Kneehill County

Regular Meeting of Council

Minutes

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 8:30 A.m. - 12:30 P.m.

1600 2nd Street NE

Three Hills, AB T0M 2A0

Council Present:

• Faye McGhee, Councillor
• Debbie Penner, Councillor
• Jerry Wittstock, Deputy Reeve
• Carrie Fobes, Councillor
• Laura Lee Machell-Cunningham, Councillor
• Wade Christie, Councillor
• Kenneth King, Reeve

Staff Present:

• Mike Haugen, Chief Administrative Officer
• Mike Ziehr, Director of Infrastructure
• Kevin Gannon, Director of Community Services
• Theresa Cochran, Director of Corporate Services
• Debra Grosfield, Manager of Protective Services
• Barb Hazelton, Manager of Planning and Development
• Will Nyman, Manager of Customer Experience, Risk, and Technology
• Deanna Keiver, Planning and Development Officer
• Fallon Sherlock, Manager of Parks and Agricultural Services
• Ushba Khalid, Municipal Intern
• Wendy Gerbrandt, Economic Development Manager
• Rajeana Nyman, Property Tax and Utilities Administrator
• Carolyn Van der Kuil, Legislative Services Manager

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1.

Call Meeting to Order

Reeve King called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

1.1

Agenda

1.1.1

Additions to the Agenda

Additions under Council & Committee Reports

9.1 Division 5 Report
9.2 Division 1 Report
9.3 Division 7 Report
9.4 Community Futures Wildrose

1.1.2

Adoption of the Agenda

• Resolution: 245/24
  Moved by: Councillor Christie

  That Council approve the agenda as amended.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2.

Approval of Minutes

2.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2024

• Resolution: 246/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council approves the adoption of the minutes of the August 20, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council, as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

Appointments

3.1

Delegation: Community Futures Wildrose

Chantale Sangster, Community Futures Wildrose, Executive Director, presented to Council highlights from the Workforce Development Strategy Project.

5.

Community Services

5.1

Planning

5.1.1

Bylaw 1905 Draft Municipal Development Plan 

The Chair called for a recess at 9:52 a.m. and called the meeting back to order at 10:00 a.m. with all previously mentioned members present.

The Chair deferred this item until later in the meeting, in order to accommodate the scheduled Public Hearing, which was set for 10:00 a.m.

3.

Appointments

3.2

Public Hearing- Bylaw 1906 - Road Closure – Railway Ave within Ex-Hamlet of Allingham

• Resolution: 247/24
  Moved by: Deputy Reeve Wittstock

  That the Public Hearing for Bylaw 1906 be opened at 10:00 a.m.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Person(s) who presented: Deanna Keiver, Planning and Development Officer
  Person(s) who spoke: No one came forward to speak

  
  
• Resolution: 248/24
  Moved by: Councillor Fobes

  That the Public Hearing for Bylaw 1906 be closed at 10:14 a.m.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

Community Services

5.1

Planning

5.1.2

Bylaw 1905 Draft Municipal Development Plan Cont'd

The Chair called for a recess at 10:54 a.m. and called the meeting back to order at 11:00 a.m. with all previously mentioned members present.

The Chair deferred this item until later in the meeting, in order to accommodate the scheduled Public Hearing, which was set for 11:00 a.m.

3.

Appointments

3.3

Public Hearing- Bylaw 1907 - Redesignation from Direct Control District 5 to Agriculture District

• Resolution: 249/24
  Moved by: Deputy Reeve Wittstock

  That the Public Hearing for Bylaw 1907 be opened at 11:00 a.m.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Person(s) who presented: Deanna Keiver, Planning and Development Officer
  Person(s) who spoke: No one came forward to speak

  
  
• Resolution: 250/24
  Moved by: Councillor Christie

  That the Public Hearing for Bylaw 1907 be closed at 11:06 a.m.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

Community Services

5.1

Planning

5.1.3

Bylaw 1905 Draft Municipal Development Plan Cont'd

• Resolution: 251/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council direct Administration to bring the proposed Bylaw 1908, Municipal Development Plan, to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for further discussion.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Resolution: 252/24
  Moved by: Councillor Fobes

  That this meeting goes into closed session at 11:17 a.m. for the following reason.

  • Intergovernmental Relations (FOIP-Section 21)
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Resolution: 253/24
  Moved by: Councillor Fobes

  That Council return to open meeting at 11:33 a.m.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  11:33 a.m. - meeting recessed to allow return of public.
  11:34 a.m. - meeting resumed.

  
  

5.1.4

Bylaw 1904 Redesignation - Agriculture to Recreation – Third Reading

• Resolution: 254/24
  Moved by: Councillor Penner

  That Council move third reading of proposed Bylaw 1904 for the purpose of amending Land Use Bylaw 1808 by redesignating a portion of SW 26-29-21 W4 Plan 821 0253, Block 1, Lot 1 from Agriculture District to Recreation District.

   

  CARRIED

5.3

Protective Services

5.3.1

Bylaw 1903, Unsightly Premises Bylaw 

Councillor Fobes returned to the meeting at 1:25 p.m.

• Resolution: 255/24
  Moved by: Councillor Christie

  That Council approve third and final reading of Bylaw 1903, Unsightly Premises.

  CARRIED

5.3.2

Protective Services Report September 2024

• Resolution: 256/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council accepts the Protective Services Report September 2024, as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Resolution: 257/24
  Moved by: Councillor Fobes

  That Council directs Administration to request a meeting with RCMP K Division at the RMA Conference.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  The Chair called for a recess at 12:15 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 1:00 p.m. with all previously mentioned members present, except for Councillor Fobes.

  
  

3.

Appointments

3.4

Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. Delegation

Councillor Fobes excused herself from the discussion due to pecuniary interest.

Austin Nieuwdorp, Terry McNeill, and Shaun Ferguson, representing Pine Cliff Energy Ltd., appeared before the Council to request a payment plan for their 2024 property taxes. They proposed splitting the total amount into six equal, penalty-free monthly payments, with full payment completed by March 31, 2025. Their request does not seek a reduction in the taxes owed, but rather a short-term deferral to help manage cash flow through the fourth quarter of 2024.

6.

Corporate Services

6.1

Policy #16-7, Acceptable Methods of Payment Policy

• Resolution: 258/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council approves the revisions to Policy 16-7 Acceptable Methods of Payment as amended.

  CARRIED

6.2

GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

• Resolution: 259/24
  Moved by: Councillor Cunningham

  That Council accepts the report on the 2024 GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for information.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

Community Services

5.2

Agricultural Service Board & Parks

5.2.1

2024 Horseshoe Canyon Master Plan

• Resolution: 260/24
  Moved by: Councillor Fobes

  That Council Approves the 2024 Horseshoe Canyon Master Plan as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Resolution: 261/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council direct Administration to provide a report on the process and resources required to develop a land acknowledgement protocol.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.2.2

Policy #1-2, Sponsorship to Agriculture Non-Profit Policy

• Resolution: 262/24
  Moved by: Councillor Christie

  That Council approve, as presented, Policy #1-2, Sponsorship to Agriculture Non-Profit Organizations.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.

Legislative Services

7.1

Marigold Library Schedule “C”

• Resolution: 263/24
  Moved by: Councillor Cunningham

  That Council approve the per capita levy rates listed on the revised Marigold Library Schedule “C”, as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2

Kneehill Regional Family and Community Support Services Agreement

The Chair called for a recess at 2:15 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 2:25 p.m. with all previously mentioned members present.

• Resolution: 264/24
  Moved by: Deputy Reeve Wittstock

  That Council approve the proposed 2024 Kneehill Regional FCSS Agreement and authorize the Reeve and CAO to sign said agreement.

  CARRIED

7.3

Bylaw 1908, Electoral Boundaries and Council Composition

• Resolution: 265/24
  Moved by: Councillor Penner

  That Council provide first reading to Bylaw 1908, as presented, that being a bylaw to establish the composition of Kneehill County Council; divide Kneehill County into divisions and establish the boundaries of each division; and determine the title of the positions of Kneehill County’s Chief Elected Officials and Councillors.

  CARRIED

7.4

Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association – Letters of Support

• Resolution: 266/24
  Moved by: Deputy Reeve Wittstock

  That Council direct Administration to provide Letters of Support for the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association’s ACP and CIP applications.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.5

Wind Concerns Kneehill County Questions

Council addressed the questions raised by the Wind Concerns Kneehill County group and provided responses, which will be communicated to the group by Administration.

7.6

Minister Neudorf Response re Renewable Energy Letter

• Resolution: 267/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council direct administration to send a response letter to Minister Neudorf and Premier Smith, and the other Ministers that were originally cc'd on the previous letter, regarding concerns on renewable energy development.   

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.7

County – Developer Meetings

• Resolution: 268/24
  Moved by: Deputy Reeve Wittstock

  That Council accept the County-Developer Report for information, as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.

Disposition of Delegation & Public Hearing Business

8.1

Community Futures Wildrose Delegation

The Chair called for a recess at 4:33 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 4:40 p.m. with all previously mentioned members present.  

• Resolution: 269/24
  Moved by: Councillor Christie

  That Council receive for information the Workforce Development Strategy Project Report, presented by Community Futures Wildrose.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.2

Bylaw 1907 Redesignation – Direct Control 5 to Agriculture

• Resolution: 270/24
  Moved by: Deputy Reeve Wittstock

  That Council move second reading of proposed Bylaw 1907 for the purpose of amending Land Use Bylaw 1808 by redesignating 1,224m² on a portion of SE 18-30-24 W4 from Direct Control 5 District, back to Agriculture District.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Resolution: 271/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council provide third and final reading to proposed Bylaw 1907, for the purpose of amending Land Use Bylaw 1808 by redesignating 1,224m² on a portion of SE 18-30-24 W4 from Direct Control 5 District, back to Agriculture District.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3

2024 Property Tax Payment Plan Request from Pine Cliff Energy

Councillor Fobes excused herself from the discussion due to pecuniary interest.

• Resolution: 272/24
  Moved by: Councillor Christie

  That Council agrees to enter into a Tax Deferral Payment Agreement with Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. to pay 2024 taxes over a 6-month payment plan from October 2024 to March 2025, with no penalties to be assessed.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Councillor Fobes excused herself from the vote.

  
  

9.

Council and Committee Reports

• Resolution: 273/24
  Moved by: Councillor Fobes

  That Council receive for information the reports that were presented and defer the remainder of the items to the next Council meeting.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9.1

Division 5 Report

Councillor Cunningham provided an update on the Victim Services Program and will defer the rest of her items to the next Council Meeting.

9.2

Division 1 Report

Agenda Item Deferred to Next Council Meeting.

9.3

Division 7 Report

Agenda Item Deferred to Next Council Meeting.

9.4

Community Futures Wildrose

Councillor Christie provided an update on the Capacity Building Entrepreneurship Mentor Program.

10.

Council Follow-Up Action List

• Resolution: 274/24
  Moved by: Deputy Reeve Wittstock

  That Council receive for information the Council Follow-Up Action List as presented.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.

Closed Session

• Resolution: 275/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That this meeting goes into closed session at 4:57 p.m. for the following reason(s):

  Confidential Evaluation (FOIP-Section 19)

  Personnel FOIP (Section 17)

  Intergovernmental Relations (FOIP-Section 21)

  Disclosure Harmful to Personal Privacy (FOIP- Section 17)

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Resolution: 276/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council return to open meeting at 6:12 p.m.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  6:12 p.m. - meeting recessed to allow return of public.
  6:14 p.m. - meeting resumed.

  
  

12.

Motions from Closed Session

• Resolution: 277/24
  Moved by: Councillor McGhee

  That Council authorize the Reeve to proceed with personnel issue as discussed.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13.

Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.