Minutes of the Cypress County Council Meeting held November 18, 2008

 

PRESENT:                            George Russill, Reeve

                                                Darcy Geigle, Deputy Reeve

                                                Floyd Haas

                                                Garry Lentz

                                                Herb Scott

                                                Jerry Clark

                                                Brad Betcker

                                                Peter Konosky

                                                Lutz Perschon, Manager

                                                Doug Henderson, Assistant Manager

                                                Rick Bleau, Public Works Supervisor

                                                Jeffrey Dowling, Planning Advisor

                                                Roxanne Risk, Treasurer/Recording Secretary          

 

ABSENT:                              LeRay Pahl

 

                                               

CALL TO ORDER:             10:32 A.M.

 

AGENDA:                             Resolution No. 2008/287

 

                                                Darcy Geigle moved to accept the agenda with the additions of July 15, 2008 Wind Storm and Elected Officials Education Program under New Business.

 

                                                                                                Carried

 

MINUTES:                             Resolution No. 2008/288

 

                                                Herb Scott moved to approve the minutes of the November 4th, 2008 Regular Council Meeting.

 

                                                                                                Carried

 

ACCOUNTS FOR

PAYMENT:                          Resolution No. 2008/289

 

Floyd Haas moved to approve the Accounts for Payment in the amount of $519,434.63.

 

Carried

 

 

 

CASH STATEMENT:         Resolution No. 2008/290

 

                                                Garry Lentz moved to receive for information the cash statement for the month ending October 31, 2008.

 

            Carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Application for SDAB

Appointment                          Glenn Congram submitted a letter for consideration of an appointment to the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Appointment as the alternate member at large.

 

                                                Resolution No. 2008/291

 

                                                Jerry Clark moved to appoint Glenn Congram as the alternate at large member of the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board.

 

            Carried

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Policy R13 Amendments -

Paving Roads in

Subdivisions                           Policy R13 has been in place for approximately one year.  The revisions include delaying the dust control tax for new subdivisions, minor changes to the letter of credit requirements, and an update due to the passing of Policy R17 Endeavour to Assist.

 

                                                Resolution No. 2008/292

                                               

                                                Brad Betcker moved to approve Policy R13 - Paving Roads In Subdivisions as amended.

                                               

            Carried

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mailboxes on 3rd

Avenue, Dunmore                 Canada Post has placed mail boxes on 3rd Avenue, Dunmore just west of 7th Street.  Councillor Scott feels this creates a safety issue and requests that the County build a turnout so vehicles can pull off the road to pick up their mail.

 

                                                Resolution No. 2008/293

 

                                                Brad Betcker moved to build a turnout for the Canada Post mail boxes located on 3rd Avenue, Dunmore.

 

            Carried

 

DELEGATIONS:

 

AESO - SE Alberta

Transmission Challenges      Matt Gray & Ramaiah Divi were in attendance to speak about the progress of AESO’s Hanna Region Transmission Development.  In the next few years, the demand for electricity is expected to double in the Wainwright, Provost, and Hanna areas.  Currently, the transmission in this area lacks the capacity to support this additional demand.  As a result, additional transmission systems would have to be implemented.  There are four alternative systems with different types of towers.  Cypress County’s consultation is required as the County’s North boundary is affected.  Council requested a presentation that shows the transmission development for Cypress County as a whole.

 

DELEGATIONS:

 

Pteragen Energy,

Carlo Plava                            Carlo Plava was in attendance to speak about the progress of the Peace Butte Wind Project.  The 120 MW wind farm is located 22km south of Medicine Hat along the Black and White Trail.  The project consists of 55 quarter sections and installation of 60-80 towers and turbines.  Currently, wind data has been collected from four meteorlogical towers since March 2006.  The data has been analysed and validated.  The results indicate an efficient and effective wind resource.  The environmental and archeological surveys have been completed.  Currently, Pteragen is finalizing turbine selection and negotiating with potential joint venture partners.  Foundation construction is targeted for March 2009 and commercial operation by October 2010.  Another open house will be held early in 2009.

 

RECESS:                               12:08 P.M.

 

RECONVENE:                     12:41 P.M.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

July 15, 2008 Wind Storm    Jerry Clark brought forward a bill from Silverlake Sod Farm relating to the tree cleanup from the July 15, 2008 wind storm.  Jerry would like Council to reimburse Silverlake Sod Farm for the invoice.

 

                                                Resolution No. 2008/294

 

Jerry Clark moved to reimburse Silverlake Sod Farm.

 

            Defeated

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Education Program              Peter Konosky is interested in taking courses offered by the Elected Official Education Program (EOEP).  Peter wanted approval from council. 

 

                                                Resolution No. 2008/295

                                               

                                                Peter Konosky moved that courses be reimbursed to a maximum of $1000/year.

 

            Carried

 

                                               

REPORTS:

 

Public Work’s Report           The Public Work’s Report was presented and accepted for information.

 

Manager’s Report                 The Manager’s Report was presented and accepted for information.

 

Assistant Manager’s

Report                                    The Assistant Manager’s Report was presented and accepted for information.

 

Reeve’s Report                      Darcy Geigle left the meeting at 1:49 P.M.

 

George Russill brought forward a request from a ratepayer asking council to send a letter to Prairie Rose School Division supporting independent contract school bus operators over large bussing companies.  Council decided this was not an issue within their jurisdiction, so a letter would not be sent.

 

Darcy Geigle returned to the meeting at 1:52 P.M.

 

                                                Resolution No. 2008/296

 

                                                Brad Betcker moved to go into committee of the whole.

 

            Carried

 

                                               

                                                Resolution No. 2008/297

 

                                                Floyd Haas moved to come out of committee of the whole.

 

            Carried.

 

ADJOURN:                           2:46 P.M.