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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-10 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL , January 10, 2019 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, January 10, 2019 commencing at 10:00 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: Molly Douglass, Reeve C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen 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 D. Horvath, County Planner - ORRSC S. Simpson, Development Clerk M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation L. Fehr, Brooks & District Food Bank Foundation L. Pye-Matheson, Grasslands Regional FCSS T. Lee, Miistakis Institute CALL TO ORDER 2. 3. '' 01/19 � Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (December 20, 2018) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the December 20, 2018 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CA IED �,. ::� P�,�,.,�' � Regular Council January 10, 2019 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-02/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. No County ratepayers were in attendance. 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 ASB Update i �-1. The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. A workshop on funding opportunities for producers has been scheduled for February 12, 2019 at the JBS Canada Centre. The Environmental Services Supervisor is available to assist County Ratepayers with Environmental Farm Plans. The Director of Agricultural Services provided further information on gopher control planned for Rolling Hills and Lake Newell Resort and an update on the Coyote Control Incentive Program. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding gopher control in hamlets. 8.2 Agricultural Services Board Grant Program Review The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. �.,��,��i J�,�: sS, C-03/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that �eve--M:��Do�'gTass and Councillor B. de Jong be permitted to attend the ASB Member Fac��o- e meeting in Lethbridge on February 6, 2019 as a function of Council. Li'� �� MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:14 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath arrived at 10:15 a.m. � � � ;�4��� i Page 2 of 9 Regular Council January 10, 2019 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS � � 9.1 Planning & Development Report The Manager of Planning & Development presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council requested that new activities be highlighted in the report to differentiate them from ongoing activities. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Fehr arrived at 10:17 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-04/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Planning & Development Report for December 2018 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Ducks Unlimited Canada - Notice of Proposed Conservation Easement The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. C-05/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Council acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Proposed Confirmation Easement dated December 10, 2018 from Ducks Unlimited Canada and DOES NOT agree to waive the 60-day waiting period for the Conservation Easement prior to registration at Land Titles MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath left the meeting at 10:21 a.m. 9.3 Provincial Education Requisition Credit (PERC) Application The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-06/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council CANCEL the 2015 to 2018 property taxes in arrears in the amount of $11,148.65 from tax rolls 0005622000, 0006118300, 8000004729, 8000005696 and 8000004491, and that an application be made for these properties to the Provincial Education Refund Credit for Uncollectible Education Property Taxes on Oil and Gas Properties program. MOTION CARRIED 9.4 Funding Request — Brooks & District Seniors OutReach Society Valentine's Ball Fundraiser Council was presented with background information on this item. Discussion followed. This item was accepted as information. _� \�_...,'� `'/ ► v`� Page 3 of 9 Regular Council January 10, 2019 9.5 Cancel/Reschedule MPC & Council Meetings (January 24, 2019) C-07/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Municipal Planning Commission and !\ Council Meetings scheduled for January 24, 2019 be CANCELLED. MOTION CARRIED 9.6 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 9.7 Payment Register C-08/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 9.8 Requests for Functions of Council 9.8.1 Community Planning Association of Alberta Conference (April 29 - May 1, 2019) Councillor A. M. Philipsen provided background information on this item. C-09/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor C. Amulung and Councillor A.M. Philipsen be permitted to attend the Community Planning Association of Alberta Conference in Red Deer, AB on April 29 - May 1, 2019 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.8.2 Recreation & Parks for Elected Officials Workshop (January 14, 2019) Councillor T. Fyfe provided background information on this item. C-10/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor T. Fyfe and Councillor L. Juss be permitted to attend the Recreation & Parks for Elected Officials Workshop in Brooks, AB on January 14, 2019 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 10:28 a.m. 9.8.3 Regionalization Open House Meetings Councillor 8. de Jong provided background information on this item. Discussion followed. C-11/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that any Councillor be permitted to attend one Regionalization Open House meeting as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED c �y � ��'-�'� Page 4 of 9 Regular Council January 10, 2019 9.8.4 Growing Rural Tourism Conference (February 11-13, 2019) '2/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Councillor E. Unruh be permitted to attend the Growing Rural Tourism Conference in Camrose, AB on February 11-13, 2019 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 10:36 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding the timelines for the SH876 paving project. 10.2 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Steinley responded to questions about the faulty float valves, indicating that he wou'Id investigate to determine whether the most recent issues involve the old valves. C-13/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for December 2018 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht and K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:45 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Brooks & District Food Bank L. Fehr provided an update on the recent upgrades to the food bank facility, indicating that an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in the near future. He provided background information on the food bank and outlined the process involved to qualify for a hamper. He provided an overview of the clientele. L. Fehr reported that the Brooks & District Food Bank is managing well financially and expressed appreciation for the County's ongoing support. Over 2000 hampers were distributed in 2016 when the need peaked. The number of hampers distributed in 2018 dropped to 1260. Most of the food is received from the Interfaith Food Bank in Calgary and the rest comes from cal donations. �.�-•-`'f � �;� Page 5 of 9 � Regular Council January 10, 2019 L. Fehr provided an overview of the food bank's fundraisers, indicating that the next charity auction is scheduled for March 2, 2019. He reiterated appreciation for the County's ongoing support. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. L. Fehr responded to questions regarding a program where beef producers receive a tax receipt for the value of animals that are donated. Processing costs are covered by the Brooks & District Food Bank and the meat is inspected. L. Fehr responded to further questions regarding the clientele and the renovations. LEFT THE MEETING L. Fehr left the meeting at 10:57 a.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS 11.1 Capital Recreation Reserve (Councillor B. de Jong) Councillor 8. de Jong provided background information on this item, indicating the Duchess Agricultural Society will be holding a fundraiser for capital reserve purposes. He asked if a policy could be developed regarding the County providing matching funding, indicating that other municipalities should be involved if the facility falls within their borders. The County's contribution would be contingent on the municipality also providing equal funding. Discussion followed, and Council indicated that the topic of recreation facility funding should be included in the larger discussions on regionalization. The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on recreation funding where currently one-half of a mill is collected to provide recreation services within the County of Newell. He identified that the first component of any new recreational funding model is to finalize the operating and capital funding partnerships/responsibilities under the newly required Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) agreements. He stressed the importance of not leaving this exercise to the last minute, indicating that the partners need to come to the table to complete this task sooner than later. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that all municipalities within the County must participate in an exercise to determine the amount of recreation funding required for all facilities and programming groups and then the Councils will need to agree on how the funding model will look going forward. He recommended that a new Recreation Funding Policy for Operating or Capital is best to follow the ICF process. Once agreements are in place, the remaining funding balances could be adjusted or allocated accordingly under a new updated policy. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Pye-Matheson arrived at 11:16 a.m. Councillor 8. de Jong agreed that recreation funding should be included in the regionalization discussions, but asked Council to begin thinking about how the recreation reserve will be allocated and how to complement the operation and maintenance of recreation facilities by the Agricultural Societies. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions, indicating that the information on replacement and operation costs will be provided to council for their review. Further discussion urred. Page 6 of 9 Regular Council January 10, 2019 11.2 Request for Letter of Support - Rolling Hills Golf Club `4/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the County of Newell provides a letter in support of the funding application by the Rolling Hills Golf & Country Club to the Community Initiatives Program. MOTION CARRIED 7. DELEGATIONS — continued 7.2 Grasslands Regional FCSS Funding Protocols & Budget Process L. Pye-Matheson provided background information on Grasslands Regional FCSS and the business plan for the Ministry of Community & Social Services. She outlined the programs and services that may and may not be offered under FCSS. Programs are delivered locally either through direct services or external grants to local service providers. L. Pye-Matheson displayed the 2018 strategic priorities and outlined the role of FCSS within the communities. She a/so provided an overview of the funding process. Applications are submitted by the end of July and the applicants are invited to make a presentation to the board in October. She noted that FCSS has not requested new applications for the past two years as they are committed to the organizations that they are currently funding and adding new applications would result in reduced funding for other programs. LEFT THE MEETING Reeve M. Douglass left the meeting at 11:46 a.m. Deputy Reeve B. de Jong assumed the Chair. L. Pye-Matheson suggested that a formal process be developed to coordinate funding requests to ensure that they are eligible for FCSS funding and then increase FCSS funding as needed. The implications of regionalization should also be considered. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. L. Pye-Matheson indicated that she would revisit the subject of applying for casino fundraisers with the board. Grass/ands Regional FCSS has approved funding for the Brooks MakerSpace in 2019. L. Pye-Matheson indicated that Brooks MakerSpace had made a presentation to FCSS. She indicated that consultation with the provincial FCSS authority would be required to determine the funding eligibility of the City/County Mental Health Network. L. Pye-Matheson responded to further questions from Council regarding funding for the Mea/s on Wheels program. Discussion followed regarding the funding requests from the Brooks MakerSpace and the City/County Mental Health Network. It was noted that no specific funding request had been submitted from the City/County Mental Health Network. L. Pye- Matheson responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING L. Pye-Matheson left the meeting at 12:05 p.m. �. `'� �/� .._.._ ,��,' V `- � Page 7 of 9 Regular Council January 10, 2019 LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:05 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:58 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Lee, A. Wickert, D. Horvath, and S. Simpson arrived at 12:58 p.m. 7. DELEGATIONS — continued 7.3 Miistakis Institute - Least Conflict Lands A. Wickert provided background information on the Least Conflict Lands project. T. Lee provided background information on the Miistakis Institute. She further explained the Least Conflict Land Project, the goa/ of which was to better understand the siting of renewable energy developments. The process involved establishing theme groups with representatives that identified preferred areas for renewable energy development. T. Lee displayed the maps that had been developed as a result of the consultations with the theme groups. She provided an overview of the evaluation process for each identified theme area. ARRIVED AT MEETING Reeve M. Douglass returned at 1:20 p.m. A map was created for each theme area as well as a composite map. T. Lee explained that human attitudes, density, and transmission were not investigated. She gave an overview of the project outputs, which include a full report, an executive summary, and a data basin portal that provides access to all source files and models. Council was given the opportunity to ask quesfions. T. Lee indicated that the resulting information can be used to assist potential developers choose a location. The County Planner noted that the report identifies areas with fewer barriers to development and suggested an additional layer could be created showing buffers from residences. She responded to questions from Council, indicating that so/ar developments currently in progress have not been included. The Manager of Planning & Development provided further information, indicating that this report shows the areas in the County that would be suitable for renewable energy development. She responded to questions from Council, indicating that provincial approval can ultimately overrule the municipality. The County Planner suggested a need for discussion at the Council level regarding protection of the natural environment. The County Planner responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING T. Lee, A. Wickert, D. Horvath, and S. Simpson left the meeting at 1:44 p.m. Reeve M. Douglass assumed the h� � , �� .ti.�:; Page 8 of 9 Regular Council January 10, 2019 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Update — Regionalization There was no update on Regionalization at this meeting. 12.2 Mini Bus Monthly Reports (December 2018) This item was accepted as information. 12.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 13. IN CAMERA C-15/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 1:46 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Land — FOIPP Act Section 27. • Legal — FOIPP Act Section 27. MOTION CARRIED 16/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 3:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. .�-� Signed this r day of �= �'Z.�.. G1,: �- , 2019 � � �-.._.._.-.- c_.�-� Reeve �� C u' y dministrator Page 9 of 9