Loading...
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. Page 2 of 6 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. Page 3 of 6 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. Page 4 of 6 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. Page 5 of 6 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 Page 6 of 6