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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-23 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL September 23, 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, September 23, 2021 commencing at 10:16 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. Four 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 B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: E. Unruh STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Moderator) M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services S. Luchies, Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: N. Salonka, County Ratepayer A. Skanderup, County Ratepayer B. Stabbler, County Ratepayer D. Stabbler, County Ratepayer 1 E C-286/21 CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:16 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Councillor E. Unruh be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council September 23, 2021 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (September 9, 2021) C-287/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the September 9, 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-288/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Two County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2015-21 Road Closure & LEASE — Ptn. of NW 28-20-17-W4 and NE 29-20-17-W4, SW 28-20-17-W4 and SE 29-20-17-W4 The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-289/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Bylaw 2015-21, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING those portions of road allowance lying adjacent to the west boundary of NW 28-20-17-W4 & SW 28-20-17-W4, and those portions of road allowance lying adjacent to the east boundary of SE 29-20-17-W4 & NE 29-20-17-W4, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-290/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Bylaw 2015-21 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. iwl i MOTION CARRIED Bylaw 2016-21 Land Use Bylaw The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided an update to Council. Since the public hearing on September 9, 2021, County staff have met with Brooks and Duchess to discuss their concerns with elements of the proposed Land Use Bylaw. The Supervisor of Planning & Development outlined the amendments made to the Land Use Bylaw to address concerns with large agricultural and accessory buildings, utilities, and pits and quarries in the IDP area. On September 22, 2021, the Village of Duchess provided a draft Page 2 of 8 Regular Council September 23, 2021 Agriculture, Intermunicipal Plan Area (A -IPA) land use district. The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided an overview of this proposed land use district, noting that County staff were not involved in the creation of this land use district nor were they given an opportunity to provide amendments. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding the proposed A -IPA district. The Village of Duchess requested that it be included in the Land Use Bylaw and removed when the Intermunicipal Plan between the County and Duchess is updated. She indicated that the amendments to the Land Use Bylaw presented today offer sufficient protection to the fringe areas. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding the time provided for input. The public open house was available June 9-21, 2021 and Bylaw 2016-21 was given first reading on August 5, 2021. Discussion followed. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to further questions from Council. C-291/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Bylaw 2016-21, being a bylaw to adopt a Land Use Bylaw for the County of Newell, be given SECOND reading as amended. MOTION CARRIED C-292121 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2016-21 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (September 2021) 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 responded to questions regarding the plants in the natural reserve area located near the Brooks Airport. C-293/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for September 2021 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 South Region Agricultural Service Board Conference (October 6, 2021) The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and several Councillors expressed interest in attending provided that adequate COVID-19 safety protocols are in place. The deadline for registration is September 29, 2021. COO Page 3 of 8 Regular Council September 23, 2021 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Additional Costs to Pumper/Tender Fire Engine - Duchess Fire Department The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator provided background information on this item, including details on the benefits associated with the proposed upgrades. He responded to questions from Council, indicating that this equipment will be included as part of the standard for new fire trucks that are purchased. C-294/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council APPROVES an increase to the budget in the amount of $23,000 from the Capital Project Apparatus Replacement fund to allow for the ground sweeps and water monitor to be added to the pumper/tender fire engine for the Duchess Fire Department. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Change of Scope of Work & Added Expense to the Rolling Hills Fire Department The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator provided background information on this item, indicating that a change in scope would allow for better use of the existing space. He provided details on the proposed addition and enclosed training area. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-295/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Council APPROVES the change in scope of work to the Rolling Hills Fire Department building project; further, that Council APPROVES the additional cost of $25,000 to install an enclosed training area on this property next to the proposed County grader compound. MOTION CARRIED The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator responded to questions regarding the reasons behind downgrading the fire restriction to a fire advisory in the County. 9.3 COVID-19 Update The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that the County has assessed the COVID-19 situation and updated safety protocols to provide maximum safety to both County staff and ratepayers. He gave an overview of the safety measures, which include working from home, wearing masks, and physical distancing. COVID-19 is a recognized workplace hazard and employers are responsible for controlling it. Vaccination is an effective method of control. The Chief Administrative Officer gave examples of organizations that have implemented mandatory vaccination policies or are accepting proof of negative test results. He reported the number of employees `n who have taken advantage of the up to three hours paid leave provided for vaccination. For the small subset of employees who are not yet vaccinated, he provided further incentive options for Council consideration. Once it is known how many unvaccinated employees we have, further policy or safety controls can be determined. The Chief Administrative Officer reported the costs associated with COVID-19 response to date. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council September 23, 2021 Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding Alberta Health Services requirement for medical first responders to be vaccinated. He indicated that there would be a deadline to provide proof of vaccination to receive the incentive, indicating that he would like to know before the October 7, 2021 Council meeting. Discussion followed on accepting negative COVID-19 test results and Council suggested that the costs associated with these tests should be the employee's responsibility. Further discussion followed regarding organizations that have implemented policies for mandatory vaccinations or providing negative test results. The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator provided additional information, indicating that volunteer firefighters are part of the medical first responder program. C-296/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that an incentive of $100 be provided to employees who voluntarily provide Human Resources with proof of vaccination by October 5th, and further, that the 3 hours of job protected leave provided to employees for each COVID-19 dose be extended to include: 1. time off to accommodate attending COVID-19 vaccination appointments with their dependants. 2. time off for unvaccinated employees to attend an appointment with their physician to discuss any concerns about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. MOTION CARRIED 9.4 Municipal Internship Program The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. He noted that the County has had great success with this program in the past and there is an opportunity for a Planning & Development intern in 2022-2023. C-297/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Administration apply to the 2022 Municipal Internship Program to host a Land Use Planner intern and contribute up to $60,000 to cover salary and training expenses for the position. MOTION CARRIED 9.5 National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (September 30, 2021) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. National Day for Truth & Reconciliation is a statutory holiday on September 30, 2021 for federally regulated workplaces. The Government of Alberta has not recognized it as a statutory holiday. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer provided information on what other municipalities have decided. C-298/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the County of Newell recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as an important day of remembrance for those who have suffered harm, and to honour lives lost at residential schools, by lowering the County's flags to half mast on September 30th. MO N CARRIED Page 5 of 8— Regular Council September 23, 2021 9.6 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness There was no new information on this item to discuss. 9.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (August 2021) Councillor C. Amulung responded to questions regarding the road tours, indicating that the recent format has had a broader scope than the divisional road tours of the past. C-299/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the August 2021 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.8 Cheques for Payment C-300/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that cheque 188581 in the amount of $587,691.21 and EFT0008541 in the amount of $439,114.20 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 9.9 Payment Register The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-301/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 9.10 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS There were no Municipal Services Business items to discuss at this meeting. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Newell Foundation Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided a written report. 11.2 Canadian Badlands Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided a written report. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council September 23, 2021 11.3 Red Deer River Municipal Users Group Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided a written report. 11.4 Safe Communities Committee Councillor H. Kallen provided a written report. 11.5 Joint Services Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported that the Joint Services Committee felt that Council's continued involvement with Brooks Region Tourism Association (formerly the Newell Regional Tourism Association) should continue, suggesting that less Council involvement will be required as the BRTA becomes more independent from the Joint Services Committee. Councillor T. Fyfe added that the funding distribution component requires the input of the Joint Services Committee. 11.6 Fire Area Committees Councillor K. Christman reported that the Fire Department Committees for Bassano, Rosemary, and Duchess have all met. All fire departments were busy in the summer due to the dry conditions. Budgets have been approved. Councillor K. Christman responded to questions regarding fire call statistics, the number of volunteers, and the financial information to be provided for budget discussions. Discussion followed regarding concerns with long wait times for ambulance response. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13 INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. Reeve M. Douglass reported that the current Council's duties officially end when the new Council is sworn in at the October 28, 2021 Organizational Meeting. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the new Council would provide direction on the items on the Strategic Priorities Chart. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council September 23, 2021 13.2 Questions for Municipal Services The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding who to contact regarding railway crossing standards, indicating that he could reach out to Alberta Transportation. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding the southbound lane turning east from RR155, indicating that a left-hand merge lane would have cost a significant amount when RR155 was upgraded. 14. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m. Signed this day of ��;�—"�/� 2021 cam- -4 Reeve County Admil istrator Page 8 of 8