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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-11 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL June 11, 2015 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, June 11, 2015 commencing at 10:12 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Molly Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson 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 A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath - County Planner - ORRSC T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services K. Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services P. Elliott, Administrative Assistant - Planning OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. 3. C-220/15 i Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (May 21, 2015) The following changes were made to the May 21, 2015 Council Meeting minutes: Page 11 - Item 11.3 - should read 'Deputy Reeve B. de Jong reported that he attended a meeting in Rosemary..." MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the May 21, 2015 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council June 11, 2015 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-221/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS 6.1 Bylaw 1833-15 - Amendments to Land Use Bylaw 1755-12 (Changes to Definitions) The County Planner provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council requested a list showing which definitions have been changed or deleted for comparison. Further discussion on this item will continue later during this meeting. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Subdivision Extension Request - Johnson Farms (2013-0-054) The County Planner provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-222/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the request for a time extension to subdivision application 2013-0-054 be APPROVED for one year to June 11, 2016. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS - CONTINUED 6.1 Bylaw 1833-15 - Amendments to Land Use Bylaw 1755-12 (Changes to Definitions) - continued Discussion continued on this item. The County Planner indicated that she would prepare a summary comparing the changes made to the original text. C-223/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1833-15, being a bylaw for the purpose of amending Land Use Bylaw 1755-12 to update and clarify uses and definitions in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, as amended, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Planning & Development Report The Manager of Planning & Development presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council was given the Page 2 of 8 Regular Council June 11, 2015 opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Planning & Development provided an update on the Millicent road closure and the headgates development. i C-224/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Planning & Development report for May 2015 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Remove Municipal Reserve Designations from 5 Parcels in the County The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The County Planner and the Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that the Municipal Parcel in Rolling Hills will be changed to a Public Utility Lot (PUL) and transferred to Newell Regional Services Corporation. The Chief Administrative Officer noted that the assets of both the County and Newell Regional Services Corporation should be reviewed in detail before anything changes hands. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated that a response has not yet been received from the landowner adjacent to the Municipal Reserve parcel in Tilley. C-225/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that Council APPROVES the recommendation of the Manager of Planning & Development to prepare a bylaw to rezone the parcel described as Lot 16MR, Block 1, Plan 821 0255 in Rolling Hills from MR - Municipal Reserve to PUL - Public Utility. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Ducks Unlimited Wetlands Restoration (Twp. 18 Rge. 13) The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, indicating that Ducks Unlimited is requesting a letter from Council approving the project. Reeve M. Douglass asked if the project would be ongoing and Councillor B. de Jong asked if there would be access to the well sites during the flooding. The County Planner reported that the new wetlands policy may require application to Alberta Environment for future road projects. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to questions, indicating that the plan is to restore the wetlands to its original state and the amount of water in different areas could vary from year to year. Councillor L. Juss asked if there would be a registry entry so that the status of the project could be accessed. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated that the County could request wetland mitigation credits in the letter. Further discussion occurred regarding the request for continued concurrence from the County. C-226/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the County of Newell supports the Ducks Unlimited Wetlands Restoration Project and has no objections regarding flooding of the road allowances as shown on the maps provided that Ducks Unlimited provides written assurance that the County of Newell will be given credit for the 6.41 acres of restored wetlands under this restoration project for future mitigation purposes; further, there is no need for closure of the road allowance at this time. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council June 11, 2015 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 7.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. He indicated that weed notices would be sent to the CPR and spraying will begin in the near future. There will be no fires permitted in Emerson Bridge Park until the poplar snow is gone. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that the weed inspection training and the session on gardening went well. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from Council regarding the control of milk weed and baby's breath. Councillor B. de Jong asked about the process following the issuance of a weed notice. The Director of Agricultural Services replied that the weed notice lists the weed type, location, control options, and a window of time in which the receiver must address the issue. A follow up inspection is done and if the problem is still present, a contractor is hired. There is also an appeal period. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to further questions from Council regarding the CPR and weed control and the County BBQ. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - CONTINUED 8.4 Policy Review - 2015-PPW-022 Road Allowance Closures for Lease or Purchase The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor A.M. Philipsen suggested that the application form include a line stating that the County has the right to open the road within 90 days. Reeve M. Douglass asked if the option to lease is recommended to applicants. The Manager of Planning & Development replied that it is made clear to the applicants that Council prefers leasing road allowances to selling them. She indicated that this would be added to the General Statements section of the policy. Councillor A.M. Philipsen suggested including sales of road allowances would be considered in special circumstances. This item will be brought back to the next Council meeting for further discussion. 8.6 Fire & Emergency Services Update The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and requested direction from Council regarding the preferred option. This direction will be communicated during the Joint Fire & Emergency Services meeting on June 24, 2015. Councillor B. de Jong proposed the 90/10% option if the funds generated from fire calls are returned to the County and the 75/25% option if the fire department retains the funds generated from fire calls. The Manager of Fire & Emergency Services indicated that the 90/10% split would be more compatible and that the funds generated from service calls be returned to the County to offset spending on capital equipment. The Manager of Fire & Emergency Services responded to questions from Council, indicating that these Page 4 of 8 Regular Council June 11, 2015 arrangements would be for the Town of Bassano, the Village of Duchess, and the \ Village of Rosemary. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the position that would be shared with the urban partners is that the County is prepared to cover 100% of equipment costs and 90% of operating costs. Councillor A.M. Philipsen suggested that the County be responsible for billing. The Manager of Fire & Emergency Services provided a summary for the 20 year capital replacement plan. Councillor B. de Jong asked about the financial implications associated with the proposed 50/50% funding arrangement for fire hall upgrades. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested feedback be received during the meeting with the municipalities involved to determine whether the 50/50% funding arrangement is workable for fire halls. The Manager of Fire & Emergency Services responded to further questions from Council, indicating that all the fire halls are different and the Fire Chiefs are working to determine their specific requirements. Discussion followed. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further discussion after the June 24, 2015 Joint Meeting with the County's urban partners. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:58 a.m. and RECONVENED at 12:53 p.m. 8.7 Request for Letter of Support - Tilley CATS Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program Grant Application The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor G. Simpson provided further background information on this item. Discussion followed. C-227/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that a letter be written in support of the Tilley Community Action Team Society's application for funding under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. MOTION CARRIED 8.8 Additional Requests for Letters of Support for CFEP Funding Applications The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-228/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that letters be written in support of applications for funding under the Community Facility Enhancement Program being submitted by the Rolling Hills Golf & Country Club and the Tilley Community Association. MOTION CARRIED 8.9 Meeting with MLA D. Fildebrandt (June 26, 2015) Discussion followed regarding inviting MLA D. Fildebrandt to meet with all Council. Councillor C. Amulung suggested preparing an agenda of topics that j have been discussed during previous meetings with Ministers, such as the Page 5 of 8 Regular Council June 11, 2015 Bassano project and road issues. The Executive Assistant will arrange this meeting. 8.10 Pre -Budget Meeting -Set Date The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-229/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Council set a pre -budget meeting, to be advertised as open to the public, for July 21, 2015 beginning at 9:00 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8.11 Cancelling or Rescheduling Upcoming MPC/Council Meetings Discussion followed and the Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-230/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the August 20, 2015 Municipal Planning Commission and Council Meetings be CANCELLED; further, that the November 19, 2015 Municipal Planning Commission and Council Meetings be CANCELLED and rescheduled, if required; further, that the December 24, 2015 Municipal Planning Commission and Council Meetings be CANCELLED and rescheduled, if required. MOTION CARRIED 8.12 Councillor Payment Sheets (April 2015) J C-231/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that the April 2015 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 8.13 Cheques for Payment C-232/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that cheque 181244 in the amount of $1,090,279.47 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED C-233/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that cheque 181288. in the amount of $867,355.00 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED C-234/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that cheque 181367 in the amount of $463,732.50 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED 8.14 Payment Register C-235/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED J� Page 6 of 8 Regular Council June 11, 2015 8.15 Requests for Functions of Council 8.15.1 Brooks & District Museum Canada Day Celebration (July 1, 2015) Discussion followed and it was determined that this should be a volunteer event. 8.15.2 Seniors OutReach Steak Dinner (June 22, 2015) Reeve M. Douglass volunteered to attend this event. LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 1:27 p.m. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS C-236/15 9.1 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 shoulder pull on Township Road 20-0, the relocation of gas lines in Bassano, and the dust abatement program. 9.2 Utilities - NRSC Report The Utilities-NRSC Report was presented to Council. Councillor B. de Jong provided an update on the project. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for May 2015 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS - CONTINUED 10.2 Bylaw 1836-15 AMENDMENT to Bylaw 1826-15 (Special Tax - Rolling Hills Raw Water Irrigation System) Council reviewed the report submitted by the Director of Corporate Services on this item. C-237/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Bylaw 1836-15, being a bylaw for the purpose of amending Bylaw 1826-15 (Special Tax - Rolling Hills Raw Water Irrigation System), be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-238/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Bylaw 1836-15 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 Regular Council June 11, 2015 C-239/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that consent be given for Bylaw 1836-15 to receive third reading this 11th day of June, 2015. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-240/15 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1836-15 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - CONTINUED 8.5 Funding Request - 2016 Chinese New Year Celebration Council reviewed the report which the Director of Corporate Services had submitted on this item and discussion followed. This request will be forwarded to the Newell Regional Tourism Association for their consideration. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report (April 2015) Council questioned whether feedback had been received regarding the fee increase and the schedule for Rolling Hills. This item was accepted as information. 12. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 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 1:48 p.m. Signed this a5 day of Page 8 of 8 2015