CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL

1.0 Welcome

At 7:31 p.m. President Marianne Cole called the meeting to order. Attendees introduced themselves.

2.0 Approval of Agenda

Dan Warkentin moved that the agenda be approved as presented. Pat Butler seconded. Carried.

3.0 Minutes of the previous meeting

Marianne Cole read the minutes of our last meeting from March 09, 2020. Al Gaetz moved that minutes be adopted as recorded. Tim Plante seconded. Carried.

4.0 Financial Report

Pat Butler read the financial statements for August 2020. Pat Butler moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented. Helge Nome seconded. Carried.

5.0 Business Arising From The Minutes

5.1 Leslieville Fire Hall – Report on March 24th presentation:

Council did reduce from 5 bays to 3 bays, but still planning on 6,000 sq. ft. of staff space. No information on development of 12 acres for staff training.

Marianne Cole wrote another letter to Council with continued concerns on June 7th with the costs and size of the fire hall administration area.

There is still no further information about development of the training area of the phantom third party.

5.2 Letter to Jason Nixon re: Parks

Marianne Cole wrote a letter on March 12th to Jason Nixon questioning how the assessment of the campgrounds was done, reasons behind these changes, economic impact and the lack of consultation with stakeholders.

6.0 New Business

6.1 Reply re: changes to Society Bylaws-----Request for additional information and need to ratify that. Bylaw #4 has been added and #19 clarified. Pat Butler moved that we accept these changes with complete ratification at AGM. Marlene Brattberg seconded. Carried.

6.2 Memorial Donation/Thank You’s – CCTA donated $100 to Alberta Cancer Foundation in Robert’s name. There are thank you letters from Alberta Cancer Foundation & Marlene Brattberg.

6.3 Proposed Changes To Oil/Gas Property Assessment Model---Implications to the County and copy of letter sent out. A letter expressing concerns was sent to Jason Nixon and other ministers with our concerns of reduction in services and taxes increasing for County residents. A response was received from Jason Nixon stating our concerns will be shared in the legislature.

6.4 Clearwater County MDP Review----Concerns have been heard re the following:

· Timing

· Actual process—only written submissions now; no meetings until after the draft is done

· General focus

· CCTA to organize a meeting??

Discussion took place about the current MDP process, the process is flawed because there hasn’t been proper public consultation. CCTA will contact media with our concerns through Western Star, Mountaineer, Central Alberta Life & Facebook.

Helge Nome made a motion to write a letter to Council asking that Council stop the current process on MDP and begin process with public meetings. Wayne Ahlstrom seconded. Carried.

7.0 Next meeting dates: October 5th 7:30 p.m.

8.0 Adjournment: Laverne Ahlstrom moved for adjournment @ 9:35 pm.

 

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 09, 2020

ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL

1.0 Welcome

At 7:31 p.m. President Marianne Cole called the meeting to order. Attendees introduced themselves.

2.0 Approval of Agenda

Item 5.2 was added. Pat Butler moved that the agenda be approved with addition. Marlene Brattberg seconded. Carried.

3.0 Minutes of the previous meeting

Marianne Cole read the minutes of our last meeting from February 10, 2020. Date was added to 7.2. to read February 26th. Dan Warkentin moved that minutes be adopted as recorded with revision. Al Gaetz seconded. Carried.

4.0 Financial Report

Pat Butler read the financial statements for February 2020. Pat Butler moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented. Marlene Brattberg seconded. Carried.

5.0 Business Arising From The Minutes

5.1 Leslieville Fire Hall – Report on meeting: 2 options. 3 Bay vs 5 Bay.

When did the original focus change?

There was discussion about the plans for the new fire hall

· Concerns about having safety for the schools

· Costs

· There should be a conservative approach and plans should be scaled back

Helge Nome made a motion to take general sentiments from this meeting to a presentation. Pat Butler seconded. Carried.

5.2 Bentley Meeting – An association was formed in Lacombe.

6.0 New Business

6.1 Alberta Parks Issues: Concerns? Actions?

· Costs to the County?

· The parks belong to the people.

Helge Nome suggested to ask Jason Nixon to reconsider action until there is consultation with the people.

6.2 Road Concerns – Some maintenance has been excellent. County should be contacted with concerns.

6.3 Blue Mtn. Power

a. Rate Concerns – Energy Cost Comparisons

b. Report from information meeting, March 3, 2020 – Consultants hired by BMP renewable energy options.

7.0 Next meeting dates: April 13, 2020(???) Easter Monday and May 11, 2020 @ 7:30 p.m.

8.0 Adjournment: Dan Warkentin moved for adjournment @ 9:50 pm.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2020
ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL
1.0 Welcome

At 7:28 p.m. President Marianne Cole called the meeting to order. Attendees introduced themselves.

2.0 Approval of Agenda
Item 6.8 was added. Dan Warkentin moved that the agenda be approved with addition. Pat Butler seconded. Carried.
3.0 Minutes of the previous meeting
Marianne Cole read the minutes of our last meeting from January 08, 2020. Marlene Brattberg moved that minutes be adopted as recorded. Al Gaetz seconded. Carried.
4.0 Financial Report
Pat Butler read the financial statements for January 2020. Pat Butler moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented. Dennis Anderson seconded. Carried.
5.0 Business Arising From The Minutes

5.1 Town/County Matters---finances, “operations” - The amount of money contributed by the County to the town is $7.8 million. Figures are 2 years behind and are probably much higher, closer to $10 million. The North Saskatchewan River Park infield needs upgrades and there are disagreements between the Stampede Board and the town.

6.0 New Business

6.1 Leslieville Fire Hall
There was a news release from the County August 30, 2018 that the public works building at Leslieville will be renovated. Concerns are being raised about the amount of money that is now being
planned to spend on a fire hall at Leslieville as well as if a second fire hall is needed as the Condor one is only 10 minutes away.

6.2 MDP Review
The MDP guides and controls development in the County. Input is available on the County website. Public meetings will be held.
6.3 Land Use Bylaw Review – February 11, 2020

First reading was passed by council to clarify the existing land use bylaw that is unclear, missing definitions and has grammatical and spelling errors within the document.

6.4 CCTA Survey???

Do we need to publish a survey to address MDP and the Leslieville Firehall? Should we hold a public meeting? The County should address this w/ residents.

6.5 West Country User Fee
A story in The Mountaineer suggest there will be a $30 user fee. Users surveyed generally agree with a user fee.
6.6 Nordegg Fire Issues
Concerns have been raised that there isn’t adequate protection. Are Firesmart guidelines being followed and enforced? The community needs to step up and address these concerns.
6.7 AER/Operations/Orphan wells/Unpaid taxes
There are millions owed to municipalities. There are an average of 23 applications a day for water licenses. There needs to be more board representation from other stakeholders. There is a West Country Stakeholders meeting this Thursday, February 13th @ 3:00 at the Lou Soppit Centre.
6.8 In Camera Sessions

There is a concern with the large amount of time that Council spends “in camera”.





7.0 Open Forum

7.1 Power Costs

The County is served by REA, Fortis & Epcor. Marianne Cole asked for copies of power bills for comparison of especially distributions costs.

7.2 Lacombe County Taxpayers

We were pleased to welcome guests from Lacombe County. They are having issues with communication with their County. They will be holding a meeting at the Bentley Ag Centre on February 26 @ 7:00 pm to address their concerns.
Other meetings of note are:
· Medicine River Crime Watch Society and Clearwater Crime Watch are holding a Crime Watch Meeting in Eckville on February 27th @ the Eckville Community Centre @ 7:00 pm with the guest speakers of the Crown Prosecutor and Assistant Crown Prosecutor from Red Deer.
· Clearwater Community Crime Watch AGM on March 2, 2020 @ the Leslieville Community Center @ 7:00 pm.


8.0 Next meeting dates: March 09, 2020 and April 13, 2020 @ 7:30 p.m.

9.0 Adjournment: Dan Warkentin moved for adjournment @ 9:57 pm.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 08. 2020
ARBUTUS COMMUNITY HALL
1.0 Welcome

At 7:30 p.m. President Marianne Cole called the meeting to order.

2.0 Approval of Agenda
Items 6.5, 7.1, and 7.2 were added. Al Gaetz moved that the agenda be approved with additions. Helge Nome seconded. Carried.
3.0 Minutes of the previous meeting
Marianne Cole read the minutes of our last meeting from September 17, 2019. Robert Brattberg moved that minutes be adopted as recorded. Pat Butler seconded. Carried.
4.0 Financial Report
Pat Butler read the financial statements for November and December 2019. Pat Butler moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented. Dan Warkentin seconded. Carried.
5.0 Business Arising From The Minutes

5.1 Letter to Council – Marianne Cole drafted a letter dated November 20, 2019 but has not been sent to council. This was tabled pending further discussion at the November meeting. Discussion took place regarding this letter and the issue regarding County animal rescue issues. Helge Nome made a motion not to send the prepared letter. Robert Brattberg seconded. Carried.


6.0 New Business
6.1 Town/County Amalgamation
Town council voted unanimously to initiate talks for amalgamation between the town and county. There is an extensive process to achieve this and would be a lengthy process. Questions were raised concerning the total amount of money the County gives the town and if the lagoon discharge into the river has been resolved.

6.2 Leslieville Fire Hall
The budget for the new Leslieville fire hall is $5.6 million. The hall is still in the planning stages.
6.3 Increased RCMP costs/rural crime

It is agreed among attendees that the justice system is the problem. There is an open house with Jason Nixon this Friday.

6.4 Meeting Dates

There is a need to set firm meeting dates. Helge Nome made a motion to hold meetings the second Monday of the month. Dan Warkentin seconded. Carried.

6.5 Coffee W/Councillor
Coffee w/Councillor will be held January 12, 2020 at the Bingley Hall @ 2-4 p.m.
7.0 Open Forum

7.1 Costs, Paving of Tiami Road

Concerns were raised of the costs of paving the Tiami Road, is this a want or need? This project has been on the books for some time.

7.2 Snowplowing

Some roads have not been plowed within a reasonable time. County policy is within 96 hours. Concerns should be directed to the County so they can address them.

8.0 Next meeting dates: February 10, 2020 and March 9, 2020 @ 7:30 p.m.

9.0 Adjournment: Pat Butler moved for adjournment @ 9:20 pm