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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-18 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL November 18, 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, November 18, 2021 commencing at 10:27 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N.Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services S. Yokoyama, Information & Technology Administrative Assistant (Moderator) M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning & Development W. Schaap, Manager of Agricultural Services S. Hanson, Controller A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: P. Carolan, HALO Air Ambulance D. Mapstone, Director - South Eastern Alberta Search & Rescue D. Thiessen, Treasurer - South Eastern Alberta Search & Rescue D. Martin, Searcher - South Eastern Alberta Search & Rescue 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:27 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council November 18, 2021 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (November 4, 2021) The following changes were made to the November 4, 2021 Council Meeting minutes: Page 5 - Motion C-322121 should read as follows: "MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Colliers project Leaders be appointed as Project Managers for the remainder of the Patricia Fire Hall project to construct a new pre-engineered building on the site, with the approval of the capital expenditure increase coming from the Capital Building fund in the 2022 budget." C-331/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the November 4, 2021 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-332/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN 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 2019-21 - 21 LUA 004 (Lot 7 Block 1 Plan 0915147 in NE 35-18-15-W4 - R-RUR to B-RUR) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding the location of the parcel and the flea market. If the bylaw is given first reading, adjacent landowners will be notified and given the opportunity to participate in the public hearing. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to further questions regarding the zoning and explained the different home -based business designations. C-333/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2019-21, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating Lot 7, Block 1, Plan 0915147 in NE 35-18-15-W4 from Residential - Rural District (R-RUR) to Business - Rural District (B-RUR), be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (November 2021) The Manager of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding rental equipment usage statistics and the 2022 Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference. C-334/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for November 2021 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING W. Schaap left the meeting at 10:52 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING P. Carolan arrived at 10:52 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Road Closure - Approval to Proceed (SW 13-20-14-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. If Council provides approval to proceed with the road closure, the adjacent landowners will be notified and given the opportunity to participate in the public hearing. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to further questions, indicating that a lease agreement would include a termination clause that would allow the County to provide notice and cancel the lease if the road allowance is required in the future. She responded to questions regarding the pivot design, indicating that the Eastern Irrigation District ensures that the applicant contacts the County prior to allowing any irrigation or construction of irrigation equipment on the road allowance. C-335/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Approval to Proceed be given to the road closure and LEASE of a portion of road allowance adjacent to SW 13-20-14-W4 to facilitate the installation of a new pivot. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:03 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 HALO Air Ambulance P. Carolan provided background on HALO Air Ambulance and the services that they provide. He displayed charts showing mission distribution by municipality for Page 3 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 the years 2018 through 2021, noting that an average of 12% of the missions were in the County of Newell. He also displayed a chart showing that most missions involve responding to accident scenes. P. Carolan indicated that HALO is the only medivac helicopter dedicated to serving southern Alberta, noting that over 75% of the County of Newell is within a 40-minute flight time. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. P. Carolan indicated that HALO has a good working relationship with STARS and outlined the differences between the two organizations. He gave an overview of how Alberta Health Services dispatches ambulances and helicopters. HALO is advocating changes to this process, but permanent funding must be secured before changes can be implemented. P. Carolan indicated that HALO is requesting that the County commit to increased funding for the next five years and that Council advocate for provincial government funding. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Mapstone, D. Thiessen, and D. Martin arrived at 11:21 a.m. P. Carolan responded to questions regarding the operational budget, indicating that 94 % of funding comes from HALO's fundraising efforts. The proposed budget model would include funding commitments from the provincial government and municipalities with 35-50% from fundraising efforts. He provided examples of the current funding arrangements in place with other municipalities, noting that one municipality has agreed to increase their contribution on the condition that the provincial government provides ongoing funding for HALO. P. Carolan responded to further questions from Council indicating that the goal is for HALO to provide 2417 service with their own paramedics. LEFT THE MEETING P. Carolan left the meeting at 11:34 a.m. 8.2 South East Alberta Search and Rescue D. Mapstone provided background information on South East Alberta Search & Rescue (SEASAR), indicating that there are about 36 volunteer groups in Alberta. SEASAR provides a variety of services related to search, rescue, and disaster management to assist other emergency services groups. She gave an overview of incident support provided and SEASAR's resources. For ground search activities, searchers must complete about 60 hours of training that meets CSA standards. D. Thiessen provided an overview of the SEASAR budget, indicating that grant funding is available for training. Operating costs, gear, and equipment are funded through donations, noting that the volunteers pay for their own personal gear. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. D. Thiessen responded to questions regarding donations, indicating that they vary from year to year based on different factors. D. Mapstone indicated that it is not widely known that there are thousands of search and rescue volunteers in Canada. Page 4 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 LEFT THE MEETING D. Mapstone, D. Thiessen, and D. Martin left the meeting at 12:07 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:08 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:10 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Hanson arrived at 1:10 p.m. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 2021 Q3 Financial Information Package The Controller presented the 2021 Q3 Financial Information Package to Council and gave an overview of the County's financial position as well as an update on investments, revenues versus expenditures, changes in assets, and cash flows. She indicated that reports will be presented to Council quarterly. The Annual Financial Report will be presented in place of a Q4 report. The Controller responded to questions regarding tax revenue. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that just over 98% of taxes for the current year are collected by the end of the year. This item was accepted as information. LEFT THE MEETING S. Hanson left the meeting at 1:19 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.2 Request for Recreation Funding Increase - Division 4 The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and outlined the process for divisional recreation funding allocations. He noted that the funding allocations vary by division depending on the facilities available. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding financial reporting, indicating that divisional recreation boards provide an annual summary of the funding received and the amount allocated to each organization. The County has not requested annual financial statements from the organizations that receive the funds. The divisional recreation boards are comprised of volunteers who decide where the recreation funding is allocated. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information, indicating that the funds are paid out to the organizations from an account controlled by the County. The process can be revisited if Council is interested in receiving confirmation from the organizations that the funding has been used. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions, indicating that funding not used in a given year is carried forward Page 5 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 to the following year. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. C-336/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the request for an increase of $18,000 to the Division 4 Recreation Board funding allocation. MOTION CARRIED 10.3 RMA Fall 2021 Convention — Resolutions Council was presented with the resolutions package for the RMA 2021 Fall Convention. Discussion followed on the resolutions and whether to support them. 1-21 F Emergency Medical Services Capacity and Service Delivery in Rural Alberta — Yes 2-21 F Disaster Recovery Program Cost Allocations — Yes 3-21 F Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways — Yes 4-21 F Provincial Health Restriction Decisions - More information required. 5-21 F Seniors' Foundation Requisitions - More information required. 6-21 F Historical Resources Impact Assessments - Yes. 7-21F Awareness Campaign for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) - More information required. 8-21F Privatization of Land Titles - Yes. 9-21 F Increasing Knowledge -Sharing Among Regulators of Cannabis Production Facilities - More information required. 10-21 F Site C Dam — BC Hydro - More information required or no. RECESS Council RECESSED at 2:05 p.m. and RECONVENED at 2:10 p.m. 10.4 Meeting with MLA M. Frey (Week of December 13, 2021) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. Council suggested the morning of December 14, 2021 and provided the following topics for discussion: • Bassano project • Ambulance service delivery • Provincial funding for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services 10.5 Joint Municipal Meeting (December 16, 2021) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. This item will be brought back to the December 9, 2021 Council meeting for further discussion. Page 6 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 10.6 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual Conferences The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. A random draw was held to determine which Councillors would attend each of the next four FCM conferences and the results were as follows: FCM 2022 (June 2 - 5, 2022 - Regina, SK) Councillor L. Kopp, Reeve A. Doerksen, and Councillor N. Johnson FCM 2023 (May 25 - 28, 2023 - Toronto, ON) Councillor H. Johnson and Councillor E. Unruh FCM 2024 (May 30 - June 2, 2024 - Calgary, AB) Councillor D. Short, Councillor A. Skanderup, and Councillor G. Skriver FCM 2025 (May 29 - June 1, 2025 - Ottawa, ON - unconfirmed) Councillor K. Christman and Councillor A. Philpott 10.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (October 2021) The Chief Administrative Officer provided an explanation of the Councillor Compensation Review process. Councillor D. Short responded to questions from Council, indicating that regular meeting times should be the same for all attendees. Compensation for meals is outlined in Policy 2020-PLG-014 Councillor's Compensation & Expenses. C-337/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the October 2021 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.8 Requests for Functions of Council 10.8.1 Alberta Provincial Police Service Transition Study Engagement Sessions Councillor K. Christman provided background information on this item. Discussion followed. C-338/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Alberta Provincial Police Service Transition Study engagement session in Brooks, AB on January 27, 2022 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Joint Services Committee Councillor K. Christman, Councillor G. Skriver, and Councillor N. Johnson provided a report from the most recent Joint Services Committee meeting. A sponsorship package for the pathway project has been approved and a subcommittee has been Page 7 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 established. Councillor N. Johnson expressed concerns with the project costs and the speed at which it seemed to be proceeding. The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information, indicating that the City and County have each committed $700, 000 towards the pathway and the remaining $1, 000, 000 must be raised from the community to ensure there is a commitment to the project. Municipal Stimulus Program funding has been approved to extend the current path 2.4km past the County facilities. Discussion followed and the Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions from Council. 11.2 Regional Emergency Management Exercise (November 10, 2021) Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor D. Short reported that the Regional Emergency Management Exercise was very well done. 11.3 Inter -Municipal Development Plan Committee (Duchess) Councillor D. Short reported that a meeting has been scheduled. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS — continued 13.2 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Mini Bus Monthly Report (October 2021) This item was accepted as information. 13.4 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. Page 8 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 14. IN CAMERA C-339/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 2:47 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Legal - FOIPP Act Section 27; • Legal - FOIPP Act Section 27; • Land - FOIPP Act Section 23; • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21; • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED C-340/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 4:09 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-341/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the process be initiated to remove the municipal reserve designation on the west 0.38-acre portion of Municipal Reserve lot legally described as Plan 0514207, Block 5, Lot 25MR, and the subsequent subdivision and sale to the owner of Plan 0514207, Block 5 Lot 26 for a purchase price of $15,000, plus all associated subdivision, surveying and transfer costs. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding the funding requests from HALO AirAmbulance and South East Alberta Search & Rescue. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council, indicating that County's contribution to HALO is $1.00 per capita annually and the contribution to STARS is $2.00 per capita annually. Discussion followed regarding funding contributed by other municipalities. C-342/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Council APPROVES the funding request from HALO Air Ambulance in the amount of $100,000 per year for the next three years. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council regarding the proposed funding allocation as compared to the contributions of other municipalities and the time commitment, indicating that Council must be comfortable that this is the service level to be provided to County ratepayers. Discussion followed regarding the information available in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services review and whether it is the responsibility of municipalities to fully fund air ambulance services. Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-342/21 - MOTION DEFEATED This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further discussion. Page 9 of 10 Regular Council November 18, 2021 Discussion followed regarding the request for funding from South East Alberta Search & Rescue. C-343/21 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council APPROVES the funding request from South East Alberta Search & Rescue in the amount of $5,000 per year for five years. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:34 p.m. Signed this 66 day of " - 2021 eve County A inis rats Page 10 of 10