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Home My WebLink About2024-10-10 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 10, 2024 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, October 10, 2024 commencing at 10:58 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver E. Unruh A. Philpott K. Christman N.Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: J. Chomistek, EID Historical Park R. Chandler, EID Historical Park R. Van Hal, EID Historical Park K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation 1. 2 C-304/24 CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:58 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillor K. Christman and Councillor N. Johnson be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED RegularCouncil October 10, 2024 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (September 19, 2024) C-305/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the September 19, 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-306/24 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. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2082-24 24 LUA 005 (SW 26-21-16-W4 -A-GEN to R-RUR) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-307/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2082-24, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating approximately 3.2 acres (1.3 hectares) known as Plan 1112945 Block 1 Lot 1 in SW 26-21-16-W4 from Agriculture - General (A-GEN) District to Residential - Rural (R-RUR) District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 11:01 a.m. 7.2 Bylaw 2083-24 24 LUA 006 (NW 19-21-14-W4 -A-GEN to A-SML) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-308/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Bylaw 2083-24, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating approximately 10.0 acres (4.05 hectares) known as Plan 7511066 Block A in NW 19-21-17-W4 from Agriculture - General (A-GEN) District to Agriculture - Small Lot (A-SML) District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 8 Regular Council October 10, 2024 ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Chomistek and R. Chandler arrived at 11:06 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Road Closure -Approval to Proceed (NE 26-18-13-W4 & SW 25-18-13-W4) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-309/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we proceed with the process for closing and LEASING the road right of way between NE 26-18-13-W4 and SW 25-18-13-W4. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Van Hal arrived at 11:12 a.m. 10.2 Road Closure -Approval to Proceed (E 1-20-16-W4 & W 6-20-15-W4) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-310/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that we proceed with the process for closing and LEASING the road right of way between E 1-20-16-W4 and W 6-20-15-W4. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:12 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Recreation Facility Improvement Funding Request - EID Historical Park J. Chomistek provided background information on this item including an overview of the repairs required to the Scandia Grain Elevator. He reported that the foundation repairs are complete, and the elevator was painted in the summer. He outlined plans for furfher upgrades to the EID Historical Park. R. Chandler responded to further questions regarding the elevator. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies arrived at 11:19 a.m. J. Chomistek provided additional history for the elevator, indicating that they will apply for funding under the Alberta Heritage Grant in February 2025. He responded to further questions regarding the number of visitors to the Page 3 of 8 Regular Council October 10, 2024 park. Council suggested the EID Historical Park board reach out to Brooks Newell Region Tourism for other potential funding sources. R. Chandler responded to further questions from Council. C-311/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council APPROVES funding 50% of the EID Historical Park upgrade costs to a maximum amount of $52,905 under "Category Two - Facility Life Extension, Major Project" of the Recreation Facility Improvement Funding Policy. J. Chomistek responded to further questions regarding the foundation repairs. Discussion followed. VOTE ON MOTION C-311/24 - MOTION DEFEATED C-312/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Council accepts the EID Historical Park funding application and refer it for further consideration by Council during the 2025 budget review process. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING J. Chomistek, R. Chandler, and R. Van Hal left the meeting at 11:32 a.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the coyote population in the County. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 11:39 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.3 Policy Review - POL-047-24 Level of Service for Communal Raw Water Irrigation Systems The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. C-313/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-047-24 (Level of Service for Communal Raw Water Irrigation Systems) be adopted with the following amendment: Under "Requirements for Expansion of Existing Systems or Installation of New Systems," the last sentence should read "This will ensure the County's position, that all costs are borne by the beneficiaries of the system, and the ongoing responsibility...." MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 8 RegularCouncil October10,2024 10.5 Shortgrass Library System 2025 Budget Request The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-314/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council APPROVES the 2025 budget submitted by the Shortgrass Regional Library System. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Request to Purchase 2025 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Rosemary in 2024 The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and the Newell Regional Fire Chief indicated that future gear replacement would be scheduled over a number of years instead of replacing everything at the same time. C-315/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Council APPROVES additional spending in the amount of $34,619 from the Fire Apparatus Fund for the purchase of two full sets of SCBA and accessories for the Rosemary Fire Department. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to further questions regarding the need to update SCBA. VOTE ON MOTION C-315/24 - MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies and L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:49 a.m. 10.6 Recreation Agreement - Village of Duchess The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and summarized the significant changes to the agreement. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. Council requested that the agreement be amended to indicate that the County will fund 25% of capital expenditures for new Recreational Facilities. C-316/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Council APPROVES the Recreation Services Agreement between the County of Newell and the Village of Duchess as amended. MOTION CARRIED 10.7 Recreation Agreement - Village of Duchess & Duchess Agricultural Society The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and summarized the significant changes to the agreement Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council October 10, 2024 C-317/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council APPROVES the Recreation Services Agreement between the County of Newell, the Duchess Agricultural Society, and Village of Duchess as presented. MOTION CARRIED 10.8 Councillor Payment Sheets (August 2024) Councillor D. Short provided background information on this item. C-318/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the August 2024 Counciilor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.9 Requests for Functions of Council 10.9.1 Economic Growth Forum (October 24-25, 2024) Discussion followed and it was noted that October 24, 2024 is a regular Council meeting day. This item was accepted as information. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:02 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:58 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 12:58 p.m. 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 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. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 1:09 p.m. 11.2 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. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding the gravel resource study. C-319/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for September 2024 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 8 Regular Council October10,2024 LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 1:17 p.m. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss during this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Mini Bus Monthly Report (September 2024) This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.4 Rural Municipalities of Alberta - Notice of BylawAmendments This item was accepted as information. 15. IN CAMERA C-320/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 1:17 p.m. to discuss the following matters: 15.1 Rosemary Fire Agreement — FO/PAct Section 21 � 24 15.2 Crop Diversification Centre South Revitalization — FO/PAct Section 21 & 24 15.3 CUPE Contract Negotiations — FO/PAct Section 24 MOTION CARRIED C-321/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that we move out of camera at 2:06 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-322/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council directs Administration to negotiate an updated Fire Protection Services Agreement with the Village of Rosemary, through the Rosemary ICF/IDP Committee, that transfers governance and operational control of the Rosemary Fire Department to the County. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 RegularCouncil October 10, 2024 C-323/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that, subject to Alberta Infrastructure agreeing to the proposed commencement and term date edits in the lease and sublease agreements, Council allocate the uncommitted balance of $167,453.99 from the Regional Enhancement Fund towards covering the costs of CDC South initiatives, including goods and services required for planning, marketing, and incorporating a not-for-profit to oversee the CDC South, and further, that Administration secure a contracted project coordinator to undertake these initiatives, and apply to grant programs that may be available to provide additional support. MOTION CARRIED C-324/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Council direct Administration to negotiate a new collective agreement with CUPE local 1032, ensuring fair compensation with a reasonable cost-of-living increase over the term of the agreement, while considering fiscal sustainability and alignment with the County's budgetary constraints. MOTION CARRIED 14. QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:09 p.m. Signed this Z`'�� day of Q��-✓ , 2024 ` �2�"G�Ze� r��'2� Reeve , � �-.-�.� _� County Administrator Page 8 of 8