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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-09 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL July 9, 2020 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, July 9, 2020 commencing at 10:07 a.m. 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 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 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: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation M. Plumtree, Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce K. Elaschuk, Enterprise Fleet Management 1. 2 3. C-247/20 CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (June 25, 2020) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the June 25, 2020 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council July 9, 2020 4. 5. C-248/20 6. 8. 9. C-249/20 CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. No County Ratepayers were physically in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. The river walk program will begin on July 13, 2020. The TD Tree Days event for this year has been cancelled. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that staff are working to prepare a virtual Rural Beautification Awards tour. He provided details on additional online events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the Rural Beautification Awards, mowing, Emerson Bridge Park, and contract weed spraying. The Chief Administrative Officer provided details of a voicemail received from a ratepayer who suggested the Coyote Control Incentive Program be discontinued and that a bounty of $2.00 per tail be placed on gophers. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the caller had quoted some incorrect information and there have been no significant changes in coyote population. The caller did not leave a name or contact number. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 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. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Planning & Development Report for June 2020 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2020 9.2 Subdivision Extension Request - 2019-0-065 (NE 20-19-13-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-250/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the request for a time extension to subdivision application 2019-0-065 be APPROVED for one (1) year to July 9, 2021. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:30 a.m. 9.3 Public Participation Plan - Recreation Facility Funding Initiative The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the goal of the project will be to establish criteria for allocating funding to recreation facilities or groups that operate recreation facilities within the County. The draft plan includes who will be involved in the engagement process, the objectives, a proposed timeline, and other details. The Director of Corporate Services requested direction from Council regarding questions listed in the Request for Decision that are related to the scope of the project. In particular, he asked whether the urban communities should be invited to participate at this time. Discussion followed. Council suggested that the public engagement process focus on rural recreation at this time. Concerns were raised regarding creating the perception that the County is becoming increasingly involved in recreation which could result in a loss of ownership by the community groups who have been operating recreation facilities. Council agreed that the goal of the process would be to establish guidelines and develop a process to determine how to allocate the recreation funding that has been accumulating for the past four years. The Chief Administrative Officer stressed the importance of developing long term capital plans for all facilities that are to use public funds as this will determine whether the amount collected is adequate. Council suggested obtaining a cost analysis of user fees from all recreation organizations. Concerns were raised regarding recreation facilities within urban centers that are run by rural Agricultural Societies. It was noted that urban recreation will be addressed within the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework documents. The community engagement process will begin by focusing on rural recreation facilities with the possibility of expanding to facilities within urban areas later. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 10:55 a.m. Page 3 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2020 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Steinley responded to questions regarding educating the public on items that cannot be flushed and issues with stormwater entering lift stations and sanitary sewer systems. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council regarding the Patricia sanitary sewer system, indicating that Section 408 of the Municipal Government Act pertains to local improvements specific to sewers. He provided history on the Patricia sanitary sewer system, including some of the challenges involved and estimated costs. He provided further information regarding the public education campaign on items that should not be flushed. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:09 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Plumtree arrived at 11:00 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce M. Plumtree provided information regarding upcoming events planned by the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce. The Annual Trade Show was postponed in April and is currently scheduled for September 18-20, 2020 at the JBS Canada Centre. This will be a smaller event than in previous years to ensure COVID-19 safety requirements are followed. The Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce's Annual General Meeting will be .combined with the Business of the Year Awards and held on October 23, 2020 at the Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre. M. Plumtree indicated that they are also working on updating the website and looking at different options to reduce costs while still providing microsites to local businesses. Membership add-ons are also being investigated. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. M. Plumtree indicated that the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce is a member of the stakeholders group for economic development in the region as well as the Economic Development Task Force. Further, M. Plumtree has been approved to sit as a non -voting member on the Brooks Revitalization Zone committee. M. Plumtree responded to questions regarding Bassano. The Bassano Chamber of Commerce has dissolved, and the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce is investigating how to support their membership until the official paperwork has been completed. M. Plumtree responded to further questions regarding the Annual Trade Show. LEFT THE MEETING M. Plumtree left the meeting at 11:27 a.m. Page 4 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2020 ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Elaschuk arrived at 11:30 a.m. 7.2 Enterprise Fleet Management The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on the partnership with Enterprise Fleet Management. The seven original fleet units purchased under this partnership were sold earlier this year and Enterprise Fleet Management staff are in attendance to present the outcomes. The Director of Municipal Services requested direction from Council regarding whether the partnership should continue, noting that the results from this year may be skewed due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on markets. He indicated that K. Elaschuk was experiencing difficulty connecting to the meeting. Council agreed to postpone the presentation and discussion on this item until 1:00 p.m. LEFT THE MEETING K. Elaschuk left the meeting 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.3 Public Participation Plan - Recreation Facility Funding Initiative — continued Discussion continued. Council reiterated the importance of starting the public engagement with the rural communities, stating that the concept of sustainability is a key theme. Regarding the sense of ownership of a facility by one community, it was noted that people travel to use recreation facilities in other areas. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the funding required by the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework documents will be sourced from the half mill collected from all assessments. He reiterated that the community engagement will gather input from community groups regarding how this funding will be distributed in the future. Discussion followed regarding the proposed plan and Council agreed with the proposed timeline. The Chief Administrative Officer provided information on recreation funds used by each division. 9.4 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 9.5 Payment Register Reeve M. Douglass and the Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council. C-251120 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2020 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.2 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 road conditions, how long fleet trucks are kept, educating the public on items that are not to be flushed, discharging sump pumps, and Municipal Enforcement Officers making traffic stops. Reeve M. Douglass asked the Director of Municipal Services to pass on words of appreciation to Volker Stevin for repairing a hole by the side of the road on July 1, 2020. LUNCH Council RECESSED For lunch at 12:14 pm. and RECONVENED at 1:01 p.m. 7. DELEGATIONS — continued 7.2 Enterprise Fleet Management The Director of Municipal Services reported that K. Elaschuk is unavailable until around 1:30 p.m. Council reviewed the presentation material included in the agenda package and indicated that they could proceed. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council. C-252/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council APPROVES continuing with the Enterprise Fleet Management partnership in managing seven (7) fleet on a 24-month term. MOTION CARRIED 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.6 Requests for Functions of Council 9.6.1 Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Review Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item, indicating that Councillor B. de Jong had also expressed interest in participating in the HEMS Review webinar. Discussion followed regarding HALO Air Ambulance, which is able to access all of the County of Newell, and whether to invite them to Council for a presentation. Council will wait for the results of the HEMS review before inviting HALO to give a presentation. C-253/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Reeve M. Douglass and Councillor B. de Jong be permitted to attend the Helicopter EMS (HEMS) Review webinar on July 16, 2020 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2020 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued C-254/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for June 2020 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 13. IN CAMERA C-255/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 1:08 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21 • Legal - FOIPP Act Section 27. MOTION CARRIED C-256/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that we move out of camera at 1:40 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. ..2 ,- Signed this ra 7day of --,J 'U 2020 Reeve Cou�dministrator Page 7 of 7