HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021.11.09 Council Package AdoptedCALL MEETING TO ORDER
1.0 Agenda
1.1 Additions to the Agenda
1.2 Adoption of the Agenda
2.0 Approval of Minutes
2.1 Organizational Meeting Minutes of October 26, 2021
2.2 Regular Council Meeting Minutes of October 26, 2021
3.0 Appointments
3.1 non-fiction studios, Nicola MacNaughton and Robb Grundy @ 8:35 a.m.
4.0 Infrastructure- Roads/Bridges/Water/Wastewater/Environment
No Report
5.0 Community Services
5.1 Planning
No Report
5.2 Agricultural Service Board & Parks
No Report
5.3 Protective Services
No Report
5.4 Economic Development
5.4.1 Central Alberta Economic Partnership, CanExport Grant
Support
5.4.2 Central Alberta Economic Partnership Board Member
Nominations
6.0 Corporate Services
6.1 Quarterly Financial Reporting as of September 30, 2021
6.2 Vantage Point Resources Inc. Tax Agreement Request
6.3 Additional Named Insured Requests
7.0 Business Arising from Previous Minutes
No Report
1 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
8.0 New Business
8.1 2021 Fall RMA Resolutions
8.2 2021 Christmas Closure
8.3 Cancellation of the November 16, Committee of the Whole Meeting
8.4 Capital Mailing
9.0 Disposition of Delegation & Public Hearing Business
9.1 nonfiction studios, Explore Kneehill Delegation
10.0 Council and Committee Reports
11.0 Council Follow-up Action List
12.0 Closed Session
12.1 Legal Matters (Section 24- FOIP)
12.2 Privileged and Third-Party Business Interests (Section 16 & 25 -FOIP)
13.0 Motions from Closed Session
2 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 26, 2021 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE
COUNCIL OF KNEEHILL COUNTY HELD AT THE KNEEHILL COUNTY OFFICE,
1600-2nd STREET NE, THREE HILLS, AB
PRESENT:
Division No. 1 Faye McGhee, Councillor
Division No. 2 Debbie Penner, Councillor
Division No. 3 Jerry Wittstock, Councillor
Division No. 4 Carrie Fobes, Councillor
Division No. 5 Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham, Councillor
Division No. 6 Wade Christie, Councillor
Division No. 7 Kenneth King, Councillor
ALSO PRESENT:
Chief Administrative Officer Mike Haugen
Director of Community Services Laurie Watt
Director Corporate Services Bill McKennan
Communications Officer Christine Anderson
Recording Secretary Carolyn Van der Kuil
CALL TO ORDER Call to Order
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer, called the meeting to order
at 8:30 a.m.
AGENDA 1.0 Adoption of the Organizational Meeting Agenda
377/2021 Councillor Christie moved to adopt the October 26, 2021
Organizational Meeting agenda as presented.
CARRIED
2.0 Official Oaths of Office for all Councillors
Councillors completed their official oaths prescribed by the Oaths of
Office Act.
3.0 Councillor Code of Conduct and Ethics Bylaw #1783
Councillors signed the Statement of Code of Ethics and Conduct as
provided in Schedule A of the Councillor Code of Conduct and Ethics
Bylaw.
PROCEDURES 4.0 Voting Procedures
378/2021 Councillor King moved that Council utilize the voting procedures of
secret ballot when there is more than one nomination for position of
Reeve and Deputy Reeve.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
379/2021 Councillor Christie moved that all ballots be destroyed at the end of the
meeting.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
REEVE 5.0 Election of Reeve for Ensuing Year
Mike Haugen called for nominations for the Office of Reeve for
2021/2022.
Councillor King nominated Councillor Wittstock for the office of
Reeve for 2021/2022.
Councillor Wittstock accepted the nomination.
Mike Haugen asked two more times if there were any further
nominations.
380/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that nominations cease.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councillor Wittstock was declared Reeve.
Reeve Wittstock was administered the Oath of Office.
Reeve Wittstock assumed the position of Chair.
DEPUTY REEVE 6.0 Election of Deputy Reeve for Ensuing Year
The Reeve called for nominations for the position of Deputy Reeve for
2021/2022.
Councillor Penner nominated Councillor McGhee for the office of
Deputy Reeve for 2021/2022.
Councillor McGhee accepted the nomination.
Councillor Christie nominated Councillor King for the office of Deputy
Reeve for 2021/2022.
Councillor King accepted the nomination
The Reeve asked two more times if there were any further nominations.
381/2021 Councillor Penner moved that nominations cease.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
A vote was taken by secret ballot.
4 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Mike Haugen declared Councillor King as Deputy Reeve of Kneehill
County. Deputy Reeve King was administered the Oath of Office.
COUNCIL SEATING 7.0 Seating Arrangements in Council Chambers
Council determined the new seating arrangements at the Council table
pursuant to Bylaw 1821, Meeting Procedures Bylaw, 9 (4).
COUNCIL DATES 8.0 Regular Council Meeting Dates 2022
382/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council approve the scheduling of the
2022 Organizational Meeting for Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and to
hold all regular Council meeting dates on the second and fourth
Tuesday of each month and with the exception of:
• January- Schedule one meeting for January 11, 2022
• July- Schedule one meeting for July 19, 2022
• August- Schedule one meeting for August 16, 2022
• Due to the Fall RMA Conference being held on the second
Tuesday of the month, November meeting dates be scheduled
for:
o November 15th (the third Tuesday) and
o November 29th (the fifth Tuesday).
• December- Schedule one meeting for December 13, 2022
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COW 9.0 Committee of the Whole Meeting Dates 2022
383/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council approve the third Tuesday of
every month at 8:30 a.m. for a Committee of the Whole meeting, with
the following exceptions:
• March 15, 2022, due to Spring RMA Conference
• July 19, 2022
• August 16, 2022
and; the November Committee of the Whole Meeting be held on
November 22, 2022, and the December Committee of Whole Meeting
be held on December 6th, 2022.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MPC 10.0 Municipal Planning Commission Meeting Dates 2022
384/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council approve the scheduling of the
2022 Municipal Planning Commission meetings on the fourth Thursday
of each month in 2022 with the exception of:
• January meeting to be held on January 20th, 2022
• December meeting to be held on December 15th, 2022
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
COMMITTEE
APPOINTMENTS 11.0 2021/2022 Board and Committee Appointments
11.1 Agricultural Service Board
385/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint Councillor Christie,
Councillor Penner, Deputy Reeve King, and Councillor Fobes to the
Agricultural Service Board and appoint Councillor McGhee as an
alternate member.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
386/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint Councillor Christie as
Chairman to the Agricultural Service Board.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
387/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council convene in Closed Session to
discuss personnel pursuant to Section 17 of the Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act, at 9:05 a.m.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
388/2021
Councillor Penner moved that Council return to open meeting at 9:15
a.m.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
389/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint Heather Berreth as
Member at Large for a three-year term to the Agricultural Service
Board effective January 1, 2022 and expiring on December 31, 2024.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.2 Agricultural Appeal Board
390/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council utilizes the Subdivision and
Development Appeal Board for the Agricultural Appeal Board.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.3 Kneehill Emergency Management Advisory Committee
391/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint Reeve Wittstock to the
Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee and Deputy
Reeve King as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.4 AQUA 7 Regional Water Commission
392/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint Reeve Wittstock as
primary and Councillor Penner as alternate to the AQUA 7 Regional
Water Commission Board.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
11.5 Canadian Badlands Ltd.
393/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council accept the report regarding
Canadian Badlands for information, as presented.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.6 Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP)
394/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint Councillor McGhee to
the Central Alberta Economic Partnership committee and Councillor
Cunningham as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.7 Central Rural Municipalities of Alberta (Zone 2) Director
Committee
395/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the Reeve and CAO to
the Central Rural Municipalities of Alberta Director Committee and
appoint Deputy Reeve King as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.8 Police Advisory Committee
396/2021 Councillor Fobes moved that Council appoint Councillor McGhee to
the Police Advisory Committee and Councillor Cunningham as
alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.9 Community Futures Wildrose
397/2021 Councillor Cunningham moved that Council appoint Councillor
Christie to the Community Futures Wildrose Committee and
Councillor McGhee as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.10 Doctor Recruitment and Retention Committee
398/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint Deputy Reeve King to
the Doctor Recruitment and Retention Committee and Reeve Wittstock
as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.11 Drumheller and District Solid Waste Management
Association
399/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint Councillor Penner to
the Drumheller & District Solid Waste Management Association and
Councillor McGhee as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
11.12 Kneehill Housing Corporation
400/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint Councillor
Cunningham and Councillor Fobes to the Kneehill Housing
Corporation and Reeve Wittstock as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.13 Kneehill Regional Family and Community Support Services
Board
401/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council appoint Deputy Reeve King to
the Kneehill Regional Family and Community Support Services Board
and Reeve Wittstock as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.14 Kneehill Regional Partnership
402/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint Councillor McGhee to
the Kneehill Regional Partnership and Councillor Christie as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.15 Marigold Library System
403/2021 Councillor Cunningham moved that Council appoint Councillor
McGhee to the Marigold Library System Board and Councillor Fobes
as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.16 Mayors/Reeves Liaison Committee
404/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the Reeve to the
Mayors/Reeves Liaison Committee and Deputy Reeve as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.17 Medical Clinic Enhanced Services Review Committee
405/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council accept the report on the Medical
Clinic Enhanced Services Review Committee for information, as
presented.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Chair called for a recess at 9:46 a.m. and called the meeting back
to order at 10:06 a.m. with all previously mentioned Council members
present.
9.18 Municipal Planning Commission
406/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council appoint all members of Council
to the Municipal Planning Commission as per Bylaw #1784.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
407/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint Reeve Wittstock as
Chairperson to the Municipal Planning Commission.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
408/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council appoint Councillor McGhee as
Vice-Chairperson to the Municipal Planning Commission.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Reeve Wittstock excused himself from the discussion due to pecuniary
interest.
Reeve Wittstock left the meeting at 10:11 a.m.
Deputy Reeve King assumed the position of Chair.
409/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council convene in Closed Session to
discuss personnel pursuant to Section 17 of the Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act, at 10:15 a.m.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
410/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council return to open meeting at
10:29 a.m.
CARRIED UNANIMIOUSLY
411/2021 Councillor Fobes moved that Council appoint Rick Vickery and
Meagan Fusaro as Members at Large to the Municipal Planning
Commission.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Reeve Wittstock returned to meeting at 10:31 a.m. and assumed the
position of Chair.
COMMITTEES 11.19 Intermunicipal Development Plan Committees
11.19.1 Acme/Kneehill County
412/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Penner to the Acme/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Development Plan Committee and Councillor McGhee as alternate,
with these members serving on this committee until the organizational
meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED
9 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
11.19.2 Carbon/Kneehill County
413/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Penner to the Carbon/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Development Plan Committee and Councillor McGhee as alternate,
with these members serving on this committee until the organizational
meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.19.3 Drumheller/Kneehill County
414/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor McGhee to the Drumheller/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Development Plan Committee and Councillor Penner as alternate, with
these members serving on this committee until the organizational
meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.19.4 Linden/Kneehill County
415/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Penner to the Linden/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Development Plan Committee and Councillor McGhee as alternate,
with these members serving on this committee until the organizational
meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED
11.19.5 Mountain View County/Kneehill County
416/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Fobes to the Mountain View County/Kneehill County
Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee and Councillor Christie
as alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.19.6 Red Deer County/Kneehill County
417/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council appoint the Reeve, Deputy
Reeve King and Councillor Christie to the Red Deer County/Kneehill
County Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee and Councillor
Fobes as alternate, with these members serving on this committee until
the organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
11.19.7 Rocky View County/Kneehill County
418/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint the Reeve to the Rocky
View County/Kneehill County Intermunicipal Development Plan
Committee and Councillor McGhee as alternate, with these members
serving on this committee until the organizational meeting after the
next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.19.8 Three Hills/Kneehill County
419/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Cunningham to the Three Hills/Kneehill County
Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee and Councillor Christie
as alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.19.9 Trochu/Kneehill County
420/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Fobes to the Trochu/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Development Plan Committee and Councillor Christie as alternate,
with these members serving on this committee until the organizational
meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.19.10 Wheatland County/Kneehill County
421/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Christie to the Wheatland County/Kneehill County
Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee and Councillor McGhee
as alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.19.11 Starland County/Kneehill County
422/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council appoint the Reeve and Deputy
Reeve King to the Starland County/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Development Plan Committee and Councillor McGhee as alternate,
with these members serving on this committee until the organizational
meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
11.19.12 Stettler County/Kneehill County
423/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and Deputy
Reeve King to the Stettler County/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Development Plan Committee and Councillor McGhee as alternate,
with these members serving on this committee until the organizational
meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20 Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committees
11.20.1 Acme/Kneehill County
424/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Penner to the Acme/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Collaboration Framework Committee and Councillor McGhee as
alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.2 Carbon/Kneehill County
425/2021 Councillor Christie moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Penner to the Carbon/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Collaboration Framework Committee and Councillor McGhee as
alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.3 Drumheller/Kneehill County
426/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor McGhee to the Drumheller/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Collaboration Framework Committee and Councillor Cunningham as
alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.4 Linden/Kneehill County
427/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor Penner to the Linden/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Collaboration Framework Committee and Councillor Fobes as
alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
12 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
11.20.5 Mountain View County/Kneehill County
428/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the Reeve, Councillor
Christie and Councillor Fobes to the Mountain View County/Kneehill
County Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee and
Councillor McGhee as alternate, with these members serving on this
committee until the organizational meeting after the next general
election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.6 Red Deer County/Kneehill County
429/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the Reeve, Deputy
Reeve King and Councillor Christie to the Red Deer County/Kneehill
County Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee and
Councillor Cunningham as alternate, with these members serving on
this committee until the organizational meeting after the next general
election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.7 Rocky View County/Kneehill County
430/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve to the
Rocky View County/Kneehill County Intermunicipal Collaboration
Framework Committee and Councillor McGhee as alternate, with these
members serving on this committee until the organizational meeting
after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.8 Three Hills /Kneehill County
431/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint the Reeve, Deputy
Reeve King, Councillor Cunningham, and Councillor McGhee to the
Three Hills/Kneehill County Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework
Committee and Councillor Fobes as alternate, with these members
serving on this committee until the organizational meeting after the
next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.9 Trochu/Kneehill County
432/2021 Councillor Cunningham moved that Council appoint the Reeve, Deputy
Reeve King, Councillor Fobes and Councillor Christie to the
Trochu/Kneehill County Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework
Committee, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
13 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
11.20.10 Stettler County/Kneehill County
433/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the Reeve and Deputy
Reeve King to the Stettler County/Kneehill County Intermunicipal
Collaboration Framework Committee and Councillor Christie as
alternate, with these members serving on this committee until the
organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.11 Starland County/Kneehill County
434/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor McGhee to the Starland County/Kneehill County
Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee and Councillor
Penner as alternate, with these members serving on this committee
until the organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.20.12 Wheatland County/Kneehill County
435/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council appoint the Reeve and
Councillor McGhee to the Wheatland County/Kneehill County
Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee and Councillor
Penner as alternate, with these members serving on this committee until
the organizational meeting after the next general election.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.21 Red Deer River Municipal Users Group
436/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council appoint Reeve Wittstock to the
Red Deer River Municipal Users Group and Councillor McGhee as
alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.22 Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
437/2021
Councillor Fobes moved that Council convene in Closed Session to
discuss personnel pursuant to Section 17 of the Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act, at 11:33 a.m.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
438/2021 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council return to open meeting at
11:42 a.m.
CARRIED UNANMIOUSLY
14 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
439/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint the following
Members at Large to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
for a one-year term.
1. Maureen Chalack
2. Bill Zens
3. Dennis Dey
4. Kent Knudsen
5. Steve Cullum
6. Connie Fraser
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
440/2021 Councillor Penner moved that Council move to appoint Maureen
Chalack as Chairperson and Dennis Dey as Vice-Chairperson to the
Subdivision and Development Appeal Board for a one-year term.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.23 Trochu Housing Corporation
441/2021 Councillor McGhee moved that Council appoint Deputy Reeve King
to the Trochu Housing Corporation and Councillor Christie as alternate.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADJOURNMENT Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m.
________________________
Jerry Wittstock
Reeve
_______________________
Mike Haugen
CAO
15 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 26, 2021 REGULAR MEETING
OF THE COUNCIL OF KNEEHILL COUNTY HELD AT THE KNEEHILL COUNTY
OFFICE, 1600- 2ND STREET NE, THREE HILLS, ALBERTA
PRESENT:
Division No. 1 Faye McGhee, Councillor
Division No. 2 Debbie Penner, Councillor
Division No. 3 Jerry Wittstock, Reeve
Division No. 4 Carrie Fobes, Councillor
Division No. 5 Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham, Councillor
Division No. 6 Wade Christie, Councillor
Division No. 7 Kenneth King, Deputy Reeve
ALSO PRESENT:
Chief Administrative Officer Mike Haugen
Director Community Services Laurie Watt
Recording Secretary Carolyn Van der Kuil
Communications Officer Christine Anderson
CALL TO ORDER Reeve Wittstock in the Chair
Reeve Wittstock called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
AGENDA 1.0 Agenda
1.1 Additions to the Agenda
No additions were made
ADOPTION OF
AGENDA
1.2 Adoption of Agenda
442/21 Councillor Christie moved approval of the agenda as presented.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MINUTES 2.0 Minutes
2.1 Regular Council Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2021
443/21 Deputy Reeve King moved approval of the October 12, 2021, Council
Meeting minutes as presented.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW BUSINESS 8.0 New Business
8.1 Amended 2022 Kneehill Regional FCSS Budget and Allocations
444/21 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council approve the amended Kneehill
Regional Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) 2022
Budget and Allocations as presented.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
16 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
8.2 Three Hills Thrashers Junior Hockey Club Funding Request
445/21 Councillor Penner moved that Council provides support to the Three
Hills Thrashers Junior “B” Hockey Club, by providing Friends of the
Thrashers sponsorship in the amount of $500.00.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COUNCIL REPORTS 10.0 Council and Committee Reports
10.1 Community Futures Wildrose, the Loan Portfolio Report and
minutes from the September 9th, 2021 meeting were provided.
446/21 Councillor Christie moved that Council receive the Council and
Committee reports as presented.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COUNCIL ACT LIST 11.0 Council Follow-Up Action List
447/21 Councillor McGhee moved that Council receive for information the
Council Follow-Up Action List as presented.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CLOSED SESSION 12.0 Closed Session
448/21 Councillor Fobes moved that Council convene in Closed Session to
discuss Land pursuant to section 17 & 24 of the Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act, at 12:22 p.m.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
449/21 Deputy Reeve King moved that Council return to open meeting at
12:50 p.m.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
12:50 p.m. – meeting recessed to allow return of public.
12:50 p.m. - meeting resumed.
13.0 Motions from Closed Session
450/21 Councillor McGhee moved that Council approve a sale price of
$650,000 for the sale of the Sundre “McCall” land containing 128.54
acres, located at SE-18-33-25-W5.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:52 p.m.
________________________
Jerry Wittstock, Reeve
_______________________
Mike Haugen, CAO
17 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
18 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
19 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
20 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Develop measurable digital marketing strategies to
Implement brand-building marketing tactics that will
Create exceptional visitor experiences and amplify stories,
focusing on agritourism, culture & history, family fun, food &
drink, nature & hiking, sports, and camping & accommodation
Grow tourism in the region by developing a long-term
sustainable tourism model that attracts visitors and promotes
local businesses in the count
increase website traffic to Kneehillcounty.com
grow awareness of the Explore Kneehill region and
develop the area into a renowned destination for local travel
this summer
Marketing Objectives
21 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
This concept speaks to the aspects of Explore Kneehill that are so attractive to visitors –
the rural way of life, a quieter, slower pace, friendly people, diverse attractions and activities, and
unique and stunning landscapes. As the tagline “Take your time.” suggests, all the above are here and
ready to be experienced, at whatever speed or in whatever timeframe a visitor wishes.
“Our place, your pace” helps demonstrate local pride in the area. Additional support copy helps reinforce
the idea that nothing here is rushed, but truly waiting to be slowly appreciated.
2021 Creative Direction
300x25
728x90 1080x1080
22 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Campaign Results
Conversions measured
A conversion happens when someone completes a
specified action on a website. In this campaign, we
identified the following conversions to measure:
On-site clicks
Off-site clicks
Campsite booking clicks
Email
Phone calls
Tourism Brochure & Guide clicks
23 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Performance
Breakdown
(All Platforms)
# Impressions – 8,057,054
# Clicks – 36,238
# CTR – 0.45 %
# Conversion – 2,715
Performance
Breakdown
(Hyper Display)
Performance
Breakdown
(Social)
Performance
Breakdown
(Search)
Campaign Results
Digital Advertising
# Impressions – 2,353,946
# Clicks – 12,338
# CTR – 0.52 %
# Conversion – 358
# Impressions – 4,727,805
# Clicks – 3,861
# CTR – 0.08 %
# Conversion – 418
# Impressions – 975,303
# Clicks – 20,039
# CTR – 2.05 %
# Conversion – 1,939
24 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Performance
Highlight
(All Platforms)
Performance
Highlights
(Hyper Display)
In terms of Clicks, Golf Awareness Creative generated the
most clicks with 1,310 clicks
While the Calgary & Edmonton Custom Affinity Audience
was the most successful in terms of clicks as it achieved
1,808 clicks and a 0.73% CTR
Performance
Highlights
(Social)
1,306 conversions were On-Site Clicks, 521 off-site clicks,
and 99 Campsite Booking clicks
The Static-Story Knights Creative achieved the highest
number of conversions as it achieved 404 conversions and a
CTR of 2.26%.
Stays Creative achieved 382 conversions and a 2.10% CTR
Performance
Highlights
(Search)
243 conversions were On-Site clicks
The top-performing keywords in terms of conversions included
"Things to do", "campsite", “campground”, “museum” and "history"
Campaign Results
Digital Advertising
We achieved 2,715 conversions in the last 3 months
The days of the week with the highest conversion rate are
Tuesday & Wednesday
The week with the highest conversions was July 12th
25 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Website Traffic
Campaign Results
2021 Page Views: 30,526
2020 Page Views: 3,166
2020 2021
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
+864%
26 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Harvest
Campaign Results
9,000
Device IDs
87
Different
Locations
Harvest captures devices within a geofenced area so you can
learn more about your customers and create custom
audiences.
27 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Social Media Goals
Celebrate the region and set the region apart online
Tell Explore Kneehill's Story and drive region awareness
Build an online community with local businesses
Showcase user-generated content
Amplify influencers, ambassadors, tourists, and destinations
Create opportunities for local experiences in the region to
engage and share their own stories online
Convert online followers to day-trip and staycation travelers
to the region
Campaign Results
28 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Social Media Results
Instagram
Highlights
Total Posts – 65
Total Likes – 489
Total Comments – 63
Total Link Clicks – 706
Total Posts – 61
Total Likes – 1,413
Total Comments – 102
Best Performing
Content
History + Culture
Sports + Outdoors
Facebook
Highlights
Campaign Results
29 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Social Media Audience
Campaign Results
Followers: 471 Page Likes: 324
The Majority Audience is almost
80% Female aged 25-45
The Majority Audience is 84%
Female aged 35-55
30 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Social Media Audience
Campaign Results
Calgary 26%
Three Hills 24%
Drumheller 6%
Acme 5%
Red Deer 5%
Top Locations
31 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Social Media Reach
Campaign Results
Facebook
Instagram
32 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Campaign Results
Influencer Trip: Leigh McAdam
The campaign sent an influencer to the area to gather
content, share on social media and write a story about her
experience. The influencer visited Ladysmith Cafe, Dry Island
Buffalo Jump, Sweetgrass Cafe, Henry's Shoes, Trochu
Arboretum, Bell 720 Restaurant and Bar, Horseshoe Canyon &
Cabins, Old H'ags, Orkney View Point, Cal's Cycle, and High
Sea's Coffee. View story here.
33 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
We also sent a photographer to the area to gather more photo
content to be used in the present and future campaigns.
Campaign Results
Photoshoot
34 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Campaign Results
Photo Contest
Created a photo contest on social media platforms to promote
UGC and gather more photo content.
35 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Campaign Results
Print Ad Design
Invest in Alberta – Xperience Alberta Magazine
36 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Thank You!
37 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Central Alberta Economic Partnership, CanExport Grant Support
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Jacqueline Buchanan, EDO
Presented By: Jacqueline Buchanan, EDO
Link to Strat Plan: Pursuing Focused Growth
Recommended
Motion:
That Council provides a letter of support backing Central Alberta Economic
Partnerships CanExport Investment Attraction grant application
And
That Council agrees to fund Kneehill County’s share of the Central Alberta
Economic Partnerships, CanExport Investment Attraction project funding up
to a maximum of $5000.00 from the 2022 Operating Budget.
Background/
Proposal
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) will be making an application for
the CanExport grant to improve the regions attractiveness to Foreign Direct
Investors (FDI’s).
CAEP is Central Alberta’s Regional Economic Development Alliance (REDA).
Kneehill County is a paid member of the organization and works closely with them
to stimulate economic growth through strategic regional partnerships. CAEP
connects members to tools, resources, training and people. Representing over 45
municipalities and organizations, CAEP is a collaborative approach to accelerate a
sustainable and innovative economy in Central Alberta.
In preparation for this grant application, Kneehill County participated in a project
planning round table with CAEP and various partners in the region, to assist in
identifying the gaps in Central Alberta’s ability to attract Foreign Direct Investors
(FDI’s) as well as brainstorm a number of projects that could improve our collective
investment readiness moving forward.
To proceed with a CanExport Grant application, CAEP is requesting:
1. A letter of support indicating Kneehill County’s willingness to partner on the
CAEP Investment Attraction project.
2. A financial contribution to cover Kneehill County’s share of the project costs
not covered by the CanExport Grant.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
Grant Information:
• CanExport funding is distributed through the Government of Canada’s
Trade Commissioner Service.
• This 50/50 funding opportunity is available specifically for Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) attraction activities
• CAEP will be making the application for this grant and will be the project
lead
• The grant deadline is Nov 12, 2021
38 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Project Information:
• At the time of RFD Deadline, CAEP had not yet finalized their project plan
for the CanExport grant, however, Kneehill County has been provided with
a list of potential projects and ESTIMATED costs.
Project Estimated
Cost
Community Contribution
1. Regional Business Retention
and Expansion Program
$50,000 Yes- contingent upon
communities participation
$500 each @25
communities
2. SWOT Analysis on investment
readiness for the region or
sub-regions
$25,000 Maybe (in kind)
$250 each @30
communities
3. Update the Regional
Investment Attraction Matrix
& Sector Profiles
$40,000 In-kind
4. Identify and workshop Best
Practices re: Collaborative
Investment Attraction
$40,000 Ticket and In-kind
Est. ticket cost
$100 per workshop (100
participants)
5. Tourism Product ID for
diversification and expansion
Building out sub-regions of
experiences
$40,000 Yes, contingent upon
participation of community
$1000 each @ 20
communities
6. Update Regional Profile and
Community Profiles (10)
$25,000 Yes on community profiles
($1500 each)
7. Develop Community Profiles
for others (5)
$13k
each
$63,000
Yes on community profiles
($7,000 ea)
8. Franchise 101 $15,000 Tickets
($50@10 communities)
$1000
Potential CANEXPORT
Contribution
$150,000
39 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Individual community
contribution – based on 2
tickets sold per
CAEP
contribut
ing
estimate
d $55k
Plus
grant
writing,
project
manage
ment etc
Approximately $5000 each
If want a new Community
profile add $5500 (includes
tickets for 2)
• Once the project plan is complete, Kneehill County will have a better idea of
the costs associated with participation in the various project phases
• Kneehill County prioritized items 1-4 as projects that would be most
beneficial to our region
• The Economic Development budget envelope includes funds to be utilized
specifically for ad-hoc projects of this nature
Financial
Implications: • Funding to a maximum of $5000.00 dependent on the proposed project
budget and the specific phases Kneehill County chooses to participate in.
• In the event that final project costs exceed $5000.00, Council will be
presented with a new funding request
Council Options:
1. Council provide CAEP with support for the Can Export grant
and/or
2. Council agree to provide the funding required to partner with CAEP on the
Investment Attraction project
or
3. Council receive for information.
Recommended
Engagement: ☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification ☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other- ☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
NA
Follow-up
Actions:
Letter of support
Director Approval: Laurie Watt, Director
Community Services
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
40 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Central Alberta Economic Partnership Board Member Nominations
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Jacqueline Buchanan, EDO
Presented By: Jacqueline Buchanan, EDO
Link to Strat Plan: Pursuing Focused Growth
Recommended
Motion:
That Council nominate Councillor ______________ to put their name forward
for the Central Alberta Economic Partnership Board Member Nomination.
Background/
Proposal
The Central Alberta Partnership sent out a request for Board Member Nominations
on November 3, 2021.
CAEP is Central Alberta’s Regional Economic Development Alliance (REDA).
Kneehill County is a paid member of the organization and works closely with them
to stimulate economic growth through strategic regional partnerships. CAEP
connects members to tools, resources, training and people. Representing over 45
municipalities and organizations, CAEP is a collaborative approach to accelerate a
sustainable and innovative economy in Central Alberta.
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership’s Board of Directors is made up of 15
volunteer representatives from member municipalities, associates, and businesses
across the CAEP region. Board Members are responsible for providing strategic
direction and fiduciary governance to CAEP.
CAEP’s Board of Directors is comprised of members representing economic
development views from across the central Alberta region to collaboratively
accelerate economic development to benefit the region.
There are 7 Director seats open for election at the December 1 Fall General
Meeting:
• Towns/Villages Representative(s):
1 (one) position for a three-year term
1 (one) position for a one-year term
• Counties/Municipal Districts Representative(s):
1 (one) position for a three-year term
1 (one) position for a one-year term
• Business Representative(s) (these can be from any business in Central Ab)
2 (two) positions for three-year terms
• Associate Representative(s)
1 (one) position
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
Nomination Deadline: November 22, 2021
CAEP General Meeting: December 1, 2021
41 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
CAEP, Council Committee Members:
• Council Member: Faye McGhee
• Alternate Councillor Member: Laura Lee Cunningham
Time Commitment:
• Four (4) meetings of the Board per calendar year
• Two (2) regularly scheduled General Meetings per calendar year
• One (1) planning session per calendar year
As per Policy 3-1, Council Compensation and Expenses Reimbursement, any
Council participating on this board would be eligible for per diems and travel
expenses.
Financial
Implications:
Estimated annual costs associated with CAEP Board participation:
Per Diem 7 x 325.00 $2275.00
Lunches 4 x 15.00 $60.00
Mileage 700 x 00.58 $406.00
Parking 5 x $10.00 $50.00
Estimated Total $2791.00
Council Options:
1. That Council nominates a member of Council to sit on the CAEP board
2. That Council accepts the CAEP Board Member Nominations for information
Recommended
Engagement:
☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification ☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☒ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other- ☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
Director Nomination Information
Follow-up
Actions:
Complete Nomination Agreement: Director Nomination Agreement
Director Approval: Laurie Watt
Director Community Services
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
42 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
About
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership’s Board of Directors is made up of 15 volunteer representatives
from member municipalities, associates, and businesses across the CAEP region. Board Members are
responsible for providing strategic direction and fiduciary governance to CAEP.
CAEP’s Board of Directors is comprised of members representing economic development views from across
the central Alberta region to collaboratively accelerate economic development to benefit the region.
Seven Director positions will be voted upon by membership at CAEP’s 2021 Fall General Meeting on
Wednesday, December 1. The digital Director Nomination Form must be completed, signed, and
submitted by the authorized representative of the Member Municipality, Indian Band, or Association by
Monday, November 22.
CAEP Board of Director positions open for election:
1. Towns/Villages Representative(s):
• 1 (one) position for a three-year term
• 1 (one) position for a one-year term
2. Counties/Municipal Districts Representative(s):
• 1 (one) position for a three-year term
• 1 (one) position for a one-year term
3. Business Representative(s)
• 2 (two) positions for three-year terms
4. Associate Representative:
• 1 (one) position for a three-year term
Time Commitment & Director Expectations
Directors serve for a three-year term, and are requested to attend all Board of Director meetings, which are
held across the CAEP region, including:
• Four (4) meetings of the Board per calendar year
• Two (2) regularly scheduled General Meetings per calendar year
• One (1) planning session per calendar year
Additionally, Directors can sit as representatives of CAEP on steering committees for various CAEP-related
initiatives, as requested.
Upcoming 2021 Board Meetings:
December 8, 2020
• 9:00 am – CAEP New Director Orientation
• 10:30 am – CAEP Organizational Meeting
• 12:00 pm – CAEP Board of Directors Meeting
Location to be determined
43 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
CAEP 2022 Meetings & Events
All dates & locations to be determined at the December 8, 2021, Organizational Meeting.
Proposed 2022 Board Meetings:
February – Strategic Planning
March – Board of Directors Meeting
May – Board of Directors Meeting
September – Board of Directors Meeting
December – Organizational and Board of Directors Meeting
Proposed 2022 General Meetings:
Annual General Meeting: June
Fall General Meeting: November
The CAEP Executive Committee (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and one Director) is elected
annually at an organizational meeting following the Fall General Meeting and Director Elections. Executive
Committee meets and makes decisions on an ad-hoc basis, electronically and/or in person., to make decisions
on behalf of the Board.
Expectations & Responsibilities
• Good governance of the Association, as dictated by the Alberta Societies Act.
• Ensure CAEP’s activities align with its goals and objectives and monitor the performance of these
activities against the Annual Operations Plan and monthly financial reports.
• Assume financial and legal responsibility for CAEP, ensuring proper risk assessment and mitigation
practices are followed.
• Strengthen CAEP’s relationship with communities, businesses, industry, and government through
engagement and promotion of regional economic development priorities and initiatives.
44 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Quarterly Financial Reporting as at September 30, 2021
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Marika von Mirbach, Financial Planning Coordinator
Presented By: Marika von Mirbach, Financial Planning Coordinator
Link to Strat Plan: Improving Fiscal Sustainability
Recommended
Motion:
1. That Council authorize the cancellation of 2021 taxes in the total
amount of $3,579.23 for the Gas Co-Op owned properties, rolls:
32272431200, 33232920400, 34241720510, 35240620400, 29222241500,
29230920610, 30212040900, 30241931300, 30253510100, 31220841600,
31221141600, 31250241500 as per Council Policy #16-15.
2. That Council authorize the cancellation of 2021 taxes in the amount
not paid by the province for roll 30211533000 as per the directive from
the Province regarding the Grants in Place of Taxes program.
3. That Council authorize that the net proceeds from the sale of the
Sundre (McCall) land be contributed to the gravel reserve.
4. That Council receive the Quarterly Financial Report, for the Period
ending September 30, 2021, for information.
Background/
Proposal Council receives quarterly financial reports during the year. These reports are
intended to inform Council of financial transactions to-date and how expenditures,
revenues and other financial indicators compared to the annual operating budget
and plan which Council has previously approved.
The purpose of this report is to:
• Report on the operating budget performance to-date.
• Provide other supplementary information on key financial indicators for the
municipality.
This is the report for the period ending September 30, 2021 (3rd Quarter).
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
The County is required under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to approve both
an operating and capital budget which are balanced and fully funded. To achieve this,
the budget is prepared on a fiscal viability basis and is monitored and controlled to
achieve this desired outcome of a balanced budget. As such, all budgeted revenues
must equal budgeted expenditures.
The municipality follows the legislative financial requirements of the MGA and it’s
supporting Regulations. In addition, the municipality meets or exceeds all policy
statements of the Canada Public Sector Accounting Handbook, which is governed by
the Chartered Professional Accountants Canada (CPA).
45 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
The budgeting process allows municipalities to prioritize projects, programs and
service levels based on anticipated revenue and expenses. A municipality’s annual
budget routinely consists of two components:
• The Operating Budget which plans for a municipality’s day-to-day
expenditures (e.g., salaries, wages, benefits, heat, electric, and
maintenance of buildings and infrastructure, etc.).
• The Capital Budget which plans for the purchase and financing of assets or
improvement of existing infrastructure (e.g., roads, water and wastewater
facilities, county facilities and major projects, etc.).
For accounting and budgeting purposes, the County’s activities are segregated by
department or area of responsibility. There are many reasons to budget this way: it
shows the responsible approximation of revenues and expenses related to each
department, it allows for the accounting of specific activities, and it allows for easier
reporting to Council and our ratepayers and Provincial or Federal bodies.
This RFD includes the following Financial Reports:
• Operating Budget Summary by Function (Appendix A)
• Operating Budget Summary by Department (Appendix B)
• Project Summary (Appendix C)
• Cash and Investment Summary (Appendix D)
• Reserve Continuity (Appendix E)
The following section provides details and commentary on the operating budget
summary schedule.
Operating Budget Summary by Function (Appendix A)
The purpose of this schedule is to provide Council a corporate summary of the
Operating Budget Performance for the nine months ending September 30, 2021, and
to provide explanations for unfavourable or favourable corporate results forecasted
to year-end.
The body of this report will focus on Appendix A, which provides operating results by
the classification of the revenue source or nature of expenditure. Appendix B, which
is presented by organizational unit, is provided for reference on the individual
departments.
The net forecasted revenue/expenditure year-end result anticipates a surplus of
$1,514,015 which represents a 5% overall variance on the Operating Budget. The
projected variance is primarily the result of the receipt of unbudgeted funds, and lower
than budgeted expense trends due to the ongoing pandemic. All programs are being
delivered within the service levels approved in the 2021 operating budget; the
favourable results are not a result of programs or service levels being reduced.
Revenue Summary - $861,933 Unfavourable forecasted to Year-End
While this variance is classified as unfavourable from a technical standpoint, it is in
fact a positive variance for the municipality. The variance primarily relates to lower
than budgeted reserve draws which results in a release of reserve funding for future
initiatives. The lower than budgeted reserve draws are a result of underbudget
operating projects, primarily the Torrington Gravel Pit project which was underbudget
by $1.7 million; the reduction in reserve draws is offset with lower than budgeted
expenditures.
There are also several favourable variances resulting form the receipt of unbudgeted
funds related to: multiple operating grants, the 2021 gravel blitz program, the receipt
46 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
of provincial PERC credits, as well as the receipt of Disaster Recovery Program
(DRP) funds related to overland flooding in 2018. No additional expenditures were
planned as a result of the receipt of these funds, and the majority of this funding was
recommended to be transferred to reserves as of June 30, 2021, and is reflected with
an increase in the Contributions to Reserves expense line, as well as on Appendix E.
More detail on significant forecasted variances is discussed below:
i. Operating Grants - $285,000 Favourable ($235,000 Favourable at Q2,
$50,000 Favourable at Q1)
• $50,000 Favourable - as previously reported, the County received an
ASB grant during the first quarter which was not included in the
approved 2021 operating budget, and which relates to the 2020
operating year.
• $50,000 Favourable – an ASB grant related to 2021 which was not
budgeted for, and which was recently received from the province.
• $50,000 Favourable - the County has received approval for a grant
through Federal Canadian Municipalities to support progression of
the County’s asset management initiative. The County’s portion of
expenses related to this initiative will be accommodated within the
existing operating budget.
• $128,000 Favourable - the County has recognized provincial grant
funding related to Covid relief; these funds have been utilized against
Covid related expenses and provide relief for decreases in revenue
sources resulting from the pandemic.
• $7,500 Favourable - a provincial grant was received which will
decrease the reserve funding required for the 2021 Tourism Strategy
operating project.
ii. Other Revenue - $288,000 Favourable ($286,000 Favourable at Q2, on
budget at Q1)
• $179,000 Favourable - the County received funds relating to 2018
overland flooding. Given that these funds are repayment for
expenses incurred by the County in previous budget years the funds
were transferred by Council motion to the newly created Disaster
Recovery Reserve during the Q2 report which is reflected as an over
contribution to reserves in the expenditure section of this report.
• $135,000 Favourable – relates to Provincial Education Requisition
Credits which were received as a rebate on education requisitions
paid to the provincial government for which the associated taxes
were not collectable and were written off by Council. These funds
were transferred by Council motion to the Revenue Stabilization
during the Q2 report which is reflected as an over contribution to
reserves in the expenditure section of this report.
• $60,000 Unfavourable ($46,000 Unfavourable at Q2, on budget at
Q1) – relates to lower than budgeted water “sales” related to oil and
gas activity.
• $11,000 Favourable ($11,000 Favourable at Q2, on budget at Q1)–
relates to funds received from local urban municipalities to support
Economic Development tourism development initiatives.
iii. Sales of Goods and Services - $215,000 Favourable ($152,000 Favourable
at Q2, on budget at Q1)
• $120,000 Favourable ($107,000 Favourable at Q2) – relates to the
Gravel Blitz days put on by the transportation department. These
funds are being transferred by Council motion to the Revenue
47 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Stabilization as per the Q2 report which is reflected as an over
contribution to reserves in the expenditure section of this report.
• $40,000 Favourable ($36,000 Favourable at Q2) – due to higher than
budgeted dust control applications.
• $60,000 Favourable (on budget at Q2 and Q1) – higher than
budgeted water sales related to municipal water lines.
iv. Penalties and Fines – This line shows a positive variance as at the third
quarter but is projected to be in alignment with budget at year-end. This is a
result of penalties and fines being booked which are not anticipated to be
collectable but have not been written off by Council. A subsequent report to
Council regarding these uncollectable penalties and provisions for
allowances will be brought forward to Council later in the year.
v. Special Taxes and Frontage - $79,000 Favourable ($114,000 Favourable at
Q2, on budget at Q1) – this primarily relates to riser fees received which were
not included in the approved budget, as well as increases due to assessment
shifts.
vi. Return on Investments - $48,000 Favourable ($50,000 Favourable at Q2, on
budget at Q1) – administration has developed new investment strategies to
obtain a higher return on investment. Appendix D provides additional detail
for this line item.
vii. Transfer from Reserves - $1,843,000 Unfavourable ($1,726,000
Unfavourable at Q2, on budget at Q1) – this variance presents as an
unfavourable revenue variance but is a reduction in the reserve funding
required for 2021 operating projects. The majority ($1.7 million) of the
variance relates to the Torrington Gravel Pit and is off set with a favourable
expense variance related to the project. Administration anticipated additional
gravel available for extraction, but the full amount was not realized, resulting
in cost savings and less funding drawn from reserves.
All other revenue streams are in line with expectations, and no significant year-end
variances are anticipated.
Expense Summary $2,375,948 Favourable forecasted at Year-End
Most of this favourable variance relates to the Torrington Gravel Pit project having
been completed under budget ($1.7 million).
Significant expenditure variances are discussed in detail below:
i. Contract Goods and Services - $333,000 Favourable ($161,000 Favourable
at Q2, on budget at Q1). This favourable variance relates to expenses across
multiple functions and all departments of the organization. The ongoing
pandemic has resulted in lower than budgeted advertising, training,
development, and contracted services.
ii. Materials, Goods, Supplies and Utilities - $144,000 Favourable ($119,000
Favourable at Q2, $44,000 Favourable at Q1). Similar to contract goods and
services, this variance relates primarily to general operational supplies and
is distributed across all departments of the organization. Financial impacts
related to circumstances such as fuel cost spikes, or incremental costs
related to weather, will continue to be closely monitored through to year end,
and could result in changes to the year-end forecast which have not been
projected at this time.
Both the “Contract Goods and Services” and “Materials, Goods, Supplies and
Utilities” classifications are reflecting slightly more favourable variances for the third
quarter than anticipated at year-end. This is mainly reflecting the timing difference of
the goods or services being ordered and the actual payment for those goods or
48 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
services. In most of these classifications there is a lag, for example the fuel
consumption for September is not billed until October. Administration has been
improving the forecast model on an ongoing basis to address reporting lags; however,
some lags will continue to be present during the year. Much of the surplus increase
in these classifications results from the expectation that the ongoing pandemic will
continue to affect certain items, like training, for the duration of the year.
iii. Salaries, Wages and Benefits - $406,000 Favourable ($297,000 Favourable
at Q2, $178,000 Favourable at Q1). There has been turnover in the first three
quarters of the year which has resulted in cost savings for the organization.
Favourable weather conditions have resulted in lower than budgeted
overtime expenditures. In addition, Council remuneration is under budget due
to limited meetings because of Covid restrictions. The variance at Q3 is
higher than projected to year-end due to the anticipation that weather
conditions could impact overtime trends, and increased Council activity after
the election may result in increased compensation over prior trends.
iv. Transfers to Individuals and Organizations - $83,000 Favourable ($20,000
Favourable at Q2, on budget at Q1). This favourable variance is a result of
underutilization of Council grant programs largely due to the ongoing
pandemic.
v. Contributions to Reserves - $434,880 Unfavourable (on budget at Q2 and
Q1). This represents additional reserve contributions resulting from
unbudgeted revenue inflows which were addressed during the Q2 report.
This includes prior year DRP funding, prior year PERC credits from the
province, and revenues related to the gravel blitz program.
vi. Gravel (Inventory) Projects - $1,698,000 Favourable ($1,660,000 Favourable
at Q2, on budget at Q1). The Torrington Gravel Pit project is now complete
and came in under budget, and the gravel hauling project for 2021 is
complete and under budget. Administration anticipated a potential for a larger
quantity of gravel to be extracted during the Torrington Pit project. This was
not realized, and as a result the project is under budget. This favourable
variance is offset with an unfavourable revenue variance due to a decrease
in the reserve funding required for the initiative.
Project Summary (Appendix C)
The County is currently undertaking 29 operating and capital projects. The specific
details for each project are detailed in Appendix C.
Two capital projects are complete and were under-budget.
In addition, five operating projects are complete and have come in under budget
which will decrease the funds drawn from those reserves in 2021. Two operating
projects are projected to be over-budget, and administration anticipates funding the
over-expenditures with operating surpluses.
Project savings on both operating and capital projects will be returned to the original
funding source to finance projects in future years.
Projected project surplus and deficit balances have been reported on the Reserve
Schedule (Appendix E).
Cash/Investment Summary (Appendix D)
The negative impacts of Covid-19 on the financial markets had a very negative impact
on the County’s overall interest rate returns. The average monthly interest earnings
have declined significantly from the pre Covid interest rate returns. The “Prime
Interest” rate declined from 3.95% to 2.45%, the County benchmark return is Prime
49 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Rate minus 1.75%. The impact has meant that our benchmark return has declined
from 2.2% to 0.8%. Each 1/10th change in the rate equates to approximately $40,000
in interest earnings annually for the County.
Administration has endeavored to implement new investment strategies in 2021 to
improve investment returns. As detailed in Appendix D, the rate of return on cash
investments now ranges from 0.7% to 1.8%. Administration anticipates the
annualized return to climb to approximately 1.2% by the end of 2021 and expects that
trend to continue into 2022 and onward. This strategy will allow the 2022 budgeted
revenues to be increased significantly.
Reserve Continuity (Appendix E)
This schedule tracks the movements, based on Council approvals, of each of the
County’s reserves. The financial information reported in this schedule will only
change if:
• Council approves new expenditures or amends project budgets.
• Projects are completed under budget.
• Unanticipated external funding, mainly grants, are approved post budget.
These changes will be reflected and reported on in the schedule as “Post Budget
Approvals”.
Administration has included a column to display funds anticipated to be returned to
reserves based on estimated project surpluses/deficits. These transfers will not occur
until projects are finalized, or Council approves motions to amend project funding, but
have been included to better align the various appendices of this report.
Overall, based on budget approvals and investments in the County’s infrastructure
the utilization of reserves is anticipated to be approximately $9.1 million ($12.2 million
at Q2; the difference being that the Hastie Highway project funding was amended
from reserve funding to MSI grant funding), with offsetting contributions to reserves
of $7.2 million ($6.8 million at Q2; the difference being the contribution of funds
received relating to DRP, PERC and Gravel Blitz).
This has not considered the return of approximately $1.6 million as forecasted in
Appendix C “Project Summary” and in the “Projected Surplus/Deficit of 2021 Projects”
column related to projects being completed under budget.
Other Considerations
Annual Tax Cancellations
Gas Co-Op Taxes
In June 2016, Council approved Policy #16-15 which gave direction to cancel taxes
to the Gas Co-ops operating within the County; the 2021 levy on these properties is
$3,579. Motion #1 requests the authority to write-off these taxes in accordance with
policy.
Grants in Lieu of Taxes Program (GIPOT)
In the October 2019 provincial budget, the province informed municipalities that
funding for the GIPOT program would be reduced to 75% in 2019, and to 50% in
2020 and all future years. This provincial policy change amounts to a loss of
approximately $600 annually for the County.
The province has directed municipalities to issue their normal tax bill for the properties
falling under the GIPOT program and we will receive payment as directed under the
50 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
current budget. Motion #2 requests authority to cancel the portion of the taxes not
being paid by the province.
Sale of Land
At the October 26th Council meeting, Council authorized the sale of the Sundre
(McCall) land. However, the motion did not specifically authorize the reserve
contribution for the net sale proceeds. Motion #3 requests the authority to transfer the
net proceeds to the gravel reserve.
Financial
Implications: The overall financial position of the County continues to be positive with
Administration and Council exercising prudent financial management.
Council Options:
1. Receive report for information.
2. Provide direction to alter 2021 budget plan.
Recommended
Engagement: ☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification ☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other- ☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
• Operating Budget Summary by Function (Appendix A)
• Operating Budget Summary by Department (Appendix B)
• Project Summary (Appendix C)
• Cash and Investment Summary (Appendix D)
• Reserve Continuity Schedule (Appendix E)
Follow-up
Actions:
None.
Bill McKennan
Director Approval:
Bill McKennan, Director of Corporate Services
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
51 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
as at September 30, 2021
Q3 Expected Q3 Actual Q3 Variance 2021 Budget
Year-End
Projected
Projected Year-
End Variance
Revenues
Licenses and Permits (61,575) (85,350) 23,775 (82,100) (105,875) 23,775
Operating Grants (123,907) (359,553) 235,646 (265,866) (551,511) 285,646
Other Revenue (73,250) (361,585) 288,335 (111,000) (399,335) 288,335
Sale of Goods and Services (1,097,177) (1,326,202) 229,025 (1,386,236) (1,601,261) 215,025
Sales to Other Governments (82,111) (91,480) 9,369 (126,148) (135,517) 9,369
Rental Income (120,108) (113,055) (7,052) (154,010) (146,958) (7,052)
Penalties and Fines (90,000) (868,077) 778,077 (120,000) (118,077) (1,923)
Property Taxes (22,467,214) (22,507,765) 40,551 (22,467,214) (22,507,765) 40,551
Special Taxes and Frontage (1,289,714) (1,369,390) 79,676 (1,292,490) (1,372,166) 79,676
Return on Investments (227,100) (215,622) (11,478) (302,800) (351,322) 48,522
Transfer from Reserves (3,515,039) (1,642,542) (1,872,497) (3,540,039) (1,696,182) (1,843,857)
Capital Equipment Plan Sales (12,825) (12,825) - (100,000) (100,000) -
Total Revenues (29,160,020) (28,953,447) (206,573) (29,947,903) (29,085,970) (861,933)
Expenses
Contract and General Services 2,059,072 1,678,849 (380,224) 3,013,188 2,679,464 (333,724)
Materials, Goods, Supplies, and Utilities 2,549,379 2,302,948 (246,431) 3,602,772 3,457,941 (144,831)
Salaries, Wages and Benefits 6,702,487 6,205,829 (496,658) 9,452,295 9,046,137 (406,158)
Other Expenses 73,146 64,779 (8,366) 93,666 83,800 (9,866)
Provision for Allowances 24,000 23,122 (878) 1,100,000 1,099,122 (878)
Purchases from Other Governments 260,966 259,230 (1,735) 530,531 528,795 (1,735)
Transfer to Other Governments 531,784 535,199 3,415 581,669 585,083 3,415
Transfer to Individuals and Organizations 140,255 108,486 (31,769) 348,757 264,988 (83,769)
Transfer to Local Boards and Agencies 53,711 53,711 - 102,532 102,532 -
Contributions to Reserves 6,857,630 7,292,510 434,880 6,857,630 7,292,510 434,880
Non TCA Operating Projects 156,464 130,233 (26,231) 423,000 288,183 (134,817)
Gravel (Inventory) Projects 3,539,327 1,840,859 (1,698,468) 3,841,864 2,143,399 (1,698,465)
Total Expenses 22,948,220 20,495,756 (2,452,465) 29,947,902 27,571,955 (2,375,948)
Net (6,211,799) (8,457,691) (2,245,892) - (1,514,015) (1,514,015)
Appendix A: Operating Budget Variance Report
by Function
52 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
as at September 30, 2021
Q3 Expected Q3 Actual Q3 Variance 2021 Budget Year-End
Projected
Projected Year-
End Variance
Revenues
General (23,784,203) (24,731,130) 946,927 (23,984,903) (24,211,830) 226,927
Administration (287,513) (398,745) 111,232 (439,484) (662,356) 222,872
Fire (39,392) (27,508) (11,884) (46,389) (34,505) (11,884)
Enforcement (31,136) (26,003) (5,133) (44,848) (39,715) (5,133)
Transportation (3,313,614) (1,762,730) (1,550,884) (3,394,864) (1,843,980) (1,550,884)
Water (1,131,329) (1,281,688) 150,359 (1,373,840) (1,501,198) 127,359
Wastewater (9,860) (9,835) (25) (13,147) (13,122) (25)
Waste Management (68,668) (72,681) 4,013 (91,557) (95,570) 4,013
Health (72,498) (67,500) (4,998) (96,664) (91,666) (4,998)
Cemetary (5,475) (9,800) 4,325 (7,300) (11,625) 4,325
Planning (78,450) (104,517) 26,067 (104,600) (130,667) 26,067
Agriculture (142,157) (238,911) 96,754 (144,407) (240,161) 95,754
Economic Development (65,000) (83,750) 18,750 (65,000) (83,750) 18,750
Parks (117,900) (125,825) 7,925 (140,900) (125,825) (15,075)
Total Revenues (29,147,195) (28,940,622) (206,573) (29,947,903) (29,085,970) (861,933)
Expenses
General 3,605,055 3,585,024 (20,031) 4,929,678 4,861,147 (68,532)
Legislative 457,992 318,230 (139,761) 629,239 508,478 (120,761)
Administration 2,446,490 2,497,575 51,085 3,580,234 3,563,819 (16,415)
Fire 1,126,911 1,042,200 (84,711) 1,349,203 1,260,992 (88,211)
Disaster 75,088 94,585 19,498 126,764 137,262 10,498
Enforcement 396,109 383,195 (12,914) 793,296 786,382 (6,914)
Transportation 9,650,937 7,775,317 (1,875,620) 11,852,099 10,121,282 (1,730,817)
Water 2,687,143 2,673,759 (13,384) 3,207,286 3,181,403 (25,884)
Wastewater 105,570 99,099 (6,471) 146,647 140,176 (6,471)
Waste Management 466,363 439,419 (26,944) 570,088 546,144 (23,944)
Health 35,335 22,368 (12,968) 46,854 33,887 (12,968)
Cemetery 73,145 55,458 (17,687) 82,966 65,279 (17,687)
Planning 414,965 378,737 (36,228) 575,270 544,042 (31,228)
Agriculture 531,892 428,794 (103,098) 819,896 727,398 (92,498)
Economic Development 148,025 121,723 (26,302) 231,337 211,535 (19,802)
Parks 573,488 426,560 (146,928) 853,335 729,021 (124,314)
Cultural 53,711 53,711 - 53,711 53,711 -
Capital Equipment Reserve Transfer 100,000 100,000 - 100,000 100,000 -
Total Expenses 22,948,220 20,495,756 (2,452,464) 29,947,902 27,571,955 (2,375,948)
Net (6,198,974) (8,444,866) (2,245,891) - (1,514,015) (1,514,015)
Appendix B: Operating Budget Variance
Report by Department
53 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Appendix C: Project Summary
as at September 30, 2021
Project Start
Date
Anticipated
End Date
Project
Budget
Spending to
Date
Expected
Final Cost
Expected
Variance Comments on Project/Variance
Capital Projects
1 April, 2021 July, 2021 42,329 42,329 42,329 - Scope and materials costs.
2 August, 2021 December, 2021 55,000 32,389 55,000 - No projected variance.
3 July, 2021 November, 2021 242,000 180,617 242,000 - No projected variance.
4 January, 2021 August, 2021 2,900,000 2,442,159 2,442,159 (457,841) Project came in under budget.
5 June, 2019 December, 2021 595,759 278,940 595,759 - In progress.
6 January, 2021 June, 2021 256,552 256,552 256,552 - Complete.
7 January, 2019 December, 2021 345,233 - - (345,233) Not proceeding as planned; project to be cancelled
8 January, 2020 December, 2021 705,600 705,600 705,600 - Complete.
9 January, 2020 December, 2021 1,305,108 1,305,108 1,305,108 - Complete.
10 January, 2020 December, 2021 354,328 354,328 354,328 - Complete.
11 On hold On hold 1,320,000 - 1,320,000 - On hold.
12 STIP Bridge Projects January, 2020 December, 2021 2,555,426 723,709 2,555,426 - In progress.
13 January, 2020 December, 2021 1,400,000 2,090 1,400,000 - In progress.
14 BF2432 Update June, 2021 December, 2021 40,000 - 40,000 - In progress.
15 January, 2021 December, 2021 74,500 42,555 74,500 - In progress.
16 January, 2021 December, 2021 1,185,428 372,168 1,185,428 - In progress.
Total Capital Projects 13,377,263 6,738,543 12,574,189 (803,074)
Operating Projects
17 Economic Development - Tourism Strategy May, 2021 September, 2021 45,000 32,121 45,000 - On budget; Explore Kneehill.
18 Economic Development - Location Analysis TBA TBA 10,000 - 10,000 - TBA pending completion of Sector Analysis.
19 Economic Development - Sector Analysis August, 2021 October, 2021 10,000 - 10,000 - In progess and on budget.
20 Environmental Services - Mt. Vernon Update January, 2021 December, 2021 30,000 2,484 30,000 -
21 January, 2021 January, 2021 75,000 42,402 42,402 (32,598)
22 April, 2021 October, 2021 700,000 700,000 700,000 - Crushing to resume in the fall.
23 January, 2018 February, 2021 20,000 34,236 34,236 14,236
24 January, 2018 February, 2021 25,000 55,000 55,000 30,000 Unanticipated costs to be incurred regarding remediation.
25 January, 2018 February, 2021 25,000 1,884 1,884 (23,116)
26 January, 2020 December, 2021 18,000 16,614 16,614 (1,386)
27 January, 2021 December, 2021 240,000 33,360 85,000 (155,000) Anticipate carry-forwards into 2022
28 March, 2020 April, 2021 3,066,864 1,401,007 1,401,007 (1,665,857) Unanticipated cost savings related to additional gravel.
29 January, 2021 June, 2021 - 31,600 - - To be funded with equipment sale revenue/operating surplus.
Total Operating Projects 4,264,864 2,350,708 2,431,143 (1,833,721)
2020 Corporate Initiatives
Redland Equipment Removal
Gravel Hauling
Gravel Crushing
Transportation - RR24
Environmental Services - Churchill
Transportation - Wimborne Environmental
Horseshoe Canyon Focus Group
Torrington Gravel Pit
Capital Equipment Plan Purchases
Administration Door Access and Alarm Upgrades
Redland Grader Shed Fencing and Exterior Repairs
Ron Gorr Arena Upgrades
Hastie Highway
Bridge 1540
Bridge 6813
Bridge 9827
Hesketh Bridge
Emergency Communications
Highway Signage
Swalwell Lagoon Access
Horseshoe Canyon
IT Purchases
54 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
as at September 30, 2021
Bank Accounts
Balance as at
September 30, 2021
Interest
Rate
Servus General Bank Account 19,481,519$ 0.7%
AUMA High Interest Savings Account 15,024,765$ 0.8%
Investments
Investment Term Amount
Interest
Rate
1 - Haventree Bank July 18, 2021 - July 18, 2022 2,000,000 1.3%
2 - Haventree Bank July 18, 2021 - January 16, 2022 4,000,000 1.8%
Notes:
Budgeted income is based on an overall target return on investment rate of 0.8%
Actual return on investment is estimated at 1.2% annualized.
Appendix D: Cash and Investment
Summary
Account
55 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Appendix E: Reserve Continuity
as at September 30, 2021
Opening Balance 2021 Budgeted
Contributions
2021 Operating
Budget Draws
2021 Capital
Budget Draws
2021 Budget
Ending Balance
Balance as at
September 30,
2021
Projected
Surplus/(Deficit) of
2021 Projects
Projected Year-
End Balance
Amount Motion # Amount Motion #
IT 190,065 116,339 (74,500) 231,904 231,904 231,904
Transitional Funds 866,664 (579,233) 287,431 (22,552) 219/21 264,879 322,681 587,560
Capital Equipment Replacement 4,825,836 2,326,389 (1,185,428) 5,966,797 5,966,797 5,966,797
Disaster Recovery - - 179,090 317/21 179,090 179,090
Buildings Capital Replacement 1,244,500 481,500 (40,000) 1,686,000 (2,329) 320/21 1,683,671 (2,329) 1,681,342
Gravel 2,443,738 (2,466,864) (23,126) 120,793 319/21 97,667 1,066,077 1,163,744
Roads 12,262,894 2,660,800 (620,000) (2,955,000) 11,348,694 2,900,000 321/21 14,248,694 600,000 14,848,694
Bridges 3,311,114 (2,168,311) 1,142,803 (140,000) 271/21, 272/21 (342,200) 320/21 660,603 (342,200) 318,403
Water 3,545,083 3,545,083 3,545,083 3,545,083
Water Service Area 4,929,755 1,242,602 (87,700) 6,084,657 6,084,657 6,084,657
Environmental 1,955,393 (25,000) 1,930,393 1,930,393 1,930,393
Municipal 161,983 161,983 161,983 161,983
Parks 832,621 (18,000) (720,000) 94,621 94,621 94,621
Contingency 2,073,612 30,000 (65,000) (595,759) 1,442,853 1,442,853 1,442,853
Hamlet Infrastructure 3,493,522 (242,000) 3,251,522 3,251,522 3,251,522
Revenue Stabilization 2,407,829 (257,475) 2,150,354 134,997 318/21 2,285,351 2,285,351
Total 44,544,609 6,857,630 (3,540,039) (8,560,231) 39,301,969 (140,000) 2,967,799 42,129,768 1,644,229 43,773,997
Other Funds
Joint Community Summit 31,641 31,641 31,641 31,641
Doctor Recruitment 154,680 154,680 154,680 154,680
Post Budget Approvals
In Q2 In Q3
56 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Vantage Point Resources Inc. Tax Agreement Request
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Caroline Siverson, Property Tax Officer
Presented By: Caroline Siverson, Property Tax Officer
Link to Strat Plan: Level of Service
Recommended
Motion:
That Council agree to entering into a Tax Agreement with Vantage Point
Resources Inc. for the payment of their current tax arrears and 2021, 2022 &
2023 levies over a 29 month payment plan, from October 31, 2021 to February
28, 2024, and no penalties be assessed.
Background/
Proposal
Vantage Point Resources Inc. has approached Kneehill County regarding a Tax
Agreement payment plan for their outstanding and future levies to the end of 2023.
They would like to enter into an agreement for equal monthly installments, and not
be charged any late penalties.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
Council has authorized a Tax Penalty Bylaw that provides for penalties on the 1st of
November for current taxes and on the first of each month thereafter for all tax
arrears at a rate of 2%.
Vantage Point has approached the County once again for a payment plan to cover
their future levies. Vantage has a small cash flow to work with but are able to
increase their payments from $35,000 to $62,500 monthly to help decrease the debt
and time to pay. Vantage Point has been a very reasonable company to work with
and is trying hard to maintain their activities in the County while retaining their ability
to pay all their bills. Their annual levies are approximately $420,000.
Last year, Council approved another company to pay their 2020 levies over an 18
month period with no penalties. This payment plan over a 29 month period is still
within the legislated timelines allowed by the Municipal Government Act, which
provides for a maximum 3 year agreement.
Each of the companies that we have been supporting with payment plans have
been good clients with no defaulted payments.
Financial
Implications:
The payments made in the beginning of each year would cover the portion of all
County requisitions that are required to be made to third parties – Province & Senior
Housing.
This would not create a negative budget variance since the budget for tax penalties
is always established at a very conservative level.
Council Options:
1. To accept the request for a Tax Agreement
2. To deny the request for a Tax Agreement
57 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
3. Request further information
Recommended
Engagement:
☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification ☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other- ☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
Letter from Vantage Point Resources, dated October 18, 2021
Follow-up
Actions:
Bill McKennan
Director Approval:
Bill McKennan, Director of Corporate Services
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
58 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
59 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Additional Named Insured Requests
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Caroline Siverson, Property Tax Officer
Presented By: Caroline Siverson, Property Tax Officer
Link to Strat Plan: Level of Service
Recommended
Motion:
Council approves Kneehill Adult Learning Society to be added as an ANI
under the County’s Insurance policy.
Background/
Proposal
RMA Insurance, the County’s insurance provider, offers coverage for small
community groups as an Additional Named Insured (ANI); Kneehill Adult Learning
Society have requested to have access to this coverage. An initial application has
been completed, and a quote has been provided by RMA. All of the documents
required by RMA from Kneehill Adult Learning Society has been received. The next
step is to receive Council approval for the addition of Kneehill Adult Learning
Society as an ANI.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
The ANI option allows small community groups access to the same group pricing
and broad coverage that Kneehill County has by being a member of RMA. This
results in better coverage for the community group, as well as a decrease in their
annual premiums.
The County currently has other ANI’s, Swalwell Community Hall Association and
Hesketh Hall, benefiting from this offering.
The only risk to the County is that any claims made by an ANI can affect the
County’s premiums; however, in over 20 years of offering this service RMA has
never had an instance where an ANI claim has increased premiums for the
municipality.
Financial
Implications:
There is no financial cost to the County as the premiums are billed to the ANI’s; the
cost to the County includes a small amount of administrative time communicating
between the community group and RMA insurance.
Council Options:
1. Council approves Kneehill Adult Learning Society be added as an ANI
under the County’s insurance policy.
2. Receive for information.
60 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Recommended
Engagement:
☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification ☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other- ☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
Follow-up
Actions:
Bill McKennan
Director Approval:
Bill McKennan, Director of Corporate Services
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
61 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Fall Resolutions
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Carolyn Van der Kuil, Legislative Service Coordinator
Presented By: Mike Haugen, CAO
Link to Strat Plan: Providing Good Governance
Recommended
Motion:
That Council receives for information the 2021 Rural Municipalities of Alberta
Fall Resolutions Listing.
Background/
Proposal
The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocates on behalf of rural
municipalities in meeting with government and ensures that provincial decision-
makers, as well as industry and other relevant stakeholders, understand and
incorporate the best interests of rural Alberta in their policies.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
The resolutions that will be presented during the resolutions session at the RMA
Fall 2021 Convention are attached for Council’s review and consideration.
Administration is recommending that the proposed resolutions be supported.
Financial
Implications:
Council’s decision will have no impact on the budget.
Council Options:
1. Receive for information
2. Request more information
Recommended
Engagement:
☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification
☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other-
☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments: RMA Fall 2021 Resolutions
Follow-up
Actions:
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
62 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
RMA Fall 2021 Submitted Resolutions
1) Call to Order
2) Acceptance of Order Paper
3) Resolution Session
1-21F Emergency Medical Services Capacity and Service Delivery in Rural Alberta (Wheatland
County)
2-21F Disaster Recovery Program Cost Allocations (Brazeau County)
3-21F Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways (County of Two Hills)
4-21F Provincial Health Restriction Decisions (Lac la Biche County)
5-21F Seniors’ Foundation Requisitions (Wheatland County)
6-21F Historical Resources Impact Assessments (MD of Willow Creek)
7-21F Awareness Campaign for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) (Starland County)
8-21F Privatization of Land Titles (County of Barrhead)
9-21F Increasing Knowledge-Sharing Among Regulators of Cannabis Production Facilities
(Kneehill County and Wheatland County)
10-21F Site C Dam – BC Hydro (County of Northern Lights)
4) Vote on Emergent Resolutions
5) Closing of Resolution Session
63 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 1-21F
Emergency Medical Services Capacity and Service Delivery in Rural Alberta
Wheatland County
Endorsed by District 2 (Central)
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta took responsibility for the delivery of emergency medical services (EMS)
as it was a provincial health responsibility; and
WHEREAS at the time EMS transitioned from a municipal responsibility to a provincial responsibility the
Government of Alberta committed to maintaining service levels; and
WHEREAS even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the capacity of the provincial EMS system had not increased
adequately to meet escalating needs; and
WHEREAS this capacity issue has been exacerbated, both directly and indirectly, by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS the number of “code reds”, where no ambulances are available in a community or in larger geographical
areas of the province, is increasing; and
WHEREAS the health and safety of citizens continues to be a priority for municipalities; and
WHEREAS municipalities continue to frequently support the provincial health care system by providing medical first
response through fire departments; and
WHEREAS there has been a recent upward trend in fire service wait times due to the increased length of time it
takes for EMS to arrive on scene in municipalities that provide medical first response; and
WHEREAS a lack of EMS capacity is compromising timely access to emergency healthcare for all Al bertans, and
particuarly those in rural areas;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta request the Government of Alberta
to immediately consult with municipalities to develop a plan to make urgently needed improvements to the
capacity, delivery, and performance of the emergency medical services system.
Member Background
When the Government of Alberta transitioned EMS service from a municipal responsibility to a provincial
responsibility there was a commitment to maintaining service levels. However, as populations have grown, and
demand for EMS has increased, a historical lag in co rresponding capacity has created intense pressure on the
emergency care system.
Provision of emergency health care in rural communities has significant, unique challenges, including low population
densities and large geographic areas. Large geographic are as inherently result in longer EMS transport times,
making EMS response times even more critical where timely care is critical, and delays may result in compromising
patient care and safety.
The borderless provincial delivery model utilizes system status management, where resources are shared across
jurisdictions, and deployed where statistical probabilities project they will be required. Therefore, when resources
are exhausted in major urban centres resources are drawn from surrounding communities. While attempts are made
to provide cross coverage, lack of capacity frequently results in large areas lacking adequate EMS resources and
facing longer response times.
In rural areas, the repositioning of resources to more densely populated urban areas amplify response time issues
where large geographic areas already create challenges. The full benefit of a provincial model can only be realized
when resources are adequate to provide timely response and performance for all Albertans.
64 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
The transition to a provincial EMS system has also impacted municipalities, who support emergency medical care
by providing medical first response. Impacts include an increasing need for municipal fire services to provide
medical first response due to a lack of EMS presence, which can result in increased stress on firefighters responding
to medical incidents and increased costs.
Though a provincial EMS dashboard has been recently established to measure EMS performance, up to date
information is challenging to access. Transparent reporting regarding performance indicators, in which
municipalities do not have to use of freedom of information requests to access data for their communities, is key to
trust in the emergency care system. Analysis of this data will assist in determining impacts of decisions on patient
safety and quality of care.
EMS service levels have become an urgent, even critical issue with potential life and death consequences. Every
citizen experiencing a medical crisis across Alberta is impacted, as the time of EMS response increases, the survival
rate of patients decreases. Service delivery improvements will require an innovative multidimensional strategy.
Timely access to emergency care has both direct hea lth benefits and broader community benefits. These include
attracting new residents, stimulating economic growth, and ultimately supporting viability and contributing to the
sustainability of rural communities.
RMA Background
14-19F: Provincial Funding for Regional Air Ambulance
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta request that the Government of
Alberta provide funds to locally- and regionally-operated emergency response air ambulance services at
the same ratio as Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) funding;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Alberta commissions an independent review, which
includes engagement with the public, industry stakeholders and municipalities acoss Alberta, of the
helicopter emergency medical services system in Alberta.
Click here to view the full resolution.
65 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 2-21F
Disaster Recovery Program Cost Allocations
Brazeau County
Endorsed by District 3 (Pembina River)
WHEREAS rural municipalities have recently experienced reductions in revenue and financial support from the
Govenrment of Alberta, including but not limited to changes to or the elimination of linear assessment, well drilling
equipment tax, grants in place of taxes, and reductions to Municipal Sustainability Initiative program funding; and
WHEREAS rural municipalities have recently absorbed increased expenditures due to the downloading of provincial
costs in areas such as policing and augmenting Alberta Health Services through medical first response programs;
and
WHEREAS rural municipalities do not have direct access to any federal disaster relief funding or resources; and
WHEREAS in March 2021 Alberta Municipal Affairs introduced changes to the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP)
that require municipalities to contribute 10% of the costs of eligible claims made under the DRP;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta urge the Government of Alberta to
remove the requirement for municipalities to contribute 10% of the costs of eligible claims made under the
Disaster Recovery Program for disasters within their boundaries.
Member Background
Brazeau County, like other rural municipalities across the province, is concerned with the Government of Alberta’s
decision to now require municipalities to contribute to disaster relief funding under the Disaster Recovery Program.
Brazeau County, like other rural municipalities across the province, have had revenues streams significantly
reduced and/or eliminated by the Government of Alberta while being forced to take on additional expenditures to
augment the funding to support provincial services. Brazeau County is strongly opposed to and will not accept
further downloading from the Government of Alberta.
RMA Background
13-20F: Provincial Government Disaster Recovery Program Payments
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate that the Government
of Alberta review its Disaster Recovery Program processes to ensure municipalities receive payments
within a defined timeline for resources deployed to assist during regional disasters.
Click here to view the full resolution.
16-20F: Federal and Provincial Disaster Support
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of
Alberta for continued Disaster Recovery Program funding to support community resilience and enable the
relocation of affected property owners where re-construction is impractical or inadvisable.
Click here to view the full resolution.
66 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 3-21F
Vegetation Management on Alberta Provincial Highways
County of Two Hills
Endorsed by District 5 (Edmonton East)
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta has not adequately maintained control of noxious and prohibited noxious
weeds within provincial highway rights of way in recent years; and
WHEREAS this lack of control is affecting neighbouring landowners, as these invasive weeds are spreading into
their fields; and
WHEREAS due to this lack of control, landowners adjacent to provincial highways are faced with increased costs
to their vegetation control programs; and
WHEREAS invasive plants cause significant changes to ecosystems which may result in economic harm to
agricultural and recreation industries; and
WHEREAS highway corridors facilitate the spread of invasive plants both locally and internationally; and
WHEREAS allowing noxious and invasive plant growth along highways increases the risk to human health
(poisonous plants) and public safety by reducing visibility along road shoulders where wildlife is crossing or grazing;
and
WHEREAS the most cost-effective strategy against invasive species is preventing them from establishing rather
than relying on eliminating them after an infestation has begun; and
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta is responsible for weed control within the rights of way of the 31,000
kilometres of provincial highways in the province, as per the Weed Control Act; and
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta must allocate sufficient funds and capacity to meet its weed control
requirements along provincial highways; and
WHEREAS in 2017, Alberta Transportation developed a four -year provincial vegetation management plan, which
included a plan to manage noxious weeds in highway rights of way; and
WHEREAS the provincial vegetation management plan expires in 2021;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocate to the Government
of Alberta to reinstate a provincial vegetation management plan;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA request that the provincial vegetation management plan enhance
the previous plan’s approach to managing noxious weeds, prohibited noxious weeds, and any unsafe
vegetation on the full rights of way of all primary and secondary provincial highways;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the enhanced plan should include but not be limited to an appropriately
timed herbicide application in order to control all legislated weeds and a focus on mowing of the full right
of way at a time that limits the spread of weed seeds.
Member Background
This is not a new issue, as municipalities across the province have been dealing with inconsistent vegetation
management since the province privatized Alberta Transportation services in the mid 1990s. There has been less
and less vegetation management along provincial highways every year since.
67 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Adjacent landowners are frustrated with the weeds in the provincial rights-of-way because the weeds are
propagating onto their lands causing financial burden and the overgrowth is impacting the safety of travelling
motorists and migratory wildlife along Alberta highways.
Specific concerns with the current inconsistent vegetation management practices include:
Expense:
Landowners are spending large sums of money on weed control, but are also seeing their results diminished
because of a lack of responsibility by the Government of Alberta regarding the Weed Control Act. The Weed
Control Act was introduced in 1907 to ensure landowners practice good land husbandry and stewardship. As a
fellow landowner, the Government of Alberta, by not proactively controlling weeds on public lands, is insinuating
private landowners should wait until a weed notice is issued before conducting any weed control. Additionally, the
amount of time taken to respond to a weed infestation has increased recently, leading to larger infestations. This
affects ratepayers/landowners and municipalities, as both must increase their budgets for weed control.
Potential transfer of weeds provincially, nationally and internationally:
Inconsistent vegetation management has local, provincial, national, and possibly international impacts as hay,
grain, and other commodities are transported via Alberta’s highway network daily. Any vehicle that stops on the
side of the highway could potentially transfer weed seeds anywhere. The impact is two -fold: increased weed
control costs within Alberta and dockage to grains and forages sold into the marketplace. The added costs affect
the overall net profits at the farm level.
Safety:
In addition to not controlling weeds in highway ditches, the Government of Alberta has reduced its mowing
program along highway ditches. Mowing, also a method of controlling weeds, used to be conducted twice per
year along highway shoulders, and every four to five years as prescribed from shoulder to fence -line. In 2021, the
Government of Alberta informed the County of Two Hills that no funds had been budgeted for ditch mowing. After
raising concerns to Alberta Transportation, provincial roads within the County received one mow during the 2021
season, of only one pass along the shoulder of the highway. Not only does this impact control o f the weeds along
highways, but also leads to safety concerns for the public travelling these highways. The visibility of wildlife
crossing the highways is hindered by the tall weeds and grass. Several county residents have reported increased
wildlife and bird strikes along two- and three-digit highways and are concerned about their own safety, as well as
that of wildlife. Furthermore, this has a financial impact from the aspect of automobile insurance rates and
premiums.
Government of Alberta ignoring its own Act:
The best control of weeds comes from prevention, not reaction. The Government of Alberta is not abiding by its
own legislation intended to control the spread of noxious and prohibited noxious weeds. By not controlling the
ditches, municipalities are put in the uncomfortable position of having to issue weed notices to the Government of
Alberta.
History and legislation:
Alberta highway shoulders have historically been mowed twice per season. Approximately every four years, a
manager would prescribe additional shoulder to fence-line mowing. In 2015 Alberta Transportation stopped
mowing along all highways. Alberta Transportation proactive weed control plans changed in 2014. Alberta
Transportation stopped spraying weeds proactively, and would only spray if they were issued a weed notice.
The Alberta Weed Control Act was proclaimed in the Province of Alberta in 1907. It is reviewed and proclaimed
every four or six years. It was last reviewed and proclaimed in 2016. The Alberta Weed Control Act aims to
regulate noxious weeds, prohibited noxious weeds, and weed seeds through various control measures, such as
inspection and enforcement, together with provisions for recovery of expenses in cases of non-compliance.
Additionally, it mandates the licensing of seed cleaning plants and mechanisms. An excerpt is included:
Part 1:
Noxious weeds — control
68 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
2 A person shall control a noxious weed that is on land the person owns or occupies.
Prohibited noxious weeds — destroy
3 A person shall destroy a prohibited noxious weed that is on land the person owns or occupies.
Spread of weeds prohibited
4(1) Subject to the regulations, a person shall not use or move anything that, if used or moved, might
spread a noxious weed or prohibited noxious weed.
Other Stakeholders
Alberta Invasive Plants Council - This group of individuals and organizations work hard to educate, the
public on invasive species (plants, and organisms) not only in our province, but also those that can
potentially be introduced in our province. This group tries very hard to stop the spread of invasive
species.
Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen - This is a group of about 160 members from across the
province, these men and women work hard every day to try and reduce or eradicate the invasive species
in their respective Counties or MD’s. We are bound by the Alberta Weed Act in our own jurisdiction to
both keep Right of Ways clean, but also educate and enforce weed concerns to local producers.
Agricultural Services Board - There are 69 municipalities that have an Agricultural Services Board, this
board and its members create and uphold strategic plans that include proactive measures to reduce
invasive populations in their jurisdiction. We work hard every year to improve our stewardship on the
lands around us.
Alberta Transportation - Alberta Transportation has a very high invested interest as they are in control
of the highways, these roads must be kept safe for all travelers. Letting unwanted vegetation stay on the
shoulders of the roads, growing tall allows for very unsafe driving conditions, as wildlife can emerge with
little notice, as well as, travelers when stopping on the sides of the roads can unknowingly transfer
invasive species.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry – The Alberta Weed Act is an act that has been around since 1907.
This is an act that was created by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. If the expect ation is to educate and
enforce this act upon the public, they must abide themselves.
CP and CN rail lines - The rail lines cross over provincial highways all over the province, when the two
cross, there is a chance of transferring weeds further on, even out of province.
Past Advocacy Efforts
Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference Resolutions:
• 2006: Resolution #10 - Weed Control Along Primary and Secondary Highways
A resolution was passed that requested “the Provincial Government allocate sufficient funds to control the weeds
and undesirable vegetation along their primary and secondary highways within the province.”
At that time Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation indicated that they placed a “high priority on weed control
within all highway rights-of-way.” The department also stated that in 1999 a process was initiated “to involve the
Fieldmen more directly in the weed control programs by allowing them, in urgent situations, to order work directly
from highway maintenance contractors or to undertake weed control using their own forces. This process has
been quite successful on a provincial basis.”
• 2008: Resolution #15 - Weed Control of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Roadways
Agricultural services boards across Alberta are/were interested in providing weed control along provincial
highways in their municipality in the most effective and efficient way possible. Weed control within all highway
rights-of-way is a priority for government. The department has contractual obligations to have weed control work
done by the highway maintenance contractors. Staff from Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation (INFTRA) and
Alberta Agriculture and Food work closely with agricultural fieldmen and highway maintenance contr actors to
determine the weed spraying and mowing requirements along each roadway within their jurisdiction. Also,
agricultural fieldmen identify problematic locations that need special attention and ensure they are addressed.
• 2010: Resolution #4 - Alberta Transportation Roadside Weed Control
A resolution was passed that requested “Alberta Transportation review their current weed control program to
ensure the effectiveness of the program and give consideration to an increase in the current width of ditch th at is
69 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
sprayed as well as implementing a monitoring and assessment program to ensure that severe populations are
dealt with proactively not reactively.”
RMA Background
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
70 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 4-21F
Provincial Health Restriction Decisions
Lac la Biche County
Endorsed by District 5 (Edmonton East)
WHEREAS on September 15, 2021, the Government of Alberta implemented new COVID-19 restrictions,
including a Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) that require municipalities to determine whether to opt into
the REP for their facilities for programming and events; and
WHEREAS starting September 20, 2021, in-scope businesses, entities and events must follow one of two
options: implement the REP, which requires those entering facilities to provide proof of vaccination or negative
test result, plus mandatory masking, or operate at a reduced capacity in compliance with all public health
restrictions as outlined in Order 42-2021; and
WHEREAS the responsibility for provincial health measures lies with the Government of Alberta and not with local
municipalities or businesses; and
WHEREAS the requirement to choose between the two options is a download from the Government of Alberta to
municipalities; and
WHEREAS municipalities are struggling to continue to implement frequently changing restrictions to large
community facilities, recreation centres, and other municipal offices; and
WHEREAS the decision by the Government of Alberta to force municipalities and businesses to divide residents
based on vaccination history is further dividing communities; and
WHEREAS the complex rules and restrictions resulted in a shift in focus from municipal issues to provincial public
health decisions during the campaigning period prior to the 2021 municipal elections;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alb erta advocate to the Government of
Alberta for provincial health restrictions and decisions to be made at the provincial level and not
downloaded onto municipalities.
Member Background
Municipalities in Alberta have been given direction from the Government of Alberta to make decisions relating to
the global COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, the Government of Alberta has increased its expectations of
municipalities to decipher and enforce new and changing pandemic-related regulations. This delegation of what are
typically provincial decisions onto municipalities includes decisions as whether to implement the Restrictions
Exemption Program in municipal facilities.
The responsibility for provincial health measures lies with the provincial government and not with the local
municipalities or businesses. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, municipal governments have had to make
decisions regarding the implementation of the Restrictions Exemption Program but are further struggling to adapt
to continually changing restrictions to large community facilities, recreation centres, and other municipal offices.
Local businesses are also struggling to provide services to residents and industries. The division created with the
Restrictions Exemption Program has not only divided residents, but also municipalities.
In addition to RMA, Lac la Biche County has submitted this resolution to the AUMA and A SB.
CMOH Order 42-2021 is attached as further background on this issue.
RMA Background
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
71 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Office of the Chief Medical Officer of
Health
10025 Jasper Avenue NW
PO Box 1360, Stn. Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N3
Canada
www.health.alberta.ca
RECORD OF DECISION – CMOH Order 42-2021
Re: 2021 COVID-19 Response
Whereas I, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) have initiated an
investigation into the existence of COVID-19 within the Province of Alberta.
Whereas the investigation has confirmed that COVID-19 is present in Alberta and constitutes
a public health emergency as a novel or highly infectious agent that poses a significant risk to
public health.
Whereas under section 29(2.1) of the Public Health Act (the Act), I have the authority by order
to prohibit a person from attending a location for any period and subject to any conditions that I
consider appropriate, where I have determined that the person engaging in that activity could
transmit an infectious agent. I also have the authority to take whatever other steps that are, in
my opinion, necessary in order to lessen the impact of the public health emergency.
Whereas a state of public health emergency for the province of Alberta was declared on
September 15, 2021.
Whereas having determined that additional measures are necessary to protect Albertans from
exposure to COVID-19 and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, I hereby make the following
order:
Table of Contents
Part 1 Application
Part 2 Definitions
Part 3 Masking
A.Indoor masking requirements
B.General exceptions to indoor masking
C.Exceptions for health conditions
D.Exception for childcare programs
E.Exceptions for performance activities
F.Exceptions for professional physical activities and performance activities
G.Exceptions for farming or ranching operations
Part 4 Physical distancing
A.Two metres physical distance required
B.General exceptions to two metre physical distance requirement
C.Three metres physical distance required
72 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 2
D.Exceptions to three metre physical distance requirement
Part 5 Work from one’s private residence
Part 6 Private residences
Part 7 Private social gatherings
A.Private social gatherings for protests
Part 8 Places of worship
Part 9 Businesses and entities
Part 10 Restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs
Part 11 Adult physical activity, performance activity and recreational activity
A.Professional physical activities and performance activities
Part 12 Youth activity
Part 13 Schools
A.Physical distancing in schools
B.Masking requirements in schools
C.Exceptions to masking in schools
D.School buses
E.Exception to masking where physical distancing can be maintained
Part 14 Exemptions under Alberta Government’s Restrictions Exemption Program
Part 15 General
Part 1 – Application
1.1 This Order applies throughout the province of Alberta.
1.2 This Order comes into force on September 16, 2021 except where otherwise stated in
this Order.
1.3 If a section of this Order is inconsistent or in conflict with a provision in Record of
Decision – CMOH Order 37-2021 or 38-2021, the section in those Orders prevail to the
extent of the inconsistency or conflict.
1.4 This Order rescinds Record of Decision – CMOH Order 40-2021.
Part 2 – Definitions
2.1 In this Order, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)“adult” means a person who has attained the age of eighteen years.
(b)“authorizing health professional” means one of the following regulated members
under the Health Professions Act who holds a practice permit:
73 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 3
i.nurse practitioners;
ii.physicians;
iii.psychologists.
(c)“child care program” means any of the following:
i.a facility-based program providing day care, out of school care or preschool care;
ii.a family day home program;
iii.a group family child care program;
iv. an innovative child care program.
(d)“Class A, B or C liquor licence” has the same meaning given to it under the Gaming,
Liquor and Cannabis Regulation, AR 143/96, under the Gaming, Liquor and
Cannabis Act.
(e) “cohort”, as the context of this Order requires, means:
i.for a person who resides on their own, one or two other persons with whom the
person who resides on their own regularly interacts with during the period of this
Order;
ii.for a household, the persons who regularly reside at the home of that household;
iii.for a household in which all eligible persons who regularly reside at the home are
fully vaccinated, the members of that household and the members of a second
household whose eligible members are fully vaccinated, up to a maximum of 10
fully vaccinated persons, excluding children eleven and younger who are not
vaccinated;
iv. for a fully vaccinated person who resides on their own, the person who resides
on their own, and up to a maximum of nine fully vaccinated persons of a
household, excluding children eleven and younger who are not vaccinated;
v.for a person attending an overnight camp, the group of campers and staff
members assigned to them who stay together throughout the day, day to day,
and overnight;
vi. for a school, the group of students and staff who primarily remain together for the
purposes of instruction as a COVID-19 safety strategy.
(f)“commercial vehicle” means a vehicle operated on a highway by or on behalf of a
person for the purpose of providing transportation, but does not include a private
passenger vehicle.
(g)“day care” has the same meaning given to it in the Early Learning and Child Care
Regulation.
(h)“drive-in activities” means outdoor activities that a person can participate in or
observe while remaining in a motor vehicle including the following:
i.a worship service;
74 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 4
ii.a drive-in movie;
iii.a graduation ceremony;
iv. physical activity, performance activity or recreational activity;
v. any activity similar in nature to those listed in this definition.
(i)“eligible person” means a person born in 2009, or before 2009, who is living, working
or going to school in Alberta who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
(j)“face mask” means a medical or non-medical mask or other face covering that
covers a person’s nose, mouth and chin.
(k) “facility-based program” has the same meaning given to it in the Early Learning and
Child Care Act.
(l)“Facility Licence” has the same meaning given to it under the Gaming, Liquor and
Cannabis Regulation, AR 143/96, under the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
(m) “family day home program” has the same meaning given to it in the Early Learning
and Child Care Act.
(n)“farming or ranching operation” means the primary production of eggs, milk, grain,
seeds, fruit, vegetables, honey, livestock, diversified livestock animals within the
meaning of the Livestock Industry Diversification Act, poultry or bees, an operation
that produces cultured fish within the meaning of the Fisheries (Alberta) Act, and any
other primary agricultural operation specified in the regulations, but does not include
the operation of a greenhouse, mushroom farm, nursery or sod farm.
(o)“fitness activity” means a physical activity that occurs at a gym, fitness studio, dance
studio, rink, pool, arena or recreation centre and includes dance classes, rowing,
spin, yoga, boxing, boot camp, Pilates and other activities of a similar nature.
(p) “food-serving business or entity” means a restaurant, café, bar, pub or similar
business or entity.
(q)“fully vaccinated” means a person who is eligible for vaccination who has:
i.received two doses of a World Health Organization approved COVID-19
vaccine in a two dose vaccine series or one dose in a one dose vaccine
series; and
ii.had fourteen days elapse since the date on which the person received the
second dose of the World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine
of a two dose series or one dose of the vaccine in a one dose vaccine
series.
(r)“Gaming Licence” has the same meaning given to it under the Gaming, Liquor and
Cannabis Regulation, AR 143/96, under the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
(s) “group family child care program” has the same meaning given to it in the former
Child Care Licensing Regulation.
75 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 5
(t)“health condition” means the following mental or physical limitations:
i.sensory processing disorders;
ii.developmental delays;
iii.mental illnesses including: anxiety disorders; psychotic disorders; dissociative
identity disorder; and depressive disorders;
iv. facial trauma or recent oral maxillofacial surgery;
v. contact dermatitis or allergic reactions to face mask components; or
vi. clinically significant acute respiratory distress.
(u)“highway” means any thoroughfare, street, road, trail, avenue, parkway, driveway,
viaduct, lane, alley, square, bridge, causeway, trestleway or other place or any part
of any of them, whether publicly or privately owned, that the public is ordinarily
entitled or permitted to use for the passage or parking of vehicles and includes:
i.a sidewalk, including a boulevard adjacent to the sidewalk;
ii.if a ditch lies adjacent to and parallel with the roadway, the ditch; and
iii.if a highway right of way is contained between fences or between a fence and
one side of the roadway, all the land between the fences, or all the land between
the fence and the edge of the roadway, as the case may be,
but does not include a place declared by regulation not to be a highway.
(v) “innovative child care program” has the same meaning given to it in the former Child
Care Licensing Regulation.
(w)“masking directive or guidance” means, as the context of this Order requires, either:
i.a directive or guidance document made by a regional health authority, or a
contracted service provider of a regional health authority, which sets out
directions or guidance respecting the use of face masks in facilities or settings
operated by the regional health authority or the contracted service provider; or
ii.a directive or guidance document made by Alberta Health and posted on the
Government of Alberta website which sets out directions or guidance respecting
the use of face masks in the child care program setting.
(x) “medical exception letter” means written confirmation provided to a person by an
authorizing health professional which verifies that the person has a health condition
that prevents the person from wearing a face mask while attending an indoor public
place and
i.clearly sets out the information required by section 3.6 of this Order; and
ii.is valid for a period of one year from the date on which it is made.
(y) “outdoor food and beverage services” means services which an operator of a food-
serving business or entity provides in an outdoor area to persons who remain at the
food-serving business or entity while consuming food or beverages. For greater
76 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 6
certainty, outdoor food and beverage services are provided in an area that meet the
following requirements:
i.patios and dining areas with a roof must not have more than one enclosing
wall;
ii.patios and dining areas without a roof may have one or more enclosing wall;
iii.for the purposes of this Order umbrellas and pergolas are not considered to
be roofs;
iv. for the purposes of this Order, a fence or a half-wall is not an enclosing wall.
(z) “out of school care” has the same meaning given to it in the Early Learning and Child
Care Regulation.
(aa) “performance activity” means singing, playing a musical instrument, dancing,
acting or other activities of a similar nature and includes, but is not limited to, a
rehearsal, concert, theatre, dance, choral, festival, musical and symphony events.
(bb) “person who resides on their own” means a person living on their own or a person
living on their own who has one or more youth living with them and under their
care.
(cc) “physical activity” means a fitness activity or sport activity.
(dd)“preschool care”, has the same meaning given to it in the Early Learning and Child
Care Regulation.
(ee) “post-secondary institution” means a public or private post-secondary institution
operating under the Post-Secondary Learning Act and includes the physical location
or place where the post-secondary institution provides a structured learning
environment through which a program of study is offered.
(ff) “private place” means a private place as defined under the Public Health Act.
(gg) “private social gathering” means any type of private social function or gathering at
which a group of persons come together and move freely around to associate, mix
or interact with each other for social purposes rather than remaining seated or
stationary for the duration of the function or gathering, but does not include a cohort
consisting of persons referred to in section 2.1(e) of this Order.
(hh) “public place” has the same meaning given to it in the Public Health Act, and for
greater certainty does not include a rental accommodation used solely for the
purposes of a private residence.
(ii)“recreational activity” means any structured or organized activity or program where
the purpose of the activity or program is intended to develop a skill, including but not
limited to, Girl Guides, Scouts, choir, arts and crafts, pottery or other substantially
similar activities.
(jj) “school” has the same meaning given to it in the Education Act.
77 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 7
(kk) “school building” has the same meaning given to it in the Education Act.
(ll)“Special Event Licence” has the same meaning given to it under Gaming, Liquor and
Cannabis Regulation, AR 143/96, under the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
(mm)“sport activity” means sports training, practices, events, games, scrimmages,
competitions, gameplay, league play, and other activities of a similar nature.
(nn) “staff member” means any individual who is employed by, or provides services
under a contract with, an operator of a school.
(oo) “student” has the same meaning given to it in the Education Act.
(pp) “visitor” means any individual who attends a school, but who is not a student or staff
member.
(qq) “youth” means a person under eighteen years of age.
(rr) “youth activity” means any physical activity, performance activity or recreational
activity youth are participating in.
Part 3 – Masking
A.Indoor masking requirements
3.1 Except as set out in this Order, a person must wear a face mask at all times while
attending an indoor public place.
3.2 For greater certainty, indoor public places include, but are not limited to:
(a)a school building;
(b)commercial vehicles transporting the driver and one or more other persons who are
not members of that persons household, or if the person is a person living alone,
then the person’s close contact;
(c) the common areas of a day camp or overnight camp; and
(d)all indoor spaces under the control of a business or entity, including all areas where
the public or employees of the business or entity may attend.
3.3 For greater certainty, except as otherwise set out in this Order:
(a)face masks must be worn at a wedding ceremony or funeral service that is held in
an indoor public place; and
(b)a person must comply with all masking directives or guidance while attending at:
i.a facility operated by a regional health authority under the Regional Health
Authorities Act or a facility operated by a contracted service provider of a
regional health authority; or
ii.a childcare program.
78 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 8
B.General exceptions to indoor masking
3.4 Despite this Part of this Order, a person is not required to wear a face mask at all times
while attending an indoor public place if the person is:
(a)a youth under two years of age;
(b)a youth participating in an indoor performance activity in circumstances where it is
not possible for the youth to wear a face mask while participating in the indoor
performance activity;
(c) a youth participating in an indoor physical activity;
(d)an adult participating in an indoor physical activity or performance activity;
(e)unable to place, use or remove a face mask without assistance;
(f)seated at a table while consuming food or drink or, if standing at a standing table
while consuming food or drink, as long as the person remains at the standing table
at all times while consuming the food or drink;
(g)providing or receiving care or assistance where a face mask would hinder that
caregiving or assistance;
(h)alone at a workstation and separated by at least two metres distance from all other
persons;
(i)the subject of a workplace hazard assessment in which it is determined that the
person’s safety will be at risk if the person wears a face mask while working;
(j)separated from every other person by a physical barrier that prevents droplet
transmission;
(k) a person who needs to temporarily remove their face mask while in the public place
for the purposes of:
i.receiving a service that requires the temporary removal of their face mask;
ii.an emergency or medical purpose, or
iii.establishing their identity.
C.Exceptions for health conditions
3.5 Despite this Part of this Order, a person who is unable to wear a face mask due to a
health condition as determined by an authorizing health professional is excepted from
wearing a face mask while attending an indoor public place.
3.6 For the purposes of section 3.5, the health condition must be verified by a medical
exception letter that includes the following:
(a)the name of the person to whom the exception applies;
(b)the name, phone number, email address, professional registration number, and
signature of the authorizing health professional; and
(c)the date on which the written confirmation was provided.
79 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 9
3.7 For greater certainty, although the medical exception letter must verify that a health
condition applies, the medical exception letter must not include specific information
about the health condition.
D.Exception for child care programs
3.8 Despite this Part of this Order, a youth attending at a child care program is not required
to wear a face mask except in accordance with any masking directive or guidance
issued by the child care program operator.
E. Exceptions for performance activities
3.9 Despite this Part of this Order, a person participating in a performance activity during a
worship service is not required to wear a mask.
F.Exceptions for professional physical activities and performance activities
3.10 Despite this Part of this Order, a member of, or for, a professional or semi-professional
sports team or as a professional or semi-professional athlete, is not required to wear a
mask while participating in a physical activity related to their professional or semi-
professional sports team or athletics.
3.11 Despite this Part of this Order, a member of, or for, a professional or semi-professional
performance organization, is not required to wear a mask while participating in a
performance activity related to their professional or semi-professional performance.
G.Exceptions for farming or ranching operations
3.12 Despite this Part of this Order, a person does not need to wear a face mask while
working at a farming or ranching operation, unless the person is interacting with a
member of the public.
Part 4 – Physical distancing
A.Two metres physical distance required
4.1 For all indoor and outdoor activities, a person must maintain a physical distance of two
metres from any other person who is not part of the person’s cohort as referred to in
sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order.
4.2 For greater certainty, a person must maintain a physical distance of two metres from any
other person who is not a member of the person’s cohort as referred to in sections
2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order, when the person:
(a)is attending as a spectator at an indoor location of a business or entity for the
purposes of observing indoor physical activity, performance activity or recreational
activity;
(b)is attending as a spectator at a school building for the purposes of observing indoor
youth activity;
80 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 10
(c) is participating in an outdoor private social gathering including a wedding ceremony
or reception and a funeral service or reception where the only indoor spaces are
washroom facilities;
(d)is a youth or staff member attending at a day camp;
(e)is attending a place of worship.
4.3 For greater certainty, staff and students at post-secondary institution must maintain a
physical distance of two metres from any other person who is not a member of their
cohort as referred to in sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order.
4.4 Despite section 4.1 of this Order, an adult or youth can participate in outdoor group
physical activity, performance activity or recreational activity.
B.General exceptions to two metre physical distance requirement
4.5 Despite this Part, a person is not required to maintain a physical distance of two metres
from any other person when the person is receiving a service from a business or entity
that the person cannot receive while maintaining a physical distance of two metres.
4.6 Despite this Part, a coach, instructor or trainer is not required to maintain two metres
physical distance from the person being coached, guided or instructed for physical
activity, performance activity, or recreational activity if doing so inhibits the guidance or
instruction being provided.
4.7 Despite this Part, a youth is not required to maintain two metres physical distance while
participating in a physical activity or performance activity.
4.8 Despite this Part, an adult is not required to maintain two metres physical distance while
participating in an outdoor physical activity or performance activity.
C.Three metres physical distance required
4.9 An adult must maintain a physical distance of three metres from any other person who is
not a member of their cohort, referred to in sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order,
when the person is participating in indoor solo or 1:1 physical activity.
4.10 An operator of a business or entity providing a place for indoor solo or 1:1 physical
activity must ensure that an adult who is participating in indoor solo or 1:1 physical
activity maintains three metres distance from any other person who is not a member of
their cohort, referred to in sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order.
D.Exceptions to three metre physical distance requirement
4.11 Despite this Part, a coach, instructor or trainer is not required to maintain three metres
physical distance from the person being coached, guided or instructed for physical
activity, performance activity, or recreational activity if doing so inhibits the guidance or
instruction being provided.
81 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 11
Part 5 – Work from one’s private residence
5.1 An employer must require a worker to work from the worker’s own private residence
unless the employer determines that the worker’s physical presence is required at the
workplace to effectively operate the workplace.
Part 6 – Private Residences
6.1 Subject to sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 of this Order, a person who resides in a private
residence must not permit a person who does not normally reside in that residence to
enter or remain in the residence.
6.2 Section 6.1 of this Order does not prevent a person from entering the private residence
of another person for any of the following purposes:
(a)to provide health care, personal care or housekeeping services;
(b)for a visit between a child and a parent or guardian who does not normally reside
with that child;
(c) to receive or provide child care;
(d)to provide tutoring or other educational instruction related to a program of study;
(e)to perform construction, renovations, repairs or maintenance;
(f)to deliver items;
(g)to provide real estate or moving services;
(h)to provide social or protective services;
(i)to respond to an emergency;
(j)to provide counselling services;
(k) for a visit between a person who is at the end of their life (last four to six weeks, as
determined by that person’s primary health care provider) and a family member,
friend, faith leader or other person as long as no more than three visitors enter the
private residence of the dying person at one time;
(l)to provide or receive personal or wellness services;
(m) to provide physical activity or performance instruction; or
(n)to undertake a municipal property assessment.
6.3 A person who resides on their own may have their cohort described in section 2.1(e)(i) of
this Order attend at their own private residence and may attend at the private residence
of the one or two other persons described in section 2.1(e)(i) provided the following
conditions are met:
(a)each person whose residence the person is attending at lives alone at their private
residence; or
(b)each of the two people at the residence the person is attending at live together.
82 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 12
6.4 A cohort for a household as defined at section 2.1(e)(iii) of this Order, can choose one
other household to visit with at each other’s private residences provided that the
following conditions are met:
(a)the two households, when meeting together, are limited to a maximum of ten eligible
persons; and
(b)all eligible persons who are part of the household must be vaccinated.
6.5 A cohort for a fully vaccinated person who resides on their own, as defined at section
2.1(e)(iv) of this Order, can choose one other household to visit with at each other’s
private residences provided that the following conditions are met:
(a)the two households, when meeting together, are limited to a maximum of ten eligible
persons; and
(b)all eligible persons who are part of the household must be vaccinated.
Part 7 – Private social gatherings
7.1 Sections 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 of this Part of this Order come into effect on September 20,
2021.
7.2 All persons are prohibited from attending a private social gathering at an outdoor private
or public place except in accordance with this Part of the Order.
7.3 All persons are prohibited from attending a private social gathering at an indoor public
place.
7.4 For greater certainty, an indoor wedding reception or a funeral reception is a prohibited
private social gathering.
7.5 Despite Part 6 and section 7.3 of this Order, a private social gathering of fifty persons or
fifty percent of the total operational occupant load, whichever is less, as determined in
accordance with the Alberta Fire Code and the fire authority having jurisdiction may
occur at an indoor public or private place for the purposes of a wedding ceremony or a
funeral service.
7.6 A private social gathering of two hundred persons or less may occur at an outdoor public
or private place including for the purposes of a wedding ceremony or reception or a
funeral service or reception.
A.Private social gatherings for protests
7.7 Despite this Part of this Order, a person may attend at an outdoor public place to
exercise their right to peacefully demonstrate for a protest or political purpose without
limit to the number of persons in attendance if the person:
(a)remains outdoors except where necessary to use the washroom;
(b)wears a face mask at all times;
83 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 13
(c) maintains a minimum physical distance of two metres from any other person in
attendance, including any other person who is a member of the person’s household,
unless:
i.either the person or the other person is, or both persons are, eleven years of age
or younger; and
ii.both persons are members of the same household;
in which case this subsection does not apply;
(d)does not offer food or beverages to any other person in attendance, regardless of
whether the food or beverage is provided for sale or not; and
(e)immediately disperses in a coordinated fashion at the conclusion of the gathering,
while at all times adhering to the requirements in this section.
7.8 For greater certainty, a protest or political purpose as described in section 7.7 means for
the purpose of expressing a position on a matter of public interest.
Part 8 - Places of worship
8.1 A faith leader may conduct a worship service at a place of worship if the number of
persons who attend the worship service at the place of worship is limited to thirty-three
percent of the total operational occupant load as determined in accordance with the
Alberta Fire Code and the fire authority having jurisdiction.
8.2 A person attending a worship service at a place of worship must remain in a cohort
consisting of persons referred to in sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order.
Part 9 – Businesses and entities
9.1 Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of this Part of this Order comes into force on September 20, 2021.
9.2 An operator of a business or entity must limit the number of members of the public that
may attend the location where the business or entity is operating to the greater of:
(a)thirty-three percent of the total operational occupant load as determined in
accordance with the Alberta Fire Code and the fire authority having jurisdiction; or
(b)five persons.
9.3 A person may only attend at a business or entity with a cohort consisting of the persons
referred to in sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order.
9.4 Despite this Part of this Order, a business or entity operating exclusively outdoors,
excepting washrooms, is not subject to any capacity limits.
9.5 Despite this Part of this Order an unlimited number of persons may attend a drive-in
activity if the persons who attend the drive-in activity:
84 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 14
(a)remain within a motor vehicle that is designed to be closed to the elements while
attending and observing or participating in the drive-in activity except where
necessary to use the washroom or access other amenities; and
(b)position their motor vehicle at least two metres away from other motor vehicles.
Part 10 – Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs
10.1 Sections 10.2, 10.3, 10.4(a) of this Part of this Order come into effect on September 20,
2021.
10.2 An operator of a food-serving business or entity is prohibited from offering or providing
indoor food and beverage services.
10.3 A person who attends a food-serving business or entity that offers or provides outdoor
food and beverage services, may eat or drink alone or with a cohort where the cohorts
participating are the persons referred to in sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this Order.
10.4 An operator of a food-serving business or entity that offers or provides outdoor food and
beverage services must:
(a)limit the number of persons seated at the same table to a maximum of six persons
for persons who are members of same household and a maximum of three persons
for persons who reside on their own; and
(b)require persons to remain seated while consuming food or beverages and must
prohibit persons seated at a table or standing at a standing table from interacting
with persons seated at a different table or standing at a different standing table.
10.5 An operator of a business or entity with a Class A or C liquor licence, including but not
limited to restaurants, bars, lounges, pubs, cafes, legions or private clubs is prohibited
from serving liquor after 10 p.m. and must ensure that liquor consumption at the
business or entity ends at 11 p.m..
10.6 An operator of a business or entity with a Gaming Licence or Facility Licence or a Class
B liquor licence, including but not limited to bowling alleys, casinos, bingo halls, pool
halls and indoor recreation entertainment centers is prohibited from serving liquor after
10 p.m. and must ensure that liquor consumption at the business or entity ends at 11
p.m..
10.7 A person who holds a Special Event Licence is prohibited from serving liquor after 10
p.m. and must ensure that liquor consumption at the event ends at 11 p.m..
10.8 For greater certainty, an operator of a food-serving business or entity may, subject to
applicable laws, provide food or beverages, including liquor, by take-out, delivery or drive-
thru at any time, including after 10 p.m..
85 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 15
Part 11 – Adult physical activity, performance activity and recreational activity
11.1 This Part of this Order comes into force on September 20, 2021.
11.2 No adult may attend at an indoor location of a business or entity for the purposes of
participating in a group physical activity, group performance activity, group recreational
activity, or a competition or similar activity.
11.3 For greater certainty, despite anything in this Order, an adult is not prohibited from
participating in 1:1 or solo indoor physical activities and a business or entity is not
prohibited from offering or providing services to, or a location for, an adult to participate
in 1:1 or solo indoor physical activities.
11.4 An operator of a business or entity is prohibited from offering or providing services to, or
a location for, adults to hold a competition or similar activity or participate in group indoor
physical activity, group performance activity or group recreational activity.
11.5 For greater certainty, this Part of this Order does not apply to indoor group physical
activity, indoor performance activity, or indoor recreational activity when the adults in the
cohorts participating are the persons referred to in sections 2.1(e)(i) or 2.1(e)(ii) of this
Order.
A.Professional physical activities and performance activities
11.6 Part 11 of this Order does not apply to:
(a)a person attending or an operator of a business or entity, providing or hosting a
physical activity as member of or for a professional or semi-professional sports team
or as a professional or semi-professional athlete;
(b)a person attending or an operator of a business or entity, providing or hosting a
performance activity as a member of or for a professional or semi-professional
performance team or as a professional or semi-professional performer.
Part 12 – Youth activities
12.1 A parent or guardian of a youth must screen a youth for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to
the youth participating in indoor youth activities in accordance with the COVID-19,
Alberta Health Daily Checklist (for children under the age of eighteen).
Part 13 – Schools
A.Physical distancing in schools
13.1 An operator of a school must assign each youth enrolled in kindergarten to grade six to a
cohort as in accordance with the guidance on the Government of Alberta website.
13.2 Students, staff and visitors at a school building must maintain a physical distance of two
metres from any other person who is not a member of their cohort as referenced in
86 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 16
sections 2.1(e)(i), 2.1(e)(ii) or 2.1(e)(vi) in accordance with the guidance on the
Government of Alberta website.
13.3 Despite this Part and in accordance with the guidance on the Government of Alberta
website, students and staff at a school building are not required to maintain two metres
physical distance if doing so inhibits the guidance or instruction being provided or where
it is not possible to maintain two metres physical distance.
B.Masking requirements in schools
13.4 All students enrolled in grades four through twelve, staff, and visitors must wear a face
mask while attending at a school building.
13.5 An operator of a school must ensure that all students enrolled in grades four through
twelve, staff, and visitors wear a face mask while attending at a school building.
C.Exceptions to masking in schools
13.6 Despite Part 3 and this Part of this Order, students, staff or visitors are not required to
wear a face mask at all times while attending at a school building if the student, staff or
visitor:
(a)is unable to place, use or remove a face mask without assistance;
(b)is unable to wear a face mask due to a health condition;
(c) is consuming food or drink in a designated area;
(d)is engaging in a physical activity;
(e)is seated at a desk or table
(i)within a classroom or place where the instruction, course or program of study is
taking place, and
(ii)where the desks, tables and chairs are arranged in a manner
(A)to prevent persons who are seated from facing each other, and
(B)to allow the greatest possible distance between seated persons;
(f)is providing or receiving care or assistance where a non-medical face mask would
hinder that caregiving or assistance; or
(g)is separated from every other person by a physical barrier.
13.7 An operator of a school must use its best efforts to ensure that any student, staff
member or visitor who is not required to wear a face mask:
(a)as permitted by section 13.6(a) or (b) of this Order is able to maintain a minimum of
two metres distance from every other person;
(b)as permitted by section 13.6(c) of this Order is able to maintain a minimum of two
metres distance from every other person, if the designated area is not within a
classroom or place where the instruction, course or program of study is taking place.
87 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Page 17
D.School buses
13.8 Subject to section 3.10 of this Order, an operator of a school must ensure that the
following persons wear a face mask while being transported on a school bus:
(a)all students attending grades K through grade 12;
(b)all staff members;
(c) all visitors.
13.9 For greater certainty, section 13.8(b) applies in respect of any individual who transports
students attending grades kindergarten through 12 on a school bus to a school,
regardless of whether that individual is a staff member.
13.10 All students attending grades kindergarten through 12, staff members and visitors must
wear a face mask that covers their mouth and nose while being transported on a school
bus, unless the student, staff member or visitor:
(a)is unable to place, use or remove a face mask without assistance;
(b)is unable to wear a face mask due to a mental or physical concern or limitation;
(c) is providing or receiving care or assistance where a face mask would hinder that
caregiving or assistance; or
(d)is separated from every other person by a physical barrier.
E. Exception to masking where physical distancing can be maintained
13.11 Subject to section 13.12 of this Order, sections 13.4 to 13.10 of this of Order do not
apply in respect of an operator of a school who is able to ensure that all students, staff
members and visitors maintain a minimum of two metres distance from every other
person while attending an indoor location within a school or while being transported on a
school bus.
13.12 An operator of a school must:
(a)create a written plan that sets out how physical distancing will be maintained;
(b)provide the plan upon request from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Medical
Officer of Health or Alberta Education; and
(c) receive an exemption from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
13.13 Despite section 13.11 of this Order, an operator of a school does not need to ensure that
students, staff members and visitors are able to maintain a minimum of two metres
distance from every other person when a student, staff member or visitor is seated at
desk or table:
(a)within a classroom or place where the instruction, course or program of study is
taking place, and
(b)where the desks, tables and chairs are arranged in a manner
(i)to prevent persons who are seated from facing each other, and
88 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
(ii)to allow the greatest possible distance between seated persons.
Page 18
Part 14-Exemptions under Alberta Government's Restrictions Exemption Program
14.1 Notwithstanding anything in this Order, the Chief Medical Officer of Health may,
pursuant the Alberta Government's Restrictions Exemption Program, exempt a person
or class of persons from the application of some, or all, parts of this Order.
Part 15 -General
15.1 Notwithstanding anything in this Order, the Chief Medical Officer of Health may exempt a
person or a class of persons from the application of this Order.
15.2 This Order provides the minimum standards for public health measures in Alberta for
those matters addressed by this Order.
15.3 For greater certainty, nothing in this Order relieves a person from complying with any
provision of any federal, provincial or municipal law or regulation or any requirement of
any lawful permit, order or licence covering those matters which are addressed in this
Order.
15.4 This Order remains in effect until rescinded by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Signed on this 16 th day of September, 2021.
, �==-�_C-_-_v-._t-___ �---.:,"-------Hinshaw,
Chief Medical Officer of Health
89 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 5-21F
Seniors’ Foundation Requisitions
Wheatland County
Endorsed by District 2 (Central)
WHEREAS the Housing Act (hereafter referred to as “the Act”) provides that a management body may annually
requisition municipalities for which the management body provides lodge accommodation for the amount of the
management body’s annual deficit for the previous fiscal year, and any amounts necessary to establish or continue
a reserve fund for the management body; and
WHEREAS the Act provides that the management body shall supply a copy of its calculation of the requisitioned
amount to the municipality; and
WHEREAS the Act provides that if a municipality agrees to contribute to the operating costs of any housing
accommodation, other than lodge accommodation, provided by a management body, it shall make the contribution
agreed to within 90 days after the mailing of the invoice by the management body; and
WHEREAS the Management Body Operation and Administration Regulation (hereafter referred to as “the
Regulation”) provides that each year, a management body must prepare and submit to the Minis ter a business plan
that includes the operating budget for the upcoming three -fiscal-year period, a capital plan for the upcoming five-
fiscal-year period, and any other information required by the Minister; and
WHEREAS the Regulation places limits on reser ve funds, including a requirement for ministerial approval to
establish reserves and limits on the amount of reserves in relation to the management body’s estimated capital and
operational costs; and
WHEREAS the current Act and Regulation lacks clarity reg arding the scope of housing management body
requisitions, specifically relating to capital project costs; and
WHEREAS this lack of clarity has resulted in situations in which housing management bodies have attempted to
requisition municipalities for capital costs, expenses based on the current year’s budget, and to contribute to reserve
funds not approved by members, all of which do not align with the intent of the Act and Regulation;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) request the Government of
Alberta to engage municipalities, and membership associations such the Alberta Seniors and Community
Housing Association in a review of the Alberta Housing Act to provide clarity on requisitioning for capital
assets, associated interest costs and debenture payment obligations for member municipalities; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the RMA request the Government of Alberta to review the oversight of the
Ministry of Seniors and Housing over housing management bodies (HMBs) to ens ure that all HMBs are
correctly and consistently requisitioning municipalities under the requirements of the Housing Act; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that RMA request that the Government of Alberta provide enhanced training
and education, including a training guide to municipal councils and HMBs on the Housing Act and the
Management Body Operation and Administration Regulation to ensure they have a cle ar understanding of
their financial powers, limitations and responsibilities, including related to requisitioning and reserve
creation; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that RMA request the Government of Alberta to amend the Housing Act to
clearly state the ability of municipalities to approve or deny requests for capital projects.
Member Background
The Housing Act provides parameters for how housing management bodies may requisition member municipalities
for operating deficits and reserve funds. It is the general understanding that housing management bodies may
requisition funds for the operating deficit of the previous year as well as any reserve funds, both capital and
operating, as agreed upon between the management body and the member municipalities. There ar e some housing
management bodies across the province that have been requisitioning municipalities for capital funds outside of
90 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
any agreement that creates an operating or capital reserve between member municipalities and the housing
management body.
The discrepancies between housing management bodies’ understanding of their requisitioning abilities may be due
to a lack of oversight and clarity in the Act and Regulation from Alberta Seniors and Housing. While many housing
management bodies appear to be following the correct process in working with their municipal partners to raise
capital funds through official agreements for reserve contributions and operating deficits, there are other housing
bodies that are not following the proper process and approaching capital projects as a requisition, to which the
municipality has no ability to deny.
Further, some housing management bodies have been requisitioning municipalities based on the current year’s
operational budget. The Act states that the operating requisition must be based on the previous year’s operating
deficit. This discrepancy should also be rectified under the oversight of Alberta Seniors and Housing or clarified in
the Act and Regulation.
RMA Background
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
91 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 6-21F
Historical Resources Impact Assessments
MD of Willow Creek
Endorsed by District 1 (Foothills Little Bow)
WHEREAS the Historical Resources Management Branch of Alberta Culture administers matters related
to the Historical Resources Act; and
WHEREAS historical resources fall into four categories: archaeological sites, paleontological sites, historic
buildings and other structures and aboriginal traditional use sites; and
WHEREAS approvals for new surface material operations are administered through the Code of Practice
for Pits by Alberta Environment and Parks which requires compliance to Section 37 of the Historical
Resources Act; and
WHEREAS for surface material operations less than five hectares in siz e on public land or Class 2 pits on private
land (as defined in the Code of Practice for Pits), the applicant must consult Alberta Culture’s Listing of Historical
Resources prior to initiation of any development activities; and
WHEREAS the Listing of Historical Resources administered by Alberta Culture identifies lands as containing or
having high potential to contain historic resources; and
WHEREAS designation of the historic resource value on lands (which evaluates the potential of the land to contain
historic resources as determined by the Alberta Historic Resources Management Branch) is made without
widespread public consultation; and
WHEREAS many landowners are unaware of the regulatory requirements that exist as a result of historical resou rce
designations placed without notification on private lands; and
WHEREAS the regulatory requirements linked to the designation of lands as having potential for a high historic
resource value places a high financial risk upon those developing resources u pon those lands, as development
requires a historical resources impact assessment and approval from Alberta Culture; and
WHEREAS existing gravel pits that expand beyond five hectares require Historical Resource Act approval, which
may require numerous historical resources impact assessments to be undertaken despite the disturbances that
have already occurred in the immediate area; and
WHEREAS all costs to undertake a historical resources impact assessment are the r esponsibility of the landowner
or developer; and
WHEREAS all historical resources are the property of the Crown;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta request the Government of Alberta
to review the requirements and costs for historical resources impact assessments be funded by the
Government of Alberta;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Alberta develop a formula for financial compensation
to landowners should discoveries of historical resources on the land result in restrictions to land use.
Member Background
The Historical Resources Management Branch (HRMB) of Alberta Culture administers matters related to
historical resources including archeological resources in Alberta.
Alberta Culture’s Land Use Procedures Bulletin for Surface Materials Historical Resources Act (HRA)
92 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Compliance Section B, requires that applicants must apply for HRA approval for all proposed surface materials
developments over 5.0 hectares in size. At Alberta Culture’s discr etion, a historical resources impact assessment
(HRIA) may be required.
For surface material operations five hectares or larger on public land or Class 1 pits as defined in the Code of
Practice for Pits on private land applicants must apply for HRA approval through Alberta Culture’s online permitting
and approval system for ALL proposed surface materials developments over five hectares in size. Development
activities cannot proceed until HRA approval has been obtained.
At Alberta Culture’s discretion, activities that are targeted for lands that will, or are likely to, contain significant
historic resource sites MAY require an HRIA prior to the onset of development activities.
A copy of the HRA approval document must be included with the Conservation and Reclamation Business Plan
that is submitted to Alberta Environment and Parks. This plan is mandatory for registration of a gravel pit under the
Code of Practice. In 2021, during the application stage to expand an existing gravel pit the Municipal District of
Willow Creek undertook an archaeology survey as part of a Stage 1 historical resources impact mitigation review
which is a requirement of the HRIA.
During the review of the lands upon where the existing gravel pit was located it was determined that the
“Listing of Historical Resources” index described the land as having Historic Resources Value (HRV) of five. Given
that lands with an HRV of five are considered to have “high po tential” but do not contain known historic resource
sites, there is no requirement to seek HRA approval for development on such lands. However, Section 31 of the
HRA requires that anyone who discovers an historic resource during the course of development m ust notify Alberta
Culture for direction on the most appropriate action.
Through the HRIA a historical resource site was newly discovered consisting of heated stones and stone chips. It
was determined that additional archaeology work would be required which would consist of excavation of an area
approximately 80 m2 with work expected to take approximately 14 days. The cost for this work was expected to be
$139,941.51. Following the completion of the field work an interim report would be issued summarizing the results
of the HRIM fieldwork which would be provided to the HRMB that would guide their regulatory review of the gravel
pit expansion application and provide the basis for the regulatory response which may include an HRA approval or
alternatively the issuance of a Stage 2 historical resources impact mitigation study which would require an unknown
amount of additional archaeology work at a unknown additional cost.
The Historical Resources Management Branch Schedule requirements state that “depending on the results of the
Stage 1 investigation, Stage 2 investigation may be required.” This caveat is intended by the HRMB to reserve the
possibility that during the required fieldwork materials may be found that warrant additional work however this placed
a significant and unknown risk to the municipality and the landowner in terms of cost and as such the expansion of
the application to expand the gravel pit did not proceed.
As a result of the requirements of the Historical Resource Management Branch substant ial costs already spent by
the Municipal District and the landowner on the application process were lost and more significantly scarce gravel
resources immediately adjacent to a working gravel pit have been permanently sterilized from future development
and use.
Maps of Southern Region
Alberta Historic Resources Management Branch – Listing of Historic Resources (Map)
https://geoculture.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=068e8b3b073d477caffdfcd7a9a52
a92
93 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Blue areas indicate HRV of five which result in a requirement for reporting of any historic resources and potential
for Alberta Culture to order additional work as a condition of its approval.
Note that the HRV five follows every river, stream or major coulee feature in southern Alberta: an area
where gravel resources are prominently found.
Historical Resource Impact Assessment Process
https://www.alberta.ca/historic-resource-impact-assessment.aspx
If an activity is likely to result in the alteration of, damage to or destruction of a historic resource, the
person or company undertaking the activity may be required by the Government of Alberta to:
• conduct a historical resources impact assessment (HRIA)
• submit a report of the HRIA results
• avoid any historic resources endangered by activity
• mitigate potential impacts by undertaking comprehensive studies
• document historic structures
• consult with First Nations
Project-specific requirements are issued in response to a Historic Resources Application, but all assessments must
comply with some standard conditions.
See the following Standard Conditions document for details:
Standard Conditions under the Historical Resources Act
RMA Background
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
94 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 7-21F
Awareness Campaign for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Starland County
Endorsed by District 2 (Central)
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta has now joined forces with the governments of New Brunswick, Ontario and
Saskatchewan as a signatory to the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Memorandum of Understanding; and
WHEREAS these provinces have collectively agreed to collaborate on the advancement of SMRs as a clean energy
option to address climate change and regional energy demands, while supporting economic growth and innovation;
and
WHEREAS the SMR feasibility study concludes that the development of SMRs would support domestic energy
needs, curb greenhouse gas emissions and position Canada as a global leader in this emerging technology; and
WHEREAS there is a need for the public to be provided with more information and education on SMRs which is
essential in helping them to understand, comprehend and support this emerging and innovative technology;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta encourage and collaborate with the
Government of Alberta to create an awareness campaign to engage with the public on information related
to nuclear technology and small modular reactors specifically.
Member Background
Small modular reactors are nuclear fission reactors, small in size and power output and portable, which function as
a power source. SMRs produce significant energy while using a small footprint without emitting greenhouse gases
during generation. Given Canada’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 -45% from 2005
levels by 2030, SMRs may provide one feasible solution to meeting this ambitious goal.
In August of 2020, Alberta signed on to a memorandum of understanding with Ontario, Saskatchewan and New
Brunswick, supporting the advancement and deployment of SMRs. Premier Jason Kenney noted the potential to
power remote communities, the opportunity for economic diversification and the potential for job creation and
reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
With both the federal and provincial governments supporting SMRs, it will be essential that a strong partnership
between government, industry and stakeholders be forged. Public acceptance will also be crucial and there is a
strong need to educate Albertans about the merits and benefits of this form of energy.
If nuclear technology is to advance within Canada, the need to educate the public is of the utmost importance
starting now.
RMA Background
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
95 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 8-21F
Privatization of Land Titles
County of Barrhead
Endorsed by District 3 (Pembina River)
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta is considering the outsourcing of registry services including Alberta land
titles, corporate registry and personal property registry to the private sector; and
WHEREAS in January 2021 Service Alberta posted a request for expression of interest in connection with the
proposed transaction; and
WHEREAS registries support economic activity in Alberta by providing essential registration and search services;
and
WHEREAS the current registry model generates ongoing and sustainable revenue for the province; and
WHEREAS municipalities currently have access to land title certificates and registrations free o f charge through the
Government of Alberta’s Spatial Information Search System (SPIN) search application; and
WHEREAS other provinces have privatized similar registry services and report an increase in costs to municipalities
and landowners; and
WHEREAS there is currently no information as to whether municipalities will lose free access to the SPIN search
application if the privatization of registries is finalized; and
WHEREAS if privatized, the costs of accessing land titles services could have significant impact on municipal
budgets;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta request that the Government of
Alberta engage with municipalities and municipal associations to explore, assess and mitigate the impacts
of privatization of Alberta land titles registry on municipalities prior to a decision on privatization being
made.
Member Background
• January 18, 2021 – Service Alberta posted to its online procurement site a request for expressions of interest
(REOI) for sale of a concession which expects to modernize, operate, and maintain the province’s land titles
office, corporate registry and personal property registry with a response deadline of February 12, 2021 (SA-
RFEI-001).
• From the REOI the following information was obtained:
96 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
• Service Alberta REOI is the first stage of three stages in the sale process.
o Subsequent stages cannot be confirmed but are outlined in the REOI as follows:
▪ Stage two (Request for Non-Binding Proposals) scheduled to occur from late
February 2021 – late March 2021.
▪ Stage three (Request for Binding Proposals) which was scheduled to occur from April
2021 – late 2021.
• Service Alberta indicates that some of the systems that support the registries are decades -old and in
need of technology and security upgrades, so the government is looking to see if the private sector
could assume responsibility for those upgrades while operating, maintaining, and managing them on
behalf of the province which would involve collecting and retaining fees.
• Land Titles services used by most municipalities include:
o Document and plan registrations
o Document and plan searches
o General register searches
o Historical title searches
o Certified title searches
• MILENET is a program which provides municipalities access to financial reporting forms and the
Municipal Financial Indicator Graphs as well as ASSET (assessment data).
o A link to the land titles search application (SPIN) is located within the ASSET module of
MILENET and allows municipalities to access land title certificates and registrations free of
charge.
o County of Barrhead started using ASSET for SPIN access in 2019 and saw land title charges
reduced 40-50%.
o Currently there is no information as to whether municipalities will lose access to SPIN if land
titles is privatized.
• March 26, 2014 – “Resolution 1-14S: Privatization of the Alberta Land Titles Registry System” was
approved providing direction to RMA (then known as AAMDC) to request the Government of Alberta
to retain the Alberta land titles registry system status quo or as a public system as a statutory non-
profit corporation.
o Service Alberta’s response to the 2014 resolution and through a discussion between the
Minister of Service Alberta and the RMA (AAMDC) Board of Directors at that time was that
the privatization of the province’s land title registry system is not being considered.
RMA Background
RMA has no active resolution directly related to this issue.
97 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 9-21F
Increasing Knowledge-Sharing Among Regulators of Cannabis Production
Facilities
Kneehill County and Wheatland County
Endorsed by District 2 (Central)
WHEREAS governing, managing, and enforcing cannabis legislation is a joint responsibility shared by the
federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal levels of government; and
WHEREAS under the Cannabis Act, cannabis may be grown in various quantities depending on the
specified purpose, as permitted by Health Canada, creating significant variance in the size of cannabis
operations that may be deemed “legal”; and
WHEREAS all individuals wishing to obtain any of the available federal licences to grow, process, or sell
cannabis are expected to comply with all applicable provincial or territorial laws, as well as municipal bylaws
(e.g., zoning and building permits); and
WHEREAS individuals seeking licences, or having obtained licences, to cultivate, process, or sell cannabis
from Health Canada for medicinal purposes are expected to notify the municipality of planned growing
activities, however, are not required to obtain confirmation that municipal requirements have been met; and
WHEREAS instances of non-compliance or contravention of existing land use regulations have been
difficult for municipalities to observe and/or take action against, due to a lack of knowledge of legal sites of
cannabis production currently operating within the municipality’s borders; and
WHEREAS the lack of information available to municipalities related to cannabis production sites has
allowed for individuals licensed to grow small quantities of medical cannabis to abuse this license to grow
excessive quantities; and
WHEREAS municipalities are responsible for land-use zoning and permitting of activities within their
borders, which includes where cannabis can be commercially grown, processed, sold, and consumed; and
WHEREAS municipalities often struggle to manage land-use activities and conduct compliance monitoring
on facilities producing cannabis because consistent information on the nature of such facilities is not
available to municipalities; and
WHEREAS the risks to individuals or property related to the production of cannabis cannot be address ed
or mitigated by municipalities without the municipality being aware of such activities taking place within its
borders; and
WHEREAS there is currently no system available for municipalities to acquire information on planned or
existing sites of cannabis production from other levels of government that currently possess that
information; and
WHEREAS the only means by which municipalities may learn of sites of cannabis production come in the
form of voluntary disclosure from the cannabis producer to the mun icipality, or if an individual lodges an
official complaint to the municipality; and
WHEREAS existing gaps in cannabis legislation prevent municipalities from accurately distinguishing
between legal and illegal growing operations; and
WHEREAS municipalities recognize that individuals have a right to privacy, particularly as it relates to
medicating for medical conditions or ailments, and that the enforcement of local legislation must respect
these rights to privacy;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) collaborate with the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities to advocate to Health Canada that municipalities be given
open and continuous access to information on all licensed sites of cannabis production within their
boundaries;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that RMA advocate to Health Canada that municipalities be given open
and continuous information for the purposes of compliance monitoring and enforcement, including
the results of any investigation conducted by an “inspector,” as described within the Cannabis Act.
98 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Member Background
At present, regulations surrounding cannabis cultivation are problematic, with each level of government
responsible for various capacities in regulating the cannabis industry, from growing and cultivation down
the supply chain to consumers of cannabis products. Within the current cannabis regime, there is nuance
and complexity within each facet of the industry. From the number of licences available for producers to
grow, cultivate, and distribute cannabis products to the rules governing processors and retailers, there is a
need to provide accurate and dependable information to all involved in this industry. However, there are
currently significant gaps in legislation that prevent this reliable information from being accessed by
municipalities.
This resolution aims to uncover the significant challenges currently experienced by municipalities to
regulate land use applications and permit issues related to sites of cannabis production. Specifically, this
resolution aims to address:
a) The limited ability municipalities have to determine the existing scope of cannabis producers within
their borders, and
b) The challenges municipalities face to enforce land use bylaws due to lack of information necessary
to enforce zoning and permitting regulations, where applicable.
Under the Cannabis Act, the federal government is responsible for setting industry-wide standards for the
cannabis industry, such as the legality of the substance, health and safety requirements, and rules
surrounding medical cannabis, and others, which Health Canada fulfills. Licences for cannabis cultivation
from Health Canada often include an expectation that license holders notify local authorities. However, this
requirement is problematic because only some, but not all, licences for sites of cannabis production require
notification to be provided to municipalities. In addition, the nature of the “requirement” itself would better
be described as an “expectation,” as no communication is conveyed to the municipality that Health C anada
has received an application, or provided approval, for sites of cannabis production to operate within the
municipality. Within the Cannabis Licensing Application Guide, "notice to local authorities" is a requirement
of only a fraction of prospective cannabis growers. Furthermore, there is currently no way for the “local
authorities” to ascertain who has been granted a license by Health Canada who has not, leaving uncertainty
as to who may be growing cannabis legally, and who may be growing cannabis il legally.
Specific to Kneehill County, anecdotal accounts have indicated that individuals within the County are
growing cannabis in greater amounts than what is permitted under "recreational use," as identified by the
Cannabis Act. By consequence of the County not being effectively included in the approval process nor
having reliable access to up-to-date information of what standards one is expected to abide by as a
condition of one's federal license, the County is left struggling to manage these sensitive a ctivities that
require effective government oversight. Specific issues that have arisen included suspected cannabis
growing through inaccurate or disingenuous development applications, suspected alterations made to
buildings that would not satisfy current building codes, and concern of criminal activity operating within the
municipality’s borders. Without having information on who is permitted to grow cannabis and details
pertaining to the quantities and other logistical information, the municipality can on ly attempt to manage
from what is disclosed to them by cannabis growers voluntarily providing this information. Voluntary
disclosure, however, is not the norm, which prompts Kneehill County to raise these concerns with other
RMA members and with Health Canada.
In discussing the issues experienced within Kneehill County, specific details have been identified by the
County as worthy of consideration for what specific site information would likely benefit all municipalities.
These details include:
• The name of the individual permitted to grow cannabis plants.
• The date an individual was granted a license to grow cannabis for medicinal purposes.
• The expiry date of said license.
• The location of the site.
99 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
• The number of plants permitted to be grown on the premises.
• Any alterations made to previously held agreements between an individual and Health Canada,
that would affect the application of local legislation.
In conjunction with this resolution, two other resolutions pertaining to cannabis legislation have been
identified as relevant to the issues proposed and remedies discussed. First , Personal Cannabis Production
for Medical Use has been put forward by Wheatland County as an RMA resolution. This resolution seeks
to include municipal governments in the approval process of growing cannabis for medicinal purposes by
proposing that all municipalities "sign off" on the proposed Cannabis Production Facility as a prerequisite
to receiving approval from Health Canada.
Second, Improving the Medical Cannabis Regime was a FCM resolution put forward by the Town of East
Gwillimbury, Ontario, which sought to "propose amendments to the Cannabis Act that will remedy the
problems experienced by municipalities." These issues are wide-ranging but largely stem from the system
of licensing and regulation put in place by the federal government to oversee the cannabis industry.
Included in these issues is a lack of communication between Health Canada and municipalities, where
advance notice to municipalities need not be required for planned growing activities, nor evidence provided
that cannabis growers are compliant with local regulations, which has led to issues of non -compliance with
zoning bylaws and failing to meet building codes within municipalities.
The resolution proposed here within aims to supplement each of these previous resolutions by expanding
on the access to information made available to municipalities by Health Canada to a permanent f orm of
access to information, and expand on the existing compliance monitoring taking place for currently -
approved sites of cannabis production.
As a result of the issues identified, there is a profound need for Health Canada and the municipalities across
Canada to create a more effective way for municipalities to access information on sites of cannabis
production. Recognizing that individuals have a right to privacy, this resolution puts forward that only the
information necessary to enforcing land-use regulations would be made available to municipalities to
mitigate any concerns over personal, sensitive information. Furthermore, if all sites of cannabis production
within a municipality were made available to the municipality, sites of illegal activity cou ld be easily
identified, and proper courses of action could be taken. As Canada contends with the effects of changes in
federal drug policy, this resolution advocates for recognizing cannabis as a legalized substance, not
deregulated. With this distinction comes the need for greater coordination among various branches of
government to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.
RMA Background
3-21S: Personal Cannabis Production for Medical Use
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta collaborate with the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities to advocate to Health Canada that confirmation of municipal
compliance for personal medical cannabis production facilities be required for existing license
holders, and prior to approval for all future license applicants.
Click here to view the full resolution.
100 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Resolution 10-21F
Site C Dam – BC Hydro
County of Northern Lights
Endorsed by District 4 (Northern)
WHEREAS BC Hydro is constructing a hydroelectric dam (known as the “Site C Dam”) on the Peace River
near Fort St. John, British Columbia; and
WHEREAS the project is experiencing unprecedented geotechnical challenges including downstream
movement of the spillway and powerhouse foundation due to weak and unstable geology underlying the
site; and
WHEREAS BC Hydro and the Government of British Columbia are not forthcoming with important technical
information regarding unprecedented efforts to reinforce the foundation to prevent further movement or
failure of the dam itself; and
WHEREAS BC Hydro failed to undertake sufficient vital geotechnical surveys of material in the riverbed
underlying the earth fill dam prior to beginning construction, despite the site being rejected in the 1990s for
geotechnical concerns; and
WHEREAS Alberta has thousands of people residing in the Peace River valley downstream from this
structure, and billions of dollars in vital infrastructure at risk in the event of a catastrophic dam failure; and
WHEREAS BC Hydro has not responded to questions regarding their financial liability in the event that their
actions result in downstream damage in Alberta;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta request the Government of
Alberta to obtain from the Government of British Columbia all technical reports and other relevant
information from the BC Hydro Site C project that is currently being withheld from the public;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Alberta use the information collected to
conduct an independent safety assessment of the structure to ensure that Albertans, as well as
extremely important infrastructure, are not being subjected to unacceptable risk.
Member Background
Site C, just outside Fort St. John, BC, was first considered as a potential hydro power site in the 1950s. In
the late 1980s the project was rejected by the BC Utilities Commission as being too expensive,
controversial, and not in the best interest of the public.
In 2010 the BC Liberal government (under Premier Christy Clark) passed the Clean Energy Act, which
removed the BC Utilities Commission’s authority to cancel projects deemed to be not in the public
interest. BC Hydro could now proceed without interference and independent oversight. In place of the BC
Utilities Commission, project oversight would now be provided by the Project Assurance Board, which
included board members employed by BC Hydro. In 2014 the Government of British Columbia
announced that the project would proceed at a cost of $8.3 billion .
In 2017, the BC Liberal government was replaced by the NDP. Newly elected Premier John Horgan, who
had been a vocal critic of the project, ordered a review by the BC Utilities Commission. It was ultimately
decided that too much had been spent at this point to turn back so the project continued.
In late summer of 2020 reports surfaced that there were problems with weak material underlying the
powerhouse and spillway as well as both riverbanks. The fo undation had actually slipped a few
centimeters downstream in 2018 but that did not become public until two years later. In response Horgan
appointed former Deputy Finance Minister Peter Milburn to conduct a review of the project and write a
report on the escalating costs and safety issues stemming from the foundational problems.
A condensed/redacted version of Milburn’s report was made public six months later and was critical of BC
Hydro in that he found that they repeatedly downplayed geotechnical risks and cost estimates when
reporting to the government prior to approval of the project.
101 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
After publication of Milburn’s report, the BC government hired two independent dam experts (France and
Hoeg) to assess the unprecedented plan proposed by BC Hydro for reinforcements using pilings to
stabilize the powerhouse/spillway foundation. The report concluded that the foundation reinforcements
were viable based on information they received from BC Hydro, but they made it clear that there were no
guarantees and they assumed no liability. The information provided by BC Hydro that was used to
compile the report is also not available to the public.
We now know the geology under Site C consists of shale which becomes mud when exposed to water. It
also contains vertical and horizontal fractures as well as bedding planes which allow the passage of water
throughout the material. Any excavation or disturbance can potentially create a path for water to infiltrate
and weaken the foundation. Considering that the dam will be holding back a reservoir 200 feet deep, if
anything goes wrong the consequences could be severe. The fact that there is no real bedrock under the
site was not revealed until the project was well under way and after billions of dollars were spent.
On June 8, 2021, BC Hydro community relations manager Dave Conway, Site C project manager Mike
Clark and planning director Martin Jaseck accepted an invitation to virtually attend a County of Northern
Lights council meeting to answer questions on downstream safety concerns.
One question asked was “What would have happened if the slippage of the foun dation had occurred after
the reservoir had been filled?” Mr. Clark assured council that the movement would be “minimal.” He also
went on to describe the foundation piling reinforcements as “elegant”. Mr. Clark could not identify another
dam project on the scale of Site C that was built on similar shale material nor could he give an example of
another similar structure that had to be reinforced using pilings.
Mr. Conway refused to answer any questions regarding the Milburn report. He also would not answer any
questions regarding liability for potential downstream damage in Alberta stemming from BC Hydro’s
actions.
During the meeting, County of Northern Lights Council requested three informational items from BC
Hydro: the full unredacted Milburn report, the unredacted France and Hoeg report and technical Advisory
Board reports from 2021.
The Milburn report was provided in a more complete form that had been originally made public but the
appendix which contains all the information used by Milburn to compile the report was redacted. This
represents 296 pages of material.
The unredacted France and Hoeg report was not provided. Instead, a summary of the report and select
excerpts that BC Hydro deemed worthy of release were shared. In the report summary it w as revealed
that material under the earth fill dam itself was not tested or sampled prior to diversion of the river. As with
the Milburn Report the vast majority of information used to compile the report is being withheld.
The Technical Advisory Board reports for 2021 were not provided. What was provided were reports from
2020 with all the names of the meeting attendees redacted. The 2021 reports would inform how the
foundation reinforcements are progressing.
Latest cost estimates for Site C are at $16 billion which is double the figure provided when the project
was announced, and the completion date of 2025 is two years later than originally forecast. Sarah Cox at
Narwal magazine has reported that engineering giant SNC Lavalin, which has been financiall y supportive
of the BC Liberal party, has received $453 million from BC Hydro from 2010 to 2018. Much of that is from
no bid contracts.
RMA Background
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
102 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: 2021 Christmas Closure
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Carolyn Van der Kuil, Legislative Services Coordinator
Presented By: Mike Haugen, CAO
Link to Strat Plan: Level of Service
Recommended
Motion:
That Council approve closing the Kneehill County Office at noon on Friday,
December 24th and that Council receive for information the 2021Christmas
Closure report as presented.
Background/
Proposal
According to Kneehill County’s Human Resource Policy:
Most County business shall close between Christmas Day and New Year’s
Day. EMPLOYEES will be required to use their personal days or vacation
time for this period and will be responsible for informing their SUPERVISOR
of their choice. (These days are marked in pink on calendar)
And
The following days shall be recognized as holidays and all eligible
employees shall be entitled to the holidays specified, namely:
New Year’s Day, Victoria Day, Thanks Giving Day, Family Day, Canada
Day, Remembrance Day, Good Friday, Heritage Day, Christmas Day,
Easter Monday, Labour Day, Boxing Day. (These days are marked in blue
on calendar)
And
When any of the above-noted holidays fall on a normal rest day or days, the
following scheduled working day or days shall be deemed to be the holiday.
If New Year’s Day falls on the weekend, then the Friday before shall be
deemed the holiday.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
Christmas Dates:
Saturday, December 25, 2021- Christmas Day (Monday, December 27 in lieu)
Sunday, December 26, 2021- Boxing Day (Tuesday, December 28th in lieu)
Saturday, January 1, 2022- New Year’s Day (Friday, December 31th in lieu)
In following the guidelines of the Human Resources Policy, Kneehill County will be
closed Saturday, December 25, 2021 through to Monday, January 3, 2022 at 8:30
a.m. In the past we have also closed the office at noon on December 24th.
103 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Cost Source of
Funding:
2021 Operating Budget
Council Options:
1. Council approve closing Kneehill County office and shop at noon on
December 24th and receive for information the 2021 Christmas Closure
report as presented.
2. Receive for information the 2021 Christmas Closure Report as presented.
Recommended
Engagement:
☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification
☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other-
☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
N/A
Follow-up
Actions:
Advertise Christmas Closure on website, social media and office.
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
104 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Cancellation of the November 16, Committee of the Whole Meeting
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Carolyn Van der Kuil, Legislative Services Coordinator
Presented By: Mike Haugen, CAO
Link to Strat Plan: Level of Service
Recommended
Motion:
That Council cancel the Committee of the Whole Meeting scheduled for
November 16, 2021.
Background/
Proposal
At the 2020 Organizational Meeting, Council approved Tuesday, November 16,
2021 as a Committee of the Whole Meeting Date.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
As there are no agenda topics for this meeting scheduled, Administration
recommends that this meeting date be cancelled.
Administration would recommend utilizing this time to instead continue the Council
Orientation process.
Financial
Implications:
None
Council Options:
1. Cancel November 16th, 2021 Committee of the Whole Meeting Date
2. Receive for information
Recommended
Engagement:
☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification
☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other-
☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
None
Follow-up
Actions:
Administration will update the internal calendar and also update the website.
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
105 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Capital Mailing
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Christine Anderson, Communications Officer
Presented By: Christine Anderson, Communications Officer
Link to Strat Plan: Ensuring Communications & Engagement
Recommended
Motion:
Council moves to continue the Capital Mailing service until the end of
December 2021 and offer residents a weekly “E-News” Bulletin delivered by
email starting January 2022.
Background/
Proposal
In April of 2020, the Three Hills Capital changed the way their weekly newspaper is
delivered due to an increase in Canada Post mailing rates. It is now delivered for
free to every resident living within Kneehill County.
As we have many residents that live outside the County’s borders, since the change
in April we have been mailing a Capital each week to those residents who request
the service. In February of 2021, Council directed administration to continue mailing
the Capital out on a cost-recovery basis.
The Three Hills Capital has no interest in offering subscriptions again. The Capital is
still available to residents for free online and for free pick up at various locations
throughout the County.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
Mailing the Capital already takes a considerable amount of work and must be done
every week, which has proven problematic at times. The process to continue
mailing the Capital while recouping the cost will be quite involved as we need to
ensure we’re not making a profit off a publication that isn’t ours.
Our responsibility as a County is to ensure our ratepayers are receiving Kneehill
County specific information. The “E-News” bulletin would provide a more efficient,
cost-effective way of delivering this information to them. News could be delivered as
frequently as needed through the email, and we are not limited in the amount of
information we can provide.
In the Citizen Satisfaction Survey, 54% named The Capital as their preferred
method of receiving County news. However, though the vast majority do receive the
Capital, 35% still feel they’re not getting enough Kneehill County information.
The e-bulletin forms part of a broader strategic communications plan for 2022, to
reach every resident with important information in a timely manner. This plan also
includes direct mailing our ratepayer newsletter again (currently offered as an insert
in the Three Hills Capital) and continuing with the full-page Capital ad. This will be
discussed in more detail during budget deliberations.
With all this in mind, administration is recommending that we continue mailing the
Capital until the end of 2021, to allow those residents to transition to the digital
method (as was originally intended) and starting in 2022 we begin to send out the
“E-News” bulletin instead.
106 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Financial
Implications:
Currently, the cost to mail the Capital is approx. $60 a week or $3000/year.
To distribute the e-bulletin we would use the same program we use for staff
newsletters, with a slight upgrade to increase contacts allowed and allow more staff
users. This would increase the price $20-$40 per month, or $240- $480 per year.
Council Options:
1. Continue mailing the Capital until the end of 2021, and transition to the “E-
News” Bulletin in 2022.
2. Direct administration to research other alternatives.
Recommended
Engagement: ☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification ☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other- ☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
E-Bulletin Example
Follow-up
Actions:
Communications will inform residents by letter of the change and advertise the E-
News bulletin opportunity to all County residents.
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
107 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: nonfiction studios, Explore Kneehill Delegation
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Prepared By: Jacqueline Buchanan, Economic Development Officer
Presented By: Jacqueline Buchanan, Economic Development Officer
Link to Strat Plan: Pursuing Focused Growth
Recommended
Motion:
That Council receives for information the nonfiction studios, Explore Kneehill
project report for information as presented.
Background/
Proposal
nonfiction studios inc. presented Council with the final report of the Explore Kneehill
campaign at 8:35am this morning.
Explore Kneehill is a Kneehill Regional Partnership initiative, led by Kneehill
County. nonfiction studios were contracted as the Project Manager for the 2021
summer initiative.
The goals of the campaign were as follows:
• Through regional collaboration, grow awareness of the Kneehill Region as a
tourism destination for “local” visitors
• Increase tourism traffic to the Kneehill Region, both to municipal-owned
destinations and private operators
• Promote authentic experiences in the region utilizing user-generated content
• Develop a foundation for further regional tourism initiatives through
collaboration
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
• Further to the portion of the project managed by nonfiction studios, the
campaign has seen additional benefits:
• QR signage located at Horseshoe Canyon and in the Rate Payer newsletter
and distributed to municipal partners to post at rec facilities and
campgrounds have generated over 300 views
• Horseshoe Canyon parking attendants received training to assist in
directing visitors into the region
• A central inventory of all the region’s tourism assets was developed and
posted online
• A total of 60 professional photos were taken in each of the communities to
increase marketing content for each
• The Explore Kneehill photo contest generated over 70 submissions, further
creating content for the region
• A location map is currently in progress for future promotion of the region
• Both Kiever’s Lake Campground and Linden Coulee Campground (used in
our Travel Alberta reporting) saw increased bookings
• Multiple businesses have reported increases in traffic and sales
108 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
• Kneehill County facilitated complimentary training programs for operators in
collaboration with Community Futures Wild Rose, Travel Alberta, Travel
Drumheller, Alberta Health Services, Drumheller and District Chamber of
Commerce and Food Tourism Strategies and Strong Coffee Marketing.
• Later this year Kneehill County Council will be presented with a request to
provide the Kneehill Regional Partnership with proposed projects for 2022 and
Explore Kneehill will once again be recommended for consideration.
• The 2022 budget request will include funds allocated to the second year of the
Explore Kneehill Regional Campaign.
Financial
Implications:
No additional funds required for 2021
Council Options:
1. Receive for information.
2. Direct administration to provide further information.
Recommended
Engagement:
☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☐ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification ☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other- ☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
Delegation Request Form
Follow-up
Actions:
None
Director Approval: Laurie Watt, Director
Community Services
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
109 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Subject: Council Follow-up Action List
Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Presented By: Mike Haugen, CAO
Link to Strat Plan: Level of Service
Recommended
Motion:
That Council receive for information the Council Follow-up Action List as presented.
Background/
Proposal
To request Council’s acceptance of the Council Follow-Up Action List.
Discussion/
Options/
Benefits/
Disadvantages:
Please find attached the Council Follow-Up Action List. The Council Follow-up
Action list is a list of items from Council meetings that require follow-up. This
document is regularly updated after each Council meeting.
Financial
Implications:
N/A
Council Options:
1. Receive the report regarding the Council Follow-up Action List for information.
2. Council provide further direction or required changes/amendments.
Recommended
Engagement: ☒ Directive Decision (Information Sharing-One way communication)
Goal: To educate and inform citizens
Tools: ☒ Individual Notification or ☒ Public Notification
☐ Consultative Decision (Consulting the Public – Two way communication)
Goal: To seek feedback, test ideas, develop concepts and collaborative solutions
Tools: ☐ Public Hearing ☐ Open House ☐ Focus Group ☐ Other-
☐ Collaborative Decision (Active Participation- Share or delegate decision making)
Goal: To share or delegate decision making
Tools: ☐ Participatory Decision Making ☐ Inter-Municipal Agreement ☐ Other-
Attachments:
November 9, 2021 Council Follow-Up Action List
Follow-up
Actions:
Update Action List and provide updated Council Follow-Up Action List at the next
Council meeting.
CAO Approval:
Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
110 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Meeting Date Motion #Description/Motion
Action Required Assigned To Due Date Status
23-Feb-21 109/21
Councillor Penner moved that Council continue the Capital
Newspaper Delivery Program for 2021, and that staff be
directed to develop a pay for service program to begin in 2022
offered to ratepayers who do not get the Three Hills Capital in
the mail. Christine Anderson
Other program options are
being developed
09-Mar-21 123/21
Deputy Reeve McGhee moved that administration submit an
application under the Provincial Education Requisition Credit
(PERC) for the uncollectable Education Requisition and the
uncollectable Designated Industrial Property Requisition on
these Oil & Gas Properties.Marika Von Mirbach
In Progress; the
application intake for this
grant is not until January
2022.
23-Mar-21 139/21
Councillor Penner moved that Council direct administration to
cancel the current agreement with R&D Pilot Truck Ltd for the
hauling of gravel to the Hiller Stockpile and enter into an
agreement to sell the remainder of gravel located at the Delia
pit at a cost recovery.Mike Ziehr
continue to develop a sale
agreement suitable to the
County and R&D
27-Apr-21 185/21
Councillor King moved that Council direct administration to
continue the exploration of assuming ownership and
operation of the Orkney Water Co-op under the supported
guidance of Council to restrict flow at all connections.John McKiernan
Follow up email was sent
to Orkney Coop. The Coop
is to meet the week of
November 2 to discuss the
matter and will respond
back to the County after
this meeting has occurred
11-May-21 229/21 Reeve Wittstock moved that Council approve Policy #15-5,
Scholarship Policy as presented.Complete
11-May-21 230/21
Councillor Christie moved that Council direct administration to
come back to a future Council meeting and present options for
agricultural exemptions for Road Bans.Mike Ziehr In Progress
20-Jul-21 288/21
Councillor King moved that Council direct administration that
once the County has the financial background regarding the
Three Hills East Water Delivery Options, that the County then
complete a public engagement with the residents. Christine Anderson Will take place in 2022
17-Aug-21 311/21
Councillor King moved that Council direct administration to
pursue the Three Hills East Water Feasibility Study as per the
proposal from the consultant, with funding from 2021
operating budget as a special project.John McKiernan
In Progress- WSP
continues to work on the
study
17-Aug-21 323/21
Councillor Penner moved that Kneehill County transfer the
title for Plan 5591FI, Block 6, Lot 4 to Kneehill County pursuant
to the Municipal Government Act, Section 424(1).Bill McKennan
In Progress- With Land
Titles
17-Aug-21 324/21
Deputy Reeve McGhee moved that Council declares the parcel
located at Plan 5591FI, Block 6, Lot 4 as surplus and directs
administration to sell the property as per the Disposition of
Surplus Lands Policy #16-16.Bill McKennan In Progress
28-Sep-21 355/21
Deputy Reeve McGhee moved that Council discuss long term
planning for Horseshoe Canyon at a future Committee of the
Whole meeting.Shelby Sherwick In Progress
21-Oct-21 366/21
Deputy Reeve McGhee moved that Council direct
administration to bring back more information on possible
opportunities for better recycling, including costs for hamlets
to have small bins, to a future Committee of the Whole
meeting.John McKiernan
Collection of information
is ongoing to prepare a
presentation to council
21-Oct-21 370/21
Councillor King moved that Council approve the Kneehill
Regional Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) 2022
Budget and Allocations as presented.COMPLETED
On October 26, 2021
Agenda
21-Oct-21 371/21
Councillor King moved that Council table the Capital Mailing
discussion and have administration bring back further
information to the first Council meeting in November. Christine Anderson
Council Action Items
111 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
Meeting Date Motion #Description/Motion
Action Required Assigned To Due Date Status
Council Action Items
26-Oct-21 444/21
Deputy Reeve King moved that Council approve the amended
Kneehill Regional Family and Community Support Services
(FCSS) 2022 Budget and Allocations as presented.COMPLETED
26-Oct-21 445/21
Councillor Penner moved that Council provides support to the
Three Hills Thrashers Junior “B” Hockey Club, by providing
Friends of the Thrashers sponsorship in the amount of
$500.00. COMPLETED
26-Oct-21 450/21
Councillor McGhee moved that Council approve a sale price of
$650,000 for the sale of the Sundre “McCall” land containing
128.54 acres, located at SE-18-33-25-W5.
In progress, Sale
documents have been
signed
112 2021.11.09 Council Meeting
AMENDMENT SUMMARY
Council Meeting Date: November 9, 2021
Purpose:
The purpose of the Amendment Summary is to explain the differences from the original package that
was presented at the Council meeting compared to the amended version.
Agenda:
No additions were made to the agenda
Package:
No additions were made to the package
113 2021.11.09 Council Meeting