Minutes of a Regular Meeting of County Council RED DEER COUNTY. Tuesday, October 14, 2003

Transcription

1 Minutes of a Regular Meeting of County Council RED DEER COUNTY Tuesday, October 14, CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of Red Deer County Council was held in the Council Chambers of the Administration Building located at Rge Rd 275, Red Deer County, Alberta. Reeve Kinsella called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. PRESENT: Reeve E.R. Kinsella, Deputy Reeve S.M. Bell, Councillors P.T. Archibald, G.C. Johnson, J.M. Perry, E.E. Stoyberg and K. Van Dewark. LEGAL COUNSEL: County Solicitor Kirk Sisson. STAFF PRESENT: County Manager R. Coon, Assistant County Manager K. Enion, Community and Planning Services Director H. Harker, Protective Services Director R. Henderson and Municipal Clerk N. Lougheed. Planning/development administration in attendance for development applications: Development Officers B. Hoskin. 2.0 APPROVAL OF AGENDA 2.1 Additional Agenda Items Councillor Perry 13.0 Alberta Surface Rights Federation Councillor Archibald 13.0 Pine Lake Day Camp Councillor Johnson 13.0 Justice of the Peace for Central Alberta (in conjunction with Agenda Item No. 5.3) Councillor Van Dewark 13.0 Election of Reeve at Large (in conjunction with Agenda Item No. 6.4); 10.0 Legal Issue CC Moved by Councillor E.E. Stoyberg to approve the agenda and additional agenda items as submitted. 3.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES CC Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2003, regular meeting of County Council as submitted. 4.0 ADMINISTRATOR S/DIRECTORS REPORTS 4.1 Administrative Items (1) AUMA news release noting the success of the 97 th annual AUMA conference and trade show. Those members of Council and administration who attended the conference provided some feedback relative to the conference. (2) Alberta Institute of Agrologists dinner presentation, Topic: Understanding the Impact of the BSE Crisis, scheduled for October 23, 2003, at Olds College.

2 County Council Minutes of October 14, (3) New Patrol Officer Protective Services Director Henderson introduced Red Deer County Patrol Officer Michael Miller who commenced work at the County on October 1, REPORTS Scott Tournament of Hearts request for Red Deer County to become a Community Partner by providing financial support to this event. Presentation made by Committee Chairperson Allan Redel at the September 23 meeting. CC CC Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson that Red Deer County contribute $5000 to the 2004 Scott Tournament of Hearts with the funds to be taken from the Recreation Reserve. MOTION WITHDRAWN Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson to postpone decision for two weeks relative to a contribution to the 2004 Scott Tournament of Hearts to allow time for administration to gather additional information. 6.3 Emergency Road/Bridge Repairs Policy recommendation to adopt the policy as drafted and to authorize work on Bridge File 1488 to proceed. County Manager Coon reported on the procedure administration has followed to date on this file following the direction of Council from the September 23 meeting. CC Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson to amend the Emergency Road/Bridge Repairs policy as discussed and to adopt the policy as amended. NO VOTE TAKEN This matter was held in abeyance until later in the day. 6.4 Election of Reeve at Large notice of motion filed by Councillor Archibald to place the draft bylaw proposing Red Deer County elect the Reeve at Large on the October 14, 2003, agenda. CC CC CC Moved by Councillor P.T. Archibald to give first reading to the bylaw that would require the Chief Elected Official to be elected by a vote of the electors of Red Deer County. MOTION DEFEATED Councillors Archibald, Johnson and Van Dewark in favor Reeve Kinsella, Councillors Bell, Perry and Stoyberg opposed Moved by Councillor S.M. Bell that a plebiscite be held in conjunction with the 2004 municipal election that will address the public s desire relative to the election of the Reeve at Large. Moved by Councillor K. Van Dewark to amend Motion No. CC to allow for this plebiscite to be held within the next 90 days. MOTION DEFEATED Councillors Archibald, Johnson and Van Dewark in favor Reeve Kinsella, Councillors Bell, Perry and Stoyberg opposed Vote taken on Motion No. CC CARRIED Reeve Kinsella, Councillors Bell, Perry and Stoyberg in favor Councillors Archibald, Johnson and Van Dewark opposed 5.0 PUBLIC MEETING

3 County Council Minutes of October 14, Proposed Annexation City of Red Deer County Manager Coon presented a summary of this residential annexation proposal. Persons present who spoke to this matter (summary of comments attached to these minutes): Margaret Herder, Norm Chiles, Bob Northey, Bruce Olson, and Don Bower. Recess: 12:25 p.m. Reconvene: County Council meeting called back to order at 1:37 p.m. 5.0 DELEGATIONS 5.2 1:37 p.m. Sports Equipment for Kids Foundation Rob Leszynski and Terry Guhl reported on the establishment of this Foundation and its purpose to provide access to sports and sports equipment and bicycles to children who otherwise may not have the funds for such items. The Foundation is looking for volunteers for repairing and cleaning of donated items as well as cash donations to purchase tools, supplies and required equipment that may not be donated :50 p.m. Sharon J. Crooks, Central Alberta Bar Association Ms. Crooks reported on the desire of the Association to have a Sitting Justice of the Peace reinstated for the Central Alberta Region. Ms. Crooks advised that the issuance of Emergency Protection Orders (EPO) would be less time consuming and stressful and much more effective for the applicants if the EPOs were available through a local sitting Justice of the Peace. On behalf of the Central Bar Association, Ms. Crooks requested that Red Deer County support the Association in its endeavor to reinstate a sitting Justice of the Peace in Central Alberta. Martha Ludtke, Central Alberta Women s Outreach Society reiterated the comments of Ms. Crooks, emphasizing the importance of having a justice system that insures access to everyone. Ms. Ludtke commented on the province s current review of family violence, noting her concern that very little public input has been sought or received from central Alberta or from the people that will be directly affected by issuance of Emergency Protection Orders. CC Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson that Red Deer County request the Minister of Justice to reexamine the appointment of a sitting Justice of the Peace for the central Alberta area to provide for equal access to justice for residents in central Alberta, as this catchment area is a heavily populated area that has needs in of itself. Direction was provided that notice of Red Deer County s resolution be forwarded to the City of Red Deer and surrounding Central Alberta Towns and Villages. 9.0 BYLAW / DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS 9.1 David and Dayna Fox NW application to redesignate 20 acres from Agricultural District B to Agricultural Small Holdings District Ag S. Bylaw No. 2003/2.30 a bylaw to redesignate Pt NW from Agricultural District B to Agricultural Small Holdings District Ag S. (David and Dayna Fox 20 acres)

4 County Council Minutes of October 14, CC REPORTS Moved by Councillor P.T. Archibald that Bylaw No. 2003/2.30 be given first reading with no further referral to Council pending the referral of the relative subdivision application. 6.1 City of Red Deer Proposed Annexation administration report relative to the proposed annexation application. CC CC CC Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson that Red Deer County endorse the City of Red Deer s original annexation proposal, subject to the timelines being altered to read that if the Ministerial approval is signed after April 15 of any given year then the annexation will become effective January 1 of the following year. MOTION DEFEATED Councillors Johnson and Van Dewark in favor Reeve Kinsella, Councillors Archibald, Bell, Perry and Stoyberg opposed Moved by Councillor S.M. Bell that Red Deer County support the annexation proposal of the City of Red Deer with the exception that Area B be amended to include only those lands located within SW , NW (south of the River), SE and SW , and that the timelines be altered to read that if the Ministerial approval is signed after April 15 of any given year then the annexation will become effective January 1 of the following year. CARRIED Reeve Kinsella, Councillors Bell, Perry and Stoyberg in favor Councillors Archibald, Johnson and Van Dewark opposed Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson to direct administration to compile a list of the conditions the local residents have requested relative to this annexation proposal to be brought forward for Council review and possible inclusion in the annexation report. Councillor Bell excused himself from the meeting at this time, 3:07 p.m. 6.0 REPORTS 6.3 Emergency Road/Bridge Repairs Policy recommendation to adopt the policy as amended and to authorize work on Bridge File 1488 to proceed. Held in abeyance from earlier in the day. CC Moved by Councillor G.C. Johnson to amend the Emergency Road/Bridge Repairs policy as follows: (1) Paragraph 2, add the comments noted in bold: In the event it is apparent to the County Manager that delay to repairs to the road or bridge is or could create a dangerous situation to persons or property or an issue of significant inconvenience that is or will likely result in an economic hardship to the traveling public, the County Manager upon receipt of direction of Council may authorize and (2) omit the footnote, and to adopt the policy as amended.

5 County Council Minutes of October 14, CC Moved by Councillor E.E. Stoyberg, in relation with Council policy, to authorize the work, as awarded on September 23, 2003, to proceed for the repairs to Bridge File No Ambulance Service Agreement recommendation to enter into an agreement with Guardian Ambulance for the provision of ambulance service. CC Moved by Councillor P.T. Archibald that Red Deer County enter into a sixyear agreement with Guardian Ambulance to provide Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service within all areas of the County except those serviced by the City of Red Deer, at a cost of $148,500 for 2004, and with annual increases thereafter based upon the Alberta Consumer Price Index COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Parkland Foundation Board minutes of August 20, 2003, meeting attended by Reeve Kinsella. CC Moved by Councillor P.T. Archibald to accept these minutes for information COUNCILLOR INFORMATION & INQUIRIES Councillor Stoyberg excused himself from the meeting, 3:15 p.m Councillor Perry reported on the October 22, 2003, Alberta Surface Rights Federation meeting to be held in Camrose recommending that a County representative attend the meeting. CC Moved by Councillor P.T. Archibald to authorize Councillor Perry attending the Alberta Surface Rights Federation special meeting scheduled for October 22, 2003, in Camrose. Councillors Bell and Stoyberg did not vote on this motion Councillor Stoyberg returned to the meeting, 3:18 p.m Councillor Archibald extended congratulations to administration for the upgrading work recently completed at the Pine Lake Day Camp. Councillor Archibald noted her concern with the area located across the road at Leisure Campground that is being used as a garbage dump advising that administration has contacted Alberta Environment relative to this matter Councillor Van Dewark passed on providing comment relative to Item No. 6.4 due to the decision reached at today s meeting IN-CAMERA SESSIONS CC Moved by Councillor P.T. Archibald that the County Council meeting go in-camera. TIME: 3:20 p.m. Legal issue to be discussed.

6 County Council Minutes of October 14, CC Moved by Councillor P.T. Archibald that the County Council meeting come out of camera. TIME: 3:24 p.m ADJOURNMENT CC Moved by Councillor E.E. Stoyberg that the County Council meeting adjourn. TIME: 3:25 p.m. REEVE COUNTY MANAGER

7 County Council Minutes of October 14, PUBLIC MEETING COMMENTS Proposed Annexation City of Red Deer Margaret Herder noted concern with the River Bend Golf Course being included in the annexation proposal. Ms. Herder also questioned the need for the City to have a 30-year supply of residential property when an annexation proposal normally takes only two years to complete. As well, land surrounding the City is protected under the City/County Intermunicipal Development Plan. Ms. Herder is not in agreement with College Park being annexed into the City as the County will be losing land and revenue forever if the annexation occurs. As a business owner, Balmoral Golf Course, she believes that annexing the River Bend Golf Course into the City will have an even greater impact on local golf courses due to the advantages River Bend will have since it is a municipally owned course. She disagrees with including the recreation areas in the annexation proposal. Norm Chiles disagrees with Pt SE being annexed into the City as this will create one more authority he will have to deal with when attempting to develop this land. He owns land on both sides of the river and is looking to develop a golf course. Bob Northey noted that he and his family are one of the largest private landowners in the area being affected by this annexation. Their land is agricultural based and they would like to remain in the County for now. Mr. Northey questioned the feasibility of annexing this land as very little developable land is included. If the annexation is to proceed, Mr. Northey requested that all the terms and conditions that the public have requested be included in the proposal to ensure they are met. Mr. Northey also requested an assurance that the same level of road maintenance would continue for at least another two years. Mr. Northey requested that time be allowed for any current development applications before the County to be completed before the annexation is finalized. Bruce Olson, College Park Home Owners Association Mr. Olson advised that this group was formed in response to the initial annexation proposal. The group has been pleased with the discussion and process that has occurred. One of the primary concerns of this group is that the College Park area remains in its present state. Concerns of the group are the development that will occur after the annexation and road maintenance and snow removal, which have been addressed to a certain extent. They are in agreement with the taxation transition that is being proposed. Mr. Olson is in agreement with Option B that is being proposed as it addresses the Northeys and Mr. Chiles concerns. The group would like to see this process continue without delay. When the application goes forward to the Municipal Government Board, they would like to see all the comments made be forwarded as part of the package. Don Bower stated that this proposal is premature by at least five years. Mr. Bower questioned why such a narrow strip of land along the river is being considered. Mr. Bower noted his disappointment that no County representatives attended the previous public meetings. He believes the public should be able to provide input prior to Council s final decision. Mr. Bower noted agreement with Option B that was proposed.