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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-07 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL September 7, 2023 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, September 7, 2023 commencing at 10:34 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 M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Perry, Eastern Irrigation District Historical Park G. Olexyn, Eastern Irrigation District Historical Park 1. 2. 3. C-283123 CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:34 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (August 10, 2023) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the August 10, 2023 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council September 7, 2023 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-284/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT 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. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Policy Review - POL-028-23 Administration of the Safety Codes Act The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-285/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Policy POL-028-23 (Administration of the Safety Codes Act) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin left the meeting at 10:39 a.m. 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 8.2 2023 South Region Agricultural Services Board (ASB) Conference (October 18, 2023) The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillors interested in attending this conference will contact the Director of Agricultural Services. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that the County of Newell would be hosting the South Region ASB Conference in 2024. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:47 a.m. Page 2 of 7 Regular Council September 7, 2023 RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:47 a.m. and RECONVENED at 10:51 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 9.2 Funding Request - Recreation (Rosemary Community Agricultural Society) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding efforts to update the recreation agreement with the Village of Rosemary. He suggested allocating resources towards updating recreation agreements in the upcoming budget and developing a standardized approach to allocating funding to the groups providing recreation services would be beneficial, noting that reaching a consensus is challenging. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the funding request is based on financial statements provided by the Rosemary Community Agricultural Society. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions regarding the recreation services provided by the Rosemary Community Agricultural Society. Discussion followed. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Perry and G. Olexyn arrived at 11:03 a.m. C-286/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council approves a recreation funding allocation in the amount of $22,850 to the Rosemary Community Agricultural Society for 2023. Councillor E. Unruh provided additional background information. Further discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that he would contact the Chief Administrative Officer of the Village of Rosemary to request a meeting of the Rosemary Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee to renew recreation agreement discussions. Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-286/23 - MOTION CARRIED 9.3 2024 Southern Alberta Ortho Photo Partnership The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-287/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the County of Newell agrees to participate in the 2024 Southern Alberta Ortho Photo Partnership and that the MD of Willow Creek be appointed as the Managing Partner for the project. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 7 Regular Council September 7, 2023 9.4 Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (September 15, 2023) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association meeting agenda for September 15, 2023 will be forwarded to Council via e-mail when it becomes available. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Recreation Facilities Improvement Funding Request - EID Historical Park The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that funding is requested for work that has been completed at the EID Historical Park campground. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional background information, indicating that under the current Recreation Facilities Improvement Funding policy, the County would provide 70% of funding for the project. As a Category 3 project, there should be a return on investment to the County in the form of lower operating costs for the facility. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. G. Olexyn responded to questions regarding the use of the campground, indicating that they are developing a better website for advertising purposes. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding mitigating risk of ownership for year-round campers, indicating that there are no squatters' rights in Alberta. S. Perry and G. Olexyn responded to questions regarding campground vacancy, indicating that some of the sites are kept open for campers passing through. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding assessment of the permanent campsites, indicating that the tax notice would be sent to the EID Historical Park and they would follow up with the occupants of the sites. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions. G. Olexyn and S. Perry responded to questions regarding rates charged for the campsites and services available at the campground. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. Councillor H. Johnson provided background information on the EID Historical Park, noting that the Eastern Irrigation District does not provide any funding. C-288/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Council APPROVES a Recreation Facilities Improvement Funding grant (Category III) in the amount of $26,905 for the Eastern Irrigation District Historical Park for the campground expansion project. MOTION CARRIED G. Olexyn and S. Perry responded to further questions regarding the EID Historical Park campground. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the EID Historical Park, like most recreation facilities in the County, is operated by volunteers. Council indicated that their efforts are appreciated. LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson, S. Perry, and G. Olexyn left the meeting at 11:36 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued Page 4 of 7 Regular Council September 7, 2023 9.5 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Fall 2023 Convention The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, reporting that a meeting with Premier/MLA D. Smith has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. The Executive Assistant was directed to arrange meetings with the following: • Minister of Transportation & Economic Corridors - Highway 36 interchange, Lake Road • Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation - Crop Diversification Centre South • Minister of Tourism & Sport - Kinbrook Island Park Group Use Site • Minister of Forestry & Parks - Kinbrook Island Park Group Use Site • Minister of Infrastructure - Kinbrook Island Park Group Use Site, Crop Diversification Centre South • Minister of Seniors, Community & Social Services - Bassano Housing Project Update The Chief Administrative Officer suggested meeting with the Minister of Finance outside of the RMA convention to promote the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association project and the Crop Diversification Centre South. Discussion followed regarding the Kinbrook Island Park Campground. Councillor N. Johnson provided additional information, indicating that the Joint Services Committee would be discussing this issue during their next meeting and the City and the Eastern Irrigation District will be asked to send letters as well. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information. C-289/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Administration draft a letter to the Minister of Forestry & Parks and the Minister of Infrastructure requesting an update on the agreement for the group use site at Kinbrook Island Park. MOTION CARRIED 9.6 Cancel/Reschedule Upcoming Meetings The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. C-290/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the November 9, 2023 Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) and Council meetings be CANCELLED MOTION CARRIED 9.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (July 2023) C-291/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the July 2023 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 7 Regular Council September 7, 2023 9.8 Requests for Functions of Council 9.8.1 Palliser Economic Partnership Strategic Planning Session (September 8, 2023) C-292/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Reeve A. Doerksen be permitted to attend the Palliser Economic Partnership Strategic Planning Session on September 8, 2023 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.8.2 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Annual General Meeting (September 22, 2023) C-293/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Annual General Meeting on September 22, 2023 a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.8.3 Cypress County Ag Connections Conference (November 22, 2023) C-294/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Cypress County Ag Connections Conference in Medicine Hat, AB on November 22, 2023 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. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding the damaged Municipal Enforcement vehicle, Phase 2 of the County of Newell Water Project, and how the public and bus drivers report road conditions. C-295/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the Director of Municipal Services Report for August 2023 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 12:08 p.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. Page 6 of 7 Regular Council September 7, 2023 12.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 12.3 RCMP Quarterly Report (Bassano) This item was accepted as information. 12.4 Invitation - Cypress County Ag Connections Conference (November 22, 2023) This item was accepted as information. 12.5 Update - RMA Quasi -Judicial Agencies Member Committee This item was accepted as information. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:08 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:54 p.m. 13. IN CAMERA C-296/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that we move in camera at 12:54 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations — FOIPPAct Section 21; • Personnel — FOIPP Act Section 17. MOTION CARRIED C-297/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that we move out of camera at 2:32 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:32 p.m. Signed this Stday of ���'�'"`-`b'� 2023 4 Aeeve County Administrator Page 7 of 7