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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-01 Annual General Meeting (Annual General) MinutesCounty of Newell No. 4 Minutes of the 49th Annual Meeting May 1, 2002 The 49th Annual Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held at the Medicine Hat College, Brooks Campus, on Wednesday, May 1, 2002 commencing at 1:30 p.m. Members Present Reeve W. Daniels Councillors V. Fabian G. Musgrove C. Vermeeren J. Harbinson E. Moss M. Loewen A. Eckert A. Pickett A.S.B. Fieldman S. Wylie Supt. of P.W. E. Somerville Assessor J. Dell Assistant Administrator N. Moriyama Administrator A. Martens Twenty ratepayers were in attendance for the 49'" Annual Meeting of the County of Newell #4. Election of Chairman The Administrator called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. and called for nominations for the position of Chairman. N. Berg nominated A. Peltzer. There being no further nominations, the Administrator declared that nominations cease. A. Peltzer was declared Chairman and assumed the Chair. 2. Election of Secretary Nominations were opened for the position of Secretary. Councillor Loewen nominated A. Martens. There being no further nominations, the Chairman declared that nominations cease. A. Martens was declared Secretary. 3. Adoption of Agenda Moved by N. Berg that the Agenda be adopted as presented. Carried. 4. Reading & Approval of Minutes of the 48fh Annual Meeting Minutes of the 48" Annual Meeting held April 11, 2001 were read bythe Secretary. Moved by Councillor Loewen that we adopt these minutes as amended. Carried. 5. Business from Minutes 1. Regional Water System Administrator, A. Martens, presented an up -date on the County of Newell's progress to initiate a Regional Water System. 6. Reeve's Report Reeve Daniels presented the Reeve's Report. Moved by Reeve Daniels that we adopt this report. Carried. a) Discussion & Questions The Reeve introduced the new Council members. The Chairman also called upon the returning Councillors to introduce themselves for the benefit of those in attendance. 7. Agricultural Service Board Chairman's Report The Agricultural Service Board Chairman, Councillor Loewen, presented this report. Moved by Councillor Loewen that we adopt this report. Carried. a) Discussion & Questions Concerns regarding coyote problems were discussed. 8. Delegation Dr. Brian Bietz, NRCB Chairman i Reeve Daniels introduced NRCB Chairman, Dr. Brian Bietz. Dr. Bietz presented information on the NRCB's role in the Provincial approval process and regulatory function of Confined Feeding Operations. He noted that local needs will be taken into account and that their mandate is to ensure that growth in the industry occurs in the best interests of all Albertans and that industry growth does not impact negatively on the environment and respects the rights of others. Concerns from those in attendance were addressed regarding the right to farm, the impact on small i operations, the limitations placed by this legislation on operations that cannot expand because of the minimum distance separation requirements and the fact that legislation may result in municipalities turning down applications for residential dwelling units. 9. Delegation Darrel Camplin Terry Becker & Darin Davidson - Alberta Transportation Reeve Daniels introduced Alberta Transportation Regional Director, Darrel Camplin, who, in turn, introduced Terry Becker & Darin Davidson. The delegation reviewed Alberta Transportation's program development and delivery process and its maintenance process for Provincial Highways, which include primary highways and previously -named secondary highways. Questions and comments included the sub -par paving of roads by Alberta Transportation, the delay in projects such as the Bow City Bridge, the low rating given to the safety criteria in the development of the Provincial programming process, the relocation of stop signs on secondary highways making them less visible and leaving less time to react, projects thatwill be taking place in the County in 2002, priority rating of Secondary Highway 561 and the deterioration and safety concerns of Secondary Highway 876. 10. Municipal Committee Chairman's Report The Municipal Committee Chairman, Councillor Harbinson, presented this report. Moved by Councillor Harbinson that we adopt this report. Carried. a) Discussion & Questions Questions and concerns raised included the 2002 Calcium Program, calculations of the County of Newell's costfor gravelling for 2001 and the numberof approaches on paved Range Road 150 from the JoAnn Trucking Road to the TransCanada Highway. 11, Assessor's Report County Assessor, John Dell, presented this report. Moved by J. Dell that we adopt this report. Carried. a) Discussion & Questions It was noted that ratepayers in Divisions 4 & 6 should be notified that a visual assessment of their properties will take place in 2002 and that Assessors doing this assessing should have signed vehicles and carry picture I.D. The Assessor noted that information on the farm property assessment review is available at the M.L.A.'s Office. 12. New Business 1. Farm Property Assessment Assessor, John Dell, presented information on the proposed farm property assessment. Questions arose as to whether or not the discrepancy between how a property is assessed and how the property is zoned for planning purposes has been alleviated and whether or not there is co-operation between the Assessment Department and the Planning Department in sharing information on unauthorized developments. 2. Agricultural Drought Disaster Area Agricultural Fieldman, Steve Wylie, presented information on the County of Newell's declaration of the County as an Agricultural Drought Disaster Area. Questions were asked regarding the effect of this declaration. A question was also asked whether or not grazing leases will be available. Concerns were raised with the Grass Insurance Program, especially for those properties where the program will be triggered by rainfall. 13. Other Items 1. 2002 Roadwork Program Councillor Harbinson informed those in attendance that copies of the 2002 Roadwork Program were available and that maps of the program were put up on the wall. He also indicated that Volker Stevin is looking at placing calcium on secondary highways. 2. Impact of Calcium on Spruce Trees Councillor Eckert asked if calcium had a negative impact on spruce trees. The Superintendent of Public Works noted that we cannot place calcium down in the wind as the salt could indeed damage trees. 3. Area Structure Plans/Land Use By-law As was the case with the recently -approved three Area Structure Plans, a question was held as to whether or not the Land Use By-law would go through a public process. It was noted that Open Houses will be held and, in addition, a Public Hearing is a must prior to the adoption of the Land Use By-law. 4. Elected Officials/Designated Officers' Salaries Moved by N. Berg that the Schedule of Elected Officials/Designated Officers' Salaries be included in the Financial Statements circulated to ratepayers. Carried. 5. Benefit of Guest Speakers Chairman A. Peltzer asked those in attendance whether or not they felt having guest speakers at the Annual Meeting was beneficial. Comments included that the guest speakers were very informative but, because of the length of the meeting, people were leaving. The suggestion was also made that the Annual Meeting is held too late in the year. 6. One Tree Road Deficiencies It was noted that the County dropped its suit regarding deficiencies on the One Tree Road. 14. Adjourn Moved by Councillor Musgrove that the meeting adjourn at 5:18 p.m. Carried. CHAIRMAN SECRETARY