Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-08-06 Council MinutesE 0 0 0 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - August G 1998 The Executive Committee of Otto Hoff, Richard M Vickery and Marylea Lowen met on Thursday August 6, 1998 at the Kneehill County office in Three Hills commencing at 8 45 A.M Also present were Mr Lonnie McCook Public Works Superintendent Mr Rinus Onos Kneehill Ambulance Operations Director and Mrs Jennifer Deak, Assistant Administrator and recording secretary The following items were reviewed 1. Kneehill Ambulance Service Policy #EMS S 025 Mr Onos presented the proposed policy for the special transfer unit This policy clarifies and establishes the parameters for the use of the special transfer unit (Explorer vehicle) to be used for patients who are hospital in patients and are being sent for tests or admission to another hospital The contract for this arrangement is with Regional Health Authority #5 only and the rate charged for this service is approximately $0 75 /km, about one third the rate of a regular ambulance The policy addresses the criteria for such transfers 911 Dispatch Information An article in the July 1998 issue of the Red Deer Adviser reports Red Deer is looking at regional dispatch for the 911 services and also reports Kneehill County will be Joining the system in August 1998 The rate for 911 service has dropped from $0 83 per month per ��`A`` °% z telephone line to $0 78 per month with another decrease of $0 15 expected next year Advertisement for Volunteers Mr Onos reported two inquiries had been received in response to the advertisement for ambulance personnel volunteers, one respondent resides eight miles out of the Kneehill boundary, north of Elnora in the County of Red Deer and the other respondent resides in Sunnyslope Mr Onos has invited both respondents to ride along on the ambulance calls to experience the volunteer role and duty requirements. 911 Update Mr Onos reported the addressing should be finalized 911 implementation is scheduled for August 1998 Jackets New jackets are being purchased for the volunteers This has been approved in the ambulance budget Executive Committee reconunenils as follows Approval of Policy EMS -S -025, Vpecial Transfer Unit, as presenter) Accept and.file the 911 news article in the Red Deer Adviser (Iuly 1998 issue) An ambulance board ineeting be scheduler) for Wednesday, August 26198 at Kneehill County, commencing at 7 00 PM to review the policy book and bylawsp 2. Torruii? ton Fire Depiirtment Fax Machine Mr Onos reported any fax machine for the 911 emergency services would have to be an exclusive line and not used for anything else It was reported the cost for an emergency fax line would be $250 00 invoiced by Red Deer plus the fax and fax charges The advantages of having faxes for the 911 fire calls was discussed Executive Committee recommends a fax line be kept for the exclusive use of the Torrington fire 911 calls and further, Mr Onos look into the Torrington fire department's fax line to ensure this line is dedicated for the 911 fire calls 3. Letter from Trochu and Linden re. Kneehill Ambulance letter The town of Trochu and village of Linden have advised on the proposed letter from the Kneehill Ambulance Society to the volunteers explaining the increasing provincial regulations governing the ambulance industry and stating the Boards expectations for the C: /MD /Minutc/GC 1998.doc Pagc 1 SGT /7% -7"' 44'As 0'�w 0 n U EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - August 6, 1998 volunteers to adhere to these regulations and reporting requirements Linden's Council has reviewed the letter and advise no additions nor alterations be made to this draft letter; Trochu Council advises it was unable to comment on this letter due to the absence from their council meeting of their ambulance representative Councillor Loretta Ling This item has been tabled until their next council niecting on August 10/98 Recommend to accept and file until the responses are received from the rest of thte � � u towns and villages in the County Mr Onos left the meeting time 9.20 A.M 4. Dry island Buffalo jump Provincial Park MLA Richard Marz has responded to Mrs Vetter's memo advising of the County s interest in this park's operations Mr Marz advises the park has been designated as a Natural Heritage Site and as such the province will retain responsibility for the management and operation of the park, but may be interested in contracting with an outside party for the provision of the day to day operational services This park has also been associated with the Local Committee (Tohnan Badlands) of the Special Places and this Committee s recommendations for the park will be taken into consideration prior to any final commitments for the parks operations The province will be in a better position to further discuss the County's proposals for this park after all the recommendations and reports are received and reviewed It was reported a copy of this letter has been given to Mrs Vetter Executive Committee recommends to accept and file until the Special Places recommieiulatiort is received and furtlier, Mr Wagstaff be provided with a copy of thus correspondence. 5. Traffic Safety Act Discussion Paper In support of the province's objectives for streamlining and reducing legislation, Alberta Transportation and Utilities will be consolidating four current Acts related to traffic safety Highway Traffic Act Motor Vehicle Administration Act, Motor Transport Act and Off Highway Vehicle Act, into a new Traffic Safety Act An updated discussion paper with' some specific questions on a number of critical issues has been prepared and a response to this paper is requested by August 15/98 Public meetings are also being scheduled across the province to further review this discussion paper G, "d, - ,ors Executive Committee reconimen(Is Mr McCook complete as much of this discussion paper as possible and refer the balance of the questions to the Road Committee for completion. 6_. Proposed Changes to the Private Sewage Treatment and Disposal Regulations Mr Ian Martens and Mr McCook have reviewed the above document and note these are proposals only and give AB Environment more control to regulate smaller systems The proposals should not affect most landowners except the larger farmers .Cxecutdve Committee recommends to accept and file. FL` 7 AAMD &C Survey Impacts of Rail Line Abandonment & Elevator Consolidation on Local Road Infrastructure The above survey was referred, at the last Council meeting to Mr McCook and Mr Jeffery for completion and then to the Executive Committee for review Mr McCook reported 96 4 km of rail line has been abandoned in Kneehill, twelve elevators closed, 50 miles of local roads affected by the elevator closures, traffic impacts unknown at this time but 7,875 tandem loads per year equates to the volume of grain from these elevator closures Executive Committee recommends this survey be returned, as conipletedl C: /MD /Muwte/GC 1998.doc Page 2 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - August G 1998 8 Horseshoe Canyon Park On July 28/98 (4 19 P M ) Mr Wayne Pedrini (AB Parks) telephoned Mr Jeffery requesting Kneehill to meet with him and the town of Drumheller at 10 00 A.M on July 29/98 to discuss Horseshoe Canyon The town of Drumheller is Interested in developing this site Mr Jeffery advised Mr Pedrini tills location is In Kneehill not Drumheller and further a meetin& could be scheduled for later in August to discuss possibilities for this area Executive Committee recomniends to accept and file. 9 Offer, to Purchase Grainger Lots (Lots 1 40, Block 2, Plan 9900A0) The offer from Mr Red Fode, to purchase for the sum of $1 000 00, the above lots, owned by Kneehill County, was tabled at the last Council meeting for further information Mrs Deak advised Mr Dunay had inspected this site and advises these are the only lots the County owns in Grainger and part of this site is currently being used for a gravel stockpile site and corrals are located on another portion of the site Both Mr Miles Maerz gravel foreman and Mr McCook have indicated the need to retain this stockpile site Executive Couuntttee reconuneurls Mr Foile be advised the County is not willing to sell tills property at this time anti further, a survey of this site be undertaken to clearly tlefine the County's lots 10. Kneehill County Logo The County's new logo has been finalized and is ready for letterhead, pins etc Executive Conututtee recommentls appreciation and thanks be ettended to Mrs Vetter on designing the new logo, the neip pin be designed on a gold background, and further, Council discuss new highipay signs 11 Mr. Bud Haskell Retirement Mr Bud Haskell is currently scheduled to retire in January of 1999 Mr Haskell has discussed, with Mr McCook, the possibility of staying until the end of March 1999, this date being Mr Haskell's anniversary date and also allowing Mr Haskell to assist with winter road maintenance This arrangement is agreeable with Mr McCook Mr Haskell has requested should this date be agreeable with the County, he be allowed to accumulate the 1999 sick days, along with his previously approved 1998 sick days for a maximum pay out of 115 sick days upon retirement L,Erf�, Suers 7 r1'I.as his »� Executive Comnuttee reconuneurls approval of Mr Haskell's retirement date extension to March 1999 and also approval of Mr Haskell's request to accumulate his sick days FO- for pay Out upon retirement 12 Gravel Purchase - Paul Olson Mr McCook reported on a gravel source, near Munson for the purchase of gravel The land owner Mr Paul Olson currently has Arjon crushing gravel on site The purchase price of this gravel is $3 90 per tonne ($4 00 per cu yd.) It is a 42 mile haul from this location to the Huxley stock pile site Mr McCook noted the County usually stockpiles from the Torrington pit to this stock pile site which is a 34 mile haul The gravel from the Olson site will be crushed to 4 20 specifications and will cost (gravel cost plus hauling cost) approximately $10 00 per cu yd to haul same to the Huxley stock pile site Mr Frank Huxley has indicated he is agreeable to provide extra land to stock pile additional gravel Mr McCook noted the quality of this gravel is better than the Torrington gravel and recommended the County purchase 10,000 yards of this gravel and retain the Torrington gravel for future use It was noted no approval is required from Starland County as the Kneehill is not buying land and crushing gravel, this was a business transaction the same as buying gravel from McNair in Beiseker Mr McCook noted mobilization costs could be saved if the County ordered the gravel immediately, Arjon was C : /MD /Minutc/GC 1998.doc Pap 3 �J EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - August 6 1998 crushing until the end of the week and then would be moving out of the gravel pit, if the County approved the gravel purchase immediately, arrangements could be made to have Aron remain on site to fulfill the County s gravel order thus saving the mobilization costs Executive Committee recommends approval to purchase 10,000 yards ofgravel from Air Paul 01yen, for stockpiling at the IitWey stoclipile site, at the cost, including hauling, of approximately $100,000 oil. It was agreed to obtain approval for this purchase immediately and Mrs Deak noted she would contact another Councillor to obtain a majority approval for this purchase It was agreed to try and contact Mr Hanger as it involved his division (Note Mrs Deak was unable to contact Mr Hanger Mrs Vetter approved this purchase and Mr McCook arranged for same) (On Aug 7/98 Mr McCook spoke with Mr Hanger who approved this gravel purchase) 13. Weed Inspection Towns and Villages An inquiry has been made whether the County is in favour of having Mr Bruce Sommerville, the Ag Fieldinan, inspect weeds in the village of Linden and the other towns and villages on a charge (user pay) basis A discussion followed on the weed problems along the County roadsides and ditches Mr McCook discussed the two test sprays along the roadside done with Arsenal, a weed control chemical that is not affected by dust kills grass, costs $62 00 per mile to apply and has a three year life expectancy Mr McCook noted the public works department was addressing the roadside spraying and the ASB department the ditches there was a severe dandelion problem in the ditches throughout the County A discussion followed on the expansion of the ASB program to address the weed problems the severity of the weed problems along the road allowances, the need to address the entire County and after this return to rotational weed control (four quadrants over a four year period) It was noted a licensed weed person was required to mix the weed control chemicals only, a regular public works employee could drive the chemical spray truck Mr McCook estimated chemical costs, etc for road top weed control in the County would be approximately $150 000 00 with the same cost for the ditches Executive Committee recommends Mr Sommerville attend the 1999 Divisional &C,.W,W &Lo Meetings to present an overview of the ASB, the County re -look at a three year budget for weed control along the road tops and ditches throughout the County Mr McCook left the meeting time 10 50 A.M 14 Roadside Spraying Budget Mr Sommerville has advised the budget for roadside spraying will be over expended by approximately $4,000 00 Executive Committee recommends approval of this budget over expenditure and further, authorization for the Ag Fieldinan to rho what is necessary to address the roadside spraying to bring the weeds under control 15. Proposed New Canada Act A copy of the proposed New Canada Act, a non constitutional legislation in draft form, prepared by the official federal opposition was been received Executive Comtmttee recommends to accept and file. 16. AAMD&C 1996 Census Profile The AAMD &C has forwarded the County's 1996 Census Profile `Families Social & Economic, Occupied Private Dwellings, Housing Costs Executive Coirunuttee recommends to accept and file and further, copies of this C: /MD /Minutc/GC 1998.doe Page 4 ,7'„sm,,o A&W 46 fl"--- F� €I 0 11 E EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - August G 1998 documentation be provided to each Councillor 17 Financial Comparison Flagstaff, Kneehill, Three Hills In response to a request from Mr Vickery regarding ASB costs Mr Jeffery has compared thc, revenue and expense ('unctions including the per capita cost of each, for the above noted jurisdictions Of note the ASB cost for Flagstaff is $412 519 00 ($103 per capita) compared with $101,506 00 ($20 00 per capita) for Kneehill and zero for Three Hills, the CAO salary and benefits for Flagstaff is $75 651 00 ($18 84 per capita/ CAO 5 years in position) Kneehill is $82 554 00 (16 30 per capita/CAO 23 years in position) and Three Hills $72,244 00 (23 91 per capita/CAO 8 years in position) Executive Committee recommends to accept and file anil further, copses of this lloCUmentatlon be provided to each Councillor 18. AB MIIIIicinal Aff irs Public information Sessions Running for Municipal Office AB Municipal Affairs in partnership with the University of Alberta, will be providing public information sessions for potential candidates considering running in the 1998 municipal and school board elections Executive Committee recommends to accept and file. Fes_ r� (��w �'dicsoes 19. Fifth Annual Physician Recruitment Fairs���, AB Municipal Affairs will be holding its fifth annual physician recruitment fairs in Calgary on October 15/98 and in Edmonton on Oct 1/98 Booth fairs are provided free of charge to Regional Health authorities and participating communities F-recutive Committee recominiends to accept and file. FIB 20 _Jim Bates Request re Ambulance Service Mr Jim Bates, who resides dust outside the County boundary west of Acme has requested the services of the Kneehill Ambulance rather than the County of Mountain View's ambulance service This request is not a problem with Mountain View However Telus advises it must create an Emergency Service Zone to accommodate this request and it is not feasible to do so for one person Mr Bates has indicated he is willing to directly telephone Kneehill Ambulance for service rather than go through the 911 number However, protocol dictates Kneehill Ambulance make a courtesy call to the Mountain View ambulance service for permission to enter into their boundaries The Executive Committee discussed the common sense and logistics of utilizing the closest ambulance service Lxecutive Committee recommends Kneehill County not consider changing any of its emergency boundaries to accommodate proximity to emergency services as this issue is usually resolved by the emergency service when requested to respond to an emergency situation - the closest emergency service is usually contacted by the designated emergency service provider to respond to the emergency, Mr Bates be infornied of Telus' position on this matter along with the procedures required when one ambulance service enters another anibulance service's boundaries, and advised Kneehill Count y is 7Q- Bq Soso Willing to facilitate and accomunodate Mr Bates should he telephone for Kneehill 6C >Es ce,G,,,as O.oass- Ambulance services but, the ambulance service must follow protocol and obtain M� ✓ �� permission from Mountain Vieip's ambulance service prior to entering Mountain New's anibula nce boundaries. 21. Resolution on Health and Senior Citizen Lod a Pro ram Issues The Alberta Senior Citizen's Housing Association is requesting support to their resolution to retain the Lodge Program under the wellness model currently administered by AB Municipal Affairs, Housing Division and that this program not be considered an institutional health care option under the Health Portfolio as a solution to alleviate the shortage of long term care beds across the province It is felt local communities and Q /MD /Minutc/EC 1998.doc Page 5 k EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT- Au Lust f 1998 municipalities have successfully operated lodges in a cost effective manner and provided an independent living environment for seniors AkXWALqr- A.- hba.S.nkG �Z 4W, Executive Committee reconiniends this resolution be supported 22. Bruce Hastie Request for Annual Meeting Mr Bruce Hastie has telephoned the office to inquire why an annual meeting was not held this year and to request one prior to the fall municipal election Mr Hastie was advised under the new Municipal Government Act an annual meeting is not mandatory Mr Hastie has requested a response to his inquiry Executive Committee recommends Mr Hastie be sent a letter noting appreciation for his continents and advising of the neiv legislation regarding annual meeting and rk, A 4er c further advising, Council considers Divisional meetings more effective in meeting residents and addressing local concerns and comments 23. Remittance of School Taxes by Direct Bank Debit A pre authorization payment form has been received for the payment of the school taxes to the provincial government D Executive Committee reconnnnelndS the County 'lot utilize this inethod of payment for the school taxes and keep paying dune by issuing a cheque. 24 County of Lethbridge Draft Bylaw re Business Tax on F-u•nung Operations The above draft bylaw has been received Mr Dunay the assessor, has reviewed saine and notes this is the fifth draft and many more changes will be coining the draft is on hold until after the municipal elections The Executive Committee noted this Issue is also being addressed in part, by the provincial government Eltveculive Committee recommends to accept and file until more information is received 25 Trochu & District Recreation Board Trochu Council has proposed a new organization for the Trochu Recreation Board for the upcoming year The proposal is that the board consist of two members each from Trochu and Kneehill Councils two members at large plus a secretary The board would manage the pool, arena and general recreation Executive Comnuttee recommends approval of this proposal and further, Councillors Wagstaff and Vickery be appointed the County's representatives on this board 26. Water Quality Prolect Mountain View County has responded to Kneehill's letter regarding partnering in a water quality project (also with Red Deer County) and advise they are very interested in entering discussions on water quality projects and will await Kneehill scheduling a meeting to further discuss this issue ,Executive Comnuttee recommends the Adininistrator Mr Jeffery, this inatter m ff �� arran Te b (in addition to the County golf tournanient and Christmas party) 27. AAMD &C Survey Results - Infrastructure Funding Priorities and Report on the Workshop on Transportation Partnership Programs The above survey results and report has been received Of note in the survey results is the first place ranking of the rural transportation grant (roads) in importance of transportation funding programs, road construction ranked first in importance of type of road project and aging infrastructure ranked first as the source of pressure on local transportation infrastructure C: /MD /Minute /EC 1998.doc Page 6 6 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - August C 1998 Executive Committee recomimenrly to accept and file and further, copies of this documentation he provided to each Councillor i 28 1998 AAMD &C hall Convention Information has been received for the Fall Convention Included in the Long Service recognition is Mr Vickery for nine years of service (Pins are given at 9, 15 20 25 30, 35 and 40 years with plaques at 25 years) Executive Committee noted Kneehill has no names for the In Memoriam list for the past year (former Councillor Dunc Peters was included in the previous year's list) Executive Committee recommends approval of this mtformtation �'�'� —<QV 9 A.QA44.t. & 29. Proposed Long Term Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation The above proposed amendments affect the taxation of non profit exemption for community organizations (golf courses affected in Kneehill) and propose the exempted properties reapply to the local municipality for the exemption for the following taxation year It is also proposed exemptions continue for liquor licenses for special events (e.g golf course mobile bar for a special event) Executive Committee recomimenrLv approval of these proposals 30. Council Minutes The Executive Committee edited the July 21 1998 council minutes for publication in the newspaper Executive Committee recommends these mututes, as edited, he published m the newspaper The Executive Committee meeting then adjourned time 11 20 A.M r J nifer eak, Assistant Administrator C: /MD /Mhiute/GC 1998.doc Page 7 TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY AUGUST 1998 1 The contractors on 806 have the curves up to grade and the culvert in They hit a real bad spot at the correction line curve and we decided to lay filter cloth down to solve the problem This item was under the 10,000 dollar range so no notification is necessary for tansportation. I may have to close the road from 583 south while the boys do the hill cut at Doles , dust for safety reasons 2 Our grass cutting outfit fired a rock through a back window and into the front of a car in Huxley the other day I went up and checked the situation out and talked with the owner and told them to get it fixed and send us the bill 3 The road crew is now moved over to the Hazel project 4 The gravel crew is in the Torrington pit hauling into divisions 4 5 6 7 5 I'm still working on the Schmautz pit with Torch and environment 6 We re waiting for some more information with the Torrington water and sewer before any work is done out in the hamlet 7 I would like to thank council and staff for the flowers that were sent to our house on the passing of my grandfather r i