Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-19 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL November 19, 2020 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, November 19, 2020 commencing at 10:16 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. No members of the public were physically in attendance. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Meeting Moderator) M. Fenske, Manager of Finance A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:16 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (November 5, 2020) C-363/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the November 5, 2020 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. Regular Council November 19. 2020 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-364/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 7.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (November 2020) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services reported that the provincial ASB Conference would be held online in January 2021, but no specific dates have been released. He responded to questions regarding equipment replacement, the Coyote Control Incentive Program, raccoons, and public use of Emerson Bridge Park during the off season while the gates are locked. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 2021 Interim Budget The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item including an overview of the changes that have been made since the Budget Meeting in October 2020. He provided information regarding tax reductions that have been made by the County, both voluntarily and as a result of Provincial Government initiatives, since 2019. The County of Newell has recognized the economic situation and has made budget changes to support the oil and gas industry and small businesses. The Manager of Finance provided additional details regarding expenses and transfers to organizations. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed regarding the amount allocated for the new Patricia Fire Hall. The Manager of Finance indicated that the single quote was obtained for budget planning purposes and the amount could change when the tender for the project is awarded. Further discussion followed. C-365120 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the 2021 Interim Budget be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED Council asked the Manager of Finance to provide information regarding the tax reductions that have been made since 2019 that can be passed on to ratepayers. Page 2 of 7 Regular Council November 19, 2020 8.2 Appointment to Recreation, Parks & Culture Board (Duchess & Division 8) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-366/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Councillor B. de Jong (Division 8) and Councillor A.M. Philipsen be appointed to the Recreation, Parks & Culture Board (Duchess & Division 8). MOTION CARRIED 8.3 UPDATE - Government Relations Advocacy Committee This item was discussed during the Committee Reports portion of the meeting. 8.4 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness There was no new information on this item to discuss. 8.5 Councillor Payment Sheets (October 2020) Councillor C. Amulung responded to questions from Council. C-367/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the October 2020 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 8.6 Cheques for Payment C-368120 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that cheque 188165 in the amount of $445,331.04 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 8.7 Payment Register The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-369/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8.8 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. Page 3 of 7 Regular Council November 19, 2020 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS 9.1 Safe Communities Committee Councillor H. Kallen provided information regarding a rural crime incident in Consort, AB. He reported that donations of toys and items for the food bank will be collected during the Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade on December 5, 2020. The Halloween event at the JBS Canada Centre and the Remembrance Day Ceremonies were both successful. 9.2 Newell Regional Tourism Association Councillor A.M. Philipsen reported that Canadian Badlands is considering moving towards more industry -driven representation and suggested that the Newell Regional Tourism Association Board determine if they would be interested in moving in that direction also. Councillor E. Unruh indicated that she would bring the idea forward but expressed concerns with municipal funding sources not being available without municipal involvement on the board. Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided further information regarding the Canadian Badlands stakeholder consultation report that will be available soon. 9.3 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung reported that the 2021 budget has been approved. Funding for programs that were unable to be delivered due to COVID-19 have been redistributed to social agencies. C. Corbett-Schock is the new Chair of Grasslands Regional FCSS. Councillor C. Amulung responded to questions, indicating that funding for FCSS has remained stable for FCSS and they are seeing more families in need due to COVID-19. 9.4 County of Newell Library Board Councillor K. Christman reported that County libraries are open, but they may be delivering services differently. She reminded Council to renew their library memberships. The County of Newell Library Board is looking into why the Alcoma School Library is not currently open to the public. 9.5 Shortgrass Library System Councillor K. Christman reported that the Shortgrass Library System has realized cost savings in a number of areas this year and has reallocated this funding into eBooks as the use of eBooks has increased significantly. Libraries are operating and promoting COVID-19 safety. 9.6 Government Relations Advocacy Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported that a meeting was held on November 10, 2020 with RMA President P. McLauchlin, RMA District 1 Director J. Schneider, Cypress Page 4 of 7 Regular Council November 19, 2020 County, and Ponoka County. The RMA President suggested that municipalities need to lobby and empower their MLA's and the use of metrics or measuring tools may bring new knowledge to the provincial government. Councillor B. de Jong expressed concerns regarding the metrics to be used as they may not be favorable to municipalities. He suggested that municipalities should define what is important for them to be a healthy, sustainable municipality. Councillor K. Christman provided information regarding a proposed communication strategy, which would involve the municipality controlling the narrative and distributing information to ratepayers on what is being done to support the oil and gas industry and small businesses. The RMA will be gathering this information from Municipalities. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that the Government Relations Advocacy Committee will meet following today's Council meeting. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Ratepayer Concerns - Proposed Electoral Divisions The Director of Corporate Services reported that details are being finalized for a meeting with some Division 4 residents on Monday to discuss the proposed electoral division boundaries. He indicated that meetings can be arranged with residents from other areas as well. The purpose of this meeting is to engage directly with ratepayers and review different options for boundary configurations. The maps will be reviewed, and a discussion will follow regarding the reasons why the preferred map was selected. The Director of Corporate Services reiterated that the County is open to input on changes to the boundaries. Discussion followed regarding concerns raised and some misconceptions. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the link to the survey had been included in the information package so that individuals could review the information before responding to the survey. Discussion followed and it was indicated that the information was made available on the County's website with regular advertising via the local newspapers, the radio, social media, and Newell Notify. Council will forward any feedback received to the Director of Corporate Services. Discussion followed regarding feedback received from ratepayers. Four letters from ratepayers were included in the Council Agenda package. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that he had spoken to two individuals. There have been no requests for a printed copy of the information. Further discussion followed regarding the concern that there is not enough time for meaningful input. Councillor W. Hammergren indicated that Division 4 residents are unhappy about being split in half. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council regarding the deadlines and reiterated that meetings can be set up with concerned residents to discuss alternate boundary proposals. 10.2 Update - Consultation Meetings on Recreation The Director of Corporate Services reported that the meeting with County recreation groups in October went well. The meeting that was scheduled for tonight has been postponed due to COVID-19 safety protocols. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council November 19, 2020 10.3 Update - Save the Shuttle Fundraising Campaign The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on the "Save the Shuttle" fundraising initiative that resulted from a discussion by the Joint Services Committee. In order for the service to continue, $40, 000.00 is required for 2021. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that registered riders have been notified of an increase in rider fees if fundraising goals are met and the shuttle service continues to operate in 2021. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report (October 2020) The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 11.2 Strategic Priorities Chart The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council regarding funding opportunities for improving rural broadband internet. He reported that he would reach out to the Eastern Irrigation District to determine the status of their plan to increase bandwidth and find out if there is any interest in submitting applications for funding. This item was accepted as information. 11.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS — continued 10.1 Ratepayer Concerns - Proposed Electoral Divisions — continued Discussion followed regarding extending the deadline for feedback on the Proposed Electoral Divisions and scheduling a second meeting between Christmas and New Years Eve in December. The Chief Administrative Officer encouraged that, if a meeting was held, it be a special meeting to discuss this specific topic so that only those staff working on the bylaw would need to be present. Further discussion followed and Council indicated that the original deadline for feedback of December 2, 2020 will be upheld. 12. IN CAMERA C-370/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move in camera at 12:02 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 7 Regular Council November 19, 2020 C-371/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move out of camera at 12:21 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 13. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:22 p.m. Signed this 10".\day of , 2020 Reeve Couhty--Ad6inistrator Page 7 of 7