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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-05 Council Minutesu r, EAECUTIVE CONIMITTEE REPORT - March 5, 1998 The Executive Committee of Otto Hoff and Richard M Vickery met on Thursday March 5 1998 at the Kneehill County office in Three Hills, commencing at 9 00 A.M Mr John C Jeffery Administrator and Mr Lonnie D McCook, Public Works Superintendent, were present Mrs Jennifer Deak, Assistant Administrator, was also present and recorded the minutes The following items were reviewed 1. Town of Three Hills Fire Truck For Sale The town of Three Hills is advertising its 1978 Ford C900 fire truck for sale This truck has 15 000 kms and 1 025 hours (June /97) E,- vecutive Committee recommends to accept andfle. 2. Mt. Vernon Water Co on Ltd. Matters It appears builder's liens have been placed on the lands where the landowners have signed up for the Mt Vernon Water Co op water line No builder's liens appear to have been registered against lands where there is only the water line and no water hook ups Ablett Kolke have sent a letter advising it is their opinion the cost for the water connection qualifies as a deduction where it can be argued the water supply was necessary for the taxpayer to conduct his business (farmers) Residential customers where the water supply is not used in the conduct of a business (acreage owners), would not qualify to use the water hook up cost as a deduction under Section 20(1)(ee) The Mt Vernon Water Co op has provided a Notice of Meeting for Monday, March 9, 1998 at the Three Hills Provincial Building commencing at 7 30 P M. to conduct business pertaining to the recommendations from the Board of Directors regarding negotiations to settle project claims Mr Jeffery proceeded to review the amended and restated bylaws of the Mt Vernon Water Co op Association Ltd (Oct/96) Specifically the powers of the board, operating procedures and rationing clauses nr Executive Committee recommends a copy of the Notice for Meeting be provided to Mr mb v o Hanger and this matter be further discussed ivith Council F� 3 AAMD&C Survev re. Actual Dollars Snent on Urban Based Services and ProLyrams The AAMD &C have requested information for the above noted survey Mr Jeffery has completed this survey reporting a total of $168 226 87 was spent in 199, by Kneehill County for Joint service agreements (recreation fire and ambulance) and a further $194 583 94 spent on cost shared services (waste, planning senior s housing airport FCSS, water billing) Executive Committee recommends this survey be returned, as completed DOAC It was noted the survey, due Feb 28/98 has already been faxed to the AAMD &C 4 Director of Disaster Services & Radio Svstem operations Manager At the Jan 20/98 Council meeting a motion was approved that Mr Alex Cunningham remain the County's Director of Disaster Services after his retirement and further, an honorarium be paid to Mr Cunningham for this position with the amount of the honorarium to be determined at a later date Executive Committee recommends Mr Cunningham be retained, after his retirement, to maintain the County's radio system and further, an honorarium, in the amount of $1, 000 00 per year, be paid in recognition of Mr Cunningham being t1te County's /��rEr- Director of Disaster Services and the County's radio operations manager In addition, s,' ? A44K a reimbursement, at Mr Cunninbham's current Hourly rule, be made fur all time spent by Mr Cunningham on radios or disaster services. Executive Committee recommends the Public Works Superintendent bring a >g recommendation to Council for the appointment of a Deputy Director of Disaster 5 C: /MD /hiinuic/EC 1993.duc Page 1 11 XITU I I F CONIMITTI+ I', REPOR I - March 5, 1998 Services 5. Schmautz Pit Lease S' /z 20 32 26 W4 The current lease ($9 000 00 per annum) on the above lands expires April 30/98 The current lessee Mr Rick Leibel, has offered to renew this lease at $6 500 00 per annum Executive Committee recoummends this (ease be advertised and re- tendered 6 Letter from Tonkin Law Office re Jan 30/97 Accident A letter has been received from the above noted law firm advising they represent Jason Penner in connection with an accident Jan 30/97 This accident, involving a truck owned by Mr Tupper occurred south of SH 582 by the radio tower (11 31 25 W4) and was reported to the Executive Committee Feb 6/97 The law firm is seeking compensation, from both the municipality and Mr Tupper for personal injuries suffered by Mr Penner a passenger in Mr Tupper's truck This matter has been referred to the County s insurance company Executive Committee recommends to accept and file pending further informatiOlL Mr Jim Hanger entered the meeting time 9 35 A.M The Committee proceeded to review and discuss Executive Committee #2 Mt Vernon Water Co op Ltd Matters, with Mr Hanger 7 Feb 27/98 Letter from Local -ind District 4F1 re. Cattle Scale A joint letter has been received from the Huxley 4H Beef Club the Swalwell 4H Beef Club the Three Hills Ghost Pine 4H Beef Club and the 4H District clarifying the misunderstanding about the cattle scale The 4H advise they were surprised when informed the scale was theirs and upon consultation with all the beef club leaders in the district agreed the scale should remain available to area farmers The 4H also agreed the Kneehill District 4H Council did not have the financial resources to perform maintenance /repairs on the scale An agreement was made with Trochu UFA for them to rent and maintain the scale The 4H has requested the municipality reconsider its decision to charge the 4H for the scale rental, the $100 00 required to rent the scale (weigh in day and show day) was not considered in their budget, the 4H noted it has always appreciated the County s donation of the scale use in the past and have taken care to publicly thank the municipality both in show catalogues and newspaper advertising /YIin7�)lEs G�asE.ga ✓e�Tirrp ,Inc. Executive Committee recommends the policy be changed to allow the cattle scale to be�� °� provided to the 4H clubs at no charge for weigh in and show days only (hvo days per A�re, °` h7o�ro�► year) Mr McCook left the meeting time 10 00 A.M 8 Budget Committee Meeting Executive Committee recommends a meeting date be scheduled for the Budget Committee. Mr Hanger left the meeting time 10 10 A.M 9 Feb 20/98 Letter from Alberta Pork Alberta Pork a division of AB Pork Producers Development Corporation has sent letters to all municipal Reeves regarding the livestock industry initiative to respond to concerns over livestock production along with a copy of their proposal presented to the Executive Committee of the AAMD &C on Jan 22/98 It was noted each Councillor has been provided with copies of this documentation Mr Jeffery also advised Mr Vickery the County had a copy of the County of Lethbridge Business License Bylaw (May 1994) which addresses intensive livestock operations Mr e� 7 Vickery requested a copy of this bylaw R'l Executive Committee recommends to refer this documentation from AB Pork to the C: /MD /Minute /EC 1998.doc Page 2 I� PIA1� CU I IVE' CONIN1I I„ITT REPORT- March S, 1998 A.SB 10 Ian /Feb 1998 Prime Minister's Forum The above newsletter has been sent to "Dr " Jeffery The newsletter comments on the federal government's fiscal picture and noted the budget should be balanced no later than 1998/99 and the government continues to sustain a budget surplus Executive Committee recommends to accept and file 11. AAMD &C Correspondence re. Environmental Harmonization Accord The AAMD &C has forwarded a summary of the above referenced accord whose major goal is to create a one window approach to environmental protection decreasing federal and provincial overlap and developing key national environmental quality standards Executive Conunittee recommends to accept and file. 12 February 1998 Hoof Prints Newsletter The above newsletter, published monthly by the Livestock Expansion and Development Team AB Agriculture Food and Rural Development (AAFRD), has been received Of note the AAFRD is currently developing options for a regulatory framework for intensive livestock operations A discussion paper will be available at the end of March and a consultation process for stakeholders and the public will be conducted in April and May 1998 Copies of this newsletter have been provided to each Councillor Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. 1.3 AAMD &C's Sprung Convention Reeve's Meeting The Reeve s Meeting has been scheduled for Monday, March 30, 1998 at the Edmonton Inn, commencing at 4 00 P M Nominations for Vice Chair will be on the agenda. Suggestions and comments for discussion have been requested on how rural municipalities could be more effective in achieving their needs Councils have also been requested to submit any agenda items for this meeting prior to March 16/98 Executive Committee recommends any Councillor having agenda items for discussion at the Reeve's Meeting advise Council accordingly 14 The At-met Report The above newsletter provides information, comments and analysis of government and politics in Alberta This newsletter is published 44 times annually and contains regular features such as cabinet decisions reports on standing policy committees, analysis of new or changing regulations and tracks government appointments Upon reviewing tlus newsletter, Mr Jeffery has noted he was unaware of some of the issues and reports contained in this newsletter Subscription to the newsletter is $275 00 plus GST per annum Executive Committee recommends a one year subscription to this newsletter be purchaser! 15. Feb 12/98 Letter from Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) The FCM has provided a model resolution for the new terms of reference for municipal government which provides autonomy, powers and resources to deal with an increasingly wide range of matters Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. Mr McCook re entered the meeting time 10 55 A.M 16. Jubilee Insurance Correspondence re. Declared Value - Basis of Loss Settlement In response to the County's inquiry about insuring equipment at depreciated cost (market value), Jubilee Insurance has advised, for a partial loss claim under the Master Heavy Equipment Policy the policy will pay the lessor of actual repair costs or insured declared C:/141 D /Minutc/EC 1998.doc Page 3 F� <« r�J '7 �4rs aac P y 6� Ltlk 2 IIXECU I IVE COMMI'TTE'E REPOR F- March 5, 1998 value In the case of a total loss claim the policy will pay the costs of repairs or replacement up to the declared value stated Jubilee recommends a policy or standard guideline be set to state at what point the County wants to begin to lower the value of its equipment For example maintaining the purchase price or replacement cost value of new equipment for the first three to five years the subsequently decreasing the value over an allotted period of time based on fair market value The value should reflect the condition of the, equipment With respect to older pieces of equipment for example 10 years or older a standard guideline could be to have the declared value at the Actual Cash Value of the item plus 20% this ensures some cushioning' but avoids over insuring Executive Committee recommends the Public Works Superintendent work with Mrs Terry Nash, the accountant, and review the County's insurance policies and recommend a policy /guideline for insuring the assets at actual value. 17 Feb 128 /98 AAMD &C letter re. Equalized Assessment and ASFF Uniform Mill Rates The AAMD &C has prepared a spreadsheet illustrating the variation in equalized assessment between 1997 and 1998 and the corresponding projection for the increased provincial revenue to be generated from the ASFF uniform mill rates in 1998 This calculation estimates the overall rise in equalized assessment will generate approximately $30 million in additional provincial funds in 1998 This is broken down as follows Counties increase of $7 million M.D 's increase of $16 million cities decrease of $612 000 00 towns increase of $6 million villages increase of $368 000 00 The 1998 ASFF uniform null rate is set at 6 95 for residential (down from 7 02 in 1997 For Kneehill, this reflects a 3 97% increase ($167 695 79) Three Hills has a 5 38% increase and Trochu, a 1 74% increase Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. 18. Feb 26/98 Lettei from Ski the Badlands The Drumheller Ski Valley Club is requesting donations to apply to the reduction of their remaining outstanding debt During their first five years of operation the club has reduced their debt from $500,000 00 to $125,000 00 but the recent mild weather has reduced revenues significantly Recent applications for assistance to their MLA and provincial recreational grants have been declined Executive Comrnrttee recommends to accept and file. 19 Newspaper Article re. Ward Boundaries S�P.i of Fri Executive Committee recommends, after approval and final reading of the proposed Ward Boundary Bylaw, an article on the new ward boundaries be placed in the local newspaper, with the divisional boundaries very clearly stated in layman's ternis and using local road names, etc 20 Request from Three Hills & District Recycling Society Mae Johnston Three Hills & District Recycling Society has requested the County place an advertisement under the County news section of the newspaper, to advertise for a secretary for the Recycling Society Mrs Elaine Madsen the former secretary and rural representative, has resigned her position The Society has four meetings per year and requires a secretary to take the minutes of these meetings and complete any grant forms or correspondence, as required This is a volunteer position and applicants should be referred to Mr David Nadeau (443 5319) /SI,w9�s Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. 21. GST Review Two companies, Luckett Wenman & Associates and Dudak Intenberg & Associates Ltd. have proposed an engagement agreement to conduct a GST audit The Executive Committee requested input from Mrs Deak on this matter and she recommended these companies not be engaged at this time to undertake a GST audit C: /XID,INIinutc /LC 199X.doc Page 4 ❑�Nr C 0 I F I, CUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - March 5, 1998 Executive Committee reconiniends to concur ~Pith Mrs Deak's reconunendation and not proceed )Pith a CST autht at this tune. 22 Feb 25/98 AAMD&C Internet & Website Survey Alberta Transportation and Utilities has approached the AAMD &C and expressed an interest in linkiq, their road ban website to municipal websites thereby accessing any local road ban information that a municipality may post on then- website 17he A.AMD &C has also developed a website and wants to place a priority on developing links to Association members who maintain a website on the Internet The AA1VID &C has requested information and response to a survey on Internet use Executive Committee recommends the administration complete this report. 23. Fire Matters The Nov 20/97 Fire Chiefs & Elected Officials meeting minutes have been received Next meeting will be held at the Leiden Fire Hall on March 19/98 commencing at 7 00 PM The March 2/98 Acme /Lmden/Kneehill Fire Committee meeting minutes have been received Mr Boake attended this meeting Of note Acme and Linden have approved their fire department budgets a concern was expressed that Kneehill spent money on radio upgrading without considering workable options Kneehill's request for monthly fire reports tabled to the Mar 19/98 meeting a plan to be put together between Bert & Tony re radio /page purchases Feb 19/98 letter from the village of Linden advising their council has accepted the 1998 proposed fire department budget Mar 1/98 letter from the village of Linden advising of the Mar 19/98 Fire Committee meeting at the Linden Cultural Centre commencing at 7 00 P M Agenda items to date include Invoicing for Structural Fires, Interdepartment /Intermunicipal Communications (R Onus R Vickery J Jeffery), Fire Inspections, Safety Codes Executive Committee recommends a clarification be obtained regarding the radios, ��R does Kneehill o)Ptt all the fire department radios (accept Acme) and if so, is there an MIAW12E5 inventory of saute. Maio 7A 6441 &ts Mrs Deak left the meeting time 1140 A.M 24 Council Minutes The Executive Committee edited the February 24 1998 council minutes for publication in the newspaper Executive Committee recommends these minutes, as edited, be published in the newspaper The Executive Committee meeting then adjourned Jennifer Deak Assistant Administrator C:/MD /1v1i1ute /1:C 1 998. doc Page 5