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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-10 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council May 10, 2012 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, May 10, 2012 commencing at 10:27 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Douglass, Reeve COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung I. Schroeder A.M. Phillipsen M. Nesbitt A. Eastman B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: STAFF: • R. Andrews J. Bulger K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development B. Brunner, Planning Advisor - ORRSC T. Green, Agricultural Fieldman M. Gietz, Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator M. Harbicht, Superintendent of Public Works R. Fernell, Database Administrator A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: 6 County Ratepayers 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:27 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C- 138/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that Councillor R. Andrews be excused from the meeting. • ION CARRIED Regular Council May 10, 2012 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes - Council (April 19, 2012) C- 139/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the April 19, 2012 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. C- 140/12 C- 141/12 MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 8. AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS a. Appointment of Weed & Pest Inspectors The Agricultural Fieldman presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that we appoint Catherine Christensen and Reilley Owen as Inspectors for the County of Newell pursuant to Section 7 of the Weed Control Act. MOTION CARRIED C- 142/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that we appoint Catherine Christensen and Reilley Owen as Inspectors for the County of Newell pursuant to Section 10 of the Agricultural Pest Act. MOTION CARRIED b. County /City Weed Inspector Services Agreement The Agricultural Fieldman presented background information on this item, indicating that the agreement would be reviewed in one year. Most of the work will involve public relations and support, and the City of Brooks will be Page 2 of 12 • Regular Council May 10, 2012 provided with a map showing weed locations. The Agricultural Fieldman responded to questions from Council and indicated that a report summarizing the results of the project would be presented to Council in August. C- 143/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that the County of Newell agrees to provide Weed Inspection services to the City of Brooks as per the agreement. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:46 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS a. Cash Flow Projection This item was deferred to the May 24, 2012 Council Meeting. b. Village of Duchess Inter Municipal Development Issues The Planning Advisor presented background information on this item, indicating that a letter has been received from the Village of Duchess in response to a subdivision application expressing several concerns regarding long term land use, decision making authority, and impact on future expansion of the village. As these issues are not specific to the subdivision application, the County Planner has suggested that a meeting be arranged between the Councils of the County and the Village of Duchess to discuss these concerns and to consider implementing an inter municipal development plan. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Gietz arrived at 10:50 a.m. C- 144/12 The Planning Advisor responded to questions from Council. It was determined that the County Planner, Councillor A.M. Philipsen, Councillor A. Eastman, and Councillor B. de Jong would attend this meeting. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the County of Newell requests a meeting with the Village of Duchess Council to discuss the issues outlined in the letter sent by the Village of Duchess. Page 3 of 12 MOTION CARRIED Regular Council May 10, 2012 c. SPEC Barbeque - Invitation to Serve as Celebrity Cooks Council was presented with a letter from the SPEC Association for Children & Families requesting celebrity cooks for the 8th Annual SPEC Community Appreciation BBQ on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Councillor B. de Jong indicated that he would attend. d. Request for Letter of Support - 2012 Alberta Culture Days The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item, indicating that a letter of support has been submitted on behalf of the County of Newell. The Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator noted that the Economic Development & Tourism Committee has also provided a letter of support. This item was accepted as information. e. International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Awards The Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator presented background information on this item, indicating their intention to submit an application regarding the County of Newell Water Project under the "Sustainable & Green Development" award category. Discussion followed and Council indicated that the application should be submitted next year when the project has progressed further. LEFT THE MEETING M. Gietz left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. f. Cheques for Payment C- 145/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that cheque 172654 in the amount of $1,208,455.61 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED g. Cheque Register C- 146/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the Cheque Register be accepted. Page 4 of 12 MOTION CARRIED • • Regular Council May 10, 2012 ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht and R. Fernell arrived at 11:08 a.m. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Funding Request - Regional Enhancement Reserve (Division 7) Councillor A. Eastman presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor B. de Jong noted that the total requested did not match the amounts in the documentation. Discussion on this item was deferred until later during this meeting. ARRIVED AT MEETING 1 County Ratepayer arrived at 11:17 a.m. 10. PUBLIC WORKS BUSINESS a. Superintendent of Public Works Report The Superintendent of Public Works presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. ARRIVED AT MEETING 4 County Ratepayers arrived at 11:23 a.m. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to questions from Council. b. Utilities - NRSC Report The Utilities -NRSC Report was presented to Council. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to questions from Council. C- 147/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the Superintendent of Public Works report and the Utilities - NRSC report for April 2012 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED C- 148/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that we move into Public Hearings at 11:28 a.m. Page 5 of 12 MOTION CARRIED Regular Council May 10, 2012 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Bylaw 1751 -12 -12 LUA 001 Ptn. of NW 31- 20 -14 -W4 - Division 8 A - Agricultural District to C - Commercial District Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:28 a.m. Reeve M. Douglass reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. ARRIVED AT MEETING 1 County Ratepayer arrived at 11:29 a.m. The Planning Advisor stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is-1b hear representations on Bylaw 1751 -12. The intent of this bylaw is to emend Land Use Bylaw 1626 -07 by rezoning approximately 29.4 acres (11.9 hectares) in a Portion of NW 31- 20 -14 -W4 from A - Agricultural District to C - Commercial District. The Planning Advisor provided background information on this item, indicating that the Traffic Impact Assessment requested by Alberta Transportation has been prepared and accepted. One letter in opposition to the application has been received from an adjacent landowner, expressing concerns with a commercial operation being located adjacent to his land. D. Sinclair, speaking on behalf of the applicant, provided an overview of their business and their efforts to maintain a good relationship with the community. He indicated that he had spoken with the adjacent landowner and discussed installing a barrier between their properties, such as a row of trees or a decorative fence. D. Webster, speaking in opposition to the application, expressed concerns with a commercial operation being located directly behind his house with only a canal to separate it. He indicated that he would like to know exactly what is planned and how it will be maintained. He also expressed concerns regarding increased dust and noise, and asked whether or not taxes would increase for the adjacent parcels as a result of this operation. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the taxes would not increase on the adjacent parcels as a result of this specific operation, only on physical improvements or increases in area market sales. W. Finnerty, speaking in opposition to the application, asked if the intersection was large enough to allow trailers to turn into the property. D. Sinclair replied that the intersection would be built up to Alberta Page 6 of 12 • • Regular Council May 10, 2012 Transportation requirements to accommodate the trailers. W. Finnerty inquired about the offices that would be built, and D. Sinclair replied that the offices would be temporary structures that would be removed upon completion of the project. D. Sinclair reiterated that they wanted to maintain a good relationship with the community and indicated that they would be continually monitoring the operation for dust and erosion control. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed regarding the barrier between the applicant's property and the adjacent parcels and the possibility of requiring a landscaping plan. The Planning Advisor noted that the landscaping plan could be addressed at the development permit stage. Councillor A.M. Philipsen asked if the Village of Duchess had been consulted, and the Manager of Planning & Development replied that, while not directly notified as an adjacent landowner, the Village of Duchess was aware of the application and had not provided any comments prior to this meeting. LEFT THE MEETING 6 County Ratepayers left the meeting at 11:48 a.m. • b. Bylaw 1752 -12 - Road Closure & Sale • Reeve M. Douglass called the Public Hearing to order at 11:48 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 this Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 1752 -12. The intent of this bylaw is to close and SELL the portions of public roadway within Plan 1786BA. The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, indicating that replies have been received from all required referral agencies with the exception of AltaLink. One response to the circulation has been received from an adjacent landowner, expressing concerns with public access to Cenovus lease sites and storage of equipment on public roadways. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated that both of these issues would be addressed in the agreement with the applicant. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in support of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Page 7 of 12 Regular Council May 10, 2012 Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Planning & Development displayed on a map the location of the Cenovus lease site, and indicated which of the road allowances would remain open. Councillor A.M. Philipsen asked why the road segment on the western boundary connected to SH 550 would remain open and who would be responsible for maintenance. The Manager of Planning & Development replied that responsibility for maintenance could be included in the agreement with the applicant. The Planning Advisor suggested that, since that segment provides access to SH 550, if it were closed, it would be difficult to get another access to SH 550 at that location. Discussion followed regarding maintenance and responsibility for that parcel if it was to be used for a parking area, and Council requested that more information be obtained from the applicant and Alberta Transportation. Reeve M. Douglass RECESSED the Public Hearing until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2012. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:09 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:27 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor M. Nesbitt arrived at 1:27 p.m. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS — continued b. Bylaw 1752 -12 - Road Closure & Sale — continued Reeve M. Douglass RECONVENED the Public Hearing at 1:30 p.m. The Manager of Planning & Development provided information to Council, indicating that the applicant has requested that the segment of road connected to SH 550 remains open as an access road. He does not intend to use that parcel for parking. The Planning Advisor indicated that, in speaking with Alberta Transportation, a new application for access must be made if any subdivision activity occurs. She suggested that it may be in the interest of the County that the two accesses to SH 550 remain. The Planning Advisor responded to further questions from Council. C- 149/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that we move out of Public Hearings at 1:33 p.m. Page 8 of 12 MOTION CARRIED • • Regular Council May 10, 2012 • 7. BYLAWS C- 150/12 C- 151/12 a. Bylaw 1751 -12 -12 LUA 001 Ptn. of NW 31- 20 -14 -W4 - Division 8 A - Agricultural District to C - Commercial District The County Planner provided background information and responded to further questions from Council. Councillor M. Nesbitt stated that she would abstain from voting due to the fact that she had been absent during part of the Public Hearing. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Bylaw 1751 -12, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1626 -07 by rezoning approximately 29.4 acres (11.9 hectares) in NW 31- 20 -14 -W4 from A - Agricultural District to C - Commercial District, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that Bylaw 1751 -12 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED • b. Bylaw 1752 -12 Road Closure & Sale • C- 152/12 The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information and responded to further questions from Council. Councillor M. Nesbitt stated that she would abstain from voting due to the fact that she had been absent during the Public Hearing. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Bylaw 1752 -12, being a bylaw to close and SELL the portions of roadway identified within Plan 1786BA, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert and B. Brunner left the meeting at 1:35 p.m. 10. PUBLIC WORKS BUSINESS — continued a. Superintendent of Public Works Report — continued The Superintendent of Public Works circulated a variety of enforcement Page 9 of 12 Regular Council May 10, 2012 reports to Council and requested feedback on the types of information Council requires and the frequency of the reports. He indicated that, as this is a new system, statistical comparisons would not be available until data has been entered over a few years. Once Council's expectations have been met, the report format will be used for reporting for the other municipalities. Discussion followed and Council requested that the reports be similar to the RCMP reports, which are concise, easy to understand, and list areas of concern. The Chief Administrative Officer noted that the reports should be broken down by division and municipality so that it is clear where they have been focusing their efforts each reporting period. The Database Administrator gave Council a demonstration of the ReportExec software and the types of reports that are available. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to further questions from Council. Council indicated that they would like to receive a summarized report on a quarterly basis and a detailed report annually. LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell left the meeting at 2:07 p.m. C- 153/12 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS — continued a. Funding Request - Regional Enhancement Reserve (Division 7) Councillor A. Eastman provided Council with updated backup information regarding the streetlight installation and indicated that the list of items included with the application from the Rosemary Agricultural Society were quotes obtained via the telephone. Discussion followed regarding these applications and Councillor A. Eastman responded to questions. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding request from the Rosemary Agricultural Society for equipment for the community room be APPROVED in the amount of $5,000.00, and that the request from the Village of Rosemary for signage, lighting, and landscaping be APPROVED in the amount of $15,690.00 with funding through the Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding allocation for Division 7. MOTION CARRIED b. Request for Donation - Brooks & District Health Foundation This item was accepted as information. Page 10 of 12 • • • Regular Council May 10, 2012 C- 154/12 c. Request for Donation - United Way of South Eastern Alberta This item was accepted as information. d. Gold Medal Seeds - Invitation to Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration This item was accepted as information. e. Kinsmen Rodeo Pancake Breakfast Council was presented with background information on this item. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that we accept the invitation from the City of Brooks to participate in the Kinsmen Rodeo Pancake Breakfast being held on June 8, 2012 at 7:00 a.m., and that the County of Newell agrees to cover 50% of the costs. MOTION CARRIED 12. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Mini Bus Monthly Report (April 2012) This item was accepted as information. b. NRCB Notice of Application LA 11036 This item was accepted as information. 13. QUESTION PERIOD /NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Reeve M. Douglass asked if Council would be interested in inviting MLA Jason Hale to an upcoming Council meeting. It was determined that he would be invited to the June 21, 2012 Council meeting at 11:30 a.m. Page 11 of 12 Regular Council May 10, 2012 6. IN CAMERA C- 155/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 2:20 p.m. to discuss land and legal issues. MOTION CARRIED C- 156/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that we move out of camera at 4:27 p.m. C- 157/12 MOTION CARRIED MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Policy 2012 -PPW -059 (Construction Projects & Resulting Landowner Compensation) be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 6. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:28 p.m. Signed this _ day of , 2012 Page 12 of 12 Reeve dministrator