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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-08 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 8, 2020 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, October 8, 2020 commencing at 10:00 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 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 S. Yokoyama, IT Administrative Assistant (Meeting Moderator) M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development S. Luchies, Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator R. Fernell, Director of Information & Technology D. Anstey-Martin, Census Coordinator M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council October 8, 2020 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (September 24, 2020) C-326/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the September 24, 2020 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-327/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG 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. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 1969-20 Road Closure & LEASE (E 19-16-12-W4 & W 20-16-12-W4 and E 20-16-12-W4 & W 21-16-12-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-328/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that Bylaw 1969-20, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING the road allowances adjacent to the E 19-16-12-W4 & W 20-16-12-W4 and the E 20-16-12-W4 and W 21-16-12-W4 to facilitate the current irrigation farming operation, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-329/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Bylaw 1969-20 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 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. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding a business permit and the status of the Duchess Solar Project. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council October 8, 2020 C-330/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Planning & Development Report for September 2020 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:10 a.m. 8.2 Regional Quality Management Plan (Fire Accreditation) The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator provided background information on this item, indicating that the amendments suggested by Council during the September 24, 2020 Council meeting had been included. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-331/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the Regional Quality Management Plan (Fire Accreditation) be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator responded to further questions from Council and provided information on the multi -agency water rescue exercise that was conducted on October 3, 2020. LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies left the meeting at 10:22 am. 8.3 Brooks Composite High School Donation & Intern Request The Director of Information & Technology provided background information on this item. Decommissioned hardware has been donated in the past through a third party who determined the recipients. Regarding the request to provide internships, the Director of Information & Technology indicated that the County's IT department is adequately staffed but open to the idea if Council wishes to participate. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Information & Technology indicated that an unpaid internship had been suggested, but the requestor was clear that there should be compensation. The amount of time required for training and the benefit to the County would depend on the student's level of experience. She indicated that, when there is decommissioned IT equipment available, it will be advertised via the website and social media channels according to the County's Communications Strategy. C-332/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that local organizations be given the opportunity to request decommissioned Information Technology equipment based on a first come, first served basis and the availability of IT equipment, including Brooks Composite High School; further, that the County of Newell will not proceed with student internship/employment opportunities in the IT Department. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council October 8, 2020 LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell left the meeting at 10:32 a.m. 8.4 Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) Grant Funding Program The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. He suggested that a significant portion of these funds could be made available to the community groups operating recreation facilities throughout the County to offset losses in revenue resulting from COVID-19. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council on the program criteria. Discussion followed. Council indicated that the groups applying for the funds would have to prove that they are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions, indicating that urban municipalities would have the same opportunity to apply for funding under the MOST program. Council indicated that the County's MOST funding allocation should go directly to facilities operating directly within the County. The Director of Corporate Services was directed to gather feedback from the participants at the first community consultation session with County recreation groups scheduled for October 22, 2020. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 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 the lagoon discharge process and flow emitter valves. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:56 a.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.5 2021 Southern Alberta Municipal Ortho Photo Partnership The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-333/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the County of Newell agrees to participate in the 2021 Southern Alberta Ortho Photo Partnership and that the MD of Willow Creek be appointed as the Managing Partner for the project. MOTION CARRIED 8.9 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness Reeve M. Douglass reported that Municipal Affairs is expected to provide further information in early October. Discussion followed regarding public response to the Page 4 of 8 Regular Council October 8, 2020 information. The Chief Administrative Officer provided details on some phone calls he has received regarding the proposed assessment model changes and indicated that the province must provide more information. 8.10 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 8.11 Payment Register C-334/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8.12 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 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. C-335/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for September 2020 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Request for Proclamation - Small Business Week (October 18-24, 2020) Council was presented with background information on this item. C-336/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Council hereby proclaims October 18-24, 2020 as "Small Business Week" in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 10.2 Request for Meeting - Candidate for RMA President Paul McLauchlan Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item. Discussion followed and Council expressed interest in speaking with P. McLauchlin. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would respond to P. McLauchlin and arrange a virtual meeting outside of a regular Council meeting. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council October 8, 2020 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 11.2 Brooks Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Councillor C. Amulung provided an update. The Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework draft is complete, but the committee is waiting on information from Municipal Affairs regarding the impacts of the proposed Assessment Model. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.6 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Fall 2020 Convention - Meetings with Ministers Council was provided with an update on meetings scheduled with Ministers during the RMA Fall 2020 Convention. Discussion followed regarding the topic of farmland assessment to be discussed with the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Some Councillors expressed concerns with initiating discussion on this topic. It was noted that the farmland assessment model is in need of an update and that assessment of farms and small businesses should be treated equally. Further, a lot of farms are owned by large corporations and make use of County infrastructure. Reeve M. Douglass and Councillor B. de Jong provided an overview of information given by the Minister of Municipal Affairs during the AUMA convention which suggested a series of small adjustments. Another potential discussion topic is suggesting that the province take over collecting school taxes. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information, suggesting that Oil & Gas assessments could be based on a new regulation for annual sales or volume versus the current Depreciated Construction Cost model. The Chief Administrative Officer reported that the issue regarding wetlands and Water Act Approvals had been resolved and a meeting with the Minister of Environment & Parks is no longer necessary. He responded to questions from Council. The Executive Assistant provided information regarding the conference call that has been scheduled with the Minister of Transportation. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:54 a.m. and RECONVENED at 1:00 pm. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Anstey-Martin arrived at 1:00 p.m. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council October 8, 2020 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.7 2020 Census The Census Coordinator presented a report on the 2020 Municipal Census, including an overview of the process and suggestions for improvement. She indicated that the final population number for the County is 7,502 but noted that a margin of error should be included as some responses provided by residents may not be completely accurate. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Census Coordinator responded to questions from Council. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions regarding the hamlet boundaries used, indicating that the data points from the County's GIS program were used by the City of Airdrie to configure the online census application. He indicated that the census data can be reviewed to confirm the population within specific hamlets. The Director of Corporate Services provided further background information, indicating that the census was completed within a shorter period of time than was originally planned in order to proceed with discussions on electoral boundary adjustments. LEFT THE MEETING D. Anstey-Martin left the meeting at 1:24 p.m. 8.8 Electoral Division Boundary Review - 2020 Census Follow Up The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. With the 2020 Municipal Census complete, he asked Council to provide direction on whether to proceed with electoral boundary adjustments based on a given number of elected officials. He noted that the census confirms that the population of the County is not distributed evenly across divisions. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding the public feedback process. Public feedback will be invited on maps showing a few different boundary options based on a certain number of elected officials. Reasons will be given for each of the suggested boundary options. Discussion followed regarding the number of electoral divisions and Council indicated seven would allow the population to be divided into approximately 1,070 residents per division. Concerns were raised regarding not allowing public input into the number of electoral divisions. Further discussion occurred and it was noted that the question should not be completely open and suggesting seven divisions provided a good starting point. Council also requested that information on elected representation from other municipalities be included as a comparison, especially municipalities that have reduced their number of elected officials. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. C-337/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council requests that a public participation plan be prepared based on a recommended seven (7) electoral divisions and with public feedback being focused on alternatives for a limited number of boundary options. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council October 8, 2020 Discussion followed regarding the number of proposed electoral divisions. The majority of Council agreed upon seven as the recommended number of electoral divisions on which to base a few options for electoral boundaries. Discussion followed regarding the wording of the motion. Reeve M. Douglass called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-337/20 - MOTION CARRIED The Director of Corporate Services outlined the next steps of the process which will include preparing maps with a few different options for seven electoral divisions and drafting the formal public participation plan for how the information will be presented to the public. 12. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 13. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Signed this L2, clay of 2020 County Administrator Page 8 of 8