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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-23 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council February 23, 2012 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, February 23, 2012 commencing at 10:04 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: A.M. Phillipsen R. Andrews J. Bulger A. Eastman B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: C. Amulung I. Schroeder M. Nesbitt STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator 'Itairose A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner- ORRSC M. Harbicht, Superintendent of Public Works A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Brooks RCMP Cst. C. Whitney, Brooks RCMP Corp. C. Paul, Bassano RCMP 1 County Ratepayer 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-44/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that Councillor C. Amulung, Councillor I. Schroeder, and Councillor M. Nesbitt be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council February 23,2012 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes - Council (February 9, 2012) C-45/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the February 9, 2012 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-46/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1735-11 - Road Closure & Sale (Ptn. TR 23-4 between SW & SE 28-23-18-W4 and NW & NE 21-23-18-W4) The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-47/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Bylaw 1735-11, being a bylaw to close and SELL the portion of road allowance adjacent to the southern boundary of SW & SE 28-23-18-W4, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-48/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that Bylaw 1735-11 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED b. Bylaw 1748-12 -Special Tax Levy The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 2 of 10 Regular Council February 23,2012 C-49/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Bylaw 1748-12, being a bylaw to impose a special tax levy on lots within subdivisions that are receiving waterworks from the Eastern Irrigation District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-50/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1748-12 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-51/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that consent be given for Bylaw 1748-12 to receive third reading this 23rd day of February 2012. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-52/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Bylaw 1748-12 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING C. Sewell arrived at 10:07 a.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS a. Subdivision Extension Request - 2010-0-016 (Sect. 30-18-14-W4) The County Planner provided background information on this item, indicating that the subdivision meets the requirements of the current Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development Plan. The County Planner and C. Sewell responded to questions from Council. C-53/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the request for a one year time extension to subdivision application 2010-0-016 to February 23, 2013 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING C. Sewell left the meeting at 10:10 a.m. 1 Page 3 of 10 `✓ Regular Council February 23,2012 b. EID Historical Park Historic Designation The County Planner provided background information on this item, indicating that, as the County of Newell is the landowner, a letter in support of the reduction in size of the historical designation is required. The County Planner responded to questions from Council. C-54/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that Council supports a reduction in size of the Historic Designation of the EID Historic Park in Scandia and that Administration be directed to send a letter to Alberta Culture & Community Services in support of the application. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath left the meeting at 10:14 a.m. c. Policy Review -2011-PAD-059 (Personnel) The Assistant Administrator provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-55/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Policy 2012-PAD-059 be adopted with the following amendment in Section 13.2: "The beneficiary, as determined by the Employee, of a permanent Employee who dies while in the service of the Employer, or a permanent Employee who retires and applies for benefits under the Local Authorities Pension Plan, and who has at the date of his death or retirement five (5) or more years of continuous employment with the County of Newell shall receive a sick leave gratuity amounting to one-half(1/2) of the sick leave standing to his credit at the rate of the Employee's regular rate of pay at the time of his retirement or death." MOTION CARRIED d. Division 4 Recreation Requisition Councillor R. Andrews presented background information on this item, indicating that the Division 4 Recreation Board had discussed this and determined that an increase is required in order to keep communities viable. Councillor R. Andrews responded to questions from Council. C-56/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that we proceed with public notice process inviting feedback from Division 4 residents regarding the proposal to increase recreation funding in Division 4. MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 10 Regular Council February 23,2012 This item will be discussed further during the March 22, 2012 Council meeting. e. Application for EID Water License The Chief Administrative Officer presented background information on this item, indicating that additional water licenses from the EID will be required for the County of Newell Water Project (CNWP). The application will be for 1,330 acre feet of water - 730 acre feet will be used for the existing reallocation and the remainder will be obtained in increments of 200 acre feet as needed for future growth and development. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-57/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Council APPROVES making an application to the Eastern Irrigation District for 1,330 acre feet of water license for the County of Newell Water Project (CNWP) which would be transferred to the County of Newell in the amount of$1.00 for the first 730 acre feet and further that the County agrees to pay $2,000.00 per acre foot for the next 600 acre feet as development takes place in the future. MOTION CARRIED f. Appointment to Brooks & District Recreation, Parks & Culture Board The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item, indicating that the Councillors for Division 5 and 10 are members of this board and that a third position is currently vacant. The Assistant Administrator and Councillor L. Juss responded to questions from Council. C-58/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. JUSS that Inga Ellefson be appointed as a member at large for the County of Newell to the Brooks & District Recreation, Parks, & Culture Board. MOTION CARRIED g. Appointment of Fire Guardians Council was presented with background information on this item. C-59/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the following individuals be appointed as Fire Guardians: All Divisions - Keith Martin Rolling Hills - Bill Dickinson Tilley - Patrick Fabian Patricia - Mark Martin Soso Duchess - Gregory Witt Page 5 of 10 ,% Regular Council February 23,2012 Bow Slope -Trevor Sandau Brooks Rural - Kevin Swanson Bassano - Travis Peters Rosemary- Wilf Harder Gem - Les Douglass Bow City - Jim Ketchmark and further that Shannon Biette, Ariana Nielsen, Shanna Lee Simpson, and Joanne Wells be appointed as Fire Guardians for the issuance of Fire Permits only. MOTION CARRIED h. Grasslands Regional FCSS -2012 Citizen of the Year/Junior Citizen of the Year & Proclamation of Volunteer Week Council was presented with background information on this item. C-60/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the County of Newell hereby proclaims April 15-21, 2012 as "National Volunteer Week." MOTION CARRIED i. Disaster Forum 2012 -Approval of Attendance of Reeve and/or Another Councillor as a Function of Council Reeve M. Douglass declined the opportunity to attend this conference and discussion followed regarding sending up to two divisional Fire Chiefs. C-61/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that the County of Newell agrees to pay the cost of registration, accommodation, and mileage for up to two local fire chiefs to attend Disaster Forum 2012 in Banff, AB on May 7-10, 2012 with funding from Function 23, Account 1-2-299-23 and Function 24, Account 1-2-217-24-00. MOTION CARRIED j. Cheque Register The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-62/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the Cheque Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 10 Regular Council February 23,2012 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. 9-1-1 Committee Councillor R. Andrews reported that last night's meeting included a presentation on the Alberta First Responder Radio Communications System (AFRACS), which will allow for communications between various groups in emergency situations, including fire departments, the RCMP, and wildlife officers. Details regarding the equipment and funding required were also discussed. Councillor R. Andrews responded to questions from Council. b. Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor L. Juss indicated that a board meeting had been held last week where the main topic of discussion was funding concerns. They also discussed the north-south trade corridor and work continues towards the 24-hour Wildhorse border crossing. c. Joint Services Committee Councillor B. de Jong indicated that, at the last meeting, two annexations that are about to expire were discussed. They also reviewed a proposal for investigating new options for the West Brooks sanitary sewer system. The Superintendent of Public Works has provided the County's requirements for the study. Councillor L. Juss provided some details on the area that would be included in the study. The Superintendent of Public Works provided background information on this item, indicating that the previous study had included Westland Acres and the lands south of Highway 542. The new study will investigate the southwest sector of Brooks and any other lands that would benefit the County. It would also incorporate the findings from the previous study to determine the most economically viable and beneficial solution for both the City and the County. Councillor B. de Jong indicated that the Joint Services Committee was in favor of proceeding with this study and that a formal request for funding to cover 50% of the costs associated with the study would be brought to Council in the future. The Superintendent of Public Works indicated that he would investigate potential funding sources, as this study was not included in the 2012 budget. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. City/County Ad Hoc Committee - Health Professional Recruitment Councillor B. de Jong provided background information on this item, Nohow indicating that the Joint Services Committee had discussed creating an ad Page 7 of 10 Regular Council February 23,2012 hoc committee that would focus on physician recruitment and retention. The committee would involve two members from each the County and the City and also include representation from local health professionals. Councillor R. Andrews indicated that the Economic Development & Tourism Committee had also discussed physician recruitment and retention and the possibility of creating a project regarding this. Discussion followed and Council agreed that the Economic Development & Tourism Committee would oversee the ad hoc Physician Recruitment & Retention Committee. Councillor R. Andrews indicated that the Economic Development & Tourism Committee would discuss this during their next meeting. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS a. NRCB Application LA12003 (NW 15-22-19-W4) This item was accepted as information. 12. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Reeve M. Douglass confirmed that a meeting would be held with the County Planner on March 13, 2012 to discuss the new Land Use Bylaw and divisional boundaries. 13. IN CAMERA C-63/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that we move in camera at 11:13 a.m. to discuss a legal issue. MOTION CARRIED C-64/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that we move out of camera at 11:32 a.m. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Cst. C. Whitney, and Corp. C. Paul arrived at 11:35 a.m. Page 8 of 10 Regular Council February 23,2012 7. DELEGATIONS a. RCMP Quarterly Reports Corp. C. Paul distributed information to Council which included the fourth quarterly report for 2011 and the annual report. He gave an overview of the statistics, indicating that crime was down. Feedback received from residents indicates that higher visibility of the RCMP in the rural areas is appreciated. S. Sgt. McNulty presented Brooks RCMP fourth quarterly report and a workload study, indicating that he would work with the Bassano RCMP to create a consistent reporting format. He gave an overview of significant issues of the past year and noted that the Brooks RCMP would be focusing on increasing visibility in the rural areas. He also gave an explanation of the school liaison program, which will have a member assigned to each school. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A. Eastman commented on the apparent high rate of mischief and motor vehicle theft incidents. S. Sgt. McNulty indicated that incidents of motor vehicle theft are also included in two other categories - theft over $5,000.00 and theft under $5,000.00. Councillor A. Eastman inquired about distracted driving law enforcement. S. Sgt. McNulty indicated that these ■kais would be included in the Moving & Non-Moving Traffic Violations category. Corp. C. Paul, S. Sgt. McNulty, and Cst. C. Whitney responded to further questions from Council. S. Sgt. McNulty indicated that both Brooks and Bassano would be preparing their annual performance plans, which will include a discussion of the needs, wants, and concerns of the communities. He also indicated that the Brooks Policing Committee has been renamed the Safe Communities Committee and that there will be a position on that board for a County representative. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Cst. C. Whitney, and Corp. C. Paul left the meeting at 12:12 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:12 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:04 p.m. 13. IN CAMERA - CONTINUED C-65/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that we move in camera at 1:04 p.m. to discuss a legal and a land issue. MOTION CARRIED Page 9 of 10 t/7.1)A, Regular Council February 23,2012 C-66/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that we move out of camera at 2:54 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:54 p.m. Signed this day of I(,a_h LPL , 2012 ?� I Reeve .unty Administrator 3 Page 10 of 10