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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-25 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL September 25, 2014 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, September 25, 2014 commencing at 10:15 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh L. Juss ABSENT: B. de Jong STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services D. Horvath, Planner - ORRSC A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development M. Gietz, Manager of Economic Development W. Slenders, Market Researcher H. White, Manager of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant I OTHERS IN R. Brown, Brooks Bulletin j ATTENDANCE: 4 County Ratepayers 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. r 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-303/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Councillor B. de Jong be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (2014-09-11) 04/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the September 11, 2014 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council September 25, 2014 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-305/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS 6.1 Bylaw 1802-14 - Road Closure & Sale (Plan 1349 BA) The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-306114 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1802-14, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and creating title to and disposing of portions of a public highway in Millicent, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-307/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Bylaw 1802-14 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Navigate Newell Website The Manager of Economic Development and the Market Researcher gave an overview of the key components of the Newell network of websites, which will go live next week. Opportunity Newell is for business, Visit Newell is for tourism, and Live Newell is for community services. These three sites are connected by a search engine, SimplySouthemAlberta.com. The Market Researcher gave a demonstration of NavigateNewell.com, which lists commercial and industrial properties and allows for a variety of reporting features. The site will be updated by municipalities and real estate agents. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Economic Development explained that municipalities and realtors have been given the ability to list their own properties. An individual interested in selling their property would contact the municipality. Councillor L. Juss asked how an individual would know that this information is available. The Market Researcher replied that they are working with other organizations in order to promote the websites. The Manager of Economic Development indicated that marketing would be required. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of targeted } advertising. The Manager of Economic Development and the Market Researcher responded to further questions from Council. Page 2 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 LEFT THE MEETING M. Gietz and W. Slenders left the meeting at 10:59 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Urban & Rural Design Guidelines The Manager of Planning & Deveo pment provided background information on this item and an update on her re arch on letters of credit versus performance bonds. ARRIVED AT MEETING H. White arrived at 11:02 a.m. Discussion followed regarding how often letters of credit are required and the Manager of Planning & Development replied that some form of security is required when there is a Development Agreement requiring road construction or utilities. Discussion followed regarding offering both options to developers. The County Planner suggested that the requirement for either a letter of credit or performance bond could be made a condition of the approval by the Municipal Planning Commission, but the conditions could be the subject of an appeal. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that the letter of credit be the default option provided by staff. If the developer would prefer a performance bond, the request would be reviewed and approved by Council. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further discussion. 8.2 Road Closure - Approval to Proceed (Springside Hutterian Brethren Homesite) The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, indicating that the applicant would like to close the road and consolidate the quarters. This would allow for further development on the site. The Director of Municipal Services expressed concerns with closing this road allowance as it is a direct link from Township Road 21-2 north to the river. He also expressed concerns with buildings constructed on road allowances. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor C. Amulung noted several issues in the area and suggested a thorough analysis of the property. Discussion followed regarding the access to the river. Council directed staff to conduct a thorough review of the land owned by the Springside Hutterian Brethren. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further discussion. LEFT THE MEETING 3 County Ratepayers left the meeting at 11:24 a.m. Page 3 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS (3 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (September 2014) The Manager of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's report for September 2014 and responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 11:25 a.m. The Manager of Agricultural Services responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING H. White left the meeting at 11:29 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.3 Planning Process Workshop The County Planner provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The Planning Workshop will be held at the County of Newell facilities on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 beginning at 9:30 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor L. Juss returned at 11:35 a.m. 9.6 Request to Sell Municipal Reserve Parcel The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. There was a previous request by another individual interested in purchasing this Municipal Reserve land. The Director of Corporate Services explained the public hearing process that must be followed in order to sell land that has been designated Municipal Reserve. During the hearing, adjacent landowners objected to the sale. During the review of County owned property in June 2014, Council decided to keep the land, which is undeveloped. An adjacent landowner recently submitted a request to purchase the land for Council's consideration. The Director of Corporate Services noted that, once the Municipal Reserve designation has been removed and the property has been sold, Council cannot limit development on that property. He also suggested the property could be leased for grazing, but that option should be made available to other interested parties through a public advertisement. A. Onda, the adjacent landowner interested in the Municipal Reserve parcel, provided background information and cited reasons for the opposition to the Page 4 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 previous request for sale. She indicated that they intend to use the land to graze horses and that a lease would be acceptable. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions regarding fencing, maintenance of the parcel, and advertising requirements. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that there are a number of Municipal Reserve parcels throughout the County and that grazing leases could be entertained in those areas as well. A. Onda responded to further questions from Council. Discussion followed and the Director of Corporate Services was requested to obtain more information regarding the parcel and the open public process on the basis that Council is willing to consider leasing the parcel. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that use of Municipal Reserve Parcels is not restricted to landowners of the subdivision it is associated with; it is public land. LEFT THE MEETING A. Onda left the meeting at 12:02 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:02 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:04 p.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.10 AAMDC Fall 2014 Convention (November 18-20,2014) Council was presented with information regarding the AAMDC Fall 2014 Convention. C-308114 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor G. Simpson, Councillor T. Fyfe, and Councillor E. Unruh be permitted to attend the Elected Officials Education Program course during the AAMDC Fall 2014 Convention as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding training for Councillors. 9.4 Municipal Internship Program for Land Use Planners The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, indicating that the intern would be hosted by ORRSC and be at the County and City of Brooks as much as possible working on projects. The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on the Municipal Internship Program, indicating that the Manager of Finance is still considering submitting an application for a Finance Intern for the County. The Manager of Planning & Development, the County Planner, and the Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. The Manager of Planning & Development listed some potential projects that the intern would work on. Page 5 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 C-309/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Council APPROVES the proposal for ORRSC to submit an application to the Municipal Internship Program for Land Use Planners. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath left the meeting at 1:28 p.m. 9.5 Tender Sale of County Owned Lands The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that most of the tenders received are considerably lower than the assessed values of the properties. He noted that the Municipal Government Act requires municipalities to publicly advertise the intent to sell property for less than market value. He asked Council what minimum prices they would accept in order to sell the property. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding the advertising that was done regarding the sale. Councillor W. Hammergren suggested listing the properties with a real estate agent. Discussion followed regarding the assessed value of the properties. The Chief Administrative Officer outlined the MGA requirements to sell property for less than market value, noting for most of the properties there is a significant difference between the assessed value and the bids received. He further advised Council that if Council wants to sell any of the properties under market value it must be advertised, with the market value and minimum value to be accepted shown, to comply with section 70 of the MGA. Discussion followed regarding obtaining appraisals and using realtors. C-310/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that we accept the tender as submitted and proceed to advertise the intent to sell Site 204 (Lot 22, Block 2, Plan 951 0189) for $15,000.00; further, that all other tenders received for the Sale of County Owned Lands be rejected. Discussion followed regarding advertising the intent to sell this property for less than market value. The Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. VOTE ON MOTION C-310/14 - MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding advertising the other properties and including the bids that were submitted. The Director of Corporate Services replied that those bids have now been rejected and are irrelevant. � _,% LEFT THE MEETING Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 2:04 p.m. Discussion followed and Council directed Administration to obtain appraisals on several of the properties and report back to Council for the next steps. The Page 6 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 Director of Corporate Services indicated that an advertisement will be prepared to notify the public of Council's intent to sell Site #204 for the tendered price. 9.7 Alternate Sources of Revenue The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item which came out of a discussion during the last Corporate Retreat to investigate altemative sources of revenue to reduce reliance on linear assessment. He suggested waiting for capital funding to become available before proceeding on any projects, but noted that it was important to choose the areas of interest and determine requirements through a meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs. He further suggested that if Council decides to pursue alternate forms of revenue, by completing one or more projects, then the County should proceed with design and costing so that the projects will be shovel for grant funding applications. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 9.8 Request to Rename a Road The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item. A previous program that welcomed requests to rename roads was discontinued as the rural addressing system is based off township and range road numbers. Reeve M. Douglass and Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided history of the discontinued road naming program. 11/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the request to rename the road be declined. MOTION CARRIED 9.9 Request for Proclamation - Diabetes Week (September 29 - October 6, 2014) C-312/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the County of Newell hereby proclaims September 29 - October 6, 2014 as "Diabetes Week." MOTION CARRIED 9.11 Councillor Payment Sheets (August 2014) C-313/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the August 2014 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.12 Cheques for Payment C-314/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that cheque 179303 in the amount of $1,628,051.42 and cheque 179304 in the amount of $369,953.02 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 0011, 9.13 Payment Register LJ��s 1111110� The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. Page 7 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 C-315/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. 0 MOTION CARRIED 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS There was no Municipal Services business to discuss at this meeting. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Shortgrass Library System Councillor K. Christman reported that resolutions would be discussed during the AUMA and AAMDC conventions regarding increased funding for library systems. 11.2 Municipal Library Board Councillor K. Christman reported that budgeting is on track and that 2014 funding has been received. 11.3 Red Deer River Municipal Users Group Councillor W. Hammergren reported that the RDRMUG has been pushing the provincial government to reserve allotment on the Red Deer River for municipalities. This would guarantee water for municipalities that would not be given to industry in the future. They are also trying to fund studies on wastewater management and water quality in the Red Deer River and will be working with the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance. 11.4 Tourism Representative Councillor E. Unruh distributed a new travel planner that has been developed by the Newell Regional Tourism Association. 11.5 Compensation Review Committee Councillor C. Amulung provided a history of the Councillor Compensation Review Committee, which tries to ensure that Council follows the policy. He indicated that the policy contains some gray areas and stressed the importance of everyone following it consistently. He requested direction regarding work done on Fire Committees and Recreation Boards and clarification regarding situations where time is donated but mileage is not. Discussion followed regarding what divisional work is included for the monthly compensation. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor L. Juss returned at 2:39 p.m. Councillor C. Amulung acknowledged that the information provided on the time sheets has improved significantly. Further discussion on the Councillor's Page 8 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 Compensation Policy will occur during the Organizational Meeting on October 9, 2014. 11.6 Bassano Project Reeve M. Douglass reported on a conference call with the Minister of Health, Minister of Transportation, and representatives from Municipal Affairs to discuss the Bassano Project. The discussion was very positive. Councillor B. de Jong has also met with the new Minister of Health during the AUMA Convention, who is also positive about the Bassano Project. 11.7 Mayors' & Reeves Association of Southeast Alberta Reeve M. Douglass reported that the Mayors' & Reeves' Association of Southeast Alberta will be modelling future meetings after those held by the Southwest Mayors' & Reeves' Association. The MLA's and MP's from the southeast region will be invited to future meetings to give reports. 11.8 Newell Recycling/Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor L. Juss reported that the recycling depot will accept leftover tubing and pipe from the County of Newell Water Project. He provided an update on work being done at the landfill. 11.9 Airport Commission Councillor L. Juss reported that they are waiting on engineers. 11.10 Newell Foundation Councillor G. Simpson reported that the Bassano Project is at the forefront of Newell Foundation in a positive way. He reported on the recent staff appreciation BBQ at Newbrook Lodge. 11.11 Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass reported on her attendance at several events, including a meeting at Medicine Hat College - Brooks Campus with the new president, the 10th Anniversary of Newbrook Lodge, the FCSS Transportation Forum, the Southern Alberta transportation forum, the Newell Regional Services Corporation Annual General Meeting, and the grand opening of Uplands School. She also assisted with touring Egyptian visitors to JBS foods through the community in August. Page 9 of 10 Regular Council September 25, 2014 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no Post Agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report (August 2014) This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 14. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 15. IN CAMERA C-316/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 2:59 p.m. to discuss a legal issue. MOTION CARRIED C-317/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that we move out of camera at 4:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Signed this C) �"day of Q�r '2014 Page 10 of 10 C•7