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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-23 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL N0.4 ,-- MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING .April 23, 2009 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, April 23, 2009 commencing at 10:02 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: I. Schroeder A.M. Philipsen R. Andrews J. Harbinson S. Evans A. Eastman B. de Jong H. Wutzke ABSENT: W. Daniels STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator A. Wickert, Development Control Officer S. Shigehiro, Manager of Finance M. Harbicht, Superintendent of Public Works G. Tiffin, Interim Manager of Information Technology A. Clapton, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: M. Metcalf, Brooks Bulletin R. Kiedrowski, Brooks & County Chronicle S.Sgt. J. Haley, Brooks RCMP Sgt. G. Ericson, Brooks RCMP Cpl. D. Fisher, Bassano RCMP Bernie Blieske, PAL Developments Ltd. Alan Flasche, WIT Consulting & Associates Michael Insole, Wilbert Sales Herb Veckenstedt, Western Canada Oilfield Services Corporation Arlene Currie, Diabetes Association -Brooks & District Gary Koleyak, Duchess Golf Club Terry Bearden, Bearden Engineering ~^ Marty Schmidt, Bearden Engineering Regular Council Minutes Page 2 April 23, 2009 1. EXCUSED FROM MEETING No one was excused from this meefing. 2. MINUTES a. Regular Meeting -April 9, 2009 C-129/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that the April 9, 2009 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-130/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5. CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-131/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that cheques 164679 to 167687 in the amount of $89,814.40 and cheques 164688 to 164789 in the amount of x$1,739,772.27 be approved. _ _. ^~~~r~~w~ n w oo~~n 6. MUNICIPAL TREASURER'S REPORT -March 2009 The., Treasurer's Report for March 2009 was presented to Council. C-132/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR 1. SCHROEDER that the Treasurer's Report for March 2009 be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 7. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES a. Brooks Public Library Board -Funding Request The Assistant Administrator presented Council with an update on this item, indicating that the package includes motions that have been made Regular Council Minutes Page 3 April 23, 2009 in the past regarding funding for the Brooks Public Library Board. The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council and discussion followed C-133/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that funding in the amount of $13.60 per capita be APPROVED for the Brooks Public Library for 2009, and that a letter be sent to the Brooks Public Library Board indicating that all future funding requests be submitted through the County of Newell Municipal Library Board. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING Corp. D. Fisher arrived at 10:15 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS a. RCMP Quarterly Reports Corp. D. Fisher presented the Bassano RCMP statistics to Council. He indicated that they would be receiving resources and funding that would enable them to expand their drug awareness and investigation activities, particularly regarding rural marijuana growing operations. Corp. D. Fisher responded to questions from Council. The Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report was postponed until later in this meeting. 9. OTHER BUSINESS b. Recreation Reserve Funding Request -Bassano Council was presented with a request from the Bassano Arena Auxiliary for Municipal Reserve Funding in the amount of $51,082.80 for new kitchen equipment. Councillor S. Evans indicated That they had received another $5,000.00 contribution, so the request would be reduced to $46, 082.80. Councillor S. Evans responded to questions from Council. C-134/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR S. EVANS that the funding request from the Bassano Arena Auxiliary for the purpose of upgrading the kitchen of the Bassano Joint Use Facility be APPROVED in the amount of $45,000.00 and that this be funded through the Municipal Public Reserve. '"^ MOTION CARRIED Regular Council Minutes April 23, 2009 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS -continued b. Meeting with Wheatland County -May 7, 2009 Page 4 The meeting between the Councils of Wheatland County and the County of Newell No. 4 is scheduled for May 7, 2009 in Bassano at Armando's Restaurant starting at 5:30 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. J. Haley and Sgt. G. Ericson arrived at 10:36 a.m. Councillor R. Andrews arrived at 10:40 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS -continued a. RCMP Quarterly Reports -continued Sgt. Ericson presented the Brooks RCMP statistics fo Council. He indicated that a review of the annual performance plan concluded that the priorities from last year should remain the same, (hose being drugs, property crime, and breaking and entering. Sgt. G. Ericson responded to questions from Council. Council agreed that the Brooks RCMP should maintain the same priorities as last year. S. Sgf. J. Haley gave Council an overview of the activities of the Crime Reduction Unit and the new Alert Team that will be focusing on drugs and gangs in the area from Medicine Hat to Bassano. S. Sgt. J. Haley responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. J. Haley, Sgt. G. Ericson, and Corp. D. Fisher left the meeting at 10:59 a.m. 10. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1655-09 -Road Closure & Lease (Kanegawa) NE '/a 23 & SE '/a 26-15-15-W4 (2"d & 3~d Reading) The Development Control Officer provided background information on this item. C-135/09 ~~ MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1655-09, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and leasing the portion of road allowance lying between NE '/a 23-15-15-W4 and SE 1/4 26-15-15-W4 which lies east of the production southerly of the east limit of canal right of Regular Council Minutes Page 5 April 23, 2009 way on Plan IRR 970, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-136/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Bylaw 1655-09 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED b. Bylaw 1664-09 - 2009 Tax Rates (2"d & 3~d Reading) The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item, indicating the amendments that had been made. C-137/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Bylaw 1664-09, being a bylaw to authorize the various rates of taxation for various purposes in the year 2009, be given SECOND reading as amended. MOTION CARRIED C-138/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1664-09 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 9. OTHER BUSINESS -continued c. Strathmore/Brooks Constituency Fund Raiser - Request for Promotional Items Councillor R. Andrews presented Council with information regarding an upcoming fundraiser for the Strathmore-Brooks Constituency on June 16, 2009. C-139/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that two vests and two pen sets be donated to the Strathmore-Brooks Constituency Barbecue being held on June 16, 2009 to be used as prizes for the fundraiser. MOTION CARRIED 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS -continued a. Staff Appreciation Breakfast -May 6, 2009 The Annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast will be held on May 6, 2009 starting at 8:00 a.m. with Council arriving at 7:00 a.m. to begin ~^ cooking. Council discussed the details of the breakfast. ~~~ Regular Council Minutes April 23, 2009 b. Wild Rose Foundation Page 6 Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she had received a letter from the -- Grasslands Regional FCSS expressing concerns with the planned changes to the Wild Rose Foundation, particularly as a funding source. Councillor J. Harbinson noted that the Wild Rose Foundation has provided a lot of funding for volunteers in the past. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Currie arrived at 11:18 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS -continued c. Diabetes Association -Brooks & District Re: Healthy Choices Guide A. Currie presented each Council member with a copy of the new Healthy Choices Guide and gave a history of the project. The Healthy Choices Guide addresses all aspects of a healthy lifestyle and incorporates information that is specific to Brooks as well as the results of new diabetes research. A. Currie responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING A. Currie left the meeting at 11:29 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Blieske, H. Veckentstedt, A. Flasche, M. Insole, M. Harbicht, and A. Wickert arrived at 11:30 a.m. b. Western Canada Oilfield Services Corp./PAL Developments Re: Proposed Industrial Park B. Blieske presented a design of the area to Council and gave an overview of what is planned and the progress made with regards to marketing and sales. They have met with Alberta Transportation regarding their concerns with lights from the subdivision interfering with . traffic on Highway 1, and indicated that an opaque fence would alleviate the problem. He outlined plans for architectural controls, walkways, road construction and drainage. Regarding servicing, he indicated that they were currently looking at the ProSTEP Effluent Pumping System, which would be interconnected, rather than a standalone system like septic tanks or fields. They are investigating several sources for water, Regular Council Minutes Page 7 April 23, 2009 and fire suppression will be addressed when the water source is ~^ determined. M. Insole presented Council with an explanation of the ProSTEP Effluent Pumping System by Orenco Systems Ltd. The system is an alternative to traditional gravity sewer systems, which require lift stations. The effluent is filtered within the pump and can be transported at a low cost to another water treatment system, collection system, or lift station for final dispersal. The primary treatment in the interceptor tanks will remove 90% of fat, oil, and grease. Other waste is kept in the tank, which makes it easy to identify the source. M. Insole presented an overview of other key features and benefits and displayed a diagram of areas in Alberta that are currently using the effluent pumping system. He gave Council an explanation of the electronic monitoring panel, indicating that the data collected is transmitted to a secure server where only authorized users can view it. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor 1. Schroeder inquired about the regular cleaning required, and M. Insole replied that the monitoring company would clean the tank filters once per year. Councillor B, de Jong noted that the presentation focused on residential applications. M. Insole replied that oil and grease separators can be installed. Councillor A. M. Philipsen inquired about who would ,- be called in the event of a problem, and B. Blieske replied that a qualified Water/Wastewater Operator, trained by Orenco Systems Inc., would address any problems on the site. LEFT THE MEETING H. Veckenstedt, B. Blieske, A. Flasche, M. Insole, M. Harbicht, and A. Wickert left the meeting at 12:15 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:15 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:04 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Koleyak arrived at 1:04 p.m. 8. DELEGATIONS -continued d. Duchess Golf Club ,,,.,. Re: Municipal Reserve Funding Request Council was presented with a request for Municipal Reserve Funding from the Duchess Golf Course. G. Koleyak presented Council with a Regular Council Minutes Page 8 April 23, 2009 history of the golf course, indicating the reasons for this funding request. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A.M. Philipsen inquired about the grants received and distributed by the Duchess Agricultural Society, and G. Koleyak replied that the grants usually get distributed to the arena and the community hall, which are in operation year round. Council discussed how funding for recreation was obtained from ratepayers through taxes and fees, and it was noted that this request could be funded through the Regional Enhancement Reserve for Division 8. Councillor B. de Jong will forward this request to the Division 8 committee. LEFT THE MEETING G. Koleyak and R. Kiedrowski left the meeting at 1:30 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Schmidt, T. Bearden, and M. Harbicht arrived at 1:30 p.m. e. County Facilities Meeting with Bearden Engineering M. Schmidt gave a presentation to Council introducing Bearden Engineering & Architectural Consulting and the services they provide. He presented an overview of the integrated design process, indicating that they are a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) accredited professional, and displayed several photographs of their past projects. T. Bearden indicated that energy efficiency is a key goal in each of their projects and gave several examples of where this has been applied. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. M. Harbicht asked how most municipal buildings measured up based on the LEED categories. T. Bearden replied that it depended on the developer, but most were at /east LEED certified. The Chief Administrative Officer inquired about the fee for the design tender and T. Bearden replied that this would be based on the total cost of the project. Councillor A.M. Philipsen asked if it were possible for them to modify the plans of existing facilities. T. Bearden replied that this was possible, but that it is important to build according to the County's specific needs. Reeve M. Douglass thanked M. Schmidt and T. Bearden for their presentation. LEFT THE MEETING _ M. Schmidt, T. Bearden, and M. Harbicht left the meeting at 2:35 p.m. Regular Council Minutes Page 9 April 23, 2009 ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Shigehiro arrived at 2:35 p.m. 9. OTHER BUSINESS -continued a. 2009 Budget Adjustments S. Shigehiro presented amendments to be made to the 2009 budget in the amount of a $8,124,897.00 reduction to the budget that was adopted on December 23, 2008. S. Shigehiro responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer directed Council to the Departmental Summary on page 82 of the Council Agenda Package to see a concise summary of the departmental impacts to the changes being requested. C-140/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that the amendments to the 2009 Budget be adopted as presented in the amount of $8,124,897. MOTION CARRIED The 2009 Operating and Capital Budget is attached to and forms part of ,,_ these minutes. LEFT THE MEETING S. Shigehiro left the meeting at 2:49 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin arrived at 2:49 p.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS -continued a. Request to Rent the County of Newell Mini Bus G. Tiffin presented Council with a letter from the Manager of Recreation Therapy from Brooks Long Term Care requesting the use of the County of Newell Mini Bus to take a patient to and from a retreat. However, if this request is granted, there would be no service for County residents on those two days. G. Tiffin responded to questions from Council. Council suggested some solutions, including using the Brooks Health '~' Region mini bus for the County runs on those scheduled days and private vans. Councillor J. Harbinson asked if the County Mini Bus driver would be responsible for driving to and from the retreat, an ~= f Regular Council Minutes Page 10 April 23, 2009 G. Tiffin replied that he had spoken with the driver who had agreed to drive on (hose two days if the request was approved, but expressed concerns about cancelling the County service. L. Johnson indicated that he would look into what insurance would be required. LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin left the meeting at 2:58 p.m. 12. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Associate Dean Advisory Council Reeve M. Douglass indicated thaf they would be meeting via telephone to discuss the Rural Physicians' Action Plan. b. County/City Joint Services/Urban Fringe Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at City Hall starting at 12:00 p.m. c. Crime Stoppers Board Councillor R. Andrews presented this report fo Council. The Crime Stoppers Board will have a booth at the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce Trade Show and the new web site is now online. d. Rural Crime Watch Councillor R. Andrews Thanked S. Stanway for the article in the paper recognizing Husky Oil and Encana for their support of the Rural Crime Watch Fan Ouf System. He also noted that membership packages with signs are now available at the Brooks and Bassano RCMP offices as well as at the County of Newell Administration Office for $20.00 each. e. Red Deer River Watershed Alliance Councillor R. Andrews reported that the RDRWA has completed the State of the Watershed report and there are open houses scheduled for public input. He indicated that he planned to attend the open house scheduled for May 26, 2009 in Sundre, AB. f. Red Deer River Municipal Users Group Councillor R. Andrews noted that most of the meetings conflict with regular Council meetings. Regular Council Minutes April 23, 2009 ,--- g. Bow River Basin Council Page 11 Councillor R. Andrews reported on the upcoming Annual General Meeting and Science Forum. h. Economic Development Advisory Committee Councillor R. Andrews reported that, at last night's meeting, the Committee discussed plans for the upcoming year and has requested what Council would like to see for Economic Development. The Committee has identified the need for apart-time administration person to respond to inquiries, handle information, and manage the web sites. Priorities include marketing the web sites, concentrating on business retention, continuing the divisional discussions during meetings, and professional development opportunities for Committee members. Councillor R. Andrews indicated that they would like to begin celebrating success stories in the County, perhaps by placing business profiles in the local newspapers or the County Newsletter. They have also recognized the need for a proactive approach to provincial policy and procedural changes that may affect the County of Newell. The Committee plans to maintain communications with the Newell Regional Tourism Association and Canadian Badlands, and will investigate the possibility of holding annual or bi-annual meetings with fhe Brooks Economic Development Committee. Councillor A.M. Philipsen reported on the status of some businesses in the County. Councillor H. Wutzke requested that a discussion on Economic Development be put on the May 12, 2009 Workshop Agenda. i. Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor J. Harbinson reported that the Women's Shelter is up and running again and reiterated concerns regarding the Wild Rose Foundation. Councillor A.M. Philipsen replied that she was under the impression that the Wild Rose Foundation was reorganizing and that the funding would still be available. Councillor J. Harbinson will obtain more information regarding this. j. Newell Recycling Association/Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor B. de Jong indicated that the landfill would be adding some new cells this year. The Toxic Waste Round Up will be held sometime in June or July and will be expanded to include some new items like household electronics. He also noted that funding for the shredding of ,.- large industrial and agricultural tires has been suspended. Councillor J. Harbinson inquired about the possibility of bringing a mobile recycling trailer to Cassils. Councillor B. de Jong advised him to contact the Newell Regional Landfill regarding this. Council discussed the fit that Regular Council Minutes Page 12 April 23, 2009 recycled materials are being stored at the landfills until the demand rises again. k. Newell Regional Services Corporation Councillor 1. Schroeder gave an overview of several items discussed at the lasf meeting, including the agreement to take over the water treatment plant from the City of Brooks and lease it to the NRSC and the turnover of assets. He reported that the presentation by John van Doesburg has been tentatively rescheduled for June 26, 2009. I. Newell Foundation Councillor H. Wutzke reported that they have received an official letter of resignation from the manager, who has agreed to sfay until the end of the year. Councillor S. Evans reported thaf Premier E. Stelmach had visited the lodge for a tour recently. The accommodations reviews and auditor's report have been completed. m. Tourism Representative Councillor A.M. Philipsen noted that Canadian Badlands has a new board, which will be meeting next week. She recently attended the Growing Rural Tourism conference in Camrose, and inquired about the possibility of paying for a local business operator in the tourist industry to attend. Further information was presented on the Newell Regional Tourism Association, the calendars which will be available at the trade show and Annual General Meeting, and the Dinosaur Park Pump it Up Run. Councillor A.M. Philipsen has also begun attending the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce meetings. n. Disaster Services Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported on the last meeting on April i6, 2009 with the Joint Disaster Services Committee. She noted that K. Swanson will be pursuing the Red Cross funding agreement, and the mutual aid bylaws are in need of an update. She also indicated that the County's Emergency Response Trailer was well received during the mock disaster exercise. There is an Operations and Emergency Planning Orientation scheduled at Dixon Dam on May 29, 2009. A discussion was held regarding the streamlining of disaster services meetings and Reeve M. Douglass suggested that the committee take the initiative to update the information in the bins in the Emergency Operations Centre. o. Scholarship Committee _ Reeve M. Douglass reported on the recent meeting. The AAMDC was `"` contacted to determine if any other counties or Municipal Districts offer Regular Council Minutes Page 13 April 23, 2009 scholarships, and only one general scholarship was known. Council discussed creating a scholarship that would be given to a student of a water/wastewater treatment plant operator program. 13. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 14. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Mini Bus Monthly Reports -March 2009 Council was presented with the Mini Bus Monthly Reports for March 2009. This item was accepted as information. b. Oldman River Regional Services Commission - Executive Committee Meeting Minutes -February 12, 2009 r- Council was presented with the Oldman River Regional Services Commission Executive Committee Meeting minutes of February 12, 2009. This item was accepted as information. 15. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 16. ADJOURN C-141/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the meeting adjourn at 3:44 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Reeve ,i "l C 'u Administrator