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Home My WebLink About2020-05-07 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL May 7, 2020 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, May 7, 2020 commencing at 11:04 a.m. with Councillors and staff participating online from separate locations. The Chief Administrative Officer, being the Designated Officer for the County of Newell, attended at the County Council Chambers to allow members of the public to watch the livestream meeting proceedings. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. No members of the public were physically in attendance. 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 T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Meeting Moderator) M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (April 23, 2020) C-181/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the April 23, 2020 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council May 7,2020 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-182/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. Reeve M. Douglass thanked Newell Colony for their donation of 100 reusable cloth facemasks for use by County field staff. 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 7.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Highlights included statistics on strychnine sa/es and drill rentals, work at Emerson Bridge Park, and the installation of the first hawk nesting pole. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Planning & Development Report The Supervisor of Planning & Development presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-183/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Planning & Development Report for April 2020 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:16 a.m. Page 2 of 6 Regular Council May 7,2020 8.2 Potential Opening of Campgrounds -Government Relaunch Strategy The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. Following the April 9, 2020 Council meeting, notices were sent to the campgrounds operating on County-owned lands advising them that they were not to open until further notice. The relaunch strategy released by the Government Alberta indicates that provincial campgrounds will begin accepting reservations in the middle of May for camping to start June 1, 2020. The Director of Corporate Services requested direction from Council on whether to follow the province's lead and notify the campgrounds on County-owned lands when they can open. He noted that privately operated campgrounds are allowed to continue to operate provided that they follow COVID-19 safety protocols outlined by the provincial government. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding physical distancing and cleaning requirements, indicating that public facilities such as washrooms and showers will remain closed to the public in provincial campgrounds. He suggested preparing a brochure outlining the reguirements that must be followed by campers. Discussion followed. Council indicated that opening/oca/campgrounds at the same time as the provincial campgrounds would provide a consistent message, resulting in less confusion for campers. The Director of Corporate Services provided furtherinformation, indicating that the/oca/ campgrounds will be advised to follow the provincial schedule for campground reopening. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that, while smaller public campgrounds could be allowed to open sooner, Emerson Bridge Park should follow the provincial relaunch strategy. The ChiefAdministrative Officersuggested that camping at Emerson Bridge Park could be offered to seasonal campers for 2020 which will reduce the number of transient campers to the area and hopefully assist with reducing COVID-19 risks over this camping season until the pandemic is cleared up. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions, indicating that the local campground operators would be made aware of the provincial requirements for cleaning and physical distancing and they could make the decision whether to open at all this season. C-184/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the opening of locally controlled campground facilities be scheduled to coincide with the schedule for opening Provincially controlled campground facilities. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding limiting the camping at Emerson Bridge Park to seasona/ site /eases only. The Chief Administrative Officer provided further information, suggesting that this option would be safer considering that the public washroom and shower facilities will be closed and only self-contained units will be allowed in each site. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding Emerson Bridge Park, indicating that there is adequate space between the campsites and suggested that the number of campers per site could be limited to one to maintain physical distance from other campers. Discussion followed. Page 3 of 6 Regular Council May 7,2020 C-185/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that camping at Emerson Bridge Park be limited to seasonal site leases only for 2020. MOTION DEFEATED C-186/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that seasonal campsite lease options be offered for the 2020 camping season at Emerson Bridge Park with rental rates set by Administration. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 Cheques for Payment There were no chegues for payment to discuss at this meeting. 8.4 Payment Register The Director of Corporate Services and Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-187/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8.5 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Utilities - NRSC Report The Utilities - NRSC Report was presented to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 9.2 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding fleet buy backs, the bridge along SH876, determining when graders should be replaced, and shoulder pulls in Division 2. C-188/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for April 2020 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 6 Regular Council May 7,2020 LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:09 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:02 p.m. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Request for Letter of Support - Canadian Solar Tilley Project AUC Application The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. The C&8 So/ar Development project had previously received approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and the County's Municipal Planning Commission. After submitting an amended application with minor modifications to the project scope and continuing with wildlife studies, a hawk nest was discovered near the project site. AUC has revoked approval and C&8 Solar must go through the approval process again. C&B So/ar is open to Council providing a letter in support of this project that focuses on potential economic and environmental benefits that may result. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that a letter of support would be appropriate in this case as the project was originally approved by both the AUC and MPC. C-189/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Council provide a letter in support of the C&B Solar Tilley project focusing on the potential economic and environmental spinoffs from this project and the importance of the project proceeding in a timely manner. MOTION CARRIED 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 2020 Q1 Financial Information Package This item was accepted as information. 11.2 Mini Bus Monthly Report(April 2020) 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. Page 5 of 6 Regular Council May 7,2020 12. IN CAMERA C-190/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 1:12 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Legal - FOIPP Act Section 27; • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED C-191/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move out of camera at 3:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 13. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Signed this �IS�day of �� , 2020 � C�i�c..G��J Reeve �,�'y�� "�� ..� `�'�"'°�... �,�� County ministrator Page 6 of 6