carried.
Waste management authority
West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority (WYRWMA) first came to the committee of the whole at the July 27 meeting.
The authority operates a municipal solid waste disposal system on lands located west and adjacent to the town of Hinton.
When the topic was brought forward again on Aug. 3, administration recommend that council approve in principle the intent of the WYRWMA board move to a commission and that council support in principle the WYRWMA model with two conditions:
- Ability of constituent councils to approve the business plan
- Length of appointment to members of commission
When reviewing the past meeting, administration felt that the condition for the motion would be better served if it was part of one motion so administration can deliver on council鈥檚 direction more appropriately.
Administration then presented council with a revised motion: That council support in principle the WYRWMA Governance and Administrative plan as presented, with the following conditions:
- Creating an annual requirement that the commission鈥檚 business plan be formally endorsed by members of council
- Removing or reducing the requirement for commission members to be appointed for a four-year term.
Butler made the motion, and with all in favour and none opposed, the motion was carried.
Collective agreement ratification
On Dec. 31, 2020, the collective agreement between CUPE Local 1458 and the Municipality of Jasper expired.
The parities began bargaining in April 2021 and reach a tentative agreement on July 20.
Administration recommended that council approve the memorandum of agreement between CUPE Local 1458 and the Municipality of Jasper that the negotiating committees agreed to on July 20, 2021.
If council does not approve the agreement or any changes were to be made by council members, the tentative agreement would fall and would have to head back to the negotiating table.
Coun. Helen Kelleher-Empey made the motion.
With all councilors in favour and none opposed, the motion was carried.
