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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-05 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council July 5, 2012 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office at Brooks, AB on Thursday, July 5, 2012 commencing at 10:29 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung I. Schroeder A.M. Phillipsen R. Andrews M. Nesbitt J. Bulger A. Eastman B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator K. Martin, Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator M. Harbicht, Superintendent of Public Works J. Nesbitt, CPO Supervisor A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: L. Hanrahan, Brooks & County Chronicle S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Brooks RCMP Cst. L. Bandy, Brooks RCMP R. Havinga, Newell Regional Services Corporation 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:29 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. TO) Regular Council July 5,2012 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes - Council (2012-06-21) The following changes were made to the June 21, 2012 Council Meeting minutes: Page 6 - Item 7(i) - should read "The Councillor Compensation Review Committee will compile a list of no-charge events for Council." C-208/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the June 21, 2012 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-209/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1755-12 - Land Use Bylaw The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor M. Nesbitt noted that the map coloring for Division 5 needs to be changed to Hamlet Residential around the Lake Newell area. C-210/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Bylaw 1755-12, being a bylaw to adopt a Land Use Bylaw for the County of Newell, receive FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED b. Bylaw 1756-12 -Water & Sewer The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. j\R Page 2 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 C-211/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that Bylaw 1756-12, being a bylaw for the regulation of the water works and sanitary sewer works systems throughout the County of Newell, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-212112 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that Bylaw 1756-12 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-213/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that consent be given for Bylaw 1756-12 to receive third reading this 5th day of July, 2012. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-214/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Bylaw 1756-12 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS a. Rural Beautification Awards - Council Judge 2012 Council was presented with background information on this item. Councillor M. Nesbitt volunteered. C-215/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Councillor M. Nesbitt be a judge for the 2012 Rural Beautification Awards and that it be considered a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS d. Audit Services Tender The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Martin arrived at 10:38 a.m. Discussion followed regarding the length of the contract term. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions from Council. n Page 3 of 16 �! Regular Council July 5,2012 C-216/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that the lowest tender received by KPMG LLP in the amount of $19,000.00 per year be accepted for the 2012-2014 Municipal Audit Services. MOTION CARRIED a. Report on Fire Hydrant System - Rolling Hills The Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator presented background information on this item. Hydrant flow tests conducted in Rolling Hills have determined that the seven hydrants connected to the irrigation system are non-standard and ratepayers should be notified. Other issues with the system include irregular maintenance, lack of backup power and pump systems, and there is the possibility that the system will not function during cold weather. He suggested that a policy could establish responsibility for the system and make recommendations on maintenance to the Hamlet Advisory Board, which is responsible for maintaining the irrigation system. He noted that adopting a policy could result in increased insurance rates, due to the non-standard hydrants involved, but it is important for residents to be aware. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Reeve M. Douglass asked if the other hamlets had similar hydrant systems. The Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator replied that Rolling Hills is the only hamlet with a hydrant system. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of upgrading the system, but the water line is not large enough and a potable water reservoir and proper pump system with backup power would be required. The Superintendent of Public Works noted that, in each of the communities supplied by the regional water system, a hydrant has been installed outside each water treatment plant for the purposes of chlorination and pressure testing. Councillor R. Andrews expressed concerns regarding adopting a policy to govern something not owned, operated, or maintained by the County. The Assistant Administrator indicated that the policy would clarify the County's limited role in the system in addition to providing a mechanism for informing the public. The Chief Administrative Officer noted that hamlets receive the same type of fire protection as the other rural residents within the County of Newell. Discussion followed regarding other hamlets that may have fire hydrants, and the Superintendent of Public Works suggested that the Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator investigate a fire hydrant in Patricia that is located across the hotel. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Nesbitt arrived at 10:55 a.m. The Chief Administrative Officer requested that the Fire & Emergency Service Coordinator have all hydrants plotted on a map by the GIS Department to , NS) illustrate gaps not effectively covered by industry standards which should be Page 4 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 included in the notification process. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. T. McNulty and Cst. L. Bandy arrived at 10:59 a.m. C-217112 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that a policy be drafted and presented to Council for review and approval prior to distribution to Property Owners/Residents of the Hamlet of Rolling Hills and other locations where hydrants do not meet the standards required for classification as a fully functional fire suppression system. MOTION CARRIED b. List of Front Office Staff Authorized to Issue Fire Permits - Update The Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator presented background information on this item. He asked that the Request for Decision be removed from the agenda, indicating that the matter will be dealt with in 2013 when required by the Fire Bylaw. Front office staff will be instructed to fill out the permits, but only those listed in the motion are permitted to sign. c. Fire & Emergency Services Strategic Planning Session The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item. Due to several issues that have arisen, there is a need to establish consistent standards for operation and service delivery among the divisional fire departments. Discussion followed and Council agreed that a Strategic Planning Session should be arranged. C-218/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that a Fire & Emergency Services Strategic Planning Session be scheduled for Tuesday, September 11, 2012 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the County of Newell Administration Building. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING K. Martin and Councillor L. Juss left the meeting at 11:10 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS a. Brooks RCMP - Presentation of Priorities ��l S. Sgt. McNulty presented the annual priorities of the Br ks RCMP to Council, indicating that the plan began on April 1, 2012. A single plan has been established for both the City of Brooks and the County of Newell, as the priorities are consistent throughout the area. The four main issues identified Page 5 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 are drug abuse, police visibility, traffic safety, and domestic violence. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor L. Juss returned at 11:18 a.m. S. Sgt. McNulty outlined some of the methods that would be used for combatting drug abuse. Increased community engagement will be achieved through presentations on various topics. He provided an overview of the school liaison program, part of which will include a minimum of four visits per month, presentations, and meetings. For the area of traffic safety, software has been purchased that will map traffic incidents to show high impact areas. There will also be more educational presentations given to the public. In the area of domestic violence, S. Sgt. McNulty outlined the plan for a three- person investigative team consisting of one regular constable, a member from victim services, and an outreach worker that will follow up on every call within twelve hours to offer additional assistance. Cst. L. Bandy provided an explanation of the system used to track high risk and/or repeat domestic violence incidents. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor B. de Jong asked about the school liaison program. S. Sgt. McNulty indicated that each officer has been assigned to a particular school and that he has requested that they visit their school at least once during the period that the officer is working day shifts. Reeve M. Douglass asked about the Bassano chool No and S. Sgt. McNulty replied that, once the new commander is in place in R Bassano, he would meet with him to discuss a similar strategy for the Bassano schools. Cst. L. Bandy outlined the procedure she uses when arranging a school visit. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. McNulty and Cst. L. Bandy left the meeting at 11:54 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - CONTINUED e. Funding Request - Bow River Basin Council The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item (VI\ P and responded to questions from Council. _. C-219/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that the County of Newell supports this request from the Bow River Basin Council and APPROVES funding in the amount of$2,000.00 for 2012. MOTION CARRIED Page 6 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 f. Strategic Priorities Chart - Identify Corporate Priorities & Advocacy Priorities The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. Reeve M. Douglass suggested the Fire & Emergency Services Strategic Plan, which is in progress, be included as a priority. Councillor C. Amulung asked about the rural water project and the Chief Administrative Officer replied that it had been delegated down to the committee level, but could be included in the current priority listing. Councillor M. Nesbitt asked why there were no priorities for Economic Development and the Chief Administrative Officer requested clarification. Councillor A.M. Philipsen noted that the Economic Development & Tourism Committee is working on a strategic plan. The Assistant Administrator indicated that there had been a priority for Economic Development related to the move to a regional approach, and that has been completed. LEFT THE MEETING Councillor J. Bulger left the meeting at 12:06 p.m. Discussion followed regarding the revised budget process priority. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor J. Bulger returned at 12:07 p.m. The Chief Administrative Officer provided an explanation of the budget as it pertains to the services provided by the County, indicating that temporary staff have been brought in for specific tasks and staff are assigned for general operations. Councillor M. Nesbitt requested that a heading be added and priorities identified for Economic Development. Councillor R. Andrews listed the Economic Development Database and the Regional Economic Development Initiative as priorities under Economic Development. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:14 p.m. and RECONVENED at : 3 .,, / ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Havinga arrived at 1:03 p.m. Page 7 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - CONTINUED a. Resolutions for Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (September 21, 2012) The Chief Administrative Officer presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that the three draft resolutions included in the agenda package were presented at a Joint Services Committee meeting and will be presented by the City of Brooks at the next Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) convention. They would like the County to present the same three resolutions at the next Alberta Association of Municipal Districts & Counties convention, but Reeve M. Douglass indicated that the resolution regarding physician recruitment was very similar to a resolution presented and carried during the AAMDC Spring 2012 convention. Discussion followed on the proposed resolution regarding the recruitment of registered nurses. C-220/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that the County of Newell submits the resolution regarding the recruitment of registered nurses, as attached hereto and forming part of these minutes, to the Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed on the proposed resolution regarding physician licensing and privileges. Reeve M. Douglass provided background information and responded to questions from Council. C-221/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that the County of Newell submits the resolution regarding physician licensing and privileges, as attached hereto and forming part of these minutes, to the Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association. MOTION CARRIED 10. PUBLIC WORKS BUSINESS b. Utilities - NRSC Report R. Havinga presented the Utilities-NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. R. Havinga responded to questions from Council. Councillor M. Nesbitt inquired about chloramine allergies. R. Havinga explained the chloramine process, indicating that the best place to obtain information on chloramines is from the Environment Canada drinking water \N$ standards. Reeve M. Douglass asked about the Rosemary pipeline and R. Havinga indicated that one section of the pipeline remains to be tested. He explained the pressure tests being conducted, indicating that they have been replacing ends and couplings. Page 8 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 LEFT THE MEETING R. Havinga left the meeting at 1:30 p.m. a. Superintendent of Public Works Report The Superintendent of Public Works presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to questions from Council. Councillor A. Eastman asked about Range Road 15-5 and the Superintendent of Public Works replied that they are currently finishing EID surface lease agreements. Reeve M. Douglass asked for input regarding speed limits on the overpass north of Brooks, as this item will be discussed during the Joint City/County Council meeting this evening. The Superintendent of Public Works suggested considering the speed limit on Gun Club Road and suggested that 50km/h in both directions would be preferable. Reeve M. Douglass asked about trees in undeveloped road allowances. The Superintendent of Public Works replied that landowners do not have the right to cut trees within an undeveloped road allowance. Tree cutting should be coordinated through Public Works and the Agricultural Services Board. C-222/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR R. ANDREWS that the Superintendent of Public Works report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for June 2012 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING Councillor A.M. Philipsen left the meeting at 1:59 p.m. c. Range Road 18-2 Intersection at Highway 1 - Proposed Service Road The Superintendent of Public Works presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. He indicated that some land acquisitions would be required. The Chief Administrative Officer inquired about the 60-40% cost sharing proposal and the Superintendent of Public Works indicated that Alberta Transportation had provided no explanation for that cost sharing figure. ARRIVED AT MEETING Councillor A.M. Philipsen returned at 2:02 p.m. (•■, r\ A ./' / Discussion followed and the Superintendent of Public darks''indicated that completion of the engineering work would provide a cost estimate that could be included in the budget. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to Page 9 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 further questions from Council. C-223/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Council agrees to the proposal and proceeds with engineering design and construction of the Planned Service Road at the intersection of Highway 1 and Range Road 18-2 in the amount of $350,000.00 based on the Province paying 60% of the costs with funding from the 2012 Municipal Surplus. MOTION CARRIED 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - CONTINUED h. Invitation for Council Members to Attend Next Website Committee Meeting The Assistant Administrator presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. He indicated that the next meeting would likely be held in September. Reeve M. Douglass and Councillor C. Amulung volunteered to attend the next Website Committee meeting. i. Cheques for Payment C-224/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that cheque 173135 in the amount of $589,603.03 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED j. Cheque Register The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-225/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the Cheque Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. AV) Page 10 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 12. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Award Magazine (June 2012) - Article "Administration Building & Public Works Facility - County of Newell #4" (Center Table) This item was accepted as information. 13. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 14. IN CAMERA C-226/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that we move in camera at 2:13 p.m. to discuss a land and a legal issue. MOTION CARRIED C-227/12 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR M. NESBITT that we move out of camera at 4:05 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m. Signed this I day of - , 2012 AL _• ■ eeve Codr ty A dministrator Page 11 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 Resolution submitted by the County of Newell "Recruitment of Registered Nurses" WHEREAS it is difficult to recruit Registered Nurses to rural Alberta; AND WHEREAS the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) requires successfully recruited foreign trained nurses to undergo a document review and will not accept document reviews completed by other provinces; AND WHEREAS obtaining the original document from foreign countries can take months if the prospective nurse is not physically present in his/her country of origin; AND WHEREAS all Canadian educated Registered Nurses must successfully write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination which gives them a license to practice independently; AND WHEREAS foreign trained nurses who pass this same exam must still complete 225 hours of supervised and satisfactory nursing prior to receiving a license even if they may already have several years of excellent experience; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts & Counties urge the Provincial government to work with the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta to accept satisfactory document reviews completed by other provinces and to license foreign trained nurses when they successfully complete the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination. SPONSORED BY: County of Newell MOVED BY: SECONDED BY: CARRIED: DEFEATED: Page 12 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 Background: Registered Nurses are an integral part of a health care team. As is the case with physician recruitment, the recruitment of Registered Nurses to rural Alberta is difficult. Unfortunately, even when successful in recruiting foreign nurses, there are hurdles that these prospective nurses must overcome prior to practicing in Alberta regardless if they are already practicing in other provinces. In Alberta, Registered Nurses are licensed by the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). All Canadian educated Registered Nurses must successfully complete the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination which gives them a license to practice independently. If a foreign nurse successfully completes this same exam, CARNA requires that they still complete 225 hours of supervised and satisfactory nursing prior to receiving a license, even if they already have several years of excellent experience elsewhere. Foreign educated nurses are also required to undergo a document review by CARNA prior to receiving their license. CARNA will not accept a document review completed and accepted by another province even if these nurses are successfully practicing in that province. In some cases, obtaining the original document from foreign countries can take months if the prospective nurse is not physically present in his/her country of origin. The additional requirements hinder the recruitment process and Alberta's competitiveness to recruit these foreign nurses. To alleviate this, the Province must work with CARNA to reduce these barriers. Please note that a similar resolution will be forwarded to the 2012 AUMA Convention by the City of Brooks. Page 13 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 Resolution submitted by the County of Newell "Physician Licensing & Privileges" WHEREAS it is becoming more difficult to recruit and retain physicians in rural Alberta such that municipalities are now forced to expend resources to supplement the Province's responsibility and efforts to recruit and retain physicians in rural Alberta; AND WHEREAS many successfully recruited physicians, unless trained in Canada, are required to complete lengthy assessments in locations other than where the physician was recruited prior to being licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta; and to complete an assessment prior to receiving privileges to perform specialist services from Alberta Health Services; AND WHEREAS this assessment period may be financially difficult for physicians with families as they may have to keep a residence in the recruitment municipality and in the assessment municipality while only receiving a stipend during part of the assessment process; AND WHEREAS these physicians may become connected to the first community in which they reside, which would be the assessment community, and choose to remain there to practice resulting in wasted recruitment efforts and frustration to the recruiting municipality; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts & Counties urge the Provincial government to increase its efforts in recruiting physicians to rural Alberta, especially Canadian trained physicians; work with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta to shorten the assessment period; and/or allow assessments to occur in the recruiting community; and ensure that Alberta Health Services review and streamline its assessment process for granting privileges. SPONSORED BY County of Newell MOVED BY: SECONDED BY CARRIED: DEFEATED: Page 14 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 Background: Health care and physician recruitment is a provincial responsibility. The increasing lack of physicians in rural Alberta suggests that recruitment and incentive programs are lagging to the point that municipalities are being forced to augment these efforts with financial and human resources. Even if a municipality's recruitment efforts are successful, there are still several hurdles to overcome prior to the realization of the physician practicing in the community. First, the doctor must become licensed. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has the responsibility to license doctors in the province. If the recruited physician is Canadian trained, however, this assessment period is not required. Prior to receiving a license, those recruited physicians who received their training outside of Canada must successfully complete a two part assessment process. The first part is a pre-clinical assessment. This pre-clinical assessment can take up to 3-months and is completed at a facility with an assessor but cannot be at the clinic, or even the community, to which the doctor was recruited. The second part of the assessment is the clinical assessment. During this phase, the physician does practice in the actual clinic to which the physician was recruited. If the doctor is coming from another province, is trained in Canada and is fully licensed in that province, internal trade agreements insure that the doctor will be fully licensed. If the doctor is from another province but is trained out of country, the assessment period is not required but there may be exceptions. With regard to a physician that is recruited and has the capability to provide specialist services, the physician requires a medical staff appointment followed by a further assessment as relates to the specialty and then must be granted privileges to perform in hospitals. The assessment and the granting of the privileges are provided by Alberta Health Services. These assessments can take anywhere from two weeks to a month and even longer depending on the specialty. These assessments take place in the larger urban centres. Even though a specialist may come from another province within Canada, Alberta Health Services may still require an assessment period. There are concerns with the length and location of the assessments especially since the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta have recently increased the length of the assessment period. Physicians certainly can become attached to the community in which they are completing their assessments to the point that they decide to practice there instead of the location to which they were recruited. This results in a waste of resources and frustration to the recruiting community. This is only exacerbated by the length of the assessment. Also, if a physician does have a family and wants to establish the family in the recruiting community for reasons such as not having to have children switch school jurisdictions Page 15 of 16 Regular Council July 5,2012 during the assessment period, they are forced to maintain a residence in both the recruiting community and the assessing community. This causes a financial hardship as these physicians only receive a small stipend while they are completing the first part of their assessment. This leaves a disincentive to locate to the recruiting community. In order to resolve this inequity, the Province must increase its efforts on recruiting physicians to rural Alberta, especially Canadian trained physicians; work with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta to shorten the assessment period; and/or allow assessments to occur in the recruiting community. Please note that a similar resolution will be forwarded to the 2012 AUMA Convention by the City of Brooks. Page 16 of 16