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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-21 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL December 21, 2023 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, December 21, 2023 commencing at 11:01 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 A. Philpott N. Johnson ABSENT: E. Unruh STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor R. Fernell, Director of Information and Technology C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: D. Pelke, JBS Canada J. Paul, JBS Canada 2 County Ratepayers 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 11:01 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-385/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Councillor E. Unruh be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council December21, 2023 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (December 7, 2023) C-386/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the December 7, 2023 Council 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-387/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON 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. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 JBS Canada Access Roadways Feasibility Study The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item, indicating that the goal of the feasibility study was to find solutions for issues that cause drivers to make bad decisions. He displayed a map of the existing layout as well as maps with options considered for alternate routing and traffic flow. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering gave an overview of the conclusions of the study, indicating that options one and three provide the greatest benefit with the lowest indirect consequences. He noted that the costs are high level estimates for materials only. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions regarding sightlines and current usage of the Gun Club Road. He indicated that the report is being presented as information on what could be achieved with the construction of a new access road. He responded to further questions, indicating that Alberta Transportation recognizes the concerns and has implemented improvements as a result of prior studies. J. Paul responded to questions, indicating that JBS Canada is open to option one as outlined in the report. C-388/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the JBS Canada Roadway Feasibility Study Final Report be accepted as information. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 8 Regular Council December 21, 2023 LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin, J. Paul, D. Pelke, and 1 County Ratepayer left the meeting at 11:28 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.2 Property Sale by Bid for Parcel Located in Rainier (161001 HWY873) The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-389/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Council APPROVES the sale of the 1.19 acre parcel described as Plan 1976FB Parcel B located in the Hamlet of Rainier to Melissa Graham for the submitted bid of $26,000. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette left the meeting at 11:32 a.m. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2063-23 Debenture - Lake Newell Resort Pathway The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-390/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Bylaw 2063-23, being a bylaw for the purpose of authorizing the Council of the County of Newell to incur indebtedness by the issuance of debenture(s) in the amount of $750,000 for the purpose of financing the "Lake Newell Resort Pathway" local improvement project, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions from Council. C-391/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Bylaw 2063-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 7.2 Bylaw 2064-23 Schedule of Fees The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item including an overview of minor text amendments made since first reading was given. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-392/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2064-23, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given SECOND reading as amended. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council December 21, 2023 C-393/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2064-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:37 a.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 BMO Calgary Stampede Farm Family Awards The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council requested further discussion on this item during the In Camera portion of this meeting. LEFT THE MEETING 1 County Ratepayer left the meeting at 11:41 a.m. 9.2 2024 ASB Conference Resolutions The Director of Agricultural Services presented the resolutions being brought forward at the 2024 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference. Council decided to vote on the resolutions in the following manner: Resolution 1-24 Agricultural Equipment Highway Signs — No Resolution 2-24 Compensating Producers for Ecosystem Services — No Resolution 3-24 Creation of Livestock Production Insurance — No Resolution 4-24 Supporting a Compensation Multiplier — Yes Resolution 5-24 Wild Boar & the Alberta Agricultural Pest Act — Yes Resolution 6-24 Improving the Sustainability of Canadian Apiculture through Bee Package Imports and the Control of Varroa Mites — No Resolution 7-24 Re -Registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine for Certified Applicators — Yes C-394/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillor A. Skanderup and Councillor H. Johnson be the designated voters during the Resolution session at the 2024 ASB Conference. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 12:06 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Fernell arrived at 12:06 p.m. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council December 21, 2023 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.1 Policy Review POL-034-23 (Privacy) The Director of Information & Technology provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-395/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Policy POL-034-23 (Privacy) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell left the meeting at 12:09 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:09 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:58 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.3 Electoral Boundary Review - Concept Maps The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. Four electoral boundary concept maps have been prepared with the goal of distributing the population across nine electoral divisions. Council reviewed each of the maps and suggested the following amendments: Map 1 • move 22-19 and 22-18 from Division 6 to Division 9 and both 21-15 and 20- 15 from Division 9 to Division 6 • Preference for Kinbrook Island and Bantry Bay to be in Division 5 as shown in Map 2 Map 2 • move more of the area south of Rosemary into Division 9 • move some of the Duchess area into Division 7 • Division 5 includes Lake Newell, Tillebrook, and Kinbrook Island • population in Division 2 is lower so growth can be encouraged Map 3 • move some of the Division 3 area north of Division 7 into Division 7 • Preference for Cassils to be in the same division as Scandia, Rainier, and Bow City • Preference for Kinbrook Island and Lake Newell Resort area to be included in Division 5 Map 4 • Include Kinbrook Island Park in Division 4 and move the remainder of 17-14 to Division 1 • move 19-13, 19-12, and 19-11 to Division 2 Page 5 of 8 Regular Council December21, 2023 • move the east portion of Division 7 that includes the Village of Duchess to Division 3 • move up the north boundary of Division 7 Other suggestions • an option that has Duchess and Patricia in the same division • divisions based on a pie shape that includes part of the area around brooks in each division The Chief Administrative Officer summarized the changes for each of the maps and outlined the next steps. Discussion followed. C-396/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ARNO DOERKSEN that Council directs Administration to proceed with the four (4) proposed maps with amendments made in consultation with individual Councillors; further, that the revised maps will be reviewed during the January 11, 2024 Council meeting. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (November 2023) Councillor D. Short indicated that the amendment for Councillor K. Christman's attendance on behalf of Reeve A. Doerksen at the Habitat opening on November 14, 2023 should be 1 hour. C-397/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the November 2023 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Requests for Functions of Council 10.5.1 Grand Opening - Steveville Helium Purification Facility (December 16, 2023) C-398/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council's attendance at the grand opening for the Steveville Helium Purification Facility on December 16, 2023 be approved as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 County of Newell Library Board Councillor L. Kopp reported that library services agreements have been signed with Duchess and Bassano. 11.2 Joint Services Committee Councillor G. Skriver indicated that the agenda package and minutes from the last meeting have been forwarded to Council. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council December 21, 2023 11.3 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor N. Johnson reported that the minutes of the last meeting have been distributed to Council. The new scale will be ready for December 23, 2023. Damage to the power lines at the Newell Regional Landfill have been repaired. Councillor N. Johnson provided an update on the Bassano transfer station. 11.4 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Councillor N. Johnson indicated that the SAEWA year end report has been distributed to Council and that he has been nominated for the Executive Committee. SAEWA will be seeking funding and leadership from the County of Newell and the City of Brooks in 2024. Discussion followed regarding the Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority's membership in SAEWA. C-399/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that additional responsibilities taken on by Councillor Neil Johnson as a result of being appointed to the Executive Committee of the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association be considered a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report (November 2023) This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Brooks Newell Region Economic Development Update This item was accepted as information. 14. IN CAMERA C-400/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 1:42 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Confidential Evaluations — FO/PPAct Section 19. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 Regular Council December 21, 2023 C-401/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move out of camera at 3:05 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-402/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that on behalf of the County of Newell Ag Service Board we nominate the Max & Corrine Tateson family for the 2024 BMO Bank of Montreal Farm Family Award; further, that Councillor A. Skanderup attend the Awards banquet on behalf of the County of Newell Agricultural Services Board. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:08 p.m. Signed this (� day of , 2024 Fee County Administra or Page 8 of 8