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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-29 Council MinutesKNEEHILL COUNTY AGENDA - COUNCIL MEETING September 29, 1998 (From September 22, 1998 adiourned meeting) APPOINTMENTS: 8 30 A.M Mr Brian Haniford see agenda item #5 1 Discussion Paper on Farm Property Assessment and Taxation 2 Kneehill County Resolution 3 Mountain View County Resolution 4 Cellular Telephones 5 Offer to lease /purchase Lots 1 6, Block 1 plan 8010154, Torrington 6 Interpretation Bulletin - Municipal Elected Official's Tax Exemption 7 Regal Auction Report 8 Fire Notice 9 Golden Hills School Division Proposal 10 Documents for signing Road Widening Agreement Full time Hourly Employee Wage Scale and Working Conditions effective July 1 1998 i Letter to Parkland Savings & Credit Union Ltd re Golf Tournament 1 KNEEHILL COUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES September 29, 1998 The continuance of the September 22, 1998 Council meeting, adjourned to September 29 1998, was held in the Kneehill County office, 232 Main Street, Three Hills Alberta, on Tuesday September 29 1998 commencing at 8.30 A.M The following were present for the meeting Reeve Councillors Otto Hoff Marylea Lowen Robert E Boake Marjorie D Vetter Richard M Vickery M Glen Wagstaff Division Two Division One PRESENT Division Three Division Four Division Six Division Seven (after 8 35 A.M.) John Jeffery, Municipal Administrator, was present along with Jennifer Deak, Assistant Administrator, who recorded the minutes It was reported Councillor Hanger had advised he was unable to attend to day's meeting Reeve Otto Hoff called the meeting to order at 8 35 A.M Mr Jeffery advised an appointment had been scheduled for Mr Brian Haniford to meet with Council at 8 30 A.M to discuss his proposal to lease or purchase Lots 1 6, Block 1 Plan 8010154, Torrington Mr Jeffery proceed to review Mr Haniford's offer noting these lots had been put up for tax sale by the former village of Torrington in 1997 and were not sold Mr Jeffery reviewed the other properties in Torrington that had been put up for tax sale by the former village It was noted the County could proceed to take clear titles of these properties and sell same Mrs. Vetter moved the County proceed to obtain clear titles for the tax sale properties to Torrington, nantely Lots 1 -6, Block 1, Plan 8010154 and Lots 1 -3, Block 8, Plan 6820GY, Torrington Mr Wagstaff entered the meeting time 8 35 A.M Mr Jeffery momentarily left the meeting and returned to advise the approximate time frame for the County to obtain clear title of tax sale properties was between 2 4 weeks Mr Brian Haniford entered the meeting time 8 45 A.M On behalf of Council, Mr Hoff welcomed Mr Haniford to the meeting and introductions were made Mr Jeffery read Mr Haniford s letter proposing to lease or purchase Lots 1 6, Block 1 in Torrington Mr Haniford advised his intentions were for a light agricultural use on the lots with a building placed on same for equipment and seed storage It was noted, prior to proceeding with any development of these lots a development permit would be required The advantages of purchasing rather than leasing the lots was discussed and it was noted the lots had previously been offered for sale and no offers received Mr Haniford s offer was a fair market value price should the lots be leased, Council would advertise same to provide any other interested parties the opportunity to submit a lease offer Mr Haniford discussed his intention for immediate access to the lots to undertake weed control and prepare the land for agricultural use noting his plans were to grow flowers and shrubs on the property with a long term plan of growing native plants Mr Vickery moved the County accept Mr Hantford's offer of $9,600 00 for Lots 1 -6, Block 1, Plan 8010154, Torrington subject to the following conditions 1 A deposit of 10% of purchase price, that being $960 00, he received front the purchaser when the County receives clear title to this property with the balance of the purchase price payable by April 1, 1999 JDIAIIN LOTS 1 -6, BLK 1,PLAN 6820GY, TORRINGTON /1),!�/Vo -/-"- z w-, cJ WAGSTAFF INTO MEETING HANIFORD INTO MEETING OFFER RE. TORRINGTON LOTS 1 -6, BLK 1 PLAN 8010154 J KNEEHILL COUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES September 29, 1998 2 The purchaser obtain approved development permits for the development of these lots 3 The purchaser be allowed immediate access to this property for the undertaking of weed control on this property CARRIED It was agreed to refer the documentation of this matter to the legal firm of Tainsh Howard OFFER RE: TORRINGTON LOTS 1 -6, BLK 1 PLAN 8010154 L,�na Smarr Mr Haniford thanked Council for their willingness to accommodate his proposal and HANIFORD OUT request to proceed with weed control on the property Mr Hoff extended Council's best OF MEETING wishes for the success of Mr Hamford s business venture Mr Hamford left the meeting time 9 05 A.M CP CN RAIL LINE Mr Vickery requested the railway abandonment contact information, as provided by the ABANDONMENT AAMD &C, be placed in the County news section of the local newspaper CONTACT INFO. Mr Richard Marz MLA Olds Didsbury Three Hills, and Mr Ed Dunay assessor, entered MARZ & DUNAY the meeting time 9 10 A.M INTO MEETING Mr Hoff invited Mr Marz to overview the Discussion Paper on Farm Property Assessment and Taxation, prepared by the MLA Farm Property Assessment Review Committee of MLA's Richard Marz (Chairman) Rob Lougheed and Barry McFarland Mr Marz noted the Review Committee has reviewed the following issues of farm property assessment brought forward by the provincial Steering Committee on Farm Property Assessment valuation standard for farmland assessment, agricultural improvements (farm buildings), residential improvements, residential sites assessment of woodlots assessment of land not used for farming operations and business tax on farming operations It was noted the Discussion Paper provides background information on all nine assessment and taxation issues and provides options and in some cases recommendations, to address these issues Mr Marz noted the goal of the Discussion Paper review is to enhance the property assessment and provincial property tax policy system to ensure uniformity fairness and equitability Mr Marz noted reviews were important to keep current with changing conditions and further noted the discussion paper and proposals therein were tools to be used for input, clarification and discussion Council, along with Mr Marz and Mr Dunay proceeded to review and discuss each issue in the Discussion Paper Council reached the following consensus to response to the comments on the issues attached to the Discussion Paper- 1 Definition of farming operations agree the proposed definition identifies what should and should not qualify as `farming operations' for the purposes of assessment and taxation along with the comment clarification of recreational purposes' is required under item `l' (the maintenance of livestock or other animals for recreational purposes) for example, how would a horse farm with a training facility be assessed and also what about acreage owners? 2 Assessment of Woodlots agree that the use of property as a sustainable woodlot should be considered as a `farming operation and assessed on the basis of its productive value as a managed woodlot along with the comment this be subject to replanting as harvested 3 Valuation of Farmland for Property Assessment Purposes agree farmland should continue to be assessed on the basis of its productive values Agree the productive value system should be updated periodically to reflect farming practices with the comment "providing this is based on AB Hail and Crop Insurance records of bushels per acre and not on `costs of production and commodity prices ' Also, a comment to note the education tax should be removed from the municipal tax process and placed on the provincial income tax process with the provision the local municipalities reduce their taxes accordingly to reflect the removal of this education tax Mr Marz advised he had another appointment but would return to the meeting, if Council JDIWIN REVIEW OF DISCUSSION PAPER ON FARM PROPERTY ASSESSMENT & TAXATION E L, L KNEEHILL COUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES September 29, 1998 so wished, later in the day Council noted they would appreciate Mr Marz returning to the MARZ OUT OF meeting to provide further information and input on this Discussion Paper Mr Marz then MEETING left the meeting time 10 30 A.M A short recess was held from 10 30 A.M 10 40 A.M Council continued with its responses to the requested comments of the Discussion Paper as follows 4 Intensive Versus Extensive Agricultural Operations prefer option #3, that being to continue to exempt all farm buildings and apply an increased land assessment to reflect intensive use of the land with the comment that there would have to be a definition of `intensive land operations' for assessment as well as development purposes that is uniform throughout the province 5 Assessment of Land Not Used for Farming Operations agree land not used for farming operations continue to be assessed and taxed on the basis of market value 6 Farm Residential Site Valuation prefer option #1, that being make no change to the current system The meeting recessed for lunch from 11 45 A.M until 1 05 P M REVIEW OF DISCUSSION PAPER ON FARM PROPERTY ASSESSMENT & TAXATION LUNCH RECESS It was agreed to place a notice in the local newspaper informing the ratepayers that copies of this Discussion Paper are available at the County office and also at the town and village MARZ INTO offices in the municipality Mr Marz re- entered the meeting time 1 25 P M MEETING Council continued with its review and comments on the Discussion Paper as follows 7 Farm Residential Tax Exemption prefer option #3, that being to phase out the current exemption and shift the exemption to land used for farming operations (farmland) The farmland exemption would be either a percentage exemption or flat exemption from tax Additional Council comment agriculture is a very fragile operation 8 Business Tax on Farming Operations do not agree with the recommendation legislation be amended to provide municipalities with the ability to apply a business tax on farming operations in a manner that is applicable to the agricultural industry (e.g business tax to be based on the average number of animal units on the property at any time) Comment Council prefers the concept of tax rate subclasses for farm property, as outlined in #9 9 Tax Rate Subclasses for Farm Property agree with the recommendation legislation be amended to allow municipalities the flexibility to apply different tax rates on farm property depending on the type of agricultural operation taking place on the property Council comment this would allow for the tax rate to be subject to the education tax REVIEW OF DISCUSSION PAPER ON FARM PROPERTY ASSESSMENT & TAXATION Mr Marz thanked Council for the opportunity to discuss review and clarify the issues addressed in the Discussion Paper On behalf of Council, Mr Hoff thanked Mr Marz for MARZ OUT OF attending the meeting and providing his input into this process Mr Marz then left the MEETING meeting time 3 00 P M Mrs Deak re read Council's responses to the requested comments in this discussion paper CONFIRMATION and it was confirmed the comments as recorded, reflected the consensus of Council Mr OF COMMENTS Jeffery noted Mr Dunay would be conveying council's comments to the AAMD &C RE DISCUSSION Committee Reviewing Farmland Assessment Discussion Paper (of which Kneehill was a PAPER committee member) which would be meeting October 7/98 r-S ,r. ,W— C00ES 21-14t- Jw*bff.e,cs Mr Jeffery reported a survey had been received from the AAMD &C regarding Regulations AAMD &C of Intensive Livestock Operations and it was agreed to defer completion of this survey until SURVEY TABLED after the Central Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (CAAMD &C) ^/ Zone Meeting, scheduled for Friday, October 2/98 Mr Jeffery reviewed the County's draft resolution regarding the rail lines and crossings and the need for the rail line companies to participate and cooperate more with local KNEEHILL DRAFT municipalities and establish contact personnel to address safety and maintenance concerns CAAMD &C RESOLUTION Mr Vickery moved, in light of the information being received from the AAMD &C JDWIN 3 L1 KNEEHILL COUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES September 29, 1998 regarding the rail line abandonment contact information and the County's decision to KNEEHILL DRAFT advertise same in the local newspaper, the County's draft resolution addressing this CAAMD &C issue be deferred until Spring 1999 at which time it can be determined if this resolution RESOLUTION is required r � CARRIED Mr Jeffery then reviewed the draft Bridge Funding Resolution, from Mountain View County, that would be presented at the upcoming CAAMD &C Zone Meeting A discussion followed on the intent of the resolution and whether Kneehill County as a group, could support the resolution Mrs Lowen moved each Councillor individually respond to the draft Bridge Funding Resolution from Mountain Heiv County at the upcoming CAAMD& C Zone Meeting on Friday, October 2, 1998 CARRIED Mr Boake moved to table agenda item #4, Cellular Telephones, until the next meeting CARRIED Mr Jeffery reviewed the September 1998 Interpretation Bulletin from AB Municipal Affairs, regarding Municipal Elected Official's Tax Exemption Canadian Income Tax Act and interpretation of same with regard to remuneration and allowances Mr Jeffery further noted Revenue Canada had audited the County's payroll records and would be further advising on same Mr Wagstaff moved to accept and file as information CARRIED Mr Jeffery reported the gross proceeds from the sale of equipment at the September 25/98 Regal Auction in Calgary, was $61,150 00 Mr Vickery reported he had attended this auction and was pleased with the bid received for the 1989 Champion motor grader ($47,000 00) and other equipment Mr Boake moved to accept and file as information. CARRIED Mr Jeffery requested direction from Council regarding the Fire Notice in effect in the municipality The Notice is in effect with the understanding all fire burning requests will be referred to the local Fire Chief for approval at his /her discretion Mr Jeffery further noted this Notice would expire on October 31 1998 Mr Vickery advised the northern portion of the municipality was still relatively dry as there had been very little rainfall in this area Mrs Lowen moved to table this matter until the next Council meeting CARRIED Mr Jeffery reported Mr Wayne Braun, Golden Hills Regional Division, has responded to the County's request that the school division purchase, at fair market value, the County s grader bay at the school divisions Trochu shop The school division is proposing the County consider trading this shop bay for the one acre vacant lot owned by the school division (Lot 1 Block 2) located south of the shop and west of Tro Val school A discussion followed on this proposal the need to view this property for suitability of this lot for the new Trochu fire hall (with grader bay) and the need to discuss same with the town of Trochu and the Fire Committee Mr Boake moved to table this matter for further information. CARRIED It was agreed the County s Fire Committee for the Trochu fire hall (Councillors Vickery, JDIMIN MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY BRIDGE FUNDING RESOLUTION CELL PHONES TABLED INTERPRETATION BULLETING & TAX AUDIT RE. MUN OFF ALLOWANCES AUCTION SALE REPORT RE: COUNTY EOUIPMENT izz, FIRE NOTICE TABLED 014 GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL PROPOSAL RE. COUNTY'S TROCHU GRADER SHOP f.1e 4 0 1 1. • KNEEHILL COUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES September 29, 1998 Wagstaff and Mr Jeffery) further check into this matter and report back on same Mrs Lmven mowd the meeting ar journ Time 3 55 P M Reeve MIMIN Muni r'pa Idminist for CARRIED ADJOURNMENT 5