RM Mckillop Council Meeting - 2021-02-23 - mar 8 2021
Closed Session
Councillor Gary Dixon added an item to the agenda for the closed session. He named it “Media Defamation.” Reeve Bob Schmidt also added an item to the closed session agenda, “Strategic Planning.” The Council met for an hour in a closed session. Upon returning from the closed session, they appeared in good humour, joking with Councillor Craig Romanyk that he was up before declaring there were no resolutions and quickly adjourning.
Appointment of RM Solicitor
Council passed a motion to approve a new Solicitor from the law firm of MLT Aikins. During the meeting, the CAO referred to the principal lawyer who would be overseeing the work of the lawyers who will provide legal services for the RM; however, the CAO would not say who that lawyer was when asked.
Code of Ethics
After much debate, the updated Code of Ethics bylaw didn’t go forward to the 3rd reading. Council will continue to review the Code of Ethics bylaw.
ASL Paving Project Highway 322/220
Representatives of ASL Paving Ltd were present to discuss items of concern presented to them by the Council. Councillor Gary Dixon asked for performance bonds from the company of $20,000 for the gravel pit reclamation and $200,000 over and above the road maintenance agreement. Dixon wanted assurances the roads would be repaired if there was damage. More to come; watch this space.
Water and Sewer Plant Report
Manager, Bo Black, said the Sundale Water Treatment Report continues to show unequal numbers between the raw water intake and the distribution meter. The water manager attributes this to occasional low-flowing water, resulting in the readings not being accurate. Council discussed replacing the meter. The CAO will follow up with Mr. Black.
Public Works Report
The Manager of Public Works, Travis Herman, reported they have started to haul gravel which has been going well. They were held up for a period during the cold weather; however, he wrote that it “looks to be favourable for hauling gravel due to the temperature change.”
Letters from Ratepayers
There were three letters (one, two, three) to Council. Two Sundale ratepayers had concerns with the Council’s actions or inaction in their community. Reeve Schmidt commented on sewage pumps that everything on the ratepayer’s side of the curb was their responsibility. Council discussed why they initially made the decision and will continue to conclude that the pumps at issue are the ratepayer’s responsibility. They then addressed the storage compound issue. The RM directed residents to remove their personal property from an area they had been using. The Reeve said they could not be liable for items in the compound, and the RM needs the site for a possible evaporation pond. Council decided to maintain its decision.
The third letter was from the Resort Village of Glen Harbour asking for clarification on a rumour of a campground/RV park in the resort village’s vicinity because, if true, they have concerns they would want to address. Council felt it was only a rumour as they hadn’t received a delegation or an application for a development to which they were referring.
Councillor Dixon asked the CAO to share the response letters with Council to respond if they were asked questions. The CAO was concerned that the Council would get involved in the administrative side of the RM. Council said it was for information purposes. The rest of the Council agreed with this.
Glamping Resorts
Council decided to deny the application as it didn’t meet the zoning requirements and was larger than what was allowable.
Administration Report
Trailer permits will be sent out by the middle of March. Currently, the Bylaw Officer is compiling a list of lots with trailers. Council will review the bylaw amendments after it is presented at the March 8th Council meeting.
The CAO reported that a Council member suggested that some committee meeting agenda items that affect everyone should be on the regular meeting agenda, possibly reducing the number of committee meetings needed.
It was suggested by a Council member that the RM temporarily bar unruly ratepayers from contacting office staff and councillors.
The Kick-off Meeting with Stormy Lake Consulting was held on February 16th, 2021. A public consultation will occur in the next 3-5 weeks, including a virtual workshop and a survey.
The RM plans to reach out to the Village of Silton by the end of February to start negotiations on a new Fire Agreement. They will draft a new agreement to bring to the Council.
Meetings of Council are open to the public and are held over Zoom. To view the proceedings, you can find the link to the Zoom invitation on the RM webpage. The next meeting of Council is on Monday, March 8th at 9 am.
- Jenifer Argue, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Note: These reports may be abridged for content
