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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-06 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL NO. 4 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING ~,- DECEMBER 6, 2007 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, December 6, 2007 commencing at 10:04 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: W. Daniels I. Schroeder A. Philipsen R. Andrews J. Harbinson A. Eastman B. de Jong H. Wutzke ABSENT: S. Evans STAFF: K. Stephenson, County Administrator B. Keith, Assistant Administrator A. Clapton, Executive Assistant D. Horvath, Oldman River Regional Services Commission S. Shigehiro, Manager of Finance OTHERS IN A. McCuaig, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Stanway, Brooks & County Chronicle M. Fitzgerald, Q-13 Fox Radio Beverly Anderson, Red Deer River Watershed Alliance Donna Trottier, Red Deer River Watershed Alliance Lynne Pye-Matheson, Newell Regional Expo Don Weisbeck, Newell Regional Expo Reg Radke, Newell Regional Expo Viv Nielsen, Newell Regional Expo Teresa Kaczanowski, Newell Regional Expo William N. Allen, County of Newell No. 4 Resident Cory Baksa, 07 LUA 014 1. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-486/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR 1. SCHROEDER that Councillor S. Evans be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED ~~~ Regular Council Minutes December 6, 2007 2. MINUTES Page 2 C-487/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the November 8, 2007 Council minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 3. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS The Reeve called for post agenda items. 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-488/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that we adopt the agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5. CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT C-489/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that cheques 161021 to 161024 in the amount of $8,408.45, cheques 161065 to161168 in the amount of $2,367,242.00, and cheque 161169 in the amount of $50,932.47 be approved. The vote on motion C-489/07 was postponed until after the In Camera portion of this meeting. 6. MUNICIPAL TREASURER'S REPORT -OCTOBER 2007 The Treasurer's Report for October 2007 was presented to Council. C-490/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that the Treasurer's Report for October 2007 be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 7. DELEGATIONS a. Red Deer River Watershed Alliance B. Anderson, Manager of the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance, gave a presentation to Council. The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA) promotes good use and proper management of water, and their goals are achieved through research partnerships. B. Anderson indicated that Alberta Environment is the regulatory body, but the RDRWA is responsible for planning and they are seeking collaborative decisions towards a healthy watershed. She inquired about concerns ~.~ Council had about watershed management, what services could be ~ provided, and how the County of Newell No. 4 would like to be involved. ~~ ''u Regular Council Minutes Page 3 December 6, 2007 Councillor R. Andrews was directed to follow up with these questions. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING B. Anderson and D. Trottier left the meeting at 10:32 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Pye-Matheson, D. Weisbeck, R. Radke, V. Nielsen, and T. Kaczanowski arrived at 10:32 a.m. b. Newell Regional Expo L. Pye-Matheson gave a presentation on the Newell Regional Expo, which is tentatively scheduled for October of 2008 and will be used to build community spirit and promote the area in a positive manner, potentially to a national audience. She outlined some of the items included in the planning process, which included engaging the community in dialogues and cultural education, developing strategies ~- for building an ideal community, and holding events to showcase cultural diversity and heritage. R. Radke explained that funding for the Newell Regional Expo would come from several sources, and the information gathered through community discussions would be shared with other organizations. L. Pye-Matheson requested a letter of support from the County of Newell No. 4, which is necessary for the Newell Regional Expo to obtain funding from government agencies. Administration indicated that $ i 0, 000.00 was available in the budget. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor W. Daniels said that he supported the Newell Regional Expo project, but that small communities must also be included. LEFT THE MEETING M. Fitzgerald, L. Pye-Matheson, D. Weisbeck, R. Radke, V. Nielsen, and T. Kaczanowski left the meeting at 11:02 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING C. Baksa and W.N. Allan arrived at 11:06 a.m. ~~ ` ~ I~ Regular Council Minutes Page 4 December 6, 2007 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. 07 LUA 014 - Pt. SW '/a 8-19-14-W4 -Division 10 D.V. (Butch) Martin Farming (Owner) /Cory Baksa (Applicant) Approximately 64.75 hectares (160.0 acres) OF -Urban Fringe District to C -Commercial District Reeve Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:09 a.m. The County Administrator stated that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear representations on Bylaw 1628-07. Bylaw 1628-07 is a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by rezoning a portion of the SW '/a 8-19-14-W4 from OF -Urban Fringe District to C -Commercial District. D. Horvath provided background information on this application, indicating that in February of 2007, the applicant had applied to rezone his land for commercial and industrial uses. This parcel was not addressed at that time due to concerns with the Area Structure Plan. Two letters were received regarding this application. The letter from Alberta Transportation expressed concerns with the intersection between R.R. 150 and Highway 1, and that Traffic Impact Assessments would be necessary. The letter from the City of Brooks requested that the bylaw be tabled until the Inter Municipal Development Plan has been approved. Reeve Douglass reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. C. Baksa, speaking on behalf of D.V. Martin Farming, indicated that he had no plans for further development or to change the existing feedlot. The City had indicated that a business park would be appropriate for the area, and the closest approximation to this in the Land Use Bylaw is Commercial District. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor J. Harbinson asked about the potential closure of the R.R. 150 intersection. D. Horvath replied that the closure of that intersection was not definite, as it would be based on the development of the area. An evaluation of the intersection would then be done to determine if it could handle increased traffic. Regular Council Minutes December 6, 2007 b. 07 LUA 015 - Ptn. of Parcel A, Plan 8411 GU (NW '/a 24-17-14-W4) -Division 2 Devon Buteau (Owner/Applicant) Approximately 4.05 hectares (10.0 acres) A -Agricultural District to SH -Small Holding District Page 5 Reeve Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:17 a.m. The County Administrator stated that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear representations on Bylaw 1629-07. Bylaw 1629-07 is a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by rezoning a portion of Parcel A, Plan 8411 GU (NW '/a 24-17-14-W4) from A -Agricultural District to SH -Small Holding District. D. Horvath provided background information on this application, indicating that the purpose of the rezoning was to allow a home to be developed on a i0 acre parcel. There has been no response from adjacent landowners or agencies with regards to this application. Reeve Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no additional members of the public in attendance. There were no persons in attendance speaking in favour of or in opposition to the proposed rezoning. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A. Eastman asked whether the land to the east of the proposed parcel was developed agriculture or a ditch. Councillor 1. Schroeder replied that the eastern portion of the land was divided by a ditch and a road. Councillor A. M. Philipsen inquired as to why the top portion was being left out. D. Horvath replied that the top portion contained storage bins and was used as a staging area for the farming operation. c. 07 LUA 016 - Pt. SW '/a 29-21-14-W4 -Division 8 Cheryl Hyland (Owner/Applicant) Approximately 2.95 hectares (7.3 acres) A -Agricultural District to CR -Country Residential District Reeve Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:22 a.m. The County Administrator stated that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear representations on Bylaw 1630-07. Bylaw 1630-07 is a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by rezoning a portion of the SW '/a 29-21-14-W4 from A -Agricultural District to CR -Country Residential District. ;~~ ., Regular Council Minutes Page 6 December 6, 2007 D. Horvath provided background information on this application, the purpose being to facilitate the subdivision of an additional lot out of the parcel. A letter from an adjacent property owner has been received, indicating that they have no problem with the rezoning for the purpose of acquiring a mortgage on a new home, but that they are opposed to a future subdivision. A fax has also been received from another adjacent property owner, indicating opposition to rezoning. Reeve Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no additional members of the public in attendance. There were no persons in attendance speaking in favour of or in opposition to the proposed rezoning. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A.M. Philipsen stated that the land has been subdivided into 80 acre parcels, and asked if it would be safe to assume that, if rezoned to Country Residential, this parcel would also be subdivided. D. Horvath replied that, to facilitate the landowner's request, they have to rezone the parcel to something that will accommodate higher density. C-491/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the public hearings adjourn at 11:29 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 10. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1628-07 - 07 LUA 14 D.V. (Butch) Martin Farming (Owner) /Cory Baksa (Applicant) OF -Urban Fringe District to C -Commercial District (2nd & 3`d Reading) C-492/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Bylaw 1628-07, to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by rezoning approximately 64.75 hectares (160.0 acres) of land in SW '/a 8-19-14-W4 from OF -Urban Fringe District to C -Commercial District, be given second reading. MOTION CARRIED C-493/07 h:~ ; ,, `~\ ~ti MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that Bylaw 1628-07 receive third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council Minutes Page 7 December 6, 2007 b. Bylaw 1629-07 - 07 LUA 015 Devon Buteau (Owner/Applicant) A -Agricultural District to SH -Small Holding District (2"d & 3~d Reading) C-494/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1629-07, to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by rezoning approximately 4.05 hectares (10.0 acres) of land in a portion of Parcel A, Plan 8411 GU (NW '/a 24-17-14-W4) from A -Agricultural District to SH -Small Holding District, be given second reading. MOTION CARRIED C-495/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Bylaw 1629-07 receive third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED c. Bylaw 1630-07 - 07 LUA 016 Cheryl Hyland (Owner/Applicant) A -Agricultural District to CR -Country Residential District (2nd & 3~d Reading) D. Horvath provided background information on this application. Councillor W. Daniels asked if more parcels could be subdivided out if the land was rezoned to Country Residential. D. Horvath replied that the Agricultural District allows for one subdivision of an unsubdivided parcel. Once the land is rezoned to Country Residential, that subdivision is approvable. Councillor A. Eastman asked if, by approving this Bylaw, that parcel could become a subdivision and have another building placed on it. D. Horvath replied that another home could be placed on the land, as that parcel would have a separate land title. She also indicated thaf this is only the first step, and that tests would be done at the subdivision stage or at the time of development to ensure that what is being asked for is viable. C-496/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that Bylaw 1630-07, to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by rezoning approximately 2.95 hectares (7.3 acres) of land in SW '/a 29-21-14-W4 from A -Agricultural District to CR -Country Residential District, be given second reading. MOTION CARRIED C-497/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1630-07 receive third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING C. Baska & W.N. Allan left the meeting at 11:44 a.m. ~~~ Regular Council Minutes December 6, 2007 8. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES a. Policy Review: Fire Truck Donations B. Keith presented Council with an updated Fire Truck Donations Policy and outlined the amendments that had been made. Councillor J. Harbinson asked if all fire departments were included under this policy. B. Keith replied that the Division 5 and 10 fire departments are excluded from this policy, as they have a separate funding source. Councillor H. Wutzke asked about the requirements needed to apply for this funding and indicated that the money should be made available to all divisions. Discussion of this item was postponed until later in the meeting. 11. OTHER BUSINESS a. Subdivision Approval Extension Request - 06 NL 014 (Lake Newell Resort Block 2) D. Horvath provided background information on this application, outlining the conditions that had already been met and those left to complete, and suggested an extension of one year. C-498/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the County grant a one year time extension to subdivision application 06 NL 014. Page 8 MOTION CARRIED b. Council Orientation to Municipal Planning Workshop (ORRSC) Council was presented with an invitation to the Municipal Planning Workshop, which is being hosted by the Oldman River Regional Services Commission on Thursday, January 31, 2008. LEFT THE MEETING D. Horvath left the meeting at 12:01 p.m. LUNCH Recessed for lunch at 12:02 p.m. and reconvened at 1:03 p.m. Regular Council Minutes December 6, 2007 8. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES -continued a. Policy Review: Fire Truck Donations Page 9 Council continued discussion on the proposed Fire Truck Donations Policy and several amendments were suggested. B. Keith was directed to revise the policy and bring it back for approval of the next Council meeting. b. Request from the Duchess & District Fire Department Tabled Motion C-474/07: MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the County support this request from the Duchess & District Fire Hall and approve funding in the amount of $30,000.00 from the Fire Fund in 2009. C-499/07 MOTION CARRIED Councillor W. Daniels requested that the motion be amended to read Duchess & District Fire Department and that the amount be changed to $50, 000.00. C-474/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the County support this request from the Duchess & District Fire Department and approve funding in the amount of $50,000.00 from the Fire Fund in 2009. C-500/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that motion C-474/07 be tabled until the Fire Truck donation policy is adopted. ARRIVED AT MEETING MOTION CARRIED S. Shigehiro, Manager of Finance, arrived at the meeting at 1:40 p.m. 11. OTHER BUSINESS -continued c. 2008 Capital Budget __ The 2008 Capital Budget was presented to Council. S. Shigehiro explained the amendments that had been made to the budget since the November 28th meeting. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DANIELS that Motion C-474/07 be lifted from the table. Regular Council Minutes Page 10 December 6, 2007 C-501/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that we adopt the 2008 Capital Budget as presented on December 6, 2007, in the amount of $1,952,963.00. MOTION CARRIED d. 2008 Operating Budget The 2008 Operating Budget was presented to Council. K. Stephenson indicated that this budget could be approved now and then amended closer to the time when the mill rates are set. Councillor W. Daniels inquired about projects that will not be completed in 2007. S. Shigehiro replied that the money set aside for projects not completed in 2007 will be carried forward into 2008. C-502/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that we adopt the 2008 Operating Budget as presented in the November 28, 2007 budget package, including amendments, for a total amount of $66,089,570.00. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Shigehiro left the meeting at 1:57 p.m. e. Red Deer River Watershed Alliance - 2008 Funding Request A letter from the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance was presented to Council, requesting funding in the amount of 50 cents per capita for the 2008 year. C-503/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that we provide financial support to the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance in the amount of 50 cents per capita for 2008. MOTION CARRIED f. Regional Water Project Engineering -MPE Engineering Approval The following resolution was brought forward at the November 26, 2007 Newell Regional Services Committee Meeting: Whereas i. the Newell Regional Services Committee recommended at their last regular meeting that MPE be contracted to complete the detailed design for phases 1 & 2 of the regional water system; ~1 ~J Regular Council Minutes Page 11 December 6, 2007 ii. MPE has the knowledge and background on this system and many other regional water systems in Alberta; iii. MPE Engineering handles most of the Eastern Irrigation District's outsourced engineering projects and is very familiar with the County of Newell No. 4; iv. The MPE Engineering rate schedule is very competitive with the industry standards. Therefore, be it resolved that the County of Newell No. 4 authorize the execution of the system design contract with MPE Engineering Ltd. as per the recommendation of the Newell Regional Services Committee. Councillor 1. Schroeder indicated that the Newell Regional Services Committee was asking approval from the County of Newell No. 4 to go ahead with this, but MPE's proposal has not actually been accepted yet. C-504/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that the County of Newell No. 4 authorize the execution of the system design contract with MPE Engineering Ltd. as per the recommendation of the Newell Regional Services Committee. MOTION CARRIED g. Regional Water Grant Authority -County of Newell No. 4 The following resolution was brought forward at the November 26, 2007 Newell Regional Services Committee Meeting: Whereas the Newell R~~ional Services Committee passed a motion at their last meeting tt~al~e-stating that County of Newell No. 4 act as the grant and project authority for phase 1 & 2 of the regional water system project, Therefore, be it resolved that the County of Newell No. 4 approve the request of the Newell Regional Services Committee and agree to act as the grant and project authority for phase 1 & 2 of the regional water system project. C-505/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the County of Newell No. 4 approve the request of the Newell Regional Services Committee and agree to act as the grant and project authority for phase 1 & 2 of the regional water system project. MOTION CARRIED ~ ~ ,, •~_~,/ ' Regular Council Minutes December 6, 2007 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Policy Review -Risk Control Policy Page 12 B. Keith presented Council with a draft Risk Control policy for the County of Newell No. 4, indicating that it related fo the liability insurance program and that it had come from the insurance company that requested that this policy be adopted. C-506/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that the Risk Control Policy be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED b. Shortgrass Regional Library Resolution B. Keith presented a resolution to Council regarding including Divisions 3, 8, and 9 in the County of Newell's membership in the Shortgrass Library System, allowing the residents of those divisions access to the Shortgrass Library System without their local libraries becoming Shortgrass Libraries. C-507/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that the County of Newell No. 4 will include Divisions 3, 8, and 9 in the County membership in the Shortgrass Library System, which will now give all residents of the County of Newell No. 4 access to the Shortgrass Library System services. MOTION CARRIED c. Ashton's Place Letters A letter was presented to Council from Ashton's Place Youth Center, requesting a letter of support for the County of Newell No. 4. A separate letter requested a representative from the County of Newell No. 4 to sit on the Board of Ashton's Place Foundation. Reeve M. Douglass agreed to go to the board meetings, but not as a representative of the County. C-508/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that a letter be written in support of Ashton's Place Youth Center. MOTION CARRIED d. Municipal Infrastructure Protection Conference (Information Item) ~~~ ~~, A letter from Roadata Services Ltd. was presented, inviting Counal to the Municipal Infrastructure Protection Conference, which is being held in Red Deer, AB, on Friday, January 18, 2008. This item was received as information. Regular Council Minutes December 6, 2007 e. Committee Reports i. Mayor's & Reeves Page 13 Reeve M. Douglass circulated a report to Council. ii. Newell Recycling Association ~~ Councillor B. de Jong reported3 that the Manager, Doug Shanks, had recently won the 2007~R's of Excellence Award for Community Recycling and currently sits on the provincial board for recycling. The Newell Recycling Association is starting to examine a paint recycling program and a deposit of 20 cents will be placed on milk jugs. Recycling pickups will increase to once per week in Duchess, Rosemary, and Tilley, and every other week in Rolling Hills, Lake Newell Resort, Gem, and Patricia. Councillor B. de Jong also noted that they are running out of space and are currently looking at cooperating with the regional landfill. iii. Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Wutzke distributed a budget to Council. iv. Newell Foundation Councillor H. Wutzke indicated that the Newell Foundation will be having a meeting next week. He also gave a report on a conference he attended about seniors' housing and primary caregivers. 13. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period was held. 14. INFORMATION ITEMS There were no information items to discuss. '~ - 1 ~~~ 15. IN CAMERA C-509/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that we move in camera at 2:38 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council Minutes December 6, 2007 Page 14 C-510/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that we move out of camera at 3:12 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-511/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Council approve the 2008 Cost of Living Adjustments for all non-union employees and contract employees as presented. MOTION CARRIED Vote on Motion C-489/07 MOTION CARRIED C-512/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that a letter be written in support of the Newell Regional Expo project. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN C-513/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that the meeting adjourn at 3:17 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Cour~6 Administrator