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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-07 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 7, 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, October 7, 2021 commencing at 10:20 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren ; T. Fyfe (via Lifesize) K. Christman E. Unruh (via Lifesize) B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Moderator) G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services S. Luchies, Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation A. Davis, CAO -Town of Bassano D. Horvath, Oldman River Regional Services Commission Y. Cosh, CAO -Village of Duchess 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes -Council (September 23, 2021) C-302/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the September 23, 2021 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council October 7,2021 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-303/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN 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. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 11.1 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. The Supervisor of Planning & Development � responded to questions regarding how the value of a so/ar project is calculated for the electrical permits. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies arrived at 10:26 a.m. 10. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Draft Soil Conservation Policy The Director of Agricultural Services requested feedback on a draft Soil Conservation policy developed by the Soil Erosion/Degradation Advisory Committee. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the addition of a minimum of 20 tons/acre of manure after harvest followed by deep tillage as a soil erosion control method, indicating that the Agriculture Operation Practices Act (AOPA) requires manure to be incorporated. He responded to questions regarding the criteria for annual inspections. Council asked that the word "his"be removed from page 2 under Erosion Investigations/Complaints so that the line reads "The Director of Agricultural Services (or designate) ..." The Director of Agricultural Services responded to further questions; indicating that plans to control soil � erosion will differ for individual farming operations. Council accepted this item as information. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that he would review the feedback provided with the Soil Erosion/Degradation Advisory Committee and the revised policy will be brought back to a future Council meeting. Page 2 of 9 Regular Council October 7, 2021 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 11.2 Additional Costs to Fire Engine -Scandia Fire Department The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-304/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council APPROVES an increase in budget in the amount of $3,586.39 plus GST for the installation of ground sweep nozzles for the Scandia Fire Engine. Total costs of this project would be $433,586.39, coming out of the Capital Project Apparatus Replacement fund. MOTION CARRIED The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator responded to questions � regarding rural ambulance services, indicating that Alberta Health Services had met with the Chief Administrative Officers in the County last week. The topics discussed included slow response times, personnel timing out, and other issues. AHS recognizes the problem and is working on solutions but provided no timelines. The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator indicated that other municipalities in Alberta are having the same problems and that he will continue to work towards a resolution with Council and the Chief Administrative Officer. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information on this item, indicating that Alberta Health Services will be providing statistics to be used in future letters to the Minister of Health. The Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator reported that there will be an update on the status of ambulance services in Brooks and Bassano today. LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies left the meeting at 10:55 a.m. 12. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 12.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented the Utilities-NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. He provided details on the results of the residential lead testing, indicating that the homeowner will be given information on how to rectify any issues. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Steinley indicated that homeowners can contact one of many accredited laboratories in Alberta for residential water testing. He responded to questions regarding water odor issues that had been present throughout the summer, indicating that adjustments made at the water plant take time to flow through the system. He reiterated that the water is safe to drink and that the issues are working their way out of the system. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:07 a.m. Page 3 of 9 Regular Council October 7,2021 ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Davis arrived at 11:07 a.m. 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 Recreation Update -Town of Bassano A. Davis provided an update on Bassano's Recreation & Leisure Master Plan, indicating that implementation has occurred over the past five months. An application for grant funding has been submitted to the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre. If successful, the funding will be used to replace all interior and exterior lighting in the recreation facilities, which should result in lower power bills. ' Staff time has been dedicated to assist the recreation user groups in navigating COVID-19 restrictions and developing operational plans. A. Davis provided information on an art gallery space that has been secured in the Bassano Community Hall. A. Davis outlined accomplishments made over the past five months and requested Council's endorsement of the Recreation &Leisure Master Plan. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Horvath and Y. Cosh arrived at 11:13 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING A. Davis left the meeting at 11:14 a.m. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 11.1 Planning & Development Report—continued Discussion continued. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions, indicating that once the solar project is generating power, the cost of the panels is incorporated in the assessment. The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided an overview of the update on the Brooks So/ar Farm Project provided by SolarKrafte. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions from Council, indicating that the Alberta Utilities Commission considers various aspects of a project before providing approval. She indicated that private landowners must be aware of provincial policies protecting wetlands. C-305/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the Planning & Development Report for July - September 2021 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 11.3 Shortgrass Library System - 2022 Budget Approval The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. Page 4 of 9 Regular Council October 7, 2021 C-306/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the Shortgrass Regional Library System budget request for 2022. MOTION CARRIED C-307/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN thatwe move into Public Hearings at 11:30 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2018-21 Subdivision Authority Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:30 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. The Supervisor of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2018-21. The intent of this bylaw is to establish a Subdivision Authority. The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to neighbouring municipalities and required referral agencies. Cypress County, Wheatland County, the MD of Taber, and Atco Electric have indicated that they have no concerns with the proposed bylaw. The Village of Duchess has submitted a letter outlining their concerns. The Supervisor of Planning & Development indicated that these concerns are summarized and discussed from an administrative perspective in the Request for Decision included in the agenda package. She indicated that Duchess has requested that second and third readings of this bylaw be deferred to allow for further consultation, noting that doing so would result in no subdivision policy in effect within the Duchess Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) area or the Land Use Bylaw. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions from Council, indicating that meetings have been scheduled with Rosemary and Brooks to discuss IDPs in the coming weeks and that she hoped to also meet with Duchess soon. There were no persons in attendance speaking in favor of the proposed bylaw. D. Horvath, speaking on behalf of the Village of Duchess, outlined the concerns provided in the letter.• • The link between the subdivision policies in the IDP and the land use bylaw no longer exists. • The Subdivision Authority bylaw can be amended without holding a public hearing. • In the event of an appeal, the board hearing that appeal is not bound by the policies within a Subdivision Authority bylaw. Page 5 of 9 Regular Council October 7,2021 • The Village of Duchess doesn't support the flexible parcel described in article 6(a) as it could lead to premature fragmentation of agricultural lands. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Supervisor of Planning & Development indicated that the IDP could include policy regarding subdivision of farmsteads and single lot vacant parcels to reflect a parcel size that Duchess is comfortable with. The Manager of Planning, Development&Engineering provided further explanation as to the reasoning behind removing subdivision policies from the Land Use Bylaw. Discussions have occurred with Brooks, Bassano, and Rosemary and staff are aware of the need to meet with Duchess to resolve any concerns so that both parties are comfortable. D. Horvath indicated that changes in subdivision policies and the removal of the fringe district from the Land Use Bylaw should have been discussed between the County and Duchess. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions from Council regarding the process for updating IDPs and amending the Subdivision Authority bylaw. She a/so responded to questions regarding the number of development applications involving parcels in the Fringe District. D. Horvath responded to questions from Council, reiterating concerns with the lack of protection for Duchess resulting from the removal of the Fringe District. C-308/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:52 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2018-21 Subdivision Authority The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding the process if third reading is not provided to Bylaw 2018-21 at this meeting. C-309/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Bylaw 2018-21, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a Subdivision Authority, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-310/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that Bylaw 2018-21 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING D. Horvath and Y. Cosh left the meeting at 11:55 a.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:56 a.m. and RECONVENED at 12:55 p.m. Page 6 of 9 Regular Council October 7, 2021 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 11.4 Funding Allocation - Rosemary Recreation Area The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. While progress has been made on the recreation agreement with Rosemary, annual funding should be allocated to the Rosemary Ag Society. The existing agreement contains provisions that allow each Council to determine recreation funding allocations. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the Rosemary Ag Society has provided financial statements and he indicated that continuing to operate under the existing recreation agreement is acceptable. C-311/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council approve a payment of up to $2,500 for the Rosemary Area Recreation Board, contingent on a matching allocation being approved by the Village of Rosemary, and a payment of$22,000 to the Rosemary Community Ag Society for 2021. MOTION CARRIED 11.5 Potential for Change in Requirement for Council Code of Conduct Policy The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and asked if there was interest in submitting a letter of concern to Municipal Affairs. No official communication on this matter has been received from Municipal Affairs. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional background information on this item and responded to further questions, indicating that the County's Council Code of Conduct bylaw could remain even if the legislated requirement was removed. Discussion followed and Council provided direction to wait until official correspondence is received. 11.6 COVID-19 Update The Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on the results of the County's vaccination incentive. Currently, 78% of full-time County employees are fully vaccinated. The Chief Administrative Officer, Director of Corporate Services, and Manager of Corporate Safety Services will discuss possible next steps to ensure the safety of staff and ratepayers. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. 11.7 Assessment Model Changes — Public Awareness There was no new information on this item to discuss. 11.8 Councillor Payment Sheets (September 2021) C-312/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the September 2021 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 9 Regular Council October 7,2021 11.9 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 11.10 Payment Register The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that Chegues for Payment and Payment Registers do not need to be on Council agendas. Payments over$350,000 have already been approved as part of the budget process or a separate Council motion. Payment registers must be approved, but motions are not required. Discussion followed. Council indicated that payment registers will remain on the Council agenda as information for the future. C-313/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 11.11 Requests for Functions of Council Councillor H. Kallen provided information on attendance by the Safe Communities Committee at the Bow Slope calf sale on October 21, 2021. Discussion followed and Council indicated that this event would be part of the Safe Communities Committee representative's duties. 12. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS —continued 12.2 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 further questions regarding winter gravel programs, sourcing gravel, and land acquisitions pertaining to the Eastern Irrigation District Drainage Partnership. C-314/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities-NRSC Report for September 2021 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 9. DELEGATIONS —continued 9.1 Recreation Update -Town of Bassano— continued Further discussion occurred regarding the County's endorsement of Bassano's Recreation and Leisure Master Plan based on the information presented today. Page 8 of 9 Regular Council October 7,2021 The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information on the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework and Recreation agreements between the County and Bassano. Discussion followed and the Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council, indicating that endorsement allows Bassano to present it as a unified effort with the County as they engage their recreation user groups. C-315/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council endorses the Town of Bassano's Recreation & Leisure Master Plan. MOTION CARRIED 14. INFORMATION ITEMS 14.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report(August 2021) � This item was accepted as information. 15. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 16. ADJOURN The Chief Administrative Officer thanked Council for their years of service and congratulated them on their accomplishments. Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Signed this �day of N�Y�'"`"'�'�� , 2021 �`7.'" Reeve �.,�._ _ .� - County Administrator Page 9 of 9