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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-06 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL NO.4 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING '~ SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, September 6, 2007 commencing at 10:00 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: W. Daniels I. Schroeder A. Philipsen C. Vermeeren M. Nesbitt S. Evans A. Eastman A. Eckert H. Wutzke STAFF: B. Keith, Assistant Administrator A. Clapton, Executive Assistant D. Horvath, Planner - ORRSC R. Roycroft, Development Control Officer D. Erdman, Econ. Development/Tourism Coordinator OTHERS IN A. McCuaig, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Stanway, Brooks & County Chronicle Russel Pickett (Bylaw 1597-06) Dorie Pickett (Bylaw 1597-06) J. Chomistek, Chair, Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee K. Christman, Vice Chair, Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 2. MINUTES The following changes were made to the August 23, 2007 Council minutes: Page 10 -Item 12(f) -should read `° . ,the .Patricia Hamlet Advisory --- Committee requesting insurance coverage for fireworks...'; also changed in the motion: "...that we approve the insurance coverage for fireworks... " 1 ,-~~ ~, Regular Council Minutes Page 2 September 6, 2007 Page 12 -Item 13(v) -should read "... Newbrook Lodge is full with 11 on the waiting list. " C-392/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. ECKERT that the August 23, 2007 Council minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 3. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS The Reeve called for post agenda items. 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-393/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that we adopt the agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5. CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT C-394/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that cheques 159250 to 159259 in the amount of $74,679.93 and cheques 159260 to 159261 in the amount of $34,022,749.75 be approved. MOTION CARRIED 6. MUNICIPAL TREASURER'S REPORT There was no Municipal Treasurer's Report presented. 7. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES a. Public Engagement Policy B. Keith presented a report to Council about the reasons for developing a Public Engagement Policy, and noted that, traditionally, issues requiring public input are not well-attended. B. Keith also indicated that he, another staff member, and two Councillors would be attending the Citizen Engagement Toolkit training session presented by AAMD&C, and that this item will be brought back to Council after this training session. 8. CORRESPONDENCE There were no items of correspondence. ~.. Regular Council Minutes Page 3 September 6, 2007 12. OTHER BUSINESS a. Disaster Services Mobile Command Trailer Budget Council was presented with the 2007 Capital budget for the Mobile Command Trailer and a request to purchase additional equipment and supplies for this trailer. C-395/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that the anticipated cost of $10,000.00 for extra items to equip the 2007 Mobile Command Trailer over and above the 2007 Budget be financed from the Disaster Services Reserve. MOTION CARRIED b. SBS 2003 Network Server Over Expenditure Council was presented with a report on the SBS 2003 Network Server Over Expenditure. The original budget did not include two additional workstations that were purchased for new employees. C-396/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that the over expenditure of $1,402.31 for the SBS 2003 Network Server upgrade be funded from the Administration Capital Reserve. MOTION CARRIED c. Municipal Sustainability Initiative Grant Funding Council was presented with information and an agreement with regards to the Municipal Sustainability Initiative. B. Keith noted that there were requirements for sharing funds with neighbouring municipalities, and that no projects had been identified yet. There was some discussion about allocation and how the money was to be used. C-397/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the Municipal Sustainability Initiative Capital Project Funding Memorandum of Agreement between Her Majesty the Queen, in right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the County of Newell No. 4 in the Province of Alberta, be approved. MOTION CARRIED 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Sick Leave Incentive Policy B. Keith presented Council with the Sick Leave Incentive policy, indicating that a section had been added to include the payout of 50% of the accumulated unused sick leave time upon an employee's retirement or death, provided the employee was in the employ of the County for a minimum of five years. ~_,/~ Regular Council Minutes September 6, 2007 Page 4 C-398/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that the Sick Leave Incentive Policy be approved as presented. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Crapo, Information Technologist, arrived at 10:32 a.m. b. County Newsletter Review Council reviewed the proposed County newsletter for September and October 2007 and suggested a number of changes. D. Crapo left the meeting at 10:42 a.m. c. Approval of Highway 873 Agreement Amendment to Include Extra Provincial Works B. Keith presented to Council the Amendment to the Highway 873 Rehabilitation Agreement with Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation and outlined the proposed amendments. C-399/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that the amendment to Memorandum of Agreement No. PMB 22/07 between Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation and the County of Newell No. 4 for the intersection improvement for the junction of Highway 873 and Township Road 191 be approved. MOTION CARRIED d. Removal of Millicent Road Ban Councillor A. Eckert expressed concerns about the Millicent road ban, stating that it shifts the dust and traffic problems to neighbouring roads that are not meant for heavy use. This item will be brought to the next Municipal meeting. C-400/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that this item be referred to the Road Ban Committee. MOTION CARRIED e. Joint Disaster Services Meeting Councillor M. Nesbitt indicated that the next meeting of the Joint Disaster Services Committee is on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. in the E.O.C. Room. Topics will include budget ~~ considerations, equipment for the Mobile Command Trailer, and 1~ available training courses. __ ____ Regular Council Minutes September 6, 2007 Page 5 h. Letter from Ann Wilson Re: Letter from the County of Newell No. 4 to the Residents of Rolling Hills Council was presented with a letter from Ann Wilson, received in response to the letter sent to the residents of Rolling Hills from the County of Newell No. 4 regarding the water and sewer treatment systems. This item was discussed further during the in camera portion of this meeting. C-401/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that a letter be sent to the residents of Rolling Hills apologizing for anything in the letter of June 7, 2007 that seemed to imply Mr. Lester or Mr. Dickinson was careless or irresponsible, and that the body of the letter dated April 23, 2007 written by Steve Wylie be included in the letter. RECESS Council recessed at 10:58 a.m. and reconvened at 11:04 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Roycroft, Development Control Officer, R. Pickett, and D. Pickett arrived at 11:01 a.m. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11:00 a.m. a. Bylaw 1597-06 -Road Closure -Pickett Ranching Reeve Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:04 a.m. The County Administrator stated that fhe purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear representations on Bylaw 1597-06. Bylaw 1597-06 is a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and leasing portions of a public highway. !t was noted that Bylaw 1597-06 had received first reading on October 5, 2006, and that a Public Hearing is required before it is sent to Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation for their approval. R. Roycroft provided some background on this Bylaw. Reeve Douglass reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. There were no persons in attendance speaking in opposition to the proposed road closure. The applicants, R. Pickett & D. Pickett, were present to answer questions from Council. ~~ `~ia~~ Regular Council Minutes Page 6 September 6, 2007 There were several questions from Council clarifying the location of the road to be closed and that the land in the SW quarter of Section 32 belonged to the E.I.D. R. Roycroft noted that the E.I.D. had no concerns with the road closure, but the land created in the SW quarter of Section 32 must be leased to the E. 1. D. Councillor M. Nesbitt expressed concerns about oilfield traffic. R. Roycroft replied that Encana had requested the road closure and that the application had been made with Encana's support. R. Pickett & D. Pickett left the meeting at 11:21 a.m. b. 07 LUA 012 -Portion of SE ~/a 15-20-14-W4M -Division 8 Janice Vian (Owner/Applicant) Approximately 1.69 hectares (4.18 acres) A -Agricultural District to CR -Country Residential District Reeve Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:13 a.m. The County Administrator stated that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear representations on Bylaw 1625-07. Bylaw 1625-07 is a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1443-03 by rezoning a portion of the SE % 15-20-14-W4M from the A -Agricultural District to the CR -Country Residential District. D. Horvath provided background information on this application, indicating that there were some planning issues that would be addressed at the time of subdivision. A letter from the County of Newell Department of Public Works indicated no comments or concerns with the application at this time. D. Horvath also received a telephone call from an adjacent property owner who operates a confined feeding operation, but reported that there should be no problems as any new construction would occur in the southern portion of the parcel. It was also noted that (here are existing CR -Country Residential Parcels around the confined feeding operation. Reeve Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no additional members of the public in attendance. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favour or in opposition to the proposed rezoning. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor W. Daniels asked how the Minimum Distance Separation was calculated. D. Horvath replied that the Minimum Distance Separation was measured from the wall of the building to the edge of the ~' operation. Regular Council Minutes September 6, 2007 Page 7 .--. C-402/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the public hearings adjourn at 11:23 a.m. MOTION CARRIED R. Roycroft left the meeting at 11:23 a.m. 10. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1625-07 - 07 LUA 012 C-403/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1625-07, to amend Land Use Bylaw 1443-03 by rezoning approximately 1.69 hectares (4.18 acres) of land legally known as Pt. SE '/a 15-20-14-W4M from the A -Agricultural District to the CR -Country Residential District, receive second reading. MOTION CARRIED C-404/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that Bylaw 1625-07 receive third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED b. Bylaw 1627-07 - 07 LUA 013 C-405/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that Bylaw 1627-07, to amend Land Use Bylaw 1443-03 by rezoning approximately 11.70 hectares (29.0 acres) of land legally known as a portion of Block B, Plan 781 1334 located in Pt. SE '/a 6-19-14-W4M from the A -Agricultural District to the CR -Country Residential District, receive first reading. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Erdman, Economic Developmentffourism Coordinator, J. Chomistek, Chair of the Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee, and K. Christman, Vice Chair of the Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee, arrived at 11:29 a.m. 11. DELEGATIONS 11:30 a.m. a. Economic Development & Tourism Committee Year Two Strategic Management System J. Chomistek presented the Year Two Strategic Management System of the Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee to Council. Its goals include supporting and fostering new businesses, building on existing Regular Council Minutes Page 8 September 6, 2007 businesses, and creating lasting relationships with businesses in the community. K. Christman reported that social development plays a part in supporting economic development and the committee comprises members with expertise in many areas. A marketing campaign outlining committee services is proceeding with the development of informational brochures. D. Erdman stated that the Strategic Management System contained strategies for Economic Development and the tactical objectives outline specific tasks. He also reported on the Business Welcome Wagon Initiative to be launched in the County and the Foreign Direct Investment Initiative. J. Chomistek indicated that a review of the Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee would occur in April 2008, and acost-benefit analysis would be developed. There were several questions from Council regarding feedback on the courses that were offered, retaining smaller businesses rather than attracting new large businesses, linking the Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee to the Alberta First and City of Brooks websites, Foreign Direct Investment, and encouraging intensive livestock operations and crop production. A. McCuaig, S. Stanway, D. Horvath, D. Erdman, K. Christman, and J. Chomistek left the meeting at 12:08 p.m. LUNCH Council recessed for lunch at 12:08 p.m. and reconvened at 1:05 p.m. 14. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor W. Daniels reported that NAIT will be presenting an online conference about the Alberta Supernet on September 11, 2007. Interested parties are to contact the Palliser Economic Partnership Committee for instructions. b. Bow River Basin Council Councillor C. Vermeeren presented the final draft of Phase i of the ~(~r`- Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan to Council, and indicated that it will also be released to the public with fact sheets to make it easier to understand. Regular Council Minutes September 6, 2007 13. Page 9 POST AGENDA ITEMS -continued h. Awards Night Councillor H. Wutzke asked about the possibility of combining the County of Newell No. 4 Awards Night with the Employee Christmas party to create a more spectacular event. Administration will consult with the planners of the employee Christmas party and this item will be brought back to the next Council meeting. 15. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION Councillor A. Eckert indicated that the Newell Recycling Association would be making a request for access to the County's high-speed Internet. 16. INFORMATION ITEMS There were no information items to discuss. 17. IN CAMERA C-406/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that we move in camera at 1:22 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Vote on Motion C-401/07 MOTION DEFEATED C-407/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that we move out of camera at 3:15 p.m. MOTION CARRIED t~ ~,, 18. ADJOURN C-408/07 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. VERMEEREN that the meeting adjourn at 3:21 p.m. MOTION CARRIED ~./l Reeve County A ministrator