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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-25 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL January 25, 2018 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, January 25, 2018 commencing at 10:29 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: Molly Douglass, Reeve C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe K. Christman E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Fenske, Manager of Finance T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor K. Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: Sgt. C. Zanidean, RCMP - Brooks Cpl. B. McDonald, RCMP - Bassano J. Peterson, Newell Further Education Council S. Zacharias, Village of Rosemary B. Marshall, Village of Rosemary 1. 2. 3. 1-17/18 CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:29 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (January 11, 2018) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the January 11, 2018 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. r. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council January 25, 2018 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve M. Douglass called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-18/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.2 Extension of Regional Assessment Review Board Clerk Agreement The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-19/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Council APPROVES extending the Regional Assessment Review Board Clerk Agreement for an additional three-year term. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 County Joint Fire Agreement (Rosemary) This item will be discussed during the in camera portion of this meeting. 8.4 AAMDC Spring 2018 Convention - Meetings with Ministers The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding meetings with Ministers. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Fenske and T. Green arrived at 10:35 a.m. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding the Elected Officials Education Program course offered during the convention. C-20/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Elected Officials Education Program course "Regional Partnerships & Collaboration" during the AAMDC Spring 2018 Convention as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 7.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (January 2018) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report l to Council. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council January 25, 2018 ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Nesbitt arrived at 10:47 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-21/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for January 2018 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed regarding the recent Provincial Agricultural Service Board Conference. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that he was on the program committee for the 2019 conference and invited suggestions for topics and speakers. He responded to further questions from Council. 7.2 Funding Request - Brooks & District Health Foundation "Hooked on Dialysis" Fundraising Event The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item, indicating that there is an opportunity to donate a free weekend of camping at Emerson Bridge Park. Council supported the recommendation and asked the Director of Agricultural Services to proceed. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to further questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING Sgt. C. Zanidean and Cpl. B. McDonald arrived at 10:58 a.m. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:59 a.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.1 Assessment Year Modifiers (AYM) for Wells & Pipeline Assessments The Manager of Finance provided background information on this item. A letter has been received from the Alberta Rural Municipal Administrators Association (ARMAA) expressing concerns with Municipal Affairs' decision to not implement the adjustment to the AYM for well and pipeline assessment in 2018. This decision will result in a decrease in linear tax revenue collected by municipalities. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 11:02 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Finance provided further information. Discussion followed and it was determined that more information is required regarding the rationale behind this decision. Page 3 of 8 Regular Council January 25, 2018 C-22/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that a letter be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting the rationale behind the decision not to apply the Assessment Year Modifiers for well and pipeline assessment in 2018. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Fenske left the meeting at 11:12 a.m. 6. DELEGATIONS 6.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports 6.1.1 Municipal Enforcement (J. Nesbitt) The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor presented the County of Newell Enforcement Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 6.1.2 Bassano RCMP (Cpl. B. McDonald) Cpl. B. McDonald presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Cpl. B. McDonald responded to questions regarding Rural Crime Watch, indicating that there is a need to further promote the organization and engage rural citizens. A community meeting in Bassano will be held in March where citizens can discuss their concerns regarding crime in their community and identify priorities. Discussion followed regarding increasing Rural Crime Watch membership. 6.1.3 Brooks RCMP (Sgt. C. Zanidean) Sgt. C. Zanidean presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Sgt. C. Zanidean responded to questions regarding concerns about response times for rural crime and the process for closing Highway 1. The Director of Municipal Services provided further information, indicating that Volker Stevin had contacted the County to assist with grading during a major snow event. Sgt. C. Zanidean responded to questions regarding the safety protocol when dealing with suspected fentanyl. 6.1.4 Safe Communities The Safe Communities Facilitator Report was presented to Council. LEFT HE MEETING ,t ��rSgt. anidean, Cpl. B. McDonald, M. Harbicht, and J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 11:59 a.m. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council January 25, 2018 LUNCH Council RECESSED For lunch at 12:00 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:50 p.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.5 Cheques for Payment There were no Cheques for Payment to discuss at this meeting. 8.6 Payment Register C-23/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Peterson arrived at 12:52 p.m. 8.7 Requests for Functions of Council 8.7.1 Alberta CARE Spring Seminar (February 28 - March 2, 2018) Discussion followed. The Reeve or Deputy Reeve have been asked to provide welcoming remarks and a regional overview with Mayor Morishita. C-24/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Alberta CARE Spring Seminar in Brooks, AB on February 28 - March 2, 2018 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 8.7.2 Growing Rural Tourism (February 20-22, 2018) C-25/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor E. Unruh be permitted to attend the Growing Rural Tourism conference in Camrose, AB on February 20-22, 2018 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 6. DELEGATIONS — continued 6.2 Newell Further Education Council (J. Peterson, Program Director) J. Peterson provided background information on the Newell Further Education Council (NFEC) and the area that it serves. The NFEC is trying to raise awareness of their programs and services to reach more learners throughout the County. J. Peterson provided an overview of the programming areas, which are Literacy & Foundational Learning, Community Capacity Building, and Learner Support Services. The programming is usually provided by volunteer tutors living in the community that they serve. d ' Page 5 of 8 Regular Council January 25, 2018 J. Peterson asked Council for their help identifying literacy champions in their respective areas. She also indicated that the NFEC Board is in need of representation from Division 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Martin arrived at 1:14 p.m. J. Peterson responded to further questions from Council. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS 9.1 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung reported that he would circulate the FCSS Director's Report to Council going forward. Grasslands Regional FCSS is now providing support to Global Village. 9.2 ASB Provincial Conference Councillor B. de Jong provided a summary of the presentation on industrial hemp production, indicating that 33% of hemp produced in Canada comes from Alberta. Challenges associated with the hemp industry include lack of processing facilities. Councillor A. M. Philipsen gave an overview of the presentation by Jim Hole on the ugly vegetable movement, dandelions in salads, vertical farming, and compost. Brad Osadczuk spoke on the bovine tuberculosis outbreak and how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency handled the cases. Councillor E. Unruh provided a summary of the presentation by Nancy Lowery entitled "Project Management - Everything I Learned About Managing Projects I Learned from a Horse. " The main message from this presentation was to slow down and listen before you make a decision. Councillor W. Hammergren gave an overview of the presentation by Bruno Wiskel entitled "The Joy of Farming - The Prosperous Farmer. " Reeve M. Douglass reported on a research project on camelina and a session entitled "Fair Isn't Necessarily Equal. " ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Zacharias and B. Marshall arrived at 1:34 p.m. Discussion followed regarding the presentation entitled "Friends of Science, Opponents of Climate Change. " Page 6 of 8 Regular Council January 25, 2018 9.3 9.4 County of Newell Library Board Councillor K. Christman reported that annual reporting for the province is underway. She reminded Council to renew their library memberships. Shortgrass Library System Board Councillor K. Christman reported that updated population numbers have been received. In the southeast region, only the populations of Bassano and Rosemary have decreased slightly. Renovations are underway at the Shortgrass Library System building and they are celebrating 30 years of operation this year. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 ORRSC Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Inquiry The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. ORRSC has asked whether the County is interested in participating in a Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board (SDAB) operated by ORRSC. Currently, the County and the City have a joint SDAB and utilize ORRSC for the secretarial function associated with SDAB hearings. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that ORRSC has provided a regional SDAB for other municipalities. Individuals are drawn from a pool to participate in SDAB hearings in communities. Discussion followed regarding costs associated with SDAB hearings. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions and provided further information, indicating that all SDAB members are required to take provincially mandated training within a certain period of time. Council requested further information regarding the costs associated with participating in a Regional SDAB operated by ORRSC. This item will be discussed further during the February 8, 2018 Council meeting. LEFT THE MEETING J. Peterson left the meeting at 1:49 p.m. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 11.2 Reminder - Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (January 26, 2018) This item was accepted as information. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council January 25, 2018 11.3 Mini Bus Monthly Reports (December 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-26/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that we move in camera at 1:51 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations -FOIPP Act Section 23 • Legal -FOIPP Act Section 27 MOTION CARRIED C-27/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 2:42 p.m. MOTION CARRIED C-28/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Council APPROVES the Fire Protection Agreement between the County of Newell and the Village of Rosemary as amended. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:43 p.m. Signed this e, day of 2018 Reeve` CGn A ministrator Page 8 of 8