HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-19 Council MinutesEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - March 19 1998
The Executive Comrruttee of Otto Hoff and Richard M Vickery met on Thursday March 19,
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. Mar 16/98 Letter from Western Union Insurance re Jan 30/97 Accident (Tupper)
The above noted insurance company has confirmed its investigation into the above noted
mishap is ongoing
Executive Committee recommends a copy of this letter be forwarded to the County's
insurance agent, Jubilee Insurance. /.
2 SCA Waste Systems re. Hamlet Garbage Pick Up
SCA is no longer a GST registrant, being a small supplier The company has requested
the County continue to pay the $252.20 per week for garbage pick up in the hamlets plus
$144 00 per week for garbage pick up in Torrington for a total of $396 20 per week, no
GST This is the same rate as paid previously which included GST
Executive Committee recommends the County continue to pay SCA Waste Systems dzA&--'s pY
$396.20 per week for garbage services in the hamlets
3 Mar 11/98 letter from AB Municipal Affairs re Torrington Restructuring Grant
The Hon Iris Evans, Minister of Municipal Affairs has approved a restructuring grant for
the village of Torrington dissolution in the amount of $199,915 00 Any of this grant not
used for restructuring costs are to be spent on projects within the former Torrington
boundaries
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. f %�
4 1998 Equity Water Rates
The town of Three Hills has forwarded a review of their water costs and 1998 water rates
The water rates for the Equity system have increased $0 32 per unit (1 000 gallons) to
$4 28 per unit and the cost for the meter reading postage and statement has increased
from $1 05 per billing to $2 00 per billing The bulk of this increase is in the meter
reading costs which have risen from $0 46 per meter to $1 40 per meter These meter
reading costs are billed directly to the Equity water users on their water bill Mr McCook
and Mr Jeffery have reviewed the town s documentation of the water costs
Mr Jeffery further reported Mr Paul Van Doren had inquired about a base rate utility
charge for the Equity water users noting the Mr Vernon Water Cc op is charging a riser
fee of $30 00, the Rocky View Water Co op charges $20 00, the town of Three Hills
charges $9 00 Mr Jeffery has advised Mr Van Doren the Equity water system is a user
pay system with an audit of costs made annually to ensure the system is self sufficient, to
date, there is no financial need to assess a riser fee to these users
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. f:�'z
5 Torrington Shop Property Taxes (Lot 11 -14, Blk 1, Plan 8010154 Torrington)
The Torrington shop which the former village took title to through tax forfeiture, has
outstanding property taxes of $6 052.63 The village neglected to clear these taxes from
the tax account when taking the property over through tax sale This property has now
been sold
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Executive Committee recommends the outstanding taxes be cancelled and these costs
be charged against the former village of Torrington account. �xsc
6. Mar 11/98 letter from MSCIA re Central Alberta REA Request
The Municipal Safety Codes Inspection Agency (MSCIA) has responded to the County s
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - March 19 1998
request for the Central Alberta REA Ltd to become an accredited corporation in order to
undertake their own compliance monitoring on their lines that are located within the
County The MSCIA will be recommending approval of this request at their next Board
meeting scheduled for March 20/98 and advising us of same after this meeting
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file.
7. Alberta Transportation and Utilities Surplus Properties in Kneehill County
Alberta Transportation and Utilities has declared the following two properties surplus to
their department and request any interest in either of these properties be made to Alberta
Transportation and Utilities prior to Mar 27/98
1 Reference #4 near Grainger Pt SW 28 -29 24 W4 1 59 acres presently pasture and
hay This is a parcel beside the Piepke and Brost residences along SH 575
2 Reference #338 Kirkpatrick Station Ground 27 85 acres SW 24 29 21 -W4 The
Andrews have indicated they are interested in the purchase of this land
Executive Committee recommends the County request title to the 159 acre parcel in
SW 28- 29 -24 -W4 for $100 and continue to rent this land and further the County
advise Alberta Transportation and Utilities it has no interest in the 27 85 acre parcel in
SW 24- 29 -21 -W4 and recommends this land be sold
S. Western Canada Community Economic Development Program
The Wildrose Economic Development Corporation (WREDC) has provided notification
of the above program which will provide $15 000 00 to their organization for planning and
assessment activities that result in the development of proposals for innovative community
economic development projects The WREDC will be contacting all communities about
this program
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file.
9 Kneehill Regional Water Commission
The Kneehill Regional Water Commission, comprising of the County and all the towns
and villages within, has decided to proceed with a feasibility study for a regional water
system The Commission has requested a letter of commitment from each jurisdiction
committing a $1 00 per capita to fund this feasibility study Also, current maps of water
lines, water system histories, etc are required It was noted Mr Vickery is Chairman of
this Commission Mr Phil Frere Vice Chair and Mrs Wendy Sowerby, village of Carbon,
the secretary Mr Jeffery advised Mr McCook is working on the maps and water
information
Executive Committee recommends a letter committing $1 00 per capita for the water
feasibility study be forwarded to the Kneehill Regional Water Commission.
10 Sommerville Water Damage to Residence
Baldwin, Priddle & Associates the County's insurance adjuster, has responded to the
letter received from Dick and Linda Sommerville requesting assistance from the
municipality with regard to their Dec /96 water damage to their residence which was
caused by a faulty brass fitting on the water meter The adjuster advises the supplier Jano
Metal Products, has accepted total responsibility and it is their understanding the
deductible portion of the Sommerville claim will be reimbursed The adjuster has
responded to the balance of concerns listed by Mr Sommerville and notes these deal
directly with the specific insurance company, there are no uniform policies and each
company has the option of having available numerous different wordings and options The
adjuster notes it appears Mr Sommerville is appealing for some compassion from the
County Legally, the County is not obligated for any compensation Mr Jeffery noted the
County had also forwarded Mr Sommerville's correspondence to Brownlee Fryett for
legal opinion
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file until the legal opinion in this
matter is received
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - March 19 1998
11. AAMD &C Letter re Maintenance Costs for Railway Crossings
The AAMD &C advises the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) is conducting a
review of its directives which sets out the rates when a municipality and railway cannot
reach an agreement on maintenance or construction charges relating to railway crossings
The CTA has requested input on its Directives A discussion followed on the condition of
the abandoned railway crossings at municipal intersections and the poor quality of the
intersection treatment, the diversity whether the crossing be too high or too low,
compared to the road surface Specifically, the crossing at Huxley was noted
Executive Committee recommends a letter be sent to the railway companies (CP and
Cl9 expressing these concerns and, should no response be received from these
companies ivithin a month, a letter be sent to the Canadian Transport Agency
12 Lionel Brisson Chemical Intolerance
The legal opinion from Brownlee Fryett has been received regarding Mr Lionel Brisson s
medical conditions and the County s operations and effect on same Mr Jeffery noted a
registered letter had been sent to Mr Brisson requesting him to provide details of which
County operations effect his medical conditions and upon receipt of this information
Council can address this matter
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file this matter pending a response
from Mr Brisson
13 Contract Documents re. SH 841, SH 836, SH 582
The above noted contract documents and cost estimates have been received from
Torchinsky Engineering Ltd
Executive Committee recommends a letter be sent to Alberta Transportation and
Utilities advising the County has reviewed the contract documents and approved same
and requesting Alberta Transportation and Utilities to approve the tendering of these
contracts
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14 PWS Report
SH 806
Mr McCook reported right of entry agreements for SE 28 31 25 W4 and SE 29 31-25 -
W4 had been signed by Mr Vetter and Mr Dole This was to allow the engineer to F�
proceed with soil testing to determine the limits of the rock located in these areas for
backsloping requirements
Schmautz Pit
Mr McCook further noted upon completion of the drilling at the above noted location,
the drill will be taken to the Schmautz Pit for the drilling of two observation wells for AB _
Environment with regard to the development of a transfer and rubble site at this location
Winther Road Icing Problem SE 15 & SE 14 34 24 W4
Mr McCook noted the well driller has been unable to locate the water source at this
location
Mr Jeffery noted he had given Mr McCook 24 M.D hats for the hockey team he
coaches, which is participating in the provincial finals this week end It was noted these
hats were reported on Mr Jeffery's last report to Council
Agreed to give out M.D hats to the employees on Employee Day, March 20/98
Mr McCook left the meeting time 9 45 A.M
15. Alberta Senior Games 1998
The Accommodation Committee of the Alberta Seniors Games 1998 is looking for
residents of Three Hills and area to show their hospitality by allowing their homes to be
open for billets Anyone willing to billet should contact the Games Office
16 Fire Suppression/Rescue Mutual Aid Agreement
Mrs Jane Allan, Fire Chief Acme has inquired about a Fire Suppression/Rescue Mutual
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Aid Agreement with the M.D of Rocky View It was noted the County has disaster
services and mutual aid agreements with all the towns and villages within the County in
addition to Emergency Mutual Aid Agreements with M.D of Starland, County of Red
Deer town of Drumheller and village of Elnora It was noted the intent of these
agreements are to offer mutual aid at no charge The Rocky view agreement sets out rates
for mutual aid services
Executive Committee recommends Mrs Allan be informed of the above information 65,X-P I
and further, advised the County does not charge to assist other jurisdictions in mutual
aid situations and considers these situations to be on a "no charge basis" and further,
the County is willing to enter a mutual aid agreement with Rocky Viciv providing it is
on a "no charge" basis ra'O "r y,,!i, )
17. Mar 18/98 County Letter to Assessment Standards Branch
Mr Ed Dunay, the County's assessor, has prepared a letter to Mr Brad Pickering
Executive Director of the Assessment Standards Branch of AB Municipal Affairs,
commenting on the course instructors at a recently held assessment course on grain
elevator valuation training Mr Dunay notes the instructors are with a private consulting
company AEC Valuation, which is also advising the AB Wheat Pool to have their rates
lowered because the rates in the assessment manual is too high (a copy of the
correspondence from AB Wheat Pool is attached to this letter)
Executive Committee recommends this letter be sent to the Assessment Standards
Branch
18. Mar 6/98 Letter from AB Municipal Financing Corporation
A letter has been received from AB Municipal financing Corporation advising all assets
and liabilities from Torrington have been transferred to the County This includes a
debenture of $44 793 42 of which three annual payments of $14,747 53 remain Also, the
one "Class D' share held by Torrington can be returned and cancelled and a $10 00 refund
issued
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. 1�14�C
19 _Letter from Central Alberta Association of Municipal Districts & Counties
(CAAMD &C)
Mr Harold Johnsrude, Secretary for the CAAMD &C has sent Reeve Hoffa letter
thanking Kneehill for hosting the recent Spring Zone meeting and sponsonng the
luncheon
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. lrl,
20 AAMD &C Convention Evaluations Fall 1997
The AAMD &C has tabulated and forwarded the Fall 1997 convention evaluation
responses Of note the evaluation on the workshop on Dealing with Development
Pressures, of wluch Kneehill participated received a total rating for excellent and good of
95%
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. )rli—e
21. AAMD &C Resolution & Program 1998 Spring Convention
The AAMD &C has forwarded the program and most recent update for the resolutions for
the Spring Convention
Executive Committee recommends a copy of this documentation be provided to each
Councillor Aw �o�, Jcir1 otis
22 AAMD &C 1998/99 Membership Fees
The AAMD &C is proposing its membership fee formula remain the same as in the past
two years, that being a flat fee of $2,000 00 per member plus a variable fee of $5 20 per
million of EA below $2 billion and $120 per million of EA above $2 billion Kneehill's
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membership fee for 1998 will be $5,139 05, compared to $5,019 17 for 1997
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file.
23. Redesign of Children's Services Region 6 Service Plan
Mayor Gall Surkan, city of Red Deer, has extended an invitation for municipal leaders to
meet with representatives of the Steering Committee and the Office of the Commissioner
of Services to Children and Families to review the completed draft of Region 6 service
plan This meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday Mar 24/98 at city hall, Red Deer
commencing at 9.30 A.M until 11 30 A.M
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. F�
24 Mar 16/98 Kneehill Ambulance letter to Mountain View Ambulance Service
Mr Rinus Onus, Kneehill Ambulance Operations Director, has sent a letter to Mountain
View Ambulance Service advising records indicate Mountain View ambulance has
responded to several ambulance calls in the Wimborne Torrington area without asking
permission to do so The letter notifies Mountain View Kneehill s bylaw has given
exclusive rights to Kneehill Ambulance Service to provide ambulance service within its
boundaries, it is a common courtesy to notify the ambulance service when entering their
area this practice is having a financial impact on the Kneehill Ambulance Service
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file 6,Ar
25 Mar 5/98 Letter from town of Drumheller re Library Services Review
The town of Drumheller is conducting a library services review and would like to meet
with representatives from Kneehill Council and administration to discuss issues that may
be of mutual interest and benefit
Executive Committee recommends a letter be sent to Drumheller town manager, Mr
Ray Romanetz, advising Kneehill County does not participate in the Marigold Library
System and further, the County believes these types of services should be provided on a
"user pay" hasis
26. Mayor's Meeting
Notice has been received of a Mayor's Meeting for Wednesday, March 18/98 at the legion
in Red Deer It is unsure who has called the meeting but perhaps it was called by Al
Taylor Olds
Executive Committee recommends to accept and file.
27 Thank you notice re. Lost child
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Executive Committee recommends a notice be placed under the County news section of
the net:vspaper thanking all parties that participated in looking for the lost child last
week in the Elnora area, those who helped with the search and those who provided
support (food, etc) A)-1 aA.4;5c
28. Rental of Office Space at Torrington
The Torrington Tourism Action Society has advised it cannot afford the $150 00 per
month lease for the three rooms at the former village office The Society has requested
the main room downstairs at no charge or as little as possible They are planning to use
this room as a library and bring the books, currently located upstairs in this building,
downstairs for easier access and also to use the area as a reception and office for the
Torrington Tourism Action Society
Executive Committee recommends the Torrington Tourists Action Society be offered a L..- sue'
lease for the use of the main floor front office area of the former village of Torrington FL
Office at the lease amount of $SO 00 per month and further, the balance of the former
office space he given to the Torrington fire department for their use.
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Mrs Deak left the meeting time 10 20 A.M.
29 Council Minutes
The Executive Committee edited the March 10 1998 council minutes for publication in
the newspaper
F�-reeuhve Committee recommends these minutes, as edited, be published in the &ILI
newspaper
The Executive Committee meeting then adjourned
J nmf r Deak, Assistant Administrator
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