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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-24 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 24, 2019 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, October 24, 2019 commencing at 10:22 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: 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 G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development H. Winder, County Planner-ORRSC E. Graham, County Planner- ORRSC J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor W. Schaap, Manager of Agricultural Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: Sgt. B. McDonald, RCMP - Brooks Cpl. S. Andrews, RCMP - Bassano 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:22 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes -Council (October 10, 2019) `'•340/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the October 10, 2019 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED �,� Regular Council October 24,2019 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-341/19 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. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 1964-19 - Intermunicipal Development Plan (Cypress County) The Manager of P/anning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item. He indicated that ORRSC has identified some language in the document that is similar to other Intermunicipal Development Plans. Dillon Consu/ting will look at the details and either make changes or credit ORRSC. The Public Hearing for Bylaw 1964-19 will be advertised. for December 5, 2019. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-342/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Bylaw 1964-19, being a bylaw to adopt � an Intermunicipal Development Plan between Cypress County and the County of Newell, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Subdivision Extension Request -2016-0-096 (SW 9-19-14-W4) H. Winder provided background information on this item, indicating that all conditions have been met but the applicant requires more time to obtain one consent. H. Winder responded to questions from Council. C-343/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the request for a time extension to subdivision application 2016-0-096 be APPROVED for one year to October 24, 2020. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin, M. Jackson, H. Winder, and E. Graham left the meeting at 10:29 a.m. 10.2 Support for Property Assessed Clean Energy(PACE) Program The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the municipality receives a fee for collecting the payment from the Page 2 of 8 � � Regular Council October 24,2019 landowner as part of their taxes and forwarding it to the financing company. He responded to further questions from Council. Once a property owner agrees to participate in the PACE program, repayment on the money they borrow is applied to their property taxes. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions regarding PACE, which is a non-profit organization trying to facilitate the installation of renewable energy systems by individual property owners. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions from Council and suggested that more information is needed. Council will speak to other councils during the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Fall 2019 Convention. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further discussion. 10.3 Request for Proclamation -Small Business Saturday (October 26, 2019) Council was provided with background information on this item. C-344/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Council hereby proclaims October 26, 2019 as Small Business Saturday in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Meeting with Alberta Transportation Regional Director Council discussed whether to arrange a meeting with D. Davidson, Regional Director for Alberta Transportation. Councillor 8. de Jong requested an update on the intersection safety issues at RR150 and HWY1. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Nesbitt and Cpl. S. Andrews arrived at 10:51 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass provided further information. ARRIVED AT MEETING Sgt. B. McDonald arrived at 10:52 a.m. It was noted that new 'Important Intersection' signs have been installed. Discussion followed on how to measure the success of these signs. Reeve M. Douglass suggested that the Manager of Planning, Development &Engineering could provide an update. 10.5 Councillor Payment Sheets (September 2019) Discussion followed regarding the road tour. As the format has changed this year, the Councillor's Compensation Review Committee has decided to allow charges for mileage but not time. '•345/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the September 2019 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED . � J Page 3 of 8 Regular Council October 24,2019 10.6 Cheques for Payment Discussion on this item was postponed until later during these meeting. 10.7 Payment Register C-346/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports 8.1.2 RCMP - Brooks (Sgt. B. McDonald) Sgt. 8. McDonald presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. He indicated that the Brooks RCMP maintains a good working re/ationship with the County's Municipal Enforcement officers. A plan is being deve/oped that will increase rural patrols. Sgt. 8. McDonald provided an update on staffing leve/s. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed regarding criminal records checks, as some places charge fees and some do not. Sgt. 8. McDonald responded to further questions regarding the new Chief Superintendent for the Southern A/berta District Office and the Safe Communities Coordinator. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that Safe Communities Coordinator funding would be discussed during the budget review. 8.1.3 RCMP - Bassano (Cpl. S. Andrews) Cpl. S. Andrews presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Cpl. S. Andrews responded to questions regarding copper theft. Sgt. 8. McDonald and Cpl. S. Andrews responded to questions regarding the Alberta First Responder Radio Communications System. Fire Departments and RCMP have separate channels, but there is a County of Newell channel that they can use to communicate together during events. J. Nesbitt provided information regarding a communications pilot project for peace officers involving two municipalities. Currently, Municipal Enforcement a/so works with the RCMP through the shared channel. 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. J. Nesbitt responded to questions regarding the difference between park � � � Page 4 of 8 Regular Council October 24,2019 - rangers and conservation officers. Sgt. B. McDonald responded to questions regarding an underwater recovery operation at Lake Newell. 8.1.4 Safe Communities Committee There was no Safe Communities Committee Report. LEFT THE MEETING Sgt. B. McDonald, Cpl. S. Andrews, and J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 11:34 a.m. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Newell Foundation Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 11.2 Alberta Energy Regulator Workshop Councillor B. de Jong submitted a written report. 11.3 Medicine Hat College Reception Councillor 8. de Jong submitted a written report. 11.4 Airport Commission Councillor L. Juss reported that a meeting has been scheduled for next week. 11.5 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor L. Juss reported that some new equipment has been purchased for the landfill. 11.6 Newell Recycling Councillor L. Juss reported that a document shredding event was held last week. 11.7 Alberta Urban Municipalities Association Councillor K. Christman reported that there was a lot of interest in the panel discussion regarding amalgamation experiences. Councillor C.Amulung indicated that there needs to be more discussion on what is considered rural as most of the AUMA membership consists of small villages and towns. Discussion followed regarding the proposed police costing model. � _� Page 5 of 8 Regular Council October 24,2019 11.8 Tourism Representative Councillor E. Unruh provided an update on the tourism assessment, indicating that a strategic plan will be presented to the Newell Regional Tourism Association in November. Event Development Fund grants have been allocated. The Bassano Arts Council's Concert season will begin on October 24, 2019. Scandia Honey will soon be offering organic honey. Councillor E. Unruh responded to further questions regarding the Event Development Fund, indicating that further information is available online: https.//visitnewell.com/industry 11.9 Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass attended the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards. She provided details regarding the upcoming 3rd Annual Harwood Ford Centennial Cup and the grand opening of the Bassano Dam Emergency Spillway. Reeve M. Douglass was interviewed by CBC regarding the Brooks So/ar development. She a/so reported that the A/berta Utilities Commission hearings regarding the E/emental Energy development have been postponed until December 3, 2019 at the Heritage Inn. Until the hearings are complete and E/ementa/Energy approaches the County for permits, the County is not part of the discussion. The Director of Corporate Services suggested it may be appropriate to review the setback requirements from so/ar installations in the Land Use Bylaw to determine whether revisions should be made. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 10.6 Cheques for Payment—continued Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. C-347/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that electronic payment EFT0005125 in the amount of $463,984.82 and cheque 187529 in the amount of $1,117,845.45 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report(September 2019) This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. � Page 6 of 8 � � Regular Council October 24,2019 13.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 14. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:46 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING W. Schaap arrived at 12:46 p.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Funding Request-Ag For Life The ManagerofAgricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-348/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that funding in the amount of$1,500.00 for Ag for Life be added to the 2-62-2770 (Grants) budget line for 2020 and beyond. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Hawk Nesting Poles The Manager of Agricultural Services provided an overview of the survey results, indicating that everyone was in favor of the program though not necessarily in favor of purchasing from the County. He proposed that Agricultural Services install some po/es on County property and monitor their success with the goa/of revisiting the program when strychnine is off the market. The Manager of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council. C-349/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Agricultural Services Department install 2-3 hawk nesting poles on County-owned land and monitor the effectiveness and use; further, that resource materials be made available to producers interested in building and placing their own hawk nesting poles. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Policy Review- 2019-PAG-024 Coyote Control Incentive Program The Manager ofAgricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ,3 � Page 7 of 8 Regular Council October 24,2019 C-350/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we continue with the Coyote Control Incentive Program for the 2020 calendar year. MOTION CARRIED C-351/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Policy 2019-PAG-024 (Coyote Control Incentive Program) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED The Manager of Agricultural Services provided an update on strychnine availability. Discussion followed regarding the recent South Region Agricultural Services Board Tour. LEFT THE MEETING W. Schaap left the meeting at 1:00 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 10.8 Requests for Functions of Council C-352/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Project Completion Celebration for the Bassano Dam Emergency Spillway on October 25, 2019 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:02 p.m. Signed this �day of ��'��'� , 2019 Reeve Co nt d nistrator Page 8 of 8