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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-25 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council April 25, 2013 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, April 25, 2013, commencing at 10:57 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung I. Schroeder A.M. Phillipsen J. Bulger A. Eastman B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: R. Andrews M. Nesbitt STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Assistant Administrator A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner- ORRSC J, Nesbitt, Community Peace Officer Supervisor A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant L. Thiessen, Student (Administrative Office Professional Program - Medicine Hat College - Brooks Campus) OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Brooks RCMP Corp. L. Kelly, Bassano RCMP 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:57 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-137/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Councillor R. Andrews and Councillor M. Nesbitt be excused from the meeting. MOTION C -RIED s Regular Council April 25,2013 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes - Council (2013-04-11) C-138/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that the April 11, 2013 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-139/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR I. SCHROEDER that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 7. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS • a. Request for Refund of Subdivision Extension Fee (2011-0-132) The Assistant Administrator provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-140/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that Council APPROVES request to refund the subdivision fee in the amount of$300.00 for subdivision #2011-0-132. Councillor B. de Jong asked if the County caused the delay. The Assistant Administrator indicated that he did not have that information at this time. Discussion followed and Council directed Administration to obtain more information regarding the reasons for the delay. C-141/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that Motion C-140/13 be TABLED for more information. MOTION CARRIED b. Request to Discharge Caveat 081 161 672 The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information • Ann 0 on this item and responded to questions from Council. /// Page 2 of 8 r _ Regular Council April 25,2013 C-142/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Council APPROVES the request to discharge Deferred Reserve Caveat # 081 161 672 at cost to the applicant in the amount of$23,870.00 plus applicable fees. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING A. Wickert and D. Horvath left the meeting at 11:09 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin and M. Harbicht (via telephone) arrived at 11:09 a.m. a. Request for Refund of Subdivision Extension Fee (2011-0-132) - continued C-143/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Motion C-140/13 be lifted from the table. MOTION CARRIED The Superintendent of Public Works provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. He indicated that he and Councillor M. Nesbitt had met with the landowners regarding the EID Drainage Partnership on several occasions and were unable to come to an agreement regarding land compensation rates. The Superintendent of Public Works responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin and M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:15 a.m. Discussion followed and it was noted that the reasons cited for requiring an extension were difficulty in obtaining a surveyor. VOTE ON MOTION C-140/13 - MOTION DEFEATED c. Membership in Partners For the Saskatchewan River Basin The Assistant Administrator provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. Page 3 of 8 C. Viite°1 Regular Council April 25,2013 d. Council Participation in Annual Corporate Safety Meeting CP The Assistant Administrator provided background information regarding the upcoming Annual Safety Meeting on May 31, 2013 and asked Council if they were interested in providing lunch for staff. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she, Councillor I. Schroeder, and Councillor M. Nesbitt would be attending the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention on this day. All Councillors present agreed to participate. e. Councillor Payment Sheets (March 2013) C-144/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the March 2013 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED f. Cheques for Payment The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-145/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that cheque 175188 in the amount of $447,298.93 and cheque 175189 in the amount of$386,534.84 be APPROVED. • MOTION CARRIED g. Cheque Register The Assistant Administrator responded to questions from Council. C-146/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A. EASTMAN that the Cheque Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Corp. L. Kelly, and J. Nesbitt arrived at 11:30 a.m. 6. DELEGATIONS a. RCMP Quarterly Reports S. Sgt. T. McNulty introduced Corp. L. Kelly of the Bassano RCMP Detachment. S. Sgt. T. McNulty presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, Page 4 of 8 Regular Council April 25,2013 indicating that overall crime statistics have decreased with the exception of harassment/threats. He provided an overview of some recent significant events and current staffing levels. He also provided an update on the Community Crime Reduction Strategy, indicating that the committee will be meeting on Monday night. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor B. de Jong inquired about the RCMP's 5 year transfer policy and S. Sgt. T. McNulty replied that the policy is in place to ensure there is adequate staffing in all areas and to keep staff members objective. Corp. L. Kelly presented the Bassano RCMP Occurrence Statistics and a statistical comparison to Council, indicating in the future that she would prepare reports similar to the one presented by S. Sgt. T. McNulty. She reported on current staffing levels at the Bassano detachment. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Reeve M. Douglass asked if any areas of focus had been determined. Corp. L. Kelly replied that reducing impaired driving and liquor charges would be an area of focus. She also expressed interest in initiating a school liaison program, as it has been successful in other areas of the County. The Community Peace Officer Supervisor presented the County of Newell CPOs report to Council, indicating that they will be streamlining the reporting process. He indicated that they will continue educating ratepayers and outlining CPO expectations. He provided an update on staffing levels, indicating that they are in the process of hiring a new CPO. He also indicated that he met with representatives from the Crawling Valley Campground to discuss CPO expectations for the upcoming camping season. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Councillor A. Eastman asked about guidelines regarding livestock on the road that become involved in accidents. S. Sgt. T. McNulty provided background information on this item and outlined the investigation process, which could lead to criminal charges. He stressed the importance of reporting livestock on the road to the RCMP, as these reports are used in subsequent investigations and can lead to charges of criminal negligence. Councillor B. de Jong asked if the CPOs report could include a breakdown of the items that are included in the traffic incidents category. J. Nesbitt responded to further questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. T. McNulty, Corp. L. Kelly, and J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 12:09 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:09 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:10 p.m. Page 5 of 8 or Regular Council April 25,2013 • 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung provided information regarding reorganization of duties. b. Newell Regional Services Corporation (NRSC) Councillor C. Amulung reported that NRSC would be meeting with Bassano tonight to discuss how to proceed. He provided an update on the status of the Rosemary to Bassano pipeline, indicating that Bassano should be able to receive water by this summer. c. Red Deer River Watershed Alliance Councillor A. Eastman provided an overview of a recent meeting and discussion of a large riparian program in the Wheatland County area. He also reported on the recent Water, Agriculture, & the Environment Conference. d. Tourism Representative • Councillor A.M. Philipsen reported that Canadian Badlands held a board meeting yesterday where new executive board members were elected. She also reported on the Annual General Meeting, which was held at the end of March. Councillor A.M. Philipsen reported on recent activities of the Newell Regional Tourism Association, which included attendance at the trade show and advertisements in recent publications. She noted that the Dimestore Fisherman television show would be filming in the area again during the summer. e. Economic Development &Tourism Committee Councillor A.M. Philipsen reported that the Economic Development & Tourism Committee had published information in the newspaper regarding regional business licensing. She also noted that they had arranged a speaker to come to the Heritage Inn and talk about fertilizer plants. f. University of Alberta Mattheis Ranch Property Councillor B. de Jong indicated that he had met with representatives from the Mattheis Ranch Property, who want to be involved in distributing information • regarding their research to the community and the province. He also noted Page 6 of 8 Regular Council April 25,2013 that he invited them to be part of the Agricultural Services Board 2014 Summer Tour. g. Reeve's Report Reeve M. Douglass reported on several recent events, including a conference call regarding the closure of the Brooks Red Cross Office, an interview regarding strategic planning for the Medicine Hat College, the Cenovus Safety Awards, the Alberta Senior Citizens' Housing Association Conference, the Newell Regional Expo "Tilley Recognizing Bassano"dinner, the Mattheis Ranch Property, and the Veteran's Memorial Highway Development Safety Association meeting. She also noted that the Palliser Economic Partnership board would be meeting tomorrow and provided information regarding a Citizenship Ceremony being held at the Lakeside Leisure Center tomorrow. C-147/13 MOVED BY REEVE M. DOUGLASS that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Citizenship Ceremony at the Lakeside Leisure Center in Brooks, AB on Friday, April 26, 2013 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Councillor A. Eastman asked about the possibility of getting a tour of the Mattheis Ranch Property facilities. Councillor B. de Jong indicated that there is a limited amount to see there and suggested that they provide information for the ASB 2014 Summer Tour. Reeve M. Douglass responded to further questions from Council. 9. POST AGENDA ITEMS a. Meeting with Grasslands Regional Division (Select Dates) The Chief Administrative Officer presented background information on this item. Discussion followed and Council selected June 20, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. as the date for the meeting. a. County Brands Councillor J. Bulger indicated that the Art & Visual Display Committee had begun determining where pictures would be hung in the new building. The Committee requires direction on what to do with the wooden brands that hung in the old Council Chambers. Discussion followed and Council indicated that the brands should be hung in the new facilities in a location visible to the public. The Art & Visual Display Committee will determine some options for where to hang the brands. Page 7 of 8 ieb Regular Council April 25,2013 10. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Mini Bus Monthly Report (March 2013) This item was accepted as information. b. Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 11. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 12. IN CAMERA C-148/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR J. BULGER that we move in camera at 1:50 p.m. to discuss a land issue. MOTION CARRIED • C-149/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that we move out of camera at 2:20 p.m.. MOTION CARRIED 13. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Signed this Cl day of , 2013 Reeve • Wdministrator Page 8 of 8