PONOKA COUNTY COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING June 22, 2010 A regular meeting of the Council of Ponoka County was held in the County Council Chambers of the County Administration Building on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, with the following people in attendance: Councillor G. Hinkley Councillor G. Verheire Councillor P. McLauchlin Councillor K. Beebe Reeve G. Svenningsen Mr. C. Cutforth, Chief Administrative Officer Mrs. D. Raugust, Recording Secretary Call to Order Reeve Svenningsen called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Also in attendance was Mr. H. Schwingel, Public Works Superintendent. CONSIDERATION/ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Agenda Item No. 1 There were no items suggested for addition to the agenda. 175/10 Moved by Councillor Hinkley that the agenda be adopted as presented. MINUTES May 25, 2010 Regular Meeting Item No. 2.1 Council reviewed the minutes of the May 25, 2010 Regular Council meeting. 176/10 Moved by Councillor McLauchlin that the minutes of the May 25, 2010 Regular Council meeting be adopted as presented. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES By-Law 16-10-ZA Reclassification of Pt. NE 1-42-1-5 & Pt. NW 5-42-28-4 Inshore Dev. Item No. 3.1 Further to recent discussions held with the participating municipalities involved in the Gull Lake Management Plan, Council deemed that they should continue to defer consideration of By-Law 16-10-ZA, authorizing additional development around Gull Lake. 177/10 Moved by Councillor Verheire that consideration of By-Law 16-10-ZA be deferred until the review of the Gull Lake Management Plan is finalized. PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Superintendent s Report Item No. 4.1 Mr. Schwingel presented his report of activities within the Public Works Department. He noted that the base preparation for the Ag Events centre was nearing completion. They had a number of projects ready for construction, but the weather was delaying progress.
June 22, 2010 Page 2 Bridge 8175 Repairs Upgrading Projects Pavement Projects Dust Control Gravel Deposit in Clearwater County Alberta Transportation was willing to cost-share the repairs required to bring Bridge 8175 (S SE 2-43-3-W5) back up to standard. The upgrading crews were being held up due to the wet weather. Recall Systems would commence work in August on upgrading the Medicine Lake Road. Sub-grade work of RR 40 was underway in preparation for the paving. The Rimbey Raceway/Elevator road pavement was completed with only trim left. The oiling program had also been postponed due to the rain. Mr. Schwingel had been approached by a landowner to consider a gravel deposit in the SE 5-41-6-W5 in Clearwater County. The County would need to provide its own access to Hwy #22 due to the subdivisions in the area. The County of Wetaskiwin had a pit adjacent that they would consider selling gravel to Ponoka County from. The County could do its own testing if they wished to pursue the deposit. The haul would be approximately 45 km to enter Ponoka County. De-watering was required, but there was an area where this could occur. Administration was still negotiating with the Ferrybank Hutterite Colony for gravel from their pits. 178/10 Moved by Councillor Hinkley that Ponoka County proceed with testing for gravel on the SE 5-41-6-W5, that access be negotiated with the County of Wetaskiwin, and that terms of the purchase be secured, in order to ascertain a proper offer to purchase. Preliminary Agreements Item No. 4.2 Council reviewed the following preliminary agreements: Agreement # Landowner(s) Land Location 1269 Jerry & Sheila Cech NW 6-44-2-W5 1270 Marcel Smith Pt. SE 1-44-3-W5 1272 Betty Dube Pt. SW 6-44-2-W5 1273 Eon Hildebrand Pt. NE 12-44-3-W5 1274 Cliff Thebeau Pt. NE 12-44-3-W5 1276 Bernard Herman NW 7-44-2-W5 1277 Dennis, Ellen & Bernard Herman SW 7-44-2-W5 1329 Sam VanAken SE 8-42-27-W4 1342 Lyle Wiancko NE 11-42-24-W4 179/10 Moved by Councillor Beebe that the preliminary agreements be adopted as presented. Appreciation to Grader Operators Reeve Svenningsen expressed his appreciation to the grader operators for the time they were putting in to get the roads back into shape, including working on the weekends. FINANCE Mr. Schwingel was thanked for his attendance and he left the meeting. Payment of Accounts Internet Tower Grant Item No. 6.1 Council reviewed the accounts presented for payment from the June 7, 2010 cheque register. It was noted that the $500,000 grant to erect the internet towers had been approved and would be received soon.
June 22, 2010 Page 3 180/10 Moved by Councillor Verheire that the accounts be approved for payment as outlined in the June 7, 2010 cheque register in the amount of $1,245,148.27. Financial Statement Item No. 6.2 Council reviewed the monthly financial statement to May 31, 2010. 181/10 Moved by Councillor Hinkley that the monthly financial statement to May 31, 2010 be accepted as information. Budget Report Item No. 6.3 Council reviewed the budget report for the month ended May 31, 2010. Councillor Verheire questioned if the budget could be amended in order to ensure that deficit spending was not required to complete the paving on RR 40. Funding could be moved from construction (down due to the weather) and the oiling programs, but it would still not be enough to cover the full amount. 182/10 Moved by Councillor Beebe that the budget report to May 31, 2010 be accepted as information. Recess for Public Hearing Item No. 5.2 Reeve Svenningsen recessed the meeting at 10:04 a.m. to conduct a public hearing. The meeting reconvened at 10:07 a.m. DEVELOPMENT By-Law 19-10-ZA Reclassification of Pt. SW 3-44-2-W5 Jordan, Rod Item No. 7.1 Council reviewed By-Law 19-10-ZA in light of the recent public hearing, which allowed for rezoning as follows: A by-law of Ponoka County, in the Province of Alberta, pursuant to Section 640 of The Municipal Government Act, being Chapter M-26.1 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta, 1994, and amendments thereto, to amend Land Use By-Law 7-08-LU as follows: Reclassify Pt. SW 3-44-2-W5 (approximately 5 acres) from Agricultural District to Country Residential District. 183/10 1 st Reading 184/10 2 nd Reading 185/10 Proceed to 3 rd 186/10 3 rd Reading Given first reading this 22 nd day of June, 2010 on a motion by Councillor McLauchlin and was carried unanimously. Given second reading this 22 nd day of June, 2010 on a motion by Councillor Hinkley and was carried unanimously. By unanimous consent of Council, on a motion by Councillor Beebe to proceed at this time with third reading to By-Law 19-10-ZA; By-Law 19-10-ZA was given third and final reading this 22 nd day of June, 2010 on a motion by Councillor Verheire and was unanimously passed. FINANCE (continued) Rimbey Historical Society, Request for Donation Item No. 6.4 Council reviewed a request from the Rimbey Historical Society for financial support for construction of a new building, in the amount of $3,500.00.
June 22, 2010 Page 4 187/10 Moved by Councillor Beebe that Ponoka County agree to contribute $3,500 toward the cost of erecting a new building in Paskapoo Park to house the medical equipment donated. Bluffton Area Organizations, Donation Requests Item No. 6.5 Council reviewed correspondence from the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce requesting financial support to upgrade the neighborhood playground and similar correspondence from the Bluffton Community Society requesting assistance with materials and netting for the baseball/basketball area of the Hall property. 188/10 Moved by Councillor McLauchlin that Ponoka County agree to contribute toward the cost of upgrading the Bluffton neighborhood playground and the Community Hall baseball/basket ball areas based on the fundraising activities undertaken by the community; and further that the County will contribute any aggregate materials required. DELEGATIONS (continued) Recess for Public Hearing Item No. 5.3 Reeve Svenningsen recessed the meeting at 10:17 a.m. to conduct a public hearing. The meeting reconvened at 10:40 a.m. DEVELOPMENT (continued) By-Law 20-10-ZA Reclassification of Pt. NW 9-42-28-W4 Lucky Hill Dairy Item No. 7.2 Council reviewed By-Law 20-10-ZA in light of the recent public hearing, which allowed for rezoning as follows: A by-law of Ponoka County, in the Province of Alberta, pursuant to Section 640 of The Municipal Government Act, being Chapter M-26.1 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta, 1994, and amendments thereto, to amend Land Use By-Law 7-08-LU as follows: Reclassify Pt. NW 9-42-28-W4 (approximately 80 acres) from Agricultural District to Country Residential District Councillor McLauchlin suggested that this application was premature until the Gull Lake Management Plan review was completed. Councillor Verheire noted that there were numerous unsold lots in the area. Mr. Cutforth suggested that this application could be brought back by the applicants following the review of the GLMP, if Council deemed that the proposal was a good use of the property. 189/10 1 st Reading Defeated Recess for Coffee Break Given first reading this 22 nd day of June, 2010 on a motion by Councillor Hinkley and was unanimously defeated. Reeve Svenningsen recessed the meeting at 10:46 a.m. for a coffee break. The meeting reconvened at 10:55 a.m. Mr. T. Webber, Assistant CAO of the County, was in attendance at reconvenement. Raymond Shores Subdivision, Zoning Relaxation Request Item No. 5.4 Although the delegation slated to attend the meeting to discuss the authorization for placement of modular homes within Raymond Shores subdivision was unable to attend the meeting, general discussion did ensue regarding the fire fighting challenges that could be posed from this type of development. The Condo Association for Raymond Shores had advised that there was a waiting list for modular homes to be approved for placement in the RV resort.
June 22, 2010 Page 5 Manager of Ag. Services, S. Steffen RE: Yellow Hawkweed Item No. 5.1 Mr. Shayne Steffen, Manager of Agricultural Services, attended the meeting at this time. Mr. Steffen advised that Alberta Agriculture had recently promoted yellow hawkweed to a prohibited and noxious weed. The weeds were still mainly contained in Township 45, Ranges 2 and 3 in Ponoka County. As weed inspectors, they were required to issue weed notices immediately to any infected areas. Mr. Steffen felt that this action would create a hardship for a number of farmers within the County with approximately 28,000 acres infected. Mr. Steffen suggested that Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) funding should be made available to affected landowners to assist them with the cost of blanket spraying of their properties. Jim Broach, Pest Management Specialist with the Provincial Government, had suggested that the County request that the Minister amend the description to just noxious and then the County could use discretion in issuing weed notices. Failing that, the Agricultural Service Board could direct Inspectors to treat the weed as noxious in Ponoka County and risk losing its grant. Mr. Steffen proposed to conduct a community meeting at the Hoadley Hall to educate the local farmers about the weed. 190/10 Moved by Councillor Hinkley that Ponoka County lobby the Minister of Agriculture to reduce the designation of yellow hawkweed from a prohibited and noxious weed to a noxious weed. Mr. Steffen was thanked for his attendance and he left the meeting. COUNCILLOR REPORTS RR 40 Paving Bluffton Rock Site, Garbage Container Rimbey Appreciation Ponoka Airport Meeting PeSakastew Representative West Gull Lake Overview Plan Ponoka Seed Cleaning Plant Ponoka Rural Crime Watch Meeting 100 Year Farm Family Item No. 8.1 Councillor Beebe advised that the north mile of RR 40 was ready for paving. A ratepayer had requested that the County erect a garbage receptacle at the Bluffton Rock site. Councillor McLauchlin would forward this request to the president of the Chamber of Commerce for their consideration. Reeve Svenningsen advised that he had attended the Rimbey rodeo on Saturday and had received appreciation from the Town for the work done on the Elevator road. Councillor Hinkley reported on the recent Airport meeting he had attended. The removal of the trees was still an issue, but it appeared that they would not be removed any time in the near future. Councillor Nancy Watson from the County of Wetaskiwin had joined Councillor Hinkley as a representative-at-large to the PeSakastew Centre. Councillor Verheire reported on the West Gull Lake Overview Plan meeting. He was disappointed with the turn-out, but the majority in attendance was in favor of the plan. The Ponoka Seed Cleaning plant had seen a banner year, cleaning more seed in 2009 than in any previous year. He reported on the Ponoka Rural Crime Watch meeting held on June 10. The next meeting would be held on September 23 for any interested ratepayers. One of the recipients of the 100 year farm family signs would be doing an article for the local newspaper with appreciation to the County.
June 22, 2010 Page 6 Council Chambers Design Rimbey RCMP, Future Plans Zone 4 Golf Tournament Councillor Verheire requested that Administration proceed with a design for a new Council Chambers to be attached to the existing building. Councillor Beebe advised that he had met with S/Sgt. Mark Groves with the Rimbey RCMP regarding the upcoming plans for the Detachment over the next few years. Reeve Svenningsen advised that the Zone 4 CAAMD & C golf tournament would be held on July 9 at Lacombe. CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER S REPORT 2010 Municipal Election Wolf Creek Request Item No. 9.4 Council discussed the upcoming fall municipal election to be held on October 18, 2010, and specifically the request of the Wolf Creek School Division to conduct their election on their behalf. 191/10 Moved by Councillor Beebe that Ponoka County conduct the 2010 municipal election on behalf of Wolf Creek School Division. Poll Station, Hours of Operation Poll Clerk Wages Advance Polls Item No. 9.1 Mr. Webber advised that the hours of operation for the polling stations were usually 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., however, Council did have the ability to change the hours if they desired. Item No. 9.2 Council discussed the wage to be paid to the poll clerks. Previously, the rate was $18.00 per hour plus mileage. Item No. 9.3 It was agreed that advance polls be held in both Ponoka and Rimbey. 192/10 Moved by Councillor Hinkley that advance polls be conducted as follows: Rimbey Town Office on October 5 for Divisions 3, 4 & 5 Ponoka County Office on October 6 for Divisions 1, 2 & 3. 193/10 Moved by Councillor Beebe that the hours of operation for election stations be established in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act, 10:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. and that the rate of pay for poll clerks be established at $20/hour plus mileage. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENT REMINDERS Upcoming Meetings & Events Item No. 10 Council was reminded of the following upcoming meetings/events:.1 Regular Council meetings on July 20 and August 17, 2010; 9:00 a.m. 194/10 Adjournment Moved by Councillor Verheire, at 12:03 p.m., that the meeting be adjourned. Reeve Chief Administrative Officer