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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-05 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 5, 2023 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, October 5, 2023 commencing at 10:18 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: A. Doerksen, Reeve D. A. L. H. G K. E. A. N. Short Skanderup Kopp Johnson Skriver Christman Unruh Philpott Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning and Development L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services D. Christensen, Projects Assistant T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation M. Murray, Bow River Basin Council B. Kapeller, Bow River Basin Council S. Meadows, Bow River Basin Council E. Braun, Bow River Basin Council 1. E 3. C-311 /23 CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:18 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (September 21, 2023) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the September 21, 2023 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council October 5, 2023 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-312/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER 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. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Planning & Development Report (October 2023) 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-313/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Planning & Development Report for October 2023 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:23 a.m. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2061-23 Council Code of Conduct The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding confidentiality requirements that extend beyond a Councillor's term. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information. C-314/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2061-23, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a Council Code of Conduct, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Page 2 of 7 Regular Council October 5, 2023 ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Christensen arrived at 10:31 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services provided details regarding agricultural education in schools. The Foothills Forage & Grazing Association will be hosting a meeting on producer funding opportunities in Patricia, AB on January 30, 2023. The County is a/so organizing three upcoming provincial conferences. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 10:36 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference, kochia, and coyotes. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:41 a.m. 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 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 regarding leak detection technology. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding funding for utility repairs and maintenance. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:54 a.m. 11.2 Director of Municipal Services Report The Manager of Operations presented the Director of Municipal Services report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Operations responded to questions regarding GIS data collection for culverts and texas gates. C-315/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for September 2023 beAPPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED 11.3 Policy Review - POL-031-23 (Kinbrook Island Park Road Maintenance) 8� POL-032-23 (Old School Site Signs) The Manager of Operations provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 3 of 7 Regular Council October 5, 2023 C-316/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Policy POL-031-23 (Kinbrook Isiand Park Road Maintenance) and Policy POL-032-23 (Old School Site Signs) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Schroeder left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.2 Cancel Upcoming Meeting - Committee of the Whole (October 16, 2023) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-317/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the October 16, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting be CANCELLED. MOTION CARRIED 10.3 Recreation Facility Asset Management Course The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. The Projects Assistant responded to questions regarding the course, noting that the sessions on lifecycle planning and preventative maintenance would be most beneficial to the local participants. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that, if approved, information on this course would be included in upcoming correspondence with the community groups providing recreation services. C-318/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Council APPROVES additional spending in the amount of $2,000 to cover registration costs for participants from local community organizations who are willing to register for the online Recreation Facility Asset Management Course offered by MARMAK. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING D. Christensen left the meeting at 11:10 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:11 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:20 a.m. 10.4 Policy Review - POL-030-23 Personnel The ChiefAdministrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-319/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Policy POL-030-23 (Personnel) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 7 Regular Council October 5, 2023 10.5 Policy Review - Rescind Policy 2012-PAD-024 (Accidents - Disciplining for Failure to Report) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-320/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy 2012-PAD-024 (Accidents - Disciplining for Failure to Report) be rescinded. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:23 a.m. 10.6 Electoral Division Boundary Review The ChiefAdministrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. Council requested that the address for the County Facilities be included for individuals who wish to submit responses. Hard copies of the survey will be made available at the County facilities and for Councillors to distribute to their constituents. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions regarding previous efforts to change electoral division boundaries. C-321/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT thatAdministration proceeds with the Electoral Division Boundary Review survey as presented using internal staff resources and report survey results at the November 23, 2023 Council meeting. MOTION CARRIED 10.7 Requests for Functions of Council 10.7.1 Economic Growth Forum (October 26-27, 2023) C-322/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Economic Growth Forum in Medicine Hat, AB on October 26-27, 2023 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Murray, B. Kapeller, and S. Meadows arrived at 11:34 a.m. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council October 5, 2023 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Bow River Basin Council M. Murray provided background information on the Bow River Basin and historical statistics. The Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) looks at long term effects and discusses them with partners before floods and drought become a problem. He explained the sources of the Bow River Basin water supply and outlined some current challenges. M. Murray provided examples of BRBC members, indicating there are over 700 active participants. He outlined a list of current projects, indicating that communications regarding drought are ongoing. ARRIVED AT MEETING E. Braun arrived at 11:51 a.m. M. Murray provided highlights from the BRBC State of the Watershed report and upcoming focus areas for the BRBC. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. M. Murray responded to questions regarding the City of Ca/gary's role in the BRBC with regards to the drought situation. S. Meadows responded to questions regarding the overallocation of water /icenses for the Bow River, the Eyremore Dam proposal, and hydrogen processing. LEFT THE MEETING M. Murray, B. Kapeller, and S. Meadows left the meeting at 12:17 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:17 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:15 p.m. 14. IN CAMERA C-323/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 1:15 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials - FOIPPAct Section 24; • Personnel - FOIPPAct Section 17; • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPPAct Section 21. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 7 Regular Council October 5, 2023 C-324/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 2:03 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:03 p.m. Signed this ���ay of �G�b �2.✓ , 2023 :'�— Reeve - � �� d �� County Administra o Page 7 of 7