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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-08 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL August 8, 2024 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, August 8, 2024 commencing at 10:00 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 E. Unruh N.Johnson ABSENT: A. Philpott STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering S. Yokoyama, Information and Technology Administrative Assistant (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: M. Freeman, Brooks Community Football K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation D. Rung, Alberta Conservation Association (via Microsoft Teams) 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and read a statement acknowledging a tragic event that occurred on August 6, 2024 and resulted in fatal injuries to a municipal employee of Rocky View County and non -life threatening injuries to a Fortis utility service employee. Council extends sincere condolences to the family of Colin Hough, the Rocky View County municipal employee, as well as to the Rocky View County staff and Council. Council observed a minute of silence to remember Colin Hough. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor D. Short arrived at 10:02 a.m. Regular Council August 8, 2024 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-253/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Councillor A. Philpott be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (July 25, 2024) C-254/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the July 25, 2024 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-255/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN 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. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2076-24 - 24 LUA 004 (Plan 6658FE Block A - NE 31-19-14-W4 - A-GEN to A-SML) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-266/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2076-24, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating a parcel of approximately 10 acres (4 hectares) known as Plan 6658FE Block A in NE 31-19-14-W4 from Agriculture, General District (A-GEN) to Agriculture, Small Lot (A-SML), be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Funding Request — Brooks Community Football The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. M. Freeman provided additional information, indicating that a new football field in Brooks will not be available for up to five years and the teams are Page 2 of 9 Regular Council August 8, 2024 required to travel to play "home" games in Medicine Hat and Taber. Brooks Community Football is an inclusive program that accepts participants from any school. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. M. Freeman provided details regarding the travel expenses. He responded to questions regarding the suggestion to use the football field in Bassano, indicating that there would be costs associated with moving equipment, lighting, and travel to Bassano. Brooks Community Football is not associated with a particular school, so school funding is not available. M. Freeman responded to further questions regarding funding sources, indicating that the City of Brooks had been approached and letters have been sent out seeking potential sponsors. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 10:33 a.m. C-257/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the request from Brooks Community Football for a donation to cover busing costs for Fall 2024 be accepted as information; further, that Brooks Community Football submit information at a future meeting regarding the outcome of their fundraising efforts. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Freeman and L. Johnson left the meeting at 10:34 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 10:34 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Road Closure -Approval to Proceed (Ptn. of Willow Street, Hamlet of Patricia) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor N. Johnson arrived at 10:37 a.m. The Planning & Development Supervisor responded to questions regarding costs, indicating that it is more cost effective to complete survey work for this road closure at the same time as the surveying for a land consolidation. C-258/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Administration proceed with the process for closing and SELLING portions of Willow Street and Willow Crescent in the hamlet of Patricia. Page 3 of 9 Regular Council August 8, 2024 Further discussion followed. VOTE ON MOTION C-258/24 — MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:41 a.m. 9.2 Letter of Support - Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Community Partnership Grant Application The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor N. Johnson provided additional information. C-259/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the County of Newell provide a letter of support, signed by the Reeve, in support of the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association's application to the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) Program for the ACP — Intermunicipal Collaboration Fund Initiative October 1, 2024 intake, with Wheatland County as the Member Municipality Application Partner. MOTION CARRIED 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 10:46 a.m. K. Steinley provided an update on the Lake Newell Resort lift station revitalization project. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. the Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding open excavations from the County of Newell Water Project Phase 2, indicating that the Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering Services could provide additional information. K. Steinley responded to questions regarding the Tilley desludging and the cost to repair the pumps at Lake Newell Resort. The Chief Administrative Officer asked whether a different design should be considered that uses the same type of pump for all lift stations. He also suggested having a backup pump on standby in the event of a failure. K. Steinley responded to further questions. Discussion. followed. C-260124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council approves additional spending in the amount of up to $40,000 from the Infrastructure Fund to address redundancy for lift station pumps. MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 9 Regular Council August 8, 2024 LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:05 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:10 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Rung arrived at 11:11 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS — continued 8.2 Funding Request - Bow City East Pond Fish Stocking The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item. D. Rung provided background information on the Alberta Conservation Association and their four main programs. She provided information on the fish stocking program, indicating that the Bow City East Pond has been included in this program for over twenty years. She provided a list of current fish stocking partnerships and funding sources and gave an overview of the costs. C-261/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Council APPROVES additional spending in the amount of $2,000 from the Grants & Donations account to support the Alberta Conservation Association trout stocking program at the Bow City East Pond in 2024. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. D. Rung provided information regarding fish stocking events, indicating that the local contacts reach out to local schools. She responded to further questions regarding funding sources. More information is available on the Alberta Conservation Association website: www.ab-conservation.com Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-261/24 — MOTION CARRIED D. Rung responded to further questions from Council regarding conservation easements. LEFT THE MEETING D. Rung left the meeting at 11:31 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the County partners with the ACA on maintenance for their properties. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding funding sources. Page 5 of 9 Regular Council August 8, 2024 LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 11:34 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.3 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (NRSWMA) Fee Schedule Issues The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and suggested a meeting between Council and NRSWMA to review fees that seem to be misaligned with the agreement and determine how to proceed. Discussion followed and Council indicated that the meeting should have the same format as the joint meetings with Grasslands Schools and the Eastern Irrigation District. C-262/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that a letter, signed by the Reeve, be sent to the Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (NRSWMA) board requesting the removal of all waste disposal fees from their schedule of fees which appear .to be in violation of the current agreement and requesting a joint meeting between County of Newell Council and the NRSWMA board of directors to discuss the matter. MOTION CARRIED 9.4 Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) CO2 Resolution Information The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and requested clarification from Council regarding the content of the proposed resolution. He responded to questions from Council, indicating that the resolution should be more specific as to the advocacy to be undertaken by the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. Discussion followed and Council indicated that a committee should be established to develop a resolution for the RMA Spring 2025 Convention. C-263/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the report prepared on the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) CO2 Resolution be accepted as information. MOTION DEFEATED C-264124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that a committee be established to research and develop a CO2 resolution. MOTION CARRIED Further discussion occurred regarding setting objectives and parameters for the committee. The Chief Administrative Officer set out some requirements for the resolution, indicating that the title must clearly indicate the purpose of the resolution, and the content should be specific about which legislation Council opposes and where RMA should focus their advocacy efforts. Page 6 of 9 Regular Council August 8, 2024 C-265/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Councillor A. Skanderup, Councillor L. Kopp, and Councillor H. Johnson be appointed to the committee developing a CO2 resolution. MOTION CARRIED 9.5 Organizational Meeting - Set Date Council was provided with background information on this item. Discussion followed. C-266/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the 2024 Organizational Meeting be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024 starting at 9:00 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 9.6 Requests for Functions of Council 9.6.1 HALO Fundraiser & First Responders Appreciation Event (August 1, 2024) Councillor H. Johnson reported that the HALO Fundraiser & First Responders Appreciation event was well -attended and successful. 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 10.2 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. Discussion followed regarding the application of dust abatement to hot spots such as entrances and exits to hamlets and subdivisions and the cost of dust abatement versus paving. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding pivots spraying roads, indicating that the focus is primarily education, but enforcement does have the ability to write tickets. Discussion followed regarding repeat situations where applying consequences may be more effective. The Director of Municipal Services responded to further questions from Council. C-267/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for July 2024 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 12:17 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:18 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:03 p.m. Page 7 of 9 Regular Council August 8, 2024 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.6 Requests for Functions of Council — continued 9.6.2 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Town Hall (August 13, 2024) C-268/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Town Hall via Zoom on August 13, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS 11.1 Letter - RCMP "K" Division Reeve A. Doerksen provided background information on this item, expressing concerns with the lack of further communication following the Alberta Emergency Alert issued for Wheatland County on August 6, 2024. Discussion followed and Council expressed interest in meeting with RCMP "K" Division during the RMA Fall 2024 Convention. The letter will acknowledge that more information on the incident may be released prior to the RCMP receiving the letter. C-269/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the County of Newell write a letter to RCMP "K" Division expressing concerns with the lack of communication following the Alberta Emergency Alert issued for Wheatland County on August 6, 2024. 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 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 12.3 Funding Allocation - Canada -Community Building Fund The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions. This item was accepted as information. 12.4 2024 Q2 Financial Information Package The Chief Administrative Officer provided background info. This item was accepted as information. Page 8 of 9 Regular Council August 8, 2024 13. IN CAMERA C-270/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move in camera at 1:12 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Legal — FO/PAct Section 24. MOTION CARRIED C-271/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 1:58 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-272/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the County of Newell offers to administer the engineering and construction contracts to construct an access road from Township Road 192N to JBS Canada parking lot, in conjunction with the TR192N and Hwy 873 road improvement project. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Signed this S ay of 5t4avQ-.b4J/- 2024 eeve County Administrator Page 9 of 9