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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-20 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL March 20, 2014 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, March 20, 2014 commencing at 11:00 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Phillipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development G. Scott, County Planner- ORRSC M. Fenske, Manager of Finance K. Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes -Council (2014-03-06) Councillor E. Unruh requested clarification on Bylaw 1790-14 and how it applies Qto temporary signs. This item will be discussed further later during this meeting. '` 1 I Regular Council March 20,2014 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-109/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 2014 Final Budget The Manager of Finance presented the 2014 Final Budget to Council and provided an overview of the significant changes. The Manager of Finance responded to questions from Council regarding bringing money forward for specific projects, linear assessment, and the amortization estimation. C-110/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the 2014 Final Budget be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS 6.1 Bylaw 1795-14 -Tax Rates (2014) The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-111/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Bylaw 1795-14, being a bylaw to authorize the various rates of taxation for various purposes in the year 2014, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-112/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Bylaw 1795-14 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-113/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that consent be given for Bylaw 1795-14 to receive third reading this 20th day of March, 2014. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-114/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1795-14 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 9 Regular Council March 20,2014 C9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS -CONTINUED 9.2 County of Newell Water Project(CNWP)Cash Flow Financing The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item, explaining the proposed sources of funding. He asked Council to consider authorizing a debenture bylaw to borrow funds to cover progress certificates as they come in throughout 2014. The Manager of finance provided an overview of the debenture interest rates versus investment returns and responded to questions from Council C-115/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the Finance Department prepare a borrowing bylaw authorizing the issuance of $14,000,000.00 of debentures for the purpose of financing the rural water distribution system to be repaid over a period of five (5) years. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Canadian Award for Financial Reporting The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. Council congratulated the Finance Department on receiving this award CLEFT THE MEETING M. Fenske, S. Hanson, E. Hansen, J. Frances, and N. Sagala left the meeting at 11:27 a.m. 6. BYLAWS -CONTINUED 6.2 Bylaw 1796-14 -Schedule of Fees The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item including an overview of the changes made to the bylaw. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 11:29 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services provided an explanation of the fee distribution. C-116/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1796-14, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 9 Regular Council March 20,2014 C-117/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Bylaw 1796-14 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-118/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that consent be given for Bylaw 1796-14 to receive third reading this 20th day of March, 2014. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-119/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Bylaw 1796-14 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 FCM Municipal Partners in Economic Development(M. Bandara) The Director of Corporate Services indicated that this delegation has been rescheduled for the April 10, 2014 Council Meeting. 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report(March 2014) • The Director of Agricultural Services presented his report for March 2014. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor L. Juss returned at 11:35 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council regarding the upcoming weed identification and control seminar, rental equipment, and the ASB Summer Tour. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS -CONTINUED 9.4 Rolling Hills Fire Association Transition The Manager of Fire & Emergency Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The Manager of Fire & Emergency Services provided an overview of the training sessions available and the financial statements of the Rolling Hills Fire Association. Councillor C. Amulung asked if fundraising events could continue and the Manager of Fire & Emergency Services replied that he would encourage the Rolling Hills Fire Association to maintain association status for fundraising purposes. Page 4 of 9 Regular Council March 20,2014 020/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council APPROVE the Rolling Hills Fire Department Board of Directors request for the County of Newell to assume responsibility for overseeing the day to day operations of the Rolling Hills Fire Department. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING K. Martin left the meeting at 11:50 a.m. 9.5 Recreation Board Agreement(Division 2) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 9.6 Appointment to Regional Assessment Review Board C-121/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council appoints Noel Moriyama, Anne Marie Philipsen, Bevin Keith, Duane Perkins, Susan Robertson, and Fred Rattai as members to the Regional Assessment Review Board. MOTION CARRIED 9.7 Request for Letter of Support- Newell Foundation (Bassano Continuing Care Centre) Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item. C-122/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that a letter be written to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and to the Associate Minister of Seniors in support of the Bassano Project,' an undertaking of the Newell Foundation to build a new aging in community facility, which would also include space to replace the existing Bassano Health Centre. MOTION CARRIED 9.8 County Newsletter Review(March/April 2014) Council reviewed the proposed newsletter for March/April 2014 and suggested amendments. 9.9 Cheques for Payment The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. C-123/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the payment to K-Line Maintenance be APPROVED in the amount of $459,102.56 and that this cheque will be processed in the March 27, 2014 Cheque Run. MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 9 11/A1°P Regular Council March 20,2014 LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:56 p.m. 9.10 Payment Register The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. C-124/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Tender Award - Pavement Marking The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-125/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Council awards the three year term Pavement Marking contract to Lafrentz based on the unit prices submitted; further, that actual work carried out on an annual basis will be set during the budgeting process. MOTION CARRIED 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS 12.1 2014-2016 Collective Bargaining Agreement The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-126/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the 2014-2016 Collective Bargaining Agreement be ratified as presented by the Negotiating Committee. MOTION CARRIED 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report(February 2014) Reeve M. Douglass thanked the Director of Corporate Services for providing mini bus service to community groups for events. This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. \,..i\\A\9 age 6 o 9 inuommor Regular Council March 20,2014 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES -CONTINUED 3.1 Minutes -Council (2014-03-06) -continued The Director of Corporate Services provided clarification on Bylaw 1790-14 (Private Signs). Temporary signs are included in the bylaw, but Municipal Enforcement officers will use discretion when they are patrolling and there is no intent to issue fines for temporary signs for yard sales, auctions, etc. The Chief Administrative Officer noted that the Land Use Bylaw allows for the placement of temporary signs on private property, whereas this bylaw covers private signs installed within the road right-of-way. Discussion followed. The following changes were made to the March 6, 2014 Council Meeting minutes: Page 2- Item 6(a) - should read "Councillor C. Amulung indicated that this bylaw governs the placement of private signs within County road right-of-ways. C-127/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the March 6, 2014 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Airport Commission Councillor L. Juss provided an update on the fuel depot project, indicating that a funding source is required. Reeve M. Douglass suggested that this be placed on the next Joint Services Committee meeting agenda. Councillor L. Juss responded to questions from Council. 11.2 Newell Recycling Association/Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority/SAEWA Councillor L. Juss indicated that operations are running smoothly at the landfill and recycling facilities. Councillor B. de Jong suggested that R. Juska be invited to Council to make a presentation for the new Councillors. 11.3 Recreation Board Board (Div. 5 & 10) Councillor L. Juss provided an update on the new quad ball diamonds. They are hoping to host a tournament in mid-July, but otherwise the official opening is planned for August 2014. 11.4 Bow River Basin Council Councillor G. Simpson reported that he attended a meeting last week. Provincial government engineers are making progress on flood mitigation, but consensus Page 7 of 9 n Regular Council March 20,2014 must be reached by all affected parties both downstream and upstream. Councillor G. Simpson responded to questions from Council. CO 11.5 Crime Stoppers Board/Rural Crime Watch/Safe Communities Committee Councillor A.M. Philipsen indicated that the RCMP consultation session had gone well. The Safe Communities reviewed the priorities identified during the consultation session and categorized them. Rural Crime Watch is working on preparing membership packages. • 11.6 Shortgrass Library Board Councillor K. Christman provided an overview of topics discussed during the Southern Alberta Library Conference she attended. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor E. Unruh left the meeting at 1:29 p.m. Councillor K. Christman noted that libraries are being encouraged to reinvent themselves and, as a result, more events are being held in libraries. 11.7 Health Advisory Council • Councillor K. Christman indicated that the Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council will be having an open meeting at the Community Hall in Bassano on Monday, March 24, 2014 from 12:00-3:30 p.m. 11.8 IMDP Committee(Bassano) Councillor K Christman reported that planning has begun. 11.9 Joint Services/IMDP Committee Reeve M. Douglass provided an update from the Joint Services Committee and a recent conference which included a session regarding teaching cJ those on retention/recruitment committees about cultural values from different countries. 11.10 Newell Foundation Reeve M. Douglass provided an update on Newell Foundation. The Alberta Senior Citizens' Housing Association conference will be held next week. Page 8 of 9 Regular Council March 20,2014 11.11 Elected Officials Education Program Municipal Finance Course Councillor C. Amulung provided a summary of the Municipal Finance course that he and Councillor G. Simpson attended during the AAMDC Spring 2014 Convention. 11.12 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung provided information regarding the new provincial budget, which does not provide additional funding for Family and Community Support Services programs. He indicated that more municipalities are providing funding for FCSS programs and this reflects a need, and suggested lobbying the provincial government may be required. 14. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 15. IN CAMERA C-128/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that we move in camera at 1:40 p.m. to discuss a land and legal issue. MOTION CARRIED C-129/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move out of camera at 2:52 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:52 p.m. Signed this ) D day of `} "-ef`L , 2014 OP- Reeve County Administrator C Page 9 of 9