CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 12, 2019
ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL
1.0 Welcome

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

2.0 Approval of Agenda
2. February meeting was cancelled due to weather so agenda items from February have been combined with items for March. Items 6.6 and 6.7 were added. Dan Warkentin moved that the agenda be approved with additions. Pat Butler seconded. Carried.
3.0 Minutes of the previous meeting
3. Marianne Cole read the minutes of our last regular meeting from October 11, 2018. Marlene Brattberg moved that minutes be adopted as recorded. Al Gaetz seconded. Carried.
4.0 Financial Report
4. Pat Butler read the financial statements for the previous year and Jan/Feb of 2019. Pat Butler moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented. Al Gaetz seconded. Carried.
5.0 Business Arising From The Minutes

5.1 Letter to council re: Bighorn

Marianne Cole wrote a letter to council January 29, 2019 expressing our concerns with the Bighorn Park proposed by the Alberta government and the concern we have with council not expressing their opposition to this plan. A reply was received January 31, 2019 from Reeve Jim Duncan stating that they were waiting for their next meeting to have a motion to be passed. On February 12, 2019 council issued an excellent letter to Minister Shannon Phillips stating their opposition to the park.



5.2 Future Guest Speaker: Jason Nixon – His office was contacted and they suggested waiting until more details about the upcoming election were made.

5.3 Letter re: CPO’s – Marianne Cole sent an e-mail to councillor Cammie Laird on January 9, 2019 stating our concerns with an officer living outside the county and parking the CPO vehicle at an insecure site, cost for parking, potential vandalism and driving county vehicles. Councilor Cammie Laird was in attendance at the meeting and stated that there had been a policy change as of January 1, 2019 and that vehicles would need to be picked up at the closest secure county building.


5.4 Appointment of Auditor for our 2018/2019 return – Laverne Ahlstrom made a motion to appoint Sharon Rubeling for auditor. Dan Warkentin seconded. Carried.

6.0 New Business
6.1 Update on Bighorn Proposal – the Bighorn Park has been put on hold for now pending the outcome of the election.

6.2 County Council Highlights:

· Partnership with Wild Rose School Division – council passed a resolution indicating it’s support for the Leslieville school enhancement project and will match funds raised by the community.
· The county has released its strategy for economic development that include: Prepare for business, Prepare for people growth, Promote opportunities and Foster a Culture of Growth.
· Clearwater County Regional Wastewater System Briefing – there have been issues with the effluent from the lagoon and upgrades are needed. The county is responsible for contributing money for upgrades. The county will continue to evaluate past and current studies.
Helge Nome made a motion that we write a letter to the school division inviting school trustees to our CCTA meetings to discuss school changes. Lawrence Stewart seconded. Carried.
Ken Qually made a motion to write a letter to council for two reps from council attend CCTA meetings and that time should be compensated. More are welcome to attend, but only two will be compensated. Pat Butler seconded. Carried.

6.3 Change in Meeting Date

The second Tuesday conflicts with some other meetings. Discussion took place about which day would be best. Helge Nome made a motion to hold meetings the third Tuesday of the month starting April 16th. Dennis Anderson seconded. Carried.


6.4 Rebate on Chemical Purchases - There has been some confusion about the rebate on chemical purchases purchased from the county. The rebate program amount is set by the chemical company.
6.5 Report on area “Water Activities”, fracking, earthquakes – A new association is being formed “Alberta Clearwater Association” . They gave a presentation at Red Deer College. There was a statistic read that 3 to 8 million gallons of water are used per frack. Ken Qually made a motion to write a letter to the AER board voicing our concerns with the use of fresh water and fracking. Helge Nome seconded. Carried with 1 opposed. He also encouraged members to contact council to address our concerns as well.

6.6 Council Spending Priorities – The question was asked if council had to take the lowest bid for items put out for tender. Discussion took place about how residents should have input on how the money is being spent, with better roads being an important priority.

6.7 CPO Parking @ James River – this item was addressed in agenda item 5.3.

7.0 Future Meetings – Tuesday April 16 and May 21st at 7:30 at Arbutus Hall.
8.0 Pat Butler moved to adjourn at 9:40 PM