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Home My WebLink About2021-08-05 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL M,INUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL August 5, 2021 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public via Lifesize on Thursday, August 5, 2021 commencing at 10:27 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen (via Lifesize) W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss �TAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Moderator) G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development S. Simpson, Development Clerk M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services S. Luchies, Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: N. Crosby, Brooks Bandits P. Seaton, Brooks Bandits 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:27 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (July 22, 2021) C-252/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the July 22, 2021 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED �_,='� -��,{� � �- Regular Council August 5,2021 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. '` ADOPTION OF AGENDA ' C-253/21 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. 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. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 10:37 a.m. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding clubroot, the grasshoppersurvey, and weed control. 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. He also outlined plans for water sampling in homes to be completed by the end of September 2021. ARRIVED AT MEETING N. Crosby and P. Seaton arrived at 10:51 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Steinley responded to further questions regarding the water sampling and water producfion rates. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:58 a.m. ; ��`�J'v'�-`� Page 2 of 8 Regular Council August 5,2021 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 9.2 Potential Declaration of Agricultural Disaster for Drought The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item. Water access is currently a concern and there could be serious issues next spring if there is not enough moisture through fall and winter. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-254/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Council declares a state of Agricultural Disaster for drought in the County of Newell. Discussion followed regarding the purpose of the declaration, which is to communicate the County's situation to the Provincial and Federal Governments and to show support to local agricultural producers. Reeve M. Douglass called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-254/21 - MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies arrived at 11:10 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 2021 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) Showcase (September 30 -October 3, 2021) N. Crosby and P. Seaton provided details on the 2021 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) showcase. N. Crosby indicated that funding and support has been provided by the City of Brooks and Hockey Alberta and the purpose of today's delegation is to offer the County of Newell the opportunity to provide similar support. He provided further details and outlined the economic benefits expected from the event. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. N. Crosby responded to questions, indicating that the City has provided the use of the Centennial Regional Arena and a grant has been received from Brooks Region Tourism. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding a motion approving funding in the amount of $25,000 for the 2021 World Junior A Challenge if the Brooks Bandits were successfu/ in their bid to host that event. N. Crosby and P. Seaton provided further information on events that were deferred due to COVID-19. The Chief Administrative Officer recommended that this item be referred to the Joint Services Committee with a specific funding request including budget requirements from the Brooks Bandits. P. Seaton responded to questions regarding economic benefits from previously hosted events. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that he would work with N. Crosby to prepare a request for the August 10, 2021 Joint Services Committee meeting. LEFT THE MEETING N. Crosby and P. Seaton left the meeting at 11:36 a.m. �-��''� �� Page 3 of 8 Regular Council August 5,2021 8.2 Report - Patricia Area Grass Fire The Rural Fire &Emergency Services Coordinator gave a presentation on a grass fire near Patricia that burned nearly 5,000 acres. Statistics were provided for the response, which involved around 250 firefighters and civilians July 29 -August 2, 2021. He provided an overview of the incident briefing and a debriefing with � Alberta Agriculture &Forestry that identified areas for improvement. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator responded to questions regarding livestock moves, the Emergency Communications Centre, and costs associated with the event. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information from the debrief with Alberta Agriculture &Forestry and rough cost estimates. LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies left the meeting at 12:38 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:38 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:18 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin, M. Jackson, and S. Simpson arrived at 1:18 p.m. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2016-21 Land Use Bylaw The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item. She gave an overview of the significant changes, including a list of developments that will no longer require a development permit provided that policy requirements and setbacks are met. She indicated that the subdivision policy will be created separately and will, for the most part, reflect the contents of the current policy. The City of Brooks has expressed concerns with the removal of the Fringe District and potential uses on these lands, which will be rezoned to reflect their agricultural nature. The Supervisor of Planning & Development reported that the County has been working with the City to update the Intermunicipal Development Plan since 2019 and ISL Engineering is assisting with preparing a growth study to determine the size of the IDP area. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided further information, indicating that the goal was a Land Use Bylaw that was easy to understand. He provided an overview of the virtual open house process and thanked ISL Engineering for their leadership. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering indicated that the County and its urban neighbours should work together to ensure that land use bylaws are being followed and be given the opportunity to comment on applications that could have an impact. The �" Supervisor of Planning&Development explained when applications are circulated ��`L � Page 4 of 8 Regular Council August 5,2021 for comment by the County and the City. Discussion followed and Council indicated that it is important to identify the area between the County and the City as a special development region. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on the Fringe District. Further discussion followed regarding whether specific wording is required that would indicate that permits can be brought to the Municipal Planning Commission for review if there is uncertainty. C-255/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Bylaw 2016-21, being a bylaw to adopt a Land Use Bylaw for the County of Newell, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin, M. Jackson, and S. Simpson left the meeting at 2:06 p,m. 7.2 Bylaw 2017-21 Unauthorized Use of County Property The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item. Legal counsel has recommended a bylaw, policy, and agreements that would allow a landowner's pivot to remain on land acquired by the County for projects. He responded to questions from Council regarding the process and provided additional details. Landowners want assurance that their pivots can remain in place and their farming operations can continue. C-256/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Bylaw 2017-21, being a bylaw for the purpose of regulating unauthorized use of property, be given FIRST reading. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council regarding the number of encroachments in the County, noting that there are several in the areas where the Eastern Irrigation District Drainage Partnership projects are planned. He provided information on other municipalities who currently have similar bylaws and policies in place. Discussion followed. VOTE ON MOTION C-256/21 - MOTION CARRIED 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 11.2 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 the grader operator rotation and conducting traffic counts. C-257/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for July 2021 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED �---- - 1��) Page 5 of 8 � Regular Council August 5,2021 11.3 Policy Review- 2021-PPW-064 Encroachment onto Roads/Road Allowances The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions, indicating that the policy can be adopted on its own as it does not reference the bylaw. Discussion followed. The policy will allow land acquisitions to proceed where encroachment agreements are required. The Director of Municipal Services responded to further questions from Council. C-258/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Policy 2021-PPW-064(Encroachment onto Roads/Road Allowances) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 3:04 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Council Boards & Committees Discussion The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. Council reviewed the information for each of the boards and committees identified in the Request for Decision. The CAO Performance Evaluation Committee will remain with the members appointed during the 2020 Organizational Meeting until the CAO's performance evaluation is completed for 2021. C-259/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Grievance Committee be removed from the list of appointments done during the annual Organizational Meeting; if this committee is required to meet, Council representatives will be selected at that time. MOTION CARRIED C-260/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) be removed from the list of appointments done during the annual Organizational Meeting; the County of Newell will continue to be a member in good standing, information from the BRBC and their events will be forwarded to all Council, and voting designates, if required, will be determined as needed. MOTION CARRIED C-261/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Red Deer River Municipal Users Group(RDRMUG) be removed from the list of appointments done during the annual Organizational Meeting; the County of Newell will continue to be a member in good standing, information from the RDRMUG and their events will be forwarded to all Council, and voting designates, if required, will be determined as needed. MOTION CARRIED �__. ;- -�� , �-_ Page 6 of 8 Regular Council August 5,2021 C-262/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA) be removed from the list of appointments done during the annual Organizational Meeting; the County of Newell will continue to be a member in good standing, information from the RDRWA and their events will be forwarded to all Council and voting designates, if required, will be determined as needed. MOTION CARRIED C-263/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the County of Newell ends their membership in the Canadian Badlands. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding the Brooks Region Tourism committee. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she had requested feedback from the Joint Services Committee. Discussion on the Brooks Region Tourism committee will be brought back to a future Council meeting. C-264/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Crime Stoppers Board and Rural Crime Watch be removed from the list of appointments done during the annual Organizational Meeting; information from these groups and their events will be forwarded to all Council. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding the Safe Communities Committee. The Chief Administrative Officer reported that the County provides 20% funding for Safe Communities under the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework agreement with the City of Brooks. Council will continue to appoint a representative to the Safe Communities Committee. C-265/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the County of Newell ends their membership in the Veteran's Memorial Highway Development Safety Association. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding the Newell 911 Dispatch Association. Councillor 8. de Jong responded to questions regarding the Newe11911 Dispatch Association and indicated that feedback had been requested from the Joint Services Committee. Discussion on the Newell 911 Dispatch Association will be brought back to a future Council meeting. C-266/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the County of Newell will remain a member of the Palliser Economic Partnership for two (2) years; after this period, the County's membership will be reconsidered. MOTION CARRIED 10.2 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness �.--�'� 1 l�_ �� There was no new information on this item to discuss. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council August 5,2021 10.3 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 10.4 Payment Register C-267/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 2021 Q2 Financial Information Package The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council regarding the County's financial position. This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Upcoming Community Events Councillor K. Christman provided information on the Bassano Rodeo on August 14, 2021. Discussion followed regarding the parade. 14. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Signed this�day of<_�C l�>l`��-,�_��. , 2021 � � '�� ' � _.� ,�`� P l :�--� Reeve � =- � County Admi istrator Page 8 of 8