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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-21 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL September 21, 2023 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, September 21, 2023 commencing at 10:28 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve A. Skanderup H.Johnson K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N.Johnson D. Short L. Kopp G. Skriver STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services S. Hanson, Controller D. Christensen, Projects Assistant W. Schaap, Manager of Agricultural Services R. Fernell, Director of Information and Technology S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin (Livestream Viewer) ATTENDANCE: B. Kulyk, Palliser Economic Partnership 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:28 a. m. 2. C-298/23 EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Councillor D. Short, Councillor L. Kopp, and Councillor G. Skriver be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council September 21, 2023 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (September 7, 2023) C-299/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the 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-300/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY 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. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Tender Award - Audit Services (3 years) The Controller provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-301/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council appointsAvail LLP as the auditor for 2023 to 2025, with the option to renew the contract for an additional two years, 2026 to 2027. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Christensen arrived at 10:31 a.m. 9.2 Request to Increase Division 1 Recreation Funding The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that additional information will be requested from the divisional Recreation Boards for the 2024 Budget review. It is unknown at this time whether the other Recreation Boards are considering increases. ARRIVED AT MEETING W. Schaap arrived at 10:38 a.m. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council September21, 2023 The Chief Administrative Officer suggested establishing agreements with recreation service providers. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding utility fees. C-302/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council refers the request for an increase to the Recreation Funding allocation for Division 1 to the 2024 Budget process. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Policy Review - Asset Disposal Policies The Projects Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The ChiefAdministrative Officerresponded to additional questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Kulyk arrived at 10:45 a.m. C-303/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that POL-026-23 Municipal Land — Sales, Leasing, Permits and Policy POL-027-23 Disposal of County Assets be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING D. Christensen and S. Hanson left the meeting at 10:45 a.m. 9.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (August 2023) C-304/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the August 2023 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.5 Requests for Functions of Council 9.5.1 Function of Council - Fire Hall Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies (Patricia and Rolling Hills) C-305/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the grand opening ceremonies for the following as a function of Council: • Patricia Fire Hall (October 7, 2023) • Rolling Hills Fire Hall (October 14, 2023) MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council September21, 2023 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (September 2023) The Manager ofAgricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-306/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for September 2023 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING W. Schaap left the meeting at 10:53 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Palliser Economic Partnership B. Kulyk provided background information on herself and her role as Executive Director of the Palliser Economic Partnership. She reported that her current priority is familiarizing herself with the unique assets of the region and identifying opportunities for economic development, indicating that an updated strategic plan is in development. One specific area of focus is opportunities for additional irrigation drawn from the South Saskatchewan River. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Schroeder arrived at 11:01 a.m. 8. Kulyk responded to questions from Council regarding the current members of the Palliser Economic Partnership. Recent successful initiatives are outlined in the Annual Report. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin arrived at 11:03 a.m. 8. Kulyk provided additional information on plans to increase visibility for the Palliser Economic Partnership and ensure the region is ready for investment. LEFT THE MEETING B. Kulyk and L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Policy Review - 2013-PPW-016 Grader Sites The Manager of Operations provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council September 21, 2023 ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies and R. Fernell arrived at 11:07 a.m. C-307/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Policy 2013-PPW-016 (Grader Sites) be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING B. Kulyk and T. Schroeder left the meeting at 11:08 a.m. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Newell Housing Foundation CouncillorA. Philpott and CouncillorA. Skanderup submitted a written report. 11.2 Joint Services Committee Councillor G. Skriver submitted a written report and an update from the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP). 11.3 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor A. Skanderup reported on Experience Development Fund grant allocations. The Brooks Region Tourism Association's Annual General Meeting will be held today at the Heritage Inn & Convention Centre starting at 5:00 p.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:11 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:15 a.m. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS 12.1 Director of Information & Technology Report (September 2023) The Director of Information & Technology reported that the County of Newell had been invited to speak at the Data Analytics for the Public Sector Summit in Toronto, ON last week. She outlined the organizations that attended the summit and the topics discussed. The County's presentation focused on the Newell System Integration Project and received a lot of interest and positive feedback. R. Fernell indicated that she would share a video of the presentation when it is available. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell left the meeting at 11:29 a.m. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council September21, 2023 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS — continued 11.1 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Johnson reported that Big Brothers & Big Sisters are beginning to work in the region. She provided an update on funding allocations and responded to questions from Council. 11.2 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor H. Johnson indicated that Councillor D. Short is unable to attend the next strategic planning session in October. Reeve A. Doerksen agreed to attend in his place. Discussion followed regarding M. Iwaasa attending future strategic planning sessions as well to provide continuity for economic development in the region. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS — continued 12.2 2023/24 Alberta Community Partnership Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item, indicating that the City of Brooks Council is in support of the proposed project. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions from Council, indicating that the scope of the study will be wastewater treatment for the area around the City of Brooks and determining capacity for future development. He provided details on similar studies completed in the past. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson returned at 11:38 a.m. C-308/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that County Council supports the City of Brooks (managing partner) submission of a 2023/24 Alberta Community Partnership grant application in support of the Regional Wastewater Services Study project. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin and M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:39 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS — continued 7.2 Review of Fire Bylaw 1958-19 The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item and suggested a review of the Fire Bylaw as part of the formal Fire Service Needs Assessment process that is underway and in response to recent questions raised regarding the bylaw. He provided a proposed timeline for the bylaw review, Page 6 of 8 Regular Council September 21, 2023 indicating that a revised bylaw would be presented to Council in early 2024 with the goal of passing third reading before the start of the fire season. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Newell Regional Fire Chief indicated that the decision to implement a fire restriction or ban is made by a consensus of divisional fire chiefs and a variety of factors are considered. Council expressed concerns with the "Fire Ban in Effect" signs posted at the County entrance signs being misleading to the public when a fire restriction is in place. Discussion followed. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to further questions regarding cancelling fire permits and pellet smokers. LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies and L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:54 a.m. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Payment Registers The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Mini Bus Monthly Report (August 2023) This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.4 Brooks Newell Region Economic Development Update This item was accepted as information. 14. IN CAMERA C-309/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move in camera at 11:57 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPPAct Section 21; • Personnel - FOIPP Act Section 17. MOTION CARRIED LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:57 a.m. and RECONVENED at 1:00 p.m. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council September 21, 2023 C-310/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 1:27 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:27 p.m. Signed this s�day of �-�6�✓ , 2023 � f �_ eeve CountyAdministrator Page 8 of 8