CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES
March 08, 2018
ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL
1.0 Welcome and introductions
1. At 7:30 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance. Those in attendance introduced themselves.
2.0 Approval of Agenda
2. Item 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7 and 6.8 were added to the agenda. Ken Qually moved that we approve the agenda with the additions. Trish Bingham seconded. Carried.
3.0 Minutes of the last meeting
3. Marianne Cole read the minutes of the last meeting held Februay 08, 2018. Dan Warkentin moved that the minutes be approved as presented. Lawrence Stewart seconded. Carried. There is an update on the Elk’s fundraiser – It is now at nearly $70,000.
4.0 Financial Report
4. Pat Butler read the financial report. Pat Butler moved that the financial report by accepted as presented. Marlene Brattberg seconded. Carried.
5.0 Business arising from the minutes
5.1 Karl Zajes, speaker for April 12 – Karl will be our guest speaker on April 12 and will be speaking about orphan wells, oil leases ets.
5.2 Bighorn Wilderness Park Update – petition letters available – Lack of information is frustrating for residents. Marianne spoke to a rep of Y2Y with few answers. Y2Y will not meet a group due to “safety concerns”. We support our county stance on this issue. It was decided that Marianne will draft a letter to the province voicing our concerns with the park and Y2Y and foreign money support and highlight county initiatives.
6.0 New Business
6.1 County Council highlights ---February 27, 2018.
o Eckville Arena Request – the Eckville Arena Operating Association requested financial assistance with repairs to the arena. The request was denied.
o Council Compensation Committee Appointments – Members-at-large are Darryl Park, Lynn Webster and Dickson Wood with past council reps Ken Qually and Dick Wymenga. They will review councillor and board member compensation for the next three years.
o Leslieville/Condor Fire Halls – Town hall meetings at the fire halls scheduled for April 3 and 4th with tours at 6:30 and meeting at 7:00pm.
o Clearwater County Broadband Policy – Council approved a Broadband Policy which outlines the County’s goals and action in providing better broadband/internet service to our area.
o Village of Caroline Sr. Independent Living Initiative – Mayor John Rimmer of Caroline attended the meeting to outline the need for, and possible action on developing increased senior housing for the southern portion of the county. Council directed Administration to draft a letter of support for this initiative. A member noted that there has been a suggestion to turn an abandoned hotel in Caroline into senior housing but there are concerns that this would be an expensive remodel due to regulations.
6.2 Potential wind farm info- maybe get a guest speaker on this – there are reports of a potential windfarm being built NW of Leslieville. Marianne Cole left a message with the county but no reply as of yet. Windfarms are under the jurisdiction of Alberta Utilities Guidelines according to Municipal Affairs.
6.3 Council Meeting Agenda for March 13, 2018 – one of the items on the agenda is a public hearing for an application to change zoned industrial land to agricultural.
6.4 There is a Rural Crime Watch tradeshow from 11-3 in the Subway Room at the Christianson Centre on Saturday March 10th.
6.5 Jayden Evans update – there was 5 minute appearance for the accused of the Elk’s Hall arson. He reserved his plea. March 19th @ 10:00 is his next appearance. There was discussion regarding victim impact statements.
6.6 Broadband Survey & info – Dan Warkentin brought forward a concern that item G2 on the Clearwater County Council Agenda contained no data to support answers and there were incomplete answers with data not being used from the survey.
6.7 Medical Marijuana – the County’s medical marijuana policy is that it will not be considered farming and must be located in an industrial area. There are concerns being raised by some with Facebook posts and a webpage “Clearwater Farming”.
6.8 Lacombe Council recorded vote procedure – Lacombe County have implemented a policy that all council votes must be recorded for the public to promote transparency. Ken Qually made a motion that Marianne Cole draft a letter to our council to consider this policy. Doug Smith seconded. Carried.
7.0 Open Forum
7.1 There is a Grassroots Alberta Conference in Medicine Hat called “Roadmap to Change” for anyone wishing to attend on March 9th, 2018.
8.0 Next meetings: April 12, 2018 @ 7:30pm; May 10, 2018 @ 7:30pm.
9.0 Ken Qually moved for adjournment @ 9:20 p.m.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES
February 08, 2018
ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL
1.0 Welcome and introductions
1. At 7:30 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance. Those in attendance introduced themselves.
2.0 Approval of Agenda
2. Item 6.5 was added to the agenda. Ken Qually moved that we approve the agenda with the addition. Dan Warkentin seconded. Carried.
3.0 Minutes of the last meeting
3. Marianne Cole read the minutes of the last meeting held January 11, 2018. Al Gaetz moved that the minutes be approved as presented. Doug Smith seconded. Carried.
4.0 Financial Report
4. Pat Butler read the financial report. Pat Butler moved that the financial report by accepted as presented. Marlene Brattberg seconded. Carried.
5.0 Business arising from the minutes
5.1 Elks Hall Fund Raiser/Donation – The Elks’ fundraiser was a success with standing room only with a silent and live auction. Over 50,000 was raised.
5.2 Karl Zajes as guest speaker – Karl was unable to attend the meeting due to the weather. It was decided to invite him to speak at our April meeting. Marlene Brattberg moved that we give him an honorarium of $200. Ken Qually seconded. Carried.
6.0 New Business
6.1 West Country/Bighorn Wilderness Park – There was a meeting held at the Dovercourt Hall on February 07, 2018 that was very well attended. There is a letter available online to send to Shannon Phillips opposing the park. According to a survey by the Clearwater Trails Initiative, 65% of users of the West Country would be in favor of a fee for random recreational activities.
6.2 Use of County vehicles for driving to/from work – Marianne Cole did an estimated cost of county vehicle usage based on 8 vehicles, and the yearly cost is $50,420.00. It is unknown how many county vehicles are being driven to and from work.
6.3 Medical Marijuana Facilities/Land Use Bylaw – There is a bylaw amendment on the County agenda for February 13, 2018. The County has developed a special land use provision for Medical Marijuana Production Facilities.
6.4 January 23 council meeting highlights/Agenda for February 13
o Recommendations from the January 15th Agenda & Priorities Meeting : Broadband Policy Framework- Council directed administration to prepare a Terms of Reference for council. The project will involve public engagements through articles and community hall meetings. CPO program- a motion to hire a 5th CPO was defeated. Leslieville/Condor Fire Halls- members want to maintain two stations. The public will be engaged before any decisions are made.
o Presentation by Sgt. Jason Penner, Acting Detachment Commander, RCMP – There are some staff changes at the department, a crime analyst/investigator should be on staff by May. “Coffee with a Cop” will be held at McDonalds from 10-11AM once a month. * There is a program for seniors for information about fraud and scams called the Wise Owl Program. For more information contact Tom Clark *
o Presentation by Cole Thomson, Community Area Lead, TransCanada NOVA Transmission Ltd. – Mr. Thomson outlined their plans for two large scale projects in Clearwater County, one near Nordegg and one near Caroline.
o Presentation by Jessica Reilly, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Alberta Environment and Parks – Ms. Reilly outline her research on the decline of some trout numbers and the need for fixing some culverts/road crossings.
o Council Board & Committee Remuneration Policy – A committee will be established to review remuneration which will be made up of no more than 5 public members. Interested parties may apply.
6.5 Procedural Bylaw – There was a concern by a member that the County website is not reflecting changes to a bylaw that was changed in January. Also, special meetings can be called with 24 hours notice, is there a way to inform residents of this as well as on social media?
6.6 Membership/ Cards – 2018 Memberships are available as well as new membership cards. Memberships are $10.
7.0 Open Forum
7.1 Laverne Ahlstrom informed us that the cost for the rent of the Arbutus Hall will be $50 per meeting.
7.2 Lawrence Stewart had high praise for the job that the graders are doing and the excellent experience he had in our hospitals.
8.0 Next meetings: March 8, 2018 @ 7:30pm; April 12, 2018 @ 7:30pm.
9.0 Ken Qually moved for adjournment @ 9:15 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES
February 08, 2018
ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL
1.0 Welcome and introductions
1. At 7:30 p.m. President Marianne Cole welcomed all those in attendance. Those in attendance introduced themselves.
2.0 Approval of Agenda
2. Item 6.5 was added to the agenda. Ken Qually moved that we approve the agenda with the addition. Dan Warkentin seconded. Carried.
3.0 Minutes of the last meeting
3. Marianne Cole read the minutes of the last meeting held January 11, 2018. Al Gaetz moved that the minutes be approved as presented. Doug Smith seconded. Carried.
4.0 Financial Report
4. Pat Butler read the financial report. Pat Butler moved that the financial report by accepted as presented. Marlene Brattberg seconded. Carried.
5.0 Business arising from the minutes
5.1 Elks Hall Fund Raiser/Donation – The Elks’ fundraiser was a success with standing room only with a silent and live auction. Over 50,000 was raised.
5.2 Karl Zajes as guest speaker – Karl was unable to attend the meeting due to the weather. It was decided to invite him to speak at our April meeting. Marlene Brattberg moved that we give him an honorarium of $200. Ken Qually seconded. Carried.
6.0 New Business
6.1 West Country/Bighorn Wilderness Park – There was a meeting held at the Dovercourt Hall on February 07, 2018 that was very well attended. There is a letter available online to send to Shannon Phillips opposing the park. According to a survey by the Clearwater Trails Initiative, 65% of users of the West Country would be in favor of a fee for random recreational activities.
6.2 Use of County vehicles for driving to/from work – Marianne Cole did an estimated cost of county vehicle usage based on 8 vehicles, and the yearly cost is $50,420.00. It is unknown how many county vehicles are being driven to and from work.
6.3 Medical Marijuana Facilities/Land Use Bylaw – There is a bylaw amendment on the County agenda for February 13, 2018. The County has developed a special land use provision for Medical Marijuana Production Facilities.
6.4 January 23 council meeting highlights/Agenda for February 13
o Recommendations from the January 15th Agenda & Priorities Meeting : Broadband Policy Framework- Council directed administration to prepare a Terms of Reference for council. The project will involve public engagements through articles and community hall meetings. CPO program- a motion to hire a 5th CPO was defeated. Leslieville/Condor Fire Halls- members want to maintain two stations. The public will be engaged before any decisions are made.
o Presentation by Sgt. Jason Penner, Acting Detachment Commander, RCMP – There are some staff changes at the department, a crime analyst/investigator should be on staff by May. “Coffee with a Cop” will be held at McDonalds from 10-11AM once a month. * There is a program for seniors for information about fraud and scams called the Wise Owl Program. For more information contact Tom Clark *
o Presentation by Cole Thomson, Community Area Lead, TransCanada NOVA Transmission Ltd. – Mr. Thomson outlined their plans for two large scale projects in Clearwater County, one near Nordegg and one near Caroline.
o Presentation by Jessica Reilly, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Alberta Environment and Parks – Ms. Reilly outline her research on the decline of some trout numbers and the need for fixing some culverts/road crossings.
o Council Board & Committee Remuneration Policy – A committee will be established to review remuneration which will be made up of no more than 5 public members. Interested parties may apply.
6.5 Procedural Bylaw – There was a concern by a member that the County website is not reflecting changes to a bylaw that was changed in January. Also, special meetings can be called with 24 hours notice, is there a way to inform residents of this as well as on social media?
6.6 Membership/ Cards – 2018 Memberships are available as well as new membership cards. Memberships are $10.
7.0 Open Forum
7.1 Laverne Ahlstrom informed us that the cost for the rent of the Arbutus Hall will be $50 per meeting.
7.2 Lawrence Stewart had high praise for the job that the graders are doing and the excellent experience he had in our hospitals.
8.0 Next meetings: March 8, 2018 @ 7:30pm; April 12, 2018 @ 7:30pm.
9.0 Ken Qually moved for adjournment @ 9:15 p.m.
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