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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-09 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL � February 9, 2017 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, February 9, 2017 commencing at 10:20 a.m. MEMBERS Molly Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh 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- ORRSC M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services C� A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation Dr. D. Henning, Medicine Hat College D. Petis, Medicine Hat College I. Price, Medicine Hat College 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. f:� 1 , r 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES � 3.1 Minutes -Council (January 19, 2017) � C-23/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Jan 1 , 2 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. � M Nf ARRIED E . , Regular Council February 9,2017 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. � 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-24/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultura/ Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricu/tural Services responded to questions regarding weed control in neighbouring municipalities and allowing poultry within ham/ets. 9.2 Funding Request- Farm Safety Centre The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor C. Amulung requested that the Farm Safety Centre submit a budget with subsequent requests. Council/or K. Christman requested a report on the schoo/s in our area visited by the Farm Safety Centre. � � C-25/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the County of Newell provides funding in the amount of $3,000.00 to the Farm Safety Centre in support of the "Safety Smarts" programming in local schools. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:40 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.3 Request to Approve Keeping Poultry in County Hamlets The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that poultry can either be regulated and licensed or authorized with an amendment to the Animal Control Bylaw. He recommended consu/tation with the Hamlet Advisory Committees before proceeding with either option. Discussion fol/owed. Councillor A.M. Philipsen suggested a pilot project before creating a bylaw. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that communities that have permitted chickens have restrictions on housing, waste management, and the number of chickens. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further � questions from Council, indicating that he would gather more information regarding � whether this has been done in rural ham/ets. Council provided direction to initiate `� � Page 2 of 9 Regular Council February 9,2017 consultations with Hamlet Advisory Committees on whether to allow keeping poultry within ham/ets. � 10.4 Request from Farmers Advocate Office to Host a Wind/Solar Leases Workshop The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-26/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the County of Newell host an information session on Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases conducted by the Farmers' Advocate Office. MOTION CARRIED 10.5 Request for Support-Oil &Gas Awareness Day(February 13, 2017) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 10.6 Appointment of Fire Guardians Council was provided with background information on this item. C-27/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the following individuals be appointed as Fire Guardians: (� All Divisions— Keith Martin �� Rolling Hills — Bill Dickinson Tilley— Patrick Fabian Patricia—Gordon Musgrove Duchess—Gregory Witt Scandia—Trevor Sandau Brooks Rural — Kevin Swanson Bassano—Cory Cochrane Rosemary—Wilf Harder Gem — Dwayne Klassen Bow City—Jim Ketchmark and further that the Accounting Clerk, the Payroll & Finance Support Clerk, the Executive Assistant, the Administrative Assistant (Planning), the Administrative Assistant (Fire & Safety), the Executive Operations Administrative Assistant, the Records Management Technician, the IT Administrative Assistant, the Development Clerk, the Assessment & Taxation Clerk, and the Project/Administrative Assistant be appointed as Fire Guardians for the issuance of Fire Permits only. MOTION CARRIED 10.7 AAMDC Spring 2017 Convention -Opportunity to Meet with Minister of Municipal Affairs Discussion followed. Councillor 8. de Jong suggested the rura/broa band project � as a topic for discussion. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that topic ight be more pertinent to Service Alberta than Municipal Affairs. Councillor C. Amulu suggested writing letters to departments and gathering information-- ef r�� , Page 3 of 9 Regular Council February 9,2017 speaking to the Minister for support. Councillor W. Hammergren suggested asking if funding is available to assist municipalities with completing the statutory plans that will be required under the Municipal Government Act. Further discussion � occurred. A meeting with the Minister of Municipal Affairs wil/not be pursued at this time. 10.8 Cheques for Payment There were no Cheques for Payment to approve at this meeting. 10.9 Payment Register C-28/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 10.10 Requests for Functions of Council 10.10.1 Alberta CARE Spring Seminar(February 22-24, 2017) Councillor L. Juss provided background information on this item. C-29/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor L. Juss be permitted to attend the Alberta CARE Spring Seminar in Olds, AB on February 22-24, 2017 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10.10.2 Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor Local to Global Forum � (March 1-3, 2017) Councillor 8. de Jong provided background information on this item. Councillor W. Hammergren expressed interest in attending as topics are of interest to the Veteran's Memorial Highway Development Safety Association. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht and K. Steinley arrived at 11:08 a.m. 10.10.3 Digital Futures: Alberta 2017 (March 16-17, 2017) Councillor 8. de Jong provided background information on this item. C-30/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that Councillor B. de Jong be permitted to attend the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor Local to Global Forum in Camrose,AB on March 1-3, 2017 and to attend Digital Futures: Alberta 2017 in Cochrane, AB on March 16-17, 2017 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED C-31/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor W. Hammergren be p rmitted to attend the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor Local to Global Forum in Camrose, � B on March 1-3, 2017 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 9 Regular Council February 9,2017 10.10.4 Canadian Badlands Tourism Development Conference (March 15-17, 2017) � Councillor K. Christman provided background information on this item. C-32/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Reeve M. Douglass, Councillor K. Christman, and Councillor E. Unruh be permitted to attend the Canadian Badlands Tourism Development Conference in Brooks, AB on March 15-17, 2017 as a function of CounciL MOTION CARRIED 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.2 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented the Utilities-NRSC report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. A leak in the Rolling Hills distribution was discovered and addressed. Repairs on the rural water system are done as needed. The 2016 Annual Report documents are being prepared for the rural areas, hamlets, and wastewater systems and will be comp/eted by the end of February. K. Stein/ey provided an update on the service interruption that occurred in Ti/ley on December 30, 2016. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor L. Juss asked about bacteria developing in standing water left in individual cisterns. K. Steinley indicated that he has discussed this with the Director of Municipal Services and the Manager of Engineering Services. An information pamphlet published by Alberta Health Services on this subject is included with the annual C� water bill. The Director of Municipal Services indicated that he would check if this information was a/so available on the County's website and suggested recurring socia/media messages. K. Steinley responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:22 a.m. 11.1 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath arrived at 11:27 a.m. He provided an overview of the recent snow events, indicating that they are currently behind schedule due to the accumulation. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of grading procedures used to try and reduce the amount of gravel that is pushed into the ditch during snow removal. C-33/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Director of Municip�Services R port � an d t he U ti li ties - N R S C Repo rt for January 2 0 1 7 be A P P R O V E D a s p r e s e n t e d; MOTION CA R Page 5 of 9 Regular Council February 9,2017 LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:33 a.m. �� 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS C-34/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move into Public Hearings at 11:33 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 6.1 Bylaw 1880-17 - Road Closure & LEASE (SE 18-19-14-W4) Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:33 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Manager of P/anning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on By/aw 1880-17. The intent of this bylaw is to c/ose and LEASE that portion of road allowance adjacent to the eastern boundary of SE 18-19-14-W4. The Manager of Planning&Development provided background information on this item, indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to all adjacent landowners as well as to a list of affected agencies. No responses were received � from adjacent landowners and the Eastern Irrigation District has no objections to the road c/osure. Alberta Environment & Parks has responded expressing concerns with this road closure limiting public access to a/arge waterbody. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of P/anning & Deve/opment responded to questions regarding the letter from Alberta Environment&Parks. She indicated that the letter was shared with the applicant, who has requested that the bylaw be put on hold. Discussion fo/lowed and it was noted that there are alternate access routes to the water body. The Manager of Planning & Deve/opment responded to questions regarding the road c/osure process, indicating that a bylaw must receive second and third reading within two years of receiving first reading. The County Planner indicated that, if first reading is delayed, the public hearing may have to be redone. The Manager of Planning &Development responded to further questions from Council. C-35/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:46 a.m. MOTION CARRIED ` � \ Page 6 of 9 Regular Council February 9,2017 7. BYLAWS � 7.1 Bylaw 1880-17 - Road Closure & LEASE (SE 18-19-14-W4) C-36/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1880-17, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING that portion of road allowance adjacent to the eastern boundary of SE 18-19-14-W4, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 10.1 Planning & Development Report a The Manager of Planning & Deve/opment presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council was given the 0 ortunit to ask uestions. PP Y p C- 7 37/1 MOVED BY COUNCIL LOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Planning & Development report for January 2017 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 10.2 County of Newell Uniform Quality Management Plan (QMP) The Manager of Planning&Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor K. Christman requested a list of the changes made to the new p/an so that she cou/d compare it to the old � plan. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to further questions from Council. A list of changes will be prepared and this item will be brought back to the February 23, 2017 Council Meeting. LUNCH Council RECESSED at 12:05 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:02 p.m. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Economic Development Quarterly Report(January 2017) This item was accepted as information. 14. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was he/d. � The Chief Administrative Officer provided Council with details on the Managemen T � Retreat, which will be he/d in Medicine Hat on March 16-17, 2017. Page 7 of 9 Regular Council February 9,2017 The Chief Administrative Officer reported that he volunteered to participate in an audit and review of the dissolution of the Village of Champion into Vulcan County. � 15. IN CAMERA C-38/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that we move in camera at 1:04 p.m. to discuss a land issue. MOTION CARRIED C-39/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of camera at 1:30 p.m. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath left the meeting at 1:30 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING Dr. D. Henning, D. Petis, and I. Price arrived at 1:32 p.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Dr. D. Henning, President&CEO - Medicine Hat College (1:30 p.m.) Dr. D. Henning provided background information on herself and a history of the �� Medicine Hat College — Brooks Campus. She indicated that campuses must diversify to remain viable and provided an examp/e of an educational institution in Houston, 8.C. that provided services that were needed by their students. D. Petis provided an overview of discussions with Grass/ands Regional Division to co- locate a secondary school on the Medicine Hat College - Brooks Campus grounds. This wou/d allow the college and the schoo/ division to build on each others strengths and benefit the community. 1. Price outlined the various benefits of students being able to stay with their families in their community for their first year of post-secondary education. Dr. D. Henning provided further details of the project, which will share space as well as food services, the gymnasium, and library services with the goal of making full use of the resources available. She indicated that laboratory space is currently being shared with public schools and the dual credit, trades, agribusiness, and distance learning programs can be expanded. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Dr. D. Henning responded to questions regarding program deve/opment for other industries in the area, including food safety and security and health care initiatives. The college develops programming that aligns with the priorities of the provincia/government, which are accessibility, agribusiness, innovation and health, and innovation and economic development. The College Advisory Council includes representation from the Eastern Irrigation District, JBS Foods, the RCMP, and the YMCA. She indicated that the goa/ is to ensure that the college is meeting the needs of all learners, � regardless of age, culture, background, and other factors. D. Petis responded to �� questions regarding a meeting in Ottawa with the new Minister of Education's ..- / Page 8 of 9 Regular Council February 9,2017 political staff to explain the loca/situation and the need for reinstatement of funding for intermediate levels of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada. He ', � indicated that the Minister was familiar with Brooks and a resubmission was , accepted for consideration. Dr. D. Henning responded to questions regarding hea/th care related programs. There have been discussions on locating a seniors housing facility on the campus, which would allow for an innovative health care education program. l. Price responded to questions regarding the student demographic and partnerships with other post-secondary institutions. Dr. D. Henning responded to questions regarding transfer credits, indicating that the situation has improved but is not completely solved yet. There is a need for a system that allows students to transfer to and from various institutions without losing credits. Dr. D. Henning responded to questions regarding work with the aboriginal community to develop a learning strategy. LEFT THE MEETING Dr. D. Henning, D. Petis, and I. Price left the meeting at 2:14 p.m. 15. IN CAMERA—continued C-40/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that we move in camera at 2:20 p.m. to discuss a land, a legal, and a labour issue. MOTION CARRIED C-41/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that we move out of camera at 4:30 p.m. �� MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Signed this ��day of ���-+'�- 2017 , S �/ eev unt Administrator � Page9of9