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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-18 Council MinutesJ J D a C7 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 The Executive Committee of Richard A. Marz and Otto Hoff met on Thursday, February 18th, 1993 at the M D of Kneehill administration office in Three Hills, commencing at 1 00 P M. John C Jeffery was present and Mrs Jean Wilkinson was present and recorded the minutes The following items were reviewed- 1 Alberta Power Ltd Account $17,877 13 Mr Jeffery reviewed an account submitted to the M D for resetting a line on the Kerns Project $6000.00 is the cost for the new poles and respans and the balance is labour and G S T. Should the M.D be repsonsible for the costs for the new poles and the respans or should this cost be picked up by the R E A Executive Committee recommend Mr McCook should negotiate these costs with Alberta Power and try to ensure the M D is not charged for costs which should be charged to an R E A Also recommend a letter be sent to Alta Power to see if there is a way to negotiate a better deal for both the M D., the companies and the R E.A. 2 Review of Various Bridge Files Bridge File 6513 - SSW 13- 31 -24 -4 - SR 582 (Parker Bridge) Bridge Branch wish to know if the bridge width is adequate There are problems with the concrete It has a high priority for repair. The need for repairs was not discovered during the level 1 inspection. Could not find the problem without special equipment which was not available until now. Bridge Branch may cover all bridge repair costs. Executive Committee recommend Bridge Branch be advised the bridge should be repaired, the width is adequate and would request Bridge Branch cover all the costs for such repairs Bridge File 847 SSE 4- 32 -24 -4 on SR 583 - Leslie Bridge Bridge Branch wish to know if the bridge width is adequate as repairs should be undertaken soon This bridge is second priority for improvement in the M D Concerned because the girders are structurally deficient in shear and has structural cracks. Executive Committee recommend Bridge Branch be advised the bridge is now wider than the road Also the road will be a high priority once the paving of secondary roads in the area has been completed and road could be on road program for reconstruction by 1995 Bridge File 2475 INE 22- 31 -24 -4 - Golf Course Bridge The motion made last meeting by council regarding replacement of the bridge was discussed. Bridge Branch now advise the piles are rotten and consideration should be given to a new structure John O'Brien advised on February 9th the bridge would not be replaced in 1993, but likely in winter of 1994 He is reviewing the file with Torchinskey to ensure there will be a minimal amount of work required to replace bridge in 1994 1 Lonn le- a U V �et�ef5 S�n� Ell C EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 Executive Committee recommend the road project be undertaken in 1993 as planned, taking into consideration that the bridge will be replaced in the winter of 1994, and no low level crossing be installed and Bridge Branch be advised accordingly Bridge File 6813 - WNW 29- 29 -24 -4 Ralston Bridge Bridge Branch has indicated there are too many bridges in the area of the Ralston Bridge and perhaps some should be removed.There are 4 crossings of the creek within 14 KM reach of the creek. They wish to know what council's feeling are on thissuggestion. Cannot continue to maintain this many bridges Executive committee recommend as a general concept the M D would like to see better standard bridges and less of them and more low level crossings be installed if necessary to provide access. Bridge File 1276 - INW 14- 30 -23 -4 - Maruz Bridge Bridge Branch feel this bridge should be removed when it has deteriorated as there is a bridge one mile to the west and a bridge 4 miles to the east. Executive Committee recommend this bridge have a very low priority for repairs or replacement and bridge 7373 one mile to the west be considered a much higher priorty for retention. Bridge File 2236 Linden South SR 806 WSW 20- 30 -25 -4 Bridge Branch wish to know what Council's priority is for re- alignment of SR 806 Executive Committee recommend Bridge Branch be advised although the road and bridge are on the M D. priority list, the M D does not have any plans for this road in the foreseeable future, and likely will not propose anything until the pavement substantially deterioriates Therefore feel the bridge repairs should be undertaken Bridge File 2323 WNW 5- 32 -22 -4 - Manor Church North Bridge Bridge Branch wish to apply an overlay to the deck of this bridge. Wish to know if council is happy with the width of the bridge or if there are any other problems which should be looked at before the overlay is applied. Robert Kennedy advises the bridge has a 6 4 meter clear roadway and is in fair to good condition He has no concerns The road was rebuilt in 1978 ?. Executive Committee recommend Bridge Branch be advised Council has no objections to the overlay being applied on the bridge Bridge File 74998 - SW 13- 29 -23 -4 - Culvert on Carbon to Sharples Road. Bridge Branch inspected the culvert in 1992 - culvert is in fair condition but the alignment is substandard The road is no longer on the M D road construction program and Bridge Branch was advised the M D would not do a bridge survey until the road was on the program for reconstruction However the file still is on the M D priority list. Executive Committee recommend the bridge be removed from the M.D. priority list until the road is scheduled for re- construction 2 ca 1�9 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 3 Letter from Alberta Motor Association re- directional signs A M A sent letter indicating they still provide directional signs at rural and secondary roadway intersections as a public service They wish to know if the M.D would like to see signs at any more locations in the M D Mr Kennedy dial not know of any locations which required signs Executive Committee recommend Linden /Acme and Torrington :,per directional signs be erected at the intersection of SR 582 and SR 806. 4. Intersection Siqns for the M D.? There was discussion about whether the M.D wish to pursue the idea of putting up Township /Range intersection signs at all intersections in the M D An approximate price has been received from Alberta Traffic Supply 680 intersections 1360 signs plus installation at $35 00 per post - Total cost about $113,400 --Y> `14 MeeEn� Executive Committee recommend this idea be discussed by the councillors at the divisional meetings to get some public input into the idea and to let them know the approximately cost for initial installation 5 Town of Three Hills - Petition Against Main Street Improvement Program Mr Jeffery advised he signed a petition on behalf of the M D against the proposed main street improvement program Not sure if sufficient signatures will be obtained to stop the project. 6 Alberta Energy - Review of The Electric Energy Marketing Act "!�d Alberta Energy has forwarded a copy of the review panel's report There is a further opportunity to submit comments about the issue Mr Jeffery discussed the matter with Alberta Power and they have not taken a stand on the issue at this time They are negotiating with Transalta and other power companies to try and come up with a solution which is as fair as possible for all concerned Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information 7 Request from M.D Starland - Aerial Photographs M D of Starland would like to have new aerial photographs taken Wish to know if the M.D would join them and share costs Palliser Planning might also be interested Executive Committee discussed and wondered if there was a need for this expense at this time. There is not much that can change as far as the land is concerned except for some minor breaking and cultivation of previously unbroken land The existing photographs were taken in 1986. Cost would be about $12,000 00 for the M D and Municipal Affairs might share some of the costs Executive Committee recommend the assessor review this request and make a recommendation to council 8 M D backslopi.ng /borrow pit and land buying agreements 3 C? N :�q EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 The M D. auditor has suggested these two agreements be amended to indicate that any money paid by the M D would include G S T. if applicable. This then requires the person receiving the money to decide if in fact he must remit the 7% GST to the government Executive Committee recommend the agremeents be amended accordingly 9 Destruction of M D Records The office has shredded various M D records and completed the required affidavit. The 1985 records along with other general files were destroyed Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information 10 Drumheller Valley Ski Club - Chairlift Advertising Drumheller Valley Ski Hill Project is trying to raise money to purchase a chairlift and snow making equipment They have come up with a Chairlift Advertising Proposal Signs would be purchased and affixed to the chairlift quad chairs once the chairlift has been erected Advertiser would be responsible for maintenance of the sign. Price range from $1000 00 for 4 years or $2000 00 for 10 years Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information. 11. Canadian Wildlife Federation Canadian Wildlife Federation invite the M D to support National Wildlife Week April 4th to 10th Executive Committee recommend to accept and file 12 AAMD & C Survey re. Rural Assessment Polic AAMD & C survey re- rural assessment policy and whether exemption or reduction in assessment for farm residences should be continued has been received 22 counties expressed support for existing policy 4 were opposed 19 Municipal Districts support the exemption and 1 was �� opposed Overall 41 municipalities supported the current system with 5 expressing opposition. Executive Committee recommend to accept and file 13. Alta Municipal Affairs - Response re Jury Trials Alberta Municipal Affairs has received the M D 's letter supporting the request from the Association that any trial against a municipal government be heard without a jury Mr McGowan, Assistant Deputy Minister indicated few municipal liability cases have been heard in Alberta in which the plaintiff requested a jury However he will continue to S '`, e monitor the situation for clearer indications of a growing preference for jury trials. Executive Committee recommend to accept and file 14 Copy of Letter - Village of Carbon to Stan Schumacher 4 • EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 The Village of Carbon has sent a letter to Mr Schumacher thanking him for his support in having SR 836 re- aligned through the Village They would like some written confirmation that the route will be changed so road signs can be changed by the M D Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information, and no road signs be changed until the M D has received definite written confirmation the route will be changed 15 Membership Fee - AAMD & C AAMD & C advise the 1993/94 association membership fee will be calculated on the same basis as 1992/93 They will use the same formula - Basis rate of $2000.00 plus $8 25 per each million dollar of equalized assessment M D fee would be $4260 50 Fee is comparable to fee for Provost, Wainwright, Bonnyville, Taber Stettler, Ponoka and Camrose J Executive Committee recommend to accept this proposal forl��d calculation of the 1993/94 membership fees 16 Husky Oil - Seminar Husky Oil and the Canadian Committee of The Asphalt Institute will be holding a 3 day seminar April 27th, 28th and 29th on the principles of asphalt technology They forwarded a brochure outlining the course content Cost would be $600 00 for person�� plus expenses for 3 days. �cnvr�� Executive Committee recommend Bud Haskell attend the seminar ,. 17 Priority One Services ltd - Transportaiton of Dangerous Goods Seminar Priority One Services Ltd put on a seminar for 40 M D employees in March of 1990 The training certificate for the program is valid for 3 years and will exprie in March of 1993 The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations states all persons involved with the handling, offering for transport and transporting Dangerous Goods shall be trained and certified unless they are working under the direct supervision of a trained and certified individual Cost for a program in Three Hills would be about $1200 00 �3 Executive Committee recommend the office check to see if the certificates which were issued do expire in 1993 and what legal requirements there are for the M D to have the employees re- certified. 18 Town of Three Hills - Proposal for New Arena Mr Marz reported on the recent meeting held to discuss the idea of a new arena for the Town of Three Hills They discussed the feasability of a new arena as well as possible locations Gist of the meting was to get prices for renovations of the existing arena and price for reconstruction before any firm decision is made Also must determine the public mood and what funding might be available. 5 Dq �q N EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 Executive Committee recommend to accept the report as information and the M.D continue to monitor the issue 19 Alta Mun Health and Safety Association - General Meeting The Association will be holding its annual general meeting on Thursday, April 15th 1993 at Nisku Inn Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information 20 Farm Debt Review Board Farm Debt Review Board is reviewing the debt situation of Garry Dale Tetz from Beiseker Mr Tetz owns land in the M.D and M D may attend the hearing if they so wish Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information �,�e8 as the M D does not normally attend these hearings Outstanding taxes are dealt with through the Tax Recovery Act process 21 Council Minutes - February 9th, 1993 Executive Committee reviewed the minutes and agreed on what should be deleted prior to publication. 22 Levi Boese File Mr Jeffery reviewed a letter which he drafted to send to Mr Gladwin Toews regarding council's decision in this matter It basically indicated Council has tabled making a decision �Cn until November of 1994 Executive Committee recommended the letter be sent 23. Prairie Association of Rural Municipalities The Prairie Association of Rural Municipalites (members from AAMD & C, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, and Union of Manitoba Municipalities) feel education costs should be removed from property taxes and the costs should be funded through a dedicated tax on income. Property tax does not reflect the ability to pay and are not an appropriate method of funding a people service such as education. In a majority of cases, education accounts for over 50% of the property tax bill Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information. 24 AAMD & C - Report re- Regulations for Sand and Gravel Pits The AAMD & C has been advised that sand and gravel pits smaller than 5 acres will not be subject to new regulations being developed by Alberta Environment Although this situation basically reflects the existing regulatory scheme, a number of municipalities had indicated these smaller unregulated pits were in fact the source of most problems experienced by local governments with respect to reclamation Alberta Environment suggest these problems might be addressed through local land use by -laws and development permit process The department indicated it might assist in the development of 6 �, "ed 0 Ln H EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 provincial guidelines with respect to these smaller pits which could be adopted on a strictly voluntary basis Association would like to know the members' interest in the development of such guidelines. e� Executive Committee recommend the survey be completed to indicate the M D does not think these small pits should be 'red✓ regulated and would not support development of the voluntary guidelines. 25 AAMD & C Survey on Use of Unemployment Insurance Premium Reductions The AAMD & C survey indicates 24 counties participate in the premium reduction program, and 7 Municipal Districts The survey also indicated the ways the premium reduction was used - such as retaining savings in general revenue, directing the savings to employee benefit plans, cash rebate to employees, t and partial rebates and retaining some in general revenue Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information 26 AAMD & C Survey Results - Re- Municipal Retreats The AAMD & C survey results indicates from the responses received 13 municipalities have held a retreat and 31 never have Five held the retreat at home, 8 held them away from home and 7 indicated they used an outside facilitator and 6 did not. �tW Executive Committee recommend to accept and file as information 27 1993 Capital File Mr Jeffery reviewed the 1993 capital summary report Most items have been dealt with with the exception of the following items Torrington Pit Land $20,000 00 Used 4 x 4 and Trade or Sell T -13 $10,000.00 P C. Computer and Printer Office $ 5,000 00 Map Up Date and Printing Plotter and GIS Up -date $10,000 00 Master Pipeline Program $ 11100 00 Re- Upholster Chairs $ 500 00 Unallocated Items $35,000.00 Executive Committee recommend as follows - Capital Committee proceed with trade of T -13 and purchase of a used 4 x 4 for a price of $10,000 Office be authorized to spend up to $5000 00 for a new P.0 and printer 7 A r-] • • EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 Mr Cunningham be authorized to spend up to $500 00 on upholstering office chairs Map up Date, Printing, Plotter and GIS update and Master Pipeline Program be deleted from the 1993 budget and reviewed again in 1994 (as per Mr Cunningham s recommendation) and use of the remaining funds for the Torrington Land, Shop Maintenance and Unallocated Funds of $35,000 00 be discussed further by council at a later date. ** *NOTE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE TABLED FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING 28 M D Tax Forfeiture Property - Wimborne - Lots 9 to 12 Block 1 Wimborne - Gerald Dube - former Lumber Yard Property This matter was tabled in October of 1992 until further information was provided by Mr Dube To date nothing further has been heard from him In September of 1992 Mr Dube had offered to rent the property from the M D and his work of keeping the lots mowed and cleaned up be accepted in lieu of rental No reply was given to Mr Dube about his offer Executive Committee recommend the M D rent the property to Mr � }pr Dube for a period of one year for the sum of $1 00 on condition sera Mr Dube keep the grass cut and the site in a clean and tidy condition Further recommend the entire situation be reviewed again in February of 1994. 29 Letter from R.0 M P re Enhanced Level of Police Service Sgt Tugnum forwarded a letter to the M D in which he provided further information about enhanced police service He suggested the M D might negotiate the idea with the Director of Law Enforcement He also noted three other areas - Trochu, Elnora and Delburne have expressed a similar interest in this program Executive Committee recommend a letter be sent to the Province requesting additional information about the cost of providing an enhanced level of service 30 Request for Cancellation of Tax Penalties - Alan Smith NOTE. Richard M Vickery * ** Alan Smith owns 9 acres of land and has a fairly new house Previously his house was not taxed as he is a farmer However he does not have sufficient farm land in his own name to offset the assessment on his home. He rents land and only owns the 9 acres He would not afford to pay the taxes last fall but is now prepared to pay the $1260.42 but wants council to cancel the penalties. Executive Committee recommend the tax penalties not be cancelled 31 December 1992 Second Bank Reconciliation Statement No motion was made to approve the second December bank statement. The only change from the first closing was addition of the cheques issued in January for accounts which were p �k� S� ^t ter 2� L N C111 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 incurred in 1992 and had to be reflected in the 1992 financial statement. Executive Committee recommend to approve the second closing for December of 1992 32 1993 Orqanizational Review with Employees Executive Committee reviewed the comments and suggestions made by various employees at the annual organizational review They made the following recommendations• 1 1 Items #1 to 5 - Mechanics Tools, Coveralls, Boots, Wages and Seniority Wages Wages has been addressed, other items although may have merit not to be considered in 1993 2 Item #6 - Retirement Gifts - recommend no change in existing policy 3 Item #7 - Training - recommend existing policy is adequate and P W S. and foremen review the policy with administrator 4 Item #8 - Towing Device for 5th Wheel - Agreed Doug Knapp have a look at the device owned by Redline in Acme and bring back some suggestions to P W S for further consideration. 5 Item #9 - Stand by pay re. Xmas etc -r Recommend council address this issue as appears to be something which should be resolved 6 Item #10 - Too many foremen - no recommendation made J� 7 Item #11 - Need for prewarning if further fobs are cut Recommend unable to accept this suggestion 8 Item #12 - Contract Grading - this issue is being addressed by council 9 Item #13 - Mowing Gravel Roads - this issue will be addressed by council. 10. Item #14 - Safety Policy - Manual etc Safety Comm ittee is to work on this matter 11 Item #15 - Gravel Trailers Modified - Noted the P W S is happy with the modified verison. Concern that the design was ,. changed without authority from council Recommend Mr Haskell discuss the issue with council again 12. Item #16 - Inferior Gravel - Realize the gravel in the area is not good - no viable solution - do employees have any suggestions 13 Item #17 - Grader Operator Problems - issue is being addressed by council 14 Item #18 - Gravel Trucks should be serviced by mechanics as soon as possible in order to get the trucks back on the road Issue will be discussed by P W S with shop and a report brought back to council D -zi �q N EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 15 Item #19 - Shut down policy - recommend policy is adequate and should be adhered to - also foremen and subforemen should ensure if visability (i.e. fog) is a problem if there is a danager the crew should be shut down 16 Item #20 - Basic Tool set taken by main Crew - P W S is looking into this issue and will ensure tools are returned to the shop 17 Item #21 - Parts availability - P W S will look into this concern and bring a report back to council 18 Item #22 - Starting time re- graders - Council will discuss this issue. 19 Item #23 - Truck speed limit - is there pressure - P W S T to discuss with the crew 20 Item #24 - Driveway ridges - Council and P S W will discuss this concern. 21 Item #25 - Truck starting procedure - this .issue will be discussed by Safety Committee and P W S 22 Item #26 - Trade concerns - which trucks to be traded Issue already dealt with by council. 23 Item #27 - Backsloping agreements - crews should not work T off road allowance - Council will discuss this suggestion. 24 Item #28 - Chain of Command - council should discuss this issue 25. Item #29 - Safety Awards - none required - this suggestion will be reviewed to Safety Committee 26 Item #30 - Fence waiver when fence put back on property line Council will discuss this suggestion and may amend agreement. 27 Item #31 - Backsloping compensation for M D camp site Council will discuss this suggestion and amend policy and agreement if agreeable 28 Item #32 - Creek Crossing - are so many necessary - T Council will discuss this issue 29 Item No 33 - Go to 100% assessment - Council will discuss - tje,I� this issue. w � 30 Item #34 - A S.B. involvement in non A S.B areas - Recommend the work undertaken by the A S B is satisfactory even though some is not directly involved with agriculture service • board areas. 31 Item #35 - Less maintenance for parks and cemeteries Recommend no change in existing practice 32 Item #36 - R Cranston wants to work 9 hours in winter time and 10 in summer Council will review this request when reviewing 1993 contract 33 Item #37 - P.W.S. to review wage contract. P W S has done this 10 P C EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT FEBRUARY 18th, 1993 34 Item No. 38 - P W S control over graders - Council will review this concern 35 Item No 39 - Sanding policy re gravel roads - will review existing policy Executive Committee meeting then adjourned - --------- - - - - -- - - -. Jean Wilkinson As'istant Administrator Time 4.40 P M 11 �ry