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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-01 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL February 1, 2024 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, February 1, 2024 commencing at 10:02 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS K. Christman, Deputy Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver A. Philpott ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve D. Short E. Unruh N.Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: L. Tiffin, Alberta 55+ Games R. McPhillips, Alberta 55+ Games K. Sanford, Alberta 55+ Games 1. 2. C-18/24 CALL TO ORDER Deputy Reeve K. Christman called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor D. Short, Councillor E. Unruh, and Councillor N. Johnson be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED V Regular Council February 1, 2024 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (January 11, 2024) C-19/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the January 11, 2024 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Deputy Reeve K. Christman called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-20124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER 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. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (January 2024) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed regarding adjusting the criteria for the 2024 Rural Beautification Awards in consideration of drought conditions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the Coyote Control Incentive Program and coyote control in hamlets. He responded to questions regarding the AgSmart Education Expo in Olds, AB, indicating that the County has not attended previously. C-21/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for January 2024 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:19 a.m. Page 2 of 7 Regular Council February 1, 2024 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Planning & Development Report (Year in Review 2023) The Planning & Development Supervisor presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Planning & Development Supervisor responded to questions regarding the permit services provided by Park Enterprises. Discussion followed regarding the 2023 statistics provided as compared to previous years. Council requested that development permit statistics include a breakdown of agriculture and commercial developments. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin arrived at 10:31 a.m. The Planning & Development Supervisor responded to questions regarding requests for compliance reports to ensure that a property meets the development standards of the Land Use Bylaw. Discussion followed regarding recent changes to the Land Use Bylaw that have reduced red tape and allowed for more approval of permitted uses that do not require approval from the Municipal Planning Commission. The Planning & Development Supervisor responded to further questions regarding when construction permits are required. C-22/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the Planning & Development Report for 2023 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:36 a.m. 9.2 Appointment of Financial Reviewer - County of Newell Library Board The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-23/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council approve the appointment of Elaine Marzolf for the purpose of reviewing the accounts of the County of Newell Municipal Library Board. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Electoral Boundary Review — Phase 3 — Public Consultation & Engagement The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. The survey will be available online as well as published in the newspaper. Posters will be made available for Councillors to hang in public spaces around their communities. An open house regarding the Electoral Boundary W Page 3 of 7 Regular Council February 1, 2024 Review has been scheduled for February 15, 2024 from 4: 00 - 7: 00 p.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Council suggested amending the text on the last survey question to "How could the map(s) be improved? Please share any comments, questions or concerns. " C-24/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council approve the public consultation and engagement plan as amended. MOTION CARRIED 9.4 Requests for Functions of Council 9.4.1 Youth Police Academy Graduation Ceremony (February 9, 2024) Discussion followed. C-25/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that CouncillorA. Philpott be permitted to attend the Youth Police Academy Graduation Ceremony in Brooks, AB on February 9, 2024 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.4.2 MP M. Shields -Constituency Update (January 26, 2024) Deputy Reeve K. Christman provided background information on this virtual meeting. Discussion followed. 9.4.3 Community Organization Support Session (January 30, 2024) Discussion followed. C-26/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the attendance of any Councillor at the Community Organization Support Session at the County of Newell Administration Building on January 30, 2024 be considered a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.4.4 "Share the Way" Meeting Regarding Health Services (January 25, 2024) Deputy Reeve K. Christman provided background information on this item, and indicated that the discussion was facilitated by consultants presenting four new pillars of health care and gathering feedback regarding how to present the information to the public and health care users. Councillor A. Philpott also attended this meeting. No Page 4 of 7 Regular Council February 1, 2024 C-27/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the attendance of Councillor K. Christman and Councillor A. Philpott at the "Share the Way" meeting regarding health services in Brooks, AB on January 25, 2024 be considered a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.4.5 Eastern Irrigation District Annual General Meeting (March 5, 2024) Discussion followed. Councillors are encouraged to participate, but the EID's Annual General Meeting is not considered a function of Council. 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Utilities - NRSC Report Council reviewed the Utilities - NRSC Report. 10.2 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 provided information on County of Newell Water Project Phase 2 construction using the Bassano grader yard as a base. He responded to questions regarding the length of time required for a consultant to complete a survey, the Community Peace Officer appointment process, and the Kinbrook Connection and Lake Newell Resort pathways. C-28/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for January 2024 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:08 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:15 a.m. 10.3 Funding Request - Bridge File 09180 The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Alberta Transportation provides a list of bridge inspections to be completed each year. Council asked if there were opportunities to share the replacement costs as the bridge spans an Eastern Irrigation District drain. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering Services indicated that the County does not partner with the EID on bridge replacement costs. He responded to further questions from Council. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council February 1, 2024 C-29124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Council approve funding of $420,000 from the Infrastructure Fund for the replacement of Bridge File 09180. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Tiffin, R. McPhillips, and K. Sanford arrived at 11:32 a.m. 10.4 Tilley Lagoon Desludging & Land Application The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council, indicating that Newell Regional Services Corporation oversaw the study and provided their recommendation for which study to proceed with. C-30124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council APPROVES the proposal submitted by Lambourne Environmental Ltd. in the amount of $581,500.00 for the Tilley Lagoon Desludging and Land Application. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht and G. Tiffin left the meeting at 11:36 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Brooks Newell Alberta 55+ Summer Games Report R. McPhillips provided an overview of the Alberta 55+ Summer Games hosted in Brooks and the County of Newell August 17-20, 2023. She gave a summary of the planning process including the committee structure. L. Tiffin gave an overview of revenue and expenses for the event. Base funding was provided by the City of Brooks and County of Newell and supplemented by cash donations and in -kind sponsorships from local businesses. K. Sanford provided information regarding the recruitment of volunteers, merchandise, tours, activities, entertainment and special events. R. McPhillips reviewed lessons learned from the events. L. Tiffin reported that surplus funds will be used for a legacy project and the remainder held in a reserve for a future event. A full report will be circulated to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. R. McPhillips indicated that a letter of intent to bid on the 2026 Southern Alberta Summer Games will be submitted if approved by City Council. L. Tiffin responded to questions regarding the surplus funds. She indicated that more events were not held in the County because the Alberta 55+ Games Board recommended that events be in close proximity. The City of Brooks will manage the reserve funds on behalf of the Alberta 55+ Summer Games Society. Councillor G. Skriver indicated that it was a pleasure serving on the Alberta 55+ Summer Games Planning Committee and thanked the delegation for their efforts that resulted in a very successful event. " / C Page 6 of 7 Regular Council February 1, 2024 LEFT THE MEETING L. Tiffin, R. McPhillips, and K. Sanford left the meeting at 12:04 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:04 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:47 p.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13. IN CAMERA C-31/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that we move in camera at 12:47 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials — FOIPPAct Section 24. MOTION CARRIED C-32/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 1:37 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m. Signed this day of-�YUQY22� , 2024 �. l AdministratorCounty Page 7 of 7