HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-10 Council (Regular) Minutes COUNTY OF NEWELL
MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL
April 10, 2014
The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County
Office on Thursday, April 10, 2014 commencing at 11:26 a.m.
MEMBERS M. Douglass, Reeve
PRESENT:
C. Amulung
G. Simpson
A.M. Phillipsen
W. Hammergren
COUNCILLORS: T. Fyfe
K. Christman
E. Unruh
B. de Jong
L. Juss
K. Stephenson, Chief Administrative Officer
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
STAFF: M. Fenske, Manager of Finance
T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin
M. Dumont, Brooks & County Chronicle
OTHERS IN M. DeBlois, KPMG LLP
ATTENDANCE: M. Bandara, Crop Diversification Centre South
L. Thygesen, Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development
C. Weisbach, Natural Resources Conservation Board
K. Ivarson, Natural Resources Conservation Board
1. CALL TO ORDER
Reeve M. Douglass called the meeting to order at 11:26 a.m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
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All members were in attendance at this meeting.
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Regular Council
April 10,2014
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Council (March 20, 2014)
The following changes were made to the March 20, 2014 Council Meeting
minutes:
Page 8-Item 11.9-should read "...and a recent conference, which included..."
C-130/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR WAYNE HAMMERGREN that the March 20, 2014 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-131/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR TRACY FYFE that the agenda be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
6. DELEGATIONS
6.1 KPMG LLP - Presentation of Audited Financial Statements (M. DeBlois)
M. DeBlois presented Council with the 2013 Year End Financial Statements and
provided explanations and highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions. M. DeBlois and M. Fenske responded to questions regarding setting
aside funds for landfill and gravel pit reclamation and accounts transferred from
the former Village of Tilley.
C-132/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the 2013 Year End Audited Financial
Statements for the period ending December 31, 2013 be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
M. DeBlois and M. Fenske left the meeting at 11:48 a.m.
6.2 FCM Municipal Partners in Economic Development(M. Bandara)
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M. Ba "provided background information on his work developing new crops
and his involvement with the FCM Municipal Partners in Economic Development
visit to Cambodia. He indicated that he visited several farms and discussed
ways to improve the local agriculture strategy by focusing on production
principles, production status, knowledge, and available resources. Emphasis
was placed on intercropping - the cultivation of two or more crops at the same
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Regular Council
April 10,2014
„r= time in the same field - as well as crop rotation. M. Bandara also indicated that
they promoted research, especially as related to seed development. Some
disadvantages identified were limited funding for agricultural research and low
production and availability of improved rice seed. Suggestions for improvement
include increased training in English, introduction of fertilizer, and training in crop
production. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions.
LUNCH
Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:13 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:08 p.m.
6. DELEGATIONS —continued
6.3 Agricultural Operation Practices Act(AOPA) - 1:00 p.m.
L. Thygesen explained her role as CFO Extension Specialist for Alberta
Agriculture & Rural Development and provided an overview of the purpose of the
Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and who it applies to. She provided
an explanation of permit requirements for various livestock
operations. Municipalities play a role in reducing conflicts through effective land
use planning. L. Thygesen outlined the CFO extension services available for
both producers and municipalities.
C. Weisbach provided an overview of the Natural Resources Conservation Board
(NRCB) offices and the application and notification processes. She explained
the grandfathering provisions that are in place for CFOs and manure storage
facilities that existed on January 1, 2002. She indicated that applications are
considered by approval officers based on the municipal development plan and
other conditions of development, such as property line setbacks. C. Weisbach
provided an overview of permit amendments and the board review
process. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C. Weisbach
responded to questions regarding grandfathered CFOs and when conditions
would be superimposed in order to bring them into compliance.
K. lvarson provided Council with information regarding the role of the inspectors
who follow up on complaints. He provided an overview of enforcement principles
and the complaints process and displayed a chart showing a breakdown of
complaints by type in 2013. K. lvarson explained rules regarding the application
of manure and compost and provided an overview of the record keeping
requirements. He also explained how the NRCB Works with
municipalities. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions.
LEFT THE MEETING
L. Thygesen, C. Weisbach, and K. lvarson left the meeting at 2:07 p.m.
(,_./m)D
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April 10,2014
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. Council was given the opportunity to
ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions
regarding rats in Medicine Hat and provided an overview of the trapping and
monitoring process. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to further
questions regarding the elk population and Emerson Bridge Park.
LEFT THE MEETING
T. Green left the meeting at 2:19 p.m.
8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
8.1 Request to Consider Forgiveness of 2014 Tax Levy due to Fire Loss
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed.
C-133/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that Council forgive the municipal portion
of the 2014 tax levies for Roll Numbers 0001131100 and 0001180400.
MOTION CARRIED
8.2 Shortgrass Library System Budget Requests for 2015 &2016
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-134/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council APPROVES the 2015
and 2016 proposed budgets from the Shortgrass Regional Library System as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
8.3 Funding Request-Seniors OutReach Society
C-135/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the County of Newell hereby
proclaims June 2-8, 2014 as Seniors' Week and provides funding in the amount of
$1,000.00 for the Seniors OutReach Dinner with funding from the Charitable Grants &
Donations account.
MOTION CARRIED
8.4 Corporate Retreat
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
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April 10,2014
8.5 Councillor Payment Sheets (February 2014)
Nei:136/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GORDON SIMPSON that the February 2014 Councillor
Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor
Compensation Review Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
8.6 Payment Register
The Director of Municipal Services and Director of Corporate Services responded
to questions from Council.
C-137/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the Payment Register be accepted.
MOTION CARRIED
9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
9.1 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. Reeve M. Douglass noted a stop sign missing from Duck Lake
Road. The Director of Municipal Services provided information on additional
missing signs, indicating that a report has been filed with the RCMP. Councillor
K. Christman indicated the stop sign at the intersection of Duck Lake Road and
highway 1 has been damaged. Discussion followed regarding road tours for
Council to view projects in progress.
9.2 Utilities - NRSC Report
The Utilities - NRSC Report was presented to Council. The Chief Administrative
Officer responded to questions from Council.
C-138/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Director of Municipal Services
Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for March 2014 be APPROVED as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
9.3 Tender Award -Crack Sealing
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-139/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LIONEL JUSS that the 2014 Crack Sealing Tender be
awarded to Federal Joint Sealing for their submitted price of $0.74 per lineal metre of
crack filled.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
April 10,2014
9.4 Tender Award - Motor Grader
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed regarding the
replacement program.
C-140/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BRIAN DE JONG that the 2014 Motor Grader Tender be
awarded to Brandt Tractor Ltd. in the amount of$399,298.00 with the acquisition of one
machine.
MOTION CARRIED
9.5 Tender Award -Water Truck
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-141/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the 2014 Cab and Chassis
Tender be awarded to New West Freightliner in the amount of$131,800.00.
MOTION CARRIED
10. POST AGENDA ITEMS
10.1 Policy Review-2014-PAD-029 (Tender Process)
The Chief Administrative Officer presented background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-142/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that policy 2008-PAD-029 (Tender
Process) and 2011-PAD-051 (Purchasing) be amended as follows:
purchases and tenders over$100,000.00 require the approval of Council.
MOTION DEFEATED
C-143/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR CLARENCE AMULUNG that Policy 2014-PAD-029 (Tender
Process) be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Harbicht left the meeting at 3:44 p.m.
10.2 Request for Sponsorship -Global Village
Reeve M. Douglass provided background information on this item and responded
to questions from Council.
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C-144/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ANNE MARIE PHILIPSEN that the County of Newell
APPROVES the request from Global Village and provides funding in the amount of
$2,000.00 from Municipal Surplus.
MOTION CARRIED
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
11.1 Kinsmen Rodeo Parade
Reeve M. Douglass indicated that she has asked the Executive Assistant to have
some magnetic vehicle signs prepared for the Kinsmen Rodeo
Parade. Councillor K. Christman provided information regarding the Art& Visual
Display Committee's proposal for local teamsters to represent the County.
12. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION
A question period and notice of motion was held.
13. IN CAMERA
C-145/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move in camera at 3:52 p.m.
to discuss a labour issue.
MOTION CARRIED
C-146/14 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of camera at
4:15 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
14. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
Signed this Z-9day of , 2014
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