Regular Meeting of Council for the
Village of Carmangay,
December 13, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
at the Village Office
UNAUTHORIZED
CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order 6:06 p.m.
GUESTS Joanne Juce
PRESENT Kym Nichols, Mayor
Sheila Smidt, Deputy Mayor
Stacey Hovde, Councilor
Heather O’Halloran, Administrator
Sue Dahl, Assistant Administrator
Heather Hazen
Carroll Thomson
PRESENTATION
Joanne Juce presented on how this area has an issue with stray and feral cats. She described the difference between stray and feral. Feral being wild cats that are not being taken care of by anyone. And stray cats that were once cared for but that have been abandoned. She proposed a possibility of a trap/neuter (spay)/release program for feral cats to help with the overpopulation. She questioned if the Village is offering any sort of resources for people or if council is considering any kind of a cat bylaw.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Additions to the agenda: New business – e) Insurance coverage for council
f) Intermunicipal Development Plan
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt to approve the agenda with additions for December 13, 2016.
Carried
MINUTES
To approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on November 15, 2016.
Motion made by Councillor Stacey Hovde to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held November 15, 2016.
Carried
To approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole held on December 7, 2016.
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt to approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held December 7, 2016.
Carried.
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December 13, 2016
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PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Scott and Tex replaced the ram on the dump truck. The water bypass at the water plant is complete. They installed the new furniture in the office. They assisted with the demolition. Assisted in setting up the lights at the campground. Tex got his first aid recertified. The Village truck needed some repairs on the ignition switch at the Ford dealer. Tex working mostly half days as there is not much going on.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a) Stacey presentation – Stacey’s proposal is a government granted/private enterprise funded campground – 200 fully serviced sites on 40 acres of land on the east end of Carmangay. It would be self-sustaining, wind and solar energy driven – with a “green energy” interpretive center. It would not cost tax payers anything to build. Stacey is looking for council’s interest.
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt to table this for further information.
Carried.
ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Alarie Asset distribution – Strathcona & Rockyview County opposed in regards to the way the distribution was calculated. Back in court on December 19. We dealt with the demolition and the aftermath, still waiting for all the invoices in order to tally up the final costs. Sue is on vacation next week. Water bills will be processed this Thursday. Met at VBDS office with Liza, County, Town, Christopher and Tracey. Final walk through with Wilde Bros. for Elmore Street. ATB looking for ways to increase business and build their market share, at some point in time we may be required to make outbound calls to increase business. We have had a discussion with Stuart Larson. He is planning a county wide Emergency training session. Our grant money of $1000 would be put towards this exercise. Sue has been in discussions with Clint at Metercor to order some meters. We will need to update our existing software so that the meters can be read.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Approval for accounts payable for November 2016.
Approval of monthly statement for November 2016.
Motion made by Councilor Stacey Hovde to accept the financial reports for November 2016.
Carried.
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December 13, 2016
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NEW BUSINESS
a) Dr. Retention – we received a contract to sign as the last contract is due to expire. Kym is concerned as she hasn’t been invited to any meetings and there hasn’t been any information shared in the last three years since the last time the contract needed to be signed. She has been assured that there will be better communication and quarterly financial reporting this time.
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt to sign the contract.
Carried.
b) Interim Budget – An interim budget was presented to council
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt to adopt the interim budget as presented.
Carried.
c) Fortis Agreement - Fortis is looking to convert all streetlights to LED. The Village currently has 36 lights that are “non-investment” lights. This means that if anything happens to these (poles, lights etc.) the Village is responsible for the cost to repair them. Fortis is willing to buy out the non- investment lights – an option that is necessary if we want Fortis to upgrade them to LED. By converting the streetlights to LED, it would save the Village 16500 kwh/year.
Motion made by Councillor Stacey Hovde to sign the Fortis agreement.
Carried.
d) Porter Tanner invoice – final invoice holdback - $73,293.88
Motion made by Councillor Stacey Hovde to pay $73,293.88 to Porter Tanner.
Carried.
- Wilde Bros - $1649.81
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt to pay $1649.81 to Wilde Bros.
Carried.
e) Insurance Coverage for council– Insurance plans were distributed to council for their consideration
Motion made by Councillor Stacey Hovde for the Plan A – 24 hour package
Carried.
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December 13, 2016
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f) Vulcan County Intermunicipal Development Plan – After discussions with Christopher from Arrowwood/Milo, it was decided that it is not in the interest of the small communities to enter into a large plan at this point.
Motion made my Mayor Kym Nichols to participate in an application for Regional Intermunicipal Development Plan Project submitted by Vulcan County.
Unanimously opposed.
REPORTS
a) ORRSC
Budget. Elected board – stayed the same. 1.39% increase in membership and GIS fees. Putting $50,000 in reserve. Staff salaries increase 2%. Subdivisions were down this year.
b) MARQUIS
Cancelled due to no quorum
c) VULCAN DISTRICT SOLID WASTE
Approved the budget. SAEWA has two more studies to do in regards to the waste to energy facility.
d) CARMANGAY AND DISTRICT LIBRARY BOARD
The open house was held on December 13th. A fairly good turnout.
e) SUBDIVISION APPEAL BOARD
Hutterite Brethren of Summerland are suing Vulcan County and the Appeal Board in regards to the development south and west of Carmangay. Court date is December 16, 2016.
f) FCSS
Viable Housing has received a substantial grant to set up a four bedroom home for homeless or at risk youth. This home will be supervised at all times. Cooking socials have been very successful. Red Cross is offering relationship programs in package of 12 sessions appropriate for youth’s age. Youth center has once again been broken into and games/Xbox stolen and computer that youth use to practice school homework activities and during exams. More info on Rowan House Protection from Abuse Shelter in High River. Food Bank building fund may have found a donor willing to help with the final bills. Also County agrees to give $10,000 to help out.
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December 13, 2016
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g) VBDS
Reworked the budget down to County and Town each contributing $60,000 instead of $77,500. December meeting to be held on December 14th.
h) HALL BOARD
No report
i) SOUTHGROW
Will apply for a matching CARES grant of $50,000 which will be used to sponsor a foreign trade delegation to China partnering with the City of Lethbridge. Note: Federal Grant money can be used as matching dollars since CARES is a provincial grant. Alberta Ag has approached to hire and manage a person who will be trained to visit Ag operations to discuss Carbon Tax and ways to achieve efficient use of energy in their operations. Discussed hiring Doug Griffiths as speaker in the spring. Pete will be asking Lethbridge College and a couple of other groups to cosponsor as Doug is $5000. Ticket sales will cover the cost for Southgrow’s portion. Italian company meeting in Southgrow and Lethbridge College regarding the benefit of converting BioMass to ethanol.
j) TWIN VALLEY REGIONAL WATER COMMISSION
Kym and the Vice Chair signed papers with ATB in regards to the operating deficit.
k) MAYORS AND REEVES OF SOUTHWEST ALBERTA
Did not attend the meeting.
l) HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bell will not be going onto the Old Fire Hall until spring.
CORRESPONDENCE
Carmangay Library – 2017 requisition
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councillor Stacey Hovde moved to go in camera at 8:47 pm
Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt moved to go out of camera at 9:57 pm
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Sheila Smidt to give permanent Public Works and Administrative staff a 5% wage increase
Carried.
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ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole – January 4, 2016 at 10:00 am
Regular Council meeting – January 17, 2016 at 6:00 pm
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Mayor
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Administrator