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.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

MEETING MINUTES

September 10, 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 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6 and 6.7 were added to the agenda.  Pat Warkentin made a motion to approve the agenda.  Al Gates seconded.  Carried.

3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting

      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Jack Leslie.  Seconded by Ken Qually.  Carried.

4.0   Financial Report

      4.   Sharon Rubeling read the financial report.  Pat Warkentin moved that the financial statements be accepted as presented.  Coral Ahlstrom seconded.  Carried.

5.0   Business Arising From the Minutes

     5.1  FOIP request for CAO salary & reply – further action?  The salary was discussed. Ken Qually made a motion to write a letter asking why Ron Leaf’s salary increase is not recorded in the minutes and how many employees benefit from MuniSERP.  Bob Brattberg seconded.  Carried.

     5.2  Meeting with Bunch’s  –the annexation of land was discussed with CCTA members.

     5.3  Strategic plan – Open houses were held and input has been submitted.  No final report has been posted on county website.

     5.4  CCTA website/blog set up.  The taxpayer website address is www.clearwatercountytaxpayers.ca.  Newsletters have been posted on the site.  It was discussed  if the CCTA agenda and minutes be posted on the site as well. Pat Warkentin moved that the agendas be posted on the site and the minutes after approval.  Marlene Brattberg seconded.  Carried.

   5.5  Letter to the minister of municipal affairs – a letter was written concerning the purchase of land by the county.

   5.6  Investigation into directors insurance – 1,000,000 coverage has been quoted at 600.00 per year for directors & officers.  Ken Qually moved to table a decision on directors insurance until more quotes are received.  Lawrence Stewart seconded.  Carried.

6.0   New Business

    6.1   Report on county council meetings and new communications committee.  Helge Nome reported that several mistakes have been made on the arena expansion and is now 3 million over budget.  Red Deer College is seeking 1.4 million for a new sports facility.  The county is forming a committee for communications – internet development in the county.

    6.2   Plans for annual meeting – November 12.  Don Bester has agreed to speak about property rights re:  oil leases.  Bonnie Carson moved that we have Don speak at our annual meeting and will be held at Leslieville Elks Hall.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.  It was suggested that we contact the reeve from Brazeau County to speak at an upcoming meeting.  

    6.3  Traffic issue at Arbutus.  The supervisor for county traffic officers was observed passing two vehicles on the Arbutus road on a double solid line.  This incident was reported to protective services and the incident was dismissed by Ted Hickey.

    6.4  Business Cards.  There was a discussion about making CCTA business cards.  It was decided that 500 cards will be printed and contain  the CCTA name, meeting times and the website and will state that we are a group of concerned rural taxpayers.  Jack Leslie made a motion to print the cards.  Seconded by Jim Foesier.  Carried.

   6.5  Water Reservoir.  There is a proposed 40 acre water reservoir proposed to hold water for fracking.

   6.6  Land purchase.  Was discussed previously.

   6.7  Bonnie Carson wrote a letter to premier in August.  Bonnie read a letter received from Premier Rachel Notley.  Bonnie recommended visiting the website www.letstalkroyalties.ca.

   8.0  Next meeting October 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

    9.0  Adjournment.   Laverne Ahlstrom moved the meeting be adjourned at 9:52 p.m.

CLEARWATER COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES
June 11, 2015
LESLIEVILLE ELKS HALL
1.0   Welcome and Introductions
 At 7:29 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 and 6.6 were added to the agenda.   Jack Leslie moved that the agenda be accepted as presented.  Al Gates seconded.  Carried.
3.0   Adoption of Minutes of the Previous Meeting
      3.     Minutes of the previous meeting were adopted as recorded.  Moved by Marion Schafer.  Seconded by Trish Bingham. 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  Presentation to the county council on May 26 & reply letter.  Presentation to council, letter from council and responses in the paper were discussed.
     5.2  Request for review –latest news-CAO salary 2015 request.  A written request under FOIP must be made.  Helge Nome made a motion to make a FOIP request for the CAO salary.  Jack Leslie seconded.  Carried.
     5.3  Latest news on town audit review and county involvement.  Concerns have been brought to town council by a group of concerned citizens.  A petition is now being circulated to gather signatures.


6.0   New Business
    6.1   Strategic Plan. There is a copy at the county office.  Open houses will be held June 16 in Rocky and June 18 in Caroline.
    6.2   Public hearing on campground & storage facility NW of Rocky.  A public hearing will be held June 23, 2015 @ 1:30p.m.  There is a concern that this is being developed in a flood plain.
    6.3  CCTA Blog. It was discussed that CCTA should have a blog to post meeting minutes and The Beacon online.  Trish Bingham made a motion to setup blog.  Ken Qually seconded.  Carried.
    6.4  E-mail letter from Bunch Projects re: rezoning.  It was discussed that Bunch wanted CCTA input in their plans.  Helge Nome made a motion that CCTA should meet on site at Bunch.  Laverne Ahlstrom seconded.  Carried.
   6.5  Report on aggregate workshop.  Sharon gave an informative report on a workshop she attended May 25th.
   6.6  Changes to report to county. It was discussed and decided to change our goal to: Represent concerned taxpayers.
7.0  Open Forum
     7.1  Ken Qually made a motion to check into Directors Insurance.  Helge Nome seconded.  Carried.
     7.2  Development re-zoning for Rainy Creek Sports.  The development is rezoning from agriculture to Direct Control District.  It has passed 2nd and 3rd reading.  Now they need to apply for a development permit.
    8.0  Next meeting September 10, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
    9.0  Adjournment.   Jack Leslie moved the meeting be adjourned at 10:00 p.m.