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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-11 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL February 11, 2021 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public via Lifesize on Thursday, February 11, 2021 commencing at 10:37 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 (Moderator) G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development M. Fenske, Manager of Finance M. Ross, Projects Assistant M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: T. Lynn, General Manager, Alberta South - Telus K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation W. Patterson, Elemental Energy CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:37 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council February 11, 2021 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (January 21, 2021) C-36/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the January 21, 2021 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-37/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN 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. 10. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Seasonal Camping at Emerson Bridge Campground The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council regarding the seasonal rates of other campgrounds in the area. The Chief Administrative Officer provided further information on seasonal rates. The Director of Agricultural Services suggested that 10-12 designated campsites be made available for seasonal use. He responded to questions on advertising for Emerson Bridge Park. Discussion followed. C-38/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Director of Agricultural Services determine a limited number of sites to be offered for seasonal camping at Emerson Bridge Park in 2021; further that those interested in seasonal camping be permitted to select from the designated sites, reserve, and pay for them before Emerson Bridge Park opens. ir,15011Is] ►te—I t:wk ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Lynn arrived at 11:00 a.m. 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 Request for Letter of Support - Telus (Universal Broadband Fund) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. T. Lynn provided an overview of her role with Telus and requested a letter Page 2 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 in support of an application by Telus to the Universal Broadband Fund. She indicated that project will focus on upgrading cellular towers to improve mobile coverage and mobile high-speed internet. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. T. Lynn explained the difference between the Telus project and similar projects in the area by other internet providers, indicating that the Telus project is focused on improving mobile signals and will provide internet access to areas that cannot be served by wireline-based services. She indicated that she would forward information on when the towers were last upgraded. C-39/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council provides a letter of support to Telus for their application for funding under the Universal Broadband Funding Program. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding the difference between Telus's request and the request by Xplornet discussed at a previous meeting, indicating that Xplornet's service is primarily for fixed locations, as is the Eastern Irrigation District's internet service. T. Lynn provided further information. The Director of Municipal Services provided additional information, indicating that there is a need for improved connectivity for County operations as well as ratepayers. Discussion followed. Reeve M. Douglass called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-39/21 — MOTION CARRIED T. Lynn responded to further questions from Council and indicated that Telus wants to cooperate with local businesses in improving connectivity for the entire region. LEFT THE MEETING T. Lynn left the meeting at 11:32 a.m. C-40/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move into Public Hearings at 11:33 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2000-21 - 21 LUA 001 (LSD 2 & 7 in SW 28-17-13-W4 - A to SLA) Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:33 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Supervisor of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2000-21. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 1892-17 by rezoning approximately 4.45 acres (1.80 hectares) in SE 28-17-13-W4 from A - Agricultural District to SLA - Single Lot Agricultural District. Page 3 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 The Supervisor of Planning & Development 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-41/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:35 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2000-21 - 21 LUA 001 (LSD 2 & 7 in SW 28-17-13-W4 - A to SLA) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-42/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Bylaw 2000-21, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1892-17 by redesignating approximately 4.45 acres (1.80 hectares) legally described as Legal Subdivisions 2 & 7 in SE 28-17-13-W4 from A - Agricultural District to SLA - Single Lot Agriculture District, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-43/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that Bylaw 2000-21 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 11.1 Planning & Development Report The Supervisor of Planning & Development presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-44/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Planning & Development Report for January 2021 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:37 a.m. Page 4 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 12. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 12.2 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 road maintenance arrangements with the Town of Bassano and addressing bumps in the road where culverts are installed. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 11:54 a.m. 12.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Steinley responded to questions and provided additional information on the project to lower the transmission main adjacent to Highway 36 at Rock Lake. C-45/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for January 2021 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 12:01 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:02 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:10 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Ross arrived at 1:10 p.m. 9. DELEGATIONS — continued 9.2 Communications Strategy The Projects Assistant provided background information on the public education initiative requested by Council. The goal of this initiative is to educate the public on services provided by the County and why they are provided. She gave an overview of the communication channels that will be used, indicating that other channels (i.e., radio) will be considered in the future. The Projects Assistant provided examples of the types of material that will be posted and outlined the plan going forward. She indicated that she would develop a plan for measuring results which will be reported to Council at a later date. The Projects Assistant displayed some examples of social media posts and website advertising that would be used. Page 5 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Council gave the Projects Assistant direction to proceed with the public education initiative, indicating that staff could determine timely topics to be circulated with Council advising of emergent items. Reeve M. Douglass volunteered to review the items prior to their publication. Discussion followed on a regular radio segment and Council agreed that this would be worthwhile and that several Councillors could take turns participating. The Projects Assistant will investigate a County radio segment. LEFT THE MEETING M. Ross left the meeting 1:38 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING W. Patterson arrived at 1:30 p.m. 9.3 Elemental Energy - Brooks II Project Community Benefits Proposal W. Patterson provided an update on the Brooks Solar 11 Project and indicated that Elemental Energy will be applying for approval as a small-scale generator which requires the establishment of a Community Benefit Fund that will benefit local initiatives. He explained other benefits available to small scale generators and responded to questions regarding the Community Benefit Fund. The Director of Corporate Services provided further information and suggested that a committee with representation from both the City and the County could determine how the Community Benefits Fund would be allocated. Discussion followed. W. Patterson indicated that all funds would be allocated on a per application basis and indicating that the decision today will establish the framework moving forward. He indicated that Elemental Energy wants those closest to the project to realize the benefits. Discussion followed and Council thanked Elemental Energy. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that details regarding how the funds are to be allocated can be determined once the Memorandum of Understanding for the Community Benefit Fund has been approved. C-46/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that Council APROVES the Memorandum of Understanding between Elemental Energy and the County of Newell to establish a Community Benefit Fund associated with the Brooks Solar II project. MOTION CARRIED W. Patterson provided further information on the Brooks Solar 11 Project. LEFT THE MEETING W. Patterson left the meeting at 2:03 p.m. Page 6 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 11.2 Restricted Surplus Review & Approval of Year End Transfers The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding funding for replacement of recreation facilities. The Manager of Finance provided the balance of the Recreation Fund. The Director of Corporate Services provided an update on the public consultation on how to allocate the Recreation Fund, indicating that COVID-19 restrictions have prevented subsequent meetings. Discussion followed and Council indicated that community groups must be aware of the requirement for their involvement in fundraising and other organizational matters. Councillor H. Kallen indicated that the Division 2 Recreation Board would be forwarding a letter to Council regarding the Tilley Arena and Curling Rink. Councillor B. de Jong reported that the Duchess Community Hall also requires upgrades but the groups that are using the hall are proposing the costs be shared equally between the community groups, the County, and the Village of Duchess. Administration was asked to provide Council with a list of funding provided by the County for recreation facilities. C-47/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the year-end transfer of unrestricted net assets to the restricted surplus funds as proposed by Finance be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 11.3 Resolution in Support of Federation of Canadian Municipalities Asset Management Program Grant - Road Condition Study The Projects Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-48/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that an application be submitted to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Asset Management Program for the Road Condition study; further, that the County of Newell, in order to advance its Municipal Asset Management Program, commits to conducting the following activities within the proposed Road Condition Study: • The Road Condition Study will be tendered out to a third party engineering firm, • Third party professionals will conduct the Road Condition Study, and • The findings of the Road Condition Study will be reviewed and applied to the County of Newell's Asset Management Practices; further, that Council APPROVES funding for this initiative in the amount of $150,000.00 in the 2021 budget. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Ross left the meeting at 2:19 p.m. Page 7 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 11.4 Allocation of Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) Funding The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and Council requested that it be communicated to the community groups in the County that they are to keep track of expenses related to their COVID-19 response. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the ratepayers are still responsible for paying their taxes and the County can follow the legislated tax recovery processes. The Manager of Finance responded to questions regarding outstanding taxes from 2020 and explained that the reporting process would be straightforward if the MOST funding was applied against the outstanding taxes. He noted that the reporting deadline for the MOST Funding Program is March 31, 2021. When the taxes are received, they will return to the County's revenues and Council can decide how the funds are distributed. The Manager of Finance responded to further questions from Council. C-49/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the funding received under the Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) program be allocated towards the County's outstanding 2020 tax receivables. MOTION CARRIED 11.5 Letter from MD of Bonnyville - Need for a Stronger Western Canadian Municipal Advocate Council was presented with a letter from the M.D. of Bonnyville expressing a need for a stronger western Canadian municipal advocate. This item was accepted as information. 11.6 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring 2021 Convention (March 16-17, 2021) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Reeve M. Douglass reported that she had spoken with Cypress County and they have not done anything further with the Assessment Model Review but are willing to join if the County arranges a meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Discussion followed and Council indicated a preference for a meeting to discuss how changes to the Assessment Model specifically affect the County of Newell. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the County Assessor is working on compiling figures on oil and gas assessment from Alberta and Saskatchewan. He indicated that the County must advocate for fair assessment, knowing what the assessments are, and focusing on the mill rates if the taxes are unfair because the oil and gas industry creates large expenses for municipalities. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and the Chief Administrative Officer was directed to draft a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs outlining those key points and requesting a meeting. Councillor L. Juss responded to questions regarding the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association project, indicating that the group has met with provincial government ministers several times. Discussion followed and Council indicated that this would be a topic for a meeting with the Minister of Environment & Parks. Page 8 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 The Executive Assistant was directed to arrange the following meetings: • Minister of Municipal Affairs - Assessment Model Review • Minister of Environment & Parks - Support for the SAEWA Project; delays associated with obtaining environmental assessments or approvals. 11.7 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness There was no new information on this item to discuss. 11.8 Cheques for Payment C-50/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that cheque 188266 in the amount of $563,425.00 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 11.9 Payment Register C-51/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 11.10 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 12. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 12.3 Tender Award - One Tree Road Overlay The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-52/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Council accepts the low tender as submitted and awards the One Tree Road Asphaltic Concrete Pavement Overlay and Other Works tender to Brooks Asphalt & Aggregate Ltd. for the tendered price of $2,130,849.40. MOTION CARRIED 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS 13.1 Request for Letter of Support — EID Expansion Limit Plebiscite Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. This item was accepted as information. Page 9 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 14. INFORMATION ITEMS 14.1 Letter from County of Stettler No. 6 - Uncollectable Property Taxes in the County of Stettler/Seniors Housing Requisitions Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer and the Manager of Finance responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 14.2 Update - Lathom Solar Project Councillor K. Christman reported that an online public consultation session regarding the Lathom Solar Project will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Those interested must register to attend. This item was accepted as information. 14.3 Mini Bus Monthly Report (January 2021) This item was accepted as information. 14.4 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 15. IN CAMERA C-53/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 3:05 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Personnel — FOIPP Act Section 17; • Legal — FO/PP Act Section 27. MOTION CARRIED C-54/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move out of camera at 4:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-55/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Council accepts with regret the resignation of Kevin Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer, as submitted on February 11, 2021, and thanks him for his years of service. MOTION CARRIED Page 10 of 11 Regular Council February 11, 2021 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m. Signed this 4-� day of2021 Reeve County Administrator Page 11 of 11