HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-08 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL
MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL
December 8, 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, December 8, 2022 commencing at 10:02 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
S. Yokoyama, Information and Technology Administrative Assistant
(Moderator)
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
S. Hanson, Controller
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations
S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief
A. Ferguson, Fire and Safety Administrative Assistant
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin
ATTENDANCE: D. Andrews, Brooks Rotary Club
L. Pratt, Brooks Rotary Club
J. Aleman, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
A. Szoke, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
G. Walton, Brooks Elks
K. Sanford, Brooks Elks
S. Kearney, Armor Building Systems Ltd.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:02 a. m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
All members were in attendance at this meeting.
Regular Council
December 8, 2022
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Council (November 24, 2022)
C-337/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the November 24, 2022 Council
Meeting minutes be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS
Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C-338/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the agenda be adopted as
amended.
MOTION CARRIED
6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION
A guestion period and notice of motion was held. No County Ratepayers were in
attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no guestions from the public.
7. BYLAWS
7.1 Bylaw 2042-22 Schedule of Fees
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-339/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2042-22, being a bylaw for
the purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given FIRST reading.
MOTION CARRIED
7.2 Bylaw 2043-22 Meeting Procedures
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item,
outlining the amendments as required by Alberta Municipal Affairs. The Director
of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding the banking resolution
and the Councillor's Compensation & Expenses policy.
C-340/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2043-22, being a bylaw for the
purpose of regulating meeting proceedings, be given FIRST reading.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
December 8, 2022
9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
9.1 2023 Interim Budget
The Controller provided background information on this item and responded to
questions from Council.
C-341/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the 2023 Interim Budget be
approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
S. Hanson left the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
9.4 Additional Spending Request - Rosemary Sport Court
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and
responded to questions from Council. If approved, payment will be issued based
on 50% of the invoices submitted. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that
he would request an update on status of the land transfer from the School Board
to the Village of Rosemary.
C-342/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council APPROVES additional funding
of up to $20,000 to finish upgrades to the Rosemary multi-sport court from the Recreation
Fund.
MOTION CARRIED
9.5 Request for Letter of Support - Brooks Housing Society
Council was presented with a request from the Brooks Housing Society for a letter
in support of an application for funding to design and construct additional
affordab/e housing units.
C-343/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the County of Newell provides a letter
to the Brooks Housing Society in support of their efforts to develop additional affordable
rental housing units.
MOTION CARRIED
9.6 Joint Municipal Meeting (December 15, 2022) - Agenda Items
The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. Council
asked for a speaker to be identified for each item on the agenda to lead the
discussion. Council suggested an additional agenda item "consideration of inviting
the Eastern Irrigation District to future Joint Municipal Meetings."
9.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (October 2022)
This item will be discussed during the In Camera portion of this meeting.
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Regular Council
December 8, 2022
9.8 Requests for Functions of Council
9.8.1 Bow City Colony School Presentation (December 19, 2022)
Discussion followed and it was determined that presentations at divisional
schoo/s is part of a Councillor's work, not a separate function of
Council. Discussion followed and the Executive Assistant responded to
questions from Council. Councillor H. Johnson will give the presentation
to the Bow City Colony School.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
M. Harbicht arrived at 10:34 a.m.
9.8.2 Brooks Newell Region Entry to Innovation Event (December 6, 2022)
Councillor D. Short provided background information on this item and
responded to questions from Council.
C-344/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Councillor D. Short be permitted to
attend the Brooks Newell Region "Entry to Innovation" event in Brooks, AB on December
6, 2022 as a function of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
10.1 Director of Municipal Services Report
The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an
overview of the highlights.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
T. Schroeder arrived at 10:38 a.m.
Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal
Services responded to questions regarding Municipal Enforcement patrols for the
Eastern Irrigation District, gravel stockpiling, and snow removal timelines.
C-345/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the Director of Municipal Services
Report for November 2022 be APPROVED as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
10.2 Policy Review - POL-006-22 Snow Plowing & Sanding
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding snow
removal. The Director of Municipal Services indicated that the goal is to have
gravel roads cleared within three days of a snow event, but weather conditions are
a factor. Service requests must be submitted through Newell Connect or by calling
the County office in order for managers and supervisors to dispatch resources to
priority areas. The Director of Municipal Services responded to further questions
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Regular Council
December 8, 2022
from Council. Further discussion on this item was postponed until the In Camera
portion of this meeting.
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Harbicht and T. Schroeder left the meeting at 11:05 a.m.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
S. Luchies, A. Ferguson, D. Andrews, L. Pratt, J. Aleman, A. Szoke, G. Walton, K. Sanford, and
S. Kearney arrived at 11:05 a.m.
8. DELEGATIONS
8.1 Recognition of Donations to Fire & Emergency Services
The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item
regarding donations received from Canadian Natural Resources Limited and the
Brooks Elks #77 which were used towards the County's firefighter training
program. Armor Building Systems Ltd. provided in kind support to reduce the costs
of the Rolling Hills Fire Hall; further, they purchased the original Patricia Fire Truck
at an auction that supported the Brooks Legion and donated this truck to the
Patricia Fire Hall for display purposes. The donors will be recognized with plaques
presented later during this meeting.
Councillor D. Short thanked the Newell Regional Fire Chief for his work on the
Rolling Hills Fire Hall. Reeve A. Doerksen thanked the representatives of the
Brooks Elks #77, Armor Building Systems Ltd, and Canadian Natural Resources
Limited for their generous donations supporting Fire & Emergency Services.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued
9.2 Donation of Duchess Fire Engine to Los Amigos Project
The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item and
responded to questions from Council.
C-346/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council APPROVES the donation of
the 1990 GMC Front Mount Fire Engine to the Los Amigos Project.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
S. Luchies, A. Ferguson, D. Andrews, L. Pratt, J. Aleman, A. Szoke, G. Walton, K. Sanford, and
S. Kearney left the meeting at 11:18 a.m.
RECESS
Council RECESSED for donor plaque presentations at 11:18 a.m. and RECONVENED at
11:36 a. m.
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Regular Council
December 8, 2022
9.3 Potential Council Representation on Eco Brooks Committee
The Director of Corporate Se►vices provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and Council
indicated that the Eco Brooks Committee is an operational board.
C-347/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the County of Newell Council decline
the request to appoint a representative to the Eco Brooks Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
11. POST AGENDA ITEMS
11.1 Request for Letter of Support - Southern Alberta Energy from Waste
Association
Council was provided background information on this item. Discussion followed.
C-348/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the County of Newell provides a letter
in support of the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association's application to the
Alberta Community Partnership - Intermunicipal Collaboration Fund.
MOTION CARRIED
12. INFORMATION ITEMS
12.1 Payment Registers
This item was accepted as information.
12.2 2022 Q3 Financial Information Package
This item was accepted as information.
12.3 Strategic Priorities Chart
This item was accepted as information.
12.4 Letter from Cardston County - Rural Veterinarian Shortage
Discussion followed. Council noted that a letter from Cypress County expressing
concerns with a shortage of rural veterinarians had been reviewed and suggested
that the County send a letter with a similar message focusing on increasing rural
veterinary students. The Chief Administrative Officer reported that the Director of
Corporate Services is drafting a letter.
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Regular Council
December 8, 2022
12.5 Newell Regional Landfill - Transfer Station Acceptable/Unacceptable
Material & Commercial Fees
The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that he would contact the Newell
Regional Solid Waste Management Authority to ensure the changes are in line
with the agreement. This item was accepted as information.
12.6 Brooks Newell Region NewGrow Results
CouncillorA. Philpott presented the results of the NewGrow 2022 Pitch Night and
responded to questions from Council.
13. IN CAMERA
C-349/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move in camera at 11:47 a.m.
to discuss the following matters:
• Intergovernmental Relations — FOIPP Act Section 21;
• Advice from Officials — FOIPP Act Section 24.
MOTION CARRIED
LUNCH
Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:41 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:00 p.m.
C-350/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move out of camera at 2:06 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
C-351/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the October 2022 Councillor
Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor
Compensation Review Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
C-352/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-006-22 (Snow Plowing &
Sanding) be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
C-353/22 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council APPROVES the sale of the
Old County of Newell Administration Building (707 2nd Avenue East, Brooks, AB) to
Grasslands School Division for the nominal amount of $1.00 and all closing costs.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
December 8, 2022
14. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:08 p.m.
Signed this 2�" -day of a���-'`"`�'�� , 2022
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Reeve
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County Administrator
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