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Home My WebLink About2019-06-06 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL � June 6, 2019 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, June 6, 2019 commencing at 10:56 a.m. MEMBERS B. de Jong, Deputy Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman . E. Unruh L. Juss ABSENT: M. Douglass, Reeve STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner- ORRSC E. Graham, ORRSC Junior Planner G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: A. Kemmere, Rural Municipalities of Alberta B. Brewin, Rural Municipalities of Alberta G. Rhodes, Rural Municipalities of Alberta W. Valentini, Palliser Economic Partnership J. Slemp, Palliser Economic Partnership R. Tanner, Recreation & Facility Services (City of Brooks) 1. CALL TO ORDER Deputy Reeve 8. de Jong called the meeting to order at 10:56 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-192/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Reeve M. Douglass be excused from the meeting. , MOTION CARRIED - �� _--- Regular Council June 6,2019 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (May 23, 2019) C-193/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the May 23, 2019 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS - Deputy Reeve 8. de Jong called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-194/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. 8. BYLAWS 8.2 Bylaw 1919-18 Road Closure & SALE (Road Plan 7411 BM, NW 36-14-16-W4, SW 36-14-16-W4, NW 25-14-16-W4) The Manager of Planning&Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-195/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Bylaw 1919-18, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and SELLING the following: • Road Plan 7411 BM within NW 36-14-16-W4; • the portion of road allowance adjacent to the west boundary of NW 36-14-16-W4; • the portion of road allowance adjacent to the west boundary of SW 36-14-16-W4; • the portion of road allowance adjacent to the west boundary of NW 25-14-16-W4; be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-196/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Bylaw 1919-18 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED �� Page 2 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 8.3 Bylaw 1920-18 Road Closure & SALE (NE 1-15-16-W4& SE 1-15-16-W4) The Manager of Planning&Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-197/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1920-18, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and SELLING that portion of road allowance adjacent to the east boundary of NE 1-15-16-W4 and SE 1-15-16-W4, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-198/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Bylaw 1920-18 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 11.1 Planning & Development Report The Manager of Planning & Development presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Planning&Development responded to questions regarding Planning & Development documents that will be posted to the County's website along with a hierarchy and an explanation of how they are used to make decisions. :.-199/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Planning & Development Report for May 2019 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert, D. Horvath, E. Graham, G. Tiffin, and M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. 10. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. A TD Tree Days application has been submitted for Scandia. The weed school held in Rainier on June 5, 2019 was well- attended. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding downy brome and Emerson Bridge Park. 10.2 2019 Rural Beautification Awards -Council Judge The Director of A ricultural Services rovided back round inform� ion o.-t is item 9' p 9' �_.._-.►� _ and responded to questions from Council. �.� � Page 3 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 C-200/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor H. Kallen be a judge for the 2019 Rural Beautification Awards and that it be considered a function of Council;further,that Councillor T. Fyfe be the alternate in case of a conflict with the judging date. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 11:19 a.m. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 11.2 Mutual Aid Agreement with Vulcan County The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Kemmere, B. Brewin, and G. Rhodes arrived at 11:20 a.m. Council requested that positions instead of names be used in article 14.8. C-201/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Council APPROVES the Mutual Aid agreement between the County of Newell and Vulcan County. MOTION CARRIED 11.3 Meeting with Grasslands Regional Division (June 20, 2019) Council suggested the following agenda items: • school bus pickups in acreage situations; • the new proposed Education bill; • update on enrollment numbers; • update on Grasslands Schools construction plans; • update from the County on programs and services that affect Grasslands Schoo/s. 11.4 Set Date for Budget Planning Meeting with Council & Department Heads Council discussed potential dates. A budget planning meeting will be held on August 1, 2019 beginning at 8:30 a.m. This meeting will be advertised as open to the public. Council se/ected July 29, 2019 as an alternate date. C-202/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move into Public Hearings at 11:33 a.m. � MOTION CARRIED �� ` � Page 4 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Horvath and E. Graham arrived at 11:33 a.m. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 1952-19 - 19 LUA 004 (Lot 32, Block 2, Plan 1811029 & Block 2 Plan 17868A within SW 15-21-17-W4 -A to DC) Deputy Reeve 8. de Jong called the Public Hearing to order at 11:33 a.m. Deputy Reeve 8. de Jong did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The County Planner stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 1952-19. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 1892-17 by rezoning approximately 5.24 acres (4.56 hectares) in SW 15-21-17-W4 from A -Agricultural District to DC- Direct Control District. The County Planner provided background information on this item indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to adjacent landowners and to a list of affected agencies. No responses have been received from adjacent landowners. None of the affected agencies have indicated any objections. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-203/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:35 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. BYLAWS — continued 8.1 Bylaw 1952-19 - 19 LUA 004 (Lot 32, Block 2, Plan 1811029 & Block 2 Plan 17868A within SW 15-21-17-W4 -A to DC) C-204/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Bylaw 1952-19, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1892-17 by redesignating approximately 9.8 acres (3.96 hectares) in SW 15-21-17-W4 from A - Agricultural District to DC - Direct Control District, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-205/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1952-19 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTIOfjV CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING � � � � r D. Horvath and E. Graham left the meeting at 11:36 a.m. ,� Page 5 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Member Visit A. Kemmere indicated that the purpose of the visit was to determine which issues are most important to the municipality and how the RMA can provide assistance. He provided a list of topics common to municipalities, including the results of the recent election, long-term municipal funding, unpaid linear tax; assessment year modifiers; and plastics recycling. Councillor L. Juss responded to questions regarding the recycling of agricultural plastics within the County. A. Kemmere provided further information regarding a pilot project for agricultural plastics recycling. A. Kemmere asked for an update on the County's Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) documents and whether there have been any challenges. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the ICFs with Bassano and the MD of Taber are complete. The rural ICFs are expected to be straightforward and the urban ICF progress is currently focused on the Intermunicipal Development Plan portions. The Chief Administrative Officer reported that the Regionalization Working Group continues to investigate service level efficiency. Rosemary and Duchess have withdrawn from the discussions. The Regionalization Working Group is reviewing proposed governance models and preliminary discussions on taxation policy have occurred. Finance staff have been developing a proposed high-level budget to get an idea of potential cost savings. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that there is a group in the County that is interested in having a plebiscite on the matter of regionalization, but this must be addressed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, as it is multi jurisdictional, in his view. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions, indicating that the goal is to decide on whether to proceed with regionalization or amalgamation by the end of the year as this decision will affect the preparation of the ICF documents with urban municipalities. A. Kemmere provided information regarding assessment year modifiers and uncollectable linear taxes compounded by recent challenges with the shallow gas industry. RMA participated in a conference call with representatives from various Alberta municipalities to discuss the issues and potential solutions. A. Kemmere provided information regarding legislation that will allow municipalities to provide up to 15 years'worth of tax concessions as incentives for attracting business. A. Kemmere responded to questions regarding the wide range of municipal tax rates, indicating that the province is currently reviewing the assessment process. A unified mill rate for Alberta would be challenging because of the differences between municipalities. The ChiefAdministrative Officerindicated that municipalities need a mechanism in p/ace, much different than the one that currently exists, that will allow them to recoup unpaid accounts for oil, gas and linear taxation. A. Kemmere provided further information on unpaid taxes and indicated that, while the new government is trying to protect the industry, municipalities must be able to collect taxes to provide services. A. Kemmere responded to questions regarding communication with the new government, indicating that both parties are open to meeting to discuss rural issues. He noted that this is different from consultation on proposed legislation, which has been unsatisfactory so far. A. Kemmere responded to questions Page 6 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 regarding the Resource Communities of Canada Coalition and their work at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention. LEFT THE MEETING A. Kemmere, B. Brewin, and G. Rhodes left the meeting at 12:20 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:20 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:05 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING W. Valentini and J. Slemp arrived at 1:05 p.m. 9.2 Palliser Economic Partnership J. Slemp provided background information on the requisition increase, indicating that provincial funding has allowed the Palliser Economic Partnership (PEP) to maintain the same per capita charge since 2012. He provided information regarding the budget versus the funds held currently in reserve, indicating that the cash flow required to facilitate projects comes from the requisition. J. Slemp explained the changes to the requisition for the County and provided an overview of some successful rail logistics projects that PEP has been involved in. ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Tanner arrived at 1:22 p.m. W. Valentini provided further information, indicating that PEP helps communities to identify business potential, noting that the projects span multiple years and are of long-term benefit. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. J. Slemp responded to questions regarding projects in the County of Newell that PEP has been involved in. A similar rail logistics park had been proposed for the area, but the community had requested that PEP investigate waste-to-energy facilities. This was determined to be a duplication of the work of the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association and the funding was reallocated to Bassano's small home development project. PEP has been working with Brooks and other municipalities to try and improve rural broadband service. A group has been hired to do studies on value added agriculture that will help municipalities connect farmers to local markets. J. Slemp responded to questions regarding the Highway 36 corridor, indicating that industrial traffic to Fort MacMurray has dropped off significantly, so efforts have been redirected. W. Valentini provided further information, indicating that further requests for changes or upgrades were put on hold until after Alberta Transportation has completed their study of high load corridors. LEFT THE MEETING �J.;�` __ � Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 1:38pm � � Page 7 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 Deputy Reeve 8. de Jong thanked J. Slemp and W. Valentini and indicated that the requisition increase would be discussed further during a future Council meeting. LEFT THE MEETING W. Valentini and J. Slemp left the meeting at 1:41 p.m. 9.3 Funding Request -Southern AB Summer Games T-Shirts R. Tanner provided background information on the Southern Alberta Summer Games. He indicated that approximately 150 t-shirts would be reguired for the Team Newell participants from the Brooks and County of Newell area. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. R. Tanner indicated that the shirts would feature the Southern Alberta Summer Games /ogo designed by the host community as well as the City and County logos and "Team Newell." R. Tanner responded to further questions from Council. C-206/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the request from the Brooks & District Recreation & Parks Board for T-Shirts for the Team Newell Southern Alberta Summer Games participants be APPROVED in the amount of up to $2,700.00. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING R. Tanner left the meeting at 1:53 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 1:54 p.m. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 11.5 Organizational Meeting -Set Date Discussion followed regarding the meeting dates. C-207/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the 2019 Organizational Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 starting at 9:00 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 11.6 Cancel/Reschedule Upcoming Meetings C-208/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Municipal Planning Commission and Council meetings scheduled for August 22, 2019 be CANCELLED. ��'� MOTION CARRIED Page 8 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 11.7 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 11.8 Payment Register C-209/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 11.9 Requests for Functions of Council Discussion followed regarding the KA/ROS Blanket Exercise. Councillors interested in attending are to register on their own. 12. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 12.1 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding unmanned aerial drones and the County's enforcement agreement with the Eastern Irrigation District. C-210/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Director of Municipal Services Report for May 2019 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 2:10 p.m. 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 14. INFORMATION ITEMS 14.1 Update — Regionalization Councillor C. Amulung reported that the Regionalization Working Group has come up with four options for composition of the municipal Council as follows: Bassano Brooks Newell Mayor/Reeve Total 1 Q 501 elected at large 11 1 OO lnternal selection 11 1 OOlnternal selection 1 , 1 QQ 1 elected at large �2 ( `� L Page 9 of 10 Regular Council June 6,2019 A taxation policy proposal was a/so reviewed but no decisions have been made. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the Regionalization Working Group has asked each municipal Council to review the governance proposals and select one preferred option and a/so indicate whether one of the options does not work. This item will be placed on the June 20, 2019 Council Agenda for further discussion. 14.2 Mini Bus Monthly Reports (May 2019) This item was accepted as information. 14.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 15. IN CAMERA C-211/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 2:16 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Two (2) Legal Items—FOIPP Act, Section 27. • One (1) Land Item —FOIPP Act, Section 18. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor L. Juss returned at 3:00 p.m. C-212/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that we move out of camera at 3:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. Signed this �� day of�(�� 2019 � � �\___.__- --� — �_ --._.. ...>-r._,�.. _� Reev � C Administrator Page 10 of 10