County of St. Paul No 19

Council Meeting

AGENDA

Meeting #:
Date:	Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Time:	10:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.
Location:	5015- 49 Avenue, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A4

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Minutes

3.

Bank Reconciliation

4.

Additions to Agenda and Acceptance of Agenda

5.

In Camera

In Camera

5.1

In Camera

6.

Business Arising from Minutes

7.

Delegation

7.1

11:00 a.m. - Kirk Reid, Skate Park Initiative

Dan Reid with the St. Paul BMX and Skate Park Committee will be in to provide Council with an update on the progress of the Skate Park and to request a donation for this project.

7.2

11:30 a.m. - Public Hearing - Bylaw No. 2016-07-Wording Change to Land Use Bylaw

At the February 23 Public Works Meeting, Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 2016-07, which is a bylaw to add (3)(c) to Section 7.7 Communication Towers of Land Use Bylaw No. 2013-50, as it pertains to CSA approved communication towers.

 

Bylaw No. 2016-07 was advertised in the St. Paul Journal and Elk Point Review on March 29 and April 5, 2016.  Planning and Development has not received any responses to the advertisements.

7.3

1:00 p.m. - Public Hearing - Bylaw No. 2016-05 Amend LUB Rezone N 1/2 NW 13-57-6-W4

At the February 9, 2016 meeting, Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 2016-05, which is a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw No. 2013-50 as it relates to rezoning 10 acres in N 1/2 NW 13-57-6-W4 from Agricultural to Country Residential One (CR1). 

 

Bylaw No. 2016-05 was advertised in the St. Paul Journal and Elk Point Review the weeks of March 29 and April 5. 

RSVPs were sent out to adjacent landowners regarding a public consultation which was held on March 10, 2016.  10 people were in attendance.  Discussion points at the meeting included:

1. Area residents raised concerns over the parcel being further subdivided after it is rezoned to County Residential One.

2. Area residents do not wish to see further segregation of agricultural lands.

3. Concerns regarding dogs from acreages bothering cattle. While farmers and ranchers have means of dealing with nuisance animals, the group determined that those means usually result in negative neighbour relationships and repercussions.

4. Rural/urban conflict: livestock, pesticide (herbicide/insecticide) drift, noise, dust and ATV’s.

5. Concerns regarding the loss of rural way of life and protecting the ability to farm.

6. Loss of rural characteristic of the area.

7. A multi-lot subdivision already exists in the area and are not being developed. There is no demand for lots within that existing subdivision. The existing subdivision on this parcel has also not been developed.

8. This development will affect sight lines of existing residents.

9. This will set a precedent for other rural residential subdivisions on agricultural land.

10. This subdivision is part of the developers estate planning.

11. Cost of servicing acreages and demand for increased levels of service by acreage owners will result in St. Paul County spending more taxpayer money to service these lots. That money could be used to benefit the whole area instead of just the acreage owners.

 

Krystle Fedoretz will attend this Public Hearing.

7.4

1:30 p.m. - Appeal for Proposed Bin Site at Lac Sante

The Planning and Development Department received a request from a summer resident at the north end of Lac Sante, inquiring about relocating two of the four garbage bins located on Anchor Bleu Drive, to the end of Pete and Josie Lane, for use by the residents on the east side of Lac Sante.  The resident has indicated that there is a significant amount of ATV, golf cart and vehicle traffic at the current location because everyone goes to this corner of the subdivision.

 

As per policy Dev-56, County-Owned Structures not Requiring a Permit Policy, the adjacent landowners were notified of the proposed development and we have received letters both supporting and in opposition to moving the bins.

 

Council will hear from a delegation regarding the bin sites.

7.5

2:00 p.m. - Presentation of Audited Financial Statements

Shawn Warrington, auditor with Synergy Chartered Accountants will be in to present the County's financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2015.

8.

New Business

8.1

2016 Land Leases

The following land lease is being presented for renewal for the year 2016:

PNW 34-56-5-W4

Lionel Romanchuk

Section 61 of the M.G.A. allows a municipality to grant rights with respect to its property.

8.2

EOEP Course - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The EOEP Course, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly was held on Monday March 14, prior to the Spring Convention.  Councillor Dach attended the Course, however it falls outside of Policy HR-8, which states that EOEP Courses can only be taken once and approval will cease upon completion of the certificate - Councillor Dach has completed his certificate. 

 

This was missed on the March Council Agenda for approval, so we are now bringing it forward for ratification.

8.3

Global Context to Explore Regional Planing in Alberta May 4 & 5

U of A, Alberta Land Institute and Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions will be holding a conference on Global context to explore Regional Planning in Alberta, Western Canada's Premier Forum on Land Use Research, Planning and Policy on May 4 & 5 in Edmonton.  The conference wil bring together decision makers and researchers from Alberta and around the world to explore the theme of Regional Planning - how it influences the provision of ecosystem services, the use of agricultural land and governance.  Registration for the conference is $450 (CPA registration was the same).

 

The Planning and Development Department has reviewed the agenda for this conference as well as the CPA Conference and have decided that it would be more beneficial to attend this conference.

8.4

Funding Request - Brett Kissel Homecoming Concert

The organizing committee for the Brett Kissel Homecoming Concert which wil be held on June 18 at the Jaycee Ballpark, is requesting if the County is interested in becoming a gold sponsor for the event for $10,000. 

8.5

Funding Request - Friends of Fort George Buckingham House

The Friends of Fort George Buckingham House is requesting a donation of $500 to be used for their Bush Craft Event on August 27, 2016.  This is their final event of the season and they are expecting between 50 to 60 people.  The focus of the event is to learn and experience techniques used by the early fur traders and they are hoping to bring in presenters for their event. 

8.6

Request for Funding - Lakeland Centre for FASD

The Lakeland Centre for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (LCFASD) will be building a cabin to offer summer and winter camps for children with FASD.  The facility will provide a fun and safe environment where children with FASD can have a positive camp experience and will learn leadership, socialization skills and respect for the environment. 

 

Phase one of the project will cost $350,000.  They are requesting a donation in the amount of $5,000 to help cover the costs of bunk beds, appliances, dishes, furniture, utilities and other items required to operate the camp. 

 

The Lakeland Centre for FASD main office is located in Cold Lake with three additional satellite offices in Bonnyville, St. Paul and Lac La Biche. 

8.7

Request for Fundng - St. Lina Senior Dew Drop Inn

The St. Lina Senior Dew Drop Inn club requires renovations to their Seniors Centre.  They were approved for a $11,700 grant through the New Horizons Program however they had to fix the roof prior to receiving their grant so their funding was cut back to $7,897 and they paid for the roof repairs from their accounts.

 

They are estimating that the remainder of the repairs will cost $20,000:

• $7,400 - Replace furnace, replace plumbing, fixtures, copper pipe and pressure tank
• $2,000 - Purchase and install water holding tank
• $11,000 - Replace Lino

The St. Lina Seniors are requesting $12,000 from the County to fund the shortfall of their repairs, which will not be covered by their grant. 

8.8

St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce - Request for Funding

The St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce is requesting funding in the amount or $5,000.  The Chamber will continue working to promote commercial, industrial and civic well-being in our community. 

 

Since 2015, Council approved  a $5,000 grant for the St. Paul and Elk Point Chamber's of Commerce and $1,500 for the Mallaig Chamber of Commerce.

8.9

Benefits Policy HR-4

Policy HR-4 is being presented to Council as amended to reflect changes in the County's benefits program. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on March 31st, 2016. 

*Note: Administration has made a minor amendment that appears in blue text. This change has been added since the Policy Committee meeting.

8.10

Conference and Education Attendance Policy HR-8

Policy HR-8 is being presented to Council to amend the standards for the County of St. Paul's Council and employee attendance at conferences and other professional development sessions. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on March 31st, 2016.

*Note: Administration has made a minor amendment that appears in blue text. This change has been added since the Policy Committee meeting.

8.11

Acceptance of Tenders Policy ADM-48

Policy ADM-48 is being presented to Council to amend the County's process for accepting tenders. The Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on March 31st, 2016.

8.12

Delinquent Accounts Receivable Policy ADM-70

Policy ADM-70 is being presented to Council to amend the process for handling delinquent accounts receivable. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on March 31st, 2016.

8.13

Asset Management Policy - ADM 115

Policy ADM-115 is being presented to Council to establish standards for asset management practices in the County of St. Paul.This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on March 31st, 2016.

8.14

Long-Term Disability Policy - HR-116

Policy HR-116 is being presented to Council to establish practices for the management of long-term disability benefits in the County. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on March 31st, 2016. 

8.15

2016 Stragetic Plan - 1st Quarter

A copy of the 2016 Strategic Plan which has been updated for the 1st quarter, is attached for Council approval.

8.16

Letter to Minister Regarding Centralized Assessment

In recent months, there have been indications from the Government of Alberta that the preparation of industrial assessment, in particular machinery and equipment, may be taken away from municipalities and centralized under the Government in some form. 

Administration has prepared a letter to send to the Minister of Municipal Affairs expressing the County's concerns with this potential outcome. 

8.17

Request to Rent Whitney Lake Rodeo Grounds

At the March 22nd Public Works Meeting, Council was presented with a request from the Whitney Lake Bible Camp to lease the Rodeo Grounds plus additional land for pasture.  Council referred the request to the local Councillor.

 

Councillor Ockerman spoke with the Vice Chairman of the Whitney Lake Bible Camp and he indicated that they only require the land from July 1 to August 10 of each year. 

8.18

Spring Cleanup - When/Where

At the March 22 Public Works Meeting, Council discussed reaching out to residents in some subdivisions and hamlets to assist with spring cleanup by placing bins within their communities.  Council determined that bins should be made available in the Hamlets of Ashmont, Mallaig as well as the Crestview and Floatingstone subdivisions. 

 

Staff met to discuss the Spring Cleanup and placement of bins within the communities, as per Council's direction. 

 

Administration is now suggesting that a letter be sent to the residents in Mallaig, Ashmont, Crestview and Floatingstone reminding them of the County's Land Use Bylaw and MGA as they relate to Unsightly Properties.  The letter would then present the spring cleanup concept as a proactive approach to assist property owners in their efforts to improve their property.  Administration is recommending the following:

• May 16-24 - Waste Transfer Stations remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m in Mallaig and Ashmont
• May 16-20 - County crews in the area to assist with hauling any items in Ashmont and Mallaig
• May 19-24 - Extra large bins will be placed at the bin site in the Crestview and Floatingstone developments  
• All applicable fees related to this clean-up will be waived, for the specified time period (ie: appliances with freon)

 

As followup, County staff will go into the hamlets and subdivisions during the summer to inspect properties and issue cleanup notices where required. 

8.19

Request to Waive Permit Fees

As a result of Accurate Assessment doing their general assessment, the owner of NW 35-57-9-W4 received a letter from the County, advising that he is required to apply for building permits on 11 storage units that exist on his property, as per the County Land Use Bylaw and the Alberta Building Code. 

 

The oldest structure requiring a permit was built in 1998 and some of the structures are on skids.  The landowner states that he was unaware that he required permits for the structures when they were built and that he spoke with an assessor about taxes and if anything was required for buildings on skids, and he was advised not to worry about it.  The small storage units were built - 2 in 2010, 4 in 2012 and 2 in 2013 and he feels that only one permit should have been required at each time of building.  He also feels that requesting permits for structures that were built 16 years ago is unfair. 

8.20

Refund Deposit to Delegation re: Ashmont Lagoon Expansion

At the March 8 meeting, Council heard from a delegation in opposition to the proposed Ashmont Lagoon Expansion.  As per Policy Dev-56, County-Owned Structures not Requiring a Permit Policy, the appeal must be accompanied by a $200 deposit.

8.21

Alberta Heritage Awards

The Alberta Historical Resources Foundation is the Government of Alberta's primary window for heritage preservation funding. As part of its ongoing efforts to encourage heritage initiatives, the Foundation presents Heritage Awards to individuals, organizations, and municipalities to recognize significant contributions to the protection, preservation, and promotion of Alberta's heritage. The Foundation is now accepting applications until July 15th, 2016.

Awards are presented to projects in the Heritage Conservation and Heritage Awareness categories; to municipalities in the Municipal Heritage Preservation category; and to individuals in the Outstanding Achievement category. Awards will be presented in October. 

Submitting a nomination to the Heritage Awards is your opportunity to honour Albertans who have demonstrated their commitment in preserving our province's heritage. 

 

8.22

Date for April Public Works Meeting

The regular scheduled date for the April Public Works Meeting conflicts with the ASCHA Conference (Councillor Fodness), the AARFP Conference (Councillor Dach, Tim Mahdiuk, Ken Warholik) and CAO Sheila Kitz will be away on vacation that week.

 

Following the April 19th Budget meeting, a Special Meeting will be held on April 21st to approve the budget and the Mill Rate Bylaw. Administration is recommending to reschedule the Public Works Meeting to April 21st following the special meeting. 

 

Section 193(3) of the MGA allows a Council to change the date of a regularly scheduled meeting.

8.23

8760 Energy Renewal for Electricity and Natural Gas

8.24

Road Allowance Aggregate Royalty Agreement

8.25

Elk Point Chamber Golf Tournament

8.26

Sale of Sanding Trucks

8.27

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8.28

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9.

Correspondence

9.1

Thank you letter from Library Board

Attached is a letter from the County Library Board thanking Council for their continued financial support.

9.2

Request to Access County of St. Paul Water Transmission Line

The County recently received a request from Marie and Roy Mulkay, residents of Smoky Lake County located on the transmission line between Spedden and the County of St Paul's corporate boundaries, requesting access to the County of St. Paul's water transmission line.

At the Public Works meeting on March 22, 2016, County Council passed the following resolution in anticipation of such requests:

Any Smoky Lake County residents who are adjacent to the water line and want to connect to the County of St. Paul’s water transmission line which is located in Smoky Lake County, will be allowed to connect providing they receive prior consent from Smoky Lake County.  

County Administration has prepared a letter in response to the Mulkay's request. 

10.

Reports

10.1

CAO Report

11.

Upcoming Meetings

11.1

April 19 @ 9:00 a.m. - Budget Meeting

11.2

April 21 @ 10:00 a.m. - Special Meeting

11.3

April 21 - Public Works to follow Special Meeting

11.4

May 3 @ 7:00 p.m. - Annual Meeting at Ashmont Fire Hall

12.

Financial

12.1

Budget to Actual

12.2

Council Fees

12.3

Listing of Accounts Payable

13.

Adjournment