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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-09 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL May 9, 2024 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, May 9, 2024 commencing at 10:38 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N.Johnson D. Short STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer S. Simpson, Development Officer G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation G. Farnden, STARS J. Seely, STARS R. Juska, Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association S. Poole, Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (via Microsoft Teams) 1. 2. C-150/24 3. G151 /24 CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:38 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Councillor D. Short be excused from the meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (April 25, 2024) MOTION CARRIED MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the April 25, 2024 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council May 9, 2024 ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 10:39 a.m. 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-152/24 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. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 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. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering Services provided an update on the County of Newell Water Project Phase 2. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:46 a.m. 9.2 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-153/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report forApril 2024 beAPPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Request for Proclamation - National Public Works Week (May 19-25, 2024) The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-154/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council hereby proclaims May 19-25, 2024 as "National Public Works Week" in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 9 Regular Council May 9, 2024 9.4 Viterra Tracks & Structures — Cassils RR154 Crossing This item was removed from the agenda. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Open House (June 6, 2024) The Development Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Farnden and J. Seely arrived at 10:56 a.m. Discussion followed and Council suggested having the Senior Assessor available during the open house. C-155/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council supports the County of Newell Public Open House to be held June 6, 2024. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Simpson and G. Tiffin left the meeting at 10:58 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 STARS Update G. Farnden introduced J. Seely as the County's STARS liaison going fon�vard. She a/so noted that STARS will be celebrating its 40 year anniversary next year. G. Farnden provided an overview of funding, fundraising efforts, and expenditures. She displayed a map of STARS supporters, indicating that Bassano and Brooks have joined, completing a regional partnership in the County of Newell. G. Farnden gave an overview of mission statistics. J. Seely provided an operational overview with information on the Emergency Link Centre, STARS transport physicians, and advanced technology used by STARS. G. Farnden thanked the County for providing ongoing support to STARS and presented Council with a framed photograph. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. G. Farnden provided details on the STARS helicopter fleet, indicating that the new helicopters are comparable in size to the previous helicopters. LEFT THE MEETING G. Farnden and J. Seely left the meeting at 11:24 a.m. Page 3 of 9 Regular Council May 9, 2024 RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:25 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:28 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Poole and R. Juska arrived at 11:30 a.m. 7.2 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association R. Juska provided an overview of the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA) project and outlined the benefits to municipalities. He gave an update on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process and outlined the next steps. SAEWA will not be pursuing an MOU with Hitachi Zosen INOVA Canada and will instead be interviewing a total of seven (7) other technology vendors. The results of these interviews will be recorded and scored, and the results presented to the SAEWA Board on May 31, 2024. R. Juska reviewed the SAEWA 2024 Cash Flow Report as it affects the MOU budget. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. R. Juska responded to questions regarding funding and potential revenue, indicating that the project requires substantial support from some level of government. S. Poole responded to questions regarding the funding used towards the MOU to date. She provided further information regarding the MOU process, indicating that there are interested vendors, and the site is good, so the project is worth pursuing. Councillor N. Johnson provided additional information on the process to date. R. Juska outlined /essons learned from the process and outlined the proposed timeline for the vendor interview process. R. Juska and S. Poole responded to questions regarding the SAEWA Board. R. Juska asked Council to wait for the results of the interview process as the Newell site is still a priority for a large-scale energy-from- waste facility. S. Poole responded to further questions, indicating that the draft MOU can still be used. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:10 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:51 p.m. LEFT THE MEETING R. Juska left the meeting at 12:51 p.m. 7. DELEGATIONS - continued 7.2 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association — continued Discussion continued. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional background information regarding funding previously approved by Council to complete a detailed MOU. Discussion followed. Page 4 of 9 Regular Council May 9, 2024 C-156/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that further discussion on the request from the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA) for approval to use the remaining funds previously approved for the development of a formal Detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hitachi Zosen Inova Canada (HZI) to proceed with an aggressive interview and selection process with a Technology Vendor MOU be TABLED until after the interview process is complete. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Poole left the meeting at 12:54 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Christensen arrived at 12:54 p.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.4 Policy Review - POL-041-24 Risk Control The Projects Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-157/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-041-24 (Risk Control) be adopted as presented/amended. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING D. Christensen left the meeting at 12:57 p.m. 8.2 Advocacy on Bill 20 (Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that the Government of Alberta has announced some updates to Bill 20. Discussion followed. Councillors that attended the Alberta Municipalities webinar indicated that group's message was consistent with that of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. Further discussion followed. C-158/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that a letter, signed by the Reeve, be sent to the Premier and Minister Mclver expressing the County's opposition to changes that negatively impact municipal autonomy and requesting that sections 603.01, 179.1 and 615.11 be removed from Bill 20. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 Advocacy - Canadian Sustainability Standards Board Public Consultation The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and encouraged members of the public and business owners to submit their own responses to the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) public consultation. He outlined concerns with the proposed Canadian Sustainability Page 5 of 9 Regular Council May 9, 2024 Disclosure Standards, which include a very short timeline for implementation, alignment with the European standards rather than American standards, and the potential for reporting standards to become mandatory for every step along the supply chain. Discussion followed. Council provided direction to share the information with other municipalities and the public along with a news release and a draft letter to encourage them to respond to the public consultation before the June 10, 2024 deadline. C-159/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council approves the submission to the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) public consultation as presented; further, that we share this information with other municipalities and do a news release to encourage others to make submissions. MOTION CARRIED 8.5 Policy Review - POL-045-24 Flag Protocol The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-160/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-045-24 (Flag Protocol) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.6 Policy Review - POL-046-24 Access to Information The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-161/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Policy POL-046-24 (Access to Information) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.7 Policy Review - Rescind Policies 2008-PLG-007 (Signatures on Correspondence) & 2012-PLG-001 (Pins) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-162/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Policy 2008-PLG-007 (Signatures on Correspondence) and Policy 2012-PLG-001 (Pins) be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED 8.8 Appointment to County of Newell Library Board The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-163/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Della Armstrong be appointed as a Member-at-Large to the County of Newell Library Board representing Division 6 (Bassano) for a three-year term expiring June 9, 2027. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 9 Regular Council May 9, 2024 C-164/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Jane Marsh be re-appointed as a Member-at-Large to the County of Newell Library Board representing Division 2(Tilley) for a three-year term expiring March 11, 2027. MOTION CARRIED 8.9 Newell Pro Rodeo Pancake Breakfast (June 7, 2024) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-165/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council accepts the invitation from the City of Brooks to participate in the Newell Pro Rodeo Pancake Breakfast being held on June 7, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.; further, that the County of Newell agrees to cover 50% of the costs. MOTION CARRIED 8.10 Requests for Functions of Council 8.10.1 Veteran's Memorial Highway Association Annual General Meeting (June 28, 2024) Reeve A. Doerksen provided background information on this item, indicating that they asked the County to consider re joining. Discussion followed. C-166/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Reeve A. Doerksen be permitted to attend the Veteran's Memorial Highway Association Annual General Meeting in Castor, AB on June 28, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 8.10.2 Meeting with Grasslands Schools (TBD) The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the meeting with Grasslands Schoo/s will be rescheduled as there are conflicts on June 6, 2024. 8.10.3 Palliser Economic Partnership Annual General Meeting (June 14, 2024) C-167/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Reeve A. Doerksen be permitted to attend the Palliser Economic Partnership Annual General Meeting in Rolling Hills, AB on June 14, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 8.10.4 Pace Solar Open House (May 15, 2024) Councillor K. Christman provided background information on this item. C-168/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Pace Solar Open House at the Bassano Community Hall on May 15, 2024 as a function of CounciL MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 9 Regular Council May 9, 2024 8.10.5 Brooks & District Fund Grant Distribution (May 29, 2024) Councillor G. Skriver provided background information on this item. Discussion followed. 8.10.6 Medicine Hat College Convocation (June 14, 2024) C-169/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Councillor A. Philpott be permitted to attend the Medicine Hat College Convocation in Medicine Hat, AB on June 14, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Invasive Species Reeve A. Doerksen reported on a recent discussion with MP M. Shields regarding measures taken by British Columbia and Montana to prevent the spread of zebra mussels in their waterways. This issue will be brought back to Council when more information is available. 10.2 Top 7 Over 70 Awards Nomination Reeve A. Doerksen provided background information on this item. Discussion followed. 10.3 Letter - County's Position on Renewable Energy Councillor N. Johnson provided background information on this item and suggested that the County send a letter to the Premier expressing concerns with renewable energy projects lost as a result of the provincial moratorium on renewable energy development. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional background information on potential revenues from renewable energy development. Further discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that the letter include the specific parts of the regulations that the County is opposed to. Further discussion followed. C-170/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Administration be directed to prepare a summary of the recent regulatory changes related to renewable energy development. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. MOTION CARRIED Page 8 of 9 Regular Council May 9, 2024 11.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 12. IN CAMERA C-171/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move in camera at 2:11 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Land - FOIPAct Section 25. MOTION CARRIED C-172/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 3:18 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-173/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Council approves additional spending of $399,000 from the Stabilization Fund for the purchase of 317, 11th Street, Bassano, Alberta, plus closing costs, for the purpose of relocating the Bassano Fire Department, and further, that Administration proceeds with negotiating an updated Fire Protection Services Agreement with the Town of Bassano, through the Bassano ICF/IDP Committee, that transfers governance and operational control of the Bassano Fire Department to the County. MOTION CARRIED 13. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m. Signed this 23 day of , 2024 Reeve ._���" County Administrator Page 9 of 9