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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-24 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 24, 2024 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, October 24, 2024 commencing at 10:27 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Short (via Microsoft Teams) A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott 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 C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: L. Skriver, BAPS Community Dog Jog Sgt. D. Searle, RCMP - Brooks Sgt. J. Schmidt, RCMP - Bassano 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:27 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (October 10, 2024) C-325/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the October 10, 2024 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council October 24, 2024 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-326/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN 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 2079-24 Road Closure & SALE (Ptn. of Willow Street, Hamlet of Patricia) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-327/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2079-24, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and SELLING the following described roadway: 1. All of Willow Street south of Lot 4, Block 10 as shown on Plan 791 00924 2. All of Willow Crescent as shown on Plan 811 1857, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-328/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2079-24 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:29 a.m. 9. ADMINSTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Bassano Firehall Renovation The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item including an overview of the proposed upgrades to the Bassano Firehall. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the proposed budget and plumbing upgrades. The Newel/ Regional Fire Chief responded to questions Page 2 of 8 Regular Council October 24, 2024 regarding the proposed office and training area. The Chief Administrative Officer acknowledged the amount of effort expended by staff in gathering estimates and information. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to further questions regarding the proposed renovations compared with other County fire hal/s. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Skriver arrived at 10:46 a.m. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to further questions from Council. C-329/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council approve additional spending of $33,975.06 from the Regional Enhancement Fund and up to $246,024.94 from the Facilities Fund (Total $280,000.00) for the renovation at the Bassano Fire Hall. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green and S. Luchies left the meeting at 10:50 a.m. 9.2 Lake Newell Marina Facility Upgrade The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that Lake Newell Land Corp. has asked for the County of Newell to be a signatory on the agreement that guarantees public access to the Lake Newell Marina. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Corporate Services provided additional information, indicating the road to the marina goes across private property and the landowner wants to ensure there is an opportunity to develop the land in the future. The Lake Newell Marina Association maintains the road. The location of the road may change in the future when the land is developed, but the proposed multi-party agreement would be registered on the land title to guarantee public access. Councillor G. Skriver provided additional information, indicating that the boat launch is vital infrastructure. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer provided further information and responded to questions. Further discussion followed. C-330/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council directs Administration to take the lead in drafting a multi-party access agreement, whereby the County will be a signatory to that agreement and, approves additional spending in the amount of up to $20,000 from the Stabilization Fund to cover the costs of drafting the agreement. LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:17 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING Sgt. D. Searle and Sgt. J. Schmidt arrived at 11:19 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council October 24, 2024 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Update - BAPS Community Dog Jog L. Skriver provided background information on the BAPS (Brooks Animal Protection Society) Community Dog Jog held on October 5, 2024 starting at the County of Newell facilities. Over $1900 was raised for BAPS. L. Skriver provided an overview of plans to hold the event next year and indicated that the pathway provided a safer experience than the route beside the road used in previous years. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Council congratulated L. Skriver on a successful event. LEFT THE MEETING L. Skriver left the meeting at 11:25 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor G. Skriver left the meeting at 11:26 a.m. Deputy Reeve K. Christman assumed the Chair 8.2 RCMP Quarterly Report — Brooks Sgt. D. Sear/e presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Sgt. D. Searle responded to questions regarding copper wire theft and motor vehicle accidents. He indicated that the Brooks RCMP does plan for additional patrols during the Patricia Rodeo and other annual events in the County. He provided details regarding a speaker at the high school arranged by the Safe Communities Coordinator. Sgt. D. Searle responded to further questions from Council. 8.3 RCMP Quarterly Report — Bassano Sgt. J. Schmidt presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Sgt. J. Schmidt responded to questions regarding regular media re/eases and animal related incidents. Council expressed appreciation for the RCMP. Deputy Reeve K. Christman reported that Joint Services Committee had decided not to proceed with the Municipal Police Transition Grant application to complete a feasibility study. LEFT THE MEETING Sgt. D. Searle and Sgt. J. Schmidt left the meeting at 11:50 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.3 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Fall 2024 Convention - Meetings with Ministers The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. The Chief Administrative Officer provided details regarding the meeting with the Page 4 of 8 Regular Council October 24, 2024 RCMP "K" Division Commanding Officer. Attendees for each meeting will be as follows: • RCMP "K" Division - Director of Municipal Services, Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor D. Short, and CouncillorA. Skanderup • Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation - Chief Administrative Officer, Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor H. Johnson, Councillor K. Christman The Executive Assistant was directed to arrange a meeting with the Minister of Environment & Protected Areas (topics: opening the Water Act and water /icense) and follow up on the meeting with the Minister of Transportation & Economic Corridors with the Minister's Chief of Staff. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor D. Short left the meeting at 12:01 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:01 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:45 p.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.4 RMA Fall 2024 Convention — Resolutions Council was presented with the resolutions package for the RMA Fall 2024 Convention. Discussion followed on each of the proposed resolutions. 9.5 Joint Municipal Meeting (December 14, 2024) - Call forAgenda Items The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. Discussion followed regarding changing the format of the meeting to return to an intermunicipal conversation where the MP and MLA are guests. Council suggested the following topics: • Grasslands Regional FCSS and social support needs or concerns • overview of minibus services • water and wastewater • an update on the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association As the Joint Municipal Meeting conflicts with the County of Newel/ Christmas party, attendees for each event will be randomly determined. 9.6 Requests for Functions of Council Discussion followed regarding two upcoming breakfast events. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council October 24, 2024 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Alberta Municipalities Convention Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 10.2 2024 Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) Conference Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 10.3 Newell Housing Foundation CouncillorA. Skanderup and CouncillorA. Philpott submitted a written report. 10.4 County of Newell Library Board Councillor L. Kopp reported that new representatives have been appointed for the Brooks and Rolling Hills Library Areas. 10.5 Shortgrass Library System Councillor L. Kopp provided information on devices available that can scan text and translate it into severa/ different languages. 10.6 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Johnson provided information regarding funding allocations. 10.7 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor N. Johnson provided an update indicating that NRSWMA is draffing a response to the County and reviewing the agreement. 10.8 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor A. Skanderup reported that Brooks Region Tourism recently had their organizational meeting. She provided the balances for the Destination Marketing Fund and the Economic Development Fund. J. Mcintosh has a schedule of events planned for the holiday season. Councillor A. Skanderup indicated that users had some difficulty booking campsites at Dinosaur Provincial Park this year following an update to the Alberta Parks website. The Music in the Park program will be held again next year. The trail system at Dinosaur Park has been expanded. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council October 24, 2024 10.9 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Councillor N. Johnson provided an update, indicating that final presentations will be made to SAEWA on October 25, 2024. 10.10 Joint Services Committee Councillor K. Christman reported that the Municipal Police Transition Grant application will not proceed, the City has been approved to join the Palliser Economic Partnership in 2025. No funding increase has been requested in the 2025 Joint Services budget. J. Ketchmark provided an update on the Snake Lake Reservoir expansion. Campgrounds were discussed and the Rural Health Professions Action Plan consultant provided an update. 10.11 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor H. Johnson reported that she has an extra ticket available for the Ag Connections Conference on November 20, 2024. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 12.2 Safe Communities Report This item was accepted as information. 13. QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 14. IN CAMERA C-331/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 1:45 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • RMA Ministerial Forum Questions — FOIPAct Section 23. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 Regular Council October 24, 2024 C-332/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 2:25 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m. Signed this Z�f day of 1 v�VQ�`'�be-✓ , 2024 c .. R e �� ` � County Administrator Page 8 of 8