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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-21 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL February 21, 2019 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, February 21, 2019 commencing at 10:01 a.m. MEMBERS Molly Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh L. Juss ABSENT: H. Kallen B. de Jong STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development M. Fenske, Manager of Finance T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Sgt. C. Zanidean, RCMP - Brooks Cst. K. Noel, RCMP - Bassano J. Puchinger, Farming Smarter S. Barclay, Farming Smarter 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-42/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor H. Kallen and Councillor B. de Jong be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED L�� Regular Council February 21, 2019 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (February 7, 2019) C-43/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the February 7, 2019 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-44/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 1934-18 — Traffic The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-45/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1934-18, being a bylaw for the purpose of controlling and providing regulations and penalties pertaining to highways, roadways, streets, and sidewalks for the orderly and safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and for the parking of vehicles on the said highways, roadways, and streets, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 10:07 a.m. 7.2 Bylaw 1938-19 Urban Chickens The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that an amendment to the Animal Control bylaw is also required. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback prior to these two bylaws being introduced for second and third reading. C-46/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Bylaw 1938-19 being a bylaw for the purpose of regulating the keeping of chickens within specified residential areas throughout the County of Newell, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 7.3 Bylaw 1939-19 Animal Control C-47/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Bylaw 1939-19, being a bylaw to provide for the regulation and control of animals within the County of Newell, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 7.4 Bylaw 1940-19 Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (Bassano) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, including an overview of the annual funding provided by the County and Bassano for recreation programming. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-48/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement between the County of Newell and the Town of Bassano. MOTION CARRIED C-49/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1940-19, being a bylaw to adopt the County of Newell and Town of Bassano Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.2 Appointment of Fire Guardians C-60/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the following individuals be appointed as Fire Guardians: • All Divisions — Keith Martin • Rolling Hills — Bill Dickinson • Tilley — Patrick Fabian • Patricia — Ray Torkelson • Duchess — Gregory Witt • Scandia — Riley Brown • Brooks Rural — Kevin Swanson • Bassano — Cory Cochrane • Rosemary — Wilf Harder • Gem — Dwayne Klassen • Bow City — John Ketchmark and further that the Accounting Clerk, the Payroll & Finance Support Clerk, the Executive Assistant, the Administrative Assistant (Planning), the Administrative Assistant (Fire & Safety), the Executive Operations Administrative Assistant, the Records Management Technician, the IT Administrative Assistant, the Development Clerk, the Assessment & Taxation Clerk, Tax & Utilities Advisor and the Project/Administrative Assistant be appointed as Fire Guardians for the issuance of Fire Permits only. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 10.3 Invitation to 2019 Citizen of the Year/Junior Citizen of the Year Gala & Request for Proclamation (National Volunteer Week) Council was presented with background information on this item. C-51/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Council hereby proclaims April 7-13, 2019 as "National Volunteer Week" in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (January 2019) C-52/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the January 2019 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 10.6 Payment Register C-53/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Fenske arrived at 10:17 a.m. 10.7 Requests for Functions of Council 10.7.1 Meeting with STARS Air Ambulance (February 28, 2019) Discussion followed regarding who would attend. The Director of Corporate Services will attend in place of the Chief Administrative Officer, C-54/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Reeve M. Douglass and Councillor H. Kallen be permitted to attend the meeting with STARS Air Ambulance in Brooks, AB on February 28, 2019 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10.1 2018 Annual Restricted Surplus Review & Approval of Year -End Transfers The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Schroeder arrived at 10:25 a.m. The Manager of Finance provided an overview of the restricted surplus, proposed year-end transfers, and the County's investments. The commitments for 2019 Page 4 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 were outlined and full projections will be updated for the 2019 final budget. The Manager of Finance indicated that there are Regional Enhancement Reserve Funds still available for some divisions. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Finance responded to questions regarding the projects that will be carried forward to 2019 and penalties related to early liquidation of investments. C-55/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the year-end transfer of unrestricted net assets to the restricted surplus funds as proposed by Finance be approved. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Fenske left the meeting at 10:33 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Nesbitt arrived at 10:35 a.m. 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 2019 Proposed Dust Abatement (County Paid) Program The Manager of Operations provided background information on this item, indicating that approximately 13.6km of roads do not meet the policy requirements and have been proposed to be removed this year. Council was provided with maps. The Manager of Operations responded to questions from Council, indicating that residents that had previously received dust abatement will be notified and given the opportunity to purchase it under the Residential Dust Abatement Program. Discussion followed regarding whether to apply dust abatement every other year rather than removing roads from the program. The Manager of Operations responded to further questions, indicating that if dust abatement is not applied, the road will be graded regularly. Road composition, soil structure, traffic, and weather conditions have an effect on how long the dust abatement will last. Discussion followed regarding categorizing roads in terms of heavy traffic or haul routes. The Manager of Operations indicated that staff try and work with the residents as well as the businesses that are causing the dust. ARRIVED AT MEETING Cst. K. Noel arrived at 10:54 a.m. Discussion followed regarding whether traffic or population density had been measured that would provide evidence of changes from the 2018 program. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. C. Zanidean arrived at 10:56 a.m. Page 5 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 The Manager of Operations responded to questions regarding manure hauls. The County is contacted before the haul begins and they use water trucks over the two - week period. C-56/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the 2019 Dust Abatement (County Paid) Program plans as presented; further, that staff continue to work on the Dust Abatement Program (Non -Residential) policy. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Schroeder left at 11:02 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports 8.1.1 Municipal Enforcement (J. Nesbitt) The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor presented the County of Newell Enforcement Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 8.1.2 Brooks RCMP (S. Sgt. C. Zanidean) S. Sgt. C. Zanidean presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 11:13 a.m. S. Sgt. C. Zanidean continued providing an update on staffing levels. He responded to questions regarding the significant incidents. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor L. Juss returned at 11:25 a.m. S. Sgt. C. Zanidean gave an overview of the crime statistics for 2018 which are down overall. S. Sgt. C. Zanidean responded to further questions from Council. 8.1.3 Bassano RCMP (Cst. K. Noel) Cst. K. Noel provided background information on himself and presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Page 6 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. C. Zanidean left the meeting at 11:31 a.m. J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 11:33 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Cst. K. Noel responded to questions regarding trained drug recognition evaluators and the RCMP training and recruitment process. He provided an update on staffing levels in Bassano, indicating that the new corporal will start work on March 18, 2019. Cst. K. Noel provided an update on a legal case against a County ratepayer. 8.1.4 Safe Communities Committee Council was provided with the Safe Communities Committee Report for February 2019. LEFT THE MEETING Cst. K. Noel left the meeting at 11:55 a.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:55 a.m. and RECONVENED at 12:34 p.m. 12. COMMITTEE REPORTS 12.1 Newell Foundation Councillor A. M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 12.2 Canadian Badlands Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 12.3 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor L. Juss reported that the minutes of the last meeting had been distributed to Council. 12.4 Recreation Board (Division 5 & 10) Councillor L. Juss provided an overview of a presentation at the recent Recreation & Parks for Elected Officials Workshop where the speaker stressed the importance of having a good recreation department and the connection be ween good recreation facilities and personal wellbeing. Page 7 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 12.5 Shortgrass Library System Councillor K. Christman reported that the audit is in progress and the annual funding allocation has been received. Only one board member will be attending the Alberta Library Conference on April 25-28, 2019. 12.6 County of Newell Library Board Councillor K. Christman reported that all member libraries have submitted their year-end reporting. The County of Newell Library Board will be seeking a new chairperson at the next meeting. The board member positions for Divisions 5 & 10 and Division 7 are still vacant. The audited financial statement has been received. 12.7 Recreation Board (Division 6) The Recreation Board for Division 6 has received and approved two funding applications for 2019. 12.8 Tourism Representative Councillor E. Unruh provided the highlights of the Growing Rural Tourism Conference she attended. The deadline for submission of Event Development Fund applications is February 28, 2019. Two new tourism businesses have opened - Escape Room and Piston Broke Brewing. Councillor E. Unruh provided information regarding a secret shopper exchange with Whitecourt, indicating that the final report is forthcoming. Councillor E. Unruh responded to questions from Council. 12.9 Clubroot Workshop Councillor B. de Jong submitted a written report. Councillor E. Unruh provided further information on clubroot prevention and management discussed at the workshop. 12.10 Veteran's Memorial Highway Development Safety Association Councillor W. Hammergren reported that a brochure is being developed with information on communities along Highway 36, They are also considering developing a smartphone app. Councillor W. Hammergren responded to questions regarding the priority list for Highway 36 improvements and roadside turnouts, indicating that the list is discussed annually with Alberta Transportation. 12.11 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung reported that the 2019 Citizen of the Year & Junior Citizen of the Year Gala will be held on April 5, 2019. Nominations are being accepted Page 8 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 until March 8, 2019. The Celebrating Expo Communities: Gem Honouring Cassils event will be held in Gem, AB on April 13, 2019. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green, J. Puchinger, and S. Barclay arrived at 12:59 p.m. 12.12 Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass reported on her attendance at the Alberta & Saskatchewan Renewable Energy Finance Summit where she participated in a panel discussion on solar development. Next week, she will be attending the Alberta Health Services Conversation. Reeve M. Douglass and the Manager of Engineering Services met with JBS to discuss intersection safety, and next week they will meet with Alberta Transportation regarding a draft report. 8. DELEGATIONS — continued 8.2 Farming Smarter J. Puchinger provided background information on Farming Smarter and their activities. There are field research locations outside of Lethbridge and in Cypress County that are focused on farm innovation. She gave an overview of their income sources and research components. Farming Smarter provides producers with information using several different methods including their website at farmingsmarter.com. J. Puchinger provided information on some of the research projects and the Open Farm Days events. Opportunities for collaboration with the County of Newell include research projects, providing content for the magazine and newsletter, and participation in Open Farm Days. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. J. Puchinger responded to questions regarding collaboration with the Crop Diversification Centre in Brooks and other research organizations. She also responded to questions regarding specific research trials, indicating that the details of these are available on the Farming Smarter website. The Director of Agricultural Services provided further information on Farming Smarter, indicating that the County of Newell sponsors the annual Farming Smarter conference. LEFT THE MEETING J. Puchinger and S. Barclay left the meeting at 1:38 p.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (January 2019) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Ott to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Page 9 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 C-57/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for January 2019 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Funding Request - Ag for Life The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-58/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the request from Ag for Life for sponsoring a bumper sticker on the Rural Safety Unit be APPROVED in the amount of $1,500.00 with funding from the Agricultural Services Operating Budget. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 1:48 p.m. 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS 13.1 Participation in Community Generation Capacity Building Grant Program The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. Funding is available to municipalities through the Community Generation Capacity Building Grant Program for pre -development activities associated with community generation facilities. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Wickert arrived at 1:51 p.m. The Director of Corporate Services reported that the City of Brooks will be submitting an application for funding. The intent of the program is to enable organizations to go through the initial work involved with making an educated decision about whether to proceed with a specific project at a later date. There is no cost to the municipality at this time. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that information obtained by any participant organization in the program will be made available to the other participants. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council, indicating that obtaining additional information on renewable energy systems as a potential alternate revenue source would be beneficial. He expressed concerns with the short time frame to submit applications. Further discussion occurred. C-59/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Administration staff proceed with submitting an application for funding under the Energy Efficiency Alberta and Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) Community Generation Capacity Building Grant program. MOTION CARRIED Pagel 0 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 13.2 Update - Road Closure - Approval to Proceed (NW 31-13-13-W4 & SW 6-14-13-W4) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. During the September 20, 2018 Council meeting, Council provided direction regarding a meeting between the landowners and the Eastern Irrigation District to determine the details of a land trade that would establish the fence line as the border. Following the meeting, Council passed Motion 375118 during the December 6, 2018 Council meeting: MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we proceed with the process for closing and TRANSFERRING the road allowances at NW 31-13-13-W4 and SW 6-14-13-W4 at no cost to the applicant; AND FURTHER, that the applicants, in partnership with the Eastern Irrigation District, will be responsible for acquiring survey services and for covering all costs associated with the survey, subdivision, and consolidation requirements associated with this road closure; AND FURTHER, that the County will have no involvement in dividing or managing survey and all associated subdivision costs between the applicant and the Eastern Irrigation District. MOTION CARRIED The Manager of Planning & Development provided further background information, indicating that consolidation of the closed road allowance with the adjacent parcel is required under Policy 2016-PPW-022 (Road Allowance Closure Process). She indicated that the County initiated the road closure and the landowner added the land trade with the Eastern Irrigation District. Further CAO Stephenson validated that John Pahl was paid $2, 274 on June 10t", 1975 and while the minutes do not clarify what the payment was for, it substantiates that a payment was made by the County at the time the transaction was to have taken place. Discussion followed regarding Motion C-375/18. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated the location of the existing fence line on the map as well as the parcels proposed to be traded between the landowners and the Eastern Irrigation District, noting that a subdivision is required in order for the land trade to occur. She noted that the land trade can be done separately from the road closure at any time. Discussion followed and it was determined that the motion states the applicant is not responsible for any costs associated with closing and transferring the road allowance, but they are responsible for costs associated with the consolidation, and that this is consistent with Policy 2016-PPW-022. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert left the meeting at 2:37 p.m. Page 11 of 12 Regular Council February 21, 2019 14. INFORMATION ITEMS 14.1 Update — Regionalization The third media release was distributed yesterday along with information that will be made available during the open house meetings. Discussion followed. 14.2 Mini Bus Monthly Report (January 2019) The Director of Corporate Services provided an update on the pilot project offering weekly service to Medicine Hat. This item was accepted as information. 14.3 Financial Information for the Period Ending December 31, 2018 This item was accepted as information. 14.4 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 14.5 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 15. IN CAMERA C-60/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 2:42 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Labor - FOIPP Act Section 17. MOTION CARRIED C-61/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that we move out of camera at 2:55 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Signed this Olday of , 2019 Administrator Page 12 of 12