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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-11 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL N0.4 ~„ MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING June 11, 2009 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, June 11, 2009 commencing at 10:02 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: W. Daniels I. Schroeder A.M. Philipsen R. Andrews J. Harbinson S. Evans A. Eastman B. de Jong H. Wutzke STAFF: L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator D. Horvath, Oldman River Regional Services Commission A. Wickert, Development Control Officer A. Clapton, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: R. Kiedrowski, Brooks & County Chronicle M. Fitzgerald, Q-13 Fox Radio R. Juska, Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority 1. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 2. MINUTES The following changes were made to the May 21, 2009 Council minutes: Page 6 -Item 11 c -Motion C-184/09 should read `:.. Bassano Pioneer Damsiters Drop In Centre ($21,000.00), ... APPROVED in the amount of $40, 500.00... " Page 10 -Item 8a should read "He displayed a map, which indicated the potential for power generation from wind, noting that..." C-193/09 MOVEb BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the May 21, 2009 Council minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council Minutes June 11, 2009 3. 4. C-194/09 CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS The Reeve called for post agenda items. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Page 2 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5. CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-195/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that cheques 164912 to 165009 in the amount of $850,183.41, cheques 165010 to 165014 in the amount of $88,542.29, cheques 165015 to 165113 in the amount of $2,123,053.99, cheques 165114 to 165119 in the amount of $163,695.90, and Direct Debit Batch 14981 in the amount of $111,129.96 be approved. MOTION CARRIED 6. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES There was no business from the minutes to discuss at this meeting. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Wickert arrived at 10:10 a.m. Councillor A. Eastman declared a conflict of interest. The Assistant Administrator reviewed with Council Section 172 of the Municipal Government Act which deals with pecuniary interests. It was noted that under Sect. 172(3) Councillor A. Eastman's interest entitled him to be heard by Council in the same manner as any ratepayer. Councillor A. Eastman left his seat at the Council table and occupied a chair in the delegation area of the Council Chambers. 8. OTHER BUSINESS a. Road Closure Application - A. Eastman (Between NE'/a & SE ~/a 34-21-16-W4 and N1N'/a & SW ~/a 35-21-16-W4) The Development Control Officer presented backup information on this item to Council. She indicated that Public Works has expressed t l Regular Council Minutes Page 3 June 11, 2009 concerns that closing this road may impact any future connection of Twp. Rd. 22-0 and Highway 550. The Development Control Officer responded to questions from Council. C-196/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that Council REFUSE the application for the closure and sale of the road allowance located between NE & SE 34-21-16-W4 and NW & SW 35-21-16-W4. MOTION CARRIED Council discussed leasing the road allowance rather than selling it, and A. Eastman indicated that this would be acceptable. C-197/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that Council accept the application for and proceed with the process for the closure and lease of the road allowance located between NE & SE 34-21-16-W4 and NW & SW 35-21-16- W4. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert left the meeting at 10:22 a.m. b. Road Closure Notification -Alberta Transportation (NE ~/a 32-21-12-W4) D. Horvath presented Council with information regarding a proposed road closure by Alberta Transportation required for the widening and construction of Highway 876. She indicated that this was an opportunity for the municipality to comment on the proposed closure and noted there were no access issues or concerns that she could see. Council directed D. Horvath to write a letter to Alberta Transportation staffing that this item was reviewed by Council and accepted as information. c. Cancellation of Meetings due to Conflict with 2009 ASB Summer Tour (July 6-9, 2009) Due to the majority of Council attending the 2009 ASB Summer Tour, the Municipal Committee meeting will be held on July 13, 2009 and the first Council meeting of July will be held on July 10, 2009. d. Funding Request -Brooks Food Bank Foundation Council was presented with a letter from the Brooks Food Bank Foundation requesting funding to cover operating costs. Councillor ~ ~ H. Wutzke noted that the letter did not request any specific amount. Council discussed potential funding sources, including Grasslands ~~'., Regional FCSS, and Councillor H. Wutzke replied that some funding is t Regular Council Minutes Page 4 June 11, 2009 received from FCSS, but this cannot be used to purchase food. Reeve M. Douglass told Council that the Grant Administrator had been discussing other funding options with the Brooks Food Bank. Councillor J. Harbinson indicated that the Grasslands Regional FCSS would be reviewing funding requests in September and that he would determine whether or not the Brooks Food Bank was eligible for FCSS funding. Administration was directed to invite representatives from the Brooks Food Bank to a future meeting for more information. e. FCSS Funding Agreement -Amendment The Assistant Administrator presented Council with information regarding an amendment to the FCSS funding agreement. Provincial funding has been increased therefore the municipal contribution must also increase. Councillor 1. Schroeder inquired about whether the FCSS funding increase was a result of the dissolution of the Wild Rose Foundation. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would contact MLA A. Doerksen's Office for more information regarding funding sources for organizations and services previously covered by the Wild Rose Foundation. C-198/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that Council APPROVES the requested amendment to the FCSS Funding Agreement which will increase the County of Newell funding portion to $600.60. MOTION CARRIED f. Funding Request -Municipal Library Board The Assistant Administrator presented Council with a letter from the Municipal Library Board requesting an increase to the per capita funding for all libraries within the County of /Newell to match the funding increase that was approved for the Brooks Public Library. The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-199/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that Council APPROVES funding in the amount of $13.60 per capita for all libraries within the County of Newell No. 4 as requested by the County of Newell Municipal Library Board. MOTION CARRIED g. Brooks & District Museum -Pancake Breakfast (July 1, 2009) Council was presented with a letter from the Brooks & District Museum inviting Council to participate in their Annual Pancake Breakfast celebration on July 1, 2009. Administration was directed to respond, indicating that Deputy Reeve J. Harbinson, Councillor H. Wutzke and Councillor B. de Jong will attend. Regular Council Minutes Page 5 June 11, 2009 h. Joint Meeting -County Council & Economic Development/Tourism Advisory Committee (June 24, 2009) A joint meeting between Council and the Economic Development/ Tourism Advisory Committee is tentatively scheduled for June 25, 2009 at the Heritage !nn starting at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items to be discussed are the Economic Development budget and the hiring of an administrative staff member. i. Cactus Pheasant Classic Funding Request -Update Councillor R. Andrews reported that the Economic Development/ Tourism Advisory Committee had approved the funding request from the Cactus Pheasant Classic on the condition that they use the event to promote the County of Newell in various ways. Council discussed whether or not a motion from Council was required approving the decision of the Committee. Reeve M. Douglass requested clarification on what items require Council motions for approval. Council agreed that once the Economic Development/ Tourism Advisory Committee receives budget approval from Council, they are able to approve requests as they see fit. Any items that fall outside of the budget require Council approval. Councillor R. Andrews responded to questions from Council. Council accepted this item as ,-- information. j. Tilley Fireworks Association -Funding Request & Invitation Council was presented with a letter from the Tilley Fireworks Association inviting Council to the Village of Tilley Canada Day celebrations. The letter also requested a donation to be used towards the fireworks display. This item was accepted as information. k. AAMDC Municipal Feedback Surveys The Assistant Administrator presented Council with information regarding the AAMDC Municipal Feedback surveys. Council provided a response to the survey, which will be submitted by the Assistant Administrator. 9. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1667-09 - 09 LUA 005 (Text Amendment) (1St Reading) D. Horvath presented background information on this item to Council, ~.., indicating that this text amendment was necessary due to a discrepancy between the Land Use Bylaw and the Lake Newell Resort "Area 1 Regular Council Minutes Page 6 June 11, 2009 Structure Plan regarding setbacks from water bodies. D. Horvath responded to questions from Council. C-200/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1667-09, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626-07 by amending Schedule 4, Standards of Development, section 22: Setbacks from coulees, watercourses, and water bodies by replacing section 22(e) with the following: "(e) In all land use districts, but excluding lands within the boundary of the Hamlet of Lake Newell Resort. development which occurs on land bordering a water body shall be regulated and where the water body: (i) is less than 40 acres (16.2 ha), development shall be set back from the shorelitne i00 ff (30.5 m); or (ii) is greater than 40 acres (16.2 ha), development shall be setback from the shoreline 200 ff (6i m)." A lesser setback maybe aermiited when it is suaaorted by a site investigation by a Qualified aeotechnicaUenvironmenta/ engineer." be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING D. Horvath left the meeting at 11:37 a.m. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Bill C-319 - An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act Council was presented with a letter regarding Bill C-3i9, which wil! amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This item was accepted as information. b. Diabetes Association (Brooks & District) - "Steak & Beans" Golf Tournament Council was presented with information regarding the upcoming "Steak & Beans" Golf tournament on July i 1, 2009 at the Brooks Golf Club. This item was accepted as information. c. Diabetes Association (Brooks & District) -Yoga for Seniors Council was presented with information regarding upcoming Yoga for Seniors classes presented by the Diabetes Association (Brooks & District). This item was accepted as information. Regular Council Minutes June 11, 2009 d. Letter from AB Tourism, Parks & Recreation Re: 2012 Alberta Summer Games ~-- Page 7 Council was presented with a letter from the Minister of Tourism, Parks & Recreation inviting bids for the right to host the 2012 Alberta Summer Games. This item was accepted as information. e. Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding Request -Division 4 Council was presented with Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding applications from Bow City and Scandia. Councillor R. Andrews provided background information on these items. He explained the Bow City request for a new lawn tractor, indicating that they had used funding that had been set aside for this purchase to complete some upgrades to the community hall while the contractor was still onsite. He also noted a comment by J. Swenson in the minutes of the Division 4 Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding Committee, which indicated the projects had created excitement within the community and many people have come to see the changes to the hall. C-201/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that the Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding Requests from the Hamlet of Scandia for upgrades to the baseball diamond, skating rink, and community hall in the amount of $848.70, and from Bow City Community for a new lawn tractor, wheelchair ,--~ ramp, and electrical system upgrades to the community hall in the amount of $12,650.50 be APPROVED with funding through the Regional Enhancement Reserve allocation for Division 4. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Juska arrived at 11:45 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS a. Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority R. Juska presented Council with an update regarding the work being done at the landfill. He displayed an aerial photograph, indicating the three new cells that were being built and other construction that will occur. He indicated that recycling of asphalt shingles was being considered for the future and they were using shredded tire material as a base for the waste cells as it is cheaper than gravel. R. Juska responded to questions from Council regarding tire recycling, indicating that tires are accepted at the transfer stations. ~^ He presented Council with a blueprint of a proposed regional recycling ' centre and acost-estimate, indicating that they require a buildin t ~;, Regular Council Minutes Page 8 June 11, 2009 can handle larger volumes of more than one type of material at a time. Demand for recycling is increasing and some of the communities with the temporary recycling trailers would like to have them full time. R. Juska reported that they have applied for grant funding and are in the process of looking for other funding sources. The Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority has committed to having the engineered drawings completed and are looking at land. R. Juska presented Council with an overview of the Southern Alberta Energy for Waste Alliance, which is a group interested in creating a garbage fired generating station in the future. Though the NRSWMA is not yet a member of this organization, R. Juska indicated that he has been attending meetings. A landfill would still be required to dispose of the ash, but this is about 20 % of the original waste volume. The generating station would probably be sited in a location central to the larger municipalities and would require involvement from Brooks, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING R. Juska and R. Kiedrowski left the meeting at 12:19 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:19 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:02 p.m. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS -continued f. Municipal Reserve Funding Request - Scandia Playground/ Recreation Committee Councillor R. Andrews presented Council with a Municipal Reserve Funding request from the Scandia P/ayground/Recreation Committee. The Committee has applied for a Recreational Infrastructure Canada grant for upgrades to the baseball diamond and the building at the outdoor skating rink. Once this grant funding is received, they will return the Municipal Reserve funding to the County. Councillor A.M. Philipsen noted that some grant agencies will not approve funding for projects that are already complete and that this should be investigated. Councillor R. Andrews responded to questions from Council. C-202/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that Council APPROVES the allocation of $31,017.00 from the Municipal Public Reserve to the Scandia Playground/Recreation Committee for upgrades to the baseball diamond and - the building at the skating rink, with the understanding that this funding will Regular Council Minutes Page 9 June 11, 2009 be reimbursed upon the receipt of Recreational Infrastructure Canada grant funding by the Scandia Playground/Recreation Committee. MOTION CARRIED g. Rerouting Range Roads 15-0 and 15-1 Councillor H. Wutzke indicated that several options for a route going around the west side of Brooks had been discussed at the last Joint Services meeting. He displayed a map and pointed out alternate routes and railway crossings, indicating that the members on Joint Services Committee hope to have a preferred route selected at the next Municipal Committee meeting. Council discussed the reduction of railway crossings and the costs involved with establishing and maintaining them. h. County of Newell Census Update The Assistant Administrator reported that the census data collection was nearly complete. He distributed a List of the residences that the enumerators had not been able to contact and requested assistance from Council in obtaining this information. The census will need to be finalized by June 30, 2009. LEFT THE MEETING S. Stanway and M. Fitzgerald left the meeting at 1:27 p.m. 11. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Oldman River Regional Services Com fission - Exe i Committee Meeting Minutes (April 9, 2009) Council was presented with the minutes of the April 9, 2009 meeting of the ORRSC Executive Committee. This item was accepted as information. b. AAMDC Fall 2008 Resolutions r" Council was presented with information from the AAMDC regarding the resolutions discussed during the 2008 Fal! Convention. This item was accepted as information. Regular Council Minutes June 11, 2009 c. Letter from Wheatland County Re: May 7, 2009 Joint Meeting in Bassano Page 10 Council was presented with a letter from Wheatland County thanking ~-- them for the joint meeting and inviting the County of Newell to a meeting in Wheatland County in September. Reeve M. Douglass will reply to Wheatland County indicating that Council would be happy to meet again when new issues arise. d. Councillor Expense Claims Reeve M. Douglass reported that the Human Resources and Payroll Clerk was looking at a new online system for preparing expense claims. Council will receive a demonstration once this system is in place. 13. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 14. ADJOURN C-203/09 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the meeting adjourn at 1:47 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Reeve ,; Co Administrator