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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-09 Council (Regular) Minutesr C-01/14 COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council January 9, 2014 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, January 9, 2014 commencing at 10:41 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: B. de Jong, Deputy Reeve COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Phillipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: M. Douglass, Reeve STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development M. Gietz, Manager of Economic Development T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: M. Dumont, Brooks & County Chronicle D. Camplin, Alberta Transportation T. Becker, Alberta Transportation 1. CALL TO ORDER Deputy Reeve B. de Jong called the meeting to order at 10:41 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Reeve M. Douglass be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council January 9, 2014 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes - Council (December 19, 2013) C -02/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR K. CHRISTMAN that the December 19, 2013 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Deputy Reeve B. de Jong called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C -03/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 7. BYLAWS b. Bylaw 1789 -14 - Schedule of Fees The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating the main amendment involves an increase to utility rates. After first reading is given, utility customers will be notified of the proposed rate increase. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding deficit situations involving the operation of hamlet water and sewer systems and how to prevent these from happening. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that information from Alberta Municipal Affairs indicates the average costs for small water and sewer systems and noted that the County's rates are below average. Councillor C. Amulung inquired about the residents who have not yet installed water meters. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the Manager of Engineering Services has been working with Metercor and residents in order to get all the water meters installed, but there are some who have not responded at all. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that he would circulate an e-mail to Council regarding water rates and the amount required to cover the cost to maintain and operate the water and sewer systems. C -04/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Bylaw 1789 -14, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 11. MUNICIPAL. SERVICES BUSINESS a. Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding the detour from the closure of Highway 544. Councillor L. Juss outlined a situation where snow ends up where it shouldn't be due to farming practices. The Director of Municipal Services indicated that this was an opportunity to educate ratepayers on possible solutions. C -05/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. HAMMERGREN that the Director of Municipal Services Report for December 2013 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8. DELEGATIONS a. Alberta Transportation - Darrell Camplin (11:00 a.m.) D. Camplin and T. Becker provided updates to Council on several items. • Highway 873 south from Kinbrook Island to Highway 36 and Highway 876 between Highway 1 and Highway 544 are both currently outside of Alberta Transportation's three -year construction program. Councillor L. Juss indicated that the proposed new truck route around Brooks could potentially redirect to Highway 876, if it were passable. D. Camplin replied that more discussion regarding the County's plans was needed, but Alberta Transportation does not currently have funding to expand the road network. • Bridge File 76809 (Fisher Bridge) - that there is still some funding available for this. He indicated that the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP) has not received funding. When Bridge File 76809 reaches the end of its life, the County would have to make decisions on whether to apply weight restrictions, close it, or reroute traffic. The Director of Municipal Services provided background information, indicating that the bridge to the west would be removed when it reached the end of its life provided that Bridge File 76809 was improved to provide one good crossing. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding extending the life of the bridge and restricting the movement of heavy machinery. • Resurfacing of Highway 873, 544, and 876 - all are currently outside of Alberta Transportation's three -year construction program. Page 3 of 10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 Ii4- reciVC/ CJ 1/43_ t c 3 responded to further questions from Council. Se- be._ ¢-X D. Camplin explained that the objective is to maintain existing infrastructure and that funding for the three -year program is received on a year -to -year basis. The program is based on the funding forecast and overall provincial priorities. T. Becker indicated that projects are ranked throughout the province by program staff with input from those doing the maintenance work. He explained different methods used for preventative maintenance on roads. Councillor B. de Jong asked if irrigation pipelines crossing road allowances are taken into consideration when roads are reconstructed. T. Becker replied that there is the opportunity to identify issues like that during design stages, but budget constraints must also be taken into consideration. • Highway 550 north of Rosemary 4 -way stop - Councillor E. Unruh indicated that she had spoken with the residents of Rosemary and this is not an issue. • Gravelock on Highway 525 and Highway 876 - T. Becker provided information regarding the application of Gravelock for dust suppression. Chipseal was then applied to Highway 525 whereas road mix with oil and gravel was applied on Highway 876. T. Becker indicated that they do plan to extend the coverage this summer and that the driving surfaces would be different. Councillor C. Amulung indicatecjiat the Gravelock has held up really well on Highway 525 but theip set Muses the road to become extremely slippery at times. Ho askod if tho 3 km- surfaec could be-extended-and T. Becker indicated that he would look into it. T. Becker • EID /County Drainage Partnership - D. Camplin provided an update on sfy4 e 15-6 drainage improvements requiring crossings of Highway 36 and . Q- YAlrGfr--a-4 Highway 530, indicating that they would work with the Director of Municipal Services to find a solution. • Former Village of Tilley Grant Funding - D. Camplin indicated that funding previously awarded to the Village of Tilley under the Basic Municipal Transportation Grant (BMTG), Federal Gas Tax Fund (FGTF), and Alberta Municipal Infrastructure Program (AMIP) programs are still available and each respectively has a deadline. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that an application had been submitted by the Village of Tilley under the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership for water distribution plant upgrades, and there is a significant amount of water and sewer infrastructure upgrades required in the next 3 -5 years. D. Camplin replied that the 2014 AMWWP budget has not yet been announced and noted that a municipality is no longer eligible for AMWWP funding if construction has started on the project. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor K. Christman expressed concerns with snow being cleared from intersections on Highway 1 Page 4 of 10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 and piled in such a way as to reduce visibility between the medians. T. Becker indicated that this has been discussed with the maintenance contractor and they do remove the piles as part of the follow up. D. Camplin responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING D. Camplin and T. Becker left the meeting at 12:04 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:04 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:59 p.m C -06/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR K. CHRISTMAN that we move into Public Hearings at 1:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS (COMMENCING AT 11:30 A.M.) a. Bylaw 1772 -13 - Hamlet of Tilley (Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1755 -12) Deputy Reeve 8. de Jong called the Public Hearing to order at 1:00 p.m. Deputy Reeve 8. de Jong did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Director of Corporate Services stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 1772 -13. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 1755 -12 by rezoning all lands within the former Village of Tilley to districts found within the County of Newell Land Use Bylaw. The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to all adjacent landowners as well as a list of affected agencies. Responses have been received from all of the required referral agencies. No responses were received from adjacent landowners. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor G. Simpson pointed out four properties and asked if they would be required to connect to the hamlet water and sewer system once their properties have Page 5 of 10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 been incorporated into the hamlet boundary. The Chief Administrative Officer replied that, as long as there are no issues, it would not be required. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated that the Hamlet Advisory Committee has requested that the two lots next to the former Village of Tilley office be zoned Parks & Recreation, as they would like to establish a park in that area. She also noted that the hamlet boundary will be revisited at another time; the current bylaw deals with rezoning Hamlet of Tilley lands so that they can be incorporated into the County's Land Use Bylaw. C -07/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that we move out of Public Hearings at 1:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. BYLAWS - CONTINUED a. Bylaw 1772 -13 - Hamlet of Tilley (Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1755 -12 The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C -08/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. HAMMERGREN that Bylaw 1772 -13, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1755 -12 by redesignating the lands shown on the map in Schedule 'A' and within the Hamlet of Tilley boundary to districts governed under Bylaw 1755 -12, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C -09/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR G. SIMPSON that Bylaw 1772 -13 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert left the meeting at 1:10 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 1:10 p.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS a. ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Council was given the Page 6 of 10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 opportunity to ask questions. b. Resolutions for Provincial ASB Conference The Director of Agricultural Services presented the resolutions being brought forward at the 2014 Provincial ASB Conference to Council. Council decided to vote on the resolutions in the following manner: Resolution 1 (Elk Population Control) - Yes. Resolution 2 (Public Tender for Sale of Public Lands Under Disposition) — Need more information regarding grazing leases and what triggers the sale of leased lands. Resolution 3 (Wildlife Damage Compensation Program) —Yes. Resolution 4 (Agriculture Financial Services Corp Pre - Harvest Hail Adjustments) — The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that this resolution has been withdrawn. Resolution 5 (Canadian National Railways' Weed Control Program) — Yes. Resolution 6 (Extermination of Wild Boar in Alberta) — Yes. Resolution 7 (Regulation of Ergot in Livestock Feeds) — Yes, but suggest amendments regarding defining limits and maximum allowable levels. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that two Councillors must be selected to act as voting delegates for the County of Newell. C -10/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. HAMMERGREN that Councillor G. Simpson and Councillor L. Juss vote as representatives and that Councillor C. Amulung be appointed as an alternate voting representative for the County of Newell Agricultural Services Board at the Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference in January 2014. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 1:38 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS a. KPMG Audit Planning Report The Director of Corporate Services indicated that this item will be discussed during the in camera portion of this meeting. Page 7 of 10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 b. Newell Regional Economic Development Initiative (NREDI) Agreement The Manager of Economic Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C -11/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the amended Newell Regional Economic Development Initiative agreement be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Gietz left the meeting at 1:39 p.m. c. Appointment of Alternate Members to the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board (SDAB) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C -12/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Joel Bulger, Allen Eastman, and Mara Nesbitt be appointed as alternate Members -at -Large to the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board. MOTION CARRIED d. Policy Review The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C -13/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Policy 0000 - PIN -001 be RESCINDED; further, that the following policies be adopted as presented: • 2014- PIN -002 (Policy Development & Adoption) • 2014 - PIN -003 (Policy Review & Evaluation) • 2014 - PIN -004 (Policy Dissemination). MOTION CARRIED e. Payment Register The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. Page 8 of 10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 -14/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS - CONTINUED b. Utilities - NRSC Report The Chief Administrative Officer provided an update. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Select Date - Recognition Night The Annual County of Newell Recognition Night will be held in Gem, AB on Saturday, March 22, 2014. b. Function of Council - Canadian Badlands AGM & Tourism Development Conference Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided background information on this item. C -15/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Reeve M. Douglass, Councillor A.M. Philipsen, and Councillor E. Unruh be permitted to attend the Canadian Badlands Tourism Development Conference and Annual General Meeting on March 25 -27, 2014 in Lethbridge, AB as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 13. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Mini Bus Monthly Report (December 2013) This item was accepted as information. 14. QUESTION PERIOD /NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Councillor B. de Jong asked if Council had a clear understanding about what is involved with submitting a resolution to the Foothills Lit le Bow Municipal Page 9 of 10 /10 Regular Council January 9, 2014 Association. If passed at that level, it will go to the AAMDC Spring 2014 convention where Council will have to speak to it. Discussion followed regarding the minimum payment for smaller municipalities and the Chief Administrative Officer stressed the importance of illustrating to the municipalities the amount of infrastructure deficits that exist throughout Alberta. He further stressed that all municipalities will need to help lobby the senior governments for more dedicated funding or the problem will only continue to worsen. Discussion followed regarding statistics showing a provincial infrastructure deficit and possible funding formulas. 15. IN CAMERA C -16/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 2:16 p.m. to discuss a legal issue. MOTION CARRIED C -17/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that we move out of camera at 3:23 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m. Signed this 2S day of \ &Gt.. j , 2014 Page 10 of 10 Reeve County/Administrator