1 TOWN OF ALTONA Committee of the Whole Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on Tuesday, June 28 th, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. at the Altona Civic Centre Council Chambers. Present were: Mayor Melvin Klassen, Deputy Mayor Glen Robinson, Councillors: Tim Fast, Terry Wiebe, Al Friesen Donna Rosling-Wolters, and Ann Kroeker. Youth Council Representative Madison Smith. Administration: CAO Dan Gagné, Manager of Finance Terry Fehr, Recreation Services Manager Ron Epp, and Assistant CAO Delores Loewen. Regrets: Public Works Manager Clint Derksen. 1. Call to Order Mayor Melvin Klassen called the meeting to order at the appointed time. 2. Review of Agenda Addition to the agenda: 6.3 2016 Street Renewal Project MOTION: Terry Wiebe Glen Robinson seconded to approve the agenda with the above noted addition. 3. Review of Previous Minutes 3.1 Minutes of June 14 th, 2016 MOTION: Tim Fast Al Friesen seconded to approve the June 14 th, 2016 minutes as circulated. 4. Business Arising from the Minutes none. 5. Delegations none. 1
2 6. CAO 6.1 CAO monthly report CAO Dan Gagné reviewed the monthly report. CAO Dan Gagné attended the Highway Traffic Board hearing this morning regarding the speed limit on 1 st Street SW. There seemed to be no interest by the Board to even consider reduction of the speed limit. Kris Eisbrenner was also in attendance. Committee members agreed that Council needs to appeal the Highway Board s decision and if that leads us nowhere, then to meet with the Minister of Infrastructure. Perhaps the Town of Altona should consider requesting that the Provincial government to allow the Municipality s to set their own speed limits. 6.2 Extension of the ISA Agreement recommendation required CAO Dan Gagné noted that speaking with Solicitor Bob Tyler that an agreement is in place but we need to wait for Bunge s Plant Manager to return from vacation to verify and sign the deal. This requires another extension to the agreement. RECOMMENDATION: Glen Robinson Terry Wiebe moved to recommend the WHEREAS the Town of Altona and Bunge Canada were required to establish an Industrial Use Agreement by April 1, 2013 under Bunge Canada s Environmental Act License 2975; AND WHEREAS the Town of Altona has been negotiating in good faith with Bunge Canada on the terms of an extensive industrial services agreement for several months; AND WHEREAS the Town of Altona deems it necessary to extend the interim industrial services agreement for the purposes of satisfying the Town s and Bunge s Environment Act Licences; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor be hereby authorized to sign the interim industrial services agreement with an expiry date of July 31, 2016 on behalf of the Town of Altona. 2
3 6.3 2016 Street Renewal Project CAO Dan Gagné reviewed the 2016 Street Renewal Project, noting that Administration has been working with Matt Fischer from JR Cousin determining which roadways should be slated for repair in 2016. The original report listed Ash Street, with emphasizes on the intersection of Poplar and Ash. After reviewing the project, costs of repairs are now projecting higher than originally thought. There is much more improvements than first anticipated, to partially fix this road will only incur more costs for the project. CAO Dan Gagné shared pictures of 2 nd Street NW, the concrete is cracking and heaving, with the high moisture levels this year, the road surface is shifting. Drainage is becoming a huge issue, the installation of a culvert would assist in the drainage which will elevate pressure from building up under the roadway. Committee members requested that Administration to ask that Matt Fischer to prepare a report depicting the costs of both the repairs to 2 nd Street NW as well as Poplar and Ash. 3. Works & Operations Chaired by Glen Robinson 7.1 Public Works no report. 7.2 Animal Control Report April 30 & May 2016 CAO Dan Gagné reported that the Town of Altona Animal Control Officer has been busy in April & May. Geoff Loewen attended a bylaw course and has gained his certification. The Public Works staff have been continuously larvaciding. The trap counts are low in all traps throughout the Town. With the amount of standing water and projection of warmer weather, Administration is working on make a decision on fogging the Centennial Park for Canada events. 8. Community & Social Development Chaired by Ann Kroeker 8.1 Recreation Service monthly report. Recreational Services Manager reviewed the monthly report. Access Field Committee has applied to the Canada 150 for a $250,000.00 grant to go towards completion of their projects. 3
4 Recreation Services Manager noted that 2017 is Canada s 150 th birthday and there may be some funding available in another component of the grant program. The Town of Altona may wish to consider an application, as well as an ad-hoc committee to review plans for our community to celebrate our country s 150 th birthday. Committee members agreed that we should start planning now and appointed Ann Kroeker, Al Friesen and Donna Rosling-Wolters to start discussions on how to move forward on planning events to coordinate with Canada s 150 birthday. 9. Finance & Administration Chaired by Tim Fast 9.1 Planning no report. 9.1.1 Variation Order V2016E CAO Dan Gagné reviewed the variation application V2016E. A prospective buyer of the property located at 244 7 th Avenue NE has applied for a variation order to allow for an addition to an existing home. RECOMMENDATION: Tim Fast Terry Wiebe moved to recommend the WHEREAS Section 96 of the Planning Act states that Council must give notice and hold a public hearing, in respect of a variance application; AND WHEREAS the Town of Altona has received an application for a variance (file no. V2016E); THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Town of Altona hereby agrees to hold a public hearing to receive representations from any person on the above application on July 12 th, 2016 starting at 6:00 p.m. 4
5 9.2 Finance & Administration 9.2.1 Cheque listing A/P Cheques - #001158 -#001224 $433,469.40 RECOMMENDATION: Terry Wiebe Al Friesen moved to recommend the approval of A/P Chequest #001158 - #001224 in amount of $433,469.40 as reviewed and recommended by Committee of the Whole. 9.2.2 Payroll & Council indemnities June 5 th June 18 th, 2016 - $107,474.88 RECOMMENDATION: Terry Wiebe Al Friesen moved to recommend the approval of Payroll for June 5 th June 18 th, 2016 in the amount of $107,474.88 as reviewed and recommended by Committee of the Whole. 9.2.3 Business tax arrears collections & cancellations interest charges RECOMMENDATION: Tim Fast Al Friesen moved to recommend the WHEREAS the Town of Altona has offered a one time cancellation of all accrued business tax arrears interest charges and waiving of additional interest charges in 2016 on the condition that the business owner agrees to a payment schedule that will see all of their business taxes paid by December 31, 2016; AND WHEREAS the Town of Altona has offered to cancel business taxes due to the downsizing and change of location of a business in 2014; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following Business Tax arrears interest charges and arrears cancellations as well as waiving of additional 2016 arrears interest charges be approved as reviewed and recommended by Committee of the Whole. 5
6 Roll # Reason & Amount to be Cancelled B7010 Cancel Business Tax arrears interest in the amount of $119.88 B9655 Cancel Business Tax arrears interest in the amount of $162.41 B9655 Cancel 2014 Business Tax arrears in the amount of $302.75 B9950 Cancel Business Tax arrears interest in the amount of $416.43 B13325 Cancel Business Tax arrears interest in the amount of $1,102.20 B20300 Cancel Business Tax arrears interest in the amount of $1,347.66 9.2.4 Business Tax Cancellations RECOMMENDATION: Tim Fast Glen Robinson moved to recommend the WHEREAS Friesen s Corporation (Bookstore), the Red Sunflower Restaurant, Hunter Wire Products and Movie Haven have closed in the Town of Altona; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following Business Tax cancellations be approved as reviewed and recommended by Committee of the Whole. Roll # Business Name Reason & Amount to be Cancelled B2400 Friesen s Corporation Friesen s Bookstore closed in 2015 Cancel 2016 Business Tax of $273.00 B7010 Red Sunflower Restaurant Business closed in January 2016 Cancel 2016 Business Tax of $633.00 B12680 Hunter Wire Products Business closed in 2015 Cancel 2016 Business Tax of $585.00 B13910 Movie Haven Business closed in 2015 Cancel 2016 Business Tax of $291.00 6
7 9.2.5 Financial statements Discussion only on new formatting of financial statements (draft copy attached) Finance Manager Terry Fehr reviewed the newly financial statements through the new accounting program. Committee members appreciated the information as provide. 10. New Business Chaired by Mel Klassen 10.1 FCM in 2017 / 2018 Committee members held discussions on attendance to FCM conferences. The following have committed to attending the conferences in: 11. Correspondence none. 12. In-Camera not required. 13. Adjournment at 4:48 p.m. June 2017 Ottawa Melvin Klassen and Ann Kroeker June 2018 Halifax Melvin Klassen, Tim Fast, Terry Wiebe and Glen Robinson. 7