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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-09 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL March 9, 2017 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, March 9, 2017 commencing at 11:09 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 A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Fenske, Manager of Finance R. Fernell, Director of Information &Technology M. Marshall, IT Administrative Assistant , S. Kipta, IT Project Manager M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation A. Kemmere, AAMDC G. Rhodes, AAMDC R. Taylor, AAMDC B. Shantz, Shantz Law Office 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass cal/ed the meeting to order at 11:09 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING � Al/members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (February 23, 2017) , Discussion followed regarding the funding request for the Brooks 2019 RBC Cup Bid and it was determined that the minutes reflected what was presented. Regular Council March 9,2017 C-59/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the February 23, 2017 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-60/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the agenda be adopted as presented. • MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Planning & Development Report The Manager of P/anning & Deve/opment presented an update on the recent activities of the P/anning & Deve/opment Department. The Manager of P/anning & Deve/opment responded to questions from Council regarding use of road allowances for agricultura/ or other purposes, indicating that landowners will be presented with options to correct this. This process will begin with Division 4. C-61/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Planning & Development ''i Report for March 2017 be accepted as presented. � MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert left the meeting at 11:19 a.m. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.2 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Stein/ey presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Minor issues with bu/k water stations are being resolved. The annual reports were submitted to A/berta Environment at the end of February. K. Stein/ey provided information regarding an issue with a customer on the rural water system and an accident that resulted in damage to a County fire hydrant at Lake Newell Resort. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. CV� K. Stein/ey responded to questions regarding staffing /eve/s. He provided information regarding shutting off water for periods of time, indicating that there are agreements and a charge associated with this. He provided furtherinformation regarding a recent leak, indicating that consumers should be made aware that floats can malfunction, resulting in damage if the homeowners are away for a long time. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Kemmere, G. Rhodes, and R. Taylor arrived at 11:26 a.m. Page 2 of 9 Regular Council March 9,2017 K. Steinley responded to further question regarding safety training for operators. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:29 a.m. 6. DELEGATIONS 6.1 2017 AAMDC Member Visit A. Kemmere outlined the purpose of the AAMDC Member Visit, which is done every three years to determine issues of importance to municipalities. He provided an update on the Municipal Government Act(MGA) review, indicating that the first set of regulations has been re/eased. A document entitled "Continuing the Conversation"outlines further proposed amendments to the MGA. He suggested that the next set of regulations will deal with assessment. A. Kemmere provided an update on farm safety legislation as well as labour and employment standards, indicating that now is the time to provide feedback on what the committees have agreed to. Once the public consultation is comp/ete, there will be a cabinet review and then /awyers will draft the /egis/ation. Discussion followed regarding the 'right to strike'provision. A. Kemmere indicated that any action would be on a farm-by-farm basis and only two emp/oyees are required to create a union. - � The Chief Administrative Officer expressed concerns regarding the MGA requirement for municipalities to comp/ete /ntermunicipal Development Plans and Intermunicipa/ Collaboration Framework documents. Preparing these documents will take considerab/e time and resources and the provincial government has not yet re/eased regu/ations or templates. A. Kemmere indicated that the AAMDC is communicating that message to the provincial government. He a/so indicated that some municipalities have suggested that they would need to create a position for the ongoing management of these documents. The Chief Administrative Officer reported that there are differing opinions regarding the/evel of detail required and the desired outcome of these documents. G. Rhodes suggested that the discussion on service leve/s is to be a check box exercise to determine what services are provided by whom, followed by a focus on cost recovery and sharing services. A. Kemmere provided an update on the AAMDC's Climate Change Advisory Committee which was created in response to A/berta's Climate Leadership Plan. The committee will begin with a focus on the impact of the carbon levy and closing coal power plants on rural municipalities. A. Kemmere responded to questions from Council regarding energy delivery costs, indicating that the marketing system must be changed. G. Rhodes provided further information, indicating that energy from so/ar or wind power plants must match energy from gas / and e/ectricity to make up for when the sun and wind aren't generating power. He indicated that delivery charges cannot be eliminated as they are essentially � mortgage payments on the infrastructure. G. Rhodes provided information regarding the conversion of coal plants to gas plants. A. Kemmere responded to , Page 3 of 9 Regular Council March 9,2017 questions regarding expanding the agricultural exemption to the carbon levy, indicating that the AAMDC continues to advocate that concept. A. Kemmere reported that the AAMDC submitted their position regarding the Electoral Boundaries Review at the beginning of the process. He expressed concerns that rural ridings will be absorbed into the metropolitan centres. The AAMDC has advocated flexibility that allows for exceptions and the use of hybrid ridings around some mid-sized cities, provided that the urban and rural populations that make up these ridings are balanced. A. Kemmere reported that a multi-ministry committee has been struck to come up with a solution to the problem of unpaid property taxes from the oil and gas industry. He responded to questions, indicating that severa/ municipalities have received requests to reduce taxes but only one has reduced their mill rate in response. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. A. Kemmere responded to questions regarding the re/ationship between the AAMDC and the A/berta Urban Municipalities Association, indicating that they continue to work together and ensure that the more remote areas of the province are represented. A. Kemmere responded to questions regarding the missing $300 million from the Building Canada Fund. The Minister of Transportation indicated that the funds had gone into the provincia/treasury for infrastructure projects. The AAMDC and the AUMA will be part of future discussions regarding this program. ' A. Kemmere provided background information regarding a proposed intensive j agriculture/evy, which will be similar to the aggregate/evy. Some meetings have , i occurred and the municipal representatives would like enabling/egislation but the � assessment industry and the agricultural industry have requested a full review of the regulated rate for assessment for agriculture. Discussion followed. LEFT THE MEETING A. Kemmere, G. Rhodes, and R. Taylor left the meeting at 12:33 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:33 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:08 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING ' R. Fernell, M. Marshall, S. Kipta, and M. Fenske, arrived at 1:08 p.m. 6. DELEGATIONS — continued 6.2 Update -County of Newell Web Site The IT Administrative Assistant provided background information on the redesign of the County's website, which will be done by All-Net.ca. The IT Project Manager ` �/�j�� demonstrated the proposed layout. Council was given the opportunity to ask °J �o� questions. Councillor 8. de Jong asked if the public would be ab/e to submit photographs. IT Administrative Assistant provided information regarding the Page 4 of 9 Regular Council March 9,2017 recent NewellConnect photo contest, which was very successful. Councillor K. Christman asked about linking to the websites of the other municipalities within the County. IT Project Manager responded to questions regarding the process used to select the company to redesign the website. IT Administrative Assistant responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell, M. Marshall, and S. Kipta left the meeting at 1:19 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 1:19 p.m. 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 7.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultura/Services Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 1:23 p.m. , - � 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 8.2 2016 Annual Restricted Surplus Review&Approval of Year End Transfers The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Finance responded to questions regarding how minimum reserve balances are determined, indicating that the rationa/e for the dollar levels is provided in the Restricted Surplus policy. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that capita/reserves should be compared with actual capital replacement costs. The Manager of Finance responded to questions about the number of restricted surp/us funds, indicating that additional funds add to the comp/exity of the accounting. C-62/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the preliminary 2016 unrestricted net asset balance be allocated to the Infrastructure Restricted Surplus fund as proposed by Finance. MOTION CAR �D 8.3 Policy Review-2017-PAD-062 (Restricted Surplus) The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item, outlining y`(� the amendments that have been made to the policy. Council was given the � opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Finance responded to questions , regarding the Recreation Fund. The regular municipal mill rate was increased by 0.5 mill and the taxes collected will be allocated to the recreation reserve. The Page 5 of 9 Regular Council March 9,2017 operational funding required for recreation in 2017 will be funded through general taxes. The Manager of Finance responded to further questions from Council. Reeve M. Douglass called the question. C-63/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Policy 2017-PAD-062 (Restricted Surplus) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Fenske left the meeting at 1:50 p.m. 8.4 Contribution to the New City of Brooks Recreation Complex : The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Shantz arrived at 1:55 p.m. C-64/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Motion C-410/08, which reads as follows: � MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that the request from the City of Brooks , 1 regarding funding for the construction of a multi-use facility/building be TABLED until further information is received. MOTION CARRIED be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED C-65/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the request from the City of Brooks for funding for a Multi-Purpose Fieldhouse and Recreation Facility renovation be APPROVED in the amount of$1,000,000.00 with funding through the Regional Enhancement Reserve allocation for Divisions 5 & 10. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding the unveiling ceremony for the "Partners in Recreation"logo to be held on March 13, 2017. Councillor L. Juss and Councillor T. Fyfe indicated that they wou/d attend. All other Councillors were encouraged to attend. The Executive Assistant was directed to confirm the details. 13. IN CAMERA C-66/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 2:02 p.m. to discuss a legal issue. MOTION CARRIED � EFT THE MEETING � B. Shantz left the meeting at 2:30 p.m. � Page 6 of 9 Regular Council March 9,2017 C-67/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that we move out of camera at 2:58 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 8.5 Funding Request- Brooks & District Seniors OutReach Society Council was provided with background information on this item. C-68/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Council APPROVES the request from the Brooks & District Seniors OutReach Society in the amount of$1,000.00 for the Seniors OutReach Dinner with funding from the Charitable Grants & Donations Account. MOTION CARRIED 8.6 Invitation to Attend &Vote at AGM for Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange Council was provided with background information on this item. C-69/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Chief Administrative Officer be appointed as the representative for the County of Newell at the Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange Annual General Meeting to be held on March 20, 2017. , MOTION CARRIED ' 8.7 AAMDC Spring 2017 Convention Resolutions Council was presented with the resolutions package for the AAMDC Spring 2017 Convention. Discussion followed on each of the reso/utions and whether to support them. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that the majority of the resolutions had been discussed during a recent meeting of the Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association. 8.8 Invitation 2017 Citizen of the Year/Junior Citizen of the Year & Request for Proclamation (National Volunteer Week) Council was presented with background information on this item. C-70/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Council hereby proclaims April 23-29, 2017 as "National Volunteer Week" in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 8.9 2017 Citizen &Junior Citizen of the Year Awards — Request for Gift Basket Council was presented with background information on this item. C-71/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Council supports fihe 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` Page 7 of 9 Regular Council March 9,2017 ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 3:08 p.m. 8.10 Cheques for Payment There were no Cheques for Payment to discuss at this meeting. 8.11 Payment Register There were no Payment Registers to discuss at this meeting. 8.12 Requests for Functions of Council There were no Functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services provided information regarding the aggregate levy and responded to questions from Council. 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 details about the Eastern Irrigation District drainage partnership work to be done in Millicent. CouncillorK. Christman asked formore information regarding a water leak on Granta Road. The Director of Municipal Services responded to further questions from Council. C-72/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for February 2017 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 3:25 p.m. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Request for Letter of Support- NRTA(Community Visitor Survey Toolkit Grant Program) Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item. C-73/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the County of Newell provide a letter in support of the Newell Regional Tourism Association's application to the Community Visitor Survey Toolkit Grant Program for funding for a Community Visitor Survey Program. MOTION CARRIED Page 8 of 9 Regular Council March 9,2017 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Financial Information for the Period Ending December 31, 2016 The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 12. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council regarding the Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program, indicating that a municipality can provide support to multiple applications in addition to their own. 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m. Signed this��ay of , 2017 � Reeve / Co dministrator I Page 9 of 9