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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-20 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL NO.4 _ MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 20, 2008 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, March 20, 2008 commencing at 10:02 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: W. Daniels I. Schroeder A.M. Philipsen J. Harbinson S. Evans A. Eastman B. de Jong H. Wutzke ABSENT: R. Andrews STAFF: K. Stephenson, County Administrator B. Keith, Assistant Administrator A. Clapton, Executive Assistant D. Erdman, Economic Development/Tourism Coordinator OTHERS IN R. Brown, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Stanway, Brooks & County Chronicle S. Berkeley, Econ. Dev./Tourism Advisory Committee P. Mauch, Econ. Dev./Tourism Advisory Committee K. Rose, Econ. Dev./Tourism Advisory Committee Sandy Traichel, Bylaw 1637-08 (08 LUA 002) Shawn Torkelson, Bylaw 1637-08 (08 LUA 002) 1. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-88/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Councillor R. Andrews be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 2. MINUTES This item was postponed until the next meeting. Regular Council Minutes Page 2 March 20, 2008 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS c. Monte Solberg to Visit the Future Service Canada Site Council was informed of the visit by the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources, to the Future Service Canada Site in the Cassils Shopping Plaza on March 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. 3. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS The Reeve called for post agenda items. 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-89/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5. CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT There were several questions from Council. C-90/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that cheques 161930 to 162002 in the amount of $418,004.20, cheque 162003 in the amount of $188,895.00 and Direct Debit Batch 13107 in the amount of $49,314.51 be approved. MOTION CARRIED 6. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES a. Letter to the Minister of Health Re: Lack of Capital Projects Funding in the Palliser Health Region Motion C-39/08 from the February 7, 2008 Council minutes reads as follows: MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that a letter be written to the new Minister of Health, when appointed, expressing concerns for the lack of funding for capital projects in the Palliser Health Region, and that a copy of this letter be forwarded to MLA Dr. Lyle Oberg. MOTION CARRIED Council discussed Motion C-39/08 and the capital funding that had recently been approved for the Palliser Health Region. Administration was directed to write a letter of thanks to the Minister of Health for the Regular Council Minutes Page 3 March 20, 2008 capital funding that had been made available for the Palliser Health Region. b. Municipal Sustainability Initiative - Changes & Project Identification K. Stephenson presented to Council the most recent guidelines for the Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding and made suggestions for distribution of the funding, indicating that a completed project profile would be required for each project. There were several questions from Council regarding potential projects and creating a formula to distribute the funding among different municipalities. K. Stephenson suggested using all of the MSI funding for the Regional Water System project, for 2007 - 2009 which would then free up reserves that had been set aside for regional water and use these funds for the other joint municipal projects that could be approved by Council and accounted for separately. C-91/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding be used to cover the commitment to the Regional Water System project for the County of Newell No. 4. MOTION CARRIED Reeve M. Douglass inquired about the projects that had been awaiting answers. This item will be discussed further during this meeting. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Erdman, Economic Development/Tourism Coordinator, P. Mauch, K. Rose, and S. Berkeley, Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee Members, arrived at 10:49 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS a. Economic Development/Tourism Quarterly Report S. Berkeley presented the Economic Deve/opment/Tourism Advisory Committee quarterly report for December through February of 2008. She covered a new brochure that has been developed aimed at business attraction, expansion, and retention, the replacement of tourism signs, foreign direct investment, a major marketing program for the Canadian Badlands, and some upcoming economic development and rural tourism conferences. D. Erdman indicated that he had been working with 5 - 7 clients for the Newell Regional Business Support program. S. Berkeley also mentioned the new backdrop and pop-up signs that had been installed in the Council Chambers, indicating that Regular Council Minutes Page 4 March 20, 2008 the full display would be featured in upcoming trade shows in Brooks and Calgary. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING D. Erdman, P. Mauch, K. Rose, and S. Berkeley left the meeting at 11:10 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Traichel and S. Torkelson arrived at 11:11 a.m. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Bylaw 1637-08 (08 LUA 002) Text Amendment to Add Sandblasting & Paint Shops as Discretionary Uses to the LI -Light Industrial District Reeve M. Douglass called the public hearing to order at 11:13 a.m. The County Administrator stated that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear representations on Bylaw 1637-08. Bylaw 1637-08 is a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by adding Sandblasting Shops and Paint Shops as discretionary uses to the LI -Light Industrial District. D. Horvath provided background information on this application, indicating that the Municipal Planning Commission considered these suitable uses under the LI -Light Industrial District and that there had been no response from the public notification or advertisement. Reeve Douglass reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. There were no persons in attendance speaking in favour of or in opposition to the proposed text amendment. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-92/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that the public hearing adjourn at 11:16 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council Minutes Page 5 March 20, 2008 9. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1637-08 - 08 LUA 002 Text Amendment to Add Sandblasting & Paint Shops as Discretionary Uses to the LI -Light Industrial District (2nd & 3`d Reading) C-93/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1637-08, to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by adding Sandblasting Shops and Paint Shops as discretionary uses to the LI -Light Industrial District, be given second reading. MOTION CARRIED C-94/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Bylaw 1637-08 receive third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Traichel and S. Torkelson left the meeting at 11:17 a.m. b. Bylaw 1638-08 - 08 LUA 003 Rocky Parker (Owner/Applicant) A -Agricultural District to SH -Small Holding District D. Horvath provided background information on this bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-95/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1638-08, to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by rezoning approximately 7.85 hectares (19.4 acres) of land in SE '/a 19-20-15-W4 from A -Agricultural District to SH -Small Holding District, be given first reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Stanway and R. Brown left the meeting at 11:22 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Wickert, Development Control Officer, arrived at 11:22 a.m. Regular Council Minutes Page 6 March 20, 2008 15. IN CAMERA C-96/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 11:22 a.m. MOTION CARRIED C-97/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that we move out of camera at 11:58 a.m. MOTION CARRIED C-98/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Development Permit #3178 be brought before the Municipal Planning Commission for their recommendation. MOTION CARRIED LUNCH Council recessed for lunch at 11:59 a.m. and reconvened at 12:59 p.m. 9. BYLAWS -continued c. Bylaw 1639-08 2008 Utility Bylaw (1St 2~d & 3~d Reading) B. Keith provided background information on this bylaw, indicating that this bylaw would establish how utilities were run for the County of Newell No. 4. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions and there followed a discussion on the sewer costs for the previous year and whether or not grant funding was available. C-99/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1639-08, being a Bylaw for the purpose of levying and collecting water and sewer related service charges, receive first reading. MOTION CARRIED C-100/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Bylaw 1639-08 receive second reading. MOTION CARRIED C-101/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that consent be given for Bylaw 1639-08 to receive third reading this 20th day of March, 2008. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Regular Council Minutes Page 7 March 20, 2008 ~~ C-102/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Bylaw 1639-08 receive third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED d. Bylaw 1640-08 Emerson Bridge Park (1St 2na & 3~a Reading) B. Keith provided background information on this bylaw, indicating some required changes to the wording. Council discussed further amendments to Bylaw 1640-08 with regards to the removal of firewood and water from the campground. C-103/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Bylaw 1640-08, being a Bylaw for the purpose of regulating Emerson Bridge Park, receive first reading as amended. MOTION CARRIED C-104/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1640-08 receive second reading. MOTION CARRIED C-105/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that consent be given for Bylaw 1640-08 to receive third reading this 20th day of March, 2008. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-106/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR S. EVANS that Bylaw 1640-08 receive third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. OTHER BUSINESS a. County Newsletter Review -March/April 2008 Council reviewed the proposed County newsletter for March and April 2008 and suggested a number of changes. Council requested that an advertisement be added for the Annual General Meeting on May 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m, at the Heritage Inn. b. Sale of County Mini Bus B. Keith provided some background information for this item. He also indicated that the Public Works Department had requested that their old picker truck be sold through Canadian Public Auction Ltd. Regular Council Minutes March 20, 2008 Page 8 C-107/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Administration be authorized to sell the 2002 Ford E450 Ford Cutaway Champion Mini Bus (Serial No. 1 FDXE45F12HA2767B) to National Coaches under their purchasing program, and that the 1989 GMC c/w Crane 3 Ton Public Works Picker Truck Unit No. 118 (Serial No. 1 GDM7D1 Y3KV508991) be authorized to be sold through Canadian Public Auction Ltd. at their April 29, 2008 sale. c. Appointment of Assistant Agricultural Fieldman MOTION CARRIED C-108/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that we appoint Patricia Dirk as an Officer for the County of Newell No. 4 pursuant to Section 5 of the Weed Control Act, Section 10 of the Agricultural Pest Act, and Section 15 of the Soil Conservation Act. MOTION CARRIED d. Planning Retreat - 3 Year Budget K. Stephenson indicated to Council that a planning retreat should be arranged for late April or early May, and that this could also include the development of a 3-year budget plan. Council discussed potential locations and suggested facilitators included Gordon Macintosh, George Cuff, John Sloan, Jim Penrod, and Phyllis Kobasiuk. Administration was directed to try and book Jim Penrod as the first choice, and Gordon Macintosh as a second choice. e. Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan Award of Distinction - Request for Letter of Support Council discussed other organizations that may be more suitable to provide this requested letter of support. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would contact the author of this request and discuss the issue with them. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Community Planning Association of Alberta Conference -Red Deer (April 7 - 9, 2008) Councillor A.M. Philipsen indicated that she would like to attend this conference. Council decided that, since this was addressed in the Councillor's Compensation & Expenses Policy, a motion approving this as a function of Council was not necessary. Regular Council Minutes March 20, 2008 ~~- b. Project Porchlight Page 9 B. Keith informed Council that light bulbs for the residents of the County of Newell No. 4 were being delivered soon. He asked for suggestions from Council as to how to distribute these light bulbs, and indicated that, for instance, the 4-H Club in Patricia had asked to be the distributor for that municipality. Each Councillor will contact an organization within their division to assist in distributing the light bulbs. d. Cancellation of Penalty on Taxes Councillor W. Daniels requested that administration find out if tax arrears for Tax Roll No. 250818 had been paid. K. Stephenson replied that staff informed him that they had been paid in full on March 11, 2008. e. Crawling Valley Campground Councillor S. Evans provided background information regarding this item, indicating that the Eastern Irrigation District was planning on ~- making several improvements to the Crawling Valley Campground. C-109/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that a letter be written to the Crawling Valley Recreation Society indicating that the County of Newell No. 4 fully supports the Eastern Irrigation District in completing the proposed improvements to the Crawling Valley Campground. MOTION CARRIED f. Request from Grasslands Public Schools Reeve M. Douglass indicated that a letter had been received from Grasslands Public Schools requesting feedback regarding the closure of the grades 10- i2 program at the Tilley School. Administration was directed to write a letter to Grasslands Public Schools indicating that the County of Newell No. 4 supports their mandate to make such decisions. 12. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Airport Commission Councillor B. de Jong presented this report to Council. At the previous meeting, they had requested that the County of Newell No. 4 help out with mowing the grass around the terminal building if they happened to be mowing in the area. They are also looking into having the runway repaved and a grant has been applied for to cover this. B. Keith replied Regular Council Minutes Page 10 March 20, 2008 that the request for mowing would be passed on to T. Green, Agricultural Fieldman, to include in his work plan. b. Newell Foundation Councillor S. Evans reported that the repairs had been completed to the damaged rooms, and that this had been covered by insurance. They have also made the activity room larger and both lodges are currently full. c. Newell Regional Services Corporation Councillor 1. Schroeder presented this report to Council, indicating that Orval Shantz was to be appointed as legal counsel for the Corporation, and that there is another pipeline meeting scheduled for next week. Councillor 1. Schroeder also reported on the meeting with Alberta Environment regarding water licenses during the AAMDC Spring 2008 Convention. LEFT THE MEETING S. Stanway left the meeting at 2:36 p.m. d. Oldman River Regional Services Commission Councillor A.M. Philipsen presented a written report to Council. e. Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor W. Daniels presented this report to Council regarding a report that was being prepared on potential biofue/s in the area. f. Road Ban Committee Councillor 1. Schroeder indicated that the Road Ban Committee had recently met via telephone and that there is a temporary ban on Lake Newell Resort Road. g. 9-1-1 Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported that the next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2008 and they would be discussing some service Regular Council Minutes Page 11 March 20, 2008 issues that had occurred with the communications system. She also - referred to a motion made by Council last year regarding funding to be set aside for first responders' communications equipment, indicating that the Palliser Health Region had been working on the upgrades. B. Keith replied that the County had been working with Gemini and Palliser Health to install GPS systems in the ambulances. 13. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION Councillor 1. Schroeder indicated that, at the meeting with Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation about the Resource Road Program, the South Service Road had been approved, but that they would have to decide how to address Highway 1. K. Stephenson replied that the paving of Highway 544 was not a priority for the Province and the old #1 scored very low on the Resource Road Program. Reasons for other roads seemed to fall back on lack of traffic. Council requested that the potential paving program, de-gazetting of roads, resource road program be placed on the next Municipal Committee meeting agenda and that Darrel Camplin and his staff be invited to attend. 6. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES -continued b. Municipal Sustainability Initiative - Changes & Project Identification Council discussed how projects would be identified and how the funding would be allocated. K. Stephenson indicated that there was $4.4 million available that had been set aside for the Regional Water System project that could now be used for projects from municipalities, with fewer restrictions. Councillor A. Eastman inquired about the distribution formula that was to be determined by adding the populations of the surrounding divisions to their urban municipalities. Councillor W. Daniels suggested that Administration should use this formula to determine the amount of funding available to each municipality and their joint division, and then inform them of this so they can determine their projects. Council discussed setting parameters for projects and creating an application form for approving projects. Administration was directed to draft a policy and bring it back to the next meeting for approval. C-110/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that, whereas the County of Newell No. 4 supports the sharing requirements and _.. guiding principles as first set out by the Province of Alberta on the MSI Grant Funding Program, Regular Council Minutes Page 12 March 20, 2008 and whereas the County of Newell No. 4 desires to continue to build on that original Provincial Co-operation Plan to help neighbouring municipalities within the County of Newell No. 4, the County of Newell No. 4 approve utilizing MSI Funding Option 2 as the partnership sharing guidelines as provided by Administration for the 2007-2009 MSI funding program with Bassano, Brooks, Duchess, Tilley, and Rosemary. MOTION CARRIED Administration will inform the municipalities about the application process and guiding principles for the partnership once the press release has been issued. 14. INFORMATION ITEMS There were no information items to discuss at this meeting. 15. IN CAMERA C-111/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that we move in camera at 4:24 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-112/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that we move out of camera at 4:25 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN C-113/08 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the meeting adjourn at 4:25 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Reeve r, Administrator