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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-21 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF Regular Council November 21, 2013 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, November 21, 2013 commencing at 10:18 a.m. MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung G. Simpson A.M. Phillipsen 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 T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:18 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES a. Minutes - Council (November 7, 2013) The following changes were made to the November 7, 2013 Council Meeting minutes: Page 12 - Item 11(a) - should read "Councillor A.M. Philipsen informed Regular Council November 21,2013 Council that a new member will need to be appointed to the Canadian Badlands Committee in March 2014." C-373/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the November 7, 2013 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-374/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. BYLAWS a. Bylaw 1781-13 -Snow on Roads The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor presented background information on this item, outlining the changes that have been made. Discussion followed and the Municipal Enforcement Supervisor responded to questions from Council. C-375/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Bylaw 1781-13, being a bylaw for the removal of snow, ice, dirt and other debris from privately owned land onto publicly owned lands, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-376/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR C. AMULUNG that Bylaw 1781-13 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-377/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that consent be given for Bylaw 1781-13 to receive third reading this 21st day of November, 2013. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-378/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR K. CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 1781-13 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 9 Regular Council November 21,2013 LEFT THE MEETING J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 10:30 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 10:30 a.m. 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS a. Agricultural Fieldman's Report(November 2013) The Director of Agricultural Services presented his report for November 2013, giving an overview of the highlights. He noted that rooms have been booked for the ASB Conference in Medicine Hat, AB on January 27-30, 2014. The Director of Agricultural Services provided an update on the Coyote Control Incentive Program and the upcoming Marketing What You Measure seminar. Councillor W. Hammergren asked about the rental drills and the Director of Agricultural Services indicated that they have been extending the life of the existing drills rather than purchasing npw ones. He provided background information on the rental equipment program. Councillor G. Simpson inquired about the County's policy on clubroot. The Director of C Agricultural Services replied that they follow the Agricultural Pest Act, which allows for restrictions to be placed on farming operations. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to further questions from Council. b. Calgary Stampede Farm Family Award The Director of Agricultural Services presented background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-379/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that, on behalf of the County of Newell Agricultural Service Board, we nominate the Sereda family for the 2014 BMO Bank of Montreal Farm Family Award; further, that Councillor C. Amulung attend the Awards banquet on behalf of the County of Newell ASB. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:55 a.m. (-_.,, i C Page 3 of 9 Regular Council November 21,2013 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS a. Policy Review - Legislative Policies The Director of Corporate Services presented background information on this item. Council reviewed the legislative policies and suggested amendments. 2012-PLG-001 Pins—No changes were identified. 2008-PLG-002 Advertising of Council & Committee Meetings - The Director of Corporate Services suggested amendments pertaining to the current committee structure. The Chief Administrative Officer requested clarification on the advertising of all committee meetings and discussion followed regarding meetings that are open to the public. Councillor B. de Jong suggested including information on the web site regarding contacting reception for information on upcoming meetings. The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. The amended policy will be brought back to Council for approval. 2008-PLG-003 Committee Meeting Minutes -No changes were identified. 2008-PLG-004 AAMDC - Purchasing Through the Trade Division - The Director of Corporate Services provided an explanation of the AAMDC Trade 0 Division. Discussion followed. C-380/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that Policy 2008-PLG-004 (AAMDC - Purchasing Through the Trade Division) be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED 2009-PLG-005 Salary Negotiating Committee—No changes were identified. 2008-PLG-006 Spouses - Payment of Fees at Conventions - No changes were identified. 2008-PLG-007 Signatures on Correspondence -No changes were identified. 2008-PLG-008 Non-Refundable Conference/Seminar/Course Expenses - Discussion followed. C-381/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR K. CHRISTMAN that Policy 2008-PLG-008 (Non- Refundable Conference/Seminar/Course Expenses) be RESCINDED. MOTION CARRIED 2008-PLG-009 Recognition of Service (Volunteers) - The Director of ..)\\\\\P Corporate Services outlined the proposed amendments. Discussion followed tout and Council suggested that the second paragraph be amended to read Page 4 of 9 Regular Council November 21,2013 ".upon retirement, any member who has served on one of these Committees or Boards will be awarded a gift from Council in recognition of their service." The amended policy will be brought back to Council for approval. 2010-PLG-011 Electronic Recording of County Meetings - The Director of Corporate Services indicated that signs would be prepared and posted. Discussion followed regarding privacy legislation and the responsibility to notify the public that they are being recorded. 2008-PLG-012 Committee/Board Member at Large Compensation — Discussion followed regarding members of the Fire Committees, which are compensated through the budgets of the Fire Associations. No changes were identified. 2012-PLG-013 Councillor Compensation Review Committee - No changes were identified. 2013-PLG-014 Councillor's Compensation & Expenses - The Director of Corporate Services outlined the proposed amendments. Discussion followed regarding the meal allowances and whether or not all requests to attend conferences other than those listed in item 3(a) should be brought to Council for approval. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:07 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:01 p.m. a. Policy Review - Legislative Policies—continued 2013-PLG-014 Councillor's Compensation & Expenses - Discussion continued regarding this policy. Councillor C. Amulung requested that 'fax line'be removed from item 1(d). The amended policy will be brought back to Council for approval. 2008-PLG-015 Political Council Delegations -No changes were identified. 2008-PLG-016 Caps & Hats in Council Chambers - Discussion followed regarding potential exceptions to this policy. No changes were identified. 2008-PLG-017 Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding - The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that this policy is no longer required. C-382/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that Policy 2008-PLG-017 (Regional Enhancement Reserve Funding) be RESCINDE . MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 9 k. Regular Council November 21,2013 b. County Newsletter Review (November/December 2013) 0 Council reviewed the proposed newsletter for November/December 2013 and suggested amendments. c. Councillor Payment Sheets (October 2013) Councillor C. Amulung responded to questions from Council. C-383/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR L. JUSS that the October 2013 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED d. Cheques for Payment C-384/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that cheque 176871 in the amount of$800,190.87 and cheque 176872 in the amount of $406,829.97 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED e. Payment Register 0 The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. C-385/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR A.M. PHILIPSEN that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Airport Commission Councillor L. Juss indicated that the fuel depot project is proceeding. b. County of Newell Water Project (CNWP) Councillor E. Unruh reported that work in Rosemary is expected to finish in the next two weeks. Councillor A.M. Philipsen reported that construction has begun in Patricia. Councillor E. Unruh responded to questions from Council. c..)6 , c. Newell Regional Services Corporation (NRSC) 0 Councillor C. Amulung provided an update on the i eline testing in PP 9 Page 6 of 9 Regular Council November 21,2013 Rosemary. d. Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor C. Amulung indicated that there are seven board members and that he is the Chairman. The annual FCSS convention will be held next week in Edmonton. Councillor C. Amulung responded to questions from Council. e. Municipal Library Board Councillor K. Christman reported that she attended a meeting where they discussed requesting increased funding. f. Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC) Councillor A.M. Philipsen provided background information and requested permission to let her name stand for a position on the ORRSC Executive Committee. C-386/13 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR B. DE JONG that Councillor A.M. Philipsen represent the County of Newell and Southern Alberta on the ORRSC Executive Committee. MOTION CARRIED g. Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor B. de Jong provided background information regarding the Ports to Plains Alliance and encouraging industry members to become involved with this group. He attended a meeting where discussion occurred regarding forming another committee for the eastern Alberta trade corridor, but this idea was not widely supported. The next meeting is scheduled to occur in Oyen in January 2014. h. 9-1-1 Committee Councillor B. de Jong indicated that he attended a meeting in October with Alberta Health Services where they discussed gaps in communications and dispatch. Alberta Health Services is committed to improving the situation. He noted that the County of Newell is considered one of the best municipalities with regards to communications and the ability to adapt to new technology. i. Meeting with Mayor Shields &JBS Councillor B. de Jong indicated that he had attended a • eeting with Mayor Page7of9 �/� Regular Council November 21,2013 M. Shields and JBS on behalf of Reeve M. Douglass. Items discussed were housing, transportation, English as a second language programs, improvements to their water system, energy from waste, and the ASB 2014 Tour. j. ASB Summer Tour 2014 Planning Committee Councillor B. de Jong indicated that a number of potential sponsors have expressed interest. Entertainment and bus transportation has been arranged and they are working on food service contracts. k. Joint Services/IMDP Committee Reeve M. Douglass provided an overview of items discussed during the IMDP Committee meeting. The Grasslands Regional FCSS Quality of Life survey results were reviewed. The City of Brooks is proceeding with submitting a resolution to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) regarding pressuring the provincial government into putting more funding into infrastructure. The County had brought the proposed resolution to the Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association but there was not much interest in proceeding. Other items discussed included the Alberta Beef Celebration, the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, and the upcoming meeting with the MLA, MP, and regional municipal Councils scheduled for December 17, 2013. I. Newell Foundation Reeve M. Douglass provided information on the Bassano Continuing Care Centre project, the Meals on Wheels program, and issues with the windows at Newbrook Lodge. 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 11. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Mini Bus Monthly Report (October 2013) This item was accepted as information. b. Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. Page 8 of 9 Regular Council November 21,2013 c. Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) -Application LA13025 (W 15-19-17-W4) This item was accepted as information. d. Duchess Soccer Arena -Site Plan Councillor B. de Jong provided an explanation of the site plan, indicating that the Duchess Agricultural Society has agreed to donate additional land to accommodate the proposed Soccer Arena. This item was accepted as information. 12. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Councillor W. Hammergren asked when the last time a complete policy review was conducted. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the last review was started after the election in 2010 and most of the policies have been updated. 13. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m. Signed this cday , 2013 Reeve <Ii ' C: Administrator C Page 9 of 9