Minutes of the Cypress County Council Meeting held June 16th, 2009

 

PRESENT:                           George Russill, Reeve

                                                Darcy Geigle, Deputy Reeve

                                                Floyd Haas

                                                LeRay Pahl

                                                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

                                               

CALL TO ORDER:              10:42 A.M.

 

AGENDA:                              Resolution No. 2009/167

 

                                                Garry Lentz moved to accept the agenda with the additions of 6(a) Water Agreement to Business Arising and 7(i) Water Shut Off Change to New Business.

 

                                                                                                Carried.

 

 

MINUTES:                            Resolution No. 2009/168

 

                                                Darcy Geigle moved to approve the minutes of the June 2nd, 2009 Regular Council Meeting and Annual Ratepayer’s Meeting.

 

                                                                                                Carried.

 

  Accounts                       

 

ACCOUNTS FOR                                                              

PAYMENT:                           Resolution No. 2009/169

 

Floyd Haas moved to approve the Accounts for Payment in the amount of $ 703,865.49.

 

                                                                                                Carried.

 

BUSINESS ARISING:

 

Water Agreement              The manager updated Council on the changes with the Water Agreement with the City of Medicine Hat.

 

                                               Council would like to review the agreement with the City of Medicine Hat and make minor changes.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Bylaw 2009/18 – Land

Use Amendment

(Pt NW 22-12-7-W4)           An application has been received from Munro Global Surveys Group, on behalf of Bruce and Judith Nygaard, to reclassify a portion of the NW 22-12-7-W4 from Agricultural District 1 “A-1 Urban Fringe” to Country Residential District 2 “CR-2”. 

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/170

 

                                               LeRay Pahl moved first reading of Bylaw 2009/18.

 

                                                                                              Carried.

 

Cimarron Area

Structure Plan                    The City of Medicine Hat has supplied the County with a copy of an Area Structure Plan for the Cimarron residential development that is proposed within the City limits and north of South Boundary Road between Range Roads 60 and 61A.  The City is requesting that any comments be submitted by June 26th.

 

                                               Council has directed staff to submit comments indicating that agricultural uses and activities will continue on the land south of South Boundary Road, and that the ASP identifies those as acceptable uses.  In addition, the NW 12-12-6-W4 and a PN NE 12-12-6-W4 have no other means for all weather road access except directly off of South Boundary Road.  Therefore, access for agricultural purposes may still be necessary along South Boundary Road to these properties.

 

Schafer Culvert

Request                               A letter has been submitted from Adam and Kathryn Schafer requesting a culvert be installed in front of their residence in the Hamlet of Schuler.  Due to the recent street upgrade in the Hamlet of Schuler, some of the land needed to be graded to ensure proper drainage.  The land in front of their property was graded creating their vehicle to lean when parked.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/171

 

                                               Jerry Clark moved no action.

 

                                                                                              Carried.

 

Boylan Road Upgrade

Request                               A letter has been submitted from Charles Boylan requesting that Illingworth Avenue and 3rd Street in the Hamlet of Suffield be upgraded.  Councillor Konosky added that Mr. Boylan clarified that he is requesting an approach to his property.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/172

 

                                               LeRay Pahl moved no action.

 

                                                                                              Carried.

 

Regulation Review –

Farm Equipment

Transport                            Alberta Transportation will be changing a regulation guiding the weight and dimension of agriculture equipment transported on highways.  The current regulation, in place since 1998, no longer reflects the size of modern farm equipment.  It is proposed that the dimensions for length and height be increased, while width will continue to be exempted pursuant to Section 6 of the regulation.   Alberta Transportation is asking for stakeholder input to these regulatory changes to be submitted by June 30th.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/173

 

                                               Garry Lentz moved to submit a letter in support of the new regulation.

 

                                                                                              Carried.

 

Survey – Future

Convention Topics          A survey has been forwarded from the AAMDC to get feedback on any future convention topics or ideas. 

 

                                               The Reeve directed that any suggestions be submitted to the manager or assistant manager.

 

Appointment of

ARB Clerk                           Pursuant to the MGA, Section 455 (1), Council must appoint a clerk of the assessment review boards.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/174

 

                                               LeRay Pahl moved to appoint Roxanne Risk as clerk of the assessment review boards.

 

                                                                                              Carried.

 

Private Dust Control

Program                              The issue of dust control fees were raised at the Annual Ratepayer’s Meeting.  Council discussed revenues and expenses associated with each category of dust control.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/175

 

                                               Jerry Clark moved that dust control fees for Country Residential Subdivisions remain as is at $ 300.

 

                                                                                              Defeated.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/176

 

                                               LeRay Pahl moved that dust control fees for Country Residential Subdivisions be decreased to $ 200.

 

                                                                                              Carried.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/177

 

                                               Jerry Clark moved that dust control fees for Farmstead and Other Developments to remain as is at $ 400.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/178

 

                                               Brad Betcker moved to amend Resolution No. 2009/177 that fees be decreased to $300. 

 

                                                                                              Carried.

 

                                               A recorded vote was requested.

 

                                               Resolution No. 2009/177 (as amended)

 

                                               Jerry Clark moved that dust control fees for Farmstead and Other Developments be decreased to $ 300.

 

                                                                                              Carried

 

                                               In Favour – Brad, Herb, Peter, Darcy, LeRay, Garry                  

                                               In Opposition – George, Jerry, Floyd

 

RECESSS:                           12:04 P.M.

 

RECONVENE:                     12:44 P.M.

 

Water Shut Off Charge      Earlier this year the issue of water shut offs was raised as a result of two accounts that were shut off for arrears of less than $10.  Further incidents have occurred where staff have been involved in heated discussions with people over this issue.

 

                                                The manager is recommending that a section be created in the bylaw to outline some basic discretionary principles which may prevent some of these incidents in the future.  Council agreed.  The bylaw will be brought back for approval.

 

REPORTS:

 

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

 

                                                It was decided that a 50% year round ban will be implemented on Sextant Hill.

                                                                                               

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

 

                                                Council would like staff to advertise a meeting for the creation of a volunteer fire department in Dunmore.

 

Assistant Manager’s

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

 

                                               

Reeve’s/Councillors’

Reports                                 Updates were provided on meetings/conferences attended and upcoming meetings.

 

COMMITTEE

SESSION:                             Resolution No. 2009/179

 

                                                Brad Betcker moved to go into committee of the whole.

 

                                                                                                Carried.

 

                                                Resolution No. 2009/180

 

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

 

                                                                                                Carried.

 

MISSION

STATEMENT:                      Mission Statement:  By providing leadership, fair and equitable governance, Cypress County will strive to encourage a rural lifestyle and retain its agricultural character.  Within that primary mission, the County will strive to provide municipal services to agriculture, hamlet, industrial, commercial, and residential development, so long as such development will be a positive contribution to the financial and/or social well being of the municipality.

 

                                                Goals: (1)  Provide assistance to accommodate economic growth and sustainability; (2)  Support hamlets in providing a safe and friendly environment to live in; (3)  Through the Agricultural Service Board, provide assistance, information, and support to the agriculture community.

 

                                                Resolution No. 2009/181

 

                                                LeRay Pahl moved to approve the Mission Statement and Goals for Cypress County.

 

                                                                                                Carried

 

ADJOURN:                           2:04 P.M.