HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-15 Committee of the Whole (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL
Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole — Interim Budget Review
November 15, 2023
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office in
Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 commencing at 9:00 a.m.
Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting.
CHAIR: G. Skriver
COUNCILLORS: A. Doerksen, Reeve (via Confero Meet)
D. Short
A. Skanderup
L. Kopp
H. Johnson
K. Christman
E. Unruh
A. Philpott
N. Johnson
STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer
S. Hanson, Controller
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief
R. Fernell, Director of Information and Technology
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations
G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering
T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services
C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator)
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
OTHERS IN 1 County of Newell Ratepayer
ATTENDANCE:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Councillor G. Skriver called the meeting to order at 9:00 a. m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
All members were in attendance at this meeting.
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Committee of the Whole (July 17, 2023)
W-09/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the July 17, 2023 Committee of
the Whole Meeting minutes be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Committee of the Whole/Interim Budget Review
November 15, 2023
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
W-10123 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the agenda be adopted as
presented.
MOTION CARRIED
5. DELEGATIONS
5.1 Economic Update (CIBC) -Andrew Grantham, Senior Economist - CIBC
Capital Markets
The Economic Update was rescheduled due to technical difficulties.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 2024 Budget Comments & Summary (M. Fenske)
The Chief Administrative Officer provided an overview of the budget process
including timelines and roles and a summary of budget pressures and
opportunities. The interim budget summary was reviewed, and highlights
provided. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council.
6.2 Budget by Function Slide Deck
Individual budget functions were reviewed.
6.3 Corporate Services (L. Johnson)
Fire (23)
The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided an overview of expenses and capital for
Fire (Function 23). Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The
Newell Regional Fire Chief and the Chief Administrative Officer responded to
questions regarding transfers to organizations and the possibility of refurbishing
equipment.
Disaster & Emergency Services (24)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Disaster & Emergency Services (Function 24). Council was given the
opportunity to ask questions.
Corporate Safety (14)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Corporate Safety (Function 14). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
Legislative (11)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Legislative (Function 11). Council was given the opportunity to ask questions.
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Committee of the Whole/Interim Budget Review
November 15, 2023
Administration (12)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Administration (Function 12). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
FCSS (51)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for FCSS (Family & Community Support Services - Function 51). Council was
given the opportunity to ask questions.
Community Services (63)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Community Services (Function 63). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding
proposed increases to the mini bus user fee.
Economic Development (64)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Economic Development (Function 64). Council was given the opportunity to
ask questions.
• Joint Services Committee Budget
The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding the draft
budget for the Joint Services Committee.
Recreation (71)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Recreation (Function 71). Council was given the opportunity to ask questions.
Rolling Hills Recreation Area - Funding Increase Request
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on
this item, indicating that the request for increased funding from the Rolling
Hills Recreation area has not been included in the 2024 Interim
Budget. The Director of Corporate Services provided historical information
regarding divisional recreation funding increases provided, indicating it is
difficult to create a standard funding model as each division has different
recreation services and facilities. Councillor D. Short provided additional
background information regarding the request from the Rolling Hills
Agricultural Society. Further discussion followed. The Chief Administrative
Officer responded to further questions from Council.
W-11/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Committee of the Whole direct
Administration to include the Division One recreation funding increase submitted by the
Rolling Hills Agricultural Society in the 2024 interim budget that will be referred to Council
for approval.
MOTION CARRIED
City of Brooks - Old Rodeo Grounds & Skateboard Park
Redevelopment
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this
item and responded to questions from Council. He suggested a separate
meeting with the City of Brooks be arranged if additional details are
required on these projects. Discussion followed regarding including a 20%
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Committee of the Whole/Interim Budget Review
November 15, 2023
budget increase to include these two projects which do not currently appear
in Schedule A of the recreation agreement between the County of Newell
and the City of Brooks. Council requested a meeting with the City of Brooks
Council for further information.
W-12/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Committee of the Whole directs
Administration to not include funding for the redevelopment of the Old Rodeo Grounds
and Skateboard Park in the 2024 interim budget that will be referred to Council for
approval.
MOTION CARRIED
Library (74)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Library (Function 74). Council was given the opportunity to ask questions.
General Government (00)
The Director of Corporate Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for General Government (Function 00). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
• Tax Policy - Police & Paving Rates
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this
item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed.
W-13/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Committee of the Whole directs
Administration to combine the police and paving tax rates with the general municipal tax
rate for each assessment category for the 2024 interim budget and forecast that will be
referred to Council for approval.
MOTION CARRIED
6.4 Information Technology (R. Fernell)
The Director of Information & Technology provided an update on completed
projects and upcoming initiatives.
IT Services Review
The Director of Information & Technology provided an overview of expenses and
capital for Information & Technology. Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
Council IT Hardware Refresh
The Director of Information & Technology provided background information on this
item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed.
W-14/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Committee of the Whole directs
Administration to remove Councillor iPads from the 2024 interim budget and forecast that
will be referred to Council for approval.
MOTION CARRIED
LUNCH
Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:04 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:58 p.m.
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Committee of the Whole/Interim Budget Review
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6.5 Municipal Services (M. Harbicht)
Bylaw Enforcement (26)
The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Bylaw Enforcement (Function 26). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
Fleet Services (31)
The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Fleet Services (Function 31). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
Roads, Streets, Walks & Lighting (32)
The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Roads, Streets, Walks & Lighting (Function 32). Council was given the
opportunity to ask questions.
Road Concern - Aimoto Subdivision
The Manager of Operations provided background information on this
item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion
followed.
W-15/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Committee of the Whole directs
Municipal Services to leave the access road for Aimoto Subdivision as is and continue to
grade the road in a manner that requires traffic to remain within the formal road right of
way.
MOTION CARRIED
• Kinbrook Connection Grand Opening & Highway Signage
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this
item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion
followed.
W-16/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Committee of the Whole directs
Administration to include $5,000 for a Kinbrook Connection Pathway Partnership grand
opening event and $20,000 for information signage in the 2024 interim budget that will be
referred to Council for approval.
MOTION CARRIED
Information Road Map Signs - Remove or Replace?
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this
item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed
regarding removing the fire ban signs from the entrance signs. The Chief
Administrative Officer suggested that item be discussed at a future Council
meeting.
W-17123 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Committee of the Whole directs
Administration to not include any amount for replacement of Information Map Signs in the
2024 interim budget that will be referred to Council for approval.
MOTION CARRIED
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• Lake Newell Resort Hamlet Request - Drainage Ditch to Storm Pipe
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this
item and responded to Council. Discussion followed.
W-18/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Committee of the Whole directs
Administration to not include an estimate in the 2024 interim budget for installing a
covered storm sewer pipe within the existing surface ditch that passes through the
Sandpiper Estates municipal reserve parcel, as requested by the Lake Newell Resort
Community Association (LNRCA), because the current surface drain is functional, and
costs to bury pipe, with manholes, would be cost prohibitive.
MOTION CARRIED
Paving Plan Review
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this
item and responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative
Officer indicated that the forecast for the paving fund is included in the 2024
budget binder and outlines the priorities. Discussion followed. The Chief
Administrative Officer and the Director of Municipal Services responded to
further questions from Council.
W-19/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Committee of the Whole accepts the
20 year paving plan as presented.
Further discussion followed regarding collecting additional information
(e.g., traffic counts) for the roads on the paving plan.
LEFT THE MEETING
Councillor H. Johnson left the meeting at 2:36 p.m.
The Chairman called the question.
VOTE ON MOTION W-19/23 — MOTION CARRIED
Airport (33)
The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Airport (Function 33). Council was given the opportunity to ask questions.
Water & Wastewater (41 & 42)
The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Water (Function 41) and Wastewater (Function 42). Council was given the
opportunity to ask questions.
Waste Management (43)
The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Waste Management (Function 43). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
Planning & Development (61)
The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Planning & Development (Function 61). Council was given the opportunity to
ask questions.
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Committee of the Whole/Interim Budget Review
November 15, 2023
6.6 Agricultural Services (T. Green)
Agricultural Services (62)
The Director of Agricultural Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Agricultural Services (Function 62). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
Parks & Programs (72)
The Director of Agricultural Services provided an overview of expenses and capital
for Parks & Programs (Function 72). Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions.
6.7 Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Comment Matrix Response
The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background
information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion
followed. Committee of the whole suggested including a request that AUC
compensation also be provided for municipalities that register for intervenor status
as is the case when adjacent landowners register as an intervenor. Discussion
followed. The Committee of the Whole thanked the Council sub -committee for
preparing the County's response to the AUC comment matrix.
7. IN CAMERA
There were no in camera items to discuss during this meeting.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024.
The Chairman will be Councillor Holly Johnson (Division 4).
9. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:09 p.m.
Signed this f S day of "`"� 2024
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County Ad inistra or
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