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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-05 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL November 5, 2020 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, November 5, 2020 commencing at 10:25 a.m. 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) G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering 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 B. Bietz, IEPS F. Bajc, IEPS G. Baden, IEPS 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:25 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Organizational Meeting (October 22, 2020) C-354/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the October 22, 2020 Organizational Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council November 5, 2020 3.2 Minutes - Council (October 22, 2020) The following changes were made to the October 22, 2020 Council Meeting minutes: Page 2 - Item 6 should read 'A question period and notice of motion was held. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public." C-355/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the October 22, 2020 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-356/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH 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 physically in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 1998-20 Establishment of Electoral Division Boundaries & Number of Councillors The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the advertising process has started. A summary of the survey results will be presented at the December 10, 2020 Council Meeting. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the County's original electoral divisions were set up by Municipal Affairs through an Order in Council. Council suggested that all secondary highways and some of the Township and Range Roads be labeled on the map to make the boundaries clearer. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that he would check with the GIS Analyst to see if a scalable map could be prepared for more detail. It was noted that the Brooks Bulletin had printed December 10, 2020 as the deadline for public feedback in an article and the colors for some of the divisions were very similar, giving the impression of them being one division. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council regarding the survey. C-357/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1998-20, being a bylaw to establish electoral division boundaries for the County of Newell and to establish the number of Councillors to serve on County of Newell Council, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 7 Regular Council November 5, 2020 9. 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. C-358/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Planning & Development Report for October 2020 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:42 a.m. 9.2 Appointment to City of Brooks Parks & Recreation Board Council was provided with background information on this item. C-359/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Rhonda Backman-Loo be appointed to the City of Brooks Parks & Recreation Board. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Joint Meeting - Grasslands School Division (November 9, 2020) Council suggested the following agenda items: • Electoral Division Boundary Adjustments • Tilley School Update • Francophone School Update The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council, indicating that the meeting will be held online via Zoom. A link has been included in the meeting invitation sent by the Executive Assistant. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 10:45 a.m. 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. He also provided information regarding a power outage in Scandia early this morning that resulted in residents being without water for a few hours. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Page 3 of 7 Regular Council November 5, 2020 LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:51 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.4 Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (January 15, 2021) This item was accepted as information. 9.6 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness There was no new information on this item to discuss. 9.6 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 9.7 Payment Register C-360/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 9.8 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 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 e-ticketing, online conferences and other online learning opportunities, and the Alberta Traffic Safety calendar. C-361/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for October 2020 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Bietz, F. Bajc, and G. Baden arrived at 11:05 a.m. Page 4of7 Regular Council November 5, 2020 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Kitsim Hydrogen (Hz) Project - IEPS Canada Ltd. B. Bietz provided background information on IEPS (Integrated Energy and Power Solutions) and the Kitsim H2 Project. IEPS is proposing to build a green hydrogen generation facility in the County of Newell in Division 4 south of SH539 and west of the Kitsim Reservoir. B. Bietz provided further details on the project, which will have minimal emissions and little impact to residents or County infrastructure. The Eastern Irrigation District has been approached regarding the site and they are hoping to come to an agreement on water storage and conveyance. B. Bietz provided further details on safety practices, power and water supplies, and plans for extensive stakeholder engagement. He noted that IEPS would be seeking advice and information from the County of Newell throughout the development process. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. B. Bietz responded to questions regarding the conversion efficiency of hydrogen, water license applications, the scalability of the project, and provincial approvals that may be required. He explained the process where water is converted to hydrogen and oxygen. B. Bietz responded to questions regarding the number of employees that will be required to maintain the site, indicating that it is not a high employment facility. He also explained how renewable energy certificates can be used to purchase conventional power and responded to questions about the market for renewable energy. G. Baden provided further information on the potential uses for the hydrogen produced by the facility. B. Bietz responded to questions regarding why the County of Newell was chosen as the potential site for this development, citing openness to development, access to the electrical power system, and access to water. F. Bajc responded to questions regarding the project timelines and water quality requirements. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering suggested the Supervisor of Planning & Development as the first point of contact to begin the process. He also suggested that Alberta Transportation may require a Roadside Development Permit depending on the facility's proximity to SH539. B. Bietz responded to further questions regarding access to the property. LEFT THE MEETING B. Bietz, F. Bajc, and G. Baden left the meeting at 11:59 a.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS 11.1 UPDATE - Highway Sign Recognizing the Brooks Bandits Councillor H. Kallen and the Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided an update, indicating that Alberta Transportation would not issue a permit for signs adjacent to the highway outside of the fence line on private property unless the sign is advertising the business on that property. Alberta Transportation suggested instead that the sign honoring the Brooks Bandits be incorporated into the four existing "Welcome to the County of Newell" highway signs. The Manager Page 5 of 7 Regular Council November 5, 2020 of Planning, Development & Engineering displayed a concept image, explaining that the "Welcome to the County of Newell" sign could be raised up on the posts and the "Get Newell Connect" sign changed to "Home of the Brooks Bandits." Another panel sign could be added below and used to display different information. Discussion followed and Council provided direction to the Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering to proceed with this idea for the signs. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 2020 Q3 Financial Information Package This item was accepted as information. 12.2 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS — continued 11.2 Comments by Premier J. Kenney on Taxation (RMA Fall 2020 Convention) Discussion followed regarding recent comments made by Premier J. Kenney during the RMA Fall 2020 Convention and Council agreed that more effort is needed to combat the perception that rural municipalities are not efficient and collecting too much in taxes. Key points to focus on are that the County of Newell has one of the lowest non-residential mill rates in Alberta and municipalities have limited funding sources for their budgets. Council suggested establishing a task force that would focus on educating the public and the government on this issue. Reeve M. Douglass reported that this issue was discussed during the Mayors & Reeves meeting before the RMA Convention. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that the group meet first with the new RMA President, the new RMA District 1 Director, and Cypress County. He provided information on the County's financial position, indicating that there has been little assessment growth, the capital investment plan is down from previous years, and municipal expenses are already among the lowest in the peer group. Discussion followed and it was agreed that work should start immediately with a committee that will consist of the Chief Administrative Officer and a group of Councillors. Other staff will be involved as required. C-362/20 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Reeve M. Douglass, Deputy Reeve K. Christman, Councillor C. Amulung, and Councillor B. de Jong be appointed to the Government Relations Advocacy Committee. MOTION CARRIED Further discussion followed. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would contact RMA District 1 Director J. Schneider and let the RMA know that the County of Newell has specific concerns to be addressed as soon as possible. She indicated that the issue will be discussed further with Mayors & Reeves. A meeting will be set up with the RMA President and District 1 Director and Cypress County. Page 6 of 7 Regular Council November 5, 2020 13. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m. Signed this (ot day of , 2020 Reeve County Administrator Page 7 of 7