County of St. Paul No 19

Council Meeting

AGENDA

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
5015- 49 Avenue, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A4

At the July Meeting, Council made a motion (after receiving a request from one of the adjacent landowners) to contact all three landowners adjacent to N 1/2 SW 34-58-11-W4 to see if they were interested in leasing it.

 

A letter was sent to the adjacent landowners advising that the property would be available to lease on a yearly basis.  The adjacent landowners were also informed that:

  - the property would be leased on an as is where is basis,

  - because it is the old Lottie Lake Landfill site, the County will not be held liable in any way,

  - the successful lessee will have to ensure that the fence is built to County standards as set out in the lease agreement.

 

Starosielski Cattle Inc. has replied that he is interested in leasing the property.  The other two adjacent landowners did not reply.

At the July Council meeting, council deferred a decision on increasing the Cold Mix expenditure to the Public works meeting.  At the Public Works meeting Administration brought further information regarding the additional costs as well as the revenues that will exceed budget expectations due to this project as well as other efforts by Public Works staff in relation to road use agreements, industry contribution to Murphy Road, etc.  Council also discussed the opportunity cost of not using the oil committed by CNRL for industry roads in Division 1 and 2. 

Public Works request is for an increase in Cold Mix expense of $800,000 - ($300,000 for Division 3,4,5 & 6 as well as $500,000 for Division 1 & 2)  this increase will allow Public Works staff to more effectively apply dust control to the roads slated for work in the County.  Even during the wet spring the County was able to complete work on the oiled roads utilizing cold mix rather than hauling wet gravel, drying it out, and applying oil (which was our process in the past).  The additional cost for Division 3,4,5 & 6 will be utilizing the oil the County held in tanks from 2013 for the production of cold mix.  The cost for Division 1 & 2 is utilizing oil that will be supplied by CNRL in order to repair designated industry roads.

Administration demonstrated that the expected increase in revenue over budget will be approx $814,000 due to extra sales of gravel and success in road use agreements and contributions to Murphy Road overlay.

At the July Meeting, Council tabled a decision on allocating the proceeds from the Rodeo Supper until administration contacted the 3 groups who had applied for the proceeds to see if one of them was interested in cleaning up after the Rodeo performances this year and then receiving all the proceeds from the Rodeo Supper in 2015.  None of the groups who applied would have enough volunteers to clean up after the rodeo performances.  They are interested in the rodeo supper only so we ran an ad for groups to clean up after the rodeo performances.

 

The three groups who have applied for the proceeds from the Rodeo supper are Rural Crime Watch, St. Paul & District Arts Foundation and the St. Paul United Church.

 

We have a couple of group that inquired about the process.  They are meeting this weekend and will confirm whether or not they are interested by Monday morning.

 

We also need to know who will be available to serve supper - Saturday August 30th.

Council, at their July Council Meeting, tabled a discussion on the possibility of leasing or selling Municipal Reserve land adjacent to Darren Bannink's lot in Floatingstone. Since that meeting the Policy Committee has reviewed a new Reserve Land Policy presented by Administrations and subsequently considered by Council.  In light of that policy direction, Administration would recommend that Council deny the request of Mr. Bannink to either purchase or lease Municipal Reserve Land that is adjacent to his property.

Council instructed Administration to write a resolution regarding changes to the Waste Control Regulation.  We have attached the resolution for Council's information.  This is an  item on the September 12, 2014 AAMDC Zone 5 Meeting agenda.

At the June Meeting, Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 2014-12, which is a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 2013-50 as it relates to rezoning PSW 7-58-8-W4 from Agricultural to Country Residential One (CR1).

 

RSVPs were sent out for a public consultation to be held on July 23, 2014.  There were no replies so there was no need for the public consultation.

 

Bylaw No. 2014-12 was advertised in the St. Paul Journal on July 29, and August 5, 2014 and the adjacent landowners were notified via letter post.

 

Krystle Fedoretz will attend this Public Hearing.

At the June Meeting, Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 2014-10, which is a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 2013-50 as it relates to rezoning Lot 1, Plan 8121999 located in SE 9-58-8-W4 from Agricultural to Country Residential One (CR1).

 

A public consultation was held on July 22, 2014 and there were 9 people in attendance.  The Developer Public Consultation Report is attached.

 

Bylaw No. 2014-10 was advertised in the St. Paul Journal on July 29, and August 5, 2014 and the adjacent landowners were notified via letter post.

 

Krystle Fedoretz will attend this Public Hearing.

 

The parcel being presented to Council for rezoning has been amended to address the concerns of those in attendance at the public consultation.

At the July Meeting, Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 2014-18, which is a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw No. 2013-50 for a provision to accommodate a 30 acre parcel for the W 1/2 SW 16-58-7-W4.

 

Bylaw No. 2014-18 was advertised in the St. Paul Journal and Elk Point Review the weeks of July 29th and August 5, 2014.

 

Krystle Fedoretz will attend this Public Hearing.

Bylaw 2014-21 is being presented to Council to approve provisions for utility services in the County. This Bylaw was brought before the Policy Committee on August 1, 2014.

Section 187 of the MGA states that all bylaws must have three distinct and separate readings.

Also attached is the Utilities Contract Application form which will be signed by all residents in the County who have water services.

Bylaw 2014-22 is being amended to set the fees for several utilities services and for the licensing of undeveloped road allowances. The amendments are in red.

Policy PER-4 is being presented to Council to approve changes to the County's benefits program for employees. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on August 1, 2014.

 

Policy SAF-35 is being presented to Council to approve changes to the County's safety program. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on August 1, 2014.

Policy SAF-39 is being presented to Council to approve changes to the County's safety program. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on August 1, 2014.

Policy DEV-93 is being amended by Council to approve provisions for the management of reserve lands in the County of St. Paul. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on August 1, 2014.

This Policy amends the previous Maintenance of Pathways in Lake Subdivisions. This amended Policy provides more logic and breadth to the County's previous Policy.

Policy DEV-103 is being presented to Council to approve provisions for the management of undeveloped road allowances in the County of St. Paul.This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on August 1, 2014.

Policy ADM-104 is being presented to Council to approve a relocation allowance for physicians relocating to the St. Paul region. This Policy was brought before the Policy Committee on August 1, 2014.

The St. Paul Fire Committee at their meeting of July 16, 2014 discussed the increased volume of incidents that are occurring in the County that could adversely affect the mental health of our volunteer fire fighters.  While members have critical incident stress management debriefing following disturbing events, often members would benefit by additional access to counseling services or other services provided under an Employee Assistance Program.  Since the County has recently moved to a new benefit provider, we sought out a quote regarding offering the EAP Program coverage to Volunteer Fire Fighters.  OHI, our new provider has indicated that they are willing to provide this type of coverage for the same fee paid by the County which is $4.00/person/month.

Currently any counseling service required by First Responders would be covered by our FCSS departments and their Community Counseling budget.   Offering this type of benefit coverage would offer more than counseling services to these employees.  This program can help with personal or employment problems from stress, relationship issues, grief, psychological problems, finances, etc.  The program is completely confidential.

The contract with Helen Chapdelaine/Westcove Kennels expired on August 31, 2014.  Attached is a copy of the contract.  There are no changes from last year's contract.

The St. Paul and District Arts Foundation will be applying for a federal grant called Enabling Accessibility in Communities to assist with bathroom renovations for their building, which is required to provide handicapped access.  They will also be applying for a provincial grant - the Community Facilities Enhancement Grant to also assist with the needed renovations of their building.  They are requesting  letters of support in principle to accompany their applications.

Council approved a contribution of $15,000 to the Elk Point Auxiliary for 50% of the cost to build a garage to house their handibus.  The construction of the building commenced only to discover that the proposed building would not be large enough to accommodate the vehicle.  Therefore we now have a revised quote to consider for a larger building - the increased cost is 13,000 from the original quote.  This means an increase of $6500 from the County.

Bylaw No. 2014-20 is being presented to Council to amend Land Use Bylaw No. 2013-50 as it relates to rezoning Lot B, Plan 8322712 in PNW 31-56-6-W4 from Agricultural to Industrial Commercial. The property is for sale.  It is within the Elk Point Inter-Municipal Development Plan.

 

After first reading, the Bylaw must be advertised according to Section 606 of the M.G.A. and a public hearing held according to section 230 of the M.G.A. The adjacent landowners will be notified of the proposed rezoning.

 

The applicant is also required to hold a public consultation prior to the public hearing being held.

Road Plan 540CL located in NW 18-55-8-W4 is being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built but the old road plan was never cancelled. The area to be cancelled is orange and the new road to be registered 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.

Road Plan 3534BM located in NE & NW 18-55-8-W4 is being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built but the old road plan was never cancelled. The area to be cancelled is orange and the new road to be registered is highlighted in yellow.  This road will be cancelled and a new road registered at the same time as Road Plan 540CL.

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.

Road Plan 3207ET located in SE 32-58-9-W4 and SW 33-58-9-W4 is being presented to Council for cancellation as a new road was built but the old road plan was never cancelled. The area to be cancelled is orange.  This road plan was brought before Council in the past however the area to be cancelled has changed.

 

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.

Lot owners at Floatingstone Lake, Plan 0924246 in NW 31-60-11-W4 would like to have their subdivision named "Sunset Cove" and are requesting that signage be installed at the entry of the development to assist emergency services in the case of medical emergency or fire.  In their letters attached, the lot owners are requesting who is responsible to cover the costs of the signage.  If it is their responsibility to pay for the signage, they are requesting a quote prior to the work being done.

Following a Public Meeting in June for Lottie Lake and Ashmont residents, Administration sent out an information package to all residents regarding the potential of building new water distribution lines in these communities.  Residents had until July 31 to respond back to the County regarding how they felt about the project and if they are willing to contribute to the replacement of these lines.  We had only 21 responses returned.  Of those the majority are opposed to paying for the line although the consensus is that the lines are important.  They feel that it is the County's responsibility to pay for this line.  There are some that feel it is very important and are willing to pay, but they are the minority.

It appears that if we make application under Building Canada and want to pay for the municipal portion with a local improvement tax bylaw that we would likely have a petition against the bylaw and be unable to pass 3rd reading.  Notwithstanding that, the current water distribution lines will not last forever as they are already 50+ years old.  Therefore should the County make application under the Building Canada Grant program and be successful, but not able to pass a local improvement tax bylaw, the County could recover the expense through increased water rates.  This however would only be paid by water users not all the lot owners whose value of their property would be increased due to the availability of high quality water and new distribution lines. 

CNRL is conducting seismic activities on lands east of Laurier Lake.  They are requesting the County to approve a permit to conduct geophysical operations on SW18-56-03-W4 as well as part of SE14-56-04-W4.  They are currently in the process of getting approval from the other landowners in the area.  The land agent indicated that our lack of approval would not halt activity on lands where they have already received approval.  Expected compensation resulting from this activity will be $1200/mile for recorded source line, and $300/mile for receiver line.

During the Public Works meeting, Council was informed that a resident in the Hamlet of Owlseye that would like the County to allow AltaGas the ability to service another building that they own by running a gas line under Main Street.  Council to decide if they will allow a natural gas line to cross Main Street in Owlseye.

Councillor Sloan has asked Administration to put this item on the agenda.  He is concerned with the fact that these wells exist in the County.  According to our tax department we have 3039 abandoned wells and 302 drilled and cased wells in the County. 

Municipal Affairs Director of Linear Property Assessment Unit, Christine Risling is planning to attend our September 9, 2014 Council meeting to discuss linear assessment process with Council.  At that time she will also touch on the issue of abandoned and orphaned wells.  Currently if a well is considered abandoned by Alberta Environment, then there is no longer considered linear property and will not have an assessment. 

 

Since we sold the lot at Lottie Lake that the residents were using to access the beach, they are looking for other alternatives for access. There is an MR adjacent to the lot that was sold, however it is solid bush and has no parking.  Therefore, Councillor Fodness has proposed providing parking and grading of the quad trail that exists from the water treatment plant area to the beach area.  This access would actually be shorter than the previous access and would require very little work to upgrade.  Administration would propose sending a letter to Lottie Lake residents indicating this is the new access and provide signage indicating that this is the new access.

The owner of the Mann Lakes Golf Course is requesting an operating grant of $3,596.74 to help offset the 2014 property taxes.

 

Since 2009, Council approved a grant to offset the property taxes and Mr. McDonald was advised that his request would be reviewed on an annual basis.

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