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Home My WebLink About2023-03-09 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL March 9, 2023 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public via Lifesize on Thursday, March 9, 2023 commencing at 10:38 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: STAFF: A. Doerksen, Reeve D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N.Johnson M T. M Z. L. R. A. S. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer Green, Director of Agricultural Services (Moderator) Jackson, Supervisor of Planning and Development Forest, Municipal Intern - Planning Johnson, Director of Corporate Services Fernell, Director of Information and Technology Nielsen, Executive Assistant Page, Planning and Development Administrative Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation 1 County of Newell Ratepayer CALL TO ORDER 2. � C-66/23 Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:38 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (February 23, 2023) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the February 23, 2023 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council March 9, 2023 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-67/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the agenda be adopted as amended. 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION MOTION CARRIED 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. 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented the Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an ove►view of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask guestions. K. Steinley responded to questions regarding site assessment and cleaning for wastewater lagoons. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:48 a.m. 11.2 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services Report was presented to Council. C-68/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for February 2023 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson and T. Green arrived in at 10:50 a.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. He provided details regarding the Know Your Food Trailer event, indicating that 400 students will be visiting the displays in the County yard May 2-4, 2023. He also provided information regarding a shelterbelt workshop on March 13, 2023 and indicated that seasona/ campsites Page 2 of 8 Regular Council March 9, 2023 are available at Emerson Bridge Park. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:55 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Recreation Facilities Improvement Funding Application - Rolling Hills Campground The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor D. Short provided additional background information on the funding application. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that financial statements for the Rolling Hills Agricultural Society are available. Council requested that project budgets be submitted as part of future funding applications. C-69/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council APPROVES funding in the amount of $15,000 from the Recreation Fund for the expansion of the Rolling Hills Campground facility. MOTION CARRIED 10.2 Policy Review - POL-015-23 Substance Abuse The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council regarding when testing is required, indicating that Appendix A outlines the thresholds that will be used to determine whether an individual is fit for duty. C-70/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-015-23 (Substance Abuse) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:06 a.m. 10.3 Policy Review - Information & Technology Department The Director of Information & Technology provided background information on three policies that have been updated to reflect the current IT infrastructure, strategies, and industry standards of IT governance. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Information & Technology provided an update on the recent activities of the IT Department, including Council Chambers conference equipment, IT Co-op students that will be helping complete the equipment refresh program over the summer, developing work plans for a Communications Coordinator, preventative maintenance, and process reviews. Page 3 of 8 Regular Council March 9, 2023 C-71/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the foliowing policies be adopted as presented: • POL-016-23 (Data Backup) • POL-017-23 (IT Server & System Maintenance) • POL-018-23 (Network Security). MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell and Reeve A. Doerksen left the meeting at 11:17 a.m. Deputy Reeve K. Christman assumed the Chair. 10.4 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Spring 2023 Convention Resolutions Council was presented with the resolutions package for the RMA Spring 2023 Convention. Discussion followed. Council will review the resolutions prior to the voting session. ARRIVED AT MEETING Reeve A. Doerksen returned at 11:22 a.m. and assumed the Chair. 10.5 UPDATE RMA Spring 2023 Convention - Meetings with Ministers The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Meetings have been confirmed with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Commanding Officer of RCMP "K" Division so far. Discussion followed regarding which Councillors would attend the meetings. Further updates regarding meetings with Ministers during the RMA Spring 2023 Convention will be provided via e-mail. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Jackson and Z. Forest arrived at 11:30 a.m. C-72/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move into Public Hearings at 11:30 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2047-23 23 LUA 002 (Plan 7811556 Block X Lot 1- R-RUR to A-SML) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:30 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Supervisor of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2047-23. The intent of this bylaw is to Page 4 of 8 Regular Council March 9, 2023 amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating all of Plan 7811556, Block X, Lot 1 from Residential - Rural District to Agriculture - Small Lot District. The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to adjacent landowners and to a list of affected agencies. No responses have been received from adjacent landowners. None of the affected agencies have indicated any objections. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 7.2 Bylaw 2048-23 23 LUA 003 (Plan 7811556 Block X Lot 2- R-RUR to A-SML) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:32 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Supervisor of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2048-23 The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating a// of Plan 7811556, Block X, Lot 2 from Residential - Rural District to Agriculture - Small Lot District. The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to adjacent landowners and to a list of affected agencies. No responses have been received from adjacent landowners. None of the affected agencies have indicated any objections. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Supervisor of Planning & Development responded to questions from Council. C-73/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:35 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2047-23 23 LUA 002 (Plan 7811556 Block X Lot 1- R-RUR to A-SML) C-74/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2047-23, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating all of Pian 7811556 Block X Lot 1 in NW 17-20-14-W4 from Residential - Rural District to Agriculture - Small Lot District, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 8 Regular Council March 9, 2023 C-75/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Bylaw 2047-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Bylaw 2048-23 23 LUA 003 (Plan 7811556 Block X Lot 2- R-RUR to A-SML) C-76/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Bylaw 2048-23, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating all of Plan 7811556 Block X Lot 2 in NW 17-20-14-W4 from Residential - Rural District to Agriculture - Small Lot District, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-77/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2048-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson and Z. Forest left the meeting at 11:36 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.6 2023 Citizen of the Year/Junior Citizen of the Year Gala and Request for Proclamation - National Volunteer Week (April 16-22, 2023) Council was presented with background information on this item. Discussion followed and it was noted that the Councillor appointed to the Grasslands Regional FCSS board has attended the Citizen of the Year & Junior Citizen of the Year Gala in the past. C-78/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Council hereby proclaims April 16-22, 2023 as "National Volunteer Week" in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 10.7 Requests for Functions of Council 10.7.1 Eastern Irrigation District Annual General Meeting (March 7, 2023) Discussion followed regarding attending the Eastern Irrigation District's Annual General Meeting. C-79/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Eastern Irrigation District's Annual General Meeting as a function of Council. MOTION DEFEATED 10.7.2 Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council Discussion followed regarding the Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council meeting on March 20, 2023 and whether a Councillor should attend. Councillor K. Christman provided additional information, indicating Page 6 of 8 Regular Council March 9, 2023 that these meetings are held quarterly, and anyone can attend in person or online. The Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council is currently seeking board members. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS 12.1 Request for Letter of Support - Medicine Hat College Business Administration Diploma Program The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-80/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the County of Newell provides a letter to Medicine Hat College in support of the addition of a Business Administration Diploma Program to the course offerings at the Brooks Campus. MOTION CARRIED 12.2 Joint Meeting - Grasslands School Division The Chief Administrative Officer provided information on this item. Discussion followed regarding proposed dates and Council indicated May 11, 2023 as the first choice with May 25, 2023 as an alternate date. This item will be brought back to a future Cbuncil meeting for discussion of agenda items. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Mini Bus Monthly Report (February 2023) This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.4 Letter from Municipal Affairs - 2023 Budget This item was accepted as information. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council March 9, 2023 14. IN CAMERA C-81/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move in camera at 11:45 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED C-82/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 12:46 p. m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:46 p.m. r� Signed this 23 day of �� , 2023 eve IA \ ` ` — County Administrator Page 8 of 8