Kneehill County public meetings in 2023

Council Meeting

The Council will review the 2024 operating and capital budgets and a purchase for the Mount Vernon Booster Station. The meeting also includes a public hearing regarding Bylaw 1889 to amend Land Use Bylaw 1808.

• Public Hearing: Bylaw 1889 Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1808
• Mount Vernon Booster Station Purchase
• 2023 Appointment of Auditors
• 2024 Operating and Capital Budget Approval
• Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Member at Large appointment

Council approved a 2024 operating budget of $30,497,413 and a capital budget of $5,944,272. The board also authorized the purchase of the Mount Vernon Booster Station and gave second reading to a Land Use Bylaw amendment.

• Approved 2024 Operating Budget of $30,497,413
• Approved 2024 Capital Budget of $5,944,272
• Approved 2024 Operating Projects funding of $364,100
• Authorized Mount Vernon Booster Station Purchase Agreement (4-2)
• Gave second reading to Bylaw 1889 Land Use Bylaw amendment
• Appointed BDO Canada LLP – Red Deer as 2023 Auditors
• Appointed Ruth Purves-Smith and Jenny Scott to Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
• Confirmed oral presentation to Alberta Utilities Commission on renewable energy development

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will discuss the Economic Development Portfolio and the Unsightly Premises Process. A closed session is also scheduled for confidential evaluations under FOIP Section 19.

• Economic Development Portfolio discussion
• Unsightly Premises Process discussion
• Closed session for confidential evaluations (FOIP-Section 19)

Council Meeting

The Kneehill County Council is reviewing responses to questions regarding the 2024 budget. The agenda also includes discussions on updated policies for water connections and several community grant programs. Additionally, representatives from Travel Drumheller and Travel Alberta will present to the council.

• 2024 Budget Responses to Questions & Information Requests
• Policy #14-12: New Water Connections to Existing Rural Waterlines
• Bridge File #13477 STIP Application
• Review of various community and youth event grant policies
• Presentation by Travel Drumheller and Travel Alberta

Council approved using the Revenue Stabilization program to cover a $516,804 shortfall for the 2024 Budget. Several new and updated community grant and infrastructure policies were adopted, and a funding application for a bridge was approved.

• Approved using Revenue Stabilization program to fund $516,804 budget shortfall (4-2)
• Approved Reserve Funded Projects in the 2024 Budget Book
• Approved Policy 14-12 for New Water Connections to Existing Rural Waterlines
• Deleted Policy 14-10 regarding Long Service Connections
• Approved STIP application for construction of Bridge File #13477
• Approved policies for Century Farm and Ranch Award, Rural Community Hall Capital Grants, and Rural Community Halls
• Approved policies for Community Grants to Non-Profits, Community Enrichment Support, Rural Resident Connections, and Youth Event Sponsorship
• Directed Administration to register for an oral presentation with the Alberta Utilities Commission

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will review a proposed amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1808. The meeting also includes a report on business retention and expansion surveys and a discussion regarding the Future of Growing Kneehill event.

• Bylaw 1889 Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1808
• Business Retention & Expansion Survey Report
• Future of Growing Kneehill Event Discussion

The Committee of the Whole recommended that the County participate in the AUC Oral Engagement Process. The committee also requested options for future Growing Kneehill Events and accepted updates on land use bylaws.

• Recommended County participation in AUC Oral Engagement Process (Unanimous)
• Requested Administration provide options for future Growing Kneehill Events (Unanimous)
• Accepted update on proposed Bylaw 1889 for information (Unanimous)
• Received AUC Renewable Review document for information (Unanimous)
• Approved October 17, 2023, meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Council Meeting

The Kneehill County Council will discuss the 2024 proposed operating budget. The meeting also includes a review of a fire mutual aid agreement with Wheatland County and a presentation from the Regional Family and Community Support Services.

• 2024 Proposed Operating Budget
• Fire Mutual Aid Agreement with Wheatland County
• Kneehill Regional Family and Community Support Services delegation
• 2023 Christmas Closure

Council approved a mutual aid agreement for fire services with Wheatland County. The 2024 Proposed Operating Budget and the 2023 Christmas Closure report were received for information.

• Approved Fire Mutual Aid Agreement with Wheatland County (Unanimous)
• Received 2024 Proposed Operating Budget for information (Unanimous)
• Received 2023 Christmas Closure report for information (Unanimous)
• Received Kneehill Family Wellness Program 2022/2023 Annual Report for information (Unanimous)

Council Meeting

The council will address the postponement of the Bylaw 1889 public hearing and discuss repairs for a Trochu fire truck. The agenda also includes reviewing industrial tax cancellations and round two of community grants for non-profit organizations.

• Postponement of Bylaw 1889 Public Hearing
• Trochu Fire Truck Repairs
• Economic Development Survey review
• Tax Cancellation for Industrial Accounts
• Community Grants to Non-Profit Organizations (Policy #15-3)

Council approved a three-year facility condition and asset retirement project and authorized funding for fire truck repairs. They also cancelled over $89,000 in uncollectable industrial taxes and awarded several community grants to non-profit organizations.

• Approved $325,000 for Integrated Facility Condition and Asset Retirement Assessment Project (Unanimous)
• Authorized transfer of up to $55,000 from Contingency Reserve for Trochu Fire Truck Repairs (Unanimous)
• Approved cancellation of $75,545.07 in taxes for accounts turned over to Orphan Well Association (Unanimous)
• Approved cancellation of $13,723.65 in uncollectable taxes for Pocahontas Petroleum Ltd and Crimson Energy Ltd (Unanimous)
• Approved Round Two Community Grants totaling $16,710 for six non-profit organizations (Unanimous)
• Rescheduled Bylaw 1889 public hearing to December 12, 2023 (Carried)
• Directed Administration to register for the November 14th AUC Engagement Webinar (Unanimous)

Organizational Meeting

The Council is conducting an organizational meeting to establish municipal office procedures and voting protocols. The body will elect a Reeve and Deputy Reeve, set the 2024 meeting calendar, and review various board and committee appointments.

• Election of Reeve
• Election of Deputy Reeve
• Establishment of 2024 Council and Committee meeting dates
• 2023/2024 Board and Committee Appointments

Council held its organizational meeting to elect leadership and establish the 2024 meeting schedule. The body appointed members to various boards, commissions, and intermunicipal committees. The municipal office was formally established in Three Hills.

• Elected Kenneth King as Reeve
• Elected Jerry Wittstock as Deputy Reeve
• Established municipal office at 1600 2nd Street NE, Three Hills, AB
• Approved 2024 regular Council, Committee of the Whole, and Municipal Planning Commission meeting dates
• Appointed members to the Agricultural Service Board, including Wade Christie as Chairman
• Appointed all Council members to the Municipal Planning Commission with Jerry Wittstock as Chair
• Appointed members to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
• Appointed representatives to various Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework and Development Plan Committees

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will review the 2024 budget presentation and an assessment regarding facility conditions and asset retirement. The agenda also includes discussions on community grants and proposed amendments to Land Use Bylaw 1808.

• 2024 Budget presentation
• Integrated Facility Condition and Asset Retirement Assessment
• Community Grants Round Two 2023
• Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1808 by Bylaw 1889

The Committee of the Whole unanimously recommended six specific community grants to non-profit organizations for Council approval. It also recommended that Council host an event at Horseshoe Canyon for Alberta Government VIPs. The committee received information on the 2024 budget and facility assessments, and discussed amendments to the Land Use Bylaw regarding renewable energy.

• Recommended six community grants to Council (unanimous)
• Recommended Council host Horseshoe Canyon event for Alberta Government VIPs (unanimous)
• Received 2024 Budget 'Setting the Stage' presentation for information (unanimous)
• Accepted Integrated Facility Condition and Asset Retirement Assessment report for information (unanimous)
• Discussed Land Use Bylaw amendments for renewable energy; provided further changes to Administration

Council Meeting

The Council will review the September 26, 2023, meeting minutes and receive several reports. Discussion items include an event summary for Growing Kneehill 2023 and updates regarding economic development and health initiatives.

• Growing Kneehill 2023 Event Summary
• Innisfail Community Economic Development Event report
• Three Hills Health Initiative - Winter Wonderland Gala report
• RCMP Meeting at RMA report

Council approved a $5,000 sponsorship for the Three Hills Health Initiative Winter Wonderland Gala. Other actions included appointing a Weed and Pest Inspector and supporting a lobby effort for Red Deer River water storage.

• Approved $5,000 donation to Three Hills Health Initiative Fundraiser (Unanimous)
• Appointed Jim Evans as Weed and Pest Inspector and Soil Conservation Officer (Unanimous)
• Approved support for Red Deer River Municipal Users Group lobby effort for on-stream storage (Unanimous)
• Approved donation of sponsorship tickets for Winter Wonderland Gala back to the event for resale (Unanimous)
• Approved attendance of Councillor McGhee at Innisfail Community Economic Development event (Carried)
• Approved attendance of Deputy Reeve King at David Thompson Health Advisory Council meetings (Carried)
• Requested a meeting with the RCMP at the RMA convention (Unanimous)

Council Meeting

The Council will consider updates to the Grader Gravel Services Policy and discuss several new bylaws regarding tax penalties and arrears payment plans. The agenda also includes a gymnasium funding request from the Acme Alumni Association.

• First reading and public hearing for Bylaw 1889 (Land Use Bylaw amendment)
• Update to Policy 13-2 Grader Gravel Services Policy
• Bylaw 1891 (Residential Tax Arrears Payment Plan) and Bylaw 1890 (Tax Penalty Bylaw)
• Gymnasium funding request from Acme Alumni Association
• Review of the proposed 2024 FCSS budget

Council approved long-term operating and capital forecasts and established new tax penalty and arrears payment bylaws. The board also committed $100,000 to the Acme School gymnasium and supported a provincial moratorium on renewable energy approvals.

• Approved $100,000 funding for Acme School gymnasium project
• Approved 2024-2027 Operating and 2024-2029 Capital/Project Forecasts
• Passed Bylaw 1890 establishing a tax penalty structure
• Passed Bylaw 1891 establishing a Tax Arrears Payment Plan
• Approved 2024 budget for Kneehill Regional Family and Community Support Services
• Directed administration to support provincial moratorium on renewable energy approvals
• Gave first reading to Bylaw 1889 (Land Use Bylaw amendment) and set public hearing for Nov 14, 2023
• Approved 2023 tax cancellations for Gas Co-ops and specific Grant in Place of Taxes

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole will discuss a review of county grant programs, including new policies for rural resident connections and youth sponsorship. The meeting also includes a review of ward boundaries and affordable housing funding programs.

• Review of Kneehill County Grant Program (Rural Resident Connection and Youth Sponsorship)
• Ward Boundary Review (Bylaw 1384)
• Review of Affordable Housing Funding Programs via proposed RMA Resolution
• 2023 Post-Election Alberta Tourism Advocacy Summit

Council Meeting

The Council will review the second quarter variance report covering functions, departments, projects, investments, and reserves. The agenda also includes discussions on a tax arrears payment plan and subdivision and development appeal board matters.

• Bylaw 1891: Tax Arrears Payment Plan
• Second Quarter Variance Report 2023
• Bylaw 1892: Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
• Trochu Flapjack Fiesta Community Discovery Night 2023
• Junior Achievement 2023 Report

The council adopted the amended agenda and approved the August 22 meeting minutes. It gave first and second readings to Bylaw 1891 establishing a Tax Arrears Payment Plan. It contributed $946,246 to the Revenue Stabilization Reserve, approved small draws from other reserves, and passed Bylaw 1892 to create a Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. The council also denied a request to use Keiver's Lake Campground.

• Adopted agenda (Resolution 287/23) – carried unanimously
• Approved August 22 minutes (Resolution 288/23) – carried unanimously
• First reading Bylaw 1891 Tax Arrears Payment Plan – carried unanimously
• Second reading Bylaw 1891 – carried unanimously
• Contributed $946,246 to Revenue Stabilization Reserve (Resolution 291/23) – carried unanimously
• Approved $3,800 draw from Contingency Reserve (Resolution 292/23) – carried unanimously
• Established Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (Bylaw 1892 third reading, Resolution 296/23) – carried unanimously
• Denied request to use Keiver's Lake Campground (Resolution 305/23) – carried

Council Meeting

The Council will consider amendments to the Land Use Bylaw regarding wind and solar energy setbacks near waterbodies. The agenda also includes a road closure request for an undeveloped road allowance and a review of fire service level of service policies. Additionally, the Torrington Ag Society is scheduled to present a delegation.

• Bylaw 1889: Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1808 regarding wind and solar energy setbacks
• Bylaw 1856: Road closure for undeveloped road allowance north of Ptn. NW 21-30-26 W4
• Review of Fire Level of Service Policy 4-1
• Appointment of Deputy Director of Emergency Management
• Torrington Ag Society delegation

Council approved several grants, including a one-time $12,500 payment for a Zamboni rental. The board also finalized a road closure and consolidation bylaw and approved a new fire level of service policy.

• Increased annual grant to Torrington Agricultural Society to $30,000 (Unanimous)
• Approved one-time $12,500 grant to Torrington Agricultural Society for Zamboni rental (Unanimous)
• Approved $25,000 value and passed three readings of Bylaw 1856 for road closure north of Ptn. NW 21-30-26 W4 Plan 931 0847 Block A (Unanimous)
• Approved Fire Level of Service Policy #4-1 (Unanimous)
• Appointed Kevin Gannon and Brandon Rempel as Deputy Directors of Emergency Management (Unanimous)
• Approved $500 youth sponsorship for Elnora Eagles U19B Softball Team (Unanimous)
• Referred proposed Bylaw 1889 (Land Use Bylaw 1808 Amendment) to November 21, 2023 meeting (Unanimous)
• Submitted regional procurement, staff training, and aerial photography ideas to Kneehill Regional Partnership (Unanimous)

Council Meeting

Council declared a State of Agricultural Disaster for the 2023 growing season and approved $180,000 for road seal coating. They also awarded two $2,000 scholarships and appointed a new Weed and Pest Inspector. Proposed land use bylaw amendments for renewable energy were sent back for further revisions.

• Approved $180,000 draw from Capital Roads Reserve for seal coat on Range Road 240 and 234 (Carried)
• Directed Administration to make further amendments to proposed Bylaw 1889 regarding renewable energy (Carried Unanimously)
• Appointed Steven Ross as Weed and Pest Inspector and Soil Conservation Officer (Carried Unanimously)
• Declared a State of Agricultural Disaster for the 2023 growing season (Carried Unanimously)
• Approved $1,500 sponsorship for Alberta Municipal Taxation Professionals Association (Carried Unanimously)
• Awarded $2,000 scholarships each to Anna Dau and Kylie Robertson (Carried Unanimously)
• Endorsed Kneehill Housing approach to adjust 2024 requisition due to 2023 miscalculation (Carried Unanimously)

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole is meeting to discuss proposed amendments to the Land Use Bylaw regarding renewable energy. The session also includes the approval of previous meeting minutes and a closed session.

• Land Use Bylaw Amendments for Renewable Energy

Council Meeting

Council will discuss the 2022 audited financial statements and hear delegations from the RCMP Olds Detachment and the GoA Assessment Services Branch. The meeting also includes reviews of water survey results and land use bylaw amendment processes.

• 2022 Audited Financial Statements
• Bylaw # 1887 regarding the repeal of obsolete bylaws
• Three Hills East Water Survey results
• Sponsorship request from Three Hills Thrashers Junior Hockey Club
• Process for amending the Land Use Bylaw regarding renewable energy sections

Council established a timeline and process to amend the Land Use Bylaw, including a public hearing on September 26, 2023. The Three Hills East Water project will not proceed due to lack of resident support. Council also repealed obsolete bylaws and approved the 2022 Audited Financial Statements.

• Approved process to amend Land Use Bylaw with public hearing set for Sept 26, 2023 (Unanimous)
• Directed Administration to notify landowners that Three Hills East Water project will not proceed (Carried)
• Passed Bylaw 1887 to repeal obsolete, redundant, and outdated bylaws (Unanimous)
• Accepted 2022 Audited Financial Statements (Unanimous)
• Approved $500 sponsorship for Three Hills Thrashers Junior “B” Hockey Club (Unanimous)
• Approved the Kneehill Enforcement Report (Unanimous)
• Approved Reeve's attendance at the July 10 Sunterra/Solterra event (Unanimous)
• Directed Administration to list concerns for a Sept 19 hearing on a proposed solar generation facility (Unanimous)

Council Meeting

The provided agenda contains only procedural software placeholders and boilerplate text. There are no specific decisions, proposals, or discussion items listed.