Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-25 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL February 25, 2016 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, February 25, 2016 commencing at 10:11 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh ABSENT: B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner S. Simpson, Development Clerk M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: D. Lindsay, EID Historical Park R. Van Hal, EID Historical Park B. Kostyniuk, EID Historical Park 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:11 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-55/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor B. de Jong and Councillor L. Juss be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (2016-02-11) C-56/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the February 11, 2016 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. '\'�q\jp MOTION CARRIED q Regular Council February 25, 2016 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-57/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Proposed Changes to Signage Definitions & Regulations in the Land Use Bylaw The County Planner provided background information on this item. If approved by Council, the draft signage section would be forwarded to the IMDP Committees of Brooks, Bassano, and Duchess for their review. The County Planner asked if the IMDP Committees of Wheatland County and Vulcan County should also be consulted. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The County Planner responded to questions regarding the lack of size restrictions for category 1 signs, indicating that most of the signs in this category are currently exempt from requiring permits. Councillor K. Christman asked about illuminated signs. The County Planner replied that, while flashing or running lights are not allowed, illuminated signs are permitted. She noted that Alberta Transportation has guidelines for electronic billboards and must approve any signage on major roadways. The County Planner responded to questions regarding how existing signs will be affected by these new rules, indicating that most would fall into the exemption category. Councillor C. Amulung indicated that enforcement was not discussed. C-58/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that Council supports the draft Signage section as presented; further, that staff be directed to consult with the Intermunicipal Development Plan Committees of Brooks, Bassano, Duchess, Vulcan County, and Wheatland County and report back to Council. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert, D. Horvath, and S. Simpson left the meeting at 10:26 a.m. 6. BYLAWS 6.1 Scandia Local Improvement Levies - Extending Repayment Period The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, C—ATN indicating that the impact to the County should be cost neutral. Council was Page 2 of 10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor C. Amulung requested clarification on the information provided. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the Net Present Value Calculation provides confirmation that this is a cost neutral decision. While there will be a shortfall for the next 18 years, additional funds will be collected in years 19-29. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the shortfalls plus the extra funds collected add up to the actual value, which is roughly zero. He noted that the Net Present Value Calculation is a standard calculation applied when trying to figure out the present value of future cash flows. Councillor C. Amulung expressed concerns with setting a precedent for other communities and whether the true cost of the local improvement was communicated to the affected residents. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council, indicating that the property owners will end up paying more interest by extending the payment period. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that the debenture could be redone. There is a fee of about $100,000.00 to pay out the debenture that the property owners would be responsible for. This would increase the cost to the landowner but the interest rate would be fixed, which would take away the uncertainty. Councillor W. Hammergren indicated that he would like to bring this information to the Annual General Meeting that the Scandia Hamlet Advisory Board will be holding in the middle of April to ensure that the residents are fully aware of the implications. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. He noted that taking the information to the Annual General Meeting in Scandia would delay the process and changes made would be in effect for 2017. The Chief Administrative Officer replied that the residents of Scandia should be clear on what is being proposed. Administration staff will work with Councillor W. Hammergren to prepare the necessary information for a presentation at the Scandia Hamlet Advisory Board Annual General Meeting in April. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - CONTINUED 8.2 Staff Recognition & Safety Training Day The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the Annual Safety Meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 7, 2016. Discussion followed. C-59/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Staff Recognition/Long Service Awards be presented during the upcoming Annual Health & Safety Meeting. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 County of Newell Annual General Meeting The County of Newell Annual General Meeting will be held at the Community Hall in Gem, AB on Thursday, May 5, 2016 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Presentations will be made regarding Municipal Services, Agricultural Services, and Planning & Development. Discussion followed regarding other topics that would be of interest to Gem residents. Councillor C. Amulung suggested inviting R. Havinga to talk about water. Councillor A. M. Philipsen suggested presenting examples of different water hookups and cisterns. Page 3 of 10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 8.4 Invitation to Attend & Vote at AGM for Jubilee & Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange Programs Council was presented with background information on this item. The Chief Administrative Officer provided further background information, indicating that he would like to see more reporting on when claims are paid out. C-60/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that the Chief Administrative Officer be appointed as the representative for the County of Newell at the Jubilee and Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange Annual General Meetings to be held on March 14, 2016. MOTION CARRIED 8.5 Invitation to 2016 Citizen of the Year/Junior Citizen of the Year & Request for Proclamation (National Volunteer Week) Council was presented with background information on this item. Councillor C. Amulung indicated that the deadline for nominations is March 10, 2016. C-61/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the County of Newell hereby proclaims April 10-16, 2016 as "National Volunteer Week." MOTION CARRIED 8.6 2016 Citizen & Junior Citizen of the Year Awards - Request for Gift Basket The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-62/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council supports the Grasslands Regional FCSS Citizen & Junior Citizen of the Year Awards, and that a gift basket in the amount of $100.00 be donated on behalf of the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 8.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (January 2016) C-63/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the January 2016 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 8.8 Payment Register C-64/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8.9 Requests for Functions of Council 8.9.1 Alberta Wetlands: From Classification to Policy (March 16-17,2016) u l This item was accepted as information. Page 4 of 10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 8.9.2 Community Planning Association of Alberta Conference (May 2-4, 2016) Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided further background information on this item. Councillor W. Hammergren, Councillor T. Fyfe, and Councillor E Unruh expressed interest in attending. C-65/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Community Planning Association of Alberta Conference in Red Deer, AB on May 2-4, 2016 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Yard Waste Collection Services - Lake Newell Resort Request The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the two locations where the Eastern Irrigation District has allowed residents to dump yard waste are no longer available. He indicated that he discussed installing a yard waste bin with a screen. Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority has suggested that Lake Newell Resort residents take their yard waste to the Brooks transfer station. The Director of Municipal Services suggested that fees associated with a yard waste bin be collected through the utility bill, as is done in the Hamlet of Tilley. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that the quote be taken back to the Hamlet Advisory Board to make sure they are comfortable with the costs. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor K. Christman left the meeting at 11:23 a.m. The Director of Municipal Services responded to further questions from Council. C-66/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Council accepts the private contract solution for yard waste collection services at Lake Newell Resort as presented and directs the Director of Municipal Services to engage the Lake Newell Resort Hamlet Advisory Board for concurrence before proceeding. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Street Lighting - Requests from Scandia & Lake Newell Resort The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item, indicating that requests for improvements to street lighting have been received by Scandia and Lake Newell Resort. He indicated that the County has been working with FortisAlberta to review the current street lighting in Scandia. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor K. Christman returned at 11:25 a.m. I Page 5of10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 The Director of Municipal Services provided details regarding the FortisAlberta project to convert existing streetlights to LED technology, which will result in energy savings over the long term. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Lindsay, R. Van Hal, and B. Kostyniuk arrived at 11:26 a.m. The Director of Municipal Services provided further information regarding the cost to retrofit the 142 streetlights within the County of Newell as part of this project. He presented two quotes from FortisAlberta for costs associated with upgrading the existing lights and adding 35 new lights in Scandia immediately. The residents of Lake Newell Resort have also expressed interest in replacing their existing lights with more decorative streetlights. The Director of Corporate Services requested direction from Council regarding support for this initiative if residents agree to pay any costs associated with the upgrade. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 EID Historical Park Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A.M. Philipsen requested details regarding the EID Historical Park's fundraising expenses. D. Lindsay replied that it might be an error. She explained that there were significant expenses in 2014 related to production of the film, "Carl's Way, " and opening the CPR Building. The majority of these expenses should have been recorded under repairs and maintenance. D. Lindsay provided an overview of fundraising events, the main one being Earl Taylor Day. R. Van Hal responded to questions regarding "Carl's Way, " indicating that copies of the film are being made and will be available for purchase in the near future. D. Lindsay, R. Van Hal, and B. Kostyniuk responded to further questions from Council. C-67/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Council APPROVES the request from the EID Historical Park for funding in the amount of $5,000.00 for 2016. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING D. Lindsay, R. Van Hal, and B. Kostyniuk left the meeting at 11:43 a.m. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS - CONTINUED 9.2 Street Lighting - Requests from Scandia & Lake Newell Resort — continued Discussion continued regarding the street lighting requests from Scandia and Lake Newell Resort. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would support the J41 requests if the community is responsible for the costs associated with the Page 6 of 10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 upgrades. Councillor W. Hammergren and Councillor T. Fyfe will take the information to their respective Hamlet Advisory Committees. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor B. de Jong provided a written report. 10.2 Bow River Basin Council Councillor B. de Jong provided a written report. 10.3 Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass provided a written report summarizing various meetings and events she attended. 10.4 Safe Communities Committee Councillor T. Fyfe indicated that the Safe Communities Committee is seeking a County youth representative currently in grade 10-12. The Safe Communities Committee meets once per month at 5:30 p.m. 10.5 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung reported that a meeting was held last night. The Community Response Committee is very active as community services are being used extensively due to the increased number of unemployed individuals in the region. He indicated that the Citizen & Junior Citizen of the Year Awards Gala will be held on April 8, 2016 and the deadline for nominations is March 10, 2016. He reported that a lack of provincial funding has resulted in some service groups discontinuing their services. 10.6 Newell Regional Services Corporation Councillor C. Amulung reported that strategic planning is being done with the main focus being improving communication between Newell Regional Services Corporation and its stakeholders. 10.7 Community Response Committee Reeve M. Douglass reported that Brooks has been designated a destination for immigration and Brooks & County Immigration Services (BCIS) is expecti� Page 7 of 10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 people to start arriving in April. She indicated that there has been an increase in the number of adult children returning to live with their parents, some of these with children of their own. Family dynamics change when a partner who usually works out of town is now home. She reported that all support services are being accessed more frequently. 10.8 Newell Regional Tourism Association Councillor E. Unruh reported that the NRTA has hired W. Slenders on contract. The Destination Marketing Fund revenue is down significantly from last year and funding has been received from the Joint Services Committee. 10.9 Newell 9-1-1 Dispatch Association Councillor A.M. Philipsen reported that she attended a tour of the 9-1-1 dispatch centre in Calgary, AB with Councillor T. Fyfe and Councillor K. Christman. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that Mayor T. Rose wanted to suggest to the Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator that all first responders take that tour as it is a good learning experience. The centre is responsible for dispatching all emergency response personnel for southern Alberta. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:04 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:44 p.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS 11.1 Request for Funding Increase - Recreation Board (Division 8) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the recreational mill rate was increased in 2015. The Division 8/Duchess Recreation Board has passed a motion requesting an increase in the mill rate to 0.3. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the request should be circulated and feedback received from the residents of Division 8 and it is possible to complete this process before the tax notices are printed. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A.M. Philipsen suggested that a larger discussion regarding recreation funding is required. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council regarding the request and the process. The proposal will be circulated to the residents within Division 8 and they will have the opportunity to respond within a set time frame. Discussion followed. Councillor K. Christman expressed concerns with the apparent lack of recognition for the County recreation funding in the financial statements. Reeve M. Douglass asked if similar requests are expected from other divisions. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that he was unaware of any other pending requests to increase recreation funding. Page 8 of 10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 r-68/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council supports the request to increase Recreation Funding in Division 8 and proceed with the public notification process. Discussion followed regarding the limited time available to complete this in time for the 2016 Tax Notices. Councillor C. Amulung suggested setting an annual deadline for submission of requests to increase divisional recreation funding. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding how recreational funding is determined. He indicated that it is important to establish what recreation funding is used for. Councillor G. Simpson indicated that a discussion regarding recreation funding must occur between the County, City, Town, and Villages. Councillor W. Hammergren expressed concerns with large facilities being built without consideration of the operating costs. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested a full review of recreation costs and funding for each division and each facility. VOTE ON MOTION C-68/16 — MOTION CARRIED 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Hamlet Advisory Board Meeting Minutes The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The Executive Assistant will send a list of the Hamlet Advisory Board minutes that the County has on file. Council was asked to forward copies of Hamlet Advisory Board minutes to the Executive Assistant. 12.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 14. IN CAMERA C-69/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 1:08 p.m. to discuss land issues. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING Councillor A.M. Philipsen left the meeting at 3:00 p.m. Page 9 of 10 Regular Council February 25, 2016 C-70/16 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that we move out of camera at 3:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Signed this 10 day o�-ftg A-�C'-.- 12016 Reeve — 42 - Co y , dministrator Page 10 of 10