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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-22 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL July 22, 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, July 22, 2021 commencing at 10:22 a.m. 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: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer S. Yokoyama, Information & Technology Administrative Assistant (Moderator) T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: Cpl. R. Harms, RCMP - Brooks Cpl. S. Andrews, RCMP - Bassano K. Sieben, Safe Communities Coordinator E. Van der Linde, SWITCH Power Corporation J. Haneiph, SWITCH Power Corporation 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:22 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (July 8, 2021) C-238/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the July 8, 2021 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CAR IED Regular Council July 22, 2021 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-239/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE 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. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 2021 Tax Sale by Public Auction The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-240/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the 2021 Tax Sale by Public Auction be held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the County of Newell Building with cash or certified cheque only terms, and that the reserve bids for the 2021 Tax Sale properties be set as recommended by Administration. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Policy Review - 2021-PAD-059 (Personnel) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item including an overview of the significant changes to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-241/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Policy 2021-PAD-059 (Personnel) be adopted as presented; further, that policy 2014-PPW-032 (Shop - Use of County Shop) be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Policy Review - Rescind 2008-PAD-050 (Fire Truck Donations) and 2011-PAD-048 (Cell Phone Free Driving) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-242/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Policy 2008-PAD-050 (Fire Truck Donations) and Policy 2011-PAD-048 (Cell Phone Free Driving) be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 8 Regular Council July 22, 2021 9.4 Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Report Councillor B. de Jong provided background information on this item. The recommendation in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services report is for a single service provider. The County currently provides annual funding to both HALO and STARS. Discussion followed. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green and J. Nesbitt arrived at 10:45 a.m. 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (July 2021) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. He announced the winners of this year's Rural Beautification Awards and thanked M. Folkerts and Councillor C. Amulung for judging. • First Place - Julius & Marie Snyders (Division 5) • Second Place - John & Teena Ketchmark (Division 4) • Third Place - Brent & Coralee Jakobsen (Division 2) ARRIVED AT MEETING Cpl. R. Harms arrived at 10:52. a.m. Cpl. S. Andrews arrived at 10:56 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding feedback on the effectiveness of skunk traps and grasshoppers. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Sieben arrived at 10:58 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:59 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports 7.1.1 Brooks RCMP (Cpl. R. Harms) Cpl. R. Harms presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Cpl. R. Harms responded to Page 3 of 8 Regular Council July 22, 2021 questions regarding enforcing COVID-19 quarantine requirements for Alberta Health Services. He also provided further information on the Community Engagement Unit, which has been effective in building mutual understanding between the police and the community. 7.1.2 Bassano RCMP (Cpl. S. Andrews) Cpl. S. Andrews presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. He thanked the public for reporting suspicious vehicles or activity. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Cpl. S. Andrews responded to questions regarding the increase in mental health calls possibly being due to the public becoming more comfortable reaching out for assistance. Cpl. R. Harms responded to questions regarding the Domestic Violence Intervention Team, indicating that existing supervisors are maintaining most of the role until the position is filled. 7.1.3 Safe Communities Committee (K. Sieben) K. Sieben presented the Safe Communities Committee Report to Council, providing an overview of initiatives and events. She reported that the Safe Communities TikTok account now has over 50, 000 followers and their live videos have participants from all over the world. She invited input from Council and the public on what issues they would like Safe Communities to address. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 7.1.4 Municipal Enforcement (J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor) The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor presented the County of Newell Enforcement Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor responded to questions regarding enforcement of speed limits in the County. Cpl. S. Andrews asked if the County could assist with speed control devices for Bassano. The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor indicated that the County has two types of speed monitoring signs that can be installed in areas of concern. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Haneiph and E. Van der Linde arrived at 11:45 a.m. LEFT THE MEETING Cpl. R. Harms, Cpl. S. Andrews, K. Sieben, and J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 11:47 a.m. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council July 22, 2021 7.2 SWITCH Power Corporation C-243/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move in camera at 11:48 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party - FOIPP Act Section 16. MOTION CARRIED C-244/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 12:21 p.m. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING J. Haneiph and E. Van der Linde left the meeting at 12:21 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:21 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:14 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 1:14 p.m. 7. DELEGATIONS — continued 7.2 SWITCH Power Corporation — continued C-245/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that an amended Municipal Stimulus Grant application be submitted for the following projects: • Pathway from County of Newell facilities to TR182 • Upgrades to Emerson Bridge Park; further, that Administration requests an extension to the deadline for expending the funds. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding the costs associated with the two proposed projects. Discussion followed regarding the pathway project. Councillor T. Fyfe provided an update, indicating that a site plan is in development and will be presented to the Joint Services Committee. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions, indicating that completing the pathway to TR182 is contingent on receiving Municipal Stimulus Program funding. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions. VOTE ON MOTION C-245/21 — MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 8 Regular Council July 22, 2021 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (July 2021) — continued C-246/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for July 2021 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 State of Local Emergency for Drought Conditions The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item, listing some other municipalities in Alberta that have declared a State of Local Emergency. He indicated that the impact of drought conditions may not be the same throughout the County due to the amount of irrigation and suggested gathering information on moisture levels, heat, and other factors to determine whether this is a single- or multi -year drought event. Discussion followed. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council. Council provided direction for the Director of Agricultural Services to gather supporting data to be discussed during the August 5, 2021 Council meeting. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 1:45 p.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.5 Rural Municipalities of Alberta - Meetings with Ministers Discussion on meetings with ministers during the Fall 2021 Rural Municipalities of Alberta convention. The Executive Assistant was directed to initiate contact with the following Ministers: • Municipal Affairs - Assessment Model Review, timelines for grant funding applications, dealing with uneven population distribution across electoral divisions. • Transportation -update on plans for secondary highway improvements and partnership opportunities, bridges. • Agriculture & Forestry Meetings will be booked with the understanding that the new Council can select alternate discussion topics or cancel the meetings. This item will be brought back to Council for further discussion in November. 9.6 Alberta Urban Municipalities Association Convention (November 17-19, 2021) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and Council indicated Page 6 of 8 Regular Council July 22, 2021 that the County of Newell will not send any delegates to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention this year. 9.7 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness Reeve M. Douglass reported that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta would like municipalities to provide information in their research on the viability of oil and gas companies. 9.8 Councillor Payment Sheets (June 2021) C-247/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the June 2021 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.9 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 9.10 Payment Register C-248/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 9.11 Requests for Functions of Council 9.11.1 Town Hall Meeting with Minister of Justice & Solicitor General (July 22, 2021) Councillor H. Kallen provided background information on this item. Reeve M. Douglass provided details for a meeting with the Minister of Justice & Solicitor General in Brooks. C-249/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor H. Kallen be permitted to attend the Town Hall meeting with the Minister of Justice & Solicitor General in Redcliff, AB on July 22, 2021 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Joint Services Committee The minutes of the Joint Services Committee meetings are distributed to Council. 10.2 Newell Housing Foundation Councillor H. Kallen provided a written report. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council July 22, 2021 10.3 Rural Crime Watch Councillor H. Kallen provided a written report. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report (June 2021) This item was accepted as information. 12.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 12.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 13. IN CAMERA C-250/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that we move in camera at 2:05 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations-FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED C-251/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move out of camera at 3:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. Signed this S day of, 2021 Reeve County Administrator Page 8 of 8