HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-20 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL
MINUTES OF Regular Council
February 20, 2014
The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County
Office on Thursday, February 20, 2014 commencing at 10:47 a.m.
MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS: G. Simpson
A.M. Phillipsen
W. Hammergren
T. Fyfe
K. Christman
E. Unruh
B. de Jong
L. Juss
ABSENT: C. Amulung
STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin
ATTENDANCE: M. Dumont, Brooks & County Chronicle
1. CALL TO ORDER
Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:47 a.m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
C-65/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Councillor C. Amulung be excused
from the meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
February 20,2014
0
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
a. Minutes - Council (February 6, 2014)
C-66/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the February 6, 2014 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-67/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR E. UNRUH that the agenda be adopted as amended.
MOTION CARRIED
6. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 0
a. Policy Review
The Director of Corporate Services presented background information on this
item and gave an overview of the proposed amendments to the policies.
Discussion followed regarding the Complaints Processing policy. The Chief
Administrative Officer suggested that further information be included in the
policy regarding the complaints process and timelines for responding.
Councillor G. Simpson asked if the policy was consistent with the snow
removal bylaw. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions
from Council.
C-68/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR K. CHRISTMAN that the Policy 2014-PAD-023
(Substance Abuse) be adopted as presented and that Policy 2014-PAD-060 be
adopted with the following amendment:
"Users who are subscribed to any County of Newell social media channel
should be removed or blocked ..."
MOTION CARRIED
0
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b. Invitation to 2014 Citizen of the Year/Junior Citizen of the Year &
Request for Proclamation (National Volunteer Week)
Council was presented with background information on this item.
C-69/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the County of Newell hereby
proclaims April 6-13, 2014 as "National Volunteer Week."
MOTION CARRIED
c. AAMDC Spring 2014 Convention - Meetings with Minister of Municipal
Affairs & Minister of Health Discussion Topics
Council discussed potential agenda items for the meetings with the Minister
of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Health during the AAMDC Spring 2014
Convention. Councillor B. de Jong suggested contaminated sites obtained
via tax recovery and whether or not funding was available to clean up these
sites. Councillor G. Simpson suggested an update on Municipal
Sustainability Funding distribution and whether the same funding levels can
be expected in the future
LEFT THE MEETING
Councillor A.M. Philipsen left the meeting at 11:10 a.m.
Reeve M. Douglass indicated that a discussion about MSI funding from the
County's perspective with ongoing projects would be beneficial.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
Councillor A.M. Philipsen returned at 11:12 a.m.
Reeve M. Douglass suggested that a Councillor be assigned to speak to
each topic so that they can be prepared. Councillor G. Simpson stressed the
importance of keeping our local MLA up to speed on the importance of the
MSI funding to the County.
LEFT THE MEETING
Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 11:14 a.m.
The dissolution process will also be submitted as a topic for discussion with
the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
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Councillor B. de Jong reported that a discussion had occurred during the 0
Joint Services Committee meeting regarding the Bassano Continuing Care
Center and Councillor B. Morishita indicated that he would contact Councillor
B. de Jong and Reeve M. Douglass regarding whether to proceed with the
meeting with the Minister of Health.
d. Cenovus Community Collaboration Forum (March 31, 2014)
Council was provided with background information on this item and was
asked to provide names and contact information to the Executive Assistant by
the end of February 28, 2014. Discussion followed regarding whether
Councillors were supposed to participate in the Community Collaboration
Forum and the Executive Assistant indicated that she would gather further
information.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
Councillor L. Juss returned at 11:25 a.m.
e. County of Newell Annual General Meeting
Discussion followed on the location and format of meeting.
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C 0/ MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that the County of Newell Annual
General Meeting will be held at the Community Hall in Rolling Hills, AB on
Thursday, May 22, 2014 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
f. Payment Register
C-71/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR K. CHRISTMAN that the Payment Register be
accepted.
MOTION CARRIED
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Municipal Library Board
Councillor K. Christman reported that the annual reports will be submitted by
February 28, 2014 as required.
b. Shortgrass Library Board
Councillor K. Christman reported that a three-year proposed budget has been
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passed and notifications will be sent out regarding proposed increases.
c. Newell Foundation
Councillor G. Simpson reported that they are currently in the planning stages
for life lease homes and waiting for approval from Alberta Health Services to
proceed. During the last meeting, they reviewed the rules and regulations for
this type of facility. Reeve M. Douglass reported that a response has been
received regarding repairs to the windows in Newbrook Lodge.
d. Newell Regional Services Corporation
The Chief Administrative Officer reported that R. Havinga has returned to
work. He provided updates on the Village of Duchess County of Newell
Water Project (CNWP) contract deficiencies and the Statement of Claim that
was filed on the CNWP Rosemary Contract. The supplier of the boilers at the
regional water plant has been contacted to correct some issues. The
Manager of Engineering Services is investigating whether an electrical tower
on Highway 36 has been constructed over the main waterline.
e. Emerging Trends in Municipal Law Seminar
Councillor E. Unruh provided a report on the Brownlee LLP Emerging Trends
in Municipal Law seminar that several Councillors and staff members
attended on February 13, 2014.
f. Reeve's Report
Reeve M. Douglass reported that she attended the Alberta Transportation
session regarding Alberta's Transportation Future. She also provided an
overview of the Mussel Threat Workshop. Reeve M. Douglass and Councillor
L. Juss responded to questions from Council. Reeve M. Douglass also
attended the Medicine Hat Brooks Campus Awards Ceremony and reminded
Council of the Safe Communities Consultation session next Thursday,
February 27, 2014.
8. POST AGENDA ITEMS
There were no Post Agenda items to discuss at this meeting.
9. INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Mini Bus Monthly Report (January 2014)
This item was accepted as information. The Director of C., orate Services
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responded to questions from Council regarding the reports and indicated that 0
the Mini Bus Driver would likely be involved in the Transportation Review
Process.
b. Strategic Priorities Chart
This item was accepted as information.
10. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION
A question period and notice of motion was held.
LUNCH
Council RECESSED for lunch and RECONVENED at 12:47 p.m.
11. IN CAMERA
C-72/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at
12:47 p.m. to discuss a land and legal issue.
MOTION CARRIED
C-73/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR G. SIMPSON that we move out of camera at
1:18 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
12. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at
1:18 p.m.
Signed this to day of `11A. , 2014
Reeve
Co ministrator
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