Marigold benefits Michelle Toombs, CEO of Marigold Library Systems, presented to council on what services the town is receiving for its per capita funding costs for the membership of the Cochrane Public Library. Cochrane is one of 44 municipal partners that is a part of the not-for-profit membership collective. Marigold is the third largest library system in Alberta, after Calgary and Edmonton. Some of the benefits of being a part of the Marigold system, as highlighted by Toombs include bulk book buying; collaborative IT and network systems; streamlined training systems; board direction and oversight; access to more online tools. The estimated annual per capita increase is 1.5 per cent for each 2019 and 2020. Provincial library funding is stable for this year. Victim Services Members of Cochrane and Area Victim Services (CAVS) attended Monday night council, with executive director Lauren Delahunt presenting highlights on the rapidly rising demand for services from the four staff and 17 and counting volunteers. Over the last year, CAVS has opened more than 900 new cases; provided ongoing support to more than 1180 in 2018 so far; assisted over 400 domestic violence related cases; and accompanied the RCMP to over 45 call outs. To date, demand for services is up an average of 15 per cent from 2017, with two months remaining in the year. Delahunt highlighted that the not-for-profit staff and volunteers provide 24-hour crisis response, support and referral services to victims of crime, tragedy and trauma. They work closely alongside RCMP – heralded by members for saving time and efficiency for officers while providing critical emotional care for victims and their children. Around 18 per cent of CAVS' funding comes from the Town of Cochrane. The ask this year is $67,500 – up $7,500 from last year to reflect growth and demand for services. The bulk of CAVS' funding comes from the Alberta Solicitor General. Delahunt said without the funding boost, their already constrained organization will not be able to take part in additional training opportunities or work as quickly toward hiring another part-time staffer. Visit cochranevictimservices.ca to learn more. Public Hearings Two public hearings will take place at the Nov. 26 council meeting – one on decreasing minimum side yard setbacks in single-family residential districts to 1.20 meters from 1.50 meters. The second is on development notification signs, in an effort to be more transparent to the public regarding development around town. Car Wash Council voted 5-2 in favour of car washes falling under permitted use in Highway-Commercial districts. Couns. Tara McFadden and Marni Fedeyko voted against, both maintaining concerns that without community input a car wash could be an eye sore or unwelcome addition to residential communities – both were in favour of discretionary use instead, so that an applicant would go before the Cochrane Planning Commission ahead of time. Coun. Morgan Nagel stressed that Highway-Commercial areas are suitable for car washes and the town is in need of more car washes to meet demand. Mowing Council voted 5-2 in favour of resuming mowing of the area of park space behind a row of Bow Meadows homes. Doug Marter, a geologist with vast park and flood experience, delivered a final plea imploring council to leave the area untouched in an effort of flood mitigation. Council decided the area that residents were asking for was not a direct flood risk and that resumed mowing would reduce fire risks. Resumed maintenance would cost around $4,120 per year. Couns Susan Flowers and McFadden felt that science pointed to risk being higher than reward.
