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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-19 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL December 19, 2019 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, December 19, 2019 commencing at 10:12 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: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development H. Winder, County Planner - ORRSC E. Graham, County Planner - ORRSC M. Fenske, Manager of Finance T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor K. Giants, GIS Analyst A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: J. Surgenor, City of Brooks L. Tiffin, City of Brooks \ C. Kappler, Dirt to Dinner B. Doerksen, Eastern Irrigation District N. Pedersen, County Ratepayer 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council December 19, 2019 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (December 5, 2019) C-409/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the 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-410/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG 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 1967-19 19 LUA 007 (Portions of 19-17-12-W4 — PS & A to RB) The County Planner provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-411/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that Bylaw 1967-19, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1892-17 by redesignating approximately 32.18 acres (13.00 hectares) in portions of Section 19-17-12-W4 from PS - Public Service District and A — Agricultural District to RB - Rural Business District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Road Closure - Approval to Proceed (E 19-16-12-W4 & W 20-16-12-W4; E 20-16-12-W4 & W 21-16-12-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, noting that the proposed road closure will affect legal access to the Bantry #1 Reservoir and that a lease is recommended. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Fenske arrived at 10:18 a.m. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions from Council, indicating that provisions allowing for legal access by the Eastern Irrigation District Page 2 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 can be included in the/ease agreement. Further, the County is able to reopen the ._ road for physical access in the future, if a development application is received. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services provided further information, indicating that access required by a limited number of parties can be included in the terms of the /ease. Alternately, an easement could be negotiated on the parcel to the east to provide access by the E.I.D. C-412/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Approval to Proceed be given to the road closure and lease of road allowances adjacent to E 19-16-12-W4 & W 20-16-12-W4 and E 20-16-12-W4 & W 21-16-12-W4 to facilitate the current irrigation farming operation. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson, H. Winder, and E. Graham left the meeting at 10:30 a.m. 7. BYLAWS —continued 7.2 Bylaw 1968-19 Schedule of Fees The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item, giving an overview of the proposed changes. The Manager of Finance responded to guestions from Council. Individuals who apply for a construction permit will be able to request a 50% refund if they do not proceed with construction provided that no inspection work has been done. The Manager of Finance responded to further questions regarding water delivery charges and minibus user fees. C-413/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1968-19, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 10 ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.2 Duty to Accommodate - Personnel Policy/Councillor Compensation Policy The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item, indicating that the County has a duty to accommodate unless it would cause undue hardship to do so. He provided an overview of the proposed procedure that would be used to evaluate each request for accommodation on a case-by-case basis. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. lt was noted that item 7.3 of Policy 2019-PLG-013 (Councillor Compensation Review Committee) should read "..explains the Councillor's functional limitations..." The Manager of Finance responded to questions regarding privacy concerns, noting that a request can be made formedical information that explains an individual's functional limitations and recommended accommodations but not a diagnosis. Discussion followed and Council indicated that they were comfortable with the Councillor Compensation Review Committee (CCRC) evaluating and making decisions on Council requests _ for accommodation. The Manager of Finance indicated that he would add a clause that would allow a Councillor to appeal a decision of the CCRC before full Council. � , ;��� Page 3 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Surgenor arrived at 10:55 a.m. L. Tiffin arrived at 10:59 a.m. C-414/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Policy 2019-PAD-063 (Personnel) be adopted as presented; further, that Policy 2019-PLG-013 (Councillor Compensation Review Committee) be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS 12.1 Government Finance Officers Association - Canadian Award for Financial Reporting Reeve M. Douglass congratulated the Manager of Finance and the Finance Department for receiving the GFOA Canadian Award for Financial Reporting. LEFT THE MEETING M. Fenske left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Economic Development Update J. Surgenor provided an overview of the members of the Brooks Region Economic Development Team and their areas of responsibility and partnerships with other local organizations. Their strategic plan focuses on business retention and expansion, investment attraction, and partnerships and collaboration. J. Surgenor provided an explanation of each of these goals as well as information on the marketing strategy. The Brooks Region Economic Development team works with a variety of different stakeholders and is focused on making it easier for people to start or expand a business or invest. J. Surgenor indicated that they are trying to collaborate more with the Eastern Irrigation District on shared goa/s. She provided an overview of work done over the past three years to improve the region's reputation and indicated that progress is being made. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green and C. Kappler arrived at 11:18 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. J. Surgenor responded to questions, indicating that an investment attraction profile is being developed for the region's strengths, which include agriculture and secondary oil and gas processing. She responded to questions regarding the Crop Diversification Centre, indicating that they provide a valuable agricultural resource. J. Surgenor responded to questions regarding the Newell Regional Tourism Association, indicating that the consultant they hired to redo their strategic plan has recommended adopting the Brooks Region brand but focusing specifically on tourism. J. Surgenor responded to further questions from Council. She indicated that the Brooks Region Economic Development team has worked with the Palliser ��� / Page 4 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 Economic Partnership on projects in the past. The Chief Administrative Officer _ thanked the Brooks Region Economic Development team for their work and suggested that focus be placed on a growth strategy for the region. J. Surgenor responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING J. Surgenor and L. Tiffin left the meeting at 11:43 a.m. 8.2 Dirt to Dinner C. Kappler gave Council an overview of "Dirt to Dinner," a book intended to educate children about agriculture. She indicated that her goal was to distribute the book to schoo/s through the Agricultural Services Boards. The contents of the book were reviewed by Council. C. Kappler indicated that she was approaching municipalities to purchase ten copies of the book each to donate to local schoo/s or libraries. There will be an initial run of 1,000 copies that will be available for the 2020 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C. Kappler outlined her strategy for getting the book into the schoo/system. Discussion followed. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:04 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:46 p.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.2 Dirt to Dinner—continued Discussion continued. Councillor K. Christman indicated that books in the Shortgrass Library System are made available throughout the province. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Nesbitt, B. Doerksen, and M. Harbicht arrived at 12:51 p.m. Individual Councillors indicated that they would purchase books at their own expense to donate to schools and libraries. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green and C. Kappler left the meeting at 12:53 p.m. 8.3 Proposed Invasive Species Bylaw The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor provided background information on this _ item, indicating that Community Peace Officers (CPOs) do not cu ently have the authority to establish control measures to prevent aquatic invasi specie . Page 5 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 12:58 p.m. The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor indicated that establishing a bylaw would allow the CPOs to assist the EID with watercraft inspections. 8. Doerksen provided further information regarding the consequences of an aquatic invasive species infestation. The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor indicated that the CPOs have received basic training and would use 8. Doerksen as a resource. The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor and 8. Doerksen responded to questions regarding public response, indicating that the public are generally cooperative once they are aware of the negative effects aquatic invasive species can create. 8. Doerksen responded to questions regarding the inspection process. Once a watercraft has been inspected, a sticker is issued that is valid for the season and subsequent inspections are /ess intensive. C-415/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Administration proceed with the preparation of a bylaw to enhance measures within the County of Newell for preventing the establishment of aquatic invasive species. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING J. Nesbitt and B. Doerksen left the meeting at 1:15 p.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that the nomination deadline is the end of January 2020. C-416/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor W. Hammergren and the Director of Agricultural Services find a family from the Division 4 area to nominate for the Calgary Stampede Farm Family Awards. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 2020 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference Resolutions The Director of Agricultural Services presented the resolutions being brought forward at the 2020 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference. Council decided to vote on the resolutions in the following manner.� Resolution 1 Alberta Agriculture Website South - Yes. Resolution 2 Alberta Agriculture Website Central- Yes. Resolution 3 Weed and Pest Surveillance and Monitoring Technology Grant- More information reguired. Resolution 4 Clubroot Pathotype Testing- More information required. , ��'� Page 6 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 ARRIVED AT MEETING N. Pedersen arrived at 1:29 p.m. Resolution 5 Education Campaign for the Cleanliness of Equipment for Industry Sectors- Yes. Resolution 6 AFSC Clubroot- Yes. Resolution 7 Beehive Predation - More information required. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. 8. DELEGATIONS —continued 8.4 Scandia Lagoon Lease N. Pedersen provided background information, indicating that the County purchased the land in 2010 for the Scandia Sewage Lagoon, which included surface lease revenue. In return, N. & E. Pedersen were to enter into a long-term lease with the option of first right of refusal upon renewal. Recently, N. Pedersen received notice that the County would be terminating the /ease. The Director of Municipal Services provided further information, indicating that, other than the lease having expired in 2014, there have been no issues. The lessee was to provide a written request to renew the /ease at least sixty days prior to the expiration date. The County did not receive a written renewal request, but neither was the/ease terminated. The Director of Municipal Services sought legal advice and it was recommended that the County serve notice granting one additional year and terminating the lease on December 31, 2020 at which point the lease would be advertised for public tender. Discussion followed. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the one-year extension was to allow the Pedersens to make alternate arrangements. He indicated that he was unsure of why the first right of refusal option had not been included in the lease agreement, as both parties had separate legal representation. Discussion followed. N. Pedersen provided further background information on the land and responded to questions from Council. The Director of Municipal Se►vices reported that the original lease agreement was made with N. Pedersen and E. Pedersen, but E. Pedersen is no longer farming the land and N. Pedersen's son would now be farming. He asked if the lease was capab/e of being passed on to family members. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding a similar/ease in Rolling Hills, indicating that lease was held by a single person. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green returned at 2:17 p.m. Discussion continued and Council provided direction to the Director of Municipal Services to seek legal advice regarding extending the/ease to December 31, 2020 _ and providing N. Pedersen with first right of refusal when the /ease i�advertised for public tender in 2021 for a five-year term. ��2��r�� Page 7 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 LEFT THE MEETING N. Pedersen left the meeting at 2:29 p.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS —continued 9.2 2020 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference Resolutions — Continued Discussion continued. Resolution 8 Agricultural Related Lease Dispositions - More information required. Resolution 9 Emergency Livestock Removal- More information required. Resolution 10 Mandatory Agriculture Education in the Classroom- Yes. Resolution 11 Reinstate a Shelterbelt Program-More information required. Resolution 12 Compensation to Producers on Denied Land Access to Hunters- More information required. Resolution 13 Proposed Amendments to Part IV of the Federal Health of Animals Regulation - Yes. Resolution 14 Canadian Product and Canadian Made - More information required. RECESS Council RECESSED at 2:44 p.m. and RECONVENED at 3:00 p.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the rabies monitoring partnership program and a recent report on strychnine. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 3:05 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.3 Review of Electoral Boundaries & Division Numbers The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, asking if Council was interested in taking steps to reduce the number of electoral divisions and correct the uneven population distribution. Discussion followed. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Glants arrived at 3:15 p.m. All Council was in favor of reducing the number of electoral divisions from ten to nine and they agreed that the electoral divisions should be balanced by population. Discussion followed regarding the proposed boundary maps, and Council indicated that the proposed boundaries should be made available to the public for feedback. Council suggested straightening some of the boundary lines '�r Page 8 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 on the proposed map. The Director of Corporate Services reported that the population data from Statistics Canada is in dissemination blocks that do not match with the current divisional boundaries. The ChiefAdministrative Officer suggested conducting a municipal census in 2020 and using those numbers to prepare proposed boundaries. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that he would prepare information regarding the costs and timelines associated with conducting a municipal census. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting. LEFT THE MEETING K. Glants left the meeting at 3:34 p.m. 10.4 Funding Request— HALO Councillor W. Hammergren provided background information on this item. Discussion followed. C-417/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the County of Newell maintains the $1.00 per capita funding for HALO Air Ambulance until the provincial Helicopter Emergency Medical Service review is complete. MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Funding Request-Tilley Seniors Society (Recreation Board - Division 2) � The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. Councillor H. Kallen responded to questions from Council, indicating that the Division 2 Recreation Board has reserve funds that they anticipate they will have to distribute to six local organizations in 2020. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that a portion of the taxes collected for recreation was to be set aside for capital projects, but a decision has not yet been made on how to distribute the capital funds. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that he would distribute an updated list of municipal reserve projects to Council. C-418/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council declines the funding request from the Tilley Seniors Society and that the request be forwarded to the Division 2 Recreation Board for consideration. MOTION CARRIED 10.6 Appointment to County of Newell Library Board Council was provided background information on this item. C-419/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Julie Musgrove (Division 3) be appointed as a Member-at-Large to the County of Newell Library Board. MOTION CARRIED -� \_,/� �'" Page 9 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 10.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (November 2019) C-420/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the November 2019 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.8 Cheques for Payment C-421/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that cheque 187621 in the amount of$937,167.60 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 10.9 Payment Register The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-422/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 10.10 Requests for Functions of Council Councillor K. Christman reported that she has been asked to attend a Public Library Board meeting in place of the regular representative for the Shortgrass Library System. C-423/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor K. Christman be permitted to attend the Public Library Board Meeting representing the Shortgrass Library System in Edmonton, AB on January 8-9, 2020 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Joint Services Committee The minutes of the December 10, 2019 Joint Services Committee meeting were forwarded to Council. 11.2 Canadian Badlands Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 11.3 Newell Foundation Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 11.4 Bow River Basin Council Councillor 8. de Jong submitted a written report. ������ Page 10 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 11.5 Newell 911 Dispatch Association Councillor 8. de Jong submitted a written report. 11.6 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Alliance Councillor L. Juss reported that he forwarded a report to Council last month with information about the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Alliance(SAEWA). He responded to questions from Council, indicating that the energy-from-waste project that the Brooks Region Economic Development team is working on is not associated with SAEWA. Mayor 8. Marshall from Rosemary is the chairman of the Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority and has reguested a letter in support of the SAEWA project; however, R. Juska is the County's SAEWA spokesperson. Councillor L. Juss provided an update on the SAEWA project, indicating that siting is still being determined. Discussion followed. Council indicated that letters in support of the SAEWA project have already been sent. 11.7 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor W. Hammergren reported that the Palliser Economic Partnership is waiting on confirmation of provincial funding before completing the budget. He provided an update on some current projects, including a hemp production facility. The City of Brooks has given notice that they intend to withdraw from the Palliser Economic Partnership. 11.8 Mayors & Reeves Association of Southeast Alberta Councillor W. Hammergren attended the last meeting on behalf of Reeve M. Douglass. Medicine Hat College is investigating online certification courses. MLA D. Barnes challenged the mayors and reeves to promote the region in order to attract interest. A request was made to write a letter to the Minister of Health in support of HALO. The next meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2020. 11.9 Newell Regional Tourism Association Councillor E. Unruh reported that D. Anderson was hired to complete a destination assessment of the region and provided highlights. The full report will be available on the Visit Newell website in the future and D. Anderson is available to present the report to Council. Councillor E. Unruh responded to questions. 11.10 New Grow Councillor L. Juss will forward the list of NewGrow grant funding recipients to Council. 11.11 Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would forward a written report to Council. � � �L' Page 11 of 12 Regular Council December 19,2019 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS - continued 12.2 Village of Rosemary - Request for Support of SAEWA Project This item was discussed during the Committee Reports portion of this meeting. 12.3 Regional Recreation Fund Councillor K. Christman requested that the Regional Recreation Fund discussed at the Joint Municipal Meeting on December 18, 2019 be placed on an upcoming Council agenda. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report(November 2019) This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their ' community. 14. IN CAMERA C-424/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move in camera at 4:25 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations -FOIPPAct Section 23. MOTION CARRIED C-425/19 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move out of camera at 5:02 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Signed this�day of - , 2020 `�---'��1�-- _ �. . Reev nt Administrator Page 12 of 12