HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-06 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL
MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL
July 6, 2017
The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday,
July 6, 2017 commencing at 10:17 a.m.
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS:
Molly Douglass, Reeve
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
T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
M. Marshall, IT Administrative Assistant
K. Halsted, County Assessor
S. Biette, Assessment & Taxation Clerk
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin
ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation
1. CALL TO ORDER
2.
C-204/17
Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m.
EXCUSED FROM MEETING
All members were in attendance at this meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Council (June 22, 2017)
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the June 22, 2017 Council
Meeting minutes be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Regular Council
July 6, 2017
4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS
Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C-205/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the agenda be adopted as
presented.
MOTION CARRIED
6. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS
6.1 ASB Update
The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities
of the Agricultural Services Department. The Director of Agricultural Services
responded to questions from Council.
LEFT THE MEETING
T. Green left the meeting at 10:37 a.m.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
7.1 Planning & Development Report
Council was presented with the Planning & Development Report for June 2017.
C-206/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Planning & Development Report for
June 2017 be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
7.2 Communications Committee Update - Corporate Branding
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer asked
if the logos would be registered and the Director of Corporate Services indicated
that he would check into this. He provided further information regarding why the
brand plan was created, citing the need for consistency among the County's official
documents and communication.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
K. Steinley arrived at 10:41 a.m.
The Director of Corporate Services indicated that the Brand Strategic Plan would
contribute to meeting the requirements for community engagement under the
Municipal Government Act. The Executive Assistant responded to questions
regarding the Municipal Enforcement and Fire & Emergency Services
logos. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this
meeting.
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Regular Council
July 6, 2017
8. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
8.2 Utilities - NRSC Report
K. Steinley provided an update on the Tilley pumphouse, indicating that a switch
was damaged during a storm on June 8, 2017. A replacement part has been
ordered and the repair should be done the week of July 24, 2017. The pumphouse
is currently connected to the power grid with a standby generator. K. Steinley
reported that there have been five requests to connect to the County of Newell
Water Project since the last report.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
M. Marshall arrived at 10:52 a.m.
K. Steinley responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer
suggested that periodic connection audits of the rural water system should be done
to ensure the integrity of the system remains intact. He also suggested that strict
enforcement rules should be followed for those individuals who tamper with,
bypass, or remove their flow restrictors. K. Steinley provided background
information regarding a recent situation, indicating that a fine structure would help
to convey the message that individuals are not permitted to bypass the flow emitter
and float valve shut off by connecting directly to the system.
LEFT THE MEETING
K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:59 a.m.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued
7.2 Communications Committee Update - Corporate Branding — continued
Discussion continued. The lT Administrative Assistant provided further
background information on this item, indicating that the goal was to modernize the
County's image and incorporate our social media channels. She explained how
hashtags can be used as a security device. The /T Administrative Assistant
responded to questions from Council regarding a screening process that is in place
for items posted and shared via socia/ media.
C-207/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council endorses the Communications
Committee's Brand Strategic Plan document as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Marshall left the meeting at 11:06 a.m.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
M. Harbicht arrived at 11:06 a.m.
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Regular Council
July 6, 2017
7.3 Proclamation of Pride Day (August 25, 2017)
Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item and responded
to questions from Council.
C-208/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Council hereby proclaims
August 25, 2017 as Pride Day in the County of Newell.
MOTION CARRIED
7.4 Cheques for Payment
There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting.
7.5 Payment Register
The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council and
suggested that the Assessor be brought in to respond to questions regarding any
Assessment Correction Refunds.
C-209/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted.
MOTION CARRIED
7.6 Requests for Functions of Council
There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting.
8. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
8.1 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 responded to questions regarding
the source of gravel for the East Gem Road Paving Project and dust
abatement. Councillor T. Fyfe asked if the Director of Municipal Services could
determine how many ratepayers in each division have not applied for dust
abatement for several. The Director of Municipal Services indicated that he would
investigate.
C-210/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that the Director of Municipal Services
Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for June 2017 be APPROVED as presented
9. POST AGENDA ITEMS
MOTION CARRIED
There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting.
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Regular Council
July 6, 2017
10. INFORMATION ITEMS
10.1 Public Hearing Notice (Bassano) Bylaw 871/17
This item was accepted as information.
11. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION
A question period and notice of motion was held.
12. IN CAMERA
C-211/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at
11:26 a.m. to discuss a land issue.
MOTION CARRIED
C-212/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that we move out of camera at
11:52 a.m.
MOTION CARRIED
ARRIVED AT MEETING
K. Halsted and S. Biette arrived at 11:52 a.m.
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:52 a.m.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued
7.5 Payment Register — continued
The County Assessor responded to questions from Council regarding the
Assessment Correction Refunds. Councillor C. Amulung asked if there was a
mechanism in place to check situations where development permits have been
issued and construction does not occur. The County Assessor provided further
details regarding a specific situation, indicating that he visited the site every five
years and the landowner had been reporting no changes until recently when they
had reported that the construction had not occurred. The County Assessor
responded to questions regarding oil and gas companies. Notice of disconnection
are requested by December and the sites are visited to ensure that the
disconnection has occurred before the assessment on machinery and equipment
is removed. The County Assessor responded to questions regarding residential
assessment, indicating that it is the landowner's responsibility to make sure their
information is correct. The County Assessor and the Assessment & Taxation Cl�►(l�
responded to further questions regarding the process for assessment appeals. I
LEFT THE MEETING
K. Halsted and S. Biette left the meeting at 12:06 p.m.
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Regular Council
July 6, 2017
LUNCH
Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:06 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:15 p.m.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
M. Harbicht arrived at 1:15 p.m.
12. IN CAMERA — continued
C-213/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that we move in camera at 1:15 p.m. to discuss
a land issue.
MOTION CARRIED
C-214/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move out of camera at
2:40 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
13. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Signed this 2Oday of 12017
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