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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-22 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 22, 2020 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, October 22, 2020 commencing at 10:31 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. One member of the public was 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) G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development S. Simpson, Development Clerk J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: R. Torkelson, Applicant (DP2020067) Sgt. B. McDonald, RCMP - Brooks Cpl. S. Andrews, RCMP - Bassano K. Sieben, Safe Communities Coordinator CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:31 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council October 22, 2020 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (October 8, 2020) C-338/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the October 8, 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-339/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN 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. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.2 DP 2020067 - Block PCL C, Plan 1380EU, Hamlet of Patricia — Change in use to a private school The Development Clerk provided background information on this item. County staff have no concerns with this application. A response from an adjacent landowner outlining concerns with the proposed development has been included in the agenda package. The applicant was present to respond to questions from Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Development Clerk responded to questions from Council, indicating that this application is for the school and the applicant would have to submit another application to add the religious assembly in the future. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions regarding the adjacent landowner's concern about adequate safety measures around the dugouts on the adjacent property. He indicated that it is currently fenced with a locked gate and that they would ensure it is sufficient. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions regarding the condition regarding dust abatement. Currently, the County does not provide dust abatement within the Hamlet of Patricia and the Land Use Bylaw does require the school access to be off a hard surface road. Discussion followed and Council indicated that the condition requiring the applicant to purchase dust abatement should be removed. If issues with dust arise, they will be addressed in the future. Discussion followed regarding fencing for the school yard. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering indicated that the County's Land Use bylaw does not require fencing around a school. Page 2 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 The applicant provided further information, indicating that the yard will be fenced. He also indicated that they share the same concerns regarding safety and will ensure that there are adequate safety measures in p/ace around the dugouts. C-340/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Council APPROVE Development Permit 2020067 for the use of a private school, on lands legally described as Block PCL C, Plan 1380EU utilizing the existing access from the east. This development approval is subject to the conditions outlined below in addition to the following conditions: 1. That the applicant obtain an access easement for Lot 1, Block 13, Plan 8111857 and 1 PUL, Block 15, Plan 7910924 to be registered on the title. DP 2020067 is Approved for the following reasons: 1. The proposed development complies with both the Municipal Development Plan and the Intermunicipal Development Plan. 2. The Development Authority is satisfied that the proposed development is suitable for the purpose for which it is intended under the Direct Control District (Schedule 2) and the Standards of Development (Schedule 4), as specified in the County of Newell Land Use Bylaw 1892-17. 3. No objections have been received from adjacent landowners or referral agencies with respect to the proposed development. Conditions of Development Approval 1. This approval is effective as of November 12, 2020 (21-day appeal period). 2. The development must be located as shown on the site plan approved with the application and submitted September 29, 2020. Any changes shall require the written approval of the Development Authority. 3. Any additional development shall require prior approval of a separate permit application. 4. The school must operate and meet the requirements of the School Act. 5. That the existing buildings are not used for living purposes. 6. That the applicant obtain approved construction permits that pertain to the change in use from residentiaf to school and any renovations. The proposed development must comply with: 1. The provisions pertaining to the Direct Control District and all relevant schedules, as outlined in the County of Newell Land Use Bylaw 1892-17. Page 3 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 2. All Federal, Provincial and Municipai statutes, regulations, codes and standards. 3. All Alberta Building Codes and Safety Codes, where applicable. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Simpson and R. Torkelson left the meeting at 10:51 a.m. 7. BYLAWS i 7.1 Bylaw 1989-20 Road Closure & LEASE (SW 15-17-16-W4) jThe Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-341/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Bylaw 1989-20, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING those portions of road allowance lying directly south of SW 15-17-16-W4 to facilitate the current irrigation farming operation, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-342/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that Bylaw 1989-20 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 7.2 Bylaw 1990-20 Road Closure & LEASE (W 24-20-14-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-343/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1990-20, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING those portions of road allowance adjacent to the most westerly part of W 24-20-14-W4 to facilitate the current irrigation farming operation, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-344/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Bylaw 1990-20 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.1 Subdivision Extension Request - 2019-0-011 (NW 18-16-15-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 4 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 C-345/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the request for a time extension to subdivision application 2019-0-011 be APPROVED for one (1) year to October 22, 2021. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:57 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING Sgt. B. McDonald, Cpl. S. Andrews, K. Sieben, and J. Nesbitt arrived at 11:00 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports 8.1.2 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. A presentation on mental health will be given to schools and an online presentation on rural crime prevention was given to residents. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Cpl. S. Andrews responded to questions regarding the boat patrols that were done during the summer and indicated that it would be beneficial if there was a search and rescue boat in Bassano. He responded to further questions regarding mental health calls and how they are dealt with by the RCMP. 8.1.4 Municipal Enforcement (J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor) The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor presented the County of Newell Enforcement Report to Council, providing an ove►view of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor responded to questions regarding sprinkling on the roads, noting that the number of incidents is still low and Municipal Enforcement will continue to educate ratepayers. 8.1.3 Safe Communities Committee (Kendra Sieben) K. Sieben presented the Safe Communities Committee Report to Council, providing an overview of initiatives and events. A table will be set up at the Bow Slope Cattle Auction on November 14, 2020 with information on Safe Communities and Rural Crime Watch. The Brooks and Bassano RCMP were invited to prepare a video on Halloween Safety that will be distributed to schools and via social media. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Page 5 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 8.1.1 RCMP - Brooks (Sgt. B. McDonald) Sgt. 8. McDonald provided information on a new partnership with Alberta Health Services and Community Mental Health that will work to get individuals with mental health issues the support they need before they reach a crisis point. Sgt. 8. McDonald presented the Brooks RCMP Qua►terly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Sgt. 8. McDonald responded to questions regarding domestic violence statistics and boat patrols. LEFT THE MEETING Sgt. B. McDonald, Cpl. S. Andrews, K. Sieben, and J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 11:40 a.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. He also provided an update on grant funding under the Agricultural Service Board and Canadian Agricultural Partnership Surveillance programs. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding hawk nesting poles and the annual coyote survey. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 10.6 Joint Meeting - Grasslands School Division The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council suggested November 9, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 26, 2020 as potential dates. Agenda items for this meeting will be determined at a later date. 10.7 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Fall 2020 Convention (November 3-4, 2020) - Registration Information Council was provided with background information on the RMA Fall 2020 Convention. The Executive Assistant was directed to register all of Council for this online event. Discussion followed regarding the topics for the meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Council indicated that "farmland assessment"should be removed from the list. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:03 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:59 p.m. Page 6 of 11 Regular Council October 22, 2020 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.3 Electoral Division Boundary Revisions - Public Participation Plan The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. He noted that a bylaw setting the electoral division boundaries must be in place by December 31, 2020 in order to take effect for the Local Authorities Election in October 2021. He asked Council to review the proposed maps and indicate the preferred option. A bylaw will be prepared based on the preferred map and presented for first reading during the November 5, 2020 Council meeting. Information will be made available to the public beginning October 26, 2020 and they will be given the opportunity to provide feedback prior to 2nd and 3rd reading of the bylaw at the December 10, 2020 Council Meeting. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the boundaries shown in the proposed maps can be adjusted, if necessary. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that changes can be made to the bylaw and maps after first reading has been given. It will be clearly communicated to the public that, if revisions are required as a result of feedback received, these revisions can be made before the bylaw is given second and third reading. Concerns were raised about the public engagement period being too short. The Director of Corporate Services reiterated that the bylaw must be in place by December 31, 2020 if the changes are to take effect for the 2021 election. Council asked that references to applicable legislation outlining proportional representation principles be added to the reasons why electoral boundary realignment is necessary. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding the timelines for the public engagement process, indicating that an information package will be made available on October 26, 2020. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of holding a second Council meeting in December to extend the timeline and Council opted to stay with the timeline proposed by the Director of Corporate Services. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council regarding the distribution of the information package. Further discussion occurred. C-346/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Council APPROVES the Community Engagement Public Participation Plan for Electoral Division Boundary Revisions with the following amendment: include information regarding the principles of proportional representation that are referenced in federal and provincial legislation. Councillor E. Unruh requested a recorded vote. In Favor— Division 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 Opposed — Division 4, 7 MOTION CARRIED The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on the three proposed maps. Discussion followed and Council indicated their preferred map. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council regarding the public information package. The information package will include a range of options with Council's preferred option identified. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that all three maps can be included in the information package, but the map marked Version 1_2 is the least likely to be considered because the populations are the least evenly distributed. He asked Council to Page 7 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 select one map to be used to base a bylaw on, stating that even that map can be adjusted. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions regarding the timelines. Further discussion occurred. C-347/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that a bylaw be prepared that establishes revised electoral division boundaries based on the map labeled Version 3_2. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Duchess Recreation Agreement The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item including an overview of the key components of the agreement. Council was given the � opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Finance responded to questions about how funding would be allocated and timelines for the agreement. Discussion I followed on whether the agreement should be dated January 1, 2021 instead of i January 1, 2020. The Manager of Finance responded to further questions. Council suggested adding a c/ause to the agreement requiring the Village of Duchess and the Duchess Agricultural Society to hold sufficient insurance coverage. C-348/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council APPROVES the Recreation Services Agreement befinreen the County of Newell and the Village of Duchess with an additional clause that appropriate insurance coverage be carried by the Village of Duchess and the Duchess Agricultural Society. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding appointing Council members to the Recreation, Parks, Culture Board(Duchess & Division 8). C-349/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we appoint Councillor B. de Jong and Councillor A.M. Philipsen to the Recreation, Parks, & Culture Board (Duchess & Division 8). MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Property Tax Discount Incentive for New Development The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, asking if Council had an interest in providing a tax discount for new development starting January 1, 2021. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. Council expressed concerns with providing incentives only to new development and not including something for existing developments. The Chief Administrative Officer provided further information, noting that Council has the ability to rebate or cancel any municipal taxes and can set the parameters for doing so. If the program is called an incentive, he suggested obtaining a legal opinion. He indicated that the County's assessment has only increased by 2.6% over the past ten years compared to the 23% growth experienced by other municipalities. A tax incentive could make a difference for new large-scale developments. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council regarding whether other municipalities have been successful with similar initiatives. Page 8 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions and suggested starting with defining what new development is. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested establishing a threshold value for the incentive to encourage larger new development. The Manager of Finance provided further information on tax incentives, suggesting that they be targeted and that the idea is relatively new to Alberta. This item will be discussed further following the Budget Meeting on October 27, 2020. 10.8 Resolutions - Rural Municipalities of Alberta(RMA) Fall 2020 Convention Council was presented with the resolutions package for the RMA Fall 2020 Convention. Discussion followed on the resolutions and whether to support , them. The Chief Administrative Officer and the Manager of Finance provided further information regarding Resolution 17-20F Rural Small Business Properties Assessment Sub-C/asses Amendment. 10.9 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness The Chief Administrative Officer provided details to Council regarding the announcement from Municipal Affairs regarding changes to oil and gas assessment. He indicated that the County shou/d take the opportunity to prepare for changes over the next 3-4 years and look at the non-residential mill rate. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. 10.10 Councillor Payment Sheets (September 2020) C-350/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the September 2020 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.11 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 10.12 Payment Register C-351/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 10.13 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. Page 9 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Newell Foundation Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 11.2 Canadian Badlands Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 11.3 Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Convention , Councillor 8. de Jong submitted a written report. Reeve M. Douglass reported that she would forward links to the conference session recordings when they are available. 11.4 Shortgrass Library Board Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 11.5 County of Newell Library Board Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 11.6 Newell Regional Tourism Association Councillor E. Unruh submitted a written report. 11.7 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)Annual General Meeting Councillor B. de Jong reported that the new FCM President is from Prince George, 8.C. and that there were 159 participants in the online AGM. It was mentioned several times that the FCM would be increasing the focus on rural Canada. Councillor 8. de Jong provided membership statistics. 11.8 Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass reported on the Southeast Regional Vitality study being led by the Medicine Hat College which could benefit economic development. The Palliser Airshed Society which does air quality monitoring is now supported by Alberta Environment & Parks. Reeve M. Douglass attended a recreation meeting in Bassano. An invitation to a "women in politics" event organized by the Mayor of Drumheller will be forwarded when it is available. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would be attending the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting and Business of the Year Awards event tonight. The Executive Page 10 of 11 Regular Council October 22,2020 Assistant was asked to find details on Remembrance Day ceremonies in Brooks and Bassano for this year. 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 2020) 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-352/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move in camera at 3:34 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Personnel — FOIPP Act Section 17. MOTION CARRIED C-353/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of camera at 4:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED � 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Signed this -� day of 1 v�V��^�� , 2020 L,j3,�,��� !�J Reev i�r�' ,»�"�� y�'-�---,._.�. �.��°✓ Cou inistrator Page 11 of 11