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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-05 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL December 5, 2024 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, December 5, 2024 commencing at 10:15 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 A. Philpott N.Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer S. Hanson, Controller M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief A. Ferguson, Fire and Safety Administrative Assistant C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation B. Deschamps, Eastern Irrigation District J. Ketchmark, Eastern Irrigation District D. Cockerill, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. J. Aleman, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING A/l members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council December 5, 2024 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (November 21, 2024) C-360/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the November 21, 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-361/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL 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. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 2025 Interim Budget The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item including an overview of key projects and changes made following the November 21, 2024 Council meeting. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed regarding the request from the Division 5& 10 Recreation board for an annual funding increase from $70, 000 to $100, 000. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions, indicating that discussions regarding establishing a recreation agreement with the Lake Newell Resort Community Association have begun but they will continue with the existing arrangement for 2025. The Chief Administrative Officer and Councillor G. Skriver provided additional information regarding the Division 5& 10 Recreation Board. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley and M. Harbicht arrived at 10:32 a.m. C-362/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the Division 5& 10 Recreation Board funding allocation be increased from $70,000 to $85,000 in 2025. Further discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions, indicating that, if approved, the annual allocation will be $85, 000 going forward and changes can be made during the annual budget review process. Fu►ther discussion followed. Council indicated a preference for recreation agreements with all groups and suggested an annual plan would be beneficial. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council December 5, 2024 Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-362/24 — MOTION CARRIED The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding the addition of a Deputy Regional Fire Chief position. C-363/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the 2025 Interim Budget be approved as amended. MOTION CARRIED 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 10:53 a.m. 11.2 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his repo►t to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Biette and L. Johnson arrived at 11:04 a.m. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding snow removal priority routes, sand, and divisional grading. He provided additional information on enforcement related to individuals clearing snow from private lands onto public lands. C-364/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for November 2024 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:08 a.m. Page 3 of 8 Regular Council December 5, 2024 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.2 Overdue Accounts Receivable Write Offs The Controller provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-365/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Council APPROVES the write offs of the overdue accounts receivables accounts listed in AppendixA. MOTION CARRIED 10.3 Policy Review - POL-048-24 Collection of Overdue Receivables The Controller provided background information on this item and an overview of proposed amendments to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-366/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Policy POL-048-24 (Collection of Overdue Receivables) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Policy Review - POL-049-24 Charitable Donations Receipt The Controller provided background information on this item and an overview of proposed amendments to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-367/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Policy POL-049-24 (Charitable Donations Receipt) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Policy Review - POL-050-24 Approval, Funding & Reporting of Budget Variances The Controller provided background information on this item and an overview of proposed amendments to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-368/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Policy POL-050-24 (Approval, Funding & Reporting of Budget Variances) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Hanson left the meeting at 11:16 a.m. 10.6 Advance Preparations for Local Authorities Election (October 20, 2025) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding additional voting stations and specifically for Division 9 which now includes Gem Page 4 of 8 Regular Council December 5, 2024 and Rosemary. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the number and locations of voting stations would be determined closer to Election Day. C-369/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Shannon Biette be appointed as the Returning Officer and that Ariana Nielsen be appointed as the Substitute Returning Officer for the County of Newell for the 2025 Local Authorities Election. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding the option to require a criminal record check as part of the nomination package. Council indicated that no criminal record checks will be required. No further changes to the advance preparations for the Local Authorities Election were proposed. 10.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (October 2024) C-370/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the October 2024 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Jackson arrived at 11:22 a.m. 10.8 Requests for Functions of Council Discussion followed regarding the Water Availability Engagement Sessions approved as a function of Council during the November 21, 2024 Council meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:24 and RECONVENED at 11:30 a.m. C-371/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move into Public Hearings at 11:30 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2080-24 Road Closure & LEASE (E 26-18-13-W4) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:30 a.m. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council December 5, 2024 Reeve A. Doerksen reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. The Planning & Development Supervisor stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2080-24. The intent of this bylaw is to close and LEASE the portion of road allowance adjacent to the NE & SE 26-18-13-W4. The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item, indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to all adjacent landowners as well as to a list of affected agencies. No responses were received from adjacent landowners. All responses have been received from the required referrals and none have indicated any objections. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 7.2 Bylaw 2081-24 Road Closure & LEASE (E 1-20-16-W4) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:32 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Planning & Development Supervisor stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2081-24. The intent of this bylaw is to c/ose and LEASE the portion of road allowance adjacent to the E 1-20-16-W4. The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item, indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to all adjacent landowners as well as to a list of affected agencies. No responses were received from adjacent landowners. All responses have been received from the required referrals and none have indicated any objections. The Planning & Development Supervisor indicated that there is a wetland noted on the road allowance and the applicant will have to adhere to the Alberta Wetland Policy and Alberta WaterAct if additional work is required in that area. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-372/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:34 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 8 Regular Council December 5, 2024 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2080-24 Road Closure & LEASE (E 26-18-13-W4) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided additional background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-373/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2080-24, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING all those portions of government road allowance adjacent to E 26-18-13-W4, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Bylaw 2081-24 Road Closure & LEASE (E 1-20-16-W4) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided additional background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-374/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Bylaw 2081-24, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING all those portions of government road allowance adjacent to E 1-20-16-W4, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:35 a.m. 8.3 Bylaw 2084-24 Local Improvement (North Headgates) The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-375/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON the purpose of amending Bylaw 2027-22 (Local given FIRST reading. that Bylaw 2084-24, being a bylaw for Improvement - North Headgates), be MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette left the meeting at 11:36 a.m. 8.4 Bylaw 2086-24 Schedule of Fees The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item including an overview of significant proposed amendments. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding Tilley garbage collection rates and base utility rates. He indicated that Planning & Development is updating the Road Allowance Closure policy and associated lease rates. C-376/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2086-24 being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 Regular Council December 5, 2024 ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies, A. Ferguson, B. Deschamps, J. Ketchmark, D. Cockerill, and J. Aleman arrived at 11:41 a.m. 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 2024 Donations to Fire & Emergency Services The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information regarding donations received from the Eastern Irrigation District and Canadian Natural Resources Limited. Reeve A. Doerksen expressed appreciation for the County's volunteer firefighters and thanked the EID and CNRL for their generous contributions. The donors were recognized with plaques presented by the Newell Regional Fire Chief and Reeve A. Doerksen. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 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. 15. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Signed this ��day of �v�- , 2024 � ve "' '____ . -.'iA��� - "T"._� �-Q/l County Administrator Page 8 of 8