County / Municipal Committee Meeting of the Province of held in the Board Room of the County of Forty Mile No. 8 Office, Foremost, Alberta on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

The Meeting was called to order by the Reeve, Tom Thacker at 9:00 A. M.

Members Present: Ronald Lane Joan Hughson Bryne Lengyel Bruce Robertson Ronald Harty

Also present: Dale Brown, County Administrator Sharon Burgess-Brown, Director of Finance Bill Nicoll, Assistant Municipal Supervisor Stewart Payne, Municipal Enforcement Officer Jamie Rieger, County Commentator Sandra Miller, Secretary to the County Administrator

Absent: Craig Widmer, Councillor

Minutes

MOVED approval of the Minutes of the Regular County Council Meeting held on April 25, 2012.

CARRIED.

Items Added to the Agenda

Two items were added to the Agenda by the Council Members present.

COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS

Municipal Enforcement Officer Report

ENFORCEMENT 29 Active Files. Mr. Payne has received a few additional by-law issues. The Patrol Truck requires further mechanical repairs.

UTILITIES Skiff pump house requires repair work that will need to be scheduled as it requires the shutdown of the distribution system.

Burdett Water system required a manufacturer software upgrade however, when the Engineer arrived to install the upgrade, the control panel crashed. The alarm and monitor systems are working, however there is no visual in the pump house or remote access.

Irrigation repairs/installations in Burdett are progressing well. Utility crews have repaired the irrigation system on the ball diamonds, the main street Park and installed the Cenotaph irrigation in amongst other duties. Operational and preventative maintenance issues are also being completed.

Manyberries lagoon release remains on hold until Mr. Payne can meet with the landowner who is currently occupied with seeding. The lagoon is full, but not near overflowing.

Some issues have occurred with the water metre readings when uploading data to the County computer system. In discussions with Accounting, it is planned to change the billing date to the last day of the month, to reduce the amount of pro-rated computations required when rentals change or homes sell. This change is scheduled to occur over the next few months with completion by the end of December.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Mr. Payne will be attending a Social Media and Emergencies course on May 11, 2012.

Regional Water Supply Study

Mr. Payne presented the feasibility study from MPE Engineering for a regional water supply system. Under the “Water for Life” strategy, the Province provides funding for regional water supply projects under the Regional Water and Wastewater Partnership Initiative. This study would be conducted in conjunction with the Village of Foremost, and the three hamlets , and Skiff at an estimated cost of $44,500.00

MOVED that MPE Engineering be hired to prepare a feasibility study on behalf of the County of Forty Mile No. 8 / Village of Foremost for a Regional Water Supply System at a cost of $44,500.00.

Project Understanding and Scope of Work as per Addendum “A” to the Minutes.

CARRIED.

Pole Placement – 99’ Road Allowance

The County received a request from Mr. David Geldreich to waive/relax the pole placement setback requirement on 99 foot road right-of-ways that are not going to be fully developed in the future. Mr. Gieldreich requested Council’s consideration in allowing the poles to be placed at the same location as pole placement on a 66 foot road right-of-way.

MOVED to reaffirm the existing pole placement setback requirements on a 99 foot road right- of-way and that no exceptions be made.

MOTION LOST.

MOVED approval for the pole placement along the W ½ 36, 8-11-W4 to be relaxed to ten (10) feet on property.

MOTION LOST.

Stewart Payne left the Meeting.

Protective Services Co-ordinator Report

Fire: • The CVIP has been completed on the Aden Fire Truck. • The Pendant D’Orielle truck has some repairs remaining. • Replacement of the cement pad at the Fire Hall has been completed. • Flowing testing has been completed on the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA’s), except for Manyberries as these are due to be replaced this year.

Safety: • Safety orientations have been on-going as seasonal staff returns. • Time has been spent in preparation for instruction of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods course. • Changes to the Health and Safety Manual have been forwarded to Council for approval.

40 Mile Park

Council were requested to provide funding options for the future development of 40 Mile Park.

MOVED ratification of the actions and expenditures taken by the 40 Mile Park Management Committee.

CARRIED.

Treasurer’s Report

MOVED approval of the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending April 30th, 2012.

CARRIED.

Gravel Resale Policy

Council reviewed the current Gravel Resale Policy and the proposed increase. This item will be tabled to the next County Council Meeting.

MLA Drew Barnes present.

Delegation

Mr. Barnes has been assigned as “Critic for Infrastructure and Transportation. Mr. Barnes is interested in what the constituency issues are and his plans and hopes are to be a strong advocate for the constituents. Mr. Barnes’ goal in attending Council was to hear what issues are important to them and to present those items at the May 23 to May 31, 2012 Sessions.

Issues Discussed: • Highway No. 61 – In 2011, Alberta Transportation completed 14 kilometres of highway improvements towards Etzikom, however the remaining 35 kilometres although surveyed, has not been tendered. This Highway receives a great deal of truck traffic with agriculture products and oil. With such a high use, Highway No. 61 needs to be upgraded to modern standards with the proper side slopes to address the safety issues. • The County is commodity-based, not industry-based; therefore roads/transportation is a huge priority for the County. Farms are becoming larger and more diversified, which impacts both provincial and municipal roads. Council would like to see Mr. Barnes work with the government to ensure the County continues to receive the necessary funding as it has in the past. • Wild Steer Butte Power Facility – Council would like this issue given first priority. This would be the largest Wind Farm in which would not only benefit the County, but the south region as a whole. As the entire area is more agriculture based, a new industry is imperative to increase the population, jobs, tax base, student enrollment, and businesses. Council requested Mr. Barnes’ support in moving this project forward. • Wild Horse Crossing – Council indicated the addition of a 24 hour crossing is crucial to the south. Although the government looks at the quantities passing through the border, the important issue is the content tonnage that is being transported. The condition of the highways on both sides of the border would require major re-construction. Considering the economy of the area, Alberta is the only province with one, 24 hour port. • HALO – given the funding the government has allotted for STARS, Mr. Barnes plans to pursue funding allotment to HALO as STARS does not service this area. While HALO is a large improvement to our area, night travel is not a service they can presently provide. Additional funding could address this issue. • Alberta Land Stewardship Act – Mr. Barnes indicated ‘property rights’ is one of the top priorities of the Alberta Wildrose Party. • Highway No. 3 – Mr. Barnes is aware of the twinning project and was quite disappointed with the government’s lack of follow through in completing the Highway from Taber to . Mr. Barnes believes this project needs to see completion.

Council expressed their concern in having an adequate government voice with Opposition representation. Mr. Barnes reassured Council he would argue positively, use a positive attitude/approach and will do his best to promote what the County needs.

The Committee suggested Mr. Barnes attend a tour of the County with the Councillors to better understand their concerns.

Mr. Barnes indicated he will be opening Constituency Offices in Medicine Hat and Bow Island and will provide his cell phone number to everyone.

Mr. Barnes left the Meeting.

Timesheets

MOVED approval of the Timesheets as presented.

CARRIED.

Recreation – Allocation Distribution

MOVED that the County of Forty Mile No. 8 Recreational Grant Allocation Levy be distributed as follows:

Bow Island Recreation District - 31.0% Foremost/Hoping Recreation District - 29.0% Burdett Recreation District - 7.0% South East Recreation District - 1.5% Etzikom Recreation District - 1.5%

And the balance of the distribution be distributed amongst all the recreation boards on a per capita basis as follows:

Burdett Recreation District - 841 Bow Island Recreation District - 942 Foremost Recreation District - 910 Etzikom Recreation District - 228 South East Recreation District - 298 Conquerville Recreation District - 117 3336

CARRIED.

Bill Nicoll left the Meeting.

Commentator – 100th Celebration Souvenir Booklet

The Commentator is publishing a Souvenir Booklet for the Town of Bow Island’s 100th Anniversary. They have inquired to see if the County would like to purchase an advertisement congratulating the Town on its 100th Anniversary.

MOVED approval to purchase a half page advertisement with one color choice in the Souvenir Booklet for the Town of Bow Island’s Anniversary at a cost of $340.00.

CARRIED.

Health and Safety Manual Changes

MOVED approval to accept the Recommendations as presented from the Health and Safety Committee regarding Safety Manual changes.

CARRIED.

Jamie Rieger left the Meeting.

NOON RECESS – 12:00 P. M. RECONVENE – 1:00 P. M.

Setback Request

Brian and Jennifer Larson have requested Council’s consideration in selling a portion of the road allowance of W15, 7-5-W4 for future development of their yard. The other option would be to relax the setback required to accommodate the development.

MOVED approval to relax the setback requirement to the edge of the west property line on NW15, 7-5-W4 provided that:

1. All existing encroachments are removed from the County road allowance property adjacent to the yard including the small barn and portions of the corrals found within the County road allowance, prior to any future construction occurring.

2. If future development of the road allowance was initiated adjacent to the yard, and removal or relocation of structures that had been built within normal setback requirements of forty (40) metres from the centre of the adjacent road allowance was required, this would take place in a timely manner and at the landowner’s expense.

3. Any future development meets all remaining requirements found in the Land Use By-Law in force at the time of Development and is in accordance with a Development Permit, if required.

CARRIED.

INFORMATION ITEMS

The Operational Expense list for the period ending April 30, 2012 was presented.

Monthly Approval Report for the period ending April 30, 2012 was presented.

Truck / Hauling Report for the period ending April 30, 2012 was presented.

Water Well Report for the period ending April 30, 2012 was presented.

Public Works Staff are currently installing the culvert on Township Road 102 south of Burdett.

Gravel Crew is hauling out of the Neil Pit.

Genivar Engineering are working on the preliminary designs for the culvert replacements south of Manyberries on Township Road 50.

The Oiling Crew will begin the stabilization project on the 501 south of Manyberries the second week of May.

Southwest Steel has commenced work on the Public Works Shop.

Assessment and Millrate Comparisons

Council reviewed Assessment and Millrate Comparisons from 1997 to 2012.

Economic Development Alliance

Councillor Ronald Harty provided Council with an update regarding the recent Economic Development Alliance Meeting.

A “Think Global” Workshop will be held on May 29, 2012 in the Fireside Room at the Medicine Hat Exhibition.

Economic Development Association will be advocating the Wind Energy Project move forward.

MOVED that the Meeting adjourn at 2:35 P. M.

CARRIED.