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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 Annual Report COUNTY OF NEWELL NO. 4 2006 ANNUAL REPORT Reeve’s Report for the Year Ending 2006 as the County of Newell, is to provide The third purpose of a municipality is to good government. The primary work of develop and maintain safe and viable this responsibility lies with the policy and communities. Our county has many decision makers-Council and economic advantages--water, natural Administrative Staff. However, all resources, tourism, agriculture, population residents as interested citizens, voters, diversity, transportation routes, members-at-large, volunteers, or employment opportunities and more. committee members have a part to play Council must continue to plan for the within this function. Our partnering sustainability of all of these advantages projects with other municipalities and with and to support the efforts of those who the province are one aspect of “good work hard to provide protective, government”. Examples and measures of recreational, emergency, environmental, this are progress on the regional water social, and cultural services so that our system and the paving of Secondary communities do remain safe and viable. Highway #876. Good government means Being involved in municipal government that infrastructure accomplishments must be maximized while our economy is brings a variety of challenges in a variety strong so that our local area remains of categories from land use to coyotes. I competitive in attracting a broad range of am grateful to my fellow Councillors and growth opportunities into the future. County staff for their continued support, By Molly Douglass, County of Newell No. 4 contributions and commitment in meeting Reeve The second purpose of a municipality is to the challenges. It is my pleasure to work provide services. In 2006 organizational with such a team. According to the Municipal Government changes were initiated to improve delivery Act, there are three purposes for our local and to increase efficiencies in the Your ideas and suggestions will be form of “county” government. These three provision of many services to our appreciated on May 07 at the General purposes are written in plain language but ratepayers. This restructuring will Meeting! do take on varying interpretations and continue in 2007 with the goal of “client complexities from issue to issue. satisfaction”. Molly Douglass, Reeve The first purpose of a municipality, such COUNTY OF NEWELL NO. 4 - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The County of Newell Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, May 7, 2007 at the Heritage Inn in Brooks commencing at 7:00 P.M. The meeting provides an excellent opportunity to discuss issues and concerns as well as to hear reports on the 2006 operations of the County. All County residents and ratepayers are welcome to attend. Council and staff look forward to seeing you on May 7th. The 2006 Annual Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 3. Adoption of Agenda was held at the Heritage Inn on Thursday, April 27, 2006 Ratepayers had no questions regarding this report. commencing at 7:05 p.m. MOVED BY D. SEITZ that the Agenda be adopted as presented. MEMBERS10. Open Discussion MOTION CARRIED PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve Chairman Barg opened the floor for general W. Daniels Don Weisbeck arrived at 7:10 p.m. discussion. I. Schroeder A.M. Philipsen Carl Chomistek asked which roads in the County C. Vermeeren 4. Reading & Approval of Minutes of the 2005 would be paved over the next 5 years. Councillor M. Nesbitt Annual Meeting Daniels stated that he would mail him a copy of the 5 S. Evans year road paving plan. A. Eastman The Secretary read minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting A. Eckert held April 14, 2005. Charlie Charlton questioned Council’s reasons for H. Wutzke foregoing the tender process on the recent purchase MOVED BY C. CHARLTON that the 2005 Annual Meeting of graders, loaders and scrapers for the County of minutes be adopted as presented. STAFF Newell. PRESENT: B. Keith, Operations Review Manager MOTION CARRIED Council’s reasons for foregoing the tendering process T. Henry, County Planner included: S. Wylie, A.S.B. Fieldman N. Moriyama, Assistant Administrator 5. Business from Minutes good buy backs and guarantees from Finning in the A. Martens, Administrator past for our used equipment S. Yokoyama, Administrative Secretary · None D. Seitz, Equipment Operator by eliminating the tendering process the long lag time R. Arsenault, Grader Operator 6. Reeve’s Report when ordering equipment could be reduced S. Rodwell, Accounting Supervisor P. Urban, Development Control Officer Reeve Douglass presented the Reeve’s Report. Mr. Charlton felt that the tenders are slanted so no one else can bid. He also noted that other businesses he had MOVED BY B. WUTZKE that the Reeve’s Report be OTHERS IN spoken with received a better price from Canadian Public ATTENDANCE: adopted as presented. Auctions rather than the company buy back. J. Petrie, Q13 Radio K. Rothbauer, Brooks Bulletin MOTION CARRIED Mr. Charlton commented that he preferred the County R. Kiedrowski, Brooks & County Chronicle tender all their purchases. Councillor Nesbitt indicated F. Barg Ratepayers had no questions regarding this report. that she would provide Mr. Charlton with the hours of use C. Charlton for the scrapers and packers. C. Chomistek V. Parker 7. Agricultural Service Board Chairman’s Report Sandra Hajash expressed a concern regarding T. Parker development within the County. Why is the County S. Hajash The Agricultural Service Board Chairman, Councillor allowing developments without approval? She has A. Peltzer Eastman, presented this report. had a business operating next to her property for 5 D. Weisbeck years and nothing has been finalized. She presented B. Wutzke MOVED BY COUNCILLOR EASTMAN that the Agricultural a letter to Council regarding this issue and asked that L. Pye-Matheson Service Board Chairman’s Report be adopted as it be brought back to a Council meeting and County of Newell Ratepayer presented. addressed. MOTION CARRIED Councillor Vermeeren noted that this is a long standing 10 ratepayers were in attendance for the 2006 Annual issue which has gone to court and will be brought back to Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4. Ratepayers had no questions regarding this report. an upcoming Council meeting. Vern Parker questioned why Council does not easily 1. Election of Chairman8. Municipal Committee Chairman’s Report approve a subdivision that meets all the qualifications for the area? He also noted that Highway 525 is still The Administrator called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The Municipal Committee Chairman, Councillor Daniels, rough heading east to Rolling Hills. and called for nominations for the position of Chairman. presented this report. Charlie Charlton nominated Fred Barg. There were no Councillor Vermeeren noted that it is up to each councillor further nominations. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DANIELS that the Municipal to decide how they want to vote on an issue. He also Committee Chairman’s Report be adopted as presented. commented that Highway 525 is under provincial Vern Parker arrived at 7:06 p.m. jurisdiction for repairs. MOTION CARRIED Fred Barg was declared Chairman and assumed the Chair. Ratepayers had no questions regarding this report. Vern Parker questioned the necessity of having to Chairman Barg welcomed ratepayers to the 2006 Annual complete a rezoning prior to a subdivision application. Meeting. Councillors Daniels and Vermeeren attempted to 9. Assessor’s Report clarify the Land Use Amendment and Subdivision process for Mr. Parker. Assistant Administrator, Noel Moriyama, presented the 2. Election of Secretary Assessor’s Report. Tom Parker questioned why some businesses could Chairman Barg called for nominations for the position of get away without permits and others cannot. Secretary. Alfred Peltzer nominated A. Martens. MOVED BY N. MORIYAMA that the Assessor’s Report be There were no further nominations. adopted as presented. A. Martens was declared Secretary. MOTION CARRIED … CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 PAGE 2 ……………………. County of Newell No. 4 - 2006 Annual Report Councillor Vermeeren indicated that a Stop Work Order has not been dealt with yet. Council discussion. had been issued for the case referred to by Mrs. Hajash. He noted that the courts haven’t addressed this issue and Sandra Hajash requested that the County deal with Darcy Seitz questioned why the County did not the County must wait for the courts to deal with it before it issues brought forward to them in a timely manner. implement road bans on gravel roads earlier in the can be finalized. year. Council commented that they do not like to ban gravel roads in the County as this can cause problems Tom Parker advised that there has been an increase Sandra Hajash commented that the Courts are not going to for the economy. It was also noted that companies in the speed of the traffic along the newly paved enforce the issue if the County guidelines are not being have been asked to discontinue their continuous hauls Peltzer Road and asked if anything could be done to enforced. during the spring when the gravel roads are soft. reduce the speed. Councillor Vermeeren commented that enforcement does Councillor Vermeeren asked that Council be advised if Councillor Vermeeren advised that the County Special take time and the County would require more staff to anyone notices county roads being damaged. Constable can enforce speed limits on local county roads. address all of these issues. Alfred Peltzer suggested that the County build their Tom Parker commented that loads of waste manure Vern Parker asked for the process required to stop a roads to a standard that can handle heavier traffic or are being hauled from Brooks through the smaller development if it is not compatible with an area. repair them to that standard. He also offered a areas causing damage to the roads. He also wanted Councillor Vermeeren commented that a stop work bouquet to the County for the work completed on the to know whom he should contact regarding garbage in order can be issued and the applicant then has an Peltzer Road. the ponch he received from Lakeside. opportunity to appeal the decision and if it goes to court it can take quite some time to be resolved. Lynn Pye-Matheson arrived at 8:18 p.m. Steve Wylie advised that Alberta Environment has an emergency number to deal with his ponch concern and he Reg Arsenault questioned why the County Special Chairman Barg thanked the ratepayers for their comments would be happy to provide him with that number. Constable was unable to assist with enforcement of and attendance at the 2006 Annual Meeting. development permits. Mr. Arsenault was informed Carl Chomistek asked if there was still a ban on that the Special Constable is required to enforce the county gravel roads. Council advised that the ban on County bylaws, traffic and road issues. The County 11. Adjourn gravel roads has been removed. Development Officer enforces development issues. MOVED BY C. CHARLTON that the meeting adjourn at Reeve Douglass thanked those in attendance for their 8:18 p.m. Charlie Charlton commented about a development comments and concerns. It is quite clear that adjacent to his property that does not have a valid development issues are of great concern to the MOTION CARRIED permit and has since been granted another permit for County residents and this will be a major area for additional work even though the outstanding permit KPMG LLP Telephone (403) 380-5700 Chartered Accountants Fax (403) 380-5760 500 Lethbridge Centre Tower Internet www.kpmg.ca th 400 – 4 Avenue South Lethbridge AB T1J 4E1 Canada AUDITORS' REPORT To the Reeve and Members of Council The accompanying summarized financial information is derived from the complete consolidated financial statements of the County of Newell No. 4 as at December 31, 2006 and for the year then ended on which we expressed an opinion without reservation in our report dated February 14, 2007. The fair summarization of complete financial information is the responsibility of management. Our responsibility, in accordance with the applicable Assurance Guideline of The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, is to report on the summarized financial information. In our opinion, the accompanying financial information fairly summarizes, in all material respects, the related complete consolidated financial statements in accordance with the criteria described in the Guideline referred to above. This summarized financial information does not contain all the disclosures required by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Readers are cautioned that this financial information may not be appropriate for their purposes. For more information on the County’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows, reference should be made to the related complete financial statements. Chartered Accountants Lethbridge, Canada February 14, 2007 County of Newell No. 4 - 2006 Annual Report …………………….PAGE 3 PAGE 4 ……………………. County of Newell No. 4 - 2006 Annual Report County of Newell No. 4 - 2006 Annual Report …………………….PAGE 5 PAGE 6 ……………………. County of Newell No. 4 - 2006 Annual Report Front: Sheila Evans (Div 6), Reeve Molly Douglass (Div 9), Mara Nesbitt (Div 5), Anne Marie Philipsen (Div 3) Back: Allen Eastman (Div 7), Wayne Daniels (Div 1), Art Eckert (Div 8), Chris Vermeeren (Div 4), Deputy Reeve Ike Schroeder (Div 2), Harold Wutzke (Div 10) County of Newell No. 4 - 2006 Annual Report …………………….PAGE 7 Chamomile)) 3350 miles of road was mowed in 2006. Agricultural Service Board Special Programs (Private Land) Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Chairman’s Annual Report For Agriculture (AESA) The private land spraying this season was quite 2006 extensive with over 700 hours of labour and using The County employs one full-time Rural approx. $8000 worth of chemical. Major weeds of Conservation Technician. This program promotes concern include but are not limited to: Downy By Allen Eastman, environmental stewardship through various Brome, Common Burdock, Milkweed, Toadflax, Agricultural Service programs including: Scentless Chamomile and Canada Thistle. Board Chairman Trees (21 landowners and 24905 trees) Pest Control The present Agricultural Environmental Farm Plans (58 completed) Service Board (ASB) is Many programs are implemented by the ASB to comprised of five elected Courses (Grazing School 40 participants) deal with pests such as Richardson Ground members and five staff Demonstrations (Swath Grazing - Millet) Squirrel, Coyotes, Skunks and Racoons. These representatives. The five Extension (Pasture Management Seminar – 5 programs include: elected officials currently producers) sitting on the board SACA Conference (160 producers) Coyote Control Incentive Program (CCIP) includes Allan Eastman (2037 coyotes) (chairman and division 7 councillor), Mara Nesbitt Trap Rentals Other activities in 2006 included Rural Beatification (Division 5), Anne Marie Issuance of pest control devices and products Program, Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award, Philipsen (Division 3), Sheila Evans (Division 6) and Ground Squirrel Control (966 kg of Ready to Roadside seeding and various pest and agronomic Art Eckert (Division 8). use wet strychnine) recommendations. The Agricultural Service Boards mission is to Other pest issues deal with: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the provide and administer agricultural programs and Agricultural Service Board members as well as staff services to the agricultural community to encourage Grasshoppers (Steve Wylie, Robert McTavish, Will Schaap, Todd sustainable farming practises within the Green and Jenelle Johnson), for their continued Fusarium municipality. In fulfilling this mission, the dedicated service. Bacterial Ring Rot Agricultural Service Board (ASB) undertakes a number of programs and services. The ASB continues to be active in promoting and All are monitored in yearly surveys. protecting agriculture. If you have concerns or Weed Control require more information please feel free to contact West Nile Virus Program the office at 362-2772 or check out our website at Weeds or Invasive Species are a serious concern www.countyofnewell.ab.ca. ASB meetings are held One coordinator and two helpers were hired in and a constant battle for ASB staff. There are a in Council chambers every other month beginning 2006 to survey, map and perform control. Areas of number of programs in place to address these in January so please join us if you have issues or focus were Rolling Hills, Patricia, Scandia, Rainier, issues including: ideas. Duchess, Rosemary, Tilley, Bassano and Gem. Employment of Weed Inspectors Respectfully, Roadside Mowing Roadside Spraying (991 miles) Allan Eastman Spot Spraying (all roads) All local roads are mowed at least once each year River Walk (Red Deer and Bow (879 bags of along with areas in subdivisions and Hamlets. Over County and needs to be hauled in over 30 miles. paving program in 2007. Municipal Chairman’s Report We are bringing gravel in to the Rolling Hills area (division one) from the Bow City area (north end of We have continued organizing for a regional water for 2006 division four). For years we have had to haul gravel system. Council gave their consent to forming a for from the Imperial Colony to the Tilley area. This will profit limited company with the Villages of Tilley and By Wayne Daniels, be a nicer run now that the provincial highway #876 Rosemary, With the Town of Bassano and with the Municipal Committee is paved. City of Brooks. The provincial program, water for Chairman life, will provide 90% funding for transmission A couple years ago we increased the Non-pipelines to service Patricia, Rainier, Scandia, and Keeping our road Residential mill rate so we could capture some of Rolling Hills besides the other municipalities. The infrastructure is the most the money the oil and gas sector were removing grant money is also available to fund increased costly need in the from our County. This money was to be used to capacity in the transmission lines to service our County of Newell. In providing a higher quality of services to our farm and acreage residents. 2006 over $10 million residents. With this money we paved the Jo Ann was spent directly on Trucking road west to the Veteran's Highway (we In 2006 we entered into an agreement with the City road improvement received 50% funding from the provincial Resource of Brooks to supply us with Special Constable besides the amount Road Program), the provincial highway 876 Services. That has been operating now so spent on maintenance. I (partnered with the province on a 25%/75% basis), residents should be seeing the County Special want to take this the old #1 highway north of Duchess and west to Constable vehicle in their communities. opportunity to thank our the Veteran's Highway, two short stretches of road staff for the adjustments they made, the work they in the southern part of division 4, and the Dinosaur did and their dedication to the task in 2006. Gravel Park road PR 130 on a 25%/75% split with the is a scarce commodity in the southern part of our provincial government. It is planned to pursue the PAGE 8 ……………………. County of Newell No. 4 - 2006 Annual Report