Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-19 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL April 19, 2018 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, April 19, 2018 commencing at 11:11 a.m. MEMBERS Molly Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: 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 A. Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development D. Horvath, County Planner - ORRSC S. Simpson, Development Clerk M. Fenske, Manager of Finance S. Biette, Assessment & Taxation Clerk J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Engineering Services T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: D. Tocher, Greengate Power Corporation S. Sgt. C. Zanidean, RCMP - Brooks Cpl. B. McDonald, RCMP - Bassano J. Fraser, Safe Communities Coordinator 24 County Ratepayers 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 11:11 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council April 19, 2018 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (April 5, 2018) C-132/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the April 5, 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-133/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports 7.1.1 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. He also gave an overview of the recent town hall meetings on rural crime, indicating that they were well -attended and generated good discussion. The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor responded to questions from Council. 7.1.2 RCMP - Brooks (S. Sgt. C. Zanidean) Sgt. C. Zanidean provided an overview of the town hall meetings to discuss rural crime that were held in Rolling Hills, Duchess, Bassano, and at the County of Newell facilities. Over 100 people attended these meetings and questions focused on property rights, use of force options, and methods for deterring rural crime. Cpl. B. McDonald provided further information on the meeting held in Bassano, which included community consultation on RCMP priorities for Bassano. The meeting was well-received and provided a good opportunity for dialogue with the citizens. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Horvath, A. Wickert, and S. Simpson arrived at 11:30 a.m. S. Sgt. C. Zanidean presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of statistics and significant events. IVED AT MEETING D. Tocher arrived at 11:31 a.m. Page 2 of 11 Regular Council April 19, 2018 S. Sgt. C. Zanidean responded to questions from Council regarding changing the perception of crime levels within the County, the statistics for motor vehicle accidents, and educating people on the proper use of lights during fog conditions. Discussion followed. 7.1.3 RCMP - Bassano (Cpl. B. McDonald) Cpl. B. McDonald presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, providing an overview of the statistics and significant events. He will be participating in a meeting with the Emergency Services Coordinator for Wheatland County and other stakeholders to discuss coordinating road closures during sudden weather events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 7.1.4 Safe Communities (J. Fraser) J. Fraser presented the Safe Communities Committee Report to Council. She also provided an overview of several initiatives in Brooks and the County of Newell and recent training she has completed. Car seat clinics will continue with the addition of evening sessions and bike rodeos are planned for the County. The town hall meetings resulted in over twenty new Rural Crime Watch memberships. The Swim to Survive program will begin in May. J. Fraser provided information regarding the Lock It or Lose It campaign to reduce theft of contents from vehicles. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. C. Zanidean, Cpl. B. McDonald, J. Fraser, and J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 11:48 a.m. 7.2 Greengate Power Corporation - Solar Energy Projects D. Tocher provided background information on Greengate Power Corporation and their experience with renewable energy projects in Alberta. He provided details of two proposed solar power projects that are planned within the County of Newell including the current status and proposed completion dates. Local vendors and labor will be used whenever possible. Public consultation is planned for the last quarter of 2018. D. Tocher outlined the criteria used to identify potential solar development sites and the various methods used to generate community support for the projects. He indicated that a meeting will be scheduled in the near future to discuss land use and development requirements in the next few weeks. D. Tocher responded to questions from Council. Dark panels will be used and there will be a contract for grass maintenance and weed control. The lease agreement will include a clause for reclamation of the property. Reclamation can also be discussed as part of the development permit process. D. Tocher responded to questions regarding transmission line capacity and the farmland being used. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the Director of Agricultural Services should be engaged to discuss the types of grass to be planted and methods of weed control. D. Tocher responded to further questions from Council regarding the panels, which are monitored remotely and can be individually identified to correct any issues. The power will be sold to industry and corporations through long-term contracts. D. Tocher responded to jfurther questions from Council. 1 Page 3 of 11 / `. Regular Council April 19, 2018 LEFT THE MEETING D. Tocher left the meeting at 12:20 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:20 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:01 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING 18 County Ratepayers arrived at 1:01 p.m. 6. BYLAWS 6.2 Bylaw 1912-18 Borrowing Bylaw (Bantry Bay) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. D. Ledene, a resident of Bantry Bay, distributed a letter to Council outlining his concerns. He indicated that he attended a meeting with County staff, members of Council, and other Bantry Bay residents where the Bantry Bay local improvement project was explained. The County has expressed concerns with the individual holding tanks in Bantry Bay. There is an opportunity to include the Bantry Bay lots in the North Headgates sewer development. He expressed concerns with the proposal, including increased sewage disposal costs, increased annual ownership costs resulting in lower property values. He also indicated that seasonal residents should not have to pay the same amount as full-time residents. D. Ledene suggested testing the individual holding tanks for leaks. H. Wetteskind provided details regarding the Bantry Bay development, indicating that there are eleven holding tanks. The County is proposing that all lots connect to a single holding tank. He responded to questions from Council regarding the costs associated with sewage disposal. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council regarding communication with the landowners, indicating that a letter had been sent in June 2017 that provided an overview of the improvements considered for the North Headgates development and that there was the possibility that water and sewer services could be extended to include the Bantry Bay development. D. Ledene and H. Wetteskind responded to questions from Council regarding the approximate installation costs for their individual holding tanks. Council indicated that the concerns with individual storage tanks are related to preserving the water supply and potential liability in the event of contamination. D. Ledene requested additional time for Bantry Bay residents to discuss their options. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated that Park Enterprises �Ir 1 could conduct inspections of the existing storage tanks but noted that the tanks y had been installed prior to 2011 and may not meet the requirements of the current y. code. Discussion followed, and Council agreed that the inspections should be done to determine if there are deficiencies. The cost to replace the individual storage tanks will also be obtained. Page 4 of 11 Regular Council April 19, 2018 The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council and recommended that further consideration of Bylaw 1912-18 be delayed to accommodate inspections and meetings with the affected landowners. He provided an update on the timeline for the North Headgates Area Redevelopment Plan, indicating that construction will be delayed until 2019. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting. LEFT THE MEETING 9 County Ratepayers left the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 DRAFT North Headgates Area Redevelopment Plan The County Planner presented Council with a revised draft of the North Headgates Area Redevelopment Plan, giving an overview of the amendments that had been made since the April 5, 2018 Council Meeting. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The County Planner explained the process involved with crown claimable land. The Director of Corporate Services provided information regarding a recent meeting with the landowners to review the details of the draft Area Redevelopment Plan and provide feedback. The landowners confirmed that they would arrange a meeting with the tenants of the North Headgates development in the near future, possibly as early as next week, to review the plan and discuss the impact of proceeding with the implementation. J. Lord indicated that the proposed Area Redevelopment Plan shows a road going through the lot she currently rents. She is currently unable to move the mobile home to a new lot and expressed concerns regarding the uncertainty surrounding the situation of her family's home. J. Lord responded to questions from Council, indicating she has raised these concerns with the landowner. G. McCrady indicated that on map 4 showing the boundaries of his proposed lot, the new lot is much smaller than his current lot and asked if this was negotiable. The County Planner explained how the proposed lots were determined, indicating that they were trying to accommodate a certain number of lots within the established roadways. She asked that the process for revising lot lines begin at the meeting between the landowner and the tenants and that a list of requested changes be compiled. The County Planner acknowledged that some historic use would be lost, but efforts were made to retain as many structures as possible while meeting setback requirements. D. Christman indicated the location of his lot in the North Headgates development and asked if he could install a separate holding tank for sewage. The County Planner indicated that an urban style communal sewer system is required due to the density of the North Headgates development. D. Christman indicated that improving the roads for emergency vehicle access should take priority over the sewer system. He expressed concerns with the lack of communication from the landowner. Discussion followed. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that Page 5 of 11 (-- Regular Council April 19, 2018 the required infrastructure is going to be installed for the benefit of the residents of the North Headgates area. He reiterated that the development needs to be done to appropriate standards due to the intensity of the development and the proximity to the regional potable water supply. LEFT THE MEETING 8 County Ratepayers left the meeting at 2:13 p.m. C-134/18 C-135/18 The Manager of Engineering Services responded to questions from Council regarding the cost to empty the sewage holding tanks, indicating that different options are being investigated. He also indicated that the Eastern Irrigation District would like to restrict access to the lake by vehicles and watercraft but access by foot traffic will be maintained. They have requested fencing between the property lines and the lake. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the proposed North Headgates Area Redevelopment Plan as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 Tender Award - Bush Buggies The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the Bush Buggy Tenders be awarded as follows: 1. One (1) Ton Truck - Martin Chrysler ($56,330.00 per unit) 2. Lighting & Siren - CTM Tech Services ($5,738.40 per unit) 3. Skid Package - TCB Welding & Construction Ltd. ($20,750.00 per unit) 4. Battery Charger - CTM Tech Services ($483.00 per unit) 5. 2 -Way Radio - CTM Tech Services ($706.00 per unit) 6. CAMS Install - CTM Tech Services ($2,379.00 per unit) 7. CAMS Modem & Package - Aware 360 ($3,011.00 per unit) 8. SIM Cards - Bell ($10.00 per unit) 9. Tough Books - Insight ($3,059.16 per unit) 10. Decaling Package - (up to $1,600.00 per unit) 11. Registration - Provincial Registry ($100.00 per unit) MOTION CARRIED 8.4 Joint Services Approach to Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Financial decisions outside of the current budget are to be discussed by the individual Councils. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING 6 County Ratepayers arrived at 2:32 p.m. Discussion followed regarding the inclusion of a Joint Services Committee report during the Committee Reports portion of the second Council meeting each month. Page 6 of 11 Regular Council April 19, 2018 C-136/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HUBY KALLEN that Council APPROVES the Joint Services Committee being delegated as the Working & Negotiating Committee to handle all of the regional strategic planning preparation and Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework components for the requirements of Bassano, Brooks, Duchess, Rosemary and the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 HWY542 Access to Private Lands The Manager of Planning & Development provided background information on this item, indicating that only one of three landowners has direct legal and physical access to the County road allowance and Highway 542. The other two landowners have physical access via a driveway on private land that has not been built to County standards. S. Bushcholl, one of the landowners, has proposed that the existing driveway be registered as a road plan. The Manager of Planning & Development indicated that market value for the land being offered by S. Buscholl is comparable to the costs to register a road plan. Some factors to be determined are whether the driveway must be upgraded to County standards, who is responsible for the costs to upgrade it, and what is the liability to the County for allowing the public to use a road that is not built to County standards. S. Buscholl indicated that the land is difficult to sell or develop with the existing access. He offered the land required for the road allowance if the County would allow an approach to be constructed from the registered road allowance to provide access to his parcel. The Manager of Planning & Development reported that Alberta Transportation has reviewed the proposal and has no concerns. S. Buscholl responded to questions from Council. F. Klassen reported that the County has stopped removing snow from the road within the past year. The Manager of Engineering Services indicated that Council could add this road allowance to a future construction project but suggested that it not be upgraded in the current location. He outlined other possible locations for the access road. Discussion followed. The Manager of Engineering Services responded to questions from Council regarding potential liability for allowing access to an unmaintained County road allowance via a private driveway. He indicated that S. Buscholl could submit an application to construct a County road allowance. The Director of Municipal Services provided further information, indicating that the road in question had been maintained on occasion in the past. Easements were registered to provide access to the two parcels prior to the subdivision of S. Buscholl's property. He expressed concerns with the liability involved with maintaining a road that the County does not own. He also expressed concerns about investing in a road that does not meet County standards. The Director of Municipal Services explained the road construction policy, indicating that 50% of the costs to a maximum of $12,000.00 will be reimbursed to the developer for a road built to County standards. He responded to further questions from Council. The Manager of Engineering Services responded to questionsegarding the difference in elevation between Highway 542, the turnaround Oulb, and the driveway. He also indicated that the municipal addresses would -need to be Page 7 of 11 Regular Council April 19, 2018 revised. He suggested that the County road be extended further to the south to address issues to all three parcels. Discussion followed. C-137/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Council accepts the proposal from Buscholl, Van Le, and Woehr which states that Buscholl et al and Klassen will provide the land to register the road plan at a nominal cost and that the County will cover the cost of the survey and registration of the road plan; further, that the road plan be added to the County's road maintenance list. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING 6 County ratepayers, A. Wickert, D. Horvath, S. Simpson, M. Harbicht, and G. Tiffin left the meeting at 3:22 p.m. 6. BYLAWS — continued 6.1 Bylaw 1911-18 - Tax Rates (2018) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-138/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1911-18, being a bylaw to authorize the rates of taxation for various purposes in the year 2018, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-139/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Bylaw 1911-18 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.5 Councillor Payment Sheets (March 2018) Discussion followed regarding calculating mileage for travel. C-140/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the March 2018 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee and the following amendment: • March 19, 2018 - Councillor E. Unruh - 8.0 hours should be 6.5 hours. MOTION CARRIED 8.6 Cheques for Payment There were no cheques for payment to discuss at this meeting. Page 8 of 11 Regular Council April 19, 2018 8.7 Payment Register 141/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht and T. Schroeder arrived at 3:37 p.m. 8.8 Requests for Functions of Council Discussion followed regarding the Alberta Emergency Management Agency course for Municipal Elected Officials and whether the members of the Emergency Management Committee should attend. Councillor T. Fyfe indicated that she was unable to attend. C-142/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Reeve M. Douglass, Councillor H. Kallen, and Councillor W. Hammergren be permitted to attend the Alberta Emergency Management Agency course for Municipal Elected Officials in Brooks, AB on April 27, 2018 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Request for Proclamation - National Public Works Week (May 20-26, 2018) The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-143/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council hereby proclaims May 20-26, 2018 as "National Public Works Week" in the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Letter to Council — SW 26-14-14-W4 Dust Control The Director of Municipal Services presented Council with a letter from a ratepayer requesting dust control. He indicated that requirements for companies to control dust associated with hauling can be included in road use agreements, but this has not been done in this location. The Director of Municipal Services provided information gathered from the previous request from this ratepayer regarding the traffic in the area resulting from an agricultural operation. Discussion followed and it was suggested that the agricultural producer be contacted to discuss the dust issue. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions from Council regarding dust control in other municipalities. Council directed the Director of Municipal Services and Manager of Operations to decide whether to apply dust abatement in this location. LEFT THE MEETING T. Schroeder left the meeting at 3:52 p.m. Page 9 of 11 Regular Council April 19, 2018 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report. 10.2 Alberta Seniors Communities & Housing Association Conference Councillor A. M. Philipsen submitted a written report. Councillor H. Kallen provided further information and statistics regarding seniors housing. 10.3 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Juss reported that the Annual General Meeting had been well - attended. Two new board members have been appointed. On April 28, 2018 the Newell Recycling Association will be holding a pancake breakfast and confidential shredding event. 10.4 Building Cultural Capacity Workshop Councillor C. Amulung and Councillor K. Christman provided an overview of the workshop. The key messages were the importance of treating everyone with respect, building communities and relationships, and sharing individual stories. 10.5 Least Conflict Lands Workshop Councillor L. Juss, Councillor W. Hammergren, and Councillor C. Amulung provided an overview of this workshop. Many of the groups at the workshop had concerns which could make the renewable energy development process restrictive if all of the concerns are included in a policy. The Director of Corporate Services provided further information, indicating that the sites identified will be ranked for suitability so as not to sterilize the area for development. 10.6 Reeve's Report. Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she would forward a report on the Rural Health Professions Action Plan Community Conference as well as minutes from recent meetings of the Southeast and Southwest Mayors & Reeves Associations. She provided information regarding a presentation to the Mayors & Reeves of Southwest Alberta on the sugar beet industry. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report (March 2018) This item was accepted as information. Page 10 of 11 Regular Council April 19, 2018 12.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 12.3 Upcoming Community Events Council was provided a form to submit information for upcoming events in their community. 13. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. 14. IN CAMERA C-144/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 4:13 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Legal - FOIPP Act Section 27. MOTION CARRIED C-145/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move out of camera at 5:25 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Signed this 10) clay of , 2018 (- yRee4���,�/ C do Administrator Page 11 of 11