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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-08 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL February 8, 2018 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, February 8, 2018 commencing at 10:00 a.m. MEMBERS Molly Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung H. Kallen A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren K. Christman B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: T. Fyfe E. Unruh STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Engineering Services K. Martin, Manager of Fire & Emergency Services S. Biette, Assessment & Taxation Clerk A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: J. Pool, Ducks Unlimited Canada K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation D. Perini, County Ratepayer (Westland Acres) S. Jacobson, County Ratepayer (Westland Acres) S. Hanson, County Ratepayer (Westland Acres) S. Hanson, County Ratepayer (Westland Acres) D. Heidmiller, County Ratepayer (Westland Acres) J. Gerrard, County Ratepayer (Westland Acres) 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-29/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Councillor T. Councillor E. Unruh be excused from the meeting. MOTION Regular Council February 8, 2018 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (January 25, 2018) C-30/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the January 25, 2018 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-31/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS 6.1 Bylaw 1902-18 - Amendment to Bylaw 1877-16 (Road Closure & SALE - Portion of 1st Street (Scandia)) The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-32/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1902-18, being a bylaw to amend Bylaw 1877-16 for the purpose of closing to public travel and SELLING a portion of 1st Street in the Hamlet of Scandia, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-33/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Bylaw 1902-18 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-34/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that consent be given for Bylaw 1902-18 to receive third reading this 8th day of February, 2018. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-35/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Bylaw 1902-18 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 6.2 Bylaw 1903-18 -18 LUA 001 (Text Amendments to Administrative Section of LUB 1892-17) The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item including an overview of the amendments. ARRIVERAIrT, MEETING T.Grdeftaiki4ed at 10:09 a.m. Page 2 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 Discussion followed, and Council suggested the following amendments to be considered prior to second reading: • Remove Section 51.1 as this paragraph references the Municipal Government Act; • Provide a definition of adequate and provide a reference for the criteria for determining adequacy. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to further questions from Council. C-36/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that Bylaw 1903-18, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 1892-17 to be compliant with recent amendments to the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, Part 17, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Ducks Unlimited Wetland Restoration Project J. Pool, representing Ducks Unlimited Canada, provided background information on this item. The wetland restoration project will involve flooding an undeveloped road allowance to enhance water levels and improve wildlife habitat in several upstream quarter sections. He responded to questions regarding potential impact to neighbouring agricultural lands, indicating that Ducks Unlimited is willing to work with the adjacent landowner to resolve any issues that may arise. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding future development of the road allowance. A trade of land with the landowner is possible, but it would be difficult to determine the location of the land for future road development and what would constitute an equal trade. J. Pool indicated that, since the road allowance is within a natural wetland, any future development would have to be approved by Alberta Environment. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding the proposed compensation, which is intended to be held in a reserve account to fund future wetland mitigation requirements. The Director of Municipal Services expressed concerns with flooding, indicating that it would be difficult to return the land required for the road to a usable state. He responded to further questions from Council. The Manager of Planning & Development responded to questions regarding consolidating the parcels to ensure future access and suggested that this type of situation does not warrant consolidation. J. Pool responded to further questions regarding the Alberta Environment approval process and the rate for mitigation. C-37/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Council accepts the Ducks Unlimited Wetland Restoration Project compensation amount as provided in the letter dated January 19, 2018 and authorizes them to proceed with the project in Township 21 Range 13 W4. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert, J. Pool, and M. Harbicht left the meeting at 10:46 a.m. 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 7.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. He responded to questions from Council regarding the Environmental Farm Plan renewal process. Council suggested forwarding the information to Newell Further Education and local Agricultural Societies. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 11:00 a.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.2 ORRSC Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Enquiry The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that ORRSC is determining whether municipalities are interested in creating a Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board. Depending on the response, they will explore the arrangement further. Council directed Administration to respond to ORRSC indicating that the County of Newell is interested in a Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley arrived at 11:02 a.m. 8.3 Municipal Hybrid Designated Industrial Properties (DIP) Assessment Agreement The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. He responded to questions regarding the proposed per -parcel rate for the assessment of designated industrial properties. ARRIVED AT MEETING One County Ratepayer arrived at 11:06 a.m. The Director of Corporate Services suggested that it might be appropriate for a group of municipalities to negotiate based on the same rate. ARRIVED AT MEETING One County Ratepayer arrived at 11:08 a.m. �1 Page 4 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 Discussion followed, and the Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. .18/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council APPROVES executing the Municipal Hybrid Designated Industrial Property Assessment Delivery Contract with Alberta Municipal Affairs. MOTION CARRIED 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:13 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 11:13 a.m. 9.2 Director of Municipal Services Report The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding the SH535 paving project and obtaining Alberta Environment approvals when wetlands are involved. ARRIVED AT MEETING 2 County Ratepayers arrived at 11:21 a.m. The Director of Municipal Services responded to further questions from Council. C-39/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for January 2018 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Multi -Year Paving Plan The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the paving plan was submitted as part of the budget process. Discussion followed. ARRIVED AT MEETING 2 County Ratepayers, S. Biette, and G. Tiffin arrived at 11:26 a.m. Page 5 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding Range Road 175 north from Lathom Road. Council had removed it from the priority list, but the reasons why were unknown. Discussion followed. Council requested further discussion regarding the philosophy behind the paving plan and how priorities are set. Further discussion on this item was postponed until later during this meeting. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.4 Westland Acres Municipal & Mail Address Systems The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that there was significant response from the residents of Westland Acres that would be affected if mailing addresses were aligned with municipal addresses. He outlined several inconsistencies with addressing in the subdivision. A survey was distributed to the affected landowners and 60% of respondents were in favor of proceeding with synchronizing the municipal and mailing addresses. D. Perini outlined issues related to having several different addresses and determining which one to use in each situation. She suggested that street signs be installed within the subdivision and requested another may out of municipal address fridge magnets. S. Hanson provided a history of the addresses associated with his property, indicating that his street address and mailing address are different and there have been no issues with delivery. He indicated that the municipal address is the one associated with GPS coordinates that is to be used to dispatch emergency responders. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Martin arrived at 11:51 a.m. S. Hanson suggested that it would be easier to have a common mailing address that includes the house number and Westland Acres, as most of the municipal address is the same. He asked if the municipal and mailing addresses for other subdivisions in the County would be synchronized as well. S. Jacobson expressed concerns with getting children to remember the municipal address and indicated that she has had issues with deliveries. J. Gerrard indicated that synchronizing the municipal address with the mailing address seemed efficient, however, including 12th Street may cause confusion as there are two other 12th Streets in Brooks. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Engineering Services provided an overview of the municipal addressing system. Addresses were generated using the practice recommended by Municipal Affairs. The purpose of the municipal addressing program was to assist emergency responders in finding rural locations. The Manager of Engineering Services explained that the municipal address identifies the nearest access and a more urbanized numbering (� system is used to identify residences. Page 6 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 LEFT THE MEETING S. Jacobson left the meeting at 12:05 pm. The Manager of Engineering Services explained how the municipal addresses for Westland Acres were assigned. Municipal address information is sent to Telus and Red Deer 9-1-1 on a regular basis for emergency dispatching. The Manager of Fire & Emergency Services explained how Red Deer 9-1-1 uses the municipal address information to generate routes for emergency responders. He stressed the importance of having a single, consistent address. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions, indicating that Canada Post has requested direction on whether to proceed with aligning mailing addresses with municipal addresses. C-40/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that notice be sent to Canada Post recommending that they proceed with synchronizing their mail address system with the County assigned municipal address system for Westland Acres MOTION CARRIED The Director of Municipal Services provided an overview of the next steps. The Manager of Engineering Services indicated that he would follow up regarding the installation of street signs within Westland Acres. LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette, G. Tiffin, K. Martin, M. Harbicht, and 6 County Ratepayers left the meeting at 12:26 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:26 pm and RECONVENED at 1:05 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 1:05 p.m. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS — continued 9.3 Multi -Year Paving Plan — continued Discussion continued. The Director of Municipal Services indicated that the Multi - Year Paving Plan was developed based on a 2001 road study. He provided justification for rearranging the priorities, but indicated he was unsure of why Range Road 175 between Highway 1 and SH550 had been removed. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin arrived at 1:11 p.m. Page 7 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 Discussion followed, and it was suggested that priorities should be established with the reasoning included on the paving plan. This would provide continuity as many of the paving projects will not be completed for several years. The Director of Municipal Services provided information regarding Alberta Transportation's 50 -year plan for Highway 1 (2005), noting that some roads we pave may not intersect in the future. Discussion followed. One goal of the paving plan was for paved roads to meet other paved roads, for paved roads to connect communities, including providing routes for commodities from field to market. The Director of Municipal Services suggested that an updated road study may be beneficial to determine future paving priority. Council accepted this item as information and requested that the Multi -Year Paving Plan be revisited in three years when there is more funding for new paving projects. 9.4 Policy Review The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-41/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the following policies be RESCINDED: • 2013-PPW-001 (Moving of Over -Dimensional and/or Overweight Loads); • 2014-PPW-007 (Texas Gates); and • 2014-PPW-008 (Sale of Equipment by Employees to County). MOTION CARRIED 9.5 Range Road 183 Letter of Concern from Transport Canada The Manager of Engineering Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-42/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the portion of Range Road 18-3 between the South Bassano Access and the CP Rail Crossing be posted to 60 km/h to improve safety and to align to Transport Canada's grade crossing regulations. MOTION CARRIED The Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council regarding establishing setbacks for shelterbelts. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Alberta Community Partnership Grant (Village of Rosemary) The Chief Administrative indicating that the Village Mediation & Cooperative Partnership program to Officer provided background information on this item, of Rosemary has submitted an application under the Processes component of the Alberta Community facilitate Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Page 8 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 negotiations. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council, indicating that he requested a copy of the application from the Village of Rosemary to determine the funding details, including the matching component and what the partner shares will be. Discussion followed. The Director of Corporate Services indicated that Municipal Affairs is requesting resolutions confirming the partners to the applicant. Council requested further information, including whether the application included all the municipalities within the County of Newell and what the responsibilities of each partner are. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions from Council. C-43/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Administration obtains further information from the Village of Rosemary regarding the Alberta Community Partnership Grant application that was submitted. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.5 Appointment to Rosemary & Rural Fire Area Committee The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Councillor B. de Jong volunteered. Reeve M. Douglass called twice more for further nominations. No further nominations were received. C-44/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor B. de Jong be appointed as a member to the Rosemary & Rural Fire Area Committee. MOTION CARRIED 8.6 AAMDC Spring 2018 Convention - Meeting with Minister of Municipal Affairs The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council suggested topics for discussion including the Minister's decision to freeze the Assessment Year Modifiers, the Designated Industrial Properties Assessment, and an update on Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding. 8.7 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. 8.8 Payment Register The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. C-45/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTI CA Page 9 of 10 Regular Council February 8, 2018 8.9 Requests for Functions of Council 8.9.1 Canadian Badlands Tourism Development Conference & 2018 Annual General Meeting (March 13-15,2018) C-46/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Reeve M. Douglass and Councillor A.M. Philipsen be permitted to attend the Canadian Badlands Tourism Development Conference & 2018 Annual General Meeting in Medicine Hat, AB on March 13-15, 2018 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. INFORMATION ITEMS There were no information items to discuss at this meeting. 12. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Discussion followed regarding the Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association meeting. The AAMDC was unable to provide further information regarding the decision to freeze Assessment Year Modifiers other than the Minister of Municipal Affairs indicated it was a cabinet decision. 13. IN CAMERA C-47/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move in camera at 2:10 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Land -FOIPP Act Section 27, • Legal -FOIPP Act Section 27; • Legal -FOIPP Act Section 27. MOTION CARRIED C-48/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that we move out of camera at 4:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. Signed this day of /''�'u�� , 2018 r Reeve— c/ qty Administrator Page 10 of 10