County of St. Paul No 19

Council Meeting

AGENDA

Meeting #:
Date:	Tuesday, August 08, 2017
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

In Camera Items to be presented at the meeting. 

5.1

In Camera

6.

Business Arising from Minutes

6.1

Community Aggregate Payment Levy

At the July Public Works meeting, Council tabled a decision on how to proceed with the Aggregate Payment Levy pending more information on the levy and how many of our neighboring municipalities are charging it.  Attached is a list of municipalities across the province who charge the levy.  The municipalities in our zone who charge the levy are - Camrose, Flagstaff, Lamont, Smoky Lake and Strathcona.    

 

Attached is the latest Resolution from the AAMD&C regarding the Community Aggregate Payment Levy Rate Amendment as well as the Draft Regulation indicating a proposed maximum levy increase from $0.25 to $0.40.  

7.

Delegation

7.1

11:00 a.m. - Gerard Belland

Gerard Belland, Lac Sante Resident, will be in to speak with Council about the condition of Township Road 564 between Range Road 113 and 115.

8.

New Business

8.1

Road Construction Priorities

Public Works is looking for direction from Council on road construction priorities.

• Construction crews are currently working on the N & K road.  Public Works will present a proposed schedule for road construction at the meeting on Tuesday.
• At the July Public works Meeting Council made a motion to tender out one mile of road construction West of 13-60-9-W4 (Dargis Road).
• There are borrow pit and environmental concerns with the construction of the Camp Lake Road.  
• Stoney Lake Parking Lot; Seed Cleaning Plant; Elk Point Ag Society have been scheduled for Fall 2017.

 

8.2

Gravel Purchase

JMB has offered to sell gravel to the County from a pit outside of our municipality at the North end near Highway 867 at a price of $16/ tonne.  He is requesting a three year contract with a defined tonnage each year.  

 

Based on this price to purchase the gravel along with our trucking costs, we will be able to spread gravel on the roads within 1/2 hour from the pit for approximately $25/yard.   

8.3

Road Cancellation - Road Plan 1422738 in NE/SE 28-55-5-W4 and NW 27-55-5-W4

Road Plan 1422738 in NE 28-55-5-W4; SE 28-55-5-W4 and NW 27-55-5-W4 is being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built (Range Road 53 into the County of Vermilion River).  The area to be cancelled is highlighted in yellow. 

 

Section 24 of the M.G.A. allows Council to close and cancel any part of a road described in a surveyed road plan if it is no longer required for use by the travelling public owing to the existence of an alternate route.

8.4

Road Cancellation - Road Plan 3378BM in SE 28-55-5-W4

Road Plan 3378BM in SE 28-55-5-W4 is being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built (Range Road 53 into the County of Vermilion River).  The area to be cancelled is highlighted in yellow. 

 

Section 24 of the M.G.A. allows Council to close and cancel any part of a road described in a surveyed road plan if it is no longer required for use by the travelling public owing to the existence of an alternate route.

8.5

Road Cancellation - Road Plan 1172NY in NE 31-55-5-W4

Road Plan 1172NY in NE 31-55-5-W4 is being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built (Northern Valley Road) but the old road plan was never cancelled.  The area to be cancelled is highlighted in yellow. 

 

Section 24 of the M.G.A. allows Council to close and cancel any part of a road described in a surveyed road plan if it is no longer required for use by the travelling public owing to the existence of an alternate route.

8.6

Road Cancellation - Road Plan 8322925 in NW/NE 33-55-5-W4

Road Plan 8322925 in NW/NE 33-55-5-W4 is being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built (Northern Valley Road) but the old road plan was never cancelled.  The area to be cancelled is highlighted in yellow. 

 

Section 24 of the M.G.A. allows Council to close and cancel any part of a road described in a surveyed road plan if it is no longer required for use by the travelling public owing to the existence of an alternate route.

8.7

Road Cancellation - Upper Mann/Charonne Road in Section 30-59-10-4

Road Plans 1016EO (blue); 7621859 (orange) and 4535NY (yellow) in Section 30-59-10-W4 are being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built - Upper Mann/Charonne Road.  As these road plans all run together, they are being presented together for cancellation but will require a separate resolution for each plan.  

 

Section 24 of the M.G.A. allows Council to close and cancel any part of a road described in a surveyed road plan if it is no longer required for use by the travelling public owing to the existence of an alternate route.

8.8

County Census Results

County Council approved Administration to conduct a census in 2017.  This was done during May, June, and July with results being finalized in early August.  The results show 300 additional people in the County from 2012 to 2017 which equates to a 4.9% increase in population.

Division	2012 Results	2017 Results
Division 1	677	666
Division 2	777	773
Division 3	1267	1358
Division 4	1166	1312
Division 5	1267	1298
Division 6	1014	1061
Total County	6168	6468

 

8.9

2017 Strategic Plan - 2nd Quarter

The 2017 Strategic Plan which has been updated for the 2nd quarter is attached.

8.10

Assessment Services Contract

In September 2014, The County entered into an agreement with Accurate Assessment Service to provide assessment services to the County for both general assessment and industrial assessment properties.  This agreement expires March 2018.  The agreement provides for both parties to extend the agreement for a period of 3 years at rates specified in the agreement.  The Modernized Municipal Government Act proposes changes that will see Designated Industrial Assessment centralized by Municipal Affairs.  We have received a letter from the Provincial Assessors requesting municipalities to determine if they are interested in continuing to provide assessment function for Designated Industrial properties under a hybrid approach during the expected three year transition process.

We have had no communication from Municipal Affairs since the ARMAA Zone meeting that was held in April regarding this matter.  It has been communicated by the Province when centralization was announced that municipalities will not bear the cost of assessment for these types of properties, but will be requisitioned by the Province the cost of these assessments which will be taxed to the owners of these properties.

 

8.11

County of Stettler-Request for Support

The County of Stettler submitted a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding uncollectible School Tax requisitions and Seniors Housing requisitions which municipalities must collect and remit.  In many cases, oil and gas companies have become insolvent and they have been unable to recover the School Tax and Seniors Housing requisitions levied against those companies. From 2013 - 2016 they forwarded $260,882.28 in School Tax and $27,826.29 in Senior Housing and are predicting a further loss of $174,367 in School Tax and $21,534 in Senior Housing for 2017.  

In their letter to Municipal Affairs, they County of Stettler requested:

-  reimbursement for uncollectible School Tax and Seniors Housing remittances from 2013-2016,

-  that the Assessment Services Branch should not allow for taxation of properties that they know are insolvent or under protection  

-  amendments to the MGA and other provincial legislation to improve the ability of municipalities to recover unpaid taxes levied against oil and gas operations and machinery and equipment and linear property.

 

The County of Stettler is asking for support in requesting amendments to the MGA and other provincial legislation to improve municipalities ability to recover unpaid taxes levied against oil and gas operations and the associated machinery and equipment and linear property.

 

Our unpaid school tax from 2013 to 2016 was 1523.20 and MD Foundation was $77.60; 2017 is estimated at $20,614.01 for School and 1,038.32 for MD Foundation.

8.12

Request for Encroachment Agreement - Lot 15, Block 5, Plan 4223MC

The owners of Lot 15, Block 5, Plan 4223MC at Floatingstone, are requesting that the County of St. Paul consider entering into an encroachment agreement with them for their boat house which was built in 1975.  The boat house is encroaching on Lot 05R, Plan 4223MC.

 

In August, 2016 the County entered into an encroachment agreement with an adjacent landowner - Lot 2, Block 5, Plan 4223MC for his sheds encroaching on the ER and the road.  

8.13

Borrowing Bylaw No. 2017-24 - Elk Point Regional Allied Arts

The Servus Credit Union requires an updated Borrowing Bylaw for the Elk Point Regional Allied Arts Society, as the current bylaw is to guarantee the $300,000 loan and line of credit for the financial year commencing January 1, 2016.    

 

Bylaw No. 2017-24 is being presented to Council to guarantee a loan and line of credit on behalf of the Elk Point Regional Allied Arts Society jointly with the Town of Elk Point for the 2017 financial year.  

 

We will present another bylaw to Council in December for the 2018 calendar year, to renew it at the same time as we renew the other borrowing bylaws.   

8.14

Bylaw No. 2017-26 - Volunteer Fire Fighters Using Flashing Green Lights

Bylaw No. 2017-26 is being presented to Council to replace Bylaw No. 1390 as the legislation referred to in Bylaw No. 1390 was replaced in 2003 by the Traffic Safety Act.  The changes to the Bylaw are noted in red. 

8.15

Ashmont-Mallaig Water Project

The County received grant funding for the 10.2 Million Dollar project to bring water from Ashmont to Mallaig in September 2016.  3 Million Dollars of that project is slated for an upgrade to the Highway 28/63 Water Commission line involving pumping upgrades in order to supply the required volume of water to Ashmont which will then transfer water to the hamlet of Ashmont, Lottie Lake and Mallaig.  This portion of the project is 100% funded by the Federal and Provincial Governments.  The County will pay for the expenses and send in reports for reimbursement.  In discussions with Mike Yakemchuk, responsible for Water for Life program for Alberta Transportation, the County will be required to pay engineering and construction costs for the pump upgrades which will become infrastructure for the Highway 28/63 Commission as we are the grantees for the project.  Highway 28/63 Commission will be overseeing the project and will take over ownership of this upgrade when it is complete.  The County's budget was set up for the 3 million to be a contributed asset to the Commission, so this will not change anything for our budget.  Administration is looking for a motion from Council to pay the associated invoices that will be received from Associated Engineering (Commission engineer) and the successful contractor once the project is tendered as per the grant.

8.16

Request for Letter of Support for STIP Grant Application

The Elk Point Airport Commission passed a motion to request the County of St. Paul and Town of Elk Point to support in writing, their application for a 2018 STIP Grant for funding to be used for upgrades to the Elk Point Airport.  They will also be requesting a letter of support from CNRL if we approve their request.  The Town of Elk Point is also researching a Federal Grant that may be applicable to the upgrades at the airport, which may be used as part of their 25%.  Attached is a revised estimate for airport upgrades from IASL.

 

In January, 2017 Council tabled a decision on partnering with the Town of Elk Point on the STIP grant application.

8.17

Request for Letter of Support - Elk Point Ag Society

The Elk Point Ag Society is requesting financial support for their addition to their riding arena.  The total cost of the project is estimated at $261,943.50 and they are requesting a commitment from the County for 25% of the project, to help them secure CFEP Funding.  

 

There is funding available in the Grants account to fund 25% of their project.  

8.18

Water North Coalition

At the May Water North Coalition meeting, the membership discussed implementing a $100 annual membership fee.  The WNC is currently supported through strategic and administrative expertise provided by the NADC, but does not have a budget.  The possibility of implementing a membership fee is being proposed due to the need to fund presenter costs, project and programs, hosting etc.  

 

The WNC requested that members bring this request to charge a membership fee back to their respective Council.  

• Does Council support an annual membership fee?
• Is $100 a reasonable amount?
• Should the membership fee apply to - voting members; both voting and non-voting; voting and voluntary for non-voting?

 

The County of St. Paul is a voting member of the Water North Coalition.

8.19

Alberta Recycling Conference

The 17th Annual Alberta Recycling Conference will be held September 6-8 in Leduc.  Registration for the Conference is $350.

8.20

Grief Edu-Therapy Certification

In light of the incidents that have occurred in our area, that have resulted in staff providing debriefing and critical incident stress management to first responders, Janice Fodchuk has requested advanced training for herself and Bryan Bespalko as they work as a team.  The Grief Edu-Therapy Certification will take place in Edmonton on September 22 to 25.  Registration for both to attend is $3,979.50.

 

The Edu-Therapy Certification is a unique training program that teaches the specific tools to eliminate the emotional pain caused by loss of any type.  For over 35 years, the care giving team at Edu-Therapy Solutions have been helping grievers rid themselves of the conflicting emotions and the often overwhelming pain as the result of cumulative unresolved losses.  Their commitment to research and evidence-based solutions goes far beyond the short term "Feel Good" workshops, giving participants the ability to help themselves and help their community.  Edu-Therapy Certification is a unique experiential training designed specifically to assist all who wish to help those with unresolved loss, deal with the pain and retake a productive place in the mainstream of their lives.  It is the most current, easy-to-use model that reduces and eliminates intense uncomfortable emotional responses to loss, trauma and abuse.    

8.21

Workshop - Enforcing Development Agreements

Athabasca County is hosting a Development Agreement Workshop with Sheila McNaughtan and Kelsey Becker Brooks on October 30.  Registration for the workshop is $220 per person.

 

The workshop will focus on providing advice on writing development agreements that are consistent with legislation and enforceable.  They will also be offering Municipalities the opportunity to review their current agreement template to improve its effectiveness.  

8.22

MS Charity Golf Tournament

The 2nd Annual MS Charity Golf Tournament will be held Friday, August 18th.  They are requesting if the County would be interested in entering a team for the tournament.  Cost is $400 per team.  

8.23

RCMP Regimental Ball

The RCMP Regimental Ball in partnership with St. Paul Victim Services will be held October 21 with proceeds going to the Columbus House of Hope.  Cost to purchase a table is $500.  

 

8.24

2020 Alberta Summer Games

The Town of St. Paul passed a motion to submit a letter to neighboring municipalities - Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Elk Point, Glendon and St. Paul requesting if there is interest in co-hosting the 2020 Alberta Summer Games.

 

Information about hosing the summer games can be viewed at https://albertasport.ca/alberta-games/host.  

• Communities hosting the Alberta Summer Games must have facilities suitable for staging approximately 20 sporting competitions, and be capable of feeding and accommodating approximately 2800 athletes, coaches and officials over a four to six day period.
• Municipalities with a population of less than 10,000 are encouraged to partner with neighboring communities to submit a joint bid.
• The typical cost of hosting the Alberta Summer Games has been approximately $1.6 million.
• Host communities receive consultative assistance and base financial support from Alberta Sport Connection.

• Available Operating, Culture and Legacy grants total $420,000.

8.25

Guard Rails - Heinsburg

9.

Correspondence

10.

Reports

10.1

CAO Report

11.

Upcoming Meetings

11.1

Budget to Actual

A copy of the budget to actual will be presented to Council for review.

11.2

Listing of Accounts Payable

A listing of Accounts Payable will be provided for Council's review.

11.3

Council Fees

Council fees for the past month will be circulated for review. 

12.

Financial

13.

Adjournment