Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-21 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council February 21, 2013 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, February 21, 2013 commencing at 11:35 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: I. Schroeder A.M. Phillipsen R. Andrews J. Bulger A. Eastman B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: C. Amulung M. Nesbitt STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner- ORRSC M. Harbicht, Superintendent of Public Works J. Nesbitt, Community Peace Officer Supervisor M. Gietz, Economic Development Coordinator W. Slenders, Junior Economic Development Coordinator A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Brooks RCMP Corp. I. Patey, Brooks RCMP G. Leighton, Urban Systems J. Lau, Alberta Transportation 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-56/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that Councillor C. Amulung and Councillor M. Nesbitt be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council February 21,2013 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes -Council (February 7, 2013) C-57/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the February 7, 2013 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-58/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 7. DELEGATIONS a. RCMP Quarterly Reports S. Sgt. T. McNulty presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, indicating that there has been an increase in assaults but other crime statistics are down. He provided Council with an overview of significant events. Positive feedback has been received regarding the school liaison program. He indicated that he would be meeting with Child & Family Services on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of placing a part time employee in the RCMP office to work on domestic issues. S. Sgt. T. McNulty reported on current staffing levels. He also indicated they are preparing the Annual Performance Plan and requested direction from Council regarding whether or not to continue to focus on the priorities identified last year, which were visibility, drugs, domestic violence, and a traffic plan. Council agreed that the RCMP should continue with those priorities. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report was submitted to Council. S. Sgt. T. McNulty responded to questions from Council. The Community Peace Officer Supervisor presented the County of Newell CPOs report to Council, giving an overview of significant events. Progress has been made in educating landowners on safety issues involved with Page 2 of 10 Regular Council February 21,2013 storing irrigation wheels in ditches and these wheels are being removed. The Community Peace Officer Supervisor responded to questions from Council. Councillor R. Andrews requested that a copy of the CPOs report be forwarded to the Safe Communities Committee for review at their meetings. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Corp. I. Patey, and J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 12:08 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:08 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:04 p.m. 6. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1764-13 -Schedule of Fees (1st, 2nd, 3rd Reading) The Chief Administrative Officer presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The Manager of Planning & Development provided an explanation of discretionary fees and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Lau and G. Leighton arrived at 1:10 p.m. C-59/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Bylaw 1764-13, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-60/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1764-13 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-61/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that consent be given for Bylaw 1764-13 to receive third reading this 21st day of February, 2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-62/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Bylaw 1764-13 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 10 1 Regular Council February 21,2013 7. DELEGATIONS -CONTINUED b. Highway 873 Access Management Study The County Planner presented background information on this item. J. Lau and G. Leighton indicated they were present to respond to the list of concerns that Council had expressed regarding the Highway 873 Access Management Study. Regarding parallel service roads, G. Leighton indicated that the preferred setback from Highway 873 is 200m, but that Alberta Transportation would make the decision based on each development application. The County Planner expressed concerns with continuity and the lack of direction provided. The Chief Administrative Officer asked about the requirement for new developments to build service roads and J. Lau indicated that developers would be required to dedicate land for a future service road, if required. The Chief Administrative Officer asked who would be responsible for building the road when it is required, as currently the developer is required to build the roads. Councillor L. Juss expressed concerns with the way the project was presented to the public. G. Leighton indicated that every affected landowner was invited to the open house where the project objectives were outlined. The Manager of Planning & Development expressed concerns with removing the requirement for the developer to construct the service road. If a road is required in the future, there should not be uncertainty regarding who would be responsible for the cost of road construction. The County Planner expressed concerns with the lack of time frame provided for the removal of existing accesses. G. Leighton indicated that all accesses had been classified as residential, farm, or other and closure and/or consolidation would be based on development. Reeve M. Douglass suggested that this be made clear in the index. J. Lau noted that the accesses that will remain are indicated in yellow. The Superintendent of Public Works asked who would be responsible for the work required to reroute private driveways to connect them to the service roads. J. Lau replied that it would either be driven by development or the responsibility of Alberta Transportation. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that a potential problem could arise if development triggers the closure of an approach and construction of a service road, that could affect the landowners on the other side. He also reiterated the concerns related to the uncertainty of who is responsible for the costs associated with building the service roads. J. Lau replied that the report addresses the issue of maintaining highway access and that funding is a separate issue. Discussion followed regarding the uncertainty around the funding source for service road development and the lack of timeline. The County Planner expressed concerns with being able to provide guidance to landowners with this document. The County Planner responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that the perception is that this study Page 4 of 10 /�• Regular Council February 21,2013 will result in sterilized development along Highway 873 and asked if it would be possible to keep existing approaches if the intensification of development is small. J. Lau replied that, in those instances, landowners would be asked to amalgamate accesses and reiterated that decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis and that this would be clarified in the report. G. Leighton noted that implementation of the plan would require conversations between the County of Newell and Alberta Transportation. LEFT THE MEETING J. Lau and G. Leighton left the meeting at 1:57 p.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS a. Request for Refund of Subdivision Extension Fee (2011-0-132) The Manager of Planning & Development presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Gietz and W. Slenders arrived at 1:59 p.m. Discussion followed regarding the reasons behind the subdivision extension request and whether or not it the County was responsible for the delay. The Superintendent of Public Works provided further background information and the subdivision extension request application was reviewed. C-63/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Council DENIES the request to refund the subdivision extension fee for Subdivision 2011-0-132. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath left the meeting at 2:10 p.m. b. Newell Regional Economic Development Initiative (NREDI) Report The Economic Development Coordinator presented a report regarding the recent activities of NREDI. The Junior Economic Development Officer provided an overview of the VisitNewell.com website, which has been very successful. The Economic Development Coordinator reported that funding has been received from the Palliser Economic Partnership that is to be used for strategic action planning. The Economic Development Coordinator and Page 5of10 f") Regular Council February 21,2013 the Junior Economic Development Officer gave a presentation to Council 0 regarding the Exploring South East Alberta Industry Report, which contains comparative information about the economic valuation of local and regional industry. A final copy of the report will be presented at the Economic Development Practitioners Meeting in Medicine Hat, AB on February 25, 2013. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 2:22 p.m. and returned at 2:29 p.m. M. Gietz and W. Slenders responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING W. Slenders left the meeting at 2:37 p.m. c. Review of New Web Site The Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator presented the proposed new County of Newell website to Council, giving an overview of the features. The Chief Administrative Officer asked about an online service request form and the Economic Development Coordinator indicated that the CO details for processing online service request need to be determined. The Chief Administrative Officer requested one to be included with the new website launch that routes directly to administration @newellmail.ca. The Economic Development Coordinator responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING M. Gietz left the meeting at 3:10 p.m. d. Division 6 & 7 Recreation Requisition and Division 7 Fire Requisition Council was presented with background information on this item. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that one letter had been received in response to the circulation and this ratepayer is opposed to the Division 6 Recreation Funding increase. C-64/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Council APPROVES increasing the Division 6 recreation mill rate to .3 mills for the purpose of directing the additional funds generated to the Town of Bassano, increasing the Division 7 recreation mill rate to .15 mills, and increasing the Division 7 fire services mill rate to .25 mills. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 10 Regular Council February 21,2013 e. Bassano/Division 6 Fire Committee -Appointment of a Second Council Member Councillor J. Bulger presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-65/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that Councillor A.M. Philipsen be appointed as the second County of Newell Council representative to the Bassano/Division 6 Fire & Emergency Services Committee. MOTION CARRIED f. Discussion Regarding Plans/Preparations for final Council Meeting Council discussed plans for the final Council meeting in the current Council Chambers, which will occur on March 7, 2013. All past Councillors will be invited for 2:00 p.m. The Council meeting will be formally adjourned and all will move to the new County of Newell facilities for refreshments and a tour. g. Letter from MLA Jason Hale Reeve M. Douglass presented background information on this item, indicating that the letter would be discussed further during the Regional Municipal Meeting this evening. Discussion followed. h. Councillor Payment Sheets (January 2013) Councillor A. Eastman noted that the amendments to the January 2013 Councillor Payment Sheets would be deferred to a future Council meeting. C-66/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the January 2013 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED i. Cheques for Payment C-67/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that cheque 174692 in the amount of $558,911.48 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED C Page 7of10 i� J Regular Council February 21,2013 j. Cheque Register C-68/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the Cheque Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 9. PUBLIC WORKS BUSINESS a. Local Road Bridge Program Survey The Superintendent of Public Works presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council completed the online survey. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor A.M. Philipsen left the meeting at 4:20 p.m. and returned at 4:24 p.m. Councillor A. Eastman left the meeting at 4:27 p.m. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to questions from Council. b. WaterWise Alberta Information Sessions "Understanding Alberta's Approach to Drinking Water Regulation" (2013-03-21 at 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.) Council was presented with background information on this item. Council was asked to submit any specific questions they would like addressed during the information session to the Executive Assistant by the end of next week so that they can be submitted with the registration. c. Meeting with AB Transportation at AAMDC Spring 2013 Convention The Superintendent of Public Works presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Safe Communities Committee Councillor R. Andrews reported that he had attended the Annual General Meeting and a strategic planning session. The committee will be focusing on Page 8 of 10 Regular Council February 21,2013 community consultation, integrating with other communities and committees, and working with the media. b. Mayors & Reeves Association of Southeast Alberta Reeve M. Douglass reported that she had attended the Palliser Economic Partnership MLA Round Table meeting, which was well attended. Discussion focused on local issues for communities and the Wild Horse Border Crossing. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Tender Award - NRSC Phase 2 Contract 2 Completion Councillor I. Schroeder presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-69/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Council accepts the low tender as submitted and awards the Newell Regional Services Corporation Treated Water Pipeline Phase 2 - Contract 2 Completion tender to LW Dennis for the tendered price of $925,008.00 including GST for Schedule A and $1,001,306.25 including GST for Schedule B. MOTION CARRIED 12. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Mini Bus Monthly Report(January 2013) This item was accepted as information. b. Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. c. ATCO Electric -Eastern AB DC Transmission Line - Minor Route Adjustment, North Matzhiwin (Center Table) This item was accepted as information. Page 9 of 10 `' Regular Council February 21,2013 13. UESTION PERIOD/NOTICE ERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 14. IN CAMERA C-70/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that we move in camera at 4:40 p.m. to discuss a land issue and a legal issue. MOTION CARRIED C-71/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that we move out of camera at 5:03 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-72/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Council approve the purchase of Block 3, Lot 2, Plan 0111873 as presented by the Chief Administrative Officer. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Signed this 7 day of f1141? C H , 2013 l_ Reeve rA ?'!ty A dministrator Page 10 of 10