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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-21 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL July 21, 2022 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public via Lifesize on Thursday, July 21, 2022 commencing at 10:15 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: A. Doerksen, Reeve 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 T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Moderator) M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning and Development S. Simpson, Development Officer Z. Forest, Municipal Intern - Planning M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: D. Declercq, Brooks and District Health Foundation 2 3. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (June 23, 2022) The following changes were made to the June 23, 2022 Council Meeting minutes: Page 5 - Motion C-212122 - should read "MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor K. Christman attend the meeting Regular Council July 21, 2022 with the Minister of Health and Alberta Health Services in Medicine Hat, AB on June 23, 2022 as a function of Council." C-218/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR Kelly Christman that the June 23, 2022 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-219/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the agenda be adopted as amended. 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 2036-22 22 LUA 006 (Ptn. SW 17-18-14-W4, SE 17-18-14-W4 & Plan 9311870 Block 1 - A-GEN to DC) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-220/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2036-22, being a bylaw to redesignate portions of SW 17-18-14-W4, SE 17-18-14-W4, and Plan 9311870 Block 1 from Agricultural - General District to Direct Control District as shown in Schedule A and policy outlined in Schedule B, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Planning & Development Report (April - June 2022) The Supervisor of Planning & Development presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson arrived at 10:23 a.m. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions from Council. C-221122 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Planning & Development Report for July 2022 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 8 Regular Council July 21, 2022 LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson, S. Simpson, and Z. Forest left the meeting at 10:26 a.m. 10.2 Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator Agreement with the City of Brooks The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-222/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council thanks the City of Brooks for their cooperation and support provided over the past three years under the terms of the Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator agreement and requests a withdrawal from that arrangement in order to proceed with the direct employment of the Rural Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator. MOTION CARRIED 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding phragmites, milkweed, bacterial ringrot, and downy brome. Council suggested using the Brooks Bulletin to publish photos of weeds to raise awareness among urban residents. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that the "Weed Wednesday" social media posts are published regularly, and the Alberta Invasive Species Council provides weed identification materials. The Chief Administrative Officer thanked the Director of Agricultural Services for his efforts managing soil erosion orders. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:47 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.3 Committee of the Whole - Terms of Reference The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor H. Johnson left the meeting at 10:48 a.m. C-223/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the Terms of Reference for the County of Newell Committee of the Whole meeting be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council July 21, 2022 LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 10:49 a.m. 10.4 Alberta Municipalities' Convention (September 21-23, 2022) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor H. Johnson returned at 10:51 a.m. M. Harbicht arrived at 10:51 a.m. Discussion followed and Council suggested drawing names to determine the delegates for each year so that each Councillor will have the opportunity to attend one Alberta Municipalities' Convention during their term. It was noted that the 2022 Alberta Municipalities' Convention conflicts with the September 22, 2022 MPC/Council meeting. C-224/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Administration draw names to determine the Council delegates for the Alberta Municipalities' Conventions in 2022 through 2024. MOTION CARRIED 10.3 Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (September 16, 2022) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding potential resolutions on topics including adding a sunset clause in conservation easements, solar development reclamation fund, provincial trade barriers, nursing shortage. The Chief Administrative Officer and staff will prepare information on these topics for the August 11, 2022 Council meeting. 10.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (May 2022) C-225/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the May 2022 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED C-226/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Motion C-225/22 be TABLED for further discussion during the in camera portion of this meeting. MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council July 21, 2022 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 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 invasive mussels, the dust abatement program, guardrail upgrades at the Brooks Aqueduct, and student work opportunities. C-227/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Director of Municipal Services Report for June 2022 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:17 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:17 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:24 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Declercq arrived at 11:24 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Request for Appointment of County Representative - Brooks & District Health Foundation D. Declercq provided background information, indicating that the County and City have both been represented on the Brooks & District Health Foundation board of trustees in the past. She indicated that having municipal representation is beneficial for maintaining communication that helps the board make decisions. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor E. Unruh indicated that she had served as a volunteer on this board for five years but was not appointed by Council. D. Declercq indicated that there is not currently a City Councillor on the board. She responded to questions regarding the board's activities, indicating that the Brooks & District Health Foundation primarily manages donations received and allocates them to areas that enhance local health care. Board members attend at least nine meetings per year. LEFT THE MEETING D. Declercq left the meeting at 11:35 a.m. C-228122 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the request to appoint a Council member to the Brooks & District Health Foundation board be lifted from the table. MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 8 Regular Council July 21,2022 Discussion followed. Councillor K. Christman provided information regarding the application process. She indicated that she had applied as a volunteer and suggested that applicants would have to disclose whether they were being compensated. It was noted that Council appoints representatives to organizations that receive funding from the County with the expectation that the representative reports back to Council. Discussion followed. Council suggested that the Brooks & District Health Foundation be invited to report regularly to Council to maintain the lines of communication. C-229/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that a Councillor be nominated to the Brooks & District Health Foundation board for a three-year term. Further discussion followed, and Council indicated that not having representation on the Brooks & District Health Foundation board does not indicate a lack of support. Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-229/22 - MOTION DEFEATED Council asked that a letter be sent to the Brooks & District Health Foundation declining the request to appoint a Council representative and inviting them to address Council at any time. 12. COMMITTEE REPORTS 12.1 Calgary Stampede BMO Farm Family Awards Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report and provided a correction, indicating that she will be seeking compensation as Council passed a motion authorizing her attendance at the event. She reported that it was an honor to participate and thanked the Director of Agricultural Services and his staff for their work. 12.2 Newell Recycling/Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority/Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Councillor N. Johnson provided updates on Newell Recycling, the Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority, and the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association. 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS 13.1 Meeting at the Crop Diversification Centre South (July 27, 2022) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that the meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. The invitation has been extended to the City's Joint Services Committee members. Discussion followed. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council July21, 2022 C-230/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that any Councillor be permitted to attend the meeting with representatives from Alberta Agriculture, Forestry & Rural Economic Development at the Crop Diversification Centre South on July 27, 2022 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 14. INFORMATION ITEMS 14.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report (June 2022) This item was accepted as information. 14.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 14.3 Director of Information & Technology Report The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding the Regional IT agreement with the Town of Bassano. This item was accepted as information. 14.4 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA) Briefing Update July 1, 2022 This item was accepted as information. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:02 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:40 p.m. 15. IN CAMERA C-231/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move in camera at 12:40 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations — FOIPP Act Section 21; • Labour — FOIPP Act Section 17; • Personal Privacy — FOIPP Act Section 17. MOTION CARRIED C-232/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that we move out of camera at 2:25 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 Regular Council July 21, 2022 C-233/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that a cost -of -living increase of 3.75% be applied to the salary grid for all employees as of Thursday, August 4, 2022. MOTION CARRIED VOTE ON MOTION C-226122: MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the May 2022 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m. Signed this L � day of / ' �' � , 2022 Reeve County Administrator Page 8 of 8