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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-23 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL December 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, December 23, 2021 commencing at 10:02 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N. Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: B. Bietz, IEPS (via Lifesize) G. Baden, IEPS (via Lifesize) 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes -Council (December 9, 2021) C-356/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the December 9, 2021 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council December 23,2021 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-357/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP 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. i i 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Calgary Stampede Farm Family Awards The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the deadline for submissions is January 31, 2022. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council. Council indicated that they would submit suggestions from their divisions to the Director of Agricultural Services. This item will be brought back to the January 6, 2022 Council meeting for further discussion. 8.2 2022 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference Resolutions The Director of Agricultural Services presented the resolutions being brought forward at the 2022 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference. Council decided to vote on the resolutions in the following manner.� Resolution 1-22 Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways— Yes Resolution 2-22 Restoration of Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Regional Network of Experts— Yes Resolution 3-22 Celebrate Canada Agriculture Day in Alberta Schoo/s (February 22, 2022) — Yes Resolution 4-22 Properly Managing Ungulate Populations— Yes Resolution 5-22 Exemption of Natural Gas & Propane for Agriculture Under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act— Yes Resolution 6-22 Amendments to the ASB Conference Resolution Ru/es of Procedure— Yes The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding emergent resolutions. Discussion followed regarding submitting a resolution regarding interprovincial trade barriers that prevent producers from shipping their products outside of Alberta. The Chief Administrative Officer acknowledged this as a Page 2 of 7 Regular Council December 23,2021 significant issue and suggested that more time is required to gather information regarding specific impacts and develop the resolution as it does not meet the criteria for an emergent resolution. The Director of Agricultural Services outlined the resolutions process, indicating that resolutions passed at the regional Agricultural Services Board Conference proceed to the provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference. Discussion followed regarding involving industry for specific commodities. C-358/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that staff research the impact that interprovincial trade barriers have on the beef industry and bring a report back to Council. MOTION CARRIED The Director of Agricultural Services asked for the list of Councillors to register for the � 2022 Provincial ASB Conference. Councillor D. Short and Councillor L. Kopp indicated they would not be attending. C-359/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Reeve Doerksen and Councillor N. Johnson be the designated voters during the Resolution session at the 2022 ASB Conference. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:57 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:57 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:03 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.2 Request for Letter of Support - Alberta Elks Association Provincial Conference (June 2-4, 2022) Council was presented with a letter from the Brooks Elks Lodge #77 requesting a letter in support of the Alberta Elks Association Provincial Conference in Brooks, AB on June 2-4, 2022. C-360/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the County of Newell provides a letter to the Brooks Elks Lodge#77 in support of them hosting the Alberta Elks Association Provincial Conference in Brooks, AB on June 2-4, 2022. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (January 21, 2022) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 3 of 7 Regular Council December 23,2021 ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Bietz and G. Baden arrived at 11:00 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Kitsim Hydrogen (H2) Project - IEPS Canada Ltd. 8. Bietz introduced himself and G. Baden, Chief Executive Officer, and provided background information on IEPS and the Kitsim H2 Project. He explained the role that hydrogen can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and outlined the process of water sourced electrolysis. 8. Bietz provided reasons why the project is good for Alberta and specifically the County of Newell. He provided additional � details regarding the project location, water and power supply, and potential markets and outlined the next phases, indicating that a key step will be finding potential customers to purchase green hydrogen. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 8. Bietz responded to questions regarding the reason for choosing wind power over solar power. He described the inputs and outputs of the hydrogen production process, indicating that minimal waste, light, and noise is produced, and technology is used to ensure the process is safe. 8. Bietz indicated that customers are key to the project's success and asked Council to spread information to businesses that use natural gas and want to improve their environmental footprint. He provided further details about the size of the site and potential locations, indicating that discussions have occurred with the Eastern Irrigation District. LEFT THE MEETING B. Bietz and G. Baden left the meeting at 11:42 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 9.1 HALO Funding The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor D. Short read a proposed motion that he had e-mailed to Council prior to the meeting suggesting that the County increases the funding contribution to HALO provided that the Government of Alberta also provides increased funding. Discussion followed and it was noted equal funding should be provided to HALO and STARS. The Chief Administrative Officer provided an explanation of per capita funding, indicating that additional funds are raised through the mill rate. He provided percentage and dollar amounts for the different assessment categories required to raise $100,000. The Director of Corporate Services reported that STARS makes an annual presentation to Council where they acknowledge the County's contribution, but also note othermunicipalities are contributing more. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding the County of Page 4 of 7 Regular Council December 23,2021 Forty Mile's contribution to HALO, which will increase if the Government of Alberta a/so commits to additional funding. C-361/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the County of Newell increases its annual funding contribution to HALO beginning in 2022 to align with 1/3 of the funding needed to support the County of Newell's proportion of usage of the service, currently valued at $100,000. This funding is subject to the Government of Alberta also contributing 1/3 of the cost and 1/3 cost being raised through corporate and community donations. In the absence of such an agreement with the Government of Alberta, the County of Newell will increase its contribution to HALO to $50,000 annually, funded through the municipal mil rate starting in 2022. MOTION CARRIED 9.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (November 2021) Councillor D. Short reminded Council to make a note on their timesheet if their time for a regular meeting is going to be different, such as leaving a meeting early. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding Newell Regional Services Commission board members, indicating that NRSC issues payment directly and County Payroll staff adjust the timesheets. Councillor K. Christman indicated that Shortgrass Library System pays mileage directly, but not time. C-362/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the November 2021 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.5 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor L. Kopp left the meeting at 12:15 p.m. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor A. Skanderup reported that meetings continue via Zoom. 520 Seniors' Holiday Activity Packages were distributed this year. Nominations for Citizen & Junior Citizen of the Year will be accepted starting in February. The Quality of Life survey will be available online and mailed out starting January 6, 2021. Board members have agreed to attend the Annual General Meetings of the committees funded by Grass/ands Regional FCSS. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council December 23,2021 10.2 Joint Services Committee (Councillor G. Skriver) Councillor G. Skriver provided an update from the Joint Services Committee on physician recruitment incentives, highlights from the Economic Development report, the Energy Futures Roadshow, and the regional pathway project sponsorship brochure. Councillor K. Christman provided additional information on physician recruitment, indicating that the incentives described are for the Brooks area only. She provided updates on the veterinarian shortage and funding provided to the Brooks Farmers Market Councillor K. Christman and Councillor G. Skriver responded to questions regarding the budget for economic development, indicating that the City and County each provide $160,000 per year. Discussion followed regarding possible incentives for veterinarian recruitment. ' 10.3 Newell 911 Dispatch Association Councillor N. Johnson provided an overview of this committee, which meets regularly. 10.4 Newell Recycling Association/Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority/Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Councillor N. Johnson reported that he attended a Newell Recycling Association meeting. He provided an update on the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Alliance energy from waste facility. Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority is in a management transition. 10.5 Safe Communities Committee (Councillor A. Philpott) Councillor A. Philpott provided a written report. 10.6 Newell Housing Foundation (Councillor A. Philpott) Councillor A. Philpott provided a written report. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. Page 6 of 7 Regular Council December 23,2021 12.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:36 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:04 p.m. 13. IN CAMERA C-363/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that we move in camera at 1:04 p.m. to discuss the following matters: � • Land — FOIPP Act Section 23; • Intergovernmental Relations—FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED C-364/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 1:55 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-365/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the offer to purchase received in the amount of$15,000 for the sale of 317 4th Ave in Rolling Hills (Roll Number 0001173200) be accepted, based on a 7% interest rate being applied to the outstanding balance until the title is transferred to the purchaser after the property has been paid for in full. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:58 p.m. Signed this �D�ay of a�����'�1 , 2022 ,..� �,�,��U�n..0 '�WG`'�^-�--�. � Reeve ����-.�� County Administrator Page 7 of 7