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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-15 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL February 15, 2024 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, February 15, 2024 commencing at 10:03 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS K. Christman, Deputy Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver A. Philpott ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve E. Unruh N. Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: D. Lester, Rolling Hills School Agricultural Academy H. Lester, Rolling Hills School Agricultural Academy S. Tilma, Rolling Hills School Agricultural Academy J. Reimer, Rolling Hills School Agricultural Academy B. Friesen, Rolling Hills School Agricultural Academy I. Comandante, Behr Integrated Solutions Inc. J. Carlisle, Behr Integrated Solutions Inc. (online) K. Jess, Behr Integrated Solutions Inc. (online) 1. CALL TO ORDER Deputy Reeve K. Christman called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-33124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor E. Unruh, and Councillor N. Johnson be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council February 15, 2024 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (February 1, 2024) C-34/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Deputy Reeve K. Christman called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-35/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the agenda be adopted as amended. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Sale of Former Village of Tilley Office (Lot 6 & 7, Block 4, Plan 6336 AF) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-36/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Council approves the sale of the former Village of Tilley Office (Lot 6 & 7, Block 4, Plan 6336 AF) in the amount of $60,000. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Policy Review - POL-036-24 (Committee & Board Member at Large Compensation) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. External committees, such as Grasslands Regional FCSS, deal with compensation for members -at -large appointed by the County. This policy deals with compensation for members -at - large appointed to boards and committees established by Council. Discussion followed and Council requested additional clarity in the policy as to what constitutes a County -established board or committee. Also included will be a list of committees and whether compensation for members -at -large is provided. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further discussion. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council February 15, 2024 8.3 Policy Review - Rescind Policy 2008-PLG-003 Committee Meeting Minutes The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-37/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Policy 2008-PLG-003 (Committee Meeting Minutes) be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 10:13 a.m. 8.4 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring 2024 Convention The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council provided the following direction for meetings with Ministers: • Premier/MLA D. Smith - arrange a meeting in Brooks in June 2024 • Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation - the specific federal initiatives to be discussed are: o the methane tax on the beef industry but not the dairy industry o rural transportation issues associated with EVs (electric vehicles) o nitrogen fertilizer • Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Services - do not request a meeting at this time • Minister of Justice - do not request a meeting at this time. 8.5 Requests for Functions of Council 8.5.1 Meeting with Minister of Seniors, Community & Social Services (February 8, 2024) Councillor A. Skanderup provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-38/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that CouncillorA. Skanderup be permitted to attend the meeting with the Minister of Seniors, Community & Social Services in Calgary, AB on February 8, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 8.5.2 Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Ministry Dinner (October 24, 2024) Council was provided with information regarding the Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Ministry Dinner. Councillor H. Johnson provided additional information, indicating that the EDA Ministry Dinner is directed towards Economic Development. Discussion followed regarding the connection between economic development and tourism. Page 3 of 8 Regular Council February 15, 2024 C-39/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that two (2) Councillors be permitted to attend the Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Ministry Dinner in Edmonton, AB on October 24, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Enterprise Fleet Management (eFM) — 2024 Fleet Replacement The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-40/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council APPROVES funding of $440,000.00 from the Vehicles, Machinery & Equipment Fund, for the replacement of seven (7) fleet trucks in the enterprise Fleet Management Partnership. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Policy Review - POL-035-24 (Dust Abatement Program) The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council regarding deadlines and road maintenance. He provided examples of how dust abatement is applied in residential subdivisions where one landowner has requested it but the one across the road has not. An electronic dust abatement application form is in development. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding electronic billing, which is currently available for utility and tax accounts. C-41/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Policy POL-035-24 (Dust Abatement Program) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 10:37 a.m. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Alberta Irrigation Districts Association Conference Councillor H. Johnson and Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 10.2 Agricultural Services Board Conference Councillor A. Skanderup, Councillor H. Johnson, Councillor G. Skriver, Councillor K Christman, Councillor E. Unruh, and Councillor A. Philpott submitted a written report. 10.3 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Johnson and Councillor A. Philpott submitted a written report. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council February 15, 2024 10.4 Newell Housing Foundation Councillor A. Skanderup and Councillor A. Philpott submitted a written report. 10.5 Tourism Industry Association of Alberta Summit Councillor A. Skanderup submitted a written report. She responded to questions from Council regarding whether there is federal funding for pathways and Tillebrook campground. 10.6 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor A. Skanderup submitted a written report and responded to questions from Council regarding the Destination Marketing Fund (DMF) and Experience Development Fund (EDF) programs. Information on the EDF is available on the Brooks Region Tourism website: https://brooksregiontourism.com/industry/ RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:53 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:00 a.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS 11.1 Restricted Surplus Review & Approval of Year End Transfers The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, including an overview of significant items and balances allocated to specific projects in the Future Projects Fund. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-42/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the year-end transfer of unrestricted net assets to the restricted surplus funds as proposed by Finance be approved as presented. MOTION CARRIED 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Payment Registers The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 12.2 Mini Bus Monthly Report (January 2024) Councillor H. Johnson provided information regarding use of the minibus by Grasslands Regional FCSS and indicated that a request will be made for these statistics to be included in future mini bus reports. This item was accepted as information. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council February 15, 2024 12.3 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13. IN CAMERA C-43/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 11:10 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials, FOIPP Act Section 24; • Intergovernmental Relations, FOIPP Act Section 21; • Personnel, FOIPPAct Section 17. MOTION CARRIED C-44/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move out of camera at 11:44 a.m. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Lester, H. Lester, S. Tilma, J. Reimer, B. Friesen, and T. Green arrived at 11:45 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Rolling Hills School Agricultural Academy J. Reimer provided Council with a history of the Rolling Hills School including current student enrolment numbers and resources available. B. Friesen presented information on the Agricultural Academy which will begin in March 2024. H. Lester gave an overview of how the Agricultural Academy was developed in consultation with various partners and fundraising efforts to date. S. Tilma outlined partnerships, which include funding and in -kind support from several organizations and businesses. The Agricultural Academy will provide hands-on learning focused on the Ag 1000 curriculum as well as Green Certificate courses. The launch is planned for March 2024 and will include livestock, garden plots, and regular farmer's markets. The delegation requested a donation from the County of Newell to be used towards the purchase of a Sea Can for storage. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. D. Lester indicated that support from the County of Newell for this project has included the assistance of the Director of Agricultural Services and a funding commitment in the amount of $1,000. Council asked the students which part of the program they were most excited about, and the students responded livestock, watching the Rolling Hills School grow, gaining more students, and fresh berries. When asked about potential future components, D. Lester indicated that a vermicomposting component has been investigated. She responded to questions regarding opportunities for the community to be involved and plans for the course offerings. An open house will likely be held in June and other schools are welcome to visit and learn about agriculture. D. Lester responded to questions regarding the cost of a Sea Can. Council thanked the delegation for their presentation. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council February 15, 2024 LEFT THE MEETING D. Lester, H. Lester, S. Tilma, J. Reimer, B. Friesen, and T. Green left the meeting at 12:06 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:06 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:59 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies, A. Ferguson, I. Comandante, J. Carlisle, and K. Jess arrived at 1:00 p.m. 7. DELEGATIONS — continued 7.2 Newell Fire Services Needs Assessment/Fire Service Master Plan The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on the Fire Services Needs Assessment and Master Plan prepared by Behr Integrated Solutions Inc. I. Comandante outlined the strategic goals of the Fire Services Review. The project objectives included enhancing firefighter safety, cost control, and containment; identifying the service levels required to meet current and future community needs; and increasing efficiency and effectiveness. I. Comandante gave an overview of the community risk assessment process and profiles considered. He explained the Fire Services Master Plan process for the planning, analysis, and implementation stages. The plan was developed through consultation, which included tours, targeted interviews, surveys, and comparison with similar municipalities. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to questions, indicating that the scope of the fire services review was to include fire halls operated by the County of Newell. J. Carlisle provided a summary of the recommendations from the report, noting that operational recommendations are not included in the presentation as they are the responsibility of the Newell Regional Fire Chief. J. Carlisle responded to questions regarding training requirements and the need for more formal oversight to ensure training is up to date. J. Carlisle explained the 20-year life cycle for apparatus, recommending annual reviews for apparatus in use beyond that life cycle to ensure that it remains reliable. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to questions regarding pre -alerts from Red Deer 911, indicating that reports have been requested to measure time between the initial call and when units arrive on scene. J. Carlisle and I. Comandante responded to further questions from Council. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council February 15, 2024 C-45/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council accepts the Fire Services Needs Assessment/Fire Service Master Plan prepared by Behr Integrated Solutions Inc. as information. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information, indicating that it is likely that some of the recommendations will return as part of 2025 budget discussions. VOTE ON MOTION C-44/24 - MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies, A. Ferguson, I. Comandante, J. Carlisle, and K. Jess left the meeting at 2:21 p.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 2:21 p.m. and RECONVENED at 2:29 p.m. 13. IN CAMERA - continued C-46/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move in camera at 2:29 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials, FOIPPAct Section 24; • Intergovernmental Relations, FOIPPAct Section 21; • Personnel, FOIPPAct Section 17. MOTION CARRIED C-47/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move out of camera at 3:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Signed this !�-I day of 12024 Lam_ Reeve County Administrator Page 8 of 8