Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-23 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL March 23, 2023 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Neweli was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public via Lifesize on Thursday, March 23, 2023 commencing at 10:01 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Short (via Lifesize) A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson (via Lifesize) G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh N.Johnson ABSENT: A. Philpott STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer S. Yokoyama, Information and Technology Administrative Assistant (Moderator) S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning and Development G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant S. Page, Planning and Development Administrative Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: A. Davis, CAO (Town of Bassano) I. Morey, Mayor (Town of Bassano) B. Flood, RemedX Remediation Services Inc (23 LUA 004) A. Ming, RemedX Remediation Services Inc (23 LUA 004) C. Wantono, RemedX Remediation Services Inc (23 LUA 004) T. Steidel, Mayor (Village of Duchess) (23 LUA 004) S. McKay, Newell Regional Landfill (23 LUA 004) K. Johnston, Newell Regional Landfill (23 LUA 004) M. Iwaasa, Brooks Newell Region Economic Development 4 County Ratepayers Regular Council March 23, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-83/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Councillor A. Philpott be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (March 9, 2023) C-84/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the March 9, 2023 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-85/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the agenda be adopted as presented. 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. 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2050-23 Special Tax (EID Water Users) The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-86/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2050-23 being a bylaw for the purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within subdivisions that are receiving waterworks from the Eastern Irrigation District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 C-87/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Bylaw 2050-23 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-88/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that consent be given for Bylaw 2050-23 to receive third reading this 23rd day of March, 2023. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-89/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2050-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Bylaw 2051-23 Special Tax (Rolling Hills Communal Raw Water Irrigation System) The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-90/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2051-23, being a bylaw for the purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within the Hamlet of Rolling Hills that are serviced by the Rolling Hills Communal Raw Water Irrigation System, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-91/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2051-23 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-92/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that consent be given for Bylaw 2051-23 to receive third reading this 23rd day of March, 2023. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-93/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2051-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 Bylaw 2052-23 Special Tax (Scandia Communal Raw Water Irrigation System) The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to guestions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information, indicating that Rolling Hills and Scandia request Page 3 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 funds to be allocated to maintenance of their community-run raw water irrigation systems. Councillor G. Skriver provided information regarding irrigation at Lake Newell Resort, indicating that each of the community associations operate and pay for their own irrigation systems. C-94/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2052-23, being a bylaw for the purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within the Hamlet of Scandia that are serviced by the Scandia Communal Raw Water Irrigation System, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-95/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2052-23 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-96/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that consent be given for Bylaw 2052-23 to receive third reading this 23rd day of March, 2023. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-97/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2052-23 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.3 Recreation Facilities Improvement Funding Application - Rolling Hills Agricultural Society The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding whether the project met the criteria for an urgent or emergency situation. Councillor D. Short provided additional information regarding the ice plant and responded to further questions from Council, indicating that the project will be a partial upgrade in preparation for a full upgrade in the future. Council indicated that Recreation Facilities Improvement Funding requests should include more than one quote and a budget outlining the funding sources for the requestor's portion. The Director of Corporate Services and Councillor D. Short indicated that the Rolling Hills Agricultural Society has provided confirmation that they have funds available, and the requested annual financial statements have been submitted. Discussion followed. C-98/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Administration requests that the Rolling Hills Agricultural Society obtain at least one (1) additional quote for the project and that Council APPROVES a Recreation Facilities Improvement Funding grant for the Rolling Hills Agricultural Society to complete an emergent upgrade of their ice plant facility Page 4 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 based on a cost shared percentage of 66% for the total expenditure of the project based on the lowest quote. MOTION CARRIED The Director of Corporate Services indicated that Administration will ensure future funding requests include more than one quote for projects that are not urgent or emergencies and a detailed budget outlining funding sources for all projects. 10.4 Annual Information Meeting Community Outreach Effort The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the Annual General meetings held in the past were focused on the previous year. If Council is interested in holding a public information meeting, he suggested more focus on the future and obtaining public feedback on how to move forward. Discussion followed. Council suggested advertising a question period in the afternoon at a regular Council meeting to allow ratepayers to attend in person or participate via the livestream. An additional session can be held in the evening to accommodate those who cannot attend during the day and guestions can be submitted prior to the meeting. C-99/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the County of Newell will advertise open question periods for the public during the regular Council meeting of April 6, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:57 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:02 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Davis and I. Morey arrived at 11:02 a.m. 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 Update - Bassano Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework/Recreation l. Morey expressed appreciation for ongoing collaboration between the County of Newell and the Town of Bassano. A. Davis provided an update on implementation of the Recreation and Leisure Master Plan and significant events, indicating that the action plan for 2022 focused on building relationships with user groups. She provided an overview of significant accomplishments and projects, noting that total operating expenses were under budget by 2. 7%. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. A. Davis responded to questions regarding the Small Town Smoke Down BBQ competition and the Page 5 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 Bassano Outdoor Pool youth mentorship program. Discussion followed regarding attracting senior lifeguards and Council suggested offering compensation for travel expenses to lifeguards who live out of town. A. Davis outlined the recreation action plan for 2023, which includes ongoing collaboration with user groups, reducing costs, and maximizing usership. She provided an overview of capital upgrades and projects that are planned for 2023. The Chief Administrative Officer thanked A. Davis for the level of detail provided in the reports. LEFT THE MEETING A. Davis and I. Morey left the meeting at 11:21 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.1 Road Closure - Approval to Proceed (Lease NE 32 & NW 33-19-17-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-100/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we proceed with the process for closing and LEASING the road right of way between NE 32 & NW 33-19-17-W4. MOTION CARRIED C-101/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move into Public Hearings at 11:32 a.m. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Flood, A. Ming, C. Wantono, T. Steidel, S. McKay, K. Johnson, and 2 County Ratepayers were in attendance for the Public Hearing 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2049-23 23 LUA 004 (SW 4-23-18-W4 - A-GEN to I-GEN) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:32 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. The Supervisor of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2049-23. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by re-designating a 104.73 acre portion of Page 6 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 SW 4-23-18-W4 from Agriculture - General (A-GEN) District to lndustrial - General (I-GEN) District to allow for the construction of a c/ass ll, non-hazardous waste landfill. The Supervisor of Planning & Development recommended this public hearing be recessed to allow additional time for affected parties to comment. The public hearing will reconvene at the regular Council meeting of April 6, 2023. The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item. If the land use amendment is approved, the applicant will proceed with a development permit for a c/ass ll, non-hazardous waste landfill and seek approval from Alberta Environment & Parks. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. The applicant was given the opportunity to speak and indicated that they would speak when the public hearing is reconvened. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding Duck Lake Road, indicating that it is suitable for servicing the proposed site. The Supervisor of Planning & Development indicated that conditions pertaining to access can be added at the Development Permit stage. C-102/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Public Hearing be RECESSED until the Council meeting of April 6, 2023. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Flood, A. Ming, C. Wantono, T. Steidel, S. McKay and K. Johnson left the meeting at 11:44 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.2 Road Closure - Approval to Proceed (Sale - SE 17 & SW 16-17-12-W4) The Supervisor of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Alternatives to a closure and sa/e include a closure and lease or an encroachment agreement for the pipe. She indicated the road accesses on the map and provided justification for selling the road allowance. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided additional information regarding railway crossings, indicating that it is unlikely for a new crossing to be installed at this location. He provided details regarding the crossing at TR172 which was upgraded recently. C-103/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we proceed with the process for closing and SELLING the road right of way between SE 17 & SW 16-17-12-W4. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson, G. Tiffin, and 1 County Ratepayer left the meeting at 11:59 a.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:59 a.m. and RECONVENED at 12:58 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Iwaasa arrived at 12:58 p.m. 9. DELEGATIONS — continued 9.2 Brooks Newell Region - Economic Development Update M. /waasa provided an overview of the core areas of Brooks Newell Region Economic Development. Significant economic success has resulted from businesses retention and expansion efforts. Five businesses were awarded funds through the NewGrow program, four of which were new businesses. Investment attraction focuses on diversifying the local economy, creating skilled jobs, and succession planning. M. /waasa indicated that 50 endorsements were made under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program allowing skilled workers to move to the region. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor K. Christman arrived at 1:04 p.m. Brooks Newell Region Economic Development continues to work with Brooks Region Tourism on tourism development. The Red Bull Outliers event and other sports tourism events bring in a significant amount of visitors. M. /waasa provided an overview of plans for 2023, which continue work on business expansion, rural workforce renewal, investment attraction, and the Kinbrook Connection Pathway. ARRIVED AT MEETING 2 County Ratepayers arrived at 1:09 p.m. M. Iwaasa gave an overview of upcoming events. The International Federation of Ag Journalists Congress & Farm Tour will be in the region at the end of June 2023. There are two intakes forNewGrow 2023. The Alberta 55+ SummerGames will be held August 17-20, 2023. A business symposium is planned for fa112023. Page 8 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht and T. Schroeder arrived at 1:11 p.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. M. Iwaasa indicated that Business-to-Business events will be held monthly over the summer. He responded to questions regarding attracting business investments, indicating that gaps and existing businesses are taken into consideration. M. /waasa responded to further questions regarding worker endorsements and the Kinbrook Connection Pathway. LEFT THE MEETING M. Iwaasa left the meeting at 1:18 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.5 Request for Proclamation - Resiliency Week (April 23-30, 2023) Council was presented with background information on this item. C-104/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council hereby proclaims April 23-30, 2023 as "Resiliency Week" in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED C-105/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillor H. Johnson be permitted to attend the Resiliency Day Celebration in Brooks, AB on April 25, 2023 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10.6 Councillor Payment Sheets (February 2023) C-106/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the February 2023 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.7 Requests for Functions of Council 10.7.1 Rotary Student Leadership Training (March 24, 2023) C-107/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillor K. Christman be permitted to attend the Rotary Student Leadership Training event on March 24, 2023 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Page 9 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 10.7.2 Town Hall Meetings with Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Services and Minister of Justice The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. C-108/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the town hall meeting with the Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Services and the Minister of Justice in Brooks, AB on April 5, 2023 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10.7.3 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Quasi-Judicial Agency Review Committee The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. Discussion followed. C-109/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillor K. Christman submit an application to sit on the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Quasi-Judicial Agency Review Committee and, if selected, that her work on this committee be considered a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 2023 Proposed Dust Abatement (County Paid) Program The Manager of Operations provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-110/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Council APPROVES the County Paid Dust Abatement plans as presented. MOTION CARRIED 11.2 Feral Cat Colonies/Cats-at-Large The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item, including examples of services provided in neighbouring municipalities. The County does not have the service capacity to deal with cats at large or feral cat colonies. The agreement with the Brooks Animal Protection Society is limited to dogs, which must be dropped off by a County Municipal Enforcement Officer. Funding could be made available to volunteer groups who would provide the services. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions and provided an example of what a service provided by a volunteer group could include. The Chief Administrative Officer provided information on potential non-profit organizations that would provide this Page ,10 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 service, indicating that this would be an ongoing funding commitment. Discussion followed. C-111/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that County Council continues with past practice where cats are not included in services provided by the County of Newell. LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht and T. Schroeder left the meeting at 1:51 p.m. 12. COMMITTEE REPORTS 12.1 Joint Services Committee MOTION CARRIED Councillor G. Skriver reported on funding allocated to the Rosemary Agricultural Society for the 2023 Farmers' Market and the lnternational Federation of Ag Journalists Congress & Farm Tour platinum sponsorship. 12.2 Recreation Board - Division 5& 10 Councillor G. Skriver and Councillor N. Johnson reported on funding requests approved by the Division 5& 10 Recreation Board. 12.3 Gem Community Association Reeve A. Doerksen reported that the Gem Community Association met last week. 12.4 Alberta 55+ Summer Games Councillor G. Skriver provided an update, indicating that volunteer leaders have been secured for the main sports. A call for volunteer helpers will follow. 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 14. INFORMATION ITEMS 14.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. Page .11 of 12 Regular Council March 23, 2023 15. IN CAMERA C-112/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 2:01 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Labour - FOIPP Act Section 17; • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPP Act Section 21. MOTION CARRIED C-113/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move out of camera at 2:37 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:37 p.m. Signed this ���day of , 2023 � �� Reeve County Administrator Page 12 of 12