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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-05 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 5, 2017 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, October 5, 2017 commencing at 10:40 a.m. MEMBERS Molly Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: T. Fyfe STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner - ORRSC M. Fenske, Manager of Finance M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services K. Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services J. Porfoun, Executive Operations Administrative Assistant A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: R. Fernell, Acting CAO - Town of Bassano T. Rose, Mayor - Town of Bassano A. Martens, CAO - City of Brooks C. Simpson, Brooks & District Food Bank K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation M. Martin 1. C-300/17 CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor T. Fyfe be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council October 5, 2017 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (September 21, 2017) The following changes were made to the September 21, 2017 Council Meeting minutes: Page 3 - Motion C-284/17 should read "MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the request from the Village of Duchess for the Margaret Avenue Upgrade Project be APPROVED in the amount of $143,591.00... " C-301/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the September 21, 2017 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-302/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Fernell and T. Rose arrived at 10:50 a.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.5 Request for Letter of Support - Global Village Centre (Community Resilience Fund) Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-303/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the County of Newell provides a letter in support of the Global Village Centre's application to the Community Resilience Fund. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Fenske arrived at 10:51 a.m. 8.2 Newell Regional Services Corporation Asset Transfer Agreement The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item. Once this agreement is finalized, joint use agreements will be drafted for areas where the County and Newell Regional Services Corporation both have assets. NRSC has Page 2 of 8 Regular Council October 5, 2017 also engaged MPE Engineering to assist with easement transfers. The Manager of Finance responded to questions from Council. .104/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council APPROVES the execution of the Treated Water System Finalization Agreement between the County of Newell and Newell Regional Services Corporation. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 Funding Request - Regional Enhancement (Bassano) The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item. R. Fernell thanked Council for providing the Regional Enhancement Funding program. She provided details regarding the two projects included in the funding application. Councillor K. Christman asked about the component of the five-year plan that outlines funding sources for projects. R. Fernell indicated that portion would be completed after the new Council reviews the list of projects and sets priorities. She asked if the County would continue to provide Regional Enhancement Funding to the municipalities within its borders. The Manager of Finance responded to questions, stating that the policy indicates that projects must be cost -shared but a specific ratio is not specified. Councillor A.M. Philipsen indicated that the funding source would remain but suggested including the amount of the contribution from the Town of Bassano in the proposal. ARRIVED AT MEETING A. Martens and C. Simpson arrived at 11:05 a.m. Discussion followed. Councillor C. Amulung requested that it be specified in the policy that the projects are to be cost shared 50/50. Mayor T. Rose thanked the County for providing the Regional Enhancement Funding Program and the Manager of Finance for his assistance. He indicated that the Town of Bassano would have more financial clarity for 2018. C-305/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the request from the Town of Bassano for manhole replacement and road patch work be APPROVED in the amount of $159,344.28 with funding from the Regional Enhancement Reserve Fund for Division 6 (Bassano) released upon submission of invoices for the projects. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell and T. Rose left the meeting at 11:09 a.m. 8.4 Funding Request - Regional Enhancement (Brooks) The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item. A. Martens thanked Council for extending the Regional Enhancement Funding program. He provided details of the project which will upgrade the Brooks & District Food Bank facility. C. Simpson provided further details and outlined the benefits of the project. C. Simpson responded to questions regarding the renovations. A. Martens responded to questions regarding the Five -Year Capital �D Page 3 of 8 Regular Council October 5, 2017 Plan provided by the City of Brooks, indicating that the priorities may change when the plan is reviewed by the new Council. C-306/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the request from the City of Brooks for expansion of the Brooks & District Food Bank be APPROVED in the amount of $70,000.00 with funding from the Regional Enhancement Reserve Fund for Division 5 & 10 (Brooks) released upon submission of invoices for the project. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Martens, C. Simpson, and M. Fenske left the meeting at 11:21 a.m. 8.6 Medicine Hat College - Brooks Campus Support Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item, indicating that the draft agreement provided does not require a financial commitment from any of the partners. The goal is to create an institution similar to Olds College at the Medicine Hat College - Brooks Campus with the high school using that facility. Reeve M. Douglass responded to questions from Council. C-307/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the execution of the Partnership Agreement between the City of Brooks, the County of Newell, Medicine Hat College, and Grasslands Public Schools. MOTION CARRIED 8.7 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 8.8 Payment Register C-308/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8.9 Requests for Functions of Council C-309/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the following be APPROVED as functions of Council: • Fire & Emergency Services Meetings (October 4, 2017) - Reeve M. Douglass, Councillor A.M. Philipsen, Councillor E. Unruh, and Councillor B. de Jong; • SolarKrafte Open House (October 3, 2017) - Councillor A.M. Philipsen and Councillor L. Juss. Page 4 of 8 MOTION CARRIED Regular Council October 5, 2017 C-310/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor E. Unruh be permitted to attend the AMMY Awards Gala on behalf of the Newell Regional Tourism Association Ammy Awards Ceremony in Brooks, AB on September 26, 2017 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED C-311/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move into Public Hearings at 11:32 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6.1 Bylaw 1896-17 - Reopen Roads Closed by Bylaw 623-70 and Bylaw 1763-13 Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:32 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Manager of Planning & Development stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 1896-17. The intent of this bylaw is to rescind Bylaw 623-70 and Bylaw 1763-13 and reopen the road allowances previously closed under those two bylaws. The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to all adjacent landowners as well as to a list of affected agencies. No responses were received from adjacent landowners. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor B. de Jong provided further information on the road closed by Bylaw 623-70. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht, J. Porfoun, M. Martin, and K. Martin arrived at 11:37 a.m. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated that both landowners were notified that the road allowances would be reopened to public travel. C-312/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:40 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 8 Regular Council October 5, 2017 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 1896-17 - Reopen Roads Closed by Bylaw 623-70 and Bylaw 1763-13 The Manager of Planning & Development provided further background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-313/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that Bylaw 1896-17, being a bylaw for the purpose of rescinding Bylaw 623-78 and Bylaw 1763-13, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED Councillor A.M. Philipsen expressed concerns regarding reopening one of the roads. The landowner has indicated that he has removed the pivot and is no longer using the road allowance, but there is no real way of proving this has been done at this time. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 11:42 a.m. The County Planner indicated the landowner has stated they are not using the road allowance and are not interested in paying the lease fee, so the road should be reopened. If the landowner is found to be still using the road allowance in the future, the Planning & Development department can proceed through Municipal Enforcement. C-314/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1896-17 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.1 Planning & Development Report The Manager of Planning & Development presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding solar development applications, indicating that, ideally, the applicants would contact the Planning & Development Department first and provide the same information that they provide to the Alberta Utilities Commission. The County Planner provided further information, indicating that it would be beneficial to meet with neighbouring municipalities to ensure consistency in the information collected. C-315/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Planning & Development Report for September 2017 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Wickert and D. Horvath left the meeting at 11:56 a.m. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council October 5, 2017 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.2 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. The Tilley and Patricia lagoons will be discharged on October 12, 2017. Maintenance on all hamlet lift stations will begin October 11, 2017. There have been 11 hookups to the rural water system since the last update. K. Steinley reported that the power outage on Monday revealed further issues with the Tilley pumphouse transfer switch. MPE Engineering is looking into this and a power quality monitor may be installed. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K Steinley responded to questions from Council regarding the power issues and thanked the Director of Municipal Services for providing assistance to NRSC staff during the storm. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 12:05 p.m. Reeve M. Douglass presented the Manager of Fire & Emergency Services with Service Bars from the Officer of the Alberta Fire Commissioner for 22 and 32 years of service. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:11 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:04 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor L. Juss arrived at 1:04 p.m. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. He also provided information regarding the snowfall event that occurred on Monday, October 2, 2017. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding trees that fall from private property onto public roads and working conditions during the storm. Councillor K. Christman indicated that the Bassano volunteer fire department had provided assistance on Highway 1 during the storm and asked if the County would be sending an invoice to Alberta Transportation to recover these costs. The Director of Municipal Services suggested the Manager of Fire & Emergency Services could answer questions specific to firefighters. Municipal Services staff would be working with Volker Stevin to ensure the outcome is fair to both parties. Discussion followed. C-316/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for September 2017 be APPROVED as presented Page 7 of 8 Regular Council October 5, 2017 LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left at 1:32 p.m. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Mini Bus Monthly Reports (September 2017) This item was accepted as information. 12. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 13. IN CAMERA C-317/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 1:32 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations - Fire & Emergency Services - FO/PP Act Sections 21, 23, 24 MOTION CARRIED C-318/17 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of camera at 2:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Signed this day of , 2017 Reeve C t Administrator Page 8 of 8