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
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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
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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.
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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