Coronation Town council heard at their regular meeting on Mon. Feb. 13 that the population of Coronation, according to Stats Canada 2016 Census, had dropped by seven leaving our official population at 940.
According to the census numbers released on Feb. 8, the County of Paintearth has increased from 2029 to 2102; Town of Castor decreased by three to 929; Town of Consort went up from 689 to 729.
The previous census was in 2011.
Bylaw Enforcement report
Thirty sidewalk snow removal letters have been issued during the month of January along with six dog calls, two trailer and one miscellaneous item which clocked 10.5 hours of work for the bylaw officer.
Council expressed approval for the work done.
Think Tank session
Carole Tkach provided a report from the Central Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS) ‘Think Tank’ she attended as representative of the David Thompson Health Advisory Council.
Council expressed concern over the sidebar comment in the six-page report that stated, ‘Communities and municipalities need to take responsibility for some of the issues (financial and collaborative) to manage social determinants of health’.
“How do they expect us to do that when we don’t have any say in what they (AHS) are doing,” said Keith Griffiths who participated in the meeting via video conferencing.
Councils agreed they already do social determinants of health through several organizations in Coronation including Coronation & District Support Services (CDSS).
“It’s hard to say what voices were making that comment,” said CAO Sandra Kulyk. “I’ll email her [Carole Tkach], maybe have some further discussion on that point.”
Council items
In council discussion items, Coun. Vickey Horkoff asked members to check out a grant program called CARES Grant Alberta.
“There’s a 1000 things it can’t be for,” said Horkoff but maybe there is something it can be used for.
Coun. Jackie Brigley also raised the Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP) intended to help seniors renovate their homes so they can stay in them longer.
It was also noted that there is a tax incentive for seniors to renovate their homes for the same purpose.
Coun. Horkoff noted that Paintearth Economic Partnership Society (PEPS) has yet to decide what to do with the Canada 150 grant.
They are looking at some kind of enhancement for each participating community, something that will last, concluded Horkoff.
Coun. Horkoff also raised the issue of drugs becoming a little bit of an issue in Coronation and wondered if that should be a focus in the 2017-2018 Plan that the RCMP put together along with input from council.
“I’m talking about our people,” said Horkoff, “not people moving in, our parents.”
“We can always change our priorities,” said Mayor Mark Stannard.
“I don’t just think it’s marijuana, that’s what scares me,” concluded Horkoff.
In other business it was noted that the skating shack adjacent to the outdoor rink had to be locked up due to vandalism. Spray painting inside was not conducive to young children to read and covering up the words cannot be accomplished until warmer weather.