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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-19 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL July 19, 2018 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday, July 19, 2018 commencing at 10:50 a.m. MEMBERS Molly Douglass, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: C. Amulung A.M. Philipsen W. Hammergren T. Fyfe E. Unruh B. de Jong L. Juss ABSENT: H. Kallen K. Christman STAFF: K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Engineering Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Fenske, Manager of Finance J. Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor P. Elliott, Administrative Assistant, Planning & Development OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ` ATTENDANCE: Cpl. R. Harms, Brooks RCMP � , L. Tiffin, Project Leadership Group J. Surgenor, Project Leadership Group � 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 10:50 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-214/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that Councillor K. Christman and Councillor H. Kallen be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES ;� 3.1. Minutes - Council (July 5, 2018) , 5�� v `� U The following changes were made to the July 5, 2018 Council Meeting minutes: Regular Council July 19,2018 Page 1 (Heading)— change the date on the title of minutes to July 5, 2018. C-215/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the July 5, 2018 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 O� AGENDA C-216/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. DELEGATIONS 6.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports 6.1.2 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. ARRIVED AT MEETING Cpl R. Harms arrived at 10:57 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING J. Nesbitt left the meeting at 11:06 a.m. 6.1.3 Brooks RCMP (Cpl. Rob Harms) Cpl. R. Harms provided Council with a brief history of his career and responded to questions from Council. Cpl. R. Harms 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. Cpl R. Harms indicated that the report was prepared by Sgt. C. Zanidean and support staff. Cpl. R. Harms clarified that the report ended June 30, 2018, and a/so indicated that the 627 calls that Brooks Detachment responded to from April 1 to June 1, ; 2018, is inclusive of multiple offences that occurred during a single call-out. ``. Cpl R. Harms responded to questions regarding fraud and fa/se alarms. Page 2 of 9 Regular Council July 19,2018 6.1.1 RCMP - Request to Link County Website with Crime Map Cpl. R. Harms provided background information on this item, including an overview of how the public crime map was set up to show the locations of offences. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Cpl. R. Harms indicated that RCMP members review the map at the start of their shift to see where any problems are located. Council expressed concern with the flags marking locations of offences which could lead a criminal to the residence. Cpl. R. Harms explained that the flags are in a general location and the RCMP are mindful of landowner's privacy. Cpl. R. Harms added that the only crimes noted on the map are crimes to property. There was further discussion. C-217/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the RCMP Crime Map be linked to the County Website. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING Cpl. R. Harms left the meeting at 11:42 a.m. 6.1.4 Safe Communities The Safe Communities Facilitator Report was presented to Council. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS � 8.1 Discussion on Public Consumption of Cannabis The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and requested that Council provide direction on how fhey want staff to address the consumption of cannabis in public places within the County. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Council expr'essed concerns regarding enforcement if there were too many restrictions in place. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Fenske arrived at 10:50 a.m. Council recommended that the questions regarding the public consumption of cannabis be discussed at Joint Services. This item will be brought back to a future Council meeting for further discussion. 8.2 Policy Review - 2018-PAD-025 (Approval, Funding 8� Reporting of Budget Variances) The Manager of Finance provided an overview of the proposed changes to li ; , 2018-PAD-025 (Approval, Funding & Reporting of Budge't Varianc s) ' responded to questions from Council. The Manager of Finance�ir�dica.t�d that he new Policy will give managers the ability to handle up to$2,500.00 before they are Page 3 of 9 Regular Council July 19,2018 required to get approval and the Chief Administrative Officer would be able to approve up to $75,000.00 annually. C-218/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that policy 2018-PAD-025 (Approval, Funding & Reporting of Budget Variances) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.3 Policy Review- 2018-PAD-051 (Purchasing) The Manager of Finance provided an overview of the proposed changes to Policy 2018-PAD-051 (Purchasing) and responded to questions from Council. The Manager of Finance gave highlights of the proposed changes which include Administrative Purchases, the addition of a Definitions section, and a Code of Ethics section with an overall philosophy of providing value for money. C-219/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that policy 2018-PAD-051 (Purchasing) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.4 Policy Review- 2018-PAD-073 (Asset Management) The Manager of Finance provided an overview of the proposed changes to Policy 2018-PAD-073 (Asset Management). Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-220/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that policy 2018-PAD-073 (Asset Management) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Fenske left the meeting at 12:06 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED For lunch at 12:06 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:59 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING J. Surgenor and L. Tiffin arrived at 12:59 p.m. 6. DELEGATIONS —continued 6.2 Economic Development Branding &Communications Strategy (J. Surgenor& L. Tiffin) ; J. Surgenor and L. Tiffin provided background information on the proposed j branding change and the communications strategy. Council was given the ' opportunity to ask questions. Page 4 of 9 Regular Council July 19,2018 ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 1:06 p.m. L. Tiffin indicated that December 15, 2018 is the proposed launch date of the new logo and website. She indicated that the proposed color palette would be "muted daybreak,"using oranges, pale reds, yellow and blues. LEFT THE MEETING J. Surgenor and L. Tiffin left the meeting at 1:10 p.m. 7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 7.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report(July 2018) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-221/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for July 2018 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 7.2 Consultation on Proposal to Cancel Registration of Strychnine for Ground Squirrel Control The DirectorofAgricultura/Services provided background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services informed Council that the products recommended by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) are not as effective as strychnine. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions from aouncil regarding RoCon, indicating that, while it is an excellent product, it tends to be time- consuming to determine the best application. Discussion followed, and it was noted that information on the other options must be made available. C-222/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the County of Newell encourages the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency to register strychnine for ground squirrel control by writing letters, talking to MLA D. Fildebrandt and MP M. Shields, and responding to the 2% LSC review; further, that we encourage County ratepayers to do the same. MOTION CARRIED 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS —continued 8.5 Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (September 21, 2018) This item was accepted as information. r ��'j �! � 1 �% Page 5 of 9 Regular Council July 19,2018 8.6 Public Participation and Communications Policy The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on the proposed Public Participation & Communications policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Corporate Services reminded Council that July 23, 2018 is the deadline for having a policy in place. C-223/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that policy 2018-PLG-019 (Public Participation & Communications) be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.7 Councillor Payment Sheets (June 2018) C-224/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the June 2018 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 8.8 Payment Register The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions from Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin arrived at 1:41 p.m. C-225/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that the Payment Register be accepted. MOTION CARRIED 8.9. Requests for Functions of Council There were no requests for functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 2018 Steveville Gravel Crush RFD -Additional Funding The Manager of Engineering Services provided background information on this item. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 1:44 p.m. �\ , The Manager of Engineering Services indicated that, due to several unforeseen '� events including time constraints, more gravel had been crushed than the amount agreed upon. Crushing at the Steveville location can only take place during the � month of June and Municipal Services directed the contractor to clean out the existing pit floor at the furthest west extent of the pit. ,� Page 6 of 9 Regular Council July 19,2018 C-226/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that Council APPROVES the request for additional funding for the Steveville Gravel Crush in the amount of$135,540.00 to come from the Infrastructure Fund. MOTION CARRIED 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councillor A.M. Philipsen submitted a written report covering events in the Hamlet of Patricia, Canadian Badlands, Palliser Economic Partnership, the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance, and the ASB Tour of Strathcona County. 10.1 Newell Regional Services Corporation Councillor C. Amulung indicated that revenue is 49% of budget and expenditures are at 48%, with half the year now gone. He indicated that there is a profit of $557,000.00 due to an increase in water consumption. 10.2 ASB Tour -Strathcona County Councillor 8. de Jong provided further information, indicating that Strathcona County is well populated, although there is no regional water system. Councillor 8. de Jong commented that Strathcona County spent $35 million on fire and emergency services, receiving some of the monies back from the Provincial Government. There was a discussion on the programs offered at the Community High School and the high involvement of the students. Councillor T. Fyfe indicated that there is very little difference between the popu/ation of the 8 wards and it is difficult to distinguish between rural and urban wards. � 10.3 Newell Regional Tourism Association � Councillor E. Unruh submitted a written report to Council. She responded to questions regarding the funding contribution from the City of Brooks and furhding provided by the NRTA to enhance the monthly Food Truck Wednesday eWents held at Veteran's Centennial Park. � 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS 11.1 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Appreciation BBQ The Director of Municipal Services informed Council about the Appreciation BBQ being hosted by the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) at the County of Newell Facilities on Thursday, July 26, 2018 starting at noon. C-227/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that any Councillor be permitted to attend the RMA Appreciation BBQ on July 26, 2018 as a Function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11.2 Intersection of 2"d Avenue West&SH876 (Hamlet of Tilley) The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this it�e . � The intersection at 2nd Avenue West and SH876 has been identifi d as a,Mi f3F\�\ �_.,_.%'� �� Page 7 of 9 Regular Council July 19,2018 risk crossing due to limited pedestrian visibility. Another safety issue has been identified with the stop signs, which are mounted on moveable flat plates (not permanently fixed to the ground) and often get moved from the middle of the intersection. As a result, vehicles often do not stop at the intersection. Alberta Transportation has proposed that a portion of the sidewalk be extended at that intersection for improved visibility and safety at an estimated cost of$80,000.00, proposed to be shared 60/40 with the County paying 40%. The Director of Municipal Services explained that some of the concrete work to date will likely need to be removed, which has already been cost shared between the County and Alberta Transportation. Discussion followed, and the Director of Municipal Services and Manager of Engineering Services responded to questions from Council. C-228/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council APPROVES proceeding with : the proposed improvements at the intersection of 2nd Avenue West and SH876 in Tilley, AB with funding from the Infrastructure Fund on the 40% cost shared basis. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht and G. Tiffin left the meeting at 2:21 p.m. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Mini Bus Monthly Report(June 2018) This item was accepted as information. 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. 12.4 Joint Municipal BBQ (August 9, 2018) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. Council and CAOs from within the County of Newell will be invited to a barbecue n at the County of Newell facilities on August 9, 2018 starting at 4:00 p.m. ,�� 1 . QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. Page 8 of 9 Regular Council July 19,2018 14. IN CAMERA 229/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that we move in camera at 2:24 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Legal - FOIPP Act Section 27 MOTION CARRIED C-230/18 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move out of camera at 2:55 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Signed this � day of ��'��"" , 2018 �-�.---�.: _�...�� R e ; ,�-`-- , ou ty Administrator i Page 9 of 9