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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-07 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL NO. 4 MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING April 7, 2011 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell No. 4 was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, April 7, 2011 commencing at 10:05 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung I. Schroeder A.M. Philipsen R. Andrews M. Nesbitt J. Bulger A. Eastman B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator A. Wickert, Development Officer M. Harbicht, Superintendent of Public Works H. White, Rural Conservation Technician A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: C. Lindsay, Brooks & County Chronicle M. Fitzgerald, The One R. Havinga, Newell Regional Services Corporation I. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. II. MINUTES 1. Council (March 24, 2011) C- 118/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that the March 24, 2011 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 01. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS The Reeve called for post agenda items. t r�! IV. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C- 119/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED V. BYLAWS 1. Bylaw 1723 -11 — Tax Rate Bylaw (2011) The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C- 120/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1723 -11, being a bylaw to authorize the rates of taxation for various purposes in the year 2011, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C- 121/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that Bylaw 1723 -11 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C- 122/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that consent be given for Bylaw 1723 -11 to receive third reading this 7 day of April, 2011. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C- 123/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1723 -11 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 2. Bylaw 1724 -11 — Amendment to Bylaw 1708 -11 (Scandia Raw Water Irrigation System Local Improvement) The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C- 124/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that Bylaw 1724 -11, being a bylaw to amend Bylaw 1708 -11 (Scandia Raw Water Irrigation System Local Improvement), be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C- 125/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Bylaw 1724 -11 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED 3 C- 126/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that consent be given for i xo c i ) , Bylaw 1724 -11 to receive third reading this 7 day of April, 2011. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY - 127/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Bylaw 1724 -11 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 3. Bylaw 1725 -11 — 11 LUA 003 SE 20- 21 -14 -W4 — Division 8 A — Agricultural to CR — Country Residential The Development Officer presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C- 128/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Bylaw 1725 -11, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626 -07 by rezoning approximately 6.25 acres (2.5 hectares) in SE 1 20- 21 -14 -W4 from A — Agricultural District to CR — Country Residential District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Discussion continued regarding potential drainage issues and whether or not this should be addressed prior to subdivision approval. The Development Officer indicated that the developer is responsible for choosing an appropriate site for the building, assisted by the Planning & , Development Department. The Chief Administrative Officer noted that for larger County Residential Acreages surface drainage plans are typically not asked for and noted that Planning and Development could require surface drainage plans for all subdivisions but it would add significant costs to each development. LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert left the meeting at 10:24 a.m. VII. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 1. Proposal for Furnishings Budget for New Facilities H. White presented a proposal for the New Facilities furnishings budget and responded to questions from Council. She indicated that it falls within the original 3% of the project estimate initially provided by Barr Ryder Architects & Interior Designers. Councillor B. de Jong inquired about the tender process and H. White replied that the furniture and appliances would be tendered separately. The Superintendent of oink Public Works indicated that the tenders would be posted to the TILMA 'r+'' website as well as distributed locally. C- 129/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Council APPROVES the furnishing budget for the new facilities as presented to a maximum of $500,000.00 to be funded from the New Facility Reserve Account, and i ii further that the furnishings committee be authorized to complete the preparation and execution of the tender. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING H. White left the meeting at 10:29 a.m. 2. Funding Request — Brooks & District Handicraft Guild The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. He noted that the Brooks & District Handicraft Guild has also submitted a request under the Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding program. C- 130/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that the funding request from the Brooks & District Handicraft Guild for equipment upgrades be APPROVED in the amount of up to $5,000.00 with funding through the Municipal Public Reserve Account. MOTION CARRIED 3. Disaster Forum 2011 (May 9 -12, 2011) CO Council was presented with information regarding Disaster Forum 2011. C- 131/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Councillor J. Bulger be permitted to attend Disaster Forum 2011 in Banff, AB on May 9 -12, 2011 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 4. Change in Fire Guardians for Division 3 (Patricia Fire Department) The Assistant Administrator presented Council with background information on this item. C- 132/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Brad Deschamps be replaced as Fire Guardian for Division 3 (Patricia) by Deputy Fire Chief Darren Hubka. MOTION CARRIED 5. Councillor Payment Sheets (February 2011) C- 133/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that the February 2011 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the 1\1\a Councillor Compensation Review Committee and as follows: - Councillor B. de Jong - 2nd Council & Truck Route should be 8.5 hours MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING Councillor A.M. Philipsen left the meeting at 10:38 a.m. 6. Cheques for Payment The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C- 134/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that cheques 169753 to 169758 in the amount of $74,538.46, cheques 169759 to 169854 in the amount of $837,698.30, and Direct Debit Batch 18190 in the amount of $90,304.14 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor A.M. Philipsen returned at 10:40 a.m. VIII. PUBLIC WORKS BUSINESS 1. Superintendent of Public Works Report The Superintendent of Public Works presented his report to Council and gave an overview of the highlights. He indicated that rural road grading is expected to begin soon, noting that soft spots in the roads have prevented any grading previously. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Havinga arrived at 10:48 a.m. Councillor A. Eastman commented on snow removal and asked whether or not culverts are being thawed. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that the graders removed as much snow as possible while still preserving the road surface and that culverts were being thawed. He identified areas that are currently experiencing flooding and requested direction from Council on how to handle this, as clearing snow from drains is not standard procedure. Discussion followed regarding flooding issues affecting private property. Councillor J. Bulger reported that a culvert on Range Road 19 -3 is plugged and the road could be washed out. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that emergency situations are being addressed, but cleaning out all the drains that are not moving water would not be possible with the County's current resources. The Superintendent of Public Works reported that they have been working with oil and gas companies in order to keep their industry moving ,# without destroying any roads. Discussion continued regarding potholes on calcium roads and the Superintendent of Public Works identified some areas that will be addressed. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor J. Bulger left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass inquired about calcium on provincial highways and the Superintendent of Public Works replied that Alberta Transportation applied some calcium themselves. Calcium was applied by the County in front of residences on the provincial highways with permission from Alberta Transportation. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor J. Bulger returned at 11:06 a.m. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to further questions 3 from Council. VIII. POST AGENDA ITEMS - continued 1. Highway 535 Councillor 1. Schroeder indicated that a meeting would be held on Friday, April 8, 2011 with the Eastern Irrigation District, Alberta Transportation, and affected landowners to discuss flooding issues on Highway 535. When the road was washed out last year, travellers drove onto private property in order to get through. He asked if Public Works could work with the landowners in order to ensure the land is properly fenced off to prevent this from happening again. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that this would be discussed at the meeting. 2. 15th Street Signs Councillor B. de Jong expressed concerns with a number of large signs obstructing the view of oncoming traffic where 15th Street meets Highway 873. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that those signs would have to meet Alberta Transportation guidelines and suggested that Planning & Development be consulted regarding this. Councillor B. de Jong indicated that there are four different traffic signals on the intersection to the west. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that he would appreciate input from Council regarding this and suggested that this matter be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the Joint Services Committee. 3. Johnson Estates Councillor L. Juss expressed concerns with a potential flooding situation at Johnson Estates. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that design guidelines and construction standards for subdivisions are currently being revised and considerations for preventing flooding would be included. Councillor L. Juss indicated that the second phase of development at Westland Acres could cause flooding issues to the first phase. The Superintendent of Public Works replied that Alberta Environment has reviewed and approved the plan. 4. Left Hand Merge Lanes on Highway 1 Councillor C. Amulung acknowledged information provided by AMEC regarding merge lanes, but expressed concerns with the lack of left hand merge lanes on Highway 1. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that the section of Highway 1 in question is due to be repaved this year and that they could pursue this. Councillor B. de Jong suggested that this issue could be discussed at the next meeting of the Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association. The Superintendent of Public Works will contact Alberta Transportation and AMEC for more information. LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:35 a.m. VIII. PUBLIC WORKS BUSINESS - continued 2. Utilities — NRSC Report R. Havinga presented the Utilities - NRSC report to Council and gave an overview of the highlights. He also commented on some issues in Scandia that arose after the report was written. R. Havinga responded to questions from Council. He also indicated that a tender would be forthcoming for upgrades to Patricia and Rosemary which are expected to be completed by August. : '' , + LEFT THE MEETING R. Havinga left the meeting at 11:47 a.m. C- 135/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the Superintendent of Public Works report and the Utilities — NRSC report for March 2011 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED VIII. POST AGENDA ITEMS - continued 5. Grasslands Regional FCSS — Citizen of the Year Awards Councillor C. Amulung reported that Grasslands Regional FCSS had requested that the County of Newell No. 4 donate a gift basket as a door prize for the Citizen and Junior Citizen of the Year Awards event on April 8, 2011. C- 136/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that Council supports the Grasslands Regional FCSS Citizen and Junior Citizen of the Year Awards, and that a gift basket in the amount of $100.00 be donated on behalf of the County of Newell No. 4. MOTION CARRIED IX. QUESTION PERIOD /NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Councillor A.M. Philipsen displayed a framed picture presented to the County of Newell No. 4 from Canadian Badlands in appreciation for sponsoring the recent Tourism Conference. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:29 p.m. X. IN CAMERA C- 137/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 1:29 p.m. to discuss a legal issue. MOTION CARRIED C- 138/11 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that we move out of camera at 1:59 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 0 0 N A XI. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:59 p.m. C Signed this % day of 14/5P-C77 , 2011 / v /Cis! ' ' - Reeve C• A • ministrator c c