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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-25 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council November 25, 2011 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Friday, November 25, 2011 commencing at 10:37 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: I. Schroeder A.M. Phillipsen R. Andrews M. Nesbitt A. Eastman B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: C. Amulung J. Bulger STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner- ORRSC A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: R. Juska, Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority F. Weinheimer, Telus F. MacDonald, Telus 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:37 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-390/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Councillor C. Amulung and Councillor J. Bulger be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council November 25,2011 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes - Council (November 10, 2011) C-391/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the November 10, 2011 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-392/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS a. County Newsletter Review ew (November/December 2011) Council reviewed the proposed County newsletter for November& December 2011 and made several amendments. b. Funding Request - Regional Enhancement Reserve (Div. 5 & 10) Councillor L. Juss presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-393/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that the Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding Request from the Cassils Community Centre for the construction of a new hall be APPROVED in the amount of $164,557.00 with funding through the Regional Enhancement Reserve allocation for Divisions 5 & 10. MOTION CARRIED c. Funding Request - Red Deer River Watershed Alliance The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item. .D Councillor A. Eastman responded to questions from Council. Page 2 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 ,,. C-394/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the County of Newell agrees to provide financial support to the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance in the amount of 50 cents per capita for 2012. MOTION CARRIED d. Policy Review - 2011-PLG-018 (Flag) The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-395/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Policy 2011-PLG-018 (Flag) be adopted as presented/amended. MOTION CARRIED e. Disposal of County Facilities The Assistant Administrator presented Council with background information on this item, indicating that subdividing the Administration building from the ASB shop would provide the option to sell the parcels separately or together. The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Juska arrived at 10:50 a.m. Discussion followed regarding the marketing of the properties and sale options. C-396/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Administration proceeds with an application for subdivision of the Administration Office and ASB Shop/Yard into two separate properties. MOTION CARRIED The Assistant Administrator indicated that appraisals have been completed on the buildings. The Chief Administrative Officer noted that if a municipality wishes to sell land and assets for less than market value, the intent to do so must be advertised. The reserve price set for the property would be set at the appraised value. C-397/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the existing County Facilities be offered for sale by tender with the minimum reserve price set at the appraised value. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 11 /1 . 1(4 Regular Council November 25,2011 f. Cheques for Payment C-398/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that cheques 171477 to 171478 in the amount of$1,495,089.70 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED g. Cheque Register The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-399/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that the Cheque Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8. DELEGATIONS a. Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority R. Juska provided Council with plans and photos of the landfill in its present state and explained what each of the cells was used for. Future development will likely involve terracing and building up, rather than digging new holes. He gave an overview of some issues that occurred with heavy snow fall and how these problems were addressed. R. Juska provided a progress report on the landfill operations since being taken over by NRSWMA, outlining equipment purchases, services, and financial information. R. Juska provided information to Council on the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Alliance (SAEWA), including a map showing the member municipalities and a potential location for this sort of facility. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A. Eastman inquired about soil testing and R. Juska indicated that they send soil samples away for testing. R. Juska responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING R. Juska left the meeting at 11:35 a.m. C-400/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the Public Hearings RECONVENE at 11:36 a.m. MOTION CARRIED CA4A1-) Page 4 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Bylaw 1732-11 - Road Closure & Lease SE 13 & NE 12-19-13-W4 Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:36 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Manager of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 1732-11. The intent of this bylaw is to close and lease the portion of road allowance described as the most easterly 740 metres throughout the original government road allowance adjacent to the southern boundary of SE 13-19-14-W4. The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, indicating that the required referral has now been received. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in support of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. b. Bylaw 1735-11 - Road Closure & Sale (Ptn. TR 23-4 between SW & SE 28-23-18-W4 and NW & NE 21-23-18-W4) Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:42 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Assistant Administrator stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 1735-11. The intent of this bylaw is to close and sell the portion of road allowance adjacent to the southern boundary of SW& SE 28-23-18-W4. The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item. The required referral has now been received and Fortis has requested an easement. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in support of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Page 5 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 C-401/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:43 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1732-11 - Road Closure & Lease SE 13 & NE 12-19-13-W4 The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-402/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Bylaw 1732-11, being a Bylaw to close and LEASE the portion of road allowance described as the most easterly 740 metres throughout the original government road allowance adjacent to the southern boundary of SE 13-19-14-W4, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED b. Bylaw 1735-11 - Road Closure & Sale (Ptn. TR 23-4 between SW & SE 28-23-18-W4 and NW & NE 21-23-18-W4) The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-403/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1735-11, being a bylaw to close and SELL the portion of road allowance adjacent to the southern boundary of SW & SE 28-23-18-W4, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING F. Weinheimer and F. MacDonald arrived at 11:45 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS - CONTINUED b. TELUS (F. Weinheimer& F. MacDonald) F. MacDonald presented Council with background information regarding temporary and permanent cable within the County of Newell. He indicated that Telus has been moving towards avoiding the use of temporary cable altogether and provided examples of the alternatives used. He provided several reasons why the cable has not been reburied, including diversion of resources to repairs in areas affected by natural disasters, shortened working Page 6 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 %lbw seasons due to weather conditions, and increased provincial road projects. He also provided an update on a customer issue that had been raised during a previous Council meeting attended by Telus representatives and indicated that they will be coordinating with the Eastern Irrigation District on the drainage partnership program to reduce the amount of temporary cable required. F. Weinheimer indicated that the process to secure additional cable related to the County/EID drainage partnership has been initiated. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Reeve M. Douglass asked about the difference between temporary and permanent cable. F. Weinheimer indicated that cable becomes compromised with digging and must be replaced with temporary cable, then replaced again with permanent cable when it is to be reburied. Councillor B. de Jong asked about the timeline for burying cable that has been above ground for an extended period of time. F. Weinheimer explained that there is a timeline and cable is replaced based on priority and requested that he be notified of cable that has been out for a long period of time, as it may have been overlooked in the system. Councillor A. Eastman indicated that a ratepayer in his division has had his telephone line cut several times and repairs often take two weeks. F. Weinheimer requested that he be contacted when repairs take that long, as they try to react within 24 hours to service outages. Discussion followed regarding road construction and the importance of communication and assessing potential damage to infrastructure. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor I. Schroeder left the meeting at 12:15 p.m. F. Weinheimer suggested that they could make annual visits to Council to provide regular progress reports. F. MacDonald responded to further questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor I. Schroeder returned at 12:19 p.m. LEFT THE MEETING F. Weinheimer and F. MacDonald left the meeting at 12:22 p.m. LUNCH . Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:22 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:10 p.m. '411•10, Page 7 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 7. BYLAWS - CONTINUED c. Bylaw 1737-11 -Water & Sewer Services The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-404/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that Bylaw 1737-11, being a bylaw for the regulation of the water works and sanitary sewer works systems throughout the County of Newell, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED d. Bylaw 1738-11 -Schedule of Fees The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item, indicating that the purpose of this bylaw is to consolidate all service fees in a single document that would be reviewed annually in conjunction with the budget review process. He provided an explanation of Section D, which relates to utility services fees, indicating that the rates to be charged for water and sewer services within the hamlets need to be discussed. He proposed that the same $20/month apply as a base rate with a higher consumption rate for all hamlets. The amount suggested takes into account the fact that all hamlets except Lake Newell Resort will require the installation of water meters. Once meters have been installed in all hamlets, the County can move towards a rate based on actual consumption. The Assistant Administrator distributed a water system rate analysis with a comparison of rates charged by the urban municipalities within the County of Newell as well as those charged in Taber and Barnwell. The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed on the difference in cost to provide a pressurized water system and whether it was acceptable to charge the same base rate for hamlet water users as that charged to users of the rural water system, as they are two completely different services. The Chief Administrative Officer noted that the base rate should be consistent, but the consumption rate may need to fluctuate with water usage. Councillor R. Andrews inquired about putting funds aside for new infrastructure, and the Chief Administrative Officer noted that Newell Regional Services Corporation keeps a small portion for future replacement of the water treatment plant, but no other infrastructure. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor M. Nesbitt left the meeting at 1:41 p.m. and returned at 1:43 p.m. '''"fir Page 8 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 a Discussion followed regarding the installation of water meters. The Assistant Administrator indicated that 2012 would be a transition year, as meters have not yet been installed, but it is necessary to provide a reference in the schedule of fees for a base rate and consumption rate. Discussion followed on what would be an adequate rate and the possibility of transitioning in the increases over a three-year period. The Assistant Administrator indicated that those who signed up for the County of Newell Water Project had been guaranteed their rates until 2015 and suggested that those rates could be used as a base plus an additional percentage that would be applied within hamlets. Discussion followed regarding what amount could be applied to cover the delivery system. The Assistant Administrator noted that the current rate has been in effect since 2009 and must at some point move towards a uniform, metered rate. The information provided is based on an average of costs between all hamlets. The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding cost recovery and metered water consumption rates and the Chief Administrative Officer suggested that a table showing consumption and actual costs over the past three years be prepared so that Council could determine how much to subsidize. The Assistant Administrator provided an explanation of the proposed charges for Emergency Services and increased development fees and responded to questions from Council. This item will be discussed further during the December 8th Council meeting. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. County of Newell Water Project Councillor B. de Jong reported that a site contractor meeting had been held last Friday and they are ready to begin directional drilling. Councillor B. de Jong responded to questions from Council. b. Newell Recycling Association/Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor B. de Jong indicated that the Newell Recycling Association will be holding a 1st Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 26, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Page 9 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 c. Joint Services/IMDP Committee Reeve M. Douglass provided an update on discussions held with local physicians. d. Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass reported that she attended a MLA's round table discussion where The Honorable Jack Hayden, Minister of Tourism, Parks, and Recreation, and MLA Leonard Mitzel, parliamentary assistant to Alberta Transportation, responded to questions. She provided an overview of the topics discussed. The Palliser Economic Partnership will be meeting with The Honorable Doug Homer, Minister of Finance, regarding funding. Reeve M. Douglass also provided background information on the Ports to Plains organization, which is not meant to interfere with the Highway 36 initiative. Reeve M. Douglass responded to questions from Council. e. Rural Physicians' Action Plan (RPAP) Conference Councillor B. de Jong provided Council with a written report. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Range Road 15-5 Councillor A. Eastman requested that this item be discussed further during the December 8, 2011 Council Meeting when the Superintendent of Public Works is present. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Mini Bus Monthly Report (October 2011) This item was accepted as information. 13. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Page 10 of 11 Regular Council November 25,2011 NNW 14. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:07 p.m. Signed this � day of , �-e�-c. �r , 2011 /L !IIII� _ • eeve oVaArt County Adminis or Page 11 of 11