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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-23 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL November 23, 2023 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, November 23, 2023 commencing at 10:15 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Shorn 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 S. Hanson, Controller S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor R. Burgess, Community Peace Officer Level 1 M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning and Development M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: R. Miller, Applicant (23 LUA 006) B. Miller, Applicant (23 LUA 006) 3 County of Newell Ratepayers 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council November 23, 2023 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (October 19, 2023) C-343/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the October 19, 2023 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 3.2 Minutes - Organizational Meeting (October 19, 2023) C-344123 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the October 19, 2023 Organizational Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-345/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT 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. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (November 2023) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson, S. Luchies, and S. Biette arrived at 10:23 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council regarding Environmental Farm Plans. Discussion followed regarding the County's rental equipment and Council suggested advertising to increase awareness of equipment that is available for rent. C-346/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for November 2023 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 10.2 Policy Review - POL-005-23 Coyote Control Incentive Program The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-347/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Policy POL-005-23 (Coyote Control Incentive Program) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:28 a.m. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 11.1 2024 Interim Budget The Controller provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-348/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the 2024 Interim Budget be approved as presented. MOTION CARRIED 11.2 Tender Award - Pumper/Tender Fire Engine (Tilley Fire Department) The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-349/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the purchase of one (1) 3000Gal Pumper/Tender Fire Engine vehicle for the Tilley Fire Department from Fort Garry Trucks for a total cost of $661,675.00 funded from the Fire Apparatus Fund. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies left the meeting at 10:35 a.m. 11.3 Tender Award —Minibus The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Nesbitt, R. Burgess, and M. Jackson arrived at 10:39 a.m. The Corporate Services Supervisor responded to further questions from Council regarding options for disposing of the current minibus. Page 3 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 C-350/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council awards the tender for the purchase of the wheelchair accessible minibus to Western Canada Bus in the amount of $163,380.25. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette and S. Hanson left the meeting at 10:40 a.m. 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 Introduction — Community Peace Officer The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor introduced R. Burgess, Community Peace Officer Level 1, to Council. R. Burgess responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING J. Nesbitt and R. Burgess left the meeting at 10:45 a.m. 9.2 Brooks & District Health Foundation This delegation will be rescheduled for a future Council meeting. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 11.4 Road Closure -Approval to Proceed (E 8-18-13-W4 & W 9-18-13-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item. She indicated that the applicant is interested in purchasing the closed road allowance and provided the assessed land value. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding access. Council expressed concerns that the pivot is already installed and indicated that the Eastern Irrigation District and potential developers be made aware that the road closure must be approved prior to development on a road allowance. C-351/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we proceed with the process for closing and LEASING the road right of way between E 8-18-13-W4 and W 9-18-13-W4. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to further questions regarding the road closure and lease process and lease rates. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that lease rate changes can be considered in the next update to the Schedule of Fees bylaw. Further discussion followed. Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-351/23 - MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 ARRIVED AT MEETING 3 County of Newell Ratepayers arrived at 11:15 a.m. 11.5 Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) - Notice of Proposed Conservation Easement (Sec. 2-22-19-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-352123 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Council acknowledges the future conservation easement registration as information but DOES NOT waive the 60-day waiting period. MOTION CARRIED RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:20 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:31 a.m. C-353/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move into Public Hearings at 11:31 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2062-23 23 LUA 006 (NE 7-21-15-W4 -A-GEN to R-RUR) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:31 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. The Supervisor of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2062-23. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by rezoning portions of NE 7-21-15-W4 from A-GEN Agriculture - General District to R-RUR Residential - Rural District. 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. Two responses have been received from an adjacent landowner and a landowner with a confined feeding operation (CFO) in the area. None of the affected agencies have indicated any objections. R. Miller, the applicant, provided background information on their application, indicating that the condition for an encroachment agreement for the dugout shared with the adjacent landowner is not complete. The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided information regarding the number of residences allowed per parcel. R. Miller responded to questions from Council regarding his plans to develop a residence on the subdivided parcel. M. Jackson responded to further questions from Council regarding setbacks for CFOs. Page 5 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 There were no other persons in attendance speaking in favor of the proposed bylaw. L. Christman spoke in opposition to the proposed bylaw and expressed concerns with the dugout being a safety hazard and the potential for this land use amendment to reduce her property's value. She provided background information on the dugout, indicating that she would like the portion that lies on her land filled in if this bylaw is passed. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. D. Plumer spoke in opposition to the proposed bylaw. B. Spragg spoke in opposition to the proposed bylaw as the owner of a CFO in the area. She expressed concerns with increased residential density having the potential to negatively impact future CFO expansion. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to further questions from Council. The applicant was given the opportunity to make final comments. C-354/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move out of Public Hearings at 12:16 p.m. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING R. Miller, E. Miller, and 3 County of Newell Ratepayers left the meeting at 12:16 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:16 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:06 p.m. 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2062-23 23 LUA 006 (NE 7-21-15-W4 -A-GEN to R-RUR) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided information regarding the Subdivision Authority bylaw, in which the second parcel out of a quarter section within the Agriculture — General District must be between 3 and 7 acres. If the land is less than 3 acres, it must be rezoned for the subdivision to be finalized. She provided further information regarding minimum distance separation requirements for the development or expansion of CFOs and indicated that a municipality can include policy in the land use bylaw or municipal development plan that sets out minimum distance separation between a CFO and a residence. Discussion followed. C-355/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Bylaw 2062-23, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating portions of the NE 7-21-15-W4 shown in the attached maps, from Agriculture - General District to Residential - Rural District, as shown in Schedule A, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 C-356123 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2062-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 1:19 p.m. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 11.6 Sale of Property —Former Village of Tilley Office & Tilley Oilfield Services The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-357/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council accepts the offers submitted in the amount of $73,000 for the former Village of Tilley Office, and $12,000 for a 1.57 acre Rural Industrial property located one (1) kilometer west of Tilley, between Highway 1A and the CPR rail line. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 1:22 p.m. 11.7 Electoral Division Boundary Review - Survey Results The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that the results of the survey would be made publicly available. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated different map options would be prepared for boundary configurations and that previous maps will not be re -used. C-358/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Administration prepare a draft "Terms of Reference" for a process leading to the equitable redistribution of the County's population between a reduced number of electoral divisions, and further that the draft Terms of Reference be presented for Council's consideration during the December 7, 2023 Council meeting when Council will have the opportunity to debate and specify the number of Council positions which the redistribution will be based upon. MOTION CARRIED 11.8 Letter of Support - Newell Housing Foundation Continuing Care Capital Grant Program Application The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. He indicated that a loan may not be required but Council's commitment to providing a loan would strengthen the funding application. Discussion followed. C-359/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council approves providing a letter of support, signed by the Reeve, for the Connection Flats project application to the Page 7 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 2023-2024 Continuing Care Capital Grant Program being submitted by the Newell Housing Foundation, inclusive of a commitment to provide a loan, if necessary, to the Newell Housing Foundation for up to 25% of the project costs. MOTION CARRIED 11.9 Joint Municipal Meeting (December 16, 2023) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, noting that the date of this meeting has changed. Council provided the following additional discussion topics: • Bassano housing project update • support to proceed with community policing study Additional agenda items will be provided to the Village of Rosemary before December 8, 2023. 11.10 Councillor Payment Sheets (September 2023) C-360/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the September 2023 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 11.11 Requests for Functions of Council 11.6.1 2024 Alberta Irrigation Districts Association Conference (February 5-7, 2024) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. C-361/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association conference in Lethbridge, AB on February 5-7, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11.6.2 Meeting with CBC Radio (November 24, 2023) Councillor K. Christman provided information on a meeting between CBC Radio and rural municipal leaders scheduled for November 24, 2023, indicating that she and Reeve A. Doerksen had been invited to participate in a discussion on rural Alberta. C-362/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor K. Christman be permitted to attend the meeting with CBC Radio in Bassano, AB on November 24, 2023 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Page 8 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 12. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 12.1 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. C-363/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the Director of Municipal Services Report for October 2023 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED 13. COMMITTEE REPORTS 13.1 Joint Services Committee Councillor G. Skriver reported that the last meeting of the Joint Services Committee featured presentations on RenuWell Energy Solutions, doctor recruitment and retention, and the One Clinic Model. An application for funding will be submitted under the Northern & Regional Economic Development grant program for the Kinbrook Connection Pathway project. Joint Services Committee approved the 2024 budget. Councillor M. Idriss was appointed Chairperson and Councillor N. Johnson was appointed Vice Chairperson. 13.2 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Kopp reported that she attended a presentation during the RMA Fall 2023 Convention on extended producer responsibility for what happens to product packaging when it is disposed of. 13.3 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor N. Johnson reported that the Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority would be meeting this afternoon. A recent incident involving a calf choking on plastic will be discussed. Discussion followed and Council indicated that the landfill should take all reasonable measures to ensure that waste is secured at the landfill site. 13.4 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor A. Skanderup reported that the Brooks Region Tourism Association would be meeting today. 13.5 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor H. Johnson reported that there is renewed interest in making the Wild Horse Border Crossing a 24-hour crossing. Strategic planning is complete. The Executive Director made contacts on a recent agriculture and trade tour to Japan. Palliser Economic Partnership is renewing a push for a Highway 36/Highway 1 interchange. Page 9 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 13.6 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. Councillor N. Johnson reported that a meeting was scheduled for tomorrow morning. Reeve A. Doerksen indicated that the SAEWA project was discussed during the meeting with Premier D. Smith at the RMA Fall 2023 convention. 13.7 Cypress County Ag Connections Conference Councillor K. Christman provided an overview of the conference program. Six members of Council attended this event and they agreed that it was a very well - attended and organized event. 13.8 Bassano Recreation Board Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 14. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 15. INFORMATION ITEMS 15.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 15.2 Mini Bus Monthly Report (October 2023) This item was accepted as information. 15.3 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 15.4 2023 Q3 Financial Information Package This item was accepted as information. 15.5 Red Deer River Watershed Alliance -Municipal Funding 2024-2025 This item was accepted as information. Page 10 of 11 Regular Council November 23, 2023 16.6 Bassano RCMP Community Policing Report (Q2 2023) This item was accepted as information. 16. IN CAMERA C-364/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 2:23 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations — FO/PPAct Section 21. MOTION CARRIED C-365/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 3:13 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 17. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:13 p.m. Signed this day of T)P-2023 z Reeve County Administrator Page 11 of 11