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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-20 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL June 20, 2019 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, June 20, 2019 commencing at 10:17 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: M. Douglass, Reeve C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering M. Fenske, Manager of Finance M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN B. Parker, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: C. Bews, Brooks Bulletin 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (June 6, 2019) C-213119 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the June 6, 2019 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. Regular Council June 20, 2019 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-214/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN 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. 7. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 7.1 Resolution to Appoint Development Officer The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-215/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that we appoint Geoff Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering as a Development Officer for the County of Newell pursuant to Land Use Bylaw 1892-17. MOTION CARRIED 7.2 Review of Alternative County Electoral Division Boundaries The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, including proposed maps dividing the County into 5 and 7 electoral divisions with an even distribution of population. Council requested the following changes: 5 Division Arrangement - include all of Scandia area in Division 3 rather than splitting it between Division 1 and Division 3; Move the Bassano area from Division 3 into Division 5, using the boundary line between townships 19 and 20, switch the names of Division 3 and 4. 7 Division Arrangement - move the block south of the Village of Rosemary from Division 6 to Division 7. Discussion followed and Council indicated that the 5 Division option could be used if Regionalization proceeds. If the County remains a separate municipality, the 7 Division option was preferred. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the process for changing electoral boundaries includes passing a bylaw six months before a municipal election and public consultation. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Fenske arrived at 10:45 a.m. 7.3 Regionalization Working Group - Governance & Taxation Recommendations C-216/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that we move in camera at 10:46 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernn1eqal Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 7 Regular Council June 20, 2019 C-217/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move out of camera at 11:39 a.m. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Fenske left the meeting at 11:39 a.m. 7.4 Palliser Economic Partnership - Member Contribution Rates for 2020, 2021, & 2022 The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-218/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the County of Newell maintains the annual contribution to the Palliser Economic Partnership at a rate of $1.00 per capita. Councillor A.M. Philipsen responded to questions from Council regarding communication between PEP and the community Economic Development groups. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin arrived at 11:47 a.m. 8 people arrived at 11:48 a.m. Discussion followed. Councillor A. M. Philipsen indicated that there will be a vote on the proposal to increase member fees at the PEP Annual General Meeting and requested direction from Council on whether to vote for or against the increase. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. The Director of Corporate Services presented K Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services, with an award for 40 years of service from the Fire Commissioner of Alberta. Council congratulated K. Martin and thanked him for his years of service. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:54 p.m. 7.4 Palliser Economic Partnership - Member Contribution Rates for 2020, 2021, & 2022 — continued Discussion continued. Councillor A. M. Philipsen responded to further questions. VOTE ON MOTION C-218/19 - MOTION DEFEATED C-219/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Council supports the proposed increase to the annual contribution to the Palliser Economic Partnership from $1.00 per capita to $1.30 per capita over the next three years. MOTION CARRI Page 3 of 7 Regular Council June 20, 2019 7.5 Meeting with City of Brooks Council Council discussed dates and selected July 11, 2019. Agenda items will be e-mailed to the Executive Assistant. 7.6 Cheques for Payment C-220/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that cheque 187329 in the amount of $901,240.61 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 7.7 Payment Register C-221/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 7.8 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 8. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Tender Award - 2019 Road Rehabilitation The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-222/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council awards the contract for the 2019 Road Rehabilitation Program to Brooks Asphalt & Aggregate for the submitted tender price of $463,863.75. MOTION CARRIED The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions regarding the Irrigation Meeting he attended on June 20, 2019 between municipalities and irrigation districts, indicating that Alberta Environment staff were also in attendance. Another meeting is expected in September or October. LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht, G. Tiffin, and T. Schroeder left the meeting at 1:18 p.m. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS 9.1 Joint Services Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported that the June meeting had been cancelled. Page 4 of 7 Regular Council June 20, 2019 9.2 Airport Commission Councillor L. Juss reported that the committee had decided to discontinue the use of the Automated Weather Observation Station as it was difficult to manage and was not operational most of the time. Councillor B. de Jong provided further information on the AWOS system. Discussion followed. 9.3 Bow River Basin Council Councillor B. de Jong submitted a written report. 9.4 Emergency Management Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported that the committee met this morning to discuss new legislative requirements that must be in place by January 2020. 9.5 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung reported that Grasslands Regional FCSS will be requesting a funding increase of 2% to cover inflation for next year's budget. 9.6 Community Response Committee Councillor C. Amulung reported that several local service groups commented on the number of people who are currently looking for work, noting that the labor market is currently static in this area. 9.7 Mayors & Reeves of Southeast & Southwest Alberta Councillor 8. de Jong submitted a written report. 9.8 Newell 9-1-1 Dispatch Association Councillor B. de Jong submitted a written report. 9.9 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Juss provided information on a document shredding event that will be held at Newell Recycling on June 22, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 9.10 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor L. Juss reported that plans to increase the size of the landfill will be finalized at the NRSWMA meeting tonight. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council June 20, 2019 9.11 Recreation Board - Division 5 & 10 Councillor T. Fyfe presented posters that will be put up in recreation facilities to try and prevent harassment of referees and officials. 9.12 Red Deer River Watershed Alliance Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 9.13 Shortgrass Library System Councillor K. Christman reported that topics discussed during the last meeting included planning for the next 3-5 years, funding, and volunteer burnout. 9.14 Bassano Rodeo Councillor K. Christman provided information on the Bassano Rodeo, which will be held June 21-23, 2019. 9.15 Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference Councillor W. Hammergren reported to Council some highlights of the FCM Conference in Quebec City, including speeches by the four political party leaders, discussions on carbon tax, an increased focus on issues facing municipalities, and a blanket exercise. Councillor H. Kallen provided information on the St. Lawrence River development, an initiative that transforms old churches into libraries, the oil rally, promoting pipelines, and a workshop on communicating with millennials. 9.16 Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass reported that the minutes of the Regionalization Working Group's June meeting will be distributed soon. Reeve M. Douglass attended the installation of the new Medicine Hat College president and the KA/ROS blanket exercise. She also provided information regarding the Alberta Liabilities Disclosure Project, which is investigating oil and gas liabilities. More information is available at www.aldocoalition.com. 9.17 Newell Foundation Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided an update on renovations. 9.18 Newell Regional Tourism Association Councillor E. Unr rovided the minutes from the April 18, 2019 NRTA meeting and an info r n 'ght held on May 23, 2019. Page 6 of 7 Regular Council June 20, 2019 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Update — Regionalization No additional information was presented. 11.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 11.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 12. IN CAMERA There were no further in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 13. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Signed this I day of "::� r 2019 Reeve Q/odministrator Page 7 of 7