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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-07 Annual General Meeting (Annual General) MinutesCounty of Newell Minutes of Annual Meeting May 7, 2015 The 2014 Annual Meeting of the County of Newell was held at the Community Hall in Cassils, AB on Thursday, May 7, 2015 commencing at 7:04 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss MEDIA PRESENT: S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin 15 Ratepayers STAFF PRESENT: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Fenske, Manager of Finance M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services J. Smyth, Human Resources Coordinator N. Berg, Grader Operator (Division 9) K. Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS PRESENT: R. Juska, Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority 16 ratepayers and media were in attendance for the 2014 Annual Meeting of the County of Newell. Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Welcome & Introductions The Reeve welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Councillors and staff in attendance. 2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2013 Annual Meetin_g MOVED BY HOLLY JOHNSON that the 2013 Annual Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 3. Presentations a. Presentation of 2014 Year End Audited Financial Statements & Financial Overview The Manager of Finance presented the 2014 Year End Audited Financial Statements and Annual Report document. He provided an overview of the audit process that was conducted by an independent firm and reported on March 19, 2015. He presented chants showing the County's financial position through various years, noting a decline in financial assets -to -liabilities in 2012 which marked the start of the County of Newell Water Project. He explained the chart of debt limits, noting that the amount the County can borrow is regulated by the provincial government. There was an increase in debt in 2012 as a result of the County of Newell Water Project and further increases in 2013 and 2014 for local improvements and the County of Newell Water Project. The debt is scheduled to Annual General Meeting (May 7, 2015 be repaid within 5-10 years, which is aggressive but manageable. The Manager of Finance displayed a chart showing annual surplus versus tangible capital asset acquisitions over several years. Annual surplus funds are put into roads, sewer, and rural water. He indicated that, when considering sustainability, it is important to ensure there is significant revenue to maintain the assets in the future. 60% of the County's revenue comes from property taxes and 65% of property tax revenue comes from linear tax (power lines, oil, etc.) which signifies a risk in the event of a decline in the oil and gas industry. The Manager of Finance displayed a chart showing a steady increase in tangible capital assets in the County. Some significant acquisitions in 2014 include the rural and regional water systems, paving, Tilley sanitary system, equipment, EID drainage partnership, Tilley water system, and infrastructure related to the County's Information Technology network. The Manager of Finance responded to questions regarding the County's borrowing practices, indicating that investments are currently earning 4.5% interest, which is more than the 2.7% interest rate on debentures. H. Johnson asked if the County would be looking at reduced spending in the event of potentially higher taxation and less business revenue as a result of the shift in government. The Manager of Finance replied that the County's financial position is considered during budget discussions and the County's ability to do large projects depends on grant funding. He noted that the County was approved for $27 million in funding under the Municipal Sustainability Initiative, which is being received in small allocations. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the County of Newell has the second lowest expenditure rate compared to similar municipalities in Alberta. The large capital projects have been looked after and will last a long time. He expressed concerns with a possible shift in linear assessment revenue to the urban municipalities, but indicated that there would be pressure placed on government organizations to reduce the impact. b. Municipal Services The Director of Municipal Services presented an update on the County of Newell Water Project, indicating that Council had just awarded the final contract for the Gem area with work to begin in the fall. Divisions 4, 5, and 7 should be receiving water in the next few months and pipeline is currently being installed in Division 6. The Regional Water System began delivering water to Bassano this week, which is the starting point for Divisions 6, 7, and 9 to receive water as well. Council reviewed the paving plan and amended the priorities slightly and discussions will continue with the province to pave Highway 873 servicing the Rolling Hills Reservoir Campground and Highway 876 from Highway 1 to Patricia. Both roads are heavily used by industry traffic and residential traffic alike. The Director of Municipal Services also indicated that the Scandia East Access Overlay is scheduled to be paved in 2015. C. EID Draina_ge Partnership The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on the EID Drainage Partnership, which is currently in its fifth year. He indicated that phase one of the projects in Rainier involves 66km of roadside drainage and this will likely take two years to complete. Drainage to the south and north of Rainier will be considered in the future. He acknowledged that the residents of Rainier would like to see all the work done, but noted that alternative drainage basins 2 Annual General Meeting (May 7, 2015 must be considered. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding the road two miles north of Lakeside Road to One Tree Road, indicating that crews are currently cleaning up the road allowance and a contractor has been hired for a shoulder pull, which could lead to secondary work with ditches. He indicated that he would speak with the ratepayer in detail following the meeting. d. Landfill & Recyclin_a Facilities R. Juska, Manager of the Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (NRSWMA), provided background information and historical photographs. The County has one regional landfill and several transfer stations which are paid for by an annual per capita levy that covers about half of the costs. The remainder is made up of tipping fees from oilfield and industrial waste. R. Juska provided details regarding last year's construction project, which included new cells and leechate ponds where moisture from the landfill is collected. He displayed a cross section of a modern landfill and explained the process. He displayed a graph showing historical municipal solid waste and industrial waste and a picture of what the final landfill will look like with a compacted clay cap. R. Juska indicated that out of 40 developed countries, Canada creates the most garbage per person; of all the provinces, Alberta creates the most garbage per person. He suggested that a reason for this is that recycling is not as economical as disposal. The NRSWMA promotes recycling and subsidizes Newell Recycling. There are recycling depots throughout the County that collect materials and bring them to Newell Recycling in Brooks for processing. There is a compost site where compost is made available to residents for free. R. Juska displayed a graph showing sale of recycled materials over the years. He acknowledged that they get a lot of complaints regarding not accepting plastic, but there is no place to send it. Money is better spent getting rid of cardboard and household plastics are inert. Agricultural plastics are more of a problem and R. Juska showed a graph of how these are being disposed of, either by recycling, burning, disposal in the landfill, or other. He expressed concerns with the amount of bale wrap and twine being burned, as this is illegal and creates toxic byproducts. R. Juska provided details regarding the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association, which is working to create an energy -from -waste facility in Alberta. Energy will be created from burning waste. R. Juska responded to questions. H. Johnson expressed concerns with people throwing whatever they want into dumpsters. R. Juska replied that he has been in contact with the company that supplies the dumpsters and landfill staff watch for items in dumpsters that should not be there. Penalties are being applied for improper waste and improperly sorted waste. He indicated that an information sheet should be given along with the bin saying what can and cannot go in it. Information on what is and is not accepted at the landfill is available online at www.newellwastemanagement.com. B. Tiegs asked how the location for the landfill was selected. R. Juska replied that a siting study had been conducted that looked at population centres, road networks, wildlife issues, and other factors. Three potential locations were suggested and then tests were done to determine the geology. A ratepayer asked if anything was planned for the old 3 Annual General Meeting (May 7, 201 Town of Brooks landfill located along Lake Newell Road. R. Juska replied that that landfill is currently being used for fill. 4. QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD Reeve M. Douglass opened the floor for questions. C. Waddle, a resident of Scandia, indicated that she spoke at last year's County Annual General Meeting regarding her concerns at the increase in her tax bill that occurred as a result of local improvement taxes. Costs for those projects were based on 2% growth in Scandia over 30 years but she does not know where the growth is supposed to occur. She indicated that 55 ratepayers own the 80 lots in Scandia. All the local improvement taxes result in $1500 added to the property taxes. C. Waddle indicated that four homes in the community have been on the market for over a year and others are planning to move away. Other hamlets and villages will be facing local improvement costs as well. She acknowledged that the improvements were necessary, but requested that the County find a way to make it more affordable for the affected residents. Councillor W. Hammergren noted that the local improvement is paid over 20 years and asked if there was a way to extend the repayment period. The Manager of Finance indicated that he would investigate an opportunity to amend a local improvement tax. Reeve M. Douglass noted that communities vote to decide whether to proceed with local improvements. T. Green reported that the County of Newell has equipment available for rent, noting that the no till drills have been used more since John Deere stopped renting them in town. 5. ADJOURN Reeve M. Douglass adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m. LIM �-o CHAIRMAN /0- 7RETARY t 0