September 10, 2014 - County of Forty Mile No. 8

County / Municipal Committee Meeting of the Province of Alberta held in the Board Room of
the County of Forty Mile No. 8 Office, Foremost, Alberta on Wednesday, September 10, 2014.
The Meeting was called to order by the Reeve, Bryne Lengyel at 8:55 A. M.
Members Present:
Craig Widmer
Joan Hughson
Chantel Timmons
Gerald Reimer
Steven Wikkerink
Also present:
Dale Brown, County Administrator
Sharon Burgess, Director of Finance
Keith Bodin, Municipal Supervisor
Stewart Payne, Municipal Enforcement Officer
Nathan Coté, Protective Services Coordinator
Sandra Reid, Secretary to the County Administrator
Absent:
Ronald Harty
Minutes
MOVED approval of the Minutes of the Regular County Council Meeting held on August 27,
2014.
CARRIED.
Amendments to the Agenda
MOVED that the September 10, 2014 County / Municipal Committee Agenda be approved
and adopted with the following amendments:
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Doctor Recruitment
Minister of Transportation – Meeting Date
Highway 3 Twinning Committee Update
Mayors and Reeves Meeting
Joint Liaison Meeting - Date Change
Pleasant View Lodge
Committees-At-Large Membership
Landfill Update
Township Road 84 Update
CARRIED.
COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS:
Municipal Enforcement Officer’s Report
Enforcement:
• Time was spent on Unsightly Premises and Dangerous Property Orders resulting in
additional Orders. One Order may require a Substitutional Service which involves a
petition. One trial is scheduled to occur at the end of October. A few additional files
permitted to be closed after visiting the sites. Officer Payne has attended the Park
few occasions.
five
Court
were
on a
Utilities:
• The Engineers were concerned with the requested completion date of the Bulk Water
Stations and suggested an extension.
MOVED to extend the completion date for the Bulk Water Stations to July 31, 2015.
CARRIED.
The annual review of the Etzikom and Manyberries Waterworks Systems has been completed
by the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resources Development Inspector with no
issues requiring attention.
Mr. Payne’s Water Operator Certifications have been renewed. Mr. Harrison’s renewal will be
submitted.
Reeve Lengyel requested that next season Mr. Payne could attend the Park on long
weekends in conjunction with the R.C.M.P.
Protective Services Co-ordinator Report
Fire:
• Quotations for Fire equipment have been submitted and received back and orders will be
submitted.
• Awaiting a response regarding the two Community Partnership Grants (with the Town of
Bow Island and the Village of Foremost) for two additional fire trucks.
• Work continues on pricing / design for decaling.
• A draft of the Quality Management Plan (safety codes for Fire) was submitted to the Safety
Codes Council and has been approved. The Quality Management Plan will be presented
at the next Council Meeting. The Town of Bow Island has not confirmed their withdrawal
from the Plan.
• Fire Trucks should arrive the end of May.
Safety:
• Several Incidents occurred in the month of August.
• Preparations have begun for this year’s External Audit. An Auditor from the County of
Warner will be performing the Audit September 15 -19, 2014.
Nathan Coté left the Meeting.
Utility Report
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The sump pump in the Etzikom Water Plant failed and was replaced.
The sprinkler system repairs in Burdett are ongoing.
Orion water system has been failing bacteriological sampling on a regular basis. Plant
visits have increased and additional chlorine is being added more frequently.
Groundwater filtration appears to be an issue due to spring run-off and extended periods
of rain.
A plumber attended a residence in Manyberries to investigate the prolonged pumping of a
new sump pump. The plumber suspects a blocked sewer main, although it has not been
determined if the sump pump is of adequate size. The Manyberries system is a lowpressure system and difficult to access / flush. Solutions for consideration are the
installation of a manhole cover, or to connect a pressure truck directly to the residence
septic tank. This issue will continue to be investigated.
A treated water pump in Manyberries required servicing.
The 40 Mile Park showers and Concession experienced a low water pressure issue on the
long weekend which was repaired.
Stewart Payne left the Meeting.
Time Sheets
MOVED approval of the Time Sheets as presented.
CARRIED.
Treasurer’s Report
Council discussed mower options. Mr. Bodin noted the handi-hitches work well for Public
Works mowing requirements. Council discussed the Agriculture Department Mower Operator
assist Public Works if time permits.
MOVED approval of the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending August 31, 2014.
CARRIED.
By-Law No. 7/2014
A Bylaw of the County of Forty Mile No. 8 in the Province of Alberta to amend Bylaw No.
10/2009 being the Land Use Bylaw.
First Reading moved.
CARRIED.
Public Hearing Date
MOVED approval to schedule a Public Hearing for October 8, 2014.
CARRIED.
Military Service Recognition Book
The Royal Canadian Legion is recognizing local Veterans / Troops in their Remembrance
Project the “Military Recognition Book”. A copy of the book is provided to each of the schools
and public libraries in the County as a means to recognize our Veterans.
MOVED approval to purchase a quarter page advertisement in the “Military Recognition Book”
in the amount of $450.00.
CARRIED.
Foothills Little Bow Association Meeting – Resolutions
Council reviewed the proposed Resolutions that will be presented at the Foothills Little Bow
Association Meeting on September 19, 2014.
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Amendment – Land Titles Act:
Telus Line Locates:
Municipal Library Support:
CRTC Legal Costs:
Reinstatement of Funding for resource roads and local bridges:
New Home Owners Protection Act:
Controlling the spread of Quagga and Zebra Mussels:
Support
Support
Support
Support
Support
No
Support
North 40 Mile Handi-Bus Society
The North 40 Mile Handi-Bus Society has requested the County to consider providing
financial assistance with their 2014 Handi-Bus Program.
MOVED approval to provide financial support to the North 40 Mile Handi-Bus Program for
2014 in the amount of $4,500.00.
CARRIED.
Alberta Conservation Association
At the July 23, 2014 Council Meeting, Brad Downey, a Biologist from the Alberta Conservation
Association, provided an overview of the projects they are working on in the County. One of
the main projects is MULTISAR which has been around since 2002 and works with ranchers
in the Milk River Water Shed. Approximately one million dollars has been spent to date with
the majority of the funds being provided by Environment Canada.
As of 2014, Environment Canada requires a letter of support from a municipality
acknowledging that they are supportive of the work that the Alberta Conservation Association
does with landowners in the County.
Council Members expressed concern regarding the acquisition of land by the Association.
The consensus of Council was that no action be taken at this time. The County Administrator
will contact the Association representative.
Southern Alberta Medic Air Society (HALO Helicopter)
Southern Alberta Medic Air Society has requested financial assistance from the County
towards their 2014 Operating costs.
MOVED approval to provide financial support towards the Southern Alberta Medic Air Society
2014 Operating Costs in the amount of $25,000.
CARRIED.
INFORMATION ITEMS
The Operational Expense List for the period ending August 31, 2014 was presented.
Monthly Approvals report for the period ending August 31, 2014 was presented.
Truck/Hauling Report for the period ending August 31, 2014 was presented.
Water Well Report for the period ending August 25, 2014 was presented.
The Gravel Crew has completed 320 kilometres of roads.
Program should be able to be completed this year.
Mr. Bodin noted the Gravel
Shoulder pulling on Township Road 84, east of the Municipal District of Taber / County
boundary is under way. The recent rain has delayed completion of some projects.
Grass mowing and grading are in progress.
Mechanics are conducting repairs on equipment.
The Oiling Crew is working on the Road Stabilization Project south of the river on Secondary
Highway No. 880.
The Construction Crew are nearing completion on upgrades to portions of Range Road 102,
south of Highway No. 61 and will begin repairing slopes on Range Road 112 south of
Township Road 52. The shoulder slopes are steep on this section of road and have begun
slumping due to the abundance of moisture this spring.
Alberta Transportation has contracted BYZ Enterprises to replace a bridge on Secondary
Highway No. 887, south of Orion. The Project is expected to be completed near the end of
September.
Mr. Bodin noted some of the projects originally planned to complete for Alberta Transportation
may not be required.
Canada Post
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Canada Post has advised they are considering a reduction in weekly hours at the Etzikom
Post Office.
Canada Post will be reducing the weekly business hours at the Burdett Post Office. The
new hours will be Monday to Friday, from 9:30 A. M. to 12:30 P. M. and 1:00 P. M. to 4:00
P. M.
Township Road 84 Update
In discussions with Cypress County, the road construction will not be completed as intended
and consideration is being given to purchase land from another landowner and alter the road
course.
Council discussed the safety issues regarding the existing location of the road approach.
Councillor Widmer will discuss the concerns with the landowner.
Land Fill Update
Councillors Wikkerink and Timmons provided an update regarding the North Forty Mile
Regional Waste Management Services Commission. The Assistant Operator has resigned
and therefore the Commission will be seeking to hire new staff. Reeve Lengyel noted an
employee at the South Forty Waste Services Commission has also given notice and therefore
staff will be required for the Transfer Site as well.
Doctor Recruitment
Councillor Reimer updated the members regarding the Doctor Recruitment Committee. A
date has not been set for the Mock Disaster Day program however the Committee is
considering late October or November.
The Committee has requested if the County could provide manpower assistance for the
Sunday breakfast. The Committee also inquired if the County had suggestions of what
amenities to promote within the County. Suggestions included:
• Schools
• Hockey Arenas
• Etzikom Museum
• 40 Mile Park
• Golf Courses
• Writing-On-Stone
Council also suggested Councillor Reimer contact Family and Community Support Services
regarding services / information to provide to the Medical Students and their families.
Minister of Transportation
The County Administrator provided Council with an update received from the Minister’s Office.
The Minister’s Administrative Staff noted the receipt of the County’s letter requesting a
meeting with the Minister which has been scheduled for the week of the Alberta Association of
Municipal Districts and Counties Conference.
Highway 3 Twinning Committee Update
Councillor Timmons provided Council with an update regarding the Highway 3 Twinning
Committee. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2014 at 9:00 A. M. and will
include an Executive Committee Election, followed by a Community Consultation. Meetings
with the Minister of Transportation have been scheduled for both the Alberta Urban
Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and
Counties (A. A. M. D. & C.) Conventions.
Mayors and Reeves Meeting
Reeve Lengyel noted the Agenda items for the Mayors and Reeves Meeting which will be
held September 12, 2014.
Joint Liaison Meeting - Date Change
The County Administrator noted the Joint Liaison Meeting has been changed to October 30,
2014 at 7:00 P. M. at the County Office.
Pleasant View Lodge
Councillor Widmer provided an update regarding the Troy Loney Charity Golf Classic.
$80,000 was raised through the Tournament, with $50,000 being donated to the Pleasant
View Lodge. Items purchased to date include a walk-in bath, towel warmers, and a piano.
WIFI installation has also been completed.
Burdett Development
Mr. Bodin spoke with the WSP representative and noted a draft plan for the proposed
development should be available in the latter part of October.
Weigh Scales
Mr. Bodin noted the scales in Manyberries experience issues during power outages which
results in the printer constantly running. The indicator was upgraded and the previous
indicator will be used as a back-up for the Orion scales.
Committees-At-Large Membership
Council discussed the membership of the Committees-At-Large. The available positions will
be advertised for the upcoming Organizational Meeting.
Winnifred – Proposed Development
Gerard Oosterhuis invited Councillors Wikkerink and Reimer to view property where he is
proposing to develop in Winnifred. County Staff also met with Mr. Oosterhuis and discussed
that the County will assist with the road work and were supportive of a reservoir constructed
for water provision. County Fire Services will be permitted to access the reservoir for firefighting purposes.
Organizational Meeting
MOVED to schedule the Organizational Meeting for October 27, 2014 at 1:00 P. M.
CARRIED.
MOVED that the Meeting recess at 12:20 P. M.
CARRIED.
MOVED to reconvene the Meeting at 1:10 P. M.
CARRIED.
Yellow Lake
The County Administrator received a call from a landowner expressing concern that the level
of Yellow Lake has increased significantly. The landowner contacted St. Mary’s who stated
as the County does not have an agreement for pumping, no pumping will occur.
Reeve Lengyel also spoke with the landowner noting that Yellow Lake is a Reservoir. The
Landowner stated this is contrary to discussions with St. Mary’s who indicate it is run-off
water. The landowner also stated his agreement notes it is his responsibility to “chase”
additional water, should water access drop. If Yellow Lake is in fact a Reservoir, this would be
contrary to his contract.
Councillor Reimer discussed the level of Yellow Lake with a St. Mary’s Board Member and
requested St. Mary’s determine an acceptable level in order to meet the demands of their
customers.
Nathan Ogden present. Mr. Ogden provided Council with recorded levels of Yellow Lake for
2014, increasing approximately 20 inches over five months:
September 6:
16 inches below bridge
July 8:
20 inches below bridge
June 20:
24 inches below bridge
May 20:
36 inches below bridge
Council noted the increase in July must be attributed to run-off from St. Mary’s own ditches,
as no rain was received in July. Council also noted the steady level increase throughout the
irrigation season.
Reeve Lengyel will discuss the issue with the landowner and explain the County is in
negotiations with St. Mary’s. Council will discuss the issue with St. Mary’s and inquire as to
how they are going to address the concerns of the landowners and the County road system if
the lake is breeched.
MOVED that the Meeting adjourn at 1:50 P. M.
CARRIED.

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