County of Stettler No. 6 public meetings in 2023
14 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission approved two development permit applications. One permit allows for mineral extraction and processing, while the other concerns the Bar W Resort.
- Approved development permit DP 23017 for James Marshall Trucking Ltd. for sand, gravel, and surface mineral extraction and processing (Unanimous)
- Approved development permit DP 23077 for Bar W Resort with amended conditions (6-1)
Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission heard presentations from County administration, Bar W Resort, and several community associations regarding a proposed 318-site RV park. Following public testimony concerning traffic, boat launch capacity, and environmental impacts, the Commission postponed its decision.
- Approved August 31, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
- Approved granting community association representatives an additional 10 minutes for presentations (Unanimous)
- Tabled decision on Development Permit Application DP23077 until September 8, 2023 (Unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved a $2,500 contribution to the Stettler Library for a Truth and Reconciliation event. Council also authorized the donation of gravel for the Erskine Outdoor Rink and directed administration to research streetlighting costs in Erskine.
- Approved $2,500 sponsorship for Stettler Library Truth and Reconciliation event (Unanimous)
- Approved donation of 100 yards of gravel to Erskine Outdoor Rink project (Unanimous)
- Directed administration to provide cost options for increasing Erskine streetlighting (Unanimous)
- Directed administration to write a letter of support for lowering speed limits in Anderson Subdivision (Unanimous)
- Directed administration to send updates to four partners regarding the Regional Fire Department (Unanimous)
- Directed administration to write to Town of Stettler regarding shared traffic speed trailer and bring purchase proposal to budget discussion (Unanimous)
- Directed administration to bring Botha Bell relocation plans and costs back for public consultation (Unanimous)
- Directed administration to develop a third-party filming policy and guidelines (6-1)
Agriculture Service Board
The Agricultural Services Board directed administration to write to federal and provincial ministers and representatives to encourage funding for the 2023 Agricultural Recovery program. The board also received reports on drought trends, administration activities, and the Farm to Fork event.
- Directed Administration to write to Federal and Provincial Ministers and the Drumheller-Stettler MLA to encourage 2023 Agricultural Recovery program funding (Carried Unanimously)
- Approved August 23, 2023 agenda (Carried Unanimously)
- Approved June 28, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried Unanimously)
- Received Agricultural Services Board Administration Report for information (Carried Unanimously)
- Received Post Strychnine Update for information (Carried Unanimously)
- Received correspondence regarding State of Agricultural Disaster and drought assistance for information (Carried Unanimously)
- Received 2023 Financials report for information (Carried Unanimously)
- Received Farm to Fork/Long Table Supper Recap for information (Carried Unanimously)
Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission approved two development permit applications subject to specific site and setback conditions. The commission also received the Development Officer's monthly report for June through August 2023.
- Approved development permit DP 23081 for Linda Brann (Unanimous)
- Approved development permit DP 23062 for John Veltman (5-2)
- Received Planning and Development Officer's Monthly Report for June-August 2023 (Unanimous)
County Council
Council authorized two water service connections and scheduled a tax sale for December 7, 2023. The board also passed amendments to the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw and approved a partial tax forgiveness for one ratepayer.
- Forgave $2,769.87 in property tax arrears for roll 431402 subject to $10,000 payment
- Directed Administration to request provincial highway mowing by August 1
- Approved letters to MLA and Minister of Agriculture supporting Agricultural Recovery program
- Authorized water service connection for NW 14- 40- 20- W4 (up to $15,000)
- Authorized water service connection for NE 21- 40- 20- W4 (up to $15,000)
- Set 2023 Tax Sale date for December 7, 2023
- Passed Bylaw 1704-23 amending the Municipal Development Plan
- Passed Bylaw 1705-23 amending the Land Use Bylaw development permit process
County Council
County Council approved the purchase of two 3/4-ton pickup trucks and granted a partial tax forgiveness of $100,931.77 for a specific roll. Council also passed bylaws regarding development and subdivision authority and rezoned 14 acres of land.
- Approved purchase of two 3/4-ton pickup trucks from Southtown Chrysler for $138,512.50 plus GST (Unanimous)
- Approved forgiveness of $86,937.28 in non-residential taxes and $13,994.49 in penalties for roll 581400 (5-2)
- Approved $1,000 ASB Bursary for Rayell Haustein (Unanimous)
- Approved $4,851 expenditure for road construction cost-sharing on Range Road 21-2 (Unanimous)
- Passed Bylaw 1702-23 (Development Authority) and Bylaw 1703-23 (Subdivision Authority) (Unanimous)
- Passed Bylaw 1699-23 to rezone 14 acres from Agricultural to Country Residence Agricultural (Unanimous)
- Directed Administration to review Recreation Special Project Funding for September meeting (Unanimous)
- Directed Administration to contact Alberta Minister of Agriculture regarding feed assistance (Unanimous)
Agriculture Service Board
The Board accepted three agriculture policies regarding lease lands, pest control, and the Animal Health Act. It also awarded the 2023 ASB Bursary and scheduled a public information session on property rights. Additionally, the Board resolved to send a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and the local MLA regarding drought concerns.
- Approved $1,000 2023 ASB Bursary for Rayell Haustein (Unanimous)
- Approved Agriculture Policy 3.1—Lease Lands (Unanimous)
- Approved Agriculture Policy 3.6—Pest and Nuisance Control In the County Right of Way (Unanimous)
- Approved Policy AG 3.12—Animal Health Act (Unanimous)
- Approved request for Administration to set up a public information session with Darcy Allen on Property Rights (Unanimous)
- Approved sending a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Drumheller-Stettler MLA regarding 2023 drought concerns (Unanimous)
County Council
Council awarded a contract for waterline connections in the Hamlet of Gadsby. The board also received information regarding a resolved fire mediation between the County and the Town of Stettler.
- Awarded Hamlet of Gadsby waterline upgrade project to Elite Site Services for $490,996.28 (Unanimous)
- Received Fire Mediation item for information (Unanimous)
Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission approved two subdivision applications for Red Willow Pork Farm Inc. and a development permit for an ancillary building with yard variances. The commission also requested a report on the value of new assessed improvements for 2023.
- Approved subdivision SUB2023-05 for SE 3-40-17-W4M (Unanimous)
- Approved subdivision SUB2023-06 for NE 4-40-17-W4M (Unanimous)
- Approved Development Permit DP 23047 for an ancillary building with front yard and setback variances (Borbandy)
- Approved request for Administration to report on new assessed improvements from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved June 28, 2023 agenda as amended (Unanimous)
- Approved May 24, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Received Planning and Development Officer's Monthly Report for May-June 2023 (Unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee recommended the forgiveness of specific non-residential taxes and penalties for roll 581400. Council also approved the purchase of a drone kit and directed the planning of firefighter recognition events. Several items, including the Tax Incentive Bylaw and Council Renumeration Policy, were received for information or deferred.
- Recommended forgiving $32,440.64 in taxes and $13,994.49 in penalties for roll 581400 (Carried)
- Approved purchase of small drone kit for $1,247.00 plus GST (Carried)
- Directed Administration to plan Open House barbeque events for Stettler Regional Fire volunteers (Carried Unanimously)
- Received Red Willow Sewer item for information (Carried Unanimously)
- Received Tax Incentive Bylaw item for information (Carried Unanimously)
- Directed Administration to add Council Renumeration Policy to a future agenda (Carried Unanimously)
- Cancelled the July 27, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting (Carried Unanimously)
County Council
The County Council met for a special session to discuss fire mediation in a closed session. Following this, Council authorized the Reeve and CAO to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Stettler.
- Approved agenda as presented (Unanimous)
- Entered in-camera session to discuss Fire Mediation (Unanimous)
- Exited in-camera session (Unanimous)
- Authorized Reeve and CAO to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Stettler (6-1)
County Council
Council declared an agricultural disaster due to extreme drought and approved various community grants and infrastructure projects. Decisions included increasing a speed limit on Range Road 21-2 and funding environmental monitoring at the Erskine Landfill. The council also awarded two four-year land leases.
- Declared County of Stettler in an agricultural disaster due to extreme drought (Unanimous)
- Approved $7,500 in Community Investment Program funding for various organizations (Unanimous)
- Increased speed limit on Range Road 21-2 from 50km/h to 60km/h (5-2)
- Authorized $32,000 for groundwater and landfill gas monitoring at Erskine Landfill (Unanimous)
- Approved $39,224 purchase of herbicide from Veseris (Unanimous)
- Awarded 4-year lease of Parcel 15 to Gordon Lane for $3,800 annually (Unanimous)
- Awarded 4-year lease of Parcel 16 to Jim Long for $2,200 annually (Unanimous)
- Approved lease agreement in principle with Byemoor Cemetery Club for War Memorial (Unanimous)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole decided to reject all land purchase proposals and approved a gravel donation for the Stettler Town & Country Museum. Council also issued a letter of support for Stettler Home Support's grant application. Several other items, including a picnic shelter proposal and landfill monitoring, were referred back to Administration for further study.
- Rejected all land purchase proposals (Unanimous)
- Approved donation and transport of 60-yards of gravel to Stettler Town & Country Museum (6-1)
- Approved letter of support for Stettler Home Support grant application (Unanimous)
- Directed Administration to further review Scenic Sands Picnic Shelter proposal (Unanimous)
- Directed Administration to bring back monitoring options for Erskine Landfill development (Unanimous)
- Directed Administration to bring back three bids for Buffalo View Estates Marina staircase (Unanimous)
- Directed Administration to update the Code of the West document (Unanimous)
- Directed Administration to bring Lease Land Bids to the June 2023 meeting (Unanimous)