Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-21 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL NO. 4 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING January 21, 2010 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, January 21, 2010 commencing at 10:01 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: W. Daniels A.M. Philipsen R. Andrews J. Harbinson S. Evans A. Eastman B. de Jong H. Wutzke ABSENT: I. Schroeder STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator A. Wickert, Development Control Officer D. Horvath, County Planner M. Harbicht, Superintendent of Public Works T. Green, Agricultural Fieldman H. White, Rural Conservation Technician D. Lester, Development Control Clerk S.L. Simpson, Interim Development Control Clerk A. Clapton, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: J. Whittingham, Brooks County Chronicle M. Fitzgerald, Q 13 Fox Radio Conrad Journault, AltaLink Kevin Strangway, AltaLink S. Sgt. J. Haley, Brooks RCMP Cst. S. Kumar, Brooks RCMP Cst. S. Cameron, Brooks RCMP Sgt. G. Ericson, Brooks RCMP Corp. D. Fisher, Bassano RCMP G. Lynch, Manager of Municipal Enforcement Services C. Mitchell, AMEC I. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C -20/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Councillor I. Schroeder be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council Minutes Page 2 January 21, 2010 II. MINUTES Council (January 7, 2010) C -21/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that the January 7, 2010 Council minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED III. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS The Reeve called for post agenda items. IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C -22/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED V. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES There was no business from the minutes to discuss at this meeting. VI. BYLAWS 1. Bylaw 1673 -09 Road Closure Lease (Several portions within Townships 15 and 16, Range 14) (2 3rd Reading) The Development Control Officer presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C -23/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Bylaw 1673 -09, being a bylaw to close and lease several portions of the public road allowance in Townships 15 and 16, Range 14, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C -24/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that Bylaw 1673 -09 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING 9 ouncillor R. Andrews declared a pecuniary interest due to his ownership of t '/4 36- 17 -17 -W4 and left the meeting at 10:04 a.m. Regular Council Minutes Page 3 January 21, 2010 2. Bylaw 1692 -10 —10 LUA 001 Ptn. of NW 1/4 36- 17 -17 -W4 (A to CR) (1 Reading) The County Planner presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C -25/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that Bylaw 1692 -10, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626 -07 by rezoning approximately 14.32 acres (5.79 hectares) in NW '/a 36- 17 -17 -W4 from A Agricultural District to CR Country Residential District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor R. Andrews returned to the meeting at 10:09 a.m. T. Green and H. White arrived at 10:09 a.m. VII. AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS 1. Agricultural Fieldman's Report January 2010 The Agricultural Fieldman presented his report for January 2010 to Council. C -26/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 2. 2010 ASB Conference Resolutions, Rules, 2009 Report Card The Agricultural Fieldman presented the resolutions being brought forward at the 2010 Provincial ASB Conference to Council. He indicated that we would have to select two councillors to act as our voting delegates. C -27/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. HARBINSON that Councillor A. Eastman and Councillor J. Harbinson be the voting representatives for the County of Newell at the 2010 Agricultural Service Board Conference in Edmonton. MOTION CARRIED The Agricultural Fieldman asked Council if they would like to further discuss the resolutions now or wait until the conference. Council decided to review all of the resolutions now, and decided to vote on the resolutions in the following manner: -11k. Regular Council Minutes Page 4 January 21, 2010 Resolution 1 No Resolution 2 No Resolution 3 Yes Resolution 4 Yes Resolution 5 Yes Resolution 6 Yes Resolution 7 Yes Resolution 8 Yes Resolution 9 Yes 3. Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award Potential nominees for the Farm Family Award were discussed. C -28/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE on behalf of the County of Newell Ag Service Board that the George Neely family be nominated for the 2010 BMO Bank of Montreal Farm Family Award and that the Brad, Bob, and Brent Deschamps family be approached if the Neely Family is not interested. Furthermore that Councillor A.M. Philipsen attend the Awards banquet on behalf of the County of Newell ASB. MOTION CARRIED 4. Rural Beautification Awards H. White discussed the Rural Beautification Awards with Council and suggested hosting a garden tour in place of the awards this year in order to spark new interest in the Rural Beautification program. A discussion followed regarding how a garden tour would be set up. Council was in favour of hosting a garden tour in 2010. The Agricultural Fieldman and the Rural Conservation Technician were directed to bring back policy recommendations to an upcoming meeting. 5. Capital Tender Summary The Agricultural Fieldman provided the capital tender summary as information to Council. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green and H. White left the meeting at 11:02 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Clapton arrived at 11:03 a.m. Lj\\T)sQ Regular Council Minutes Page 5 January2l, 2010 VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS continued 2. Land Use Bylaw /Municipal Development Plan Draft Questionnaire The County Planner presented Council with a draft questionnaire and requested feedback. She indicated that the results would be provided in two formats the executive summary would contain an overview of the responses received and the full report would contain all the answers received. She also noted that a question regarding the respondent's division of residence has been included to determine from which part of the County responses are received. The County Planner responded to further questions from Council. Regarding the cover letter, the County Planner acknowledged that the open house meetings would focus mainly on the Municipal Development Plan but would also include other issues. She listed the dates and locations for these meetings and requested that the date for the meetings in Scandia and Rolling Hills be changed to February 17, 2010. C -29/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that all Councillors be permitted to attend any or all of the MDP Open House Meetings being held on February 16 -23, 2010 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 3. Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) Request The Development Control Officer presented Council with background information on this item, indicating that they are requesting permission to conduct ecological surveys on County owned land. The Assistant Administrator indicated that the County of Newell has no concerns with this request. Administration was directed to write a letter to ABMI approving this request. 4. DP #3354 (Rolling Hills Gym) Refund Request The Development Control Officer presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C -30/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that the $250.00 application fee for Development Permit #3354 be refunded to the applicant. MOTION DEFEATED J Regular Council Minutes Page 6 January 21, 2010 5. Review of County Electoral Division Boundaries The Assistant Administrator presented Council with background information on this item. He indicated that there are significant differences in population distribution across the divisions. In an ideal situation, the population per division should be a maximum of 25% higher or lower than the average. In other municipalities, the number of Councillors is odd to avoid stalemate voting situations. The Assistant Administrator noted that, if there is enough interest among Council members, the realignment must be in place by the first meeting in April for the October election. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor W. Daniels indicated that having an even number of Councillors has never been an issue as the procedural bylaw states that, in the event of a tie vote, the vote is declared lost. He also noted that divisional populations will change as development occurs and suggested distributing high population areas with low population areas. A Special Meeting of Council will be held on February 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to further discuss the realignment of County Electoral Division boundaries. ARRIVED AT MEETING C. Journault and K. Strangway arrived at 11:43 a.m. VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 1. AltaLink Transmission Line C. Journault gave a presentation to Council regarding the Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement (SATR) project, beginning with an overview of the Alberta Provincial Energy Strategy. He displayed a map of the areas that are to be upgraded in order to connect wind generation in Southern Alberta and gave an overview of the regulatory process and the proposed towers. C. Journault noted that the right of way for the towers would be 60m, not 75m as in the original proposal, and easements with the landowners would be required. C. Journault displayed a timeline of the SATR project, noting that the final route will be selected in early 2010 with project completion projected for 2012. He showed several maps which indicated the factors that were considered when selecting the routes, including the locations of water bodies, residences, oil and gas wells, and environmentally significant areas. He explained the changes that were made to the routes as a result of feedback received from the public. The route selected will have the least overall impact on the area. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Regular Council Minutes Page 7 January2l, 2010 LEFT THE MEETING D. Horvath, A. Wickert, D. Lester, S.L. Simpson, C. Journault and K. Strangway 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. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. J. Haley and G. Lynch arrived at 1:00 p.m. VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS continued 9. RCMP /Protective Services Quarterly Reports G. Lynch presented the County Municipal Enforcement Services Report to Council and gave an overview of some significant events. ARRIVED AT MEETING Corp. D. Fisher arrived at 1:04 p.m. Councillor W. Daniels and Councillor A. Eastman arrived at 1:05 p.m. Cst. S. Kumar and Cst. S. Cameron arrived at 1:06 p.m. Councillor R. Andrews arrived at 1:07 p.m. G. Lynch responded to questions from Council. He also reported that the SuperKids vehicle has been in both Tilley and Bassano for local torch runs and will be going to Rolling Hills in the near future. S. Sgt. J. Haley presented the Brooks RCMP statistics to Council and gave an overview of some significant events. He indicated that two new staff members have been hired and a new corporal will be arriving soon. ARRIVED AT MEETING C. Mitchell and M. Harbicht arrived at 1:14 p.m. S. Sgt. J. Haley thanked the County of Newell for providing the trading cards for the SuperKids program, which is going well. S. Sgt. J. Haley responded to questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING G. Lynch, Cst. S. Kumar, and Cst. S. Cameron left the meeting at 1:19 p.m. r, 7i Regular Council Minutes Page 8 January 21, 2010 Corp. D. Fisher indicated that the Bassano RCMP statistics have been forwarded to Council via e -mail. He gave an overview of some recent significant events. He indicated that the objective for 2009 was to increase awareness and enforcement of impaired driving, and that they have succeeded with a 25% decrease in impaired driving charges for the year. The initiative will continue in 2010 and will be expanded to the rural areas. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor R. Andrews inquired about the possibility of having a representative from the Bassano RCMP on the Rural Crime Watch Board. Corp. D. Fisher indicated that a member has been selected and that he will make arrangements. S. Sgt. J. Haley invited Council to the community consultation meeting at 9:00 a.m. on March 6, 2010 at the Heritage Inn. This full -day event is valuable in gathering public input which will be used to establish local policing priorities. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. J. Haley and Corp. D. Fisher left the meeting at 1:27 p.m. IX. PUBLIC WORKS BUSINESS 1. AMEC Delegation County Road Speed Limits C. Mitchell gave Council a presentation on speed limits for road curves and the various signs that are available to indicate road curves. He indicated that signs are generally placed 150m in front of the curve in the road. C. Mitchell gave an overview of the factors that are considered when designing both horizontal and vertical road curves and indicated the various recommended design speeds for these curves. He explained that some paved roads that seem similar may have different speed limits than others because they were built prior to existing standards. Roads that receive an overlay must meet the current design standards. LEFT THE MEETING M. Fitzgerald left the meeting at 1:44 p.m. C. Mitchell presented Council with an overview of the curves on the Old Highway 1, Duck Lake Road, and Crawling Valley Road, including the speed limit for each curve and whether or not advisory curve signs are required. He indicated that, before making a recommendation to raise ,(1 the speed limit to 100km /h, he would have to have the sight lines checked where there are accesses on s- curves. Regular Council Minutes Page 9 January 21, 2010 C. Mitchell responded to questions from Council. The Superintendent of Public Works asked for a recommendation for each of the roads mentioned. C. Mitchell indicated the following: Old Highway 1 100km /h with exceptions as indicated Duck Lake Road 100km /h with exceptions as indicated Crawling Valley Road 100km /h with exceptions as indicated LEFT THE MEETING Reeve M. Douglass left the meeting at 2:20 p.m. Deputy Reeve J. Harbinson assumed the chair. 2. Bridge File 75926 The Superintendent of Public Works requested that this item be postponed until the next meeting. 3. Fleury /Boswell Land Acquisition The Superintendent of Public Works presented an update on the land acquisition process and responded to questions from Council. 4. Grader Sites Policy 2010 -PPW -016 Agreement The Superintendent of Public Works presented Council with background information on this item. He indicated that the revised policy establishes rates for all compensation, including access to the site, gravel, and electricity. LEFT THE MEETING C. Mitchell left the meeting at 2:24 p.m. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to questions from Council. He gave an overview of all the divisional grader sites and indicated that the current agreements would be revised to reflect the updated policy. Councillor W. Daniels requested that the Superintendent of Public Works investigate a situation where gravel is being promised in return for parking calcium trucks in Rolling Hills. C -31/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that Policy 2010 -PPW -016 be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED vi) Regular Council Minutes Page 10 January 21, 2010 XI. POST AGENDA ITEMS 3. TRAVIS Provincial Permitting System Councillor B. de Jong indicated that he had attended a seminar with the Superintendent of Public Works regarding the Transportation Routing Vehicle Information System (TRAVIS). LEFT THE MEETING Councillor S. Evans left the meeting at 2:34 p.m. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that the TRAVIS system would be implemented province -wide by fall 2010 and that there was a fee structure in place for permits. TRAVIS is meant to safely and efficiently manage permits and approvals to protect infrastructure without limiting local authority to control the roads. The system will be available 24/7 and automated, which will lead to a reduction in staff time spent on issuing permits. Council requested that a presentation on the TRAVIS system be arranged for a future Council meeting. 4. Alberta Transportation Letter Re: PR 130 The Superintendent of Public Works presented Council with a response from Alberta Transportation regarding the installation of streetlights on P.R. 130 at the intersection of S.H. 544 and S.H. 876. This request was rejected. The requested lighting at Highway 1 and Duck Lake Road is warranted and will be prioritized by the province. Councillor A.M. Philipsen inquired about installing streetlights at a cost to the County. The Superintendent of Public Works replied that the installation would occur on provincial land and requires permission from Alberta Transportation. In addition, responsibility for the electric bill would need to be determined. LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 2:50 p.m. ,A\\.\\•-)\iC Regular Council Minutes Page 11 January 21, 2010 VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS continued 6. Divisional Recreation Boards Overview The Assistant Administrator presented Council with background information on this item. He summarized the arrangements of each divisional recreation board and requested direction on whether to amend all the recreation board bylaws or to proceed with amending the Division 6 bylaw. Discussion followed regarding the information that is to be provided to the County by the divisional recreation boards, and it was noted that not all boards are providing the same amount of information. Councillor W. Daniels inquired about the official forms mentioned in the bylaw that the boards are to submit their budgets on, and stated that the names of the board members and who the funding is to be sent to should be submitted to the County. The Assistant Administrator responded to further questions from Council. C -32/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that the County of Newell APPROVES the addition of 2 new members to the Division 6 Recreation Board. MOTION CARRIED 7. County Newsletter Review January /February 2010 Council reviewed the proposed County newsletter for January February 2010 and suggested changes. 8. AAMDC Spring Convention Deadline for Resolutions (Feb. 12, 2010) Council was presented with a bulletin from the AAMDC which indicated that the deadline for submitting resolutions for the Spring 2010 AAMDC Convention is February 12, 2010. No resolutions were identified at this time. 10. Councillor Payment Sheets December 2009 C -33/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the December 2009 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 11. Cheques for Payment The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. Regular Council Minutes Page 12 January 21, 2010 C -34/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR W. DANIELS that cheques 166564 to 166643 in the amount of $2,255,553.80 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED X. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor J. Harbinson reported that he had attended a meeting on January 13 where they discussed policies, procedures and the budget. 2. Newell Foundation Councillor H. Wutzke indicated that, at the last meeting, the budget had been reviewed and the requisition had been discussed. A new manager has also been hired. 3. Newell Recycling Association /Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor B. de Jong presented an update on the construction, which will continue once the weather warms up. At the landfill, the cells have been completed and the NRSWMA has signed an agreement with the M.D. of Taber to import 5,000 tons of waste to use as a base for new cells. Councillor B. de Jong responded to questions from Council. 4. Shortrass Library Board Councillor W. Daniels reported that the board had met recently via videoconference. They are currently working on a plan of service for 2011 —2013. XI. POST AGENDA ITEMS continued 1. Request for Door Prize Brooks Curling Club Ladies Bonspiel Committee Council was presented with a request for a door prize from the Brooks Curling Club Ladies Bonspiel Committee. Regular Council Minutes Page 13 January 21, 2010 C -35/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that three County of Newell No. 4 branded items be donated as a door prize to the Brooks Ladies Bonspiel. MOTION CARRIED 2. Letter of Support Crawling Valley Campground The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the Crawling Valley Campground has requested an annual letter of support from the County of Newell for a grant application. C -36/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. WUTZKE that the County of Newell send a letter of support to the Crawling Valley Recreation Society for their application to the Municipal Recreation Tourism Areas Program Grant program. MOTION CARRIED The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that Administration will forward the letters of support that are done by resolution of Council. XII. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Municipal Sustainability Strategy Meeting Summary This item was accepted as information. XIII. QUESTION PERIOD /NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Councillor W. Daniels inquired about the required Assessment Review Board Training Sessions. The Assistant Administrator replied that the County, the City of Brooks, the Town of Bassano, and the Villages of Duchess, Tilley, and Rosemary were currently working together to set up a regional Assessment Review Board. This item will be discussed further during the next Council meeting. U,) Regular Council Minutes Page 14 January 21, 2010 XIV. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. XV. ADJOURN C -37/10 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the meeting adjourn at 3:27 p.m. MOTION CARRIED Signed this 'd ..1 day of c 0(Jty, 2010 CDO---C'q Reeve ounty dministrator