CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:30 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.  Items 6.5, 6.6 and 7.1 were added.  Larry Titford moved that the agenda be adopted as presented with the additions.  Dan Warkentin seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of July 14, 2016 were read by Marianne Cole.  Marion Schafer moved that minutes be adopted as recorded.  Seconded by Ron Hallahan.  Carried.  

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report. Al Gaetz moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Trish Bingham seconded.  Carried.  

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   Letter to council.  A letter was written to council on June 17, 2016 with our notice of support for the improvement of telecommunications in the county, concerns with the land development on the Airport Road and assessing taxpayer support. This letter was e-mailed and hand delivered to council members.  There is no reply from council as of today.

     5.2   Letter to council.  A letter was written to council on September 6, 2016 outlining our concerns with the short amount of time that councillors have to review the agenda packages before meetings.  Our council receives the agenda on the Friday prior to the meeting with the meeting being held on the Tuesday.  Other counties have a timeline of almost a week.

     5.3  FOIP request re: land purchase concerns at Caroline and Rocky.  A FOIP request concerning the land purchases by the county was previously tabled.  Items to be included in the request were discussed and a motion was made by Trish Bingham to go ahead with the request.  Jim Foesier seconded.  Carried.

  6.0   New Business

    6.1  Report from last council meeting. (Helge Nome). 

• Marshall Morton recommended upgrading of piers for the James River Bridge at a cost of $100,000.  Accepted by council as information.
• Rick Emmons requested that the real estate agent selling lots for the county in Nordegg be authorized to change the lot price to a maximum of 12%. Approved.
• A committee has developed a “Clearwater Economic Profile Brochure “to promote the region.   Nice Job.

   6.2  Letter to Municipal Affairs with concerns for up-coming Municipal Review.  The preliminary review is a meeting with the councillors and Ron Leaf.  Marianne Cole has drafted a letter to send to Municipal Affairs outlining our concerns.

    6.3  Fundraising.   There is a potential for fundraising to the CCTA through a bingo hall in Rocky that will work with non-profits.

    6.4  Annual meeting speaker.  There was discussion about who should be asked to be the guest speaker at the CCTA annual meeting.  It was moved by Ken Qually that we will invite Jason Nixon to discuss carbon tax implications.  Seconded by Robert Brattberg.  Carried.

     6.5  Next year’s elections.  The election for our county councillors is next year.  We will encourage candidates to run in the next election in The Beacon.

     6.6  Property taxes.  There are concerns with the increase in property taxes with non-profits  required to apply for an exemption from taxes.

   7.0   Open Forum. 

      7.1  Financial Statement.  The county financial statement was published in the newspapers and there is a question of 1/3 of expenses going to amortization. 18.7 million.  What are the details of what this amount consists of?

   8.0  Next Meetings:  October 13, 2016 @ 7:30 p.m. and Annual meeting November 10, 2016 @ 7:30 p.m.

    9.0 Adjournment.   Dan Warkentin moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:40 p.m.  Ron Hallahan seconded.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

JULY 14, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:00 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.   Marion Schafer moved that the agenda be adopted as presented Dan Warkentin seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of June 16, 2016 were read by Marianne Cole.  Dan Warkentin noted an omission in the minutes of the vote in the previous meeting.  Previous minutes to be amended with the result of the vote.  Minutes were adopted as recorded with the amendment.  Moved by Dan Warkentin.  Seconded by Ken Qually.  Carried.  

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Marianne Cole read the financial report. Ken Qually moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Dennis Ross seconded.  Carried.  Marianne Cole made a motion to reimburse Trish Bingham for the purchase of a gift certificate for Sharon Rubeling bereavement.  Laverne Ahlstrom moved.  Marion Schafer seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   Letter to council.  A letter was written to council on June 17, 2016 with our notice of support for the improvement of telecommunications in the county, concerns with the land development on the Airport Road and assessing taxpayer support. There is no reply from council as of today.

     5.2   Notice in this week’s papers re:  future open houses.  There was a notice published in this week’s papers regarding opening house meetings being scheduled for this fall.

  6.0   New Business

    6.1   Letter from Dan Warkentin.  Dan Warkentin requested that item 6.1 be  added to the agenda to discuss concerns with communication to and from councillors.  Council has expressed the desire to increase communication but it is vague and lacks specifics.  Our discussion focused on the time that councillors have to go over the agenda for upcoming meetings.  They are given the agenda on Friday for the meeting on Tuesday.  The MGA minimum requirement is 2 working days.  There needs to be research into what other counties have for a timeline between the agenda and the meetings.  It was decided to write a letter to council commending them on their efforts to increase communication and expressing our concerns with the short period of time for councillors to make decisions.  Councillors need to have adequate time to do research and confer with constituents before making decisions.  Dan Warkentin made a motion to draft a letter to council.  Trish Bingham seconded.  Carried.

    6.2  Report from July 12 council meeting. (Helge Nome). 

• There was a presentation to council by Xplornet for an internet provider.  Xplornet is a Canada-wide rural provider.
• Funding of James River Bridge.  An engineering study has been done and council voted to fix the bridge.
• There is a special council meeting July 27 at 9 a.m. to discuss council’s priorities.
• All letters that CCTA writes will be sent to Helge to be posted on the CCTA blog.

   6.3  Phone call from John Vandermeer.  John Vandermeer called with compliments on the Western Star wrap and appreciation of letter of support.

    6.4  FOIPP request re:  Land purchase steps – maybe prep for municipal review?  Ken Qually made a motion to table.  Terry Murphy seconded.  Carried.

   7.0   Open Forum. 

      7.1  Roses:  Prairie Creek Road mowing – Lawrence Stewart

     7.2  Municipal Review Concerns.  There are concerns that the review is going to be independent.  It is suggested that members write down questions and concerns for the reviewers.

   8.0  Next Meetings:  September 8, 2016 @ 7:30 p.m. and October 13, 2016 @ 7:30 p.m.

    9.0 Adjournment.   Dan Warkentin moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m.  Gil Perreault seconded.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 16, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:00 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.   Dan Warkentin moved that the agenda be adopted as presented Marion Schafer seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of May 12, 2016 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Jack Leslie.  Seconded by Al Gaetz.  Carried.  Ken Qually noted the generosity of people attending the last meeting that enabled us to purchase the wrap on the Western Star.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Marianne Cole read the financial report. Ken Qually moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Merv Pidherney seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   Winter Gravel Reply.  There is a reply to the letter written by Marianne Cole.  Letter is attached to the agenda.

     5.2   Wrap on Western Star.  There has been a lot of positive feedback from the wrap that was purchased.

     5.3   May 24 Presentation to council.  Marianne Cole made a presentation to council expressing our concerns with the construction of a new admin building with our rebuttal to the council reasons for going forward with the project.

     5.4   May 30^th meeting at Dovercourt.  The meeting at Dovercourt was very well attended with some people leaving after seeing how many people were there.  The overwhelming response was a definite “no” to council’s plans.

  6.0   New Business

    6.1   Report from Tuesday’s Council meeting.  Councillors voted 4-3 for a municipal inspection.  There will be a 6 month wait for the inspection and will take 2-4 months to complete.  The results will be available in about 12 months from completion.  Following the May 30^th meeting, the staff report recommended a slowdown in the development and to go ahead with the salt storage.  There were 2 delegations for internet access, Pure High Speed and Harewaves.  There was a consultant hired for the Fire Services study to study Condor and Leslieville fire stations to determine where the station should be located.  There is land that is being offered to be donated for a fire hall east of DTHS by Daryl & Penni Lougheed.

    6.2   Last night’s Intermunicipal Development Plan/Joint Development plan meeting in Rocky.  There was a meeting held on June 15^th.  Marianne Cole attended the open house and reported that there was no information available, only a picture of the map of the proposed development.  There was no information concerning a feasibility study, town/county responsibilities and revenue projections.

  6.3  Need for further action?  It was discussed of what our further action should be.  It was decided that there should be a letter written to council expressing our support to provide higher quality internet service to county residents by making supernet access available to all by lobbying Alberta government.  We have concerns with the timing of future meetings for the county development, how the county will evaluate public support re:  plebiscite and keeping ratepayers informed and increasing transparency.  We will wait for a response prior to publishing letter or response in the paper.  Trish Bingham moved that we write a letter to council outlining our concerns.  Doug Smith seconded.  Carried.

Dan Warkentin requested a show of hands for and against the municipal review of the county.  A show of hands showed overwhelming support for the review by those in attendance.

    8.0   Next meeting July 14,  2016 at 7:30 p.m.

    9.0 Adjournment.   Trish Bingham moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:35 p.m.  Larry Titford seconded.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

May 12, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:00 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.   Jack Leslie moved that the agenda be adopted as presented Dan Warkentin seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of April 14, 2016 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Ken Qually.  Seconded by Marion Schafer.  Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Marianne Cole read the financial report. Dan Warkentin moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Marion Schafer seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   Clearwater Action Commitee.  There was a meeting May 5 with the committee members Sharon Rubeling, Marianne Cole, Neil Ratcliffe and Debbie Gastonguay hosting.  33 people attended the meeting.  Clearwater Action Committee website has been launched at  www.clearwater-action.net. Clearwater County councillors were invited to attend the meeting but chose not to attend.  They were given a list of questions to answer beforehand that we felt needed answers.

     5.2   Winter Gravel Letter.  Marianne Cole has written a letter that was delivered to council on May 11^th.

  6.0   New Business

    6.1   The “reveal”. Concept plans for the new county buildings were presented. There is over 43,000 square feet planned for administration alone.  In the plans there are 120 office spaces and 6 sets of washrooms in the administration building.

One of our main concerns besides the huge costs projected is that linear assessments are going down as per the presentation at council.  There is no guarantee that we will receive the money from this area.

    6.2   Further actions:  There was discussion about possible action concerning the county plans.  Some suggestions were:

• Contact councillors by phone
• Notice of opposition – no legal clout
• Ad in Western Star on front page to attend open house on May 30^th
• Present letters and notice of opposition at May 24 council meeting
• Signs to protest at open house
• Mailout to taxpayers
• Facebook

Jim Foesier made a motion to proceed with contacting the Western Star to buy a wrap on the outside of the paper to present building plans and financial costs and is this isn’t feasible we will proceed with flyers.  Seconded by Larry Arnold.  Carried.

Should council pass development plan we will proceed with a petition against the motion.

  6.3  Presentation to council.  Marianne Cole will email Ron Leaf to get put on the agenda for the May 24^th council meeting to make a presentation outlining out concerns with the county building plans. 

    8.0   Next meeting June 16^th,  2016 at 7:30 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Dan Warkentin moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

April 14, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:00 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.   Trish Bingham moved that the agenda be adopted as presented Al Gaetz seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of March 10, 2016 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Trish Bingham.  Seconded by Al Gaetz.  Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report. Fred Gerber moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Lavern Ahlstrom seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   April 21 public meeting is canceled due to Reeve unable to attend.

     5.2   Meeting with Mountaineer.  The meeting with The Mountaineer went very well but still no article in the paper.

  6.0   New Business

    6.1   Meeting at Ferrier.  There has been money put away for the last year for the new county buildings.  Councillors have not received all the information.  Councillors have toured administration buildings in Red Deer, Lacombe and Kneehill.  There is a lack of information about the planned new buildings.

    6.2   Possible Action:  There was discussion about possible action concerning the county plans for new buildings.  Trish Bingham made a motion to publish an ad in the Western Star for a May 5^th public meeting and to create a committee to create the ad.  Seconded by Elsie Neilson.   Carried.   Trish Bingham made a motion to organize a public meeting for May 5^th at 7:00 pm at the Leslieville Elks Hall and to invite councillors and the Ag committee to attend.  Deb Gastonguay seconded.  Carried.  Members of the committee will be Sharon Rubeling, Marianne Cole, Neil Ratcliffe and Debbie Gastonguay.

 6.3  June meeting date.  June meeting is changed to June 16^th @ 7:30 because of Rocky rodeo.

6.4 Pat Butler.  It was discussed and decided that CCTA would make a donation of flowers to Pat with the passing of her son.

7.0  Open Forum

     7.1   Winter gravel program.  Pictures were provided illustrating all the gravel ending up in the ditches.  Laverne Ahlstrom made a motion to write a letter to council questioning the value of the program and if there is a way to recover the gravel for reuse.  Seconded by Elsie Neilson.  Carried.

    8.0   Next meeting May 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Melanie O’ Conner moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

March 10, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:06 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.  Item 6.2 (b) was added to the agenda.   Pat Butler moved that the agenda be adopted as presented.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of February 11, 2016 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Doug Smith.  Seconded by Marion Schafer.  Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report. Dan Warkentin moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Jack Leslie seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   Results of survey/letter to council re:  concerns.  A letter with our survey results was given to council members. 

     5.2   Article in Western Star. The ½ page with article and thank you regarding the survey was published in the Western Star.  Cost was $242.55.  Members are urged to phone the newspaper and thank them for putting the article in the paper.   

  6.0   New Business

    6.1   Warburg surface rights meeting re: loss of revenue from linear assessment and impact on counties.  According to members who attended the meeting, Reeves spoke about the effect of the slowdown in the economy with less revenue coming in.  Other counties are cutting costs and showing compassion to businesses and other ratepayers by setting up payment options.  *Clearwater County has the highest residential/farmland rate in comparison to Brazeau, Lacombe, Leduc, Ponoka and County of Wetaskiwin.

    6.2   Possible Action:  Organize meeting to discuss impact of economy on counties.  It was discussed that we need a meeting with surrounding counties, similar to the Warburg meeting with county Reeves and reps from service industries.  The topic of the meeting would be the impact of the downturn in the economy is affecting counties and industry and what they are doing to deal with it.  The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public.  Lavern Ahlstrom made a motion to go ahead and organize a public meeting.  Helge Nome seconded.  Carried.  Location, date, time, invitations and media TBD.

   a.   Delegation to Council.  There was discussion about having a delegation to council present one issue of needing to cut spending after the release of the 2015 financial statements.

   b.   Have delegation meet with the Mountaineer to explain our concerns with county budget and building plans and the secrecy surrounding council.  Ken Qually made a motion for Jim Foesier to head up a delegation to the Mountaineer.  Doug Smith seconded.  Carried.

   c.   Get involved with Facebook—re revenues, buildings, other county issues.  Helge Nome made a motion to send adopted minutes by e-mail to councillors.  Seconded by Dan Warkentin.  Carried.

   d.  Petition for review.

7.0  Open Forum

     7.1   There have been phone calls from concerned residents regarding an alleged wrongful dismissal and an insecure load.

    8.0   Next meeting April 14, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Dan Warkentin moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

February 11, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:06 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.  Items 5.5, 6.4, 6.5 and 7.1 added to the agenda.   Trish Bingham moved that the agenda be adopted as presented.  Doug Smith seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of January 14, 2016 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Al Gaetz.  Seconded by Sharon Rubeling.  Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report.  Trish Bingham moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Helge Nome seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1   Travel Expenses.  A letter was sent to council expressing our concern with the travel allowance rates.  Travel rates were discussed at the council meeting and no change was made.

     5.2   Road Maintenance Policy.  Grader operators are given a list of guidelines and expectations and are paid hourly.  Any road concerns should be directed to Danny Sutherland at the county office.

     5.3   Road Closure Policy.  Road closure applications go to AB Transportation as well as the county.

     5.4   Taxpayer Survey.  Results were tabulated from 50 surveys received and comments listed by category.  More surveys were received after the deadline for the draw.  Lawrence Stewart made the draw for the winner of the $100 gift certificate sponsored by CCTA.  The winner was Rick Lobley.

Results of the survey were discussed and it was decided that our results would be given to each councillor at the open house prior to publishing the results in The Beacon, Western Star and The Mountaineer.

     5.5   Airport Road.  The county purchased land for salt storage facility then purchased the acreage as well.  There still is no amount given for the purchase price.

6.0   New Business

    6.1   Report On Council Budget Deliberations.  Marianne Cole gave a report on the budget deliberations that she attended.  The county departments presented their budgets with detailed expense projections.  All salaries are to rise significantly.  The Rocky Regional Waste Authority did not present a breakdown of projected expenses.

    6.2   Report On Communications Committee.  Helge Nome reported that the committee has been dissolved as per council.

    6.3   Making CCTA More Visible.  Tabled until next meeting.

   6.4   Audit Of Books.  Marion Schafer has offered to audit the books.  Lavern Ahlstom moved that we accept her offer to audit CCTA books.  Lawrence Stewart seconded.  Carried.

   6.5   Rural Crime Watch Meeting.  The Rural Crime Watch will be holding their AGM that is open to the public with guest speakers at the Leslieville Hall with a tentative date of March 28.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with meeting at 7:00 p.m.

7.0  Open Forum

     7.1   Increase in CPO’s.  There is a question of why we need another CPO.  The county already has 4 officers and a Sgt.  There is confusion of what their role is in the county as per comments on the survey.

     7.2   County Employees.  The question was raised of why there are county employees who don’t live in the county driving county vehicles from their residence to their employment?

    8.0   Next meeting March 10, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Laverne Ahlstrom moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:38 p.m.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

January 14, 2016

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:00 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.  Items 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 were added to the agenda.   Trish Bingham moved that the agenda be adopted as presented.  Pat Butler seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting of October 08, 2015 were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Marion Schafer.  Seconded by Dan Warkentin. Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report.  Al Gaetz moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Dennis Ross seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1  Reply from the Minister of Municipal Affairs.  A letter was received acknowledging our letter to the minister expressing our concerns regarding pooling and distribution of linear assessment revenue. 

6.0   New Business

    6.1   Comments on The Beacon items…..land purchase, budget, town investigation, rant.

Land Purchase- Yet another land purchase by the county with no amount disclosed for the purchase price.

Budget- February 2,3 and 4, the county budget deliberations will be open for viewing to the public.

Town Investigation – The town will be having a review by Municipal Affairs.

Rant – A county snowplow/sanding truck was seen working in the Meadow Ponds development 

    6.2  Ideas For Action

(a) Taxpayer Survey – Trish Bingham made a motion to form a committee to create a survey to gather information from taxpayers.  Seconded by Marion Schafer.  Carried.  Committee members will be Marianne Cole, Trish Bingham and Helge Nome.

(b) Presentation To Council – There are concerns with increasing administration costs, salaries and benefits for county employees.  There are increases in county revenue but there is a decrease in spending for family and community services.  Trish Bingham made a motion to give revenue and expenses figures to councillors prior to budget deliberations.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.

(c) Petition To Freeze Tax Rates – This question will be included with the CCTA survey.

    6.3  Road Closure Policy.  Questions were raised concerning the county road closure policy. Is there a county policy?  Are they following provincial government guidelines?

   6.4  Travel Allowance Rates.  Are the rates paid to county employees above government rates? Should they be decreased because of the decrease in fuel prices?  Marianne Cole will write a letter to council expressing our concerns.

   6.5  County Budget Meetings.  The county is holding budget deliberations on February 2, 3, and 4 that are open for the public to attend.  There will be an open house on February 18 from 2-7 for public input.

7.0  Open Forum

     7.1  There is a petition against Bill 6 and the carbon tax that is available for signing at Rocky D,  Nutters and Tea Rocks.

     7.2  Water Use In Industry.  Dan Warkentin and Dennis Ross reported on a meeting that they attended regarding water rights and restrictions on water useage.

     7.3  Public Perception of CCTA.  How to make it more visible and positive. Trish Bingham made a motion that it is permitted to use the CCTA name when Marianne Cole writes a letter to the newspaper.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.  Trish Bingham made a motion that further discussion about more ideas be tabled until the next meeting.  Dan Warkentin seconded. Carried.

    7.4  Road Maintenance.  The question was raised of how the county decides what roads need maintenance.  The suggestion was made to talk to your councillor about concerns. 

    8.0  Next meeting Feb 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Trish Bingham moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:33 p.m.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

October 8, 2015

LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL

1.0   Welcome and Introductions

1. At 7:30 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance and called the meeting to order.  All those in attendance introduced themselves.

2.0   Approval of Agenda

      2.  Items 6.5 and 7.1 were added to the agenda.  Ken Qually made a motion to approve the agenda.  Dan Warkentin seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting were adopted as recorded with name corrections. Moved by Laverne Ahlstrom.  Seconded by Lawrence Stewart.  Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report.  Jack Leslie moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Dennis Ross seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1  Letter to council – No reply as of this date.  It was discussed how to deal with letters written to county council.  Marianne Cole will check with municipal affairs regarding the process of recording of votes and rules for recording motions and votes.

     5.2  Business Cards  –Business cards from Weststitch Advertising are priced at $164.00 for black and white and $236.00 for color.  Dennis Ross made a motion to purchase black and white cards.  Jack Leslie seconded.  Carried.

Helge Nome will inquire about putting a link to our website on the Wehub.

     5.3  Annual Meeting.  Don Bester to speak at our annual meeting.  Speaker remuneration was discussed.  Ken Qually made a motion to give the speaker $100.00.  Helge Nome seconded.  Carried.

     5.4  Reeve from Brazeau County – Marianne Cole will contact the Reeve to see if he is able to speak at our January 14, 2016 meeting.

   5.5  Directors/Officer Insurance – Ing & McKee Insurance provides the same insurance as the Intact insurance quote.  Marianne Cole will check into this further.

6.0   New Business

    6.1   Report on county council meetings.  Helge Nome reported that the Communications committee is still being set up.  Linear taxation is a concern for the county as they could stand to lose valuable tax revenue.  Helge Nome made a motion for Marianne Cole to write a letter to the minister of Municipal Affairs supporting our county in opposing linear pooling with cc: copies to our MLA and Reeve Pat Alexander.  Seconded by Ken Qually.  Carried.

There was discussion concerning county council meeting minutes and committee minutes publication.  Committees are required to follow the same rules and regulations as council meetings and record minutes. There is the question of why reports from council members that sit on committees are not given? There also seems to be a delay in posting meeting minutes.

    6.2   Speaker from Municipal Affairs on municipal transparency.  A list of questions that we need answered needs to be completed.  They are to be booked at a future date.

    6.3  Large ticket handed out to a local farmer.  The matter of a large ticket being given to a local farmer for being overweight and a 1 ½ hour delay in harvest was discussed.

    6.4  December meeting.  It was discussed and decided that there will not be a meeting held in December.

   6.5  Water Conference.  Sharon Rubeling gave an interesting report on a water symposium in Banff that she attended that discussed water, air quality and climate change.  Water decisions made locally impact a much larger area.

 7.0 Open Forum.

        7.1  Concerns were brought forward that Di-Corp has not followed the agreement set out by the appeal decision.  It was stated in the agreement that trees have to be planted prior to operation as well as signs for engine brakes and an air monitoring system. Trees have been planted very recently.  Has an air monitoring system been installed and have there been any reports to the county?

8.0  Next meeting November 12 @ 7:00 p.m.

9.0  Ken Qually made a motion for adjournment @ 9:50 p.m.