August 11, 2026 Council Meeting

Northern Lights County, AB (Canada) · · More Northern Lights County, AB (Canada) meetings · More Alberta meetings

This channel has disabled embedding outside YouTube, so playback only works on youtube.com.

Watch on YouTube ↗

Transcript

Download: Text · SRT
SOURCE TRANSCRIPT

This transcript is downloaded from the source you provided but we haven't reviewed it for accuracy. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record. You can also request an AI-transcription of the audio file with the button to the left.

These are YouTube's auto-generated captions, not a human transcript — expect occasional errors, especially with names and technical terms.
[0:00] We acknowledge theles and ancestors whose lands we now share.
[0:06] Move the 2.0 dot to the agenda.
[0:11] Okay. CEO.
[0:16] So I've got the fees regional intermunicipal collaboration framework.
[0:21] Uh it's a discussion around a grant application and we need a level of
[0:27] support for that. So we want to put that as
[0:32] we just put
[0:42] then I have the peace regional subdivision and development the pool
[0:46] board appointment that's P Rsb
[0:52] appointment so maybe that so when we go under
[0:59] just put that under. >> Yes, please.
[1:04] » Obvious.
[1:08] » What is that one? >> Peace region.
[1:14] » Peace regional subdivision and development fieldwork.
[1:18] » That's it. that >> I have um unsightful properties in Star.
[1:27] » Okay. So item B would be unsightly properties reverse star.
[1:35] [clears throat]
[1:46] Um obvious we I guess maybe for lifetime
[1:52] gray right crops quite far away and I also want to send some flowers or
[1:58] something [clears throat]
[2:01] » it is not in our policy so it needs to be a council motion
[2:06] Mayor >> previous.
[2:23] Okay. Anything else? Seeing nothing. A motion to adopt the
[2:28] agenda with the additions. Council Haliski. All in favor?
[2:34] Minutes from our previous meeting. Our previous meeting was the special meeting
[2:39] we held.
[2:50] So any comments coming out of that? If not a motion to
[2:54] get those minutes. All in favor?
[3:00] Secured.
[3:04] You good, Jessica? >> You bet. Check.
[3:07] » Okay, we can move down to 4.0 allegations. So, we have a public
[3:11] hearing. >> Sorry. There's two sets of minutes
[3:14] though, I think. Right. Right. There was our regular and then special. Can we
[3:16] make them in one motion or do we need to We need to actually make the council
[3:21] meetings from our July 14th and two motions. There's two corrections. We
[3:26] need to >> Well, we I thought we got at the special
[3:29] meeting. We did. Okay. I thought we did all counc
[3:37] the regular meeting minutes right with the with the correction.
[3:41] » Yeah. So there's two corrections. So we have to correct the time from 1:00 a.m.
[3:44] to 1:00 p.m. and then just the location held in county chambers to held in Ker.
[3:50] » Okay. So then looking for a motion for the special meeting
[3:55] will approve the minutes from the special meeting.
[4:07] And that was >> yes we are good right so back to 4.0
[4:12] until the public hearing will do at 11 a.m. So, next item B, we have a grant
[4:19] writing presentation with Michael Walker with Associated Engineering. So, you can
[4:25] get him on the screen for us. Ready?
[4:33] All right. >> Good morning, Michael.
[4:36] » Good morning. Um, I just got uh uh that host disabled screen sharing. Is it
[4:42] possible to get that enabled? >> Okay, we'll just check that out for you.
[4:47] In the meantime, while we're doing that, let's just introduce council and
[4:51] administration to you. >> Deputy on my far left.
[4:56] » Good morning, Ken. Representative W, Warrenville, La Cardell area.
[5:01] » Morning Gary Day one. >> Good morning, Gloria Den five breaking
[5:08] point. >> Good morning, Terry. Award six, Hotkus
[5:12] Hawk Hills.
[5:17] Award seven, >> Grant Reef. Award for David.
[5:23] » Do we have men and Dr. Josh >> Josh Hunter, director of finance and
[5:30] General Schwab, director of public works.
[5:33] » And then we'll get to the >> and
[5:36] good morning. and Jessica. >> Uh the executive assistant, uh Jessica
[5:41] Gums, >> and we're just working on getting the
[5:44] screen sharing going here for you. >> Okay. Yeah, I'll try again here.
[5:51] » So, whereabouts are you sitting this morning? Like, are you in Saskatchewan?
[5:55] » I am in beautiful partly cloudy Saskatchewan. It's usually sunny, so I
[5:59] usually get to say sunny, but uh partly cloudy this morning. So, um yeah, thank
[6:04] nice to meet all of council and staff. um thank you for the opportunity to uh
[6:09] spend some time with you here this morning and um hopefully make uh
[6:13] director of finance their uh his job a little bit easier. So
[6:18] » um should mention I've got uh Sean Nickel on the line as well. Sean, you
[6:22] want to introduce yourself? >> Yeah, I think my audio issues are done.
[6:25] Uh Sean, there you go. Uh Sean Nickel. I manage our Grand Prairie office up here
[6:30] for associate engineering. >> Okay, welcome.
[6:36] Can you maybe try again sharing? >> Yeah, it's still saying host disabled
[6:40] participant screen sharing. Um, is it possible to make me a co-host or
[6:45] something and then I can uh
[6:58] » I'm the host now. I'm the [laughter] >> careful what you do.
[7:06] minutes. >> There we go. Yeah, exactly.
[7:10] » Okay. >> Um, can you guys see my screen? All
[7:12] right. >> It is coming.
[7:17] » Maybe not. >> See? And it's screen sharing. So
[7:22] hopefully >> Yeah, it works on my side.
[7:25] » Yeah, you can see. >> Yep.
[7:31] » Okay, we got it though. >> You got it. Perfect. Okay. Um, so yeah,
[7:35] I will uh I will endeavor to keep this to time. So, uh, feel free anytime
[7:40] throughout. There's a lot of acronyms in the grant world. Um, feel free to Oh,
[7:47] let sorry, I guess I'm admitting people here, too. Um, feel free to interrupt at
[7:52] any point. Um, ask for clarification on acronyms, anything that you don't
[7:56] understand, that sort of thing. as well as uh I mentioned to Jessica, I'm I'm
[8:00] absolutely happy to do a working group meeting with you guys afterwards if you
[8:04] want to dive in to any details. Um but yeah, to try to fit this in um as best
[8:10] we can in the time. So yeah, this is the funding toolkit. Uh it's going to cover
[8:15] grants, partnerships, and innovative financing. Um so not just grants, but
[8:21] we'll try to get to everything there. My name is Mike Walker, and uh yeah, we'll
[8:25] go from there. Couple pretty pictures at the start. My most re well not most
[8:28] recent but most recent delivered grant wins. We've got city vest van at about
[8:33] $12 million project and then for Capella water treatment plant. Uh we've been
[8:37] working for years on that one. Finally got them about three and a half mil on
[8:41] that one. So um good good news stories there.
[8:45] And a little bit about myself. I am a civil engineer trained in the beautiful
[8:50] University of Alberta uh in northern Alberta. So, um, I do have quite a bit
[8:55] of history in northern Alberta. Um, I also do project management. I'm a dad.
[8:59] I've got three kids. Um, I do a lot of international work as well. You might
[9:02] have seen my background pop up there at the start for Fidic. Um, so I I do a lot
[9:07] of international work as well. And then I have a history as a consultant and a
[9:10] contractor. Uh, I worked with E Construction. Um, but up in your neck of
[9:15] the woods, probably who would be the uh the equivalent that I worked with. So,
[9:19] lots of history there. Um, we've got Highway 88 in the top left you guys are
[9:23] probably familiar with. Uh, built that like 15 years ago. Um, some other stuff
[9:29] in southern Alberta um with the Rogers Pass Avalanche Mitigation. So, I got to
[9:34] build uh some rocket launchers on top of a mountain which is kind of pretty cool.
[9:38] So, I think I've I've peaked engineering wise from actually delivering stuff. And
[9:44] so, what I've started looking at now is how do we actually look at delivering
[9:48] this? So the overall components of the project because even for my first
[9:52] project in Beaver County, uh so just north of Toefield, Alberta, this is
[9:57] Township Road 520. Um I didn't understand that finance was an integral
[10:02] part to the project. Now hopefully getting to be a little bit better and
[10:06] combining the two together. So, um, this is usually I flipped my
[10:12] whole presentation this morning, so you're going to get the, uh, the fresh
[10:14] version of it, but basically uh, what we want in in project world is happy
[10:19] people, proper budgets, less RFPs, reduced risk, less scope changes, less
[10:25] stress. Is anyone opposed to any of those?
[10:30] » No. >> Okay, perfect. Now, the question is, why
[10:34] were there elephants on that slide? Anyone got any ideas?
[10:41] Sorry, I visit Africa
[10:46] » because I I was actually just in South Africa. So I uh but no, that's not it.
[10:52] Anyone heard uh or here we'll switch gears then to a little bit more more uh
[10:56] recent. So to treat the part, you must understand the whole Anyone have small
[10:59] kids? Anyone know where this is from? Come on.
[11:07] Dumbo. >> Does that No, not Dumbo. But you get
[11:11] your clothes. Feel your hand. Does that help you?
[11:14] » What? >> K-pop Demon Hunter.
[11:19] » So, as I was building this presentation a couple months ago, my kids were
[11:24] listening to uh or watching K-pop demon hunters in the back, and I was like,
[11:27] "Oh, that's great. Tons of treats apart. Must understand the whole." So, we can't
[11:30] just look at the engineering, the project side. We have to look at the
[11:33] overall project finance because if we the operation based on cash flow
[11:39] because we win you a big grant but you can't cash flow it, we haven't done our
[11:43] job properly. So we have to look at the holistic view of the operation of the
[11:47] municipality of the county to fully understand it. So that brings us back to
[11:52] what I was originally going to talk about was the blind man and the elephant
[11:55] parable. And usually we spread this way out but because I'm time constrained
[11:58] I'll just go through basically ancient uh Indian proverb where uh in ancient
[12:04] India they would say uh you know lots of issues with blindness. So in the village
[12:10] lots of uh a couple blind men heard that there was an elephant in town. They had
[12:14] no idea what this elephant was. So they went up to it and they started feeling
[12:17] around on the legs and said this strong like a trunk. Uh it it must be a tree
[12:22] trunk of a tree. The other one said, you know, this this long thing at the front
[12:25] is is pointy. It's must be a spear. But the problem was is they couldn't see the
[12:30] hole. So what we are looking at now and what I'm trying to advocate for is
[12:35] instead of having projects and engineering and finance all looking at
[12:40] different parts of the elephant, we want to take those blindfolds off and look at
[12:44] the entire elephant, the entire beast and how the interactions can complement
[12:48] each other and not adversely impact each other through either direct conflict or
[12:54] unintended consequences. And because of that, you guys have in
[12:59] your jobs, oh, here we go. You have quite a bit of things going on. Um,
[13:06] budget management, coordinating public works, you have meeting minutes, RFPs,
[13:10] all that sort of. And then all of a sudden, the red stuff comes up where I
[13:14] think the, you know, the cool the main main character of the story is is
[13:18] capital projects, right? However, you have a whole bunch of stuff that
[13:22] probably kept you up at night before your 9:00 a.m. meeting with an engineer,
[13:26] which I know you were all super excited for. But if we can take part of this and
[13:32] integrate it into the whole, then we will do a better job of that. So, the
[13:37] topic dour is grants and we want to go through what are they,
[13:43] where to find them, how to go through them. I'm going to give you the AE
[13:46] Grants group secret sauce. Um, if you choose to work with us, you want to give
[13:50] Sean a call, by all means. If not, you guys want to go after your own grants,
[13:55] fill your boots. Um, I'm just happy when the grant money comes back to Western
[13:59] Canada. Um, because in reality, a lot of the grant money is just our taxes got
[14:05] shipped off east, rebranded, and hopefully we can send them back west.
[14:09] So, if we can do that, I think that's a win. If you choose to work with us, even
[14:13] better. Um, I'll talk about financing and funding, how to get grant ready,
[14:17] some grant writing tips, and some submission tips. Uh, but again, that
[14:21] gets kind of into the weeds. So, uh, we'll try to stay high level. So,
[14:27] basically, alternate project funding and grants, you're either looking at your
[14:30] money that's in your bank account or someone else's money. Doesn't matter if
[14:33] it's in a bank, um, design, build, P3, federal money, provincial money,
[14:39] whatever it is, it's in somebody else's bank account. So, we're going to look at
[14:42] that. And then we want to talk about a loan
[14:45] versus a grant. And I know this is very very basic, but grants aren't super
[14:50] complex. It's basically do you have to repay it? Um or do you not? So ideally,
[14:55] we get you a grant, but if we can't do that, then there's options for loans as
[14:59] well. And those can either be from private banks, private lending
[15:03] institutions, uh Canadian infrastructure bank, there's international banks that
[15:07] can do this as well. Uh tons of options. So again, not just one one piece fits
[15:14] all. Then we want to always remember when
[15:18] we're looking at grants, are they competitive? Is there unlimited money?
[15:22] So if we look at something like the Canada Infrastructure Bank, they have a
[15:25] lot of money available. However, it's not unlimited. But because there's
[15:30] billions there, we can kind of think of it in our our realm anyways that uh it's
[15:35] relatively um good to go. But if you start looking at BCSF, CHIF, any of
[15:39] those, um, you're starting to look at more of a beauty contest, more of a
[15:43] competitive, and you're going up against other municipalities, other counties,
[15:48] um, from across Canada. Then we also want to look at what the
[15:53] percentages are because if we go in and we say uh you know your um
[15:59] municipalities in in Canada you know get the 6% of the tax funding but they're
[16:05] responsible for 60% of the infrastructure. So that gap that funding
[16:09] gap is what is really fueling our infrastructure deficit across Canada.
[16:14] And even though you're getting free money, uh, mayor of Halifax famously
[16:18] said in in a meeting a couple years ago that we, you know, my municipality can't
[16:22] afford free money anymore. We cannot fund 26% on CHIF in that example for
[16:29] that province, uh, with 6%. So, we have to be very selective on what we're
[16:34] doing. We have to look at how how we're getting creative with our funding. And
[16:38] then we also look at increased climate uh impacts that are happening that are
[16:42] causing more infrastructure spending. So again, keep an eye on those numbers
[16:46] because not all grants are created equal. Some might be 5050 and your cash
[16:51] flow might be impacted because of that. Some will get money up front and some
[16:57] you have to get reimbured after. So um and that then brings up the big
[17:02] question. Why are we talking with an engineer about grants? Don't they just
[17:06] do engineering, build things, pumps, and whatever? Well, if you look all the way
[17:12] down in the bottom right of this thing, this is our full uh suite of services at
[17:16] AE Associated Engineering. We got 21 offices across Canada. Um, grant funding
[17:21] is a very, very small, we're quiet about what we do. Water's big thing, roads are
[17:27] a big thing. We don't usually put up, you know, awards for grant funding, that
[17:31] sort of thing, but we definitely do help out with that. and we are pretty decent
[17:37] at it. Uh so this is my proof in the pudding slide where in the last 6 years
[17:41] we started tracking this. Uh we are at about an 85% win rate. We are super
[17:46] proud of uh the win rate for the average Canadian federal grant submission is
[17:51] significantly lower. We were a little uh happy on or a little little generous on
[17:56] this the uh spinning wheel on the right. Uh but if you ever been at any of our
[18:01] events where we have the big spinning wheel um you know you can win something.
[18:04] I personally like spinning on the one on the left. Uh sometimes it does hit lose,
[18:09] sometimes the one on the right hits win. Such is life. Um but the odds uh
[18:15] definitely increase when you stack your deck. So yeah, and we actually just won
[18:20] a bunch more recently. So this is about an 85% win rate, but the average
[18:26] Canadian grant submission, and this blends, this is a really hard number to
[18:30] pull out of Stats Canada, so we were generous with the 25%. Um, but depending
[18:34] what that grant is, uh, it could be as low as 15%. These can be small things
[18:38] such as training grants. This can be large capital infrastructure grants.
[18:41] This could be absolutely anything that they do. So, um, again, little bit hard
[18:46] to do apples to apples, but we are approaching $800 million uh, funded for
[18:51] communities across Western Canada in the last six years. We are the largest one
[18:56] that we can find. If you can find somebody bigger, please correct me, but
[19:00] we have been so far unable to. our largest competition which I will talk
[19:04] about our competition in the future slides on this or other companies that
[19:08] do this uh next biggest one is Grant Match uh they're at about 300 million
[19:12] reported um in the last six years so time space and they're at a 75% win rate
[19:18] however they run a different model where they will take 10% um I just got a call
[19:23] a couple days ago where they said hey we won but now we need to pay a million
[19:27] bucks to grant match um for the pleasure of doing business with um you know, we
[19:32] we wish we would have gone with you guys and that's fine. We'll we'll still help
[19:36] them out, but just know what you're getting into and all of a sudden they're
[19:40] 11 million uh dollar project is now a $10 million project and they don't get
[19:46] anything else for that. >> Michael, can I jump in with a question?
[19:50] » Y so if they if they take a 10% fee, how is your fee structured?
[19:56] » Yeah, so we so what we basically do, it depends what you need up front. Um,
[20:00] generally we go by level of effort of the grant. So, the cheapest ones, uh,
[20:04] like a Chris grant we'll do for free. It takes 10 minutes. As long as you know
[20:08] your name and your address, we'll we'll help you out fill out the form. It's
[20:11] three pages, super easy. Something like a a CHIF or an LLCA grant through uh the
[20:17] Green Municipal Green Municipal Fund of FCM make us go through a bunch more
[20:23] hoops. So, we're finding that we're putting in about somewhere between 40 to
[20:27] 70 hours on that. So what we do is we uh bill usually for those we'll say five
[20:32] 5,000 bucks upfront um [clears throat] which is recoverable. So that amount is
[20:38] recoverable by the grant as well. So if you win you get that 5,000 bucks back.
[20:41] Um but that helps us then focus our people that are otherwise doing projects
[20:47] uh to be able to have a project number go after it. Sometimes we'll go over
[20:50] that amount and uh we we eat that. We put some skin in the game too, but it
[20:55] just helps us um do it. So, 5,000 bucks versus in this case a million bucks. Um,
[21:03] so far it's working for us and that that is a component that has helped us I
[21:08] think get that 85%. To be totally honest.
[21:13] » Thank you. >> Yeah. But if there are reports if
[21:16] there's something that that is needed like if you need a big feasibility
[21:19] report what we will do is we will actually leverage grant into grant. So,
[21:24] what we can do is uh taking the Chris grant into the LLCA feasibility grant
[21:30] into the BCSF grant, we can actually get you 100% covered for the initial funding
[21:37] to get the feasibility study done, maybe 90% on the LLCA, and then depending what
[21:43] the BCSF is, which stream you go with, um we can actually leverage those one
[21:48] into the next. So, we can minimize that amount. we can actually get that $5,000
[21:53] paid for by another grant as well, which is
[21:57] » on that. >> Is there like a ceiling or a cap on that
[22:00] $5,000 then? So, you ask for any grant application five a maximum of $5,000.
[22:06] » Yeah. Well, depending what it is, right? If you come to us and say we need this
[22:09] gigantic study done ahead of time, well, then we have to look at that. We'll
[22:14] we'll work with you on it. Um but yeah, it's to for per grant application for
[22:20] let's say LLCA. Uh we've put a cap at 5,000 on it right now.
[22:25] » Yeah, because I'm working on a grant application right now. And they require
[22:30] a climate change uh workshop as part of that as well, right before we can submit
[22:34] the grant. So that was, you know, above and beyond, but it's still, you know,
[22:37] we're still well under, you know, 10% of the value of the project. for, you know,
[22:41] maybe >> maybe over half a percent maybe by the
[22:44] time we're done. Right. >> Yeah.
[22:46] » So, >> yeah. And and that's what our a lot of
[22:48] the clients I've worked with have said is, you know, that that to leverage to
[22:52] get 8 million bucks, a $5,000 investment. There's still a little lose
[22:57] thing on that wheel, right? There's a We do lose grants. Um but usually most
[23:03] recently, we've been losing them because the grants have been oversubscribed. Um
[23:07] not because they're not eligible. So, that's where we're gonna get into some
[23:11] great tips in a little bit. Um, but I'm going to try to fly through the next
[23:16] couple slides here. Just cut me off when, uh, when my time's up.
[23:23] Okay. So, a lot of these grants, um, basically I track right now, I think my
[23:28] active list has about 76 grants on it currently. Uh, some big, some small,
[23:32] some traffic grants, some, uh, safety grants, some big stuff like BCSF. Um the
[23:38] most recent one I just won was 23 million. Uh we're very happy with that.
[23:42] I've got a council meeting tomorrow night um for that one. So they're
[23:46] absolutely ecstatic. Um but there are a whole bunch out there. So there's CHIF
[23:51] BCSF. ICIP is dead, but that's fine. Uh you can look at your gas tax which is
[23:55] built into BCSF now. But a lot of these are moving the names over time. So sign
[24:00] up to the FCM list. Um make sure you know which is which. [clears throat] and
[24:05] then they will also announce new ones when they come out. Provincial
[24:08] government, I got a couple listed there. Uh we've got Canada Infrastructure Bank,
[24:13] uh we have a partnership with Sophia where we can help leverage that for you.
[24:17] Uh FCM I talked about there a couple options if you want to get into
[24:20] buildings, roads, drainage, whatever it might be. Uh Chris is the climate uh
[24:25] ready infrastructure service. So that is by the Canadian Urban Institute. That is
[24:29] a great entrance in. It allows you for $24,000 uh to be able to do studies,
[24:35] open houses, anything like that to be able to uh move forward. And then like I
[24:40] said, we usually the secret sauce right now is leverage Chris into FCM into
[24:46] BCSF. Um probably change when new stuff comes out, but that's currently what
[24:51] we're doing. And then there's a bunch of other ones. private. You can get
[24:54] insurance companies to fund uh insurance Canada infrastructure sorry insurance
[24:59] bureau uh of Canada um just released that they have a uh massive massive
[25:05] climate induced uh spend on the in on insurance side. Um so leveraging with
[25:11] them being able to reduce their risk and exposure by building infrastructure is
[25:17] going to be something that is going to be increasingly big. We've seen that in
[25:21] southern Alberta with the floods. Uh we're seeing it with some of the fires
[25:24] in the north and um flooding throughout Manitoba right now. So lots of options.
[25:30] Um happy to chat. That's sorry this is just a little snip
[25:35] from my uh my thing. Uh we generally go after these four primarily right now.
[25:41] BCSF is in there taking its place from CHIF. Um but like I said, we've got 76
[25:46] tracking otherwise. Um some level of effort base 5,000 you see on the right
[25:51] there. Uh Chris is a zero. We just it's not even worth us setting up the time.
[25:56] It's so fast. Um go from there. Green Municipal Fund has the opportunity
[26:01] funer. So if you want to find that uh instead of just going to Google, you can
[26:04] go to uh that one. Uh I'll send you guys a copy of these slides here. Um at the
[26:09] end you can go through them. Um the finder will help you. You just click
[26:13] through say hey I'm a municipality and I want you know new building retrofit.
[26:18] Great. Off you go. and it's got all the details there. Um there's quite a bit
[26:23] but uh it can take some time to go through other things like I mentioned
[26:26] you got grant match you got Alberta grant watch uh grant gazette there's
[26:30] lots of services that will do this for you we are just one we also happen to
[26:34] have an engineering problem that we do on the side but uh um there's lots of
[26:39] things available so the municipal affairs site um you can go to BCSF you
[26:43] can get the uh lots of documents from the feds but it can be a little bit
[26:48] overwhelming so we do have a dedicated grant group. Uh there's a couple people
[26:52] in Northern Alberta. So you've got Andrew Christopher, uh Sean online with
[26:57] me here. Um and then you've also got Jeff Erlam. Uh so Andrew and Jeff based
[27:01] out of Edmonton. Uh Sean out of GP. So um lots of local options. And then if we
[27:06] need to leverage as well, we're we're kind of network um you know, say Peter
[27:12] finds something in Ontario that's applicable, we share that around. We
[27:15] make sure that uh communities that don't have enough money to meet their
[27:19] infrastructure needs can help leverage some of this and kind of help that out.
[27:25] Uh then Sofia mentioned this one. Uh what Sofiac does is they uh fund backed
[27:31] by the Canada Infrastructure Bank. So if you have a efficiency upgrade, so let's
[27:35] say you've got a rink, you've got arena buildings, municipal, whatever, and you
[27:39] want to improve your uh energy spend uh furnace efficiencies, chillers, whatever
[27:46] it might be, you can actually pay the grant or the loan back at a uh very very
[27:52] low interest rate um with the savings, the cost savings that you would have
[27:57] from the utilities. So that is another option. Um, you do have to pay back some
[28:02] of the money, but you can do it. And, uh, they will also go in and do a bunch
[28:05] of the testing for you. There's a lot of off-ramps, there's a lot of safety, so
[28:09] you aren't handcuffed to the project, and we can help you throughout that as
[28:12] well, acting as owner's engineer um to kind of make sure that the your uh best
[28:17] interests are in mind. Uh, and then a whole bunch of
[28:21] philanthropic stuff, too. If you're doing a hospital or something like that,
[28:24] um, lots of options there. We've got connections at Global Philanthropic that
[28:28] can help out. Um, but that's a whole other ball game.
[28:33] Okay. Um, how to get grant ready? Really, do you want to be react
[28:38] proactive, reactive? If you knew that, you know, the grant was closing. This is
[28:41] an old slide, but uh, if you knew the grant was closing November 29th, uh,
[28:46] very bad to find out about this on November 30th. Um, nice to know that
[28:50] it's coming out ahead of time. So, what we're seeing is a lot of LLCA uh now
[28:56] actually telling us when the next opening is, which is in October. So, we
[28:59] have time to get prepped for it, time to get ready, get everything set up, and
[29:04] then go. We can dust it off, submit it, get a shovel ready, you know, all that
[29:09] sort of fun stuff. And then when the the grants open, we're the first one through
[29:12] the door to avoid that overs subscribed. Because a lot of grants right now,
[29:18] they're doing what's called a rolling intake. And instead of getting all of
[29:22] their submissions by the date that they close, evaluating them and ranking them,
[29:26] they're doing them as they come in. And so they evaluate it. If it meets the
[29:31] criteria, it goes into the approved pile. And in the approved pile grows
[29:35] until the money runs out, and then they say for everyone else, "Yeah, yours was
[29:38] great, but you'll have to put it in next intake." So, we would prefer to submit
[29:43] early and on time as opposed to waiting until it comes out, you know, thinking
[29:49] about it, getting it on the agenda for the next council meeting. Maybe it gets
[29:53] bumped because there's, you know, other important things going on. Um, then you
[29:57] panic, you throw it together, and then maybe you you submit right at the end,
[30:01] and you find out that it's oversubscribed, and that that hurts. We
[30:05] don't like that. So, proactive is what we advocate for. Um, but up to you guys
[30:11] how you want to do it. Now, I realize I am at or beyond time.
[30:17] Do you want to put a pin in it here and take it offline or
[30:22] » How much time would you need to finish up?
[30:25] » Uh, I've got 16 slides left. >> I could probably get you give me five
[30:31] minutes, I can rock through this. >> Hey, let's do that.
[30:34] » That works. Okay, awesome. Thank you. So grant writing 101, establish the need.
[30:39] If you baseline and we've got your asset management plan, if you don't have an
[30:43] asset management plan, we can get you grant for an asset management plan. We
[30:46] can go in, figure out what your infrastructure deficit is, then figure
[30:49] out what your infrastructure needs are, and then come up with a 10-year capital
[30:52] plan. We can get that paid usually at about 80% coverage. If we then go into
[30:58] your budgets, we figure out we work with your director of finance instead of, you
[31:02] know, working public works here and and finance here. bring everyone together at
[31:06] the table, work together to make sure that we're financing this properly and
[31:09] we're cash flowing it properly. [snorts] Then we look at is it regulatory driven?
[31:13] Are there social impacts? Are there safety impacts? Um if there's any of the
[31:17] social regulatory or safety impacts, sometimes we can get grants uh from
[31:22] different uh entities as well. But first and foremost, follow the instructions.
[31:28] This is what I get back from all the grant writing things when we do
[31:32] debriefs. The number one thing that they kicked grants out for is they did not
[31:36] follow the instructions. They filled out the wrong form. They filled out their
[31:40] own form. They put it in an Excel file when it should have been in a word file.
[31:44] They didn't PDF it. Little things like that um can really really shoot you in
[31:49] the foot. So, as simple as it is, follow the instructions.
[31:54] So, use the forms. Some are simple, some are complex. The FCM forms, I am not a
[31:58] huge fan of them. I found errors in their spreadsheets. Uh, but we've been
[32:03] working together. They're usually pretty good. As long as we have time before the
[32:06] thing closes, we can figure out the errors, we can get that changed. Um,
[32:11] submit in the correct format. Uh, famously, ICIP wanted a KMZ file
[32:18] uh, plopped into a Word document as an image, and that's what they wanted. If
[32:22] you did it wrong, hopefully they would contact you and say, "You didn't do this
[32:26] right." But it's silly little things like that that you know the feds want in
[32:31] a certain way. Just make it easy for them. Make them smile when they open up
[32:35] your your uh proposal as opposed to say, "Ah, we have to deal with this again."
[32:39] Right? Then have those supporting documents. Sean saying, "Yeah, we're
[32:42] we're doing that open house. We're doing that report. We're doing that reference
[32:46] document." third party helps because if you have your your Reeve or your mayor
[32:50] and say, you know, um we we got a bunch of these, not from you guys, but we got
[32:54] a bunch where small communities would say the road in front of the mayor's
[32:57] house needs to get paved because the mayor says it's in bad shape. Um and so
[33:02] if we can get third party on that, it gives some legitimacy to it. Um because
[33:07] we don't want to have that lopsided feel um where people aren't aren't doing the
[33:12] right thing. Then we want to use keywords. If they're talking about
[33:16] connect, improve, enhance, increase uh capacity, they're talking about climate
[33:21] resilience, we want to use those words over and over and over again because the
[33:25] people that are reviewing this are not technical people. They they don't it's
[33:29] not that they're bad people. Um they just don't understand pump curves or um
[33:34] that sort of thing that you know their realm is this increased capacity
[33:40] enhance. Most of the people reviewing these are early 30s with a fine arts
[33:45] degree is the ones that I have run into mass majority. So again, not bad people.
[33:51] We just need to write to what they're looking for because we're playing the
[33:55] game and we want to win. Then we want to have time for review. We
[33:59] don't want to have a special council meeting that uh you know you Friday
[34:02] night you guys have to get together to approve this thing. That's not doesn't
[34:06] make anyone happy. Never promise what you can't deliver.
[34:09] So, if you can't get the permits, if you need third party, um, don't promise it.
[34:13] Never say insure or guarantee or your insurance people get really mad at you.
[34:18] Know your audience. Again, know what they care about. Most of the time, this
[34:21] is equated to a political um, election agenda or election
[34:27] schedule. So know who you're getting the money from and when the next election is
[34:32] if you're trying to complete the project in time so that ribbons can be cut, you
[34:36] know, uh plaques can be put up, all that sort of fun stuff. And [clears throat]
[34:41] no need to be fancy. This doesn't need to be professionally bound or anything
[34:44] like that. Just put it in the right format. Usually they're PDF. They're
[34:47] usually electronic now. Um but you don't need to be fancy.
[34:52] Then getting into grant submission tip. uh getting shelf ready is now uh
[34:58] generally considered about five or 10% uh design. Uh shovel ready according to
[35:04] the feds is no longer this month you can put a shovel on the ground. It's now 2
[35:08] years until you can put a shovel in the ground. So that changes
[35:13] drastically what type of projects are considered shovel ready. I don't agree
[35:18] with that. I think shovel ready should be this year. Um, but they they're
[35:22] saying out until 2028 at this point qualifies as shovel ready. So, um, take
[35:28] that as it is. Have your supporting documents, reports, consider election
[35:31] cycles, know your audience, and it is a beauty pageant. Make sure that it does
[35:36] look good. It doesn't need to be fancy, but it does need to be worth if you if
[35:39] you're going after a $23 million brand, the proposal should look like it's worth
[35:45] 23 million bucks. Get help submitting. Stack your deck. call my buddy Sean and
[35:51] then submit early. Avoid that overs subscribed. Um, and the feedback that I
[35:55] got from this uh FCM when they did their application two years ago or yeah, last
[36:02] fall, uh, they had a pre-application that nobody knew about. Um, it looked
[36:07] like you were submitting the application, but then there was a
[36:09] five-day review cycle after that. Um, so it wasn't really well communicated
[36:15] and then because of that the applications were severely
[36:18] undersubscribed which meant that everyone that was that applied won the
[36:23] money if they were if they met the criteria which is great for the people
[36:26] that we got in. Um, we got 100% win rate on that one. That was great. Um, but
[36:31] make sure that you give yourself enough time to hit the preapp, do the
[36:35] pre-application, have the meeting, have the fiveday review, fill out the forms,
[36:39] then hit submit. So it's again give us a call we'll we'll walk you through it and
[36:44] go from there and that is that. So basically we want to look at program
[36:50] level approach the whole elephant. We want to utilize grants help you out and
[36:54] we want to have some smiles on our faces by the time that we're done.
[36:59] » Thanks Michael John. So we'll just see if there's any quick counsel.
[37:06] I have one. So I I see a lot of your stuff is related to the housing
[37:13] infrastructure grants. Um kind of more urban things like we don't have a lot of
[37:18] those types of needs. U and you don't talk you touched on the provincial grant
[37:23] stream, but probably the biggest one that we struggle with is skip grants.
[37:26] You're probably familiar with that >> economic orders. And I know that that's
[37:32] very oversubscribed. So that's probably just uh what it's going to be. It's not.
[37:37] But have you had much success in helping municipalities with those because that's
[37:42] where we >> Yeah, we've done Yeah, we've done a a
[37:45] fair bit of work up here at Burch County where I happen to be today uh working on
[37:50] their STIP grant program uh and their bridge inspection program. We've been
[37:53] fairly fairly successful in getting those grant programs through. Honestly,
[37:58] it does uh impact, you know, the condition of the the structure and
[38:02] everything else like that does have a a fair fair variance, but when when we're
[38:06] asking for um I guess one of the biggest successes with with Birch Hills was
[38:12] basically having an inventory of what their assets were, right, and their
[38:16] overall condition. So, we knew which ones to ask for, which ones are the
[38:19] critical ones, and we started going after those.
[38:22] » Yeah, that that's basically the best way to go is get that asset management up
[38:26] first. Um and it it doesn't Yes. The Sorry, I I may have focused a little
[38:30] heavily on on Yeah. what could be perceived as the municipal um side of
[38:36] things or the urban side of things, but a lot of these grants will uh we go
[38:40] heavy on drainage. We go heavy on bridges. Um really depending what it is.
[38:45] But if we can understand what that elephant looks like from that asset
[38:48] management and build help build that 10-year plan, if you guys don't have
[38:53] that already, um then we can come in and give some advice on that. Um and help
[38:58] move forward with with what your elephant looks like, not what you know,
[39:03] Calgary's or Edmontons look like. >> Yeah. Exactly. Different beasts, right?
[39:07] » Exactly. Then the other one that we uh seem to have a
[39:13] you know a direct line to is if they're even out they're not as is
[39:18] rural water lines like water distribution lines like we
[39:24] » what was it PFR or whoever there was uh some agencies that helped on that quite
[39:30] substantially there's one third one third one third I think municipalities
[39:33] the province and the feds all contributed now we're taking this on
[39:36] 100% ourselves and it's kind of got prohibitive of what
[39:41] how we can continue on with this. So, do do you see any any place that we're not
[39:46] looking where there could be grant money?
[39:50] » Yeah. So, water lines are are an interesting one because you've got the
[39:52] actual consumption piece which is what most people focus on. What we've been
[39:56] focusing on is uh fire suppression as well. So when you're looking at uh
[40:02] wildfires um anything to do with with urban fires as well uh you can layer
[40:07] that into the uh consumption side. So that that housing
[40:13] enabling infrastructure is what the feds are calling it is you know water first
[40:17] consumption but if we can also look at uh water looping we've got an increased
[40:22] pump stations uh for fire suppression. Um, also looking at indoor air quality
[40:27] for for a lot of uh municipal buildings. Lots of success on that right now and
[40:32] it's a really non-standard way of trying to get uh funding for either um new
[40:38] infrastructure, looping, resiliency added into your your water lines. So,
[40:42] there are options. Um it just depends. These grants come up, they go away. Um,
[40:48] it's something if we're proactive and we're ready for it. When we hear this is
[40:52] coming up, then, you know, I hear something, I can talk to Sean and say,
[40:56] "Yeah, um, you know, Northern Lights could utilize this. Let's get them ready
[41:00] for that. Dust that project off that was on the shelf and be ready to go in
[41:04] October whenever the new grant comes out."
[41:08] » Also, any questions?
[41:13] Make notes. I've already seen Michael's
[41:16] presentation, so >> well,
[41:20] » the second time. Yeah. >> No, I did great.
[41:25] » Thanks. >> I like your spin the wheel. It looks
[41:27] pretty attractive. But >> we we actually have the real wheels,
[41:30] too. So, if you ever want to spin them, you can win a chocolate bar or a little
[41:34] uh we get the little gold gold loonies. >> $20 million.
[41:40] Oh, it feels really good to get that email that uh 23 million bucks comes in.
[41:45] So, that that was a happy day. >> Well, if there's no further questions,
[41:50] we'll let you go and we'll continue on with our meeting and we'll uh we'll
[41:53] discuss this at some point and see if we want to, you know, maybe meet further
[41:57] and and uh see what we can we can move this like like we've always understood
[42:02] that there's lots of grants out there. We just don't know. We don't seem to get
[42:06] maybe our share some days. is the kind of the perception and maybe
[42:09] there's a maybe we're just not attacking it strongly enough. So, so
[42:15] thanks you guys and uh and we'll be in touch.
[42:19] » Thanks so much. Thanks for the time and uh yeah, sorry for going a little bit
[42:23] over. >> Yep. Have a [snorts] great day you guys.
[42:26] » Have a good day. Bye. >> Oh, you might want to remove me as uh
[42:32] what's it called too? Peter of kill your entire meeting. Yeah,
[42:38] I'll wait.
[42:55] » You might actually have to boot me back to being the host.
[42:59] » Okay. Um, where is the
[43:10] It's not giving me the usually options that I see. So, you might already be
[43:14] actually
[43:24] » Oh, here you go. Got you. >> All yours. Okay, you should be good now.
[43:31] » Thank you. >> Thank you. I
[43:36] » okay 5.0 zero. We'll skip over that till after our public hearing. So, we can
[43:42] move down to 6.1. Item A is over municipalities upcoming
[43:49] invention. So, I guess if we're looking at anybody
[43:54] attending, we just need to get a motion to give approval. And I think we had a
[44:00] couple that indicated that Kayla, you were interested in attending already.
[44:06] Pardon me. >> Just
[44:09] you as well. >> Okay. Councelor Beckan moves that we uh
[44:15] register deputy shug and CEO Sticklin for the
[44:21] Albert meetings. >> I think we did already register. So we
[44:24] were able to capitalize on the early bird pricing committee.
[44:29] » I think the registration is going to catch early but we're motion here today.
[44:33] » Yeah. No, just for clarity though, >> could you just detail the what the
[44:40] benefits you think might be from this? [clears throat]
[44:46] » Well, I can comment on that. I mean, we are our biggest one of our biggest
[44:51] expenses at the moment is is towards the urbans and it's it's nice to see what
[44:56] others what the other side if you can call it that are actually telling their
[45:01] uh members. So that would be a mun studing down Manning down a G shore as
[45:07] well as be road. So from that point of view we said we attended we and myself
[45:14] uh the re and other people carried it as one before and the value we got out of
[45:19] that was actually quite substantial. So definitely val.
[45:24] And I think a lot of these small urbans
[45:28] really identify more rurals, you know, like this this conference includes
[45:34] Calgary, Penon, and Berlin, you know, such a variety of municipalities. So
[45:41] » yeah, and for me, I think we we encourage the the small urbans that
[45:45] surround us all the time to attend our conference because we think that they
[45:48] would find value there. So I would like to just go and see if there's value for
[45:51] us. And on the flip side, We have a motion standing. So any other
[45:58] discussion? If not, all in favor? That's carried.
[46:04] [clears throat] Item B is the art path conference that's coming up in P server
[46:08] this fall looking for swag requests for all the attendees coming from across
[46:14] Alberta and Trinity made up a nice little
[46:21] » just table of options. You guys asked to bring back some options. So there is
[46:26] some I'm listing some prices and I believe there's pictures attached but
[46:29] they are like drops that of course the most expensive one I like
[46:36] the most. The little power banks were nice but they're very expensive. So
[46:42] » the only thing personally I would say there is something like that that cost
[46:47] $17. Not typically a very good product. had a few of those personally that don't
[46:53] last very long. >> Um yeah, I don't know with what we were
[46:58] given to go off of. We just tried to give you a range of things.
[47:02] Are there is there different places where you can get prices or is this just
[47:07] one that one place that you uh do? >> Uh no, I believe this is a combination
[47:15] of a local store as well as um there's a couple big online ones that you can get
[47:21] things from as well. >> So my personal comment would be we have
[47:28] the little first aid kits. I don't know if to say one or not, but something
[47:31] similar. They were really sought after at the trade shows. People would see
[47:37] that somebody else got one. They'd come and over and get one of them. And and
[47:41] and especially this is going to the health conference
[47:45] » might be appropriate. But I guess you could say the same thing about the
[47:48] bandage dispenser. But that's >> what about the bone mints [laughter]
[47:53] that the
[47:56] » the mints that are shaped like bones. Yeah. Well,
[48:00] » you can do mint seven. Nice combination of those.
[48:05] » Just scroll down to the prices, Jessica. There
[48:08] » these are the here. >> I don't know if we set a budget before.
[48:14] I guess we wanted prices before we could do this council grants, I'm assuming, or
[48:19] do we have healthcare budget somewhere? >> Uh, you do have a little one, but not
[48:23] for think like this. This would be out of your council grants.
[48:27] Uh, and I don't so long now I don't remember if you said
[48:31] a budget or not. Fine. >> I don't think we did because we didn't
[48:34] know what we were talking about, right? So now we do.
[48:37] » Yeah, I think you just asked for pricing options.
[48:43] » Council hearing you're on that post committee there. Any any thoughts? Any
[48:48] preference? >> Not really. Uh,
[48:54] yeah, Josh. I mean those $17.5 power banks get all excited, but they you use
[49:01] them once and that's about it, right? >> I mean, the the
[49:08] add hot coal packs and the uh I mean that's quite uh popular, too. So are
[49:17] they >> they've had them a few times that I
[49:20] remember
[49:23] I'm not sure we need to travel mask but you know
[49:30] » any of the other ones would probably you know
[49:34] it's just not much >> first kit I think that would be
[49:41] » yeah birthday kit kit very majority you'll be okay that
[49:47] that I am there yet again. So just need a motion to uh
[49:54] have administration get that taken care of and like you say have the
[50:00] order I'm sure there's another time between now and October.
[50:04] » Yeah, >> I can make that motion. Okay, option
[50:09] please approve of supplying 200 first aid
[50:15] with the RPAP conference. All in favor
[50:25] 2027 calendars.
[50:34] So I guess maybe what looking for is do we want any other
[50:39] significant dates added to there? So >> and then just the call out to the last
[50:47] um council meeting. It's on December 28th.
[50:54] » That would be noted on the calendar if it was canceled which I would assume we
[50:59] would cancel out.
[51:02] We always have to cancel that one over the Christmas break.
[51:12] The only one that I thought would be cons we might want to
[51:16] consider in the council is National Indigenous Day wherever it is in June.
[51:24] But it's probably on there as a holiday anyway, right?
[51:28] » I believe so >> in September. So that would already be
[51:30] on there. >> The truth and reconciliation thing,
[51:33] » right? >> Truth and reconciliation.
[51:35] » Is that Yeah, I guess that's what it's called. Yeah. So that's that's a step
[51:38] already know. >> Yes, it is. Yeah.
[51:40] » So yeah, other than that, I didn't see anything else. I mean, there's pretty
[51:43] much a we declare a a day for something all year long. I don't think I get kind
[51:49] of the the key ones are listed there. So >> question chair. So are we taking the
[51:55] December 28 out of the calendar, not put it in the calendar? Well, cancel,
[52:02] but don't we cancel it throughout the year? We need to like in October or
[52:05] November, don't we? >> We can do that today then. Then that way
[52:09] » it's not reflecting in the >> Yeah. So um I don't know if you want to
[52:16] have separate motions can December 28th meeting
[52:20] » or we can just make a note and when we do the ordinance meeting and not the
[52:24] ordinance meeting the uh
[52:27] » organizational >> the organizational meeting we can just
[52:30] do it then >> but then we don't
[52:34] yeah nobody's got anything else that
[52:40] we just accept circumion >> maybe acknowledge that she wants to
[52:46] those ones. >> Yeah. So the proposed events below is
[52:52] what she's asking if we can include it.
[52:59] » Yeah, we can put in there. We can to
[53:04] » I'll make a motion on the events and dates listed to the 27 calendar
[53:10] » and And we have permission for December 28th
[53:14] meeting or >> yeah if we do it now then we don't have
[53:18] to worry about it. >> So that
[53:22] » I do have approved list of events and direct administration to cancel council
[53:27] meeting on December 28th 27.
[53:33] » Okay. Any questions clarification?
[53:37] Not all in favor. It's carried.
[53:43] Okay. Item D, chair out to calendars and monthly calendars.
[53:50] The verbal report comes up from Jessica. >> Yeah. So, that was I was going to
[53:54] partner up with Kayn a little bit on this one, but last month Kayn and I we
[53:59] we thought that we would pilot having her
[54:04] share her calendar with me just for ease of booking meetings, you know, where
[54:09] knowing where the counselors are. I do also have access to Ghart. So, we pilot
[54:14] the two calendars this month and uh it went really well to know, okay, we're
[54:20] going to book this meeting where Kaylin is, where Ghart is. So, I wanted to sh
[54:25] I'll share my share what the calendar looks like so that way everybody can
[54:30] see. >> This is the This is the calendar right
[54:33] in our Outlook. Yes. >> So, this is our Outlook calendar. So
[54:37] right now you can see to the left is my calendar and then to the right in purple
[54:42] is Kayn's. So I can see all of her meetings. So these are the ones that
[54:47] I've scheduled through our like our shared council ones and also ones that
[54:51] she has individually accepted. So, we were thinking maybe we could move to
[54:58] where our counselors are using their shared Outlook agendas or Outlook
[55:04] calendars and then sharing them with me and then I can see all of the meetings
[55:11] that are going on. So, when we're trying to book, you know, future meetings or,
[55:16] you know, even just doing like word reports, making sure that everything
[55:19] aligns. And then also with this, I utilize Kayn's calendar. And then I
[55:25] updated our monthly our monthly schedules, which is this one right here.
[55:32] I also went and um just adjusted it so it's easier on our reader's eyes. So
[55:38] here I can it's it's almost like a double like a double check. Hey, our
[55:44] where did our counselors go this month? This is I'm just going to add it onto
[55:48] the calendar because I think it's important for um our county residents to
[55:52] know what are like where our counselors are, what they're up to, you know, where
[55:56] where we're participating and and uh and just having that information.
[56:02] So, that's kind of where we were going with this. And then I would also like to
[56:08] add on our share calendar any vacations from council. Um it you know now that
[56:15] we're in the summer months it well we are currently in the summer months so it
[56:19] would be nice to be like okay you know Brenda's on vacation from this lot this
[56:23] lot I know Kaitlin has vacation coming up um here in the next week or two so um
[56:30] having that information also shared with counselors and just kind of aligning us
[56:34] and having you know that communication >> just understanding that we're our
[56:40] vacation is very ad hoc and I like all said, "Oh, we're going to we're going to
[56:45] go to >> Jasper for the weekend or whatever."
[56:49] They decided the night before, right? So, it's not like we're employees that
[56:52] we schedule vacation time off. So, I mean, we will try our best to predict
[56:57] that, right? >> No, absolutely. And I totally agree that
[57:00] there's going to be one-offs. Even as employees, we do have those spontaneous
[57:03] vacations, but I think if there's a, you know, those weekend vacations are pretty
[57:08] easy to accommodate. It's, you know, are Terry, are you going out of the country
[57:11] for two weeks, right? Having those vacations maybe, you know, known and
[57:15] then we know, okay, deputy, uh, you know, Chug is going to have to step in
[57:20] for those two weeks and just having more just communication just to
[57:26] get your just letting you know that, you know, it is spontaneous like you said.
[57:30] » Oh, yes. So, I think what kind of spurred it for
[57:34] me is we get this monthly calendar and then I was finding like by the time I
[57:38] even see it on the agenda that it's posted, I've already added like meetings
[57:43] to my calendar and and there's no way for anybody to know. Um, and I I firmly
[57:48] believe that whatever's on our board report and whatever is this is our check
[57:52] and balance for how we're getting paid, right? Like if it's not on your word
[57:56] report and it's not on this calendar, how come you're billing for it, right?
[57:59] So, there's that double piece of it there. Um, but yeah, lots for to know,
[58:04] right? Like I mean, Terry, if you're gone, I need to know. If I'm gone, you
[58:07] need to know. We can't cover each other if we don't know. Um, but also just
[58:12] yeah, to to be clear and upfront. And then when we have council meetings where
[58:16] we're like, when's everybody available? We're not sitting here wasting 10
[58:19] minutes going, well, I can do this day, but not this day, this day, not this
[58:21] day. Then admin could overlay our calendars. I mean, Jessica just showed
[58:25] me in two seconds what that looked like. It was really easy. and going, "Okay,
[58:29] these are the only available days." Like, let's work smarter, not harder,
[58:32] was my thought. But, >> and then Kaitlin, just to piggyback off
[58:35] that, I did in our um monthly schedules did save the date that these are
[58:41] updated. >> So, they will always be updated on the
[58:44] date that the agenda package gets shared. So, and I did put that there so
[58:49] that anybody looking is aware that there is potential changes to to the calendar.
[58:56] It's just it's it's going to happen. >> Yeah, for sure.
[59:00] » Two comments. >> So, if any of council does not is not
[59:05] very familiar with the the concept of output calendars, please schedule some
[59:09] time with us and we can give you a little bit of background training on
[59:12] that. It's actually very easy to use once you see how it works.
[59:15] » You click and type it's >> and there might be some concerns that
[59:18] some of the meetings are private and you don't want anybody to see I'm going to
[59:22] the doctor and this is my notes or whatever that I made whatever. There is
[59:25] an option of clicking private and we can't see those comments that you or the
[59:29] what the meeting is for. It just shows private.
[59:32] » Yeah. None of my private appointments are in there and if they are it's just
[59:35] listed. I think I put out of town. >> I I think so it's
[59:38] » but you can literally there's like an option where you click private meeting
[59:41] and we can't talk about
[59:47] » Okay. Well, guess this is I mean we had these types of things
[59:52] before. This is just a little more different format and going to be more
[59:56] detailed. And then we have the outlook stuff.
[1:00:00] I guess we'll probably see you on the arguments meeting most if there's time.
[1:00:04] We'll be just they say it's simple to do and we can just give us a quick
[1:00:09] » basic training on that because
[1:00:13] » absolutely >> because that is how we're that is how
[1:00:17] we're double checking our expense reports, right? Because like no, we're
[1:00:20] not doing it as counselors peerto-peer. It's being done internally. Are they
[1:00:24] being compared to what's on our WA reports?
[1:00:27] » Uh, as of right now, the the the the war reports aren't being compared to
[1:00:32] anything. It's simply just the time cards.
[1:00:35] » So, >> so you can put whatever on the time
[1:00:37] card. It doesn't have to correlate to anything else.
[1:00:40] » We are the the war reports do tend not to have all the detailed information and
[1:00:46] the previous events and upcoming events. Okay.
[1:00:52] Okay. So, let's get a motion to accept this report for information
[1:00:58] » or are we going to try to implement something and get everybody to try it?
[1:01:01] » Well, we're all going to try it. >> Yeah.
[1:01:03] » So, that should be >> information and and implement
[1:01:09] monthly schedule updates or however you want to word
[1:01:13] that. Yeah.
[1:01:17] » You should make the motion.
[1:01:22] just
[1:01:32] » okay. So I have um acknowledge receipt of the shared outlook calendar and
[1:01:36] monthly calendar verbal requests and accept different information and
[1:01:40] implement shared outlook calendars with all council
[1:01:48] » councilors. post or
[1:01:53] » I was already
[1:02:14] Read
[1:02:24] that again. >> Okay. Um, acknowledge receipt of the
[1:02:27] shared outlook calendars and monthly calendars verbal request and accept for
[1:02:31] information and implement shared council calendars on Outlook with
[1:02:36] administration. Somebody want to make that motion.
[1:02:42] for
[1:02:50] okay any questions clarification all in favor
[1:02:59] a couple more before we take a break item B is RA zone resolutions
[1:03:06] just we can discuss how we want support or not support them
[1:03:15] four of those
[1:03:21] open there. So one nonp payment of municip municipal fire
[1:03:27] suppression emergencies cost c cost by utility companies.
[1:03:33] You know, we had a situation like that a few years ago at coal line against
[1:03:38] wildfire and and I think that they did make good on it, but apparently that's
[1:03:42] not always the case.
[1:03:46] I don't see where I would have problem not supporting this.
[1:03:50] » I think that's a no-brainer. >> The next one for Northern Sunrise, this
[1:03:56] is a reoccurring one that uh hasn't got anywhere. Obviously the casino
[1:04:02] opportunities for charitable organizations. It's just that inequity
[1:04:05] between the small casinos and the big city ones or
[1:04:10] » Yeah, I think they recently had an over like some change at their higher level
[1:04:17] and their board of directors. So I think this is why they're bringing it forward
[1:04:20] because there's like there might actually be a hope that we get some some
[1:04:23] change. >> Yeah. So I mean we've supported this
[1:04:26] multiple times in the past. I guess we continue to support it. And then Irama
[1:04:31] is putting one forward. Modernization of the municipal investment authority.
[1:04:39] So I guess we trust we know what they're doing. They're working for us. So
[1:04:47] » from the MDFs. >> Okay.
[1:04:54] Yeah. I'm very cautious on that one because I mean we're working with public
[1:04:57] money here. So we're going to start investing in
[1:05:00] » in cryptocurrencies and those type of thing. It is a high gain high risk
[1:05:04] environment.
[1:05:07] » Josh, do you have any thoughts on this resolution being kind of in your
[1:05:14] » Sorry, I was answering a bunch of things. the casino or the
[1:05:18] » modernization people invest. >> Um
[1:05:24] I've often thought that what we're legally allowed to invest in is super
[1:05:27] boring, but that is for a reason. So uh it
[1:05:35] it it comes with a lot of risk if you try to open that up. I understand why
[1:05:40] people are doing it because really when you are sitting on the amount of
[1:05:44] investment opportunity funds that we sit on as municipalities
[1:05:49] to to use that to get a 3% return is kind of wasteful. Nobody in the real
[1:05:53] world would ever do that with their money if they were sitting on that much.
[1:05:57] Um, however, depending on what you do with that ability, like if you give me
[1:06:02] the power to do that and I then in turn throw it all in Dogecoin and lose it
[1:06:08] all, that is a problem. So, it puts a lot of potential power in positions such
[1:06:13] as mine. Um, obviously can be handled through policy and stuff. So, um,
[1:06:19] personally not not against opening it up a little bit. I know there's a lot of
[1:06:23] investment firms right now that are trying to be creative to get around it.
[1:06:27] Um, so they're creating things like principal protected notes that they just
[1:06:31] take money from you and invest it in a bunch of other things anyway. Um, which
[1:06:35] works well for them because they make more money, guarantee you a return, and
[1:06:38] charge you a fee. Um, I don't I don't know what else you want to know, but
[1:06:44] it's could be good, could be bad. >> Well, it's definitely going to open up
[1:06:49] the door for risk um that would have to be mitigated by each municipality.
[1:06:54] So higher returns generally translate to higher risk 100%. Yeah.
[1:07:02] » But you're like what you guys invest in right now is zero risk to the point
[1:07:08] where a lot of the providers um like I get rates from all sorts of different
[1:07:13] firms, but they're all traveling the same. So you you basically wait till one
[1:07:17] gets greedy and tries to cut back make more money off what they're giving you
[1:07:22] and then somebody else will buy your business and then you go through that
[1:07:24] cycle for five years and then you shuffle it again and that's really all
[1:07:28] we can do. Um so it's there's room for improvement I think but it needs to be
[1:07:34] done very carefully. >> Yeah. I mean and that's what they're
[1:07:40] therefore to be resolved is is uh they want to
[1:07:46] They want to amend it so they can expand it. But who sets the parameters of what
[1:07:51] you can, you know, who interprets that?
[1:07:56] » Yeah, >> I guess whoever would have to be tasked
[1:08:00] with that. >> Yeah,
[1:08:05] » Josh, wouldn't you be the one to come to us if you thought this was a better
[1:08:09] place to invest? I'm saying
[1:08:16] » that. Yeah, that's not really quite as specifically getting, right? Like I
[1:08:20] think whoever wrote this, their goal is to to basically see better returns than
[1:08:26] we're seeing with the options we have available right now. So, the only way to
[1:08:30] do that right now is to invest in things we're not currently allowed to invest
[1:08:33] right now, more or less. There's other ways to get creative, too. But um I
[1:08:40] haven't brought anything like this to you because we cannot do it and I don't
[1:08:43] really have the free time to pursue it this way.
[1:08:46] » So So if it was opened up more would you the things that jumped into your head
[1:08:51] that we >> could be investing in to increase your
[1:08:55] » Okay. So even the basic like your basic index or mutual funds have outperformed
[1:09:00] everything you guys can invest in. So put some in there. Absolutely. Right.
[1:09:05] From a synthist point of view, not all of it, obviously, some of it for sure,
[1:09:13] it's it's really no different >> than what we're
[1:09:17] » But that's what we're getting at. You would have to
[1:09:19] » somebody would have to do it, right? Or or you would pay like just like anything
[1:09:23] else, you can pay portfolio managers. Um we have
[1:09:29] uh delegated authority to two of our
[1:09:33] providers who actually have some form of active management in our holdings with
[1:09:38] their firms. So they have the ability to do that. However, that ability only
[1:09:42] extends to a robot to invest in. So they can reinvest and trade bonds essentially
[1:09:50] which is there's not a whole lot of upside. Whereas when you look at opening
[1:09:55] up things like mutual funds, it's it can be a lot better, I guess, in the short
[1:10:00] term. Absolutely doing that. But it all comes at a cost. And I do not have the
[1:10:06] luxury of time to be an active day trader for you guys.
[1:10:10] » Nor is that my training. So I I would not do that. But yours
[1:10:18] what we're sort of talking about is um from one end to the other like you right
[1:10:23] now we're we're really having strung to
[1:10:28] the you know I'm really getting nothing for it whereas and you don't have to go
[1:10:36] to crypto to >> but you could go a little further into
[1:10:41] the situation and get a realistic uh return on it without being too uh you
[1:10:49] know like uh being uh real uh uh you know chances with our money.
[1:10:56] » Yeah. >> But in theory anytime you you leave
[1:11:00] bonds and and GIC's you lose principal protection and you do have now the risk
[1:11:06] of not recouping what you've put in. >> Um so I understand the original premise
[1:11:11] of this. is public money. That has always been an emphasis, right?
[1:11:16] » Principal protection first. Uh and then I think actually our policy is principal
[1:11:21] protection then liquidity and then return. So which is why on average we're
[1:11:26] seeing two to three and a half% right the economy does whereas when you look
[1:11:32] at other stock indexes and things over the last three years have seen 14 to
[1:11:38] 20%. Right. >> Yeah. So I think those three principles
[1:11:42] sort of are very important, right? I mean we're not there investors out
[1:11:46] trying to make hit a home run, right? We're there simply to protect our
[1:11:51] reserves and be able to liquidate them if
[1:11:55] situation comes and if we happen to make a little bit that's and which we have,
[1:11:59] right? I mean we've always traditionally earned a little bit on them.
[1:12:03] you will always I think the the member thing out here is it's what you're
[1:12:07] actually getting and with how high inflation's been it's deteriorating
[1:12:11] right so >> you're you're not gaining a whole lot
[1:12:14] more >> and there's just no real room for
[1:12:18] absorbent amount of creativity in the public sector financial markets so um
[1:12:24] yeah it's I'm not against it but I think even if
[1:12:29] it was a broadly published rule You wouldn't see all municipalities
[1:12:34] pursue anything different than what any wage would have to be handled. It's just
[1:12:40] it increases your business risk for maybe I guess right
[1:12:44] » and who would assume there is would it be council? Would it be administration?
[1:12:49] » Yeah. >> Well, just
[1:12:52] I don't know you would open the door to actually fire people based on their
[1:12:56] investment performance for I don't know. Yeah, that
[1:13:03] » let's uh let's hear them hear them >> try to
[1:13:07] » you know justify what they're proposing here.
[1:13:11] » I'm sure this will be a debate there. >> It's it's interesting that the MD of
[1:13:14] peace is right. >> Well, because I think one of them
[1:13:17] » Well, yeah, she's big on the crypto world, right? But I don't know if that's
[1:13:20] what she's working on. >> That's terrifying.
[1:13:24] But yeah, we never >> I mean, if it's if it can still if we
[1:13:29] can expand what we're allowed to invest in and still hold those three
[1:13:32] principles, then yeah, why not? But I mean, who's going to
[1:13:37] » and I I think there was I read a story quite a few years ago now, but one of
[1:13:41] the municipalities down south was doing an experience where they were accepting
[1:13:45] Bitcoin as a payment, but we're not allowed to hold it as an investment. So
[1:13:49] it was great in flexibility of people paying, but you couldn't actually see
[1:13:53] any gains or losses from it because you just had to get paid and then cash it in
[1:13:57] right away. >> So just money money transaction.
[1:14:00] » So people might be looking at that if you're going to accept it, maybe hold
[1:14:03] some. Uh but again, the risk tied to that is
[1:14:07] » substantial. So this one we're kind of sitting on the fence and we'll kind of
[1:14:11] see what the mood this I mean if this does pass the zone might have a tough
[1:14:16] time passing my provincial resolution but
[1:14:21] see what they what kind of a sales job they do.
[1:14:24] » Yeah. >> Okay. So we'll just kind of leave that
[1:14:26] one in kind of an alert there. And then the last one is weather stations which
[1:14:32] again don't see where there'd be any problem
[1:14:35] not supporting that. going to come at a cost which most most
[1:14:41] resolutions do. I don't know if anybody got comments in
[1:14:45] it.
[1:14:49] Mostly affects
[1:14:53] probably the risk management for agriculture but it's also for other
[1:14:58] sectors too and emergency management I guess. So
[1:15:03] [clears throat] >> yeah support that one. Yeah.
[1:15:09] Okay, let's just accept RMA resolutions for this zone meeting this information.
[1:15:16] » You make that motion. Council reckon. >> All in favor?
[1:15:23] Item F 2026
[1:15:26] recipients. We met one of them this morning.
[1:15:35] So there was quite a quite a few. >> Was there 10?
[1:15:41] [clears throat] >> Okay. I think 14. Yeah.
[1:15:47] » Yeah. It was very good.
[1:15:53] » The one thing we don't know who it is >> until until they're important.
[1:15:59] » You can figure it out. >> And we knew that on purpose.
[1:16:06] Okay. So, I guess we just uh need a motion to
[1:16:12] » acknowledge receipt of the report and accept information.
[1:16:15] » Yeah. >> Pardon me.
[1:16:17] » Yeah. I just wanted to mention that I think we need to look into how we with
[1:16:23] the money and stuff. We can talk about that.
[1:16:28] » I think that's the next >> thing.
[1:16:32] I know it was there, but I just want to make sure it's drawing it up.
[1:16:38] » Okay. So, we made a motion. >> Okay. Whiskey. All in favor? Carried.
[1:16:45] So, let's get into item Gary program
[1:16:51] itself.
[1:16:54] » Yeah. And who's going to give her
[1:16:58] Linda?
[1:17:01] I just found that we don't have a we I thought we had a policy on our bary
[1:17:08] committee and said they couldn't find it anywhere.
[1:17:14] » I thought there was too. I thought you had to be
[1:17:19] » but you had to be >> field was here.
[1:17:28] I did look into this and both places have guidelines
[1:17:32] » and it was also >> in response the other wanted
[1:17:40] it was all there >> and it was
[1:17:42] » we had a meeting with them right sorry >> no
[1:17:45] » I'm just really slow on trying to put things through
[1:17:49] » but I know we had a meeting with that other group
[1:17:55] » MADC
[1:17:59] But you probably remember
[1:18:08] » their policy that we work long >> because there's a return of service.
[1:18:13] There's a residence requirement. There's a few things that are
[1:18:19] » that's on the applicants, but we should have some kind of a policy. I feel for
[1:18:24] us and decide who is more. >> There was also the discussion point
[1:18:32] about the >> if the committee has the the ability to
[1:18:36] actually split it up in in more chunks. So use the $5,000 maybe not allocate it
[1:18:42] just to two two recipients but maybe because there was really good applicants
[1:18:47] that lost out just so we could split it to four or whatever it is that we would
[1:18:52] actually reach a little bit more of the applicants looked up. So we don't have
[1:18:57] any guidelines to actually go by on that specific.
[1:19:01] » So you don't um but this is intended to be a this is the reason this exists is
[1:19:07] because NADC has a matching program. >> So we created this to
[1:19:12] um to create a program that would be eligible for that. So anything that we
[1:19:16] give those people can be doubled up if they meet all the requirements through
[1:19:20] NADC. Um, splitting up a grant that's $2,500 in my opinion is a terrible,
[1:19:25] terrible idea. Schooling is horrendously expensive for the work that you go
[1:19:29] through to get $500. These people are applying with the understanding they're
[1:19:34] going to get $2500. Not that it's a difficult application
[1:19:38] process, but that makes a big difference.
[1:19:41] » But if you split $5,000 and four, still $1,250.
[1:19:46] Just give me a chance. $1,250 that will be grand matched with in a little bit.
[1:19:52] Well, potentially, but still there's the option of that. So now all of a sudden
[1:19:55] it's a almost $25,000 per applicant where now we only have $5,000. We're
[1:20:01] giving it two people and there was 14 that reduced to 10. So 10 applicants and
[1:20:06] they were really all good. >> Yeah. But we just made that change
[1:20:09] because we said $1,000 was not enough and we wanted to take advantage of more
[1:20:13] matching. So, we just increased each grant to $2,500 last year, right? So, to
[1:20:18] change it again and go backwards, I'm not sure really.
[1:20:22] » I'm I'm with state leaving it at 225. >> Um, I get it's hard. There's there's
[1:20:28] ways around that like you're >> you're right, we do not have a policy.
[1:20:33] So, one of the things I've thought about with this is like
[1:20:36] » pick what you think is important for the area. You're making these people come
[1:20:39] back. So pick a program that you think is important that you want to focus on.
[1:20:43] Then at least it gives you some more evaluation criteria because right now
[1:20:47] you just have essentially the same form filled out by everybody. And I think
[1:20:53] you're well it say I can't remember you're
[1:20:58] you're basically looking at financial need and um I remember what
[1:21:04] they also had nursing two of them and two for animal science right but it was
[1:21:12] pretty hard to pick which one of those should give it to
[1:21:17] » does Mark do that check This week your attraction mini
[1:21:28] shells. Yeah, I know. There's four at 3,000.
[1:21:34] » I I was just thinking like, you know, like if or part of the criteria, right?
[1:21:39] Like if you're looking at healthcare, then at least they would have another
[1:21:41] avenue to try. But
[1:21:45] » who fun, right? So,
[1:21:47] » well, no different than the university, right?
[1:21:50] » No different than which? >> No different than the Grimshaw one and
[1:21:53] anybody in the county like eligible for that too.
[1:21:56] » I I heard what you're saying. I mean, if they're looking at a healthcare career,
[1:22:00] then it could be funded by the committee committee have to come back to this
[1:22:03] council and ask the money then, right? So,
[1:22:05] » unless you know our has a little bit of money out there that they directly grant
[1:22:10] these kids, but >> yeah. No, I I was just thinking
[1:22:15] giving giving like the priority is healthcare, right? Then giving them the
[1:22:19] most opportunities. I get it, but I agree. $1,000 or $500 is
[1:22:25] not as far >> and and NADC has different rules for I
[1:22:29] think healthc care, veterary stuff, nursing, and I can't remember.
[1:22:32] » That's what I'm looking at. we need something
[1:22:35] I don't see all this >> a clear criteria that make it easier to
[1:22:40] put in these decisions and that part of it is totally within your control so you
[1:22:43] guys can establish whatever you want the only part you want to be careful of is
[1:22:48] you don't want to restrict it to the po to the point that it no longer meets
[1:22:52] NADC's criteria because then you won't be able to take advantage of matching
[1:22:56] stuff which is a big deal for the people applying
[1:22:59] » and that happened and that happened with the Grimshaw one That was a hard lesson
[1:23:03] learned. They couldn't match so we had to change it.
[1:23:07] I hear what you're saying. Sure. >> Well, maybe this has to be discussed at
[1:23:12] an organization sometime. We can create a policy if we want and
[1:23:18] and make it a bit easier for the selection
[1:23:22] committee if you have some, you know, some guard rails to follow. Right.
[1:23:26] » And then I I forget, but I think NADC has a cap on what they'll match. Yes,
[1:23:32] » because that's why we didn't >> jump ours up in Grimshaw cuz it would
[1:23:37] they wouldn't match it. >> I can't remember if their match is
[1:23:40] capped at 2500 for their general I think which is why they bumped it up
[1:23:45] » a b program with the separate rate. >> Yeah, but they have different stuff for
[1:23:49] healthcare and for veterinary stuff that was higher.
[1:23:53] » Yeah, >> you can get like a $10,000 annual bary
[1:23:56] » and I I don't recall what the numbers were off the top of my head. Look into
[1:24:00] it again. But that would be good because then we
[1:24:02] could have criteria for each specialty, right?
[1:24:05] » Yeah. Just to make sure. So, okay, let's uh accept this further
[1:24:11] information and bring it to ordinance meeting
[1:24:17] » a future ordinance meeting. I won't say today necessarily, but a future
[1:24:20] ordinance meeting. >> Almost a year before the program's over.
[1:24:25] » So, councelor the has made that motion. All in favor?
[1:24:30] Hey, let's take a quick break and then we'll
[1:24:35] council legislative items.
[1:24:47] Yeah.
[1:25:05] So this takes like three quarters of our agenda. package
[1:25:13] exaggerating a lot, but I mean I think the summary is that
[1:25:20] National Police Federation is looking for support for their CMP.
[1:25:29] » They're kind of looking for the Alberta government to kind of push the pause on
[1:25:32] their push for the sheriff's service. They're kind of their
[1:25:37] end run around Crania Provincial Police Force
[1:25:42] and I mean we supported we presented we took a resolution to the provincial
[1:25:47] conference kind of in a roundabout way saying the
[1:25:51] same thing that they were province was going to create some new
[1:25:56] police service that nobody really knew anything about or what it was and who
[1:26:00] was going to fund it. And I think that they did back off of that, but in the
[1:26:05] meantime, they've up their sheriff program, which is good. I mean,
[1:26:12] we've seen more presidents now, but I don't know what everybody had a chance
[1:26:17] to look at this what their thoughts are on it. I mean that says overall
[1:26:22] 75% of Albertans I think was the number somewhere in the
[1:26:27] 70% approve of their model for placing in
[1:26:31] Alberta. So you you take out Calgary and Edmonton
[1:26:36] and you know Lethbridge mentioned that some of the in Grand Prix partially
[1:26:40] Mount Jams that's a big percentage that is out of the survey
[1:26:48] I know.
[1:26:54] So I guess the question is do we favor supporting this call to action by the
[1:27:00] federation and do we want to submit a formal response like this giving them
[1:27:06] our support that we endorse it or we want get more information I mean there's
[1:27:12] 20 some pages of information that helps unless a liberal presentation would be
[1:27:18] easier to disseminate >> well and I think a lot of what was in
[1:27:22] the presentation there in the wave attachment was what they presented to us
[1:27:27] when they come for our joint council meeting.
[1:27:29] » Yeah. >> A lot of the data overlap.
[1:27:31] » Well, that was directed from the RCP, right? Yeah. So, overlaps with these
[1:27:35] guys which basically are the governing body or not governing but
[1:27:40] yeah >> I mean like I we took a resolution there
[1:27:45] so we're supportive. So I
[1:27:49] » yeah support it, right?
[1:27:54] I'm prepared to put a motion on the floor that we're support call to action
[1:27:58] and direct administration to prepare and submit a formal response.
[1:28:04] » Motion on the floor. Any clarification or discussion
[1:28:08] » uh to prepare sorry a >> response
[1:28:15] » on council's behalf. So and we can give some direction on that. I mean, when you
[1:28:20] make it, you can set up your comments or edits.
[1:28:25] Okay, I see no discussion. All in favor,
[1:28:32] the Dixon Charter School will grant an opening. Pretty exciting, I think. You
[1:28:38] see that they're actually uh achieving their objectives.
[1:28:43] I see their unloading furniture the other day.
[1:28:47] See, it's getting real.
[1:28:51] So yeah, I think we've talked about this before, but I would be uh honored to go
[1:28:57] there and be part of their ceremony. I'm assuming that Brenda will be around,
[1:29:03] but she'll be there. She's not only a member of the board, but
[1:29:07] that's in her words. So, anybody else want to
[1:29:13] support?
[1:29:18] Yeah. >> Uh, I'm not in town. I'm
[1:29:23] » in.
[1:29:34] » Yeah, I think so.
[1:29:43] » Yeah, we're well represented. I'll make this motion. It's good to hear yours.
[1:29:47] Okay. Council moves to know myself.
[1:29:53] Did you see? No. Yeah. Gary, Ora, and attend.
[1:29:59] » And then Terry, I can we just confirm that you will be participating in the
[1:30:03] speaking portion of the event because they asked for you to give a
[1:30:08] » short and sweet. Congratulations. Be council.
[1:30:13] Okay. All in favor?
[1:30:19] Item J, the loyal M2 regiment 49th Battalion.
[1:30:26] We see this before.
[1:30:37] So I I don't think the immediate requesting
[1:30:45] » there if they did request that we it was passed the to attend their event but um
[1:30:54] this was more or less just to acknowledge that there was um soldiers
[1:30:58] here that did uh pass and then I just uh the two privates
[1:31:04] there
[1:31:09] Well, anybody interested in attending? I think we've had this invitation
[1:31:14] before. We decline it. >> Make a motion to accept
[1:31:20] invitation. >> Council moves that we receive the
[1:31:24] invitation and decline attendance. >> So, is is there an invitation
[1:31:28] attachment? Because it just says a validation.
[1:31:31] » The event has already passed two. So, so we just need to make a motion to
[1:31:36] accept the honor role. >> That's right.
[1:31:39] » Not applying [clears throat] any invitation. Yeah.
[1:31:41] » Yeah. I didn't see the name. >> Yeah.
[1:31:43] » Attached to it. I know the piece of religion has an invitation coming up,
[1:31:46] but >> we receive that.
[1:31:49] » Yeah. So, that's all we have to do then. Okay. All in favor?
[1:31:55] Uh item Korea committee? >> Yeah. I asked this to be on here. Um, so
[1:32:04] with the the unveiling of the position paper, I um thought I'd go back and look
[1:32:11] at the minutes of previous meetings and raise some issues that I'm not
[1:32:18] comfortable. So [clears throat]
[1:32:22] this committee it's supposedly to the objectives are to further the
[1:32:30] interests of a certain industry in northern Albert right so
[1:32:38] not been for the overall industry though it's one particular company has been
[1:32:43] attending all of these meetings and if you look at the minutes here you
[1:32:49] indicate It's the this particular company's directing,
[1:32:54] advising and um pushing forward their agenda. Now you have two attendees of
[1:33:01] this May 25th meeting of 2000 May 9th 2025.
[1:33:09] So at the meeting are two employees of Energy or at least one employee in the
[1:33:14] company of a consultant. I assume it's a good sold
[1:33:18] and they're um forwarding uh reasons to have uh for the
[1:33:26] committee to hire a consultant and
[1:33:30] a consultant this is Amy Longorn's uh words here consultant could collect
[1:33:37] feedback from government residents and range in a format that can be provided
[1:33:41] proponent agencies and other levels of government and then her companion this
[1:33:49] whose name is Ali Hanso
[1:33:54] and he reiterates the benefits of I consultant
[1:33:58] and uh so on so forth. So then next thing you know this is approved and five
[1:34:06] municipal CEOs and Amy Longorn will meet to discuss timeline schedule. So they're
[1:34:10] meeting together to come up with a strategy I guess
[1:34:16] » come up with >> um well here it says five municipal CEOs
[1:34:20] and Amy Longer will meet to discuss timeline schedule structures they're
[1:34:23] collaborating on I guess what the consultant is going to produce here. So
[1:34:29] here we have a private company directing advising the committee how to spend
[1:34:35] public funds to benefit said Kelvin. Okay. So this this is this is not
[1:34:41] something you should be involved in. Now I ask
[1:34:48] get a consultation of AI. Is it appropriate for private company to
[1:34:53] advise committee and council to hire consultant public to advance the
[1:34:57] interest of that company? No. It is generally not appropriate. This creates
[1:35:01] a major construct of inversion and violates ethical rules public spending.
[1:35:06] Private companies should not use public funds or council committee to pay for
[1:35:09] help that mainly benefits their own business.
[1:35:12] So this is again what why are we dabbling in this? Why is this committee
[1:35:19] um so close with this company? We should be at arms length of this because this
[1:35:24] actually jeopardizes what the whole uh vision of this committee.
[1:35:31] I just don't see that this is appropriate.
[1:35:34] I think we need to evaluate what's what the committee is is trying to accomplish
[1:35:38] here because I I don't see this as constructive. Again, we should be at
[1:35:43] arms length from this company and not have directly involve them. Like for
[1:35:49] example, let's say public works wants to buy a new truck and we form a committee
[1:35:53] to look into uh buying a truck and we sit down with Ford Motor Company and no
[1:36:00] other companies. Well, we wouldn't do that. That would be ridiculous. That's
[1:36:04] basically what's going on here. So, I think we need to distance ourselves from
[1:36:07] this what's going on here. We should not be this committee should not be involved
[1:36:12] with what this one company so closely. Uh again, this this appear to be a
[1:36:18] conflict to me. I think we need to be steering away from this uh this this
[1:36:22] sort of activity. >> I have a question. um as a
[1:36:29] when you're at these meetings, are you guys looking at anything else other than
[1:36:36] because that's how I understood it was formed for for all of us in the region
[1:36:43] to look into other things that could happen in our community to make
[1:36:50] economic. >> So this committee was was formed.
[1:36:56] There's no doubt about it because there was a proposal for a project and
[1:37:01] » but not just that project too. >> I just can't let it finish. So it was
[1:37:06] created because of this project but we would absolutely welcome anybody that
[1:37:10] would bring forward a legitimate proposal with whatever it would be um
[1:37:16] whether it be a gas fire plant, whether it be a you know anything to do energy.
[1:37:23] But there's to date there's been nobody else has uh has done that. I mean people
[1:37:30] talk about you know different things that could be possibly done in our
[1:37:35] region but there's been never been a proposal. So getting back with Brent has
[1:37:40] just talked about energy Alberta number one doesn't attend all the meetings.
[1:37:44] They've attended some meetings. >> Well they've attended every single
[1:37:48] meeting in 2025 according to the I don't like we've only met a couple
[1:37:56] times in 2026 and I think that they attended one only as a delegation for a
[1:38:00] 50-minute update on where they're at with the project. So getting back to
[1:38:04] them directing us who to hire, what we should do. These were only suggestions
[1:38:10] by uh by Alli about the communication. That was one of the main reasons our
[1:38:14] committee was formed was for communication because we seen it as a
[1:38:18] weakness for the municipalities to be able to communicate and we thought if we
[1:38:22] banded together as five and now eight municipalities we could share that
[1:38:26] message uh you know have the same message amongst everybody. Uh Albert
[1:38:33] Energy Alberta had absolutely zero to do with selecting the communication
[1:38:37] consultant. I don't think they even knew the guy who selected that was totally
[1:38:41] done by the committee. Um yeah, they made some suggestions from you know
[1:38:47] about how the communication should be done. It says right in there that they
[1:38:50] are the they will be the communicator of the project which they should be. Uh
[1:38:56] we're the receivers of information of the project which they do meeting with
[1:39:00] the CEOs and maybe Garrett can touch on that. That was something outside of the
[1:39:04] committee. >> Yeah. That totally updates program.
[1:39:08] Yeah, that nothing to do with hiring communication consultant. That was
[1:39:12] something Energy Alberta committed to doing with the regional cos is to give
[1:39:16] you said quarterly updates and that's still ongoing, right? And has nothing to
[1:39:21] do with communication consultants. So to say that is totally wrong that they
[1:39:26] would uh have influence of who was hired.
[1:39:30] » Well, it states it right there in the minutes that the their opinion on
[1:39:35] consultants. So it looks to me like they're influencing
[1:39:39] um committee and then meeting uh later on to discuss this. So I just
[1:39:46] makes me uncomfortable. This reflects on all of us. I don't think again we should
[1:39:50] be at arms length with this. Now you said there's been no other proposals in
[1:39:53] the area. Actually there has been. Few years ago uh the company came here
[1:39:57] looking to produce a set up solar piece river um fairly substantial project. Did
[1:40:03] we rush out and form a committee to further further the pro project? No. We
[1:40:08] just thank them for the time and moved on as we should be doing with this
[1:40:12] particular uh proposal and not be getting into business where we have you
[1:40:17] know business. So I think we need to re-evaluate what we're doing on this
[1:40:22] committee because steering us into areas that are ICE is problematic. And I'm not
[1:40:28] out to blame anybody or anything like that. It's just that I think we should
[1:40:33] look at where we're going with this and is this something we should be doing and
[1:40:37] I think it is not. >> So your question you asked the most was
[1:40:42] is it appropriate for a private company to advise a committee of council to hire
[1:40:46] a consultant with public money to advance the interests of that company
[1:40:51] agreed that it would not be appropriate but that's never what Priya has done.
[1:40:55] We've never hired a consultant to advance the
[1:40:59] interest of that company on their recommendation of who to hire. We hired
[1:41:03] a communication consultant to assist the municipalities and being prepared for
[1:41:09] such a project should it ever gain approval which at this stage it it has
[1:41:14] no approvals but it's in the hands of the regulators. So, we're trying to, you
[1:41:19] know, be be prepared, I guess, and there's there's no connection between
[1:41:24] Energy Alberta and what we've done with as far as hiring a communication
[1:41:29] consultant. I mean, yes, the committee was formed because
[1:41:34] the proposal came from them, but we would we would treat any other proposal
[1:41:38] with the same way should there be any. I mean, there is another one being
[1:41:42] proposed over Birch Hills, Smoky River, Northern Sunrise that hasn't really come
[1:41:47] across to us yet, but we we know that it's still additive. I mean, that's
[1:41:53] probably a long ways out in comparison to the Peace River project. They they've
[1:41:57] never submitted anything to the regulators yet. We've had discussions
[1:42:00] but
[1:42:04] » yeah I just had a question to to I mean any of those specific items on the the
[1:42:10] minutes can you can you say which of those you have a problem with
[1:42:14] » yes
[1:42:18] those um a problem with um a employee from a
[1:42:25] company of
[1:42:29] telling the the committee. So then consult benefit feedback
[1:42:35] municipal government res
[1:42:52] » okay energy alberta are the communicators of joy
[1:42:58] orc are the receivers of the information. So anyway, again this is
[1:43:02] all for one company here. Now, if you read the position paper, I mean, it
[1:43:08] could have been taken off Enelberg's website. And again, this should should
[1:43:13] not be I see this as benefiting one company.
[1:43:18] And then Ally Hansel, maybe you can explain who this guy is, but he's
[1:43:23] » and so she so she's a communication consultant I
[1:43:29] assume with NH Alberta like she and and anything that she did attend at one
[1:43:35] meeting suggestion. She's not telling us you shall do this, you shall do that.
[1:43:39] She's saying Mrs. Hall, they see it from their their side that uh
[1:43:47] » Yeah. So, so they're they're recommending uh this consultant be
[1:43:51] huttered. >> Um
[1:43:54] they're suggesting it, right? They're not
[1:43:59] steering influence into the the committee to hire this consultant. And
[1:44:04] to me, it looks like the consultant benefits one company.
[1:44:08] It's not my
[1:44:13] industry as a whole. It's just
[1:44:18] So it was not it was not arms length. This does not represent to me arms
[1:44:22] length as we should be on this issue. Again, we wouldn't we wouldn't uh have a
[1:44:28] committee to look at purchasing a a piece of equipment and then sit down
[1:44:33] with a representative or one company that present
[1:44:36] represents one interest. That's what's going on here.
[1:44:40] » But we're not purchasing anything. I mean this is just
[1:44:43] » yeah purchasing a consultant with public funds
[1:44:48] services purchasing the services of consultant
[1:44:50] » y and not not and not on the direction of any one company this is on the
[1:44:56] direction >> well I guess that's open to
[1:44:57] interpretation if you read the minutes >> well
[1:45:00] » but which item are you referring to the um just
[1:45:08] pages of of the minutes. These are taken from the minutes of May
[1:45:16] 9, 2025. We have two employees of energy over
[1:45:22] saying a wonderful thing and need to have this been solved. I think this has
[1:45:26] been appropriate. Well, that that's I guess subjective
[1:45:32] interpretation because that was the only suggestion about talking about
[1:45:37] communications, but she clearly said that energy over Alberta. There's
[1:45:41] largely specific questions go to them. Um
[1:45:45] might not be a bad idea to have stronger communication from the municipalities,
[1:45:51] which none of us had communication people. I mean, everybody was doing the
[1:45:56] best they could, but uh we just thought somebody that had expertise in that
[1:46:01] would be a benefit, but not not because I haven't heard of said no shell or said
[1:46:08] that we that was our original discussion when the project was first announced was
[1:46:14] that we we should probably consider having a communication consultant
[1:46:19] whether it's somebody local or somebody it didn't matter. We're along with
[1:46:25] be able to help us out with that. That's what we did. I mean, when Energy Alberta
[1:46:31] made those suggestions and we'd already that we'd already made that decision.
[1:46:34] That's what we probably would have to be doing at some point. And this kind of
[1:46:38] maybe reaffirmed it, but it was definitely not because of them attending
[1:46:42] and coming and trying to push the consultant to favor them. I mean, we
[1:46:47] would like to answer Linda's question, we would do we would treat
[1:46:51] [clears throat] any component on a project like with the same the same
[1:46:56] weight as as these guys perceived to be getting.
[1:47:03] Now, I know it's not just me that has concerns. Um I know that committee this
[1:47:09] was in they're not included here. There was some talk in the minutes that
[1:47:14] committee was unsure of the direction they were going this and and the role of
[1:47:19] the committee. And I just think we should be We should be out of this. I I
[1:47:26] don't see it as helpful. I'm not prepared to make a motion that we
[1:47:31] suspend our participation in this debate.
[1:47:36] I just don't see it as helpful and we're we're getting
[1:47:40] too cozy with with one.
[1:47:48] Okay. So, we have a motion by councelor to suspend our participation in the
[1:47:52] period. Is that how we roll with it? >> Yes.
[1:47:59] » Yeah. Participation in Korea. >> Any other
[1:48:05] comments or questions?
[1:48:29] Okay, I see no more questions. I'll call for the vote. All in favor?
[1:48:34] Opposed? It's defeated.
[1:48:41] Okay. Item L is a piece of opening and meeting invitations. So this is the one
[1:48:48] that I can maybe just reassess this meeting now and
[1:48:52] go into the public hearings.
[1:48:56] » Okay. Sorry.
[1:49:00] » Oh, actually got a good five people next to me.
[1:49:04] Uh, do we have anybody is Where's Pearl at?
[1:49:08] » Pearl is virtual. >> She's virtual.
[1:49:12] » Yes. Um,
[1:49:17] » does need to make a motion to hear first or
[1:49:26] » what?
[1:49:29] » Well, she was virtual. Yeah. I'm listening, but I'm also taking calls.
[1:49:33] So, [laughter] >> let's do the public hearing first. I
[1:49:38] don't know if we got anybody from online or not.
[1:49:55] » We'll just do the public hearing. Yeah. >> Yep. We'll do that first and then we'll
[1:49:58] go to the NPC. >> Okay. And then actually then we can go
[1:50:02] back to the meetings together.
[1:50:11] » Okay. So >> ISL will not be joining us either as
[1:50:15] both of the permits for MPC were permitted
[1:50:18] » use
[1:50:21] first.
[1:50:30] Yes. Uh Terry, I just need a a counselor to make a motion to move our regular
[1:50:36] council meeting into the public hearing. I will
[1:50:40] » council make the motion. All in favor? It's carried.
[1:50:46] They'll declare the public hearing open at 11:03
[1:50:52] participants. So
[1:50:56] could you give uh the nature of the proposed bylaw? Oh, this is for bylaw
[1:51:01] number 26-61-511 for the record. So can you give the
[1:51:06] nature of the proposed bylaw? Does that into the record
[1:51:10] uh from our planning and development clerk, please?
[1:51:13] » Yes. So, in accordance with county policy, land use file amendment 2661511
[1:51:19] received first reading on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 council meeting. Uh, the
[1:51:25] purpose of today's council public hearing is to provide an opportunity for
[1:51:28] members of the public to make comments and submissions regarding the proposed
[1:51:31] matter under consideration. Q confirm that all required public notification
[1:51:36] procedures including newspaper advertisements, public announcements and
[1:51:40] applicable notification time frames have been completed in accordance with
[1:51:45] legislative requirements. >> Yes, it was posted in the mile zero
[1:51:48] banner post on July 15th and 22nd. It was also posted on our website and the
[1:51:53] county Facebook page. Y >> thank you. So I will ask you to join the
[1:51:59] presentation. Okay.
[1:52:03] Bylaw number 2661511, County of Northern Lights, Province of
[1:52:08] Alberta, being a bylaw for the purpose of amending the County of Northern
[1:52:11] Lights land use bylaw 1261-290. Whereas the council of the county of
[1:52:16] northern lights, province of Alberta, has adopted a land use bylaw. And
[1:52:20] whereas the council has the authority under the provision of the municipal
[1:52:23] government act RSA 2000 as amended to amend the land use bylaw. And whereas
[1:52:29] the council of the county of Northern Lights deems it desirable to amend the
[1:52:32] [clears throat] land use bylaw number 1261-290.
[1:52:35] Now, therefore, the council of the county of Northern Lights, duly
[1:52:39] assembled, hereby enacts the following. One, that schedule two of the land use
[1:52:44] bylaw maps be amended to include the following. that the land use
[1:52:48] classification for a portion of northwest of section 36 township 84
[1:52:54] range 22 west of the fifth meridian be amended from a split zone parcel in
[1:53:00] which the north is zoned agricultural restricted and the south is zoned
[1:53:03] general M industrial M1 to the entire parcel being zoned agricultural
[1:53:08] restricted AR district as illustrated in schedule A attached here too and that
[1:53:14] this bylaw shall come into effect upon on the date of the final passage
[1:53:18] thereof. >> Okay. So, have you seen any written
[1:53:24] submissions in support of the proposed bylaw?
[1:53:28] » No. >> Have you written Have you received any
[1:53:31] written submissions opposed to the proposed bylaw?
[1:53:34] » No. >> Okay. I'll call if there is any verbal
[1:53:37] submissions in support of the proposed bylaw.
[1:53:41] [clears throat] >> Seeing none. So I'll call for any verbal
[1:53:45] submissions opposed to the proposed bylaw.
[1:53:49] And I'm seeing none. So I will call for uh to give the recommendation.
[1:53:55] » It is recommended the council approve the proposed land use bylaw 2661511 to
[1:54:00] reszone this parcel in its entirety from the agricultural restricted district.
[1:54:07] questions from council
[1:54:13] because there's more questions. >> Wonderful.
[1:54:17] » You're saying that it's going to go from
[1:54:23] industrial. >> Yeah.
[1:54:26] » That means the whole package now will be a
[1:54:32] » and it's reflecting as agriculture. So if someone wants to change something,
[1:54:37] they can't. Like if they want to resone something on this,
[1:54:43] » if they'd want to reszone, they'd have to apply to go back to another zoning.
[1:54:47] » They're just going to the egg restricted because that's what their use aligns
[1:54:51] with and that's what the northern portion is.
[1:54:53] » They had just done this uh zoning change in the past because they were looking to
[1:54:58] subdivide, but they no longer wish to. >> Any other questions?
[1:55:06] just doesn't make sense,
[1:55:10] » especially since the parcel that was zoned differently doesn't even
[1:55:13] technically exist. So,
[1:55:19] » they just did they updated the map before they registered some
[1:55:25] » and the reasonzoning was a condition of the subdivision, but they didn't
[1:55:28] endorse. >> Thanks. So I shall shall adjourn the
[1:55:32] public hearing at 118
[1:55:38] and I will recess the legend meeting and then turn it over to the chair of the
[1:55:43] MDC. >> Okay. Thank you. A planning commission
[1:55:49] meetings order 118
[1:55:55] agenda proceedings to be a motion to approve the agenda as
[1:56:02] presented counc
[1:56:12] July 14th minute any errors or emissions questions.
[1:56:19] Seeing none, councelor Reese. All in favor?
[1:56:27] Okay, we'll just move down to development permits issued by the
[1:56:30] development officer BP26-9 and BP 26-27.
[1:56:36] Any questions um in regards to those um development permits?
[1:56:43] We see none have a motion to accept deliver information.
[1:56:50] All in favor
[1:56:54] the meeting.
[1:56:59] » Okay. So, uh we adjourn the regular meeting and let's
[1:57:05] go back to page we're still on page one of the agenda
[1:57:09] » 4.0 item. No, pardon me. Item 5.0 proposed by law
[1:57:16] amendment. Find that. Looking to give second
[1:57:21] reading. >> Carrie, we just need a motion to bring
[1:57:25] the uh to move the bylaw 2661511 regular
[1:57:30] uh into discussion the count the public hearing regular council meeting
[1:57:40] that we just passed. Move the public hearing bylaw 20 2661511
[1:57:45] to the regular council meeting for discussion.
[1:57:47] » Oh, it's in the >> It's already It's on the agenda.
[1:57:51] » It's on the agenda. >> Oh, right. Yeah. Okay.
[1:57:55] » So, we don't need a motion for >> Okay. So, I'm looking for second reading
[1:58:00] of 26-61-
[1:58:06] make that motion. All in favor?
[1:58:11] Okay, >> keep it up. Okay, so third and final
[1:58:14] meeting.
[1:58:18] » All in favor? It's carried. >> Thank you, girl.
[1:58:23] » Let me know when you guys are ready for my next one.
[1:58:34] » 6.6.1 6.15
[1:58:40] myself. >> So every month we give you guys an
[1:58:43] update of what occurred in planning and development in the month of July. Uh we
[1:58:48] received 37 development inquiries all to CNL staff. Five applications and six
[1:58:54] notice of decisions were approved. Um we received 15 inquiries for
[1:59:01] subdivision 2 CNL staff. Two of them went to ISL staff. So a total of 17
[1:59:06] inquiries. Three applications resulted out of that. Uh none were endorsed.
[1:59:12] Uh these are all on number of individuals who inquire, not frequency
[1:59:16] of inquiries. I honestly just can't track every time somebody calls.
[1:59:20] » There's a lot of calls. And then ISL touches on all files that
[1:59:25] we touch on to at some point. Um other matters. I attended the Keg River
[1:59:29] Council meeting on July 14th. Uh we're still experiencing an for the rateayer
[1:59:35] meeting there. We're still experiencing an influx of inquiries due to the
[1:59:38] upcoming changes for the land use bylaw regarding uh dealing with development
[1:59:43] and contravention and regarding changes to subdivision. Um
[1:59:48] I'm expecting that to continue well into the fall and well after the land use
[1:59:53] bylaws have gone through. I also attended an information information
[1:59:57] session regarding the proposed changes to the gravel pit approval process
[2:00:00] regarding bill 28 and there is an item on the agenda briefing you of this
[2:00:04] today. There will be more to follow following the other meetings.
[2:00:09] » I don't know if council is aware but we also um has been asked to be the clerk
[2:00:14] for a stab appeal.
[2:00:17] » Yes. >> Yeah. Um, so part of your agreement
[2:00:21] that we are in, we have a clerk available. So, um, we can speak more to
[2:00:27] that. I think we have an agenda item as an addition. So, I'll update you on some
[2:00:31] things there, but Pearl is currently acting as our clerk right now as well.
[2:00:35] » Did you have to take any training for that or
[2:00:37] » I took that in the first two weeks of my employment in this position? Um, but
[2:00:42] I've I will speak to you about that later when we have that item on the
[2:00:47] agenda. Good.
[2:00:49] » Yeah. >> Put it to use now.
[2:00:52] » Yeah. >> Okay. Any questions on the
[2:00:58] [clears throat] on the administration planning
[2:01:00] development update? Not we'll get a motion to accept for information.
[2:01:05] All in favor? Okay. [clears throat] Thank you.
[2:01:08] » Thank you. >> I will see you later.
[2:01:14] » Okay. Move back to page one. Item Liver Canadian Legion branch
[2:01:19] invitation.
[2:01:23] We've all read it. I hope anybody interested in attending.
[2:01:31] It's September 19th.
[2:01:37] » It was the invitation. or students.
[2:01:45] » I because responsive the mural we should probably send.
[2:01:49] » It does include a plus one
[2:01:54] » includes which >> like a a guest. So if if anybody is
[2:01:58] attending they can bring in their significant other.
[2:02:02] » Thank you. Yeah.
[2:02:11] I don't think that would be sufficient. We have one representative.
[2:02:17] We want to make a motion to accept the invitation that
[2:02:23] yeah counc all in favor
[2:02:32] item m invitation from prairies county to
[2:02:38] attend their announcement at Mercerville They
[2:02:45] reached out to myself and to Ghard and we did confirm that we would attend. Had
[2:02:50] a subsequent email yesterday from somebody from Paris. The communication
[2:02:54] person sent it to myself and Gloria if we would be attending and and
[2:03:01] somebody can bring some words like a two or three minute words from readings from
[2:03:06] council. And I said well we're going to be there anyway. I asked any particular
[2:03:11] reason why they asked councelor Dean and yeah he said because the mill is in her
[2:03:16] word and so I [clears throat] replied no it's actually not it's in word one and
[2:03:22] oh so they I haven't heard anything back but so I will be attending I think I'm
[2:03:28] sure that >> yeah because they did give us they said
[2:03:32] 9:30 or 3 and then they said three but I don't know what time their ceremonies
[2:03:36] are they haven't got back with that information yet So there could even be
[2:03:40] something email by now just confirming what time. So yeah. So you're still good
[2:03:46] to go yet? >> Yeah.
[2:03:47] » And I'm good to go. >> Um
[2:03:50] » I don't know. D figure out then. >> Yeah. I mean it is in your word. So that
[2:03:57] seemed to be that seemed to matter yesterday in email.
[2:04:00] » Yeah. I can >> you can be there. I mean you sit on the
[2:04:03] pack as well, right? So
[2:04:07] » Okay. So we just need uh a motion to acknowledge the uh meeting request with
[2:04:13] Praise can and approve myself and Gary to attend and Gary will be attending
[2:04:19] too. I don't have any council emotion for that.
[2:04:23] So I >> can you reveal anything about this?
[2:04:27] » I have no idea other than the email yesterday. Let me just read it.
[2:04:30] Absolutely. I I think it's uh >> you're going to make
[2:04:35] » I think we're going to cost you some financial help.
[2:04:40] » Sometimes
[2:04:49] scan is coordinating a media event on the 26th to announce a federal
[2:04:53] investment through Periscan for the Mercer Perver [clears throat] upgrade.
[2:04:58] So a federal investment interpret that I guess sounds like
[2:05:06] » they got one of them big 8ft by 4 foot checks there.
[2:05:12] So >> the time is
[2:05:14] » well don't know that yet but we'll let you know. That's coming up pretty quick
[2:05:18] here, right? So
[2:05:21] » just looking for a motion to approve that.
[2:05:25] » You make the motion. >> Okay. All in favor?
[2:05:33] Okay. We move to our additions now. Item N is a piece of ICF.
[2:05:41] Everybody's on a paper copy this morning.
[2:05:44] So basically the question is that um just to acknowledge that we are still
[2:05:49] that we are going forward with the regional approach to this ICF river and
[2:05:55] that we specifically after a motion that we apply for a for some grant funding uh
[2:06:04] to be the ACT grant process that's available and but we did
[2:06:09] a a a letter of support from council for So you're looking
[2:06:16] that we would supply a letter of support for the grant
[2:06:20] » if council is is in agreement and I mean the first part of that consideration is
[2:06:25] that council confirm they they're still waiting to pos participate
[2:06:30] in a regional intermal collaboration between
[2:06:37] » so just a bit of background we did have a kind of initial meeting just to kind
[2:06:43] be in the same room and we kind of agreed that the regional approach would
[2:06:46] be probably best and that we would engage a facilitator and that's what the
[2:06:54] draft is used toward. touch.
[2:07:00] » Got to be honest, it was a very positive meeting and I think all municipalities
[2:07:04] involved are really uh open and and ready for communications going forward
[2:07:10] on this which is a very positive sign. And I'll just say being on the previous
[2:07:17] negotiating committee where it was oneonone and this looks way cleaner than
[2:07:23] that was that was uh when they did each municipality individually and I don't
[2:07:29] think the result was what anybody really wanted but it was new we were learning
[2:07:34] and now I think this will be better but so yeah looking for a motion to u be
[2:07:42] part of regional collaboration and send a letter send a letter of support along
[2:07:48] with the grant application and who's handling the grant application northern
[2:07:52] suns >> I think
[2:07:56] we can do that >> okay councelor please makes that motion
[2:07:59] so any questions for clarification on that
[2:08:03] I don't know that we we scheduled the next meeting for early September I
[2:08:07] believe >> we have a whole bunch of doodle pole
[2:08:10] dates pending nothing's been confirmed
[2:08:16] Okay. Any further clarification? If not, all in favor?
[2:08:22] That's carried. Do the next addition.
[2:08:28] So, it's a big long name, the piece regional subdivision development field
[2:08:32] board appointment.
[2:08:36] So, maybe talk to the security. So, they're having some hearing, but there's
[2:08:41] kind of lacking members, right? >> Yeah. This is just a temporary
[2:08:44] appointment of of two members for immediate ones that's available now and
[2:08:49] then also appointing uh for going forward. If you look at the
[2:08:54] second page of the motion, it will actually explain a little bit more.
[2:08:59] So the motion one would be for the for the immediate ones that we so that we
[2:09:05] can uh adjudicate the the
[2:09:11] res00
[2:09:15] the first five and then it would be the second motion would be that council
[2:09:20] approve that following individual member of the original subdivision development.
[2:09:29] If we currently don't have anybody pointed
[2:09:35] think
[2:09:44] one I was on that but I don't know if I still am or not. I don't know if there's
[2:09:47] a expiration date on those or not. love the way it is because I know I took
[2:09:52] the training probably five years ago and it would all be new to me again now
[2:09:57] because I never had to use it to >> but anyway list
[2:10:03] » there's a list >> there there is with the agreement but I
[2:10:07] don't know that's been updated and it's hard to track
[2:10:12] » whether or not all those people are still eligible.
[2:10:15] » That's true. So, what happens is like when we actually there's a bunch of
[2:10:19] problems with this, but um I don't know if they want to get into that now or if
[2:10:25] you just want to >> Yeah, we'll do it this year
[2:10:29] » today and then you can talk about that another time to have a look at that. I
[2:10:32] guess we should try to find out maybe sometime about these two appeal boards,
[2:10:36] this one and the assessment one who if what their roster looks like, right?
[2:10:42] » Yeah. which we had and it should be like my understanding is if your members
[2:10:47] change you should probably advise the other members that are parties to the
[2:10:50] agreement >> right
[2:10:52] » um yeah >> I know Manning and myself took the
[2:10:57] assessment one never did sit in the hearing
[2:11:01] » no there's very few of those um but we are there are a lot more in this one
[2:11:08] » um yeah >> okay so looking for motion
[2:11:12] to appoint uh John Ken and Lyn Coulter as
[2:11:19] temporary
[2:11:22] members of the regional sub field board council deception. All in favor
[2:11:34] the next motion will be to appointed Dorian
[2:11:38] as a member of the app board. for three effective today.
[2:11:47] Make that motion accept motion. All in favor
[2:11:59] [clears throat] next week and that's on subdivision
[2:12:04] assessment. must have an assistant. >> It's been council update.
[2:12:11] » Everybody's off the hook. >> Okay. Uh, next addition was item P on
[2:12:17] citing properties in Northstar. >> Hey, that's me. So, I received a concern
[2:12:24] from a resident right there who lives in the hamlet of North D regarding the
[2:12:29] sighting properties in the hamlet. they can understand how come the county where
[2:12:33] the lights have been taken action on these properties
[2:12:38] have been cleaned up. They've also reported that there's recurring garbage
[2:12:43] in rightways in the hamlet on both side of roads and their families have been
[2:12:48] trying to keep that clean and picking it up and not sure whose responsibility
[2:12:52] which is probably our responsibility to get those of that garbage care up. Um
[2:12:59] they're glad that the county is cutting the grass and maintaining county
[2:13:02] property and they're thank for that. Um I was unable to locate a bylaw for
[2:13:10] unsightly premises. I believe there may be one was a nuisance bylaw that was
[2:13:15] rescended but I'm sorry don't date for that. So just um wanting to find out
[2:13:21] what we are going to do about this.
[2:13:26] Well, I guess maybe you answered one of your questions by law
[2:13:33] to take action. >> Yes and no. Um, so
[2:13:40] councelor Dean is correct. We we at one time had what was called a nuisance
[2:13:44] bylaw included in that. We had references to unsightly premises um that
[2:13:49] just kind of detailed what we could do. That was repealed a number of years ago.
[2:13:54] I don't remember when and I don't remember why. Sometime between when I
[2:13:59] started and now in the last 10 and a half years and I think it was if I
[2:14:04] remember correctly due to just uh I have a bylaws or we got rid of a few. So I
[2:14:09] think that was the same time we got rid of our dog control bylaw.
[2:14:13] » I'm pretty sure it was because we had that noise complaint and we thought that
[2:14:16] we could do it underneath. >> Yeah.
[2:14:18] » For those of the thing and then repeal because there was no enforcement. Um, so
[2:14:22] that being said, that doesn't mean we have no options. The Municipal
[2:14:26] Government Act does provide us the ability to take action. Um, an action
[2:14:34] being advising owners of such properties of what we would like to do to remedy
[2:14:39] the situation and we still can enforce uh enforce by means of actually going up
[2:14:45] to the property and remedying whatever the issue is ourselves. Um the
[2:14:51] complaints so I also spoke to this resident. Um so complaints are I think
[2:14:56] garbage and um unkempt lawn and weeds and one of the properties actually even
[2:15:03] appears to be abandoned. So the doors are wide open currently allegedly. I
[2:15:08] haven't looked personally uh yet. So what what the MGA gives us the power to
[2:15:15] deal with is things that are of a safety concern. So arguably maybe the one if
[2:15:22] the doors are open, we can deal with that. Um probably we can deal with that
[2:15:27] by going and shutting the doors as well. Um I don't think that would be a big
[2:15:32] issue. Um but also the the safety concern is kind of
[2:15:37] broadly described as being detrimental to the value of the surrounding
[2:15:41] properties. So we've historically issued cleanup notices to one of the
[2:15:48] properties that actually two of them I think that are being complained about by
[2:15:52] this resident yet again. Um, so specifically we dealt with the one where
[2:15:58] there's garbage all over the yard. And I can I believe that 100%. Every time I've
[2:16:02] ever looked at this after hearing complaints, they just build up of
[2:16:06] garbage in the backyard, which you can kind of see. We've had complaints about
[2:16:11] that. From just how it looks to how it smells to what if bears come in because
[2:16:15] there's giant piles of garbage in the yard. Um, there are people living there.
[2:16:21] the owner, every time we've contacted them says, "I've I don't own this
[2:16:25] anymore. I've handed it off to I don't remember if it's ex-wife or what it is,
[2:16:29] but messy situation." Anyways, um so we can do that. Um but I don't know if
[2:16:38] council would like to see what these properties actually look like before we
[2:16:42] write such a letter and take action. Um also, if we're going to write that
[2:16:46] letter, I would expect that we follow through with it if nothing happens.
[2:16:51] Otherwise, it's kind of pointless to issue that letter. Um, but something for
[2:16:57] you guys to think about, I guess, and talk about. So, the garbage one thing,
[2:17:02] the unsafe potential of the one, one thing.
[2:17:07] Little bit different when it comes to people's lawns, I guess. But, um, it is
[2:17:13] a hamlet. There are multiple people that complain about this. There are there is
[2:17:17] a group of people that are trying to make this hamlet look nicer and more
[2:17:21] livable. And there are properties and I don't know Brenton, can you drive
[2:17:26] through it too? But there are definitely some that are and I'll say my words
[2:17:30] carefully, but neglected compared to the other ones in terms of their cleanliness
[2:17:36] and aesthetics. That's
[2:17:39] » not there quite a bit lately. and where my son used to live where we handed him
[2:17:45] a letter. >> One of them. Yeah,
[2:17:48] » he got a letter. Um, that place is the best. There's never been anybody in
[2:17:53] there since. And yeah, the grass, the trees, everything are going.
[2:17:57] » Yeah, >> there's a trailer that also belongs to
[2:18:01] the same person. What I There's no one living there.
[2:18:06] » Yeah. >> Yeah. looks pretty crappy looking,
[2:18:10] » which is allowed. You can open places and not live there, but at the same
[2:18:14] time, there's still an expectation that you maintain it.
[2:18:19] » We just don't have a bylaw that specifies, I guess, standards of this.
[2:18:23] So you're you're utilizing the wording of the Municipal Government Act, saying
[2:18:29] the way your property looks is now being complained by neighbors stating that
[2:18:35] it's actually impacting the value of their property. So we would request that
[2:18:40] you mitigate the concerns by whatever the case may be, cleaning up the
[2:18:44] garbage, mowing the lawn, getting rid of the weeds.
[2:18:49] So like you said to send a letter and using MGA as our support was fine but if
[2:18:56] we don't action on it then we'll be the action
[2:18:59] » and I bet I would be willing to bet three of the five they'll probably be
[2:19:02] action on uh two of the five we probably will not have a response on. Right.
[2:19:07] » So then does the county like I know in the urban areas the municipality if you
[2:19:15] don't [clears throat] do something about unload grass or un you know unsafe
[2:19:19] properties, they will do it and put it on their taxes.
[2:19:22] » Yeah, absolutely. And we >> So you do it and bill them and if they
[2:19:26] don't pay the bill, then you can put that on their taxes. So yeah.
[2:19:30] » So would we be prepared to do that when you say question for you guys? You're
[2:19:36] looking at me when you ask that. >> Yeah, I guess I'm asking is a broad
[2:19:39] question, mate. >> And I've got a follow-up question to
[2:19:43] council then. Do you guys want us to create a a bylaw?
[2:19:51] » Call that. >> Well, create a bylaw, but as long as we
[2:19:54] can follow it. I mean >> Oh, absolutely. So,
[2:19:58] » that was absolutely for sure. Something needs to be done.
[2:20:02] » I mean, this would be a bylaw only to hamlets. I mean, we have Dixon Hill and
[2:20:06] we have not >> I would say to Hamlets. Yes. because I
[2:20:10] mean >> there's lots of non- hamlet properties
[2:20:14] that are probably not much better but it's not a not a
[2:20:18] » concentrated population right so >> well the hamlets are look after so
[2:20:24] » that's right we spend money fixing the streets and the sewer and
[2:20:28] » and your your hamlets are essentially little towns right that's that's why
[2:20:32] complaints like this tend to be focused in hamlets is because you have
[2:20:36] » just more people living in come down. >> It's not fair to a resident if you have
[2:20:41] get up every morning and look across the fence instead of pile. It's not, you
[2:20:46] know, there's it's got some >> and also maybe expand this whole thing
[2:20:51] to subdivisions too, not just the hamlets because I mean there's also
[2:20:55] people living in close >> contact with your neighbors over there.
[2:21:02] » Can I just put two cents in this? Yes. >> Because I can see where this is going.
[2:21:06] No. [clears throat] >> Um I mowing the grass.
[2:21:12] If we have to action that that's fine. Collection of garbage. How
[2:21:20] I would be hesitant because how do you know
[2:21:24] a cook what's actually garbage? >> Your garbage is my treasure.
[2:21:29] » Right. That's that's what I'm getting at. So to send some summer students out
[2:21:34] to go and start collecting garbage and throwing it in a dump trailer and taking
[2:21:38] it to Long Lake is all well and good, but if they go and pick up a barbecue
[2:21:46] that looks like it's >> in garbage condition. Well, that's what
[2:21:51] I used to cook my dinner on. Now you took away how I feed myself. But they
[2:21:56] shouldn't be picking up anything that's not on property. If it's on property,
[2:22:01] » okay, I I was talking on >> they're going and picking up garbage on
[2:22:06] on the roads and they're not going >> but if you were going to action us to go
[2:22:13] and collect garbage off of their property or mow their property
[2:22:17] » and and that's where this gets to be sticky. It's fine to write a letter if
[2:22:20] people just listen, but your threat in these letters is we have the authority
[2:22:26] to go in and remedy what we're telling you to remedy, which means that we
[2:22:29] actually have to go do it. Um, which could be I know for one of the
[2:22:34] properties at least is garbage. Um, I think it's mostly just big
[2:22:40] » garbage, but even still, what's what's in there?
[2:22:43] » Well, >> it's gross. [laughter]
[2:22:46] » First of all, I'm not going talking about us picking up garbage along the
[2:22:51] not not on the property. >> We have to do that constantly in all of
[2:22:55] our ditches. >> That's right.
[2:22:56] » That's that's an ongoing. >> Well, they obviously saying that we're
[2:22:59] not doing it enough in Northstar, but
[2:23:03] » So, the complaint isn't about compiling garbage on the property.
[2:23:05] » No, it's that Well, it is about Oh, yes, of course. but also that we're not
[2:23:10] looking after the garbage in our rightways in their among our that was
[2:23:14] another interesting that they go pick it up so that
[2:23:17] » yeah I haven't noticed that as much unless there's some in but
[2:23:21] » yeah anyway we need to do something for sure
[2:23:27] » so do we want to go back and create a policy again or do we want to just work
[2:23:31] off this that the NGA outlines because I mean to create a policy
[2:23:39] it approved. someone be older than when they covered
[2:23:43] the stories. What's the same then? But uh
[2:23:46] » I mean they they were they the resident who you know was she says I I know or
[2:23:52] they said I know they can't possibly maybe all fixed this year but please
[2:23:57] start something so that we can get this uh hamlet cleaned up.
[2:24:02] » But I was al I would also recommend that we do not use our own staff to do that
[2:24:07] and get contractors to do that just for for
[2:24:13] insurance purposes. >> We don't have enough to go around with
[2:24:18] it. >> So for today's purposes and what we want
[2:24:24] to do
[2:24:27] administration look at creating a unsightly premises property bylaw or
[2:24:34] yeah something in Hamlets. >> I wouldn't even just do it in Hamlets.
[2:24:38] your bylaw applies to everywhere. Just your complaints tend to come in handlets
[2:24:43] because that's where there's more people.
[2:24:45] » Um just the MGA2, it doesn't distinguish that just to happen. It's all over the
[2:24:50] place. >> Yeah, I mean we can do what we wanted,
[2:24:52] but this >> my my only issue with bringing back a
[2:24:57] bylaw that is we rescended the one we did have for the purpose that we didn't
[2:25:01] have a bile officer. We still don't have a bile officer. So why would we bring
[2:25:05] something back unless we're going to change what was the reason we canceled
[2:25:08] it in the first place? >> So I think if you bring it back, but
[2:25:12] it's the same thing. We had it with the we used the MGA on the horses in my ward
[2:25:16] and nothing ever got done and the horses are still there. [clears throat]
[2:25:21] » So So we can't bring back something to remedy it if we're not going to change
[2:25:25] what the issue is. So unless we're willing to put a bylaw officer back on
[2:25:29] the the topic with the bylaw, what's the point?
[2:25:33] Well, and we do have a bio officer, >> but I mean, so if the action would be
[2:25:41] » give them a notice, they don't act on it, then the bio officer has the
[2:25:44] authority to send somebody in to do it. We're not going out and giving fines or,
[2:25:52] you know, just the contain responsibility for the
[2:25:58] » Well, it probably would start with a fine and then we will Well, you're not
[2:26:02] paying the parts and you're not dealing up. You're going to clean up your taxes.
[2:26:08] » There'll be an invoice for the work done. I don't think we can issue a fine
[2:26:12] unless we have a bylaw indicating there's fines.
[2:26:15] » That's exactly why. >> Yeah.
[2:26:19] » I brought to your attention regarding the like horses like you're talking
[2:26:25] about. This is on a farm. somebody else's horses are there
[2:26:30] and I was told there's nothing the county can do about it but we can
[2:26:36] contact inspection
[2:26:41] » observe something you know this is getting to be you know I mean it's we
[2:26:47] need to do something like these you know our people are asking us what are you
[2:26:52] guys going to do about this because we >> and I mean and that's exactly Linda,
[2:26:57] right? Like what what are we going to do? But unless we're changing the
[2:27:00] situation and I guess bring it back to a future ordinance meeting and we can hash
[2:27:04] it out there, but at the end of the day, I want the CEO to do a CEO job. I want
[2:27:07] you to be running around being a vile officer. And these are becoming more
[2:27:10] frequent. Like, I'm sorry, Gart, that you might be a great bio officer, but we
[2:27:14] hired you to be a CEO, not chase horses and deal with people's garbage. So,
[2:27:18] » you're not going to buy me a hat for that.
[2:27:20] » No, no. We need you to do your CEO job. So, I mean, I'm fine if want to bring it
[2:27:25] back for another point. for today's purposes. I mean, I'm comfortable like
[2:27:28] we have the MGA to lean on. We can >> Yeah.
[2:27:31] » deal with it right now, but I mean >> Okay. Can I read what I think the motion
[2:27:37] might be? um to acknowledge the receipt of the
[2:27:42] unsightly properties in Northstar report and direct administration to prepare a
[2:27:46] bylaw outlining the uh criteria and process for unsightly properties and
[2:27:53] bring the draft policy to the next ordinance committee meeting for council
[2:27:58] to review.
[2:28:04] MGA
[2:28:08] » not yet discussion
[2:28:13] » notify the property owners
[2:28:20] » and we've historically when we've done this the letter basically so we've we're
[2:28:25] we've received concerns related to whatever the concerns are respecting
[2:28:30] your property located here. We are asking that you do the following to
[2:28:33] remedy. Um please either remedy the situation or respond within 30 days
[2:28:39] failure to do so. We use the word may but may result in
[2:28:44] action of us remedying it which can then be built to you than having to taxual
[2:28:49] inflame language. It sound better than that when I write it. But
[2:28:53] » I have a question. So Cory, you said this person has already contacted or in
[2:29:00] county office, right? >> Yes, of course. So he's probably already
[2:29:05] wrote a letter. >> No, no, no. Um I the first thing I said
[2:29:08] was it's fine for like I had this conversation yesterday so probably not
[2:29:13] urgent enough to add it as an addition from my end but I recommended because
[2:29:16] this is a bylaw we do not have we are limited in our capacity. It would be
[2:29:20] worthy to speak with your counselors about this because it is important for
[2:29:25] you guys to know that >> we do not have a bylaw. This is a
[2:29:28] concern. We do get this kind of complaint quite frequently, especially
[2:29:34] in the summer, right? >> Yeah.
[2:29:38] » I haven't I haven't written one. We had a concern from another neighbor about
[2:29:42] one of these properties a little while ago.
[2:29:44] » Yeah. >> Um as well, which I think we've
[2:29:48] investigated in >> that was like two years ago.
[2:29:51] » No, like a month ago about two years ago.
[2:29:58] You just put on the screen
[2:30:07] » and I'll I'll put it I won't abbreviate it.
[2:30:13] » What? >> Yeah.
[2:30:16] » And maybe a second part of that is you can say we can uh add this to the next
[2:30:24] ordinance meeting for discussion. and make smooth.
[2:30:46] » Okay. So, there's a motion in front of you.
[2:30:51] » Sorry, apologies. That maybe
[2:30:58] That balance
[2:31:13] add what to concern
[2:31:21] » she discussions >> discussions
[2:31:25] Just another one.
[2:31:48] It is section 546 just
[2:31:56] next or meeting that's today and I will put it for future
[2:32:01] » safe to assume you're not going to have it today
[2:32:08] Just unsightly
[2:32:13] [clears throat]
[2:32:32] here.
[2:32:36] Any other discussion? All in favor?
[2:32:43] Any last addition is item two? Council wish to extend
[2:32:51] flowers to former mayor Greg Grrop Tom and the loss of his wife.
[2:33:01] We worked together with Greg for 32 years
[2:33:08] of the community for >> a few decades.
[2:33:23] » What are your thoughts? >> Yes.
[2:33:28] this gesture probably talking 50 bucks or whatever.
[2:33:34] any concerns anybody
[2:33:39] but also
[2:33:45] with >> sorry
[2:33:58] brother. >> Yes. All in favor?
[2:34:03] Let's get through the C report before lunch item 6.1.2.
[2:34:11] » So I attended ICF meeting
[2:34:17] over here
[2:34:23] at the Manning Road.
[2:34:30] And I want to congratulate Charles. You did a good chili there. I don't know if
[2:34:34] you guys tasted it, but not bad at all. Next year we can have a
[2:34:41] internal cook off first and then whoever's the winner is going to be
[2:34:44] representing the county.
[2:34:50] [clears throat] >> Yeah.
[2:34:54] uh met a few times with Brownley for legal issues.
[2:34:59] We had the special council meeting. Uh I attended the AGM for the Chamber of
[2:35:07] Commerce. Uh they were actually very in agreement
[2:35:13] with me on my suggestions. Maybe they should look at hosting the small
[2:35:17] business awards as well as the trade show.
[2:35:20] Small business awards not for this year. It's just to to short a notice or for
[2:35:25] them to take that on but maybe in future they will obviously with some help from
[2:35:30] us but definitely will investigate taking that part over and the trade show
[2:35:36] there was some conversation about the trade show that's sort of falling on the
[2:35:40] same time as the one that's on fair so most of the big ad companies are already
[2:35:46] committed to sponsoring so if we look at alternating the years
[2:35:52] we could potentially get some some bigger exposure or or more funding if I
[2:36:00] can from from some of those is what they recommend we we investigate.
[2:36:06] Uh I attended the heritage tractor parade. That was interesting. Wow. So
[2:36:14] » it's amazing that everything still runs. >> They work on it hard. I think they
[2:36:19] » It is amazing. And um I I was really surprised at how quiet that steam
[2:36:23] engine, but I was expecting a lot of huffing and puffing, but it was actually
[2:36:26] very quiet. Rodney and I met a few times about the
[2:36:31] fire services. Some interesting comments on Facebook is
[2:36:36] what I've been shown. But uh I think uh some of the items that we already
[2:36:42] discussed is some of the capital items that we really need to add for next year
[2:36:46] uh like radios and stuff like that. Um we did the bary
[2:36:53] applications for evaluations of them and then some upcoming meetings
[2:37:00] questions there. Good.
[2:37:05] Any questions? >> Wednesday the 20 June 24th. Do you mean
[2:37:09] August? >> June. Yeah,
[2:37:12] » it's constant
[2:37:15] kind of late. >> I should actually have taken that one
[2:37:18] out. >> It happened on that day.
[2:37:22] » Cut. >> Yeah.
[2:37:26] » Okay. If there was no questions for a motion to accept the single report for
[2:37:31] information. All in favor? carried. Do we want to uh
[2:37:37] break for lunch now before we beat the rush up? Depending on where we go, I
[2:37:40] guess. Can we go to Grims again or what are our choices? Okay.
[2:37:46] » Perhaps quickest. >> Okay.
[2:37:48] » Perhaps that be the quickest >> quickest and broad. So, so if we go now,
[2:37:55] then we might be progressing. It usually is pretty busy there. We got a little
[2:38:00] bit to go through on the agenda. Then we got to move the end of the ordinance
[2:38:03] meeting.
[2:38:06] What is that song?
[2:38:14] » What would you do?
[2:38:18] » So, Terry, we're going to recess the meeting then.
[2:38:20] » Yes.
[2:38:28] You can go
[2:38:32] work. Now move down the bottom of page one of
[2:38:36] the agenda 6.1.5 the most exciting part of the agenda
[2:38:41] finance. >> I know you sounded borderline sarcastic.
[2:38:49] » So I've got a couple of things that I'll have to just add verbally as well. Um
[2:38:53] starting with changing the first one. So you asked earlier about the assessment
[2:38:56] appeal that was all scheduled to go ahead. I'm happy to report that actually
[2:39:01] settled before the hearing. So um >> uh so what that means in plain language
[2:39:07] is assessor and the helenith come to an agreement. Uh there's a revised
[2:39:12] assessment and revised notice that will be issued and we've refunded his uh his
[2:39:17] uh application. So no need to worry about that anymore.
[2:39:23] Um then just an update. It's been a while now, but uh just so council is
[2:39:28] aware in case you hear from anybody, we did have issues with our tax auto
[2:39:32] payment withdrawals this month. Um so by the time we got done, it was 5 days
[2:39:36] later than advertised. Uh everything has been mitigated or fixed, I guess, there
[2:39:42] and don't expect that to happen again. Uh we did I did take a couple phone
[2:39:48] calls though just when people noticed. So I wanted to make sure you guys were
[2:39:51] aware and that we were aware and then it's been fixed.
[2:39:55] Um then I have this is strategic plan review. So thank you guys for again for
[2:40:02] your participation in that. Seems that my to-do list from there is growing and
[2:40:05] we'll continue after we meet again. Um couple things to add now that happened
[2:40:13] while I was on holidays or the first day back actually. One was the change to the
[2:40:17] assessment appeal. The other one, the uh rural renewal stream program is it was
[2:40:24] actually a a finite time that we were signed up as a designated community. So
[2:40:30] that expires here I don't know the exact date but in the coming future. So I've
[2:40:34] been asked to either respond with our interest to continue for a period of two
[2:40:40] years or indicate that we are not willing to continue and just let it
[2:40:44] lapse. Um I just wanted to get council's opinion on that. I continue to get
[2:40:49] requests for letters. Um I've spoke with uh April CEO for the town. They don't
[2:40:56] meet until the end of August. Um but she assured me that she doesn't see any
[2:41:01] reason why they would want to withdraw. I guess that's because we're partnered
[2:41:05] with the town of Manning in this. Um it remains in the same state that it is. So
[2:41:10] we write a letter, we sit there, it waits and it goes from there. The
[2:41:15] province did change slightly what they are doing. So they are now advising us
[2:41:19] how the people from our endorsements that we've provided have been selected.
[2:41:24] Um so I believe we currently sit at 15 of the 17 that we were allocated for the
[2:41:29] year that have actually been put through the rest of the process that is outside
[2:41:33] of my handset which is good. Um and uh so fast food places um
[2:41:44] convenience stores the mill actually has had quite a few uh think four now or
[2:41:50] maybe five even. So, um it remains popular and in the way that I'm treating
[2:41:56] it, it's not too bad. Uh so, what all I need from you guys is just uh I guess
[2:42:02] maybe a motion to continue if that's what you would like to do or if there's
[2:42:05] any concerns we can >> I think it's I mean, as much as it's
[2:42:12] extra in each view, it's it's valuable. I think that uh as we see rural areas,
[2:42:18] you know, declining and we need that workforce, this is just another stepping
[2:42:23] stone for them. And yeah, >> and I will say the people that uh that
[2:42:28] have actually gone through. So I I know a few of them now that have remained in
[2:42:33] touch with me. Um so it's kind of some happy stories. So uh two people now that
[2:42:38] are full-time employees at the mill that are very very thankful for it. Um the
[2:42:43] teacher at the outer colony actually went through this as well. So very good.
[2:42:47] And then another gentleman that works for daycare and out of school care. So
[2:42:51] they're all very happy with how it worked and that they were given an
[2:42:55] opportunity to come here. So >> any from the farming community?
[2:42:59] » Um two maybe three. Um but I haven't been
[2:43:07] in touch with them since the followup. like these guys reach out to me and I
[2:43:11] see them all the time. We had a farm two farm families up in Keg River that that
[2:43:17] um had a candidate that got a letter but I don't know where they're at. And then
[2:43:21] another one I believe in Gary's board. Um same kind of thing. So
[2:43:27] yeah, not as broadly used there. It tends to be focused on your grocery
[2:43:32] stores, your fast food stores, your convenience stores, that kind of thing.
[2:43:38] Uh so yeah, just looking to add that motion if we can. starting to do that to
[2:43:42] us. But if council is in a stream
[2:43:49] uh community designation
[2:43:58] and then the other ongoing projects has been kind of just a copy and paste
[2:44:01] because I on there so that I don't forget and that you don't forget that
[2:44:04] I'm working on them when time permits.
[2:44:09] So they're there just for a teaser, I guess, of what's to come.
[2:44:14] No change to the reckoning culture policy. We have any luck.
[2:44:18] » An expectation maybe. >> It's something that needs to happen,
[2:44:23] though. So, we're going to keep trying. Um, we were kind of told after harvest
[2:44:27] it might be a better time. So, in all honesty, I miss press the pause on that
[2:44:31] until we get >> to September. I guess middle of
[2:44:35] September. >> We have to discuss that because there's
[2:44:38] never a good time, right, to seating time, springing time, it's vacation
[2:44:42] time, it's harvest time, and then it's Christmas time. You know,
[2:44:45] » we're trying to get both the boards together at the same time.
[2:44:49] » Um or just all the members from each fine because they may be here
[2:44:54] regardless. I'll do two meetings. That doesn't really matter. Um it'd be good
[2:44:59] to have them all together at one just so they can cross talk.
[2:45:03] » Happy to do it virtually. We've extended that invite as well. It doesn't need to
[2:45:07] be in person, but the funds get dispersed
[2:45:11] » uh in conjunction with their year ends. So
[2:45:15] » and they're both different, right? >> Yeah.
[2:45:18] » So they they have to complete their fiscal year, do their application as um
[2:45:23] it requires their financial statements, their list of donations they've made and
[2:45:27] proof of filing their actual return. So usually it's one to three months after
[2:45:33] their year end. One is August and the other one was
[2:45:38] » No, that's fine. That just >> maybe that should be contingent on
[2:45:43] » Yeah. >> contingency is the same.
[2:45:46] » Meeting us. >> Well, making it the same would be very
[2:45:50] hard. We'll just >> meeting us.
[2:45:52] » Oh, yeah. [laughter]
[2:45:58] » So, I don't know. We want to bring you We'll maybe just give
[2:46:02] them till fall. see if we can't make something work and if we go through
[2:46:05] another year end where we haven't made any progress maybe we'll put that change
[2:46:09] through and go from there >> or just maybe verbally warn them that
[2:46:14] might be coming and see if that's >> good with you.
[2:46:20] » Uh yeah, other than that if there's any questions but I mean I was gone for two
[2:46:23] weeks out of the office here.
[2:46:27] So if there is no questions, we'll get a motion to accept the director of finance
[2:46:31] update and uh we can roll in the same motion continue with the renewal.
[2:46:37] » Doesn't matter >> if if council is still got a desire.
[2:46:42] » You make that motion.
[2:46:57] She's already got it in there. >> Okay. Any questions? All in favor?
[2:47:03] It's carried. Okay. Year to date budget or report.
[2:47:07] » Yeah. Um, so once again, comments are kind of put on the on the main page. A
[2:47:14] lot of these are just carried forward from previous uh disclosures to you
[2:47:19] guys. Um, as I mentioned just the the first
[2:47:22] one I brought there last meeting was quite detailed. So it was like 80 pages
[2:47:27] long. I dialed this one back just to the department level. So what that does, it
[2:47:33] makes it shorter for the agenda. It still has ultimately all the same
[2:47:37] information, just not as specific. Um, but the comments I did try and keep uh
[2:47:42] as specific as I could. Um, so I'm just trying to think. I don't think there was
[2:47:48] a whole lot that changed between this one and the last one. Um,
[2:47:57] but I am happy to take questions I guess.
[2:48:02] Um, or if you want me to go through them, I can.
[2:48:06] » The water >> the which sorry
[2:48:09] » the water leak.
[2:48:14] [clears throat] >> Um, yeah. So Charles can probably speak
[2:48:17] a little more to that, but that was >> Yeah. So it was not actually water.
[2:48:21] It was a septic issue with our shop. There was a break in the line. The whole
[2:48:28] schmuzzle uh kept freezing off. Uh the solution from the first contractor was
[2:48:38] well just replace the pump. And that did not work.
[2:48:43] Come to find out there was a bit of breaking line froze off. We had to put a
[2:48:47] whole new line from the shop to the CC stream.
[2:48:54] » Yeah, aging work structure maybe quite [clears throat] a while ago. I think
[2:48:58] that was May but >> uh
[2:49:02] a little earlier but often [clears throat] times with
[2:49:05] billing the bills fall over a little while later.
[2:49:13] Yeah, other than that, I don't think there's a whole new block that has
[2:49:17] changed since the last time, which is normal. We're kind of just on the latter
[2:49:22] half of the busiest month. So, the bills for all of the things that happen during
[2:49:26] these busy times kind of come now and in the next month or so. So in your summary
[2:49:32] Josh at the end there the varants is that are those still to be paid or they
[2:49:40] like I just looking at the Manning capital uh 15,000 varants was that just
[2:49:46] kind of a contingency or was that >> um yeah that so that specific item was
[2:49:52] it's always kind of based on things that they think they're going to do but
[2:49:56] aren't necessarily 100% committed from So that's what we've paid so far. Um
[2:50:04] whether or not the remainder will happen, I don't know.
[2:50:07] » Just on that capital one specifically, remember there was a wall that well that
[2:50:11] and there was also the windows in the star center that we eventually replaced
[2:50:15] as part of the other grant. >> Yeah, that might have actually been 15.
[2:50:20] I don't remember off. >> That's fair enough.
[2:50:22] » Yeah. Um the other one, so Peace River ICF, um that was late this year
[2:50:27] actually. So, that's half of it. As you can see, that will be over budget. Um,
[2:50:33] again, it's one of those ones that's kind of tough to budget because we're
[2:50:38] delayed with some year ends in the timing of it. Um, and then they've had a
[2:50:42] quite a significant change in staffing. So, the lady who's looking after this
[2:50:48] right now, this was never her job to do. So, um, she got us the information and
[2:50:52] then I had to follow up and get a release a month later and go, "Was I to
[2:50:56] pay you on that or were you sending an invoice?" And she's like, "Oh, yeah.
[2:50:59] Just haven't had time." So, they finally got the invoice sent.
[2:51:03] Um, and burseries obviously as of now, we physically gave the check to the
[2:51:09] other one. So, those will be there in your next report. Um, miscellaneous
[2:51:14] grants hadn't changed until today, obviously.
[2:51:19] So the supplies from earlier are already ordered. So that'll be impacted in your
[2:51:24] next one as well. >> Okay. Any other questions?
[2:51:31] Not a motion to accept the budget variance report was information.
[2:51:37] All in favor? And then the July
[2:51:43] 26 payment registry. >> Yeah. So, as always, I guess just here
[2:51:47] for your acceptance unless you have any questions
[2:51:52] or required clarification.
[2:51:59] I saw happy to address it if there is anything
[2:52:02] that jumps out.
[2:52:13] M see a motion to accept the payment registry payment
[2:52:19] registry information.
[2:52:27] Thanks Josh. Yes, you're very welcome. >> Uh and then just a quick update I guess
[2:52:32] but uh bank Rex we're a little bit behind on now. I still haven't got
[2:52:36] notification where to apply that last mortgage payment for two. Um, we'll
[2:52:40] probably just allocate that to suspense or something
[2:52:44] so we can carry on and keep that unapplied to uh tax accounts, but
[2:52:49] getting tired of letting that hold us up. We're two months behind now and I
[2:52:53] don't like that. So, >> so fill the agenda up with next meeting.
[2:52:57] » Yeah, those are easy ones. >> All right, page two, 6.3.1, item B is
[2:53:05] the director public works report. Yes, I'm sure. So, as I'm sure a lot of
[2:53:11] you are aware of the rain, it's put a damper on a lot of things. Um, one being
[2:53:17] the gravel hole. Uh, we were expecting to be completed up in Hawk Hills by the
[2:53:23] end of this week, likely going to be end of next week. Now, just obviously read
[2:53:30] the least. Well, that everything's been going on wood very well. Um, this year
[2:53:38] we've actually received more compliments than complaints. So, A++ on that aspect.
[2:53:45] » Is that gravel all coming out of Sunny Valley or is it the SC?
[2:53:48] » Yeah. No, it's coming out of Sun Valley. Uh, Weberville backup generator. Just as
[2:53:55] a bit of an update on this because it's kind of a long drawn out project.
[2:54:00] Um they started in the spring, got all the building wiring done, uh did the
[2:54:06] underground wiring and they completed the pad that the generator will sit on.
[2:54:12] Uh airport crack sealing is probably going to be a little bit after
[2:54:19] mid August because he's also experiencing grain delays in other parts
[2:54:23] he's in. Not a fun time, but uh
[2:54:29] soon hope. Uh we also received our assessments for the two bridge wash outs
[2:54:37] that we are applying through park for funding for
[2:54:42] and that we're waiting to hear back from them. I believe the last email was seen
[2:54:50] then the next grand of this month, >> November 8.
[2:54:55] And one other thing that I'm just going to throw in here real quick because it
[2:54:59] happened this morning. Um, so there's a power blip for some reason that affected
[2:55:06] me nanning all the way down to Dixonville. Uh, there was a loss of
[2:55:10] pressure in Dixonville. One of the pumps didn't kick on. Don't know what. Yes, it
[2:55:16] was reported. Um, and so they had to do some flushing down there. Dixonville
[2:55:23] hamlet lost water for a couple hours. Wasn't anything substantial, but
[2:55:31] should be good to go now. As far as I know, residents have water back. So,
[2:55:36] » yeah, maybe some comments on that. So, we we did get a notification from from
[2:55:41] the environment >> and we not talked about that. I just
[2:55:45] want to I want to talk about it because what we probably need that we'll bring
[2:55:50] to the the budget meeting is to put backup generators in all our pump
[2:55:56] stations and >> bill does.
[2:55:59] » Yeah, but it's not just Dixon. There's also the one
[2:56:05] » the one that was on Josh's line for example. I don't know what different
[2:56:08] that's let's talk about that not in here please. Yeah, we need to get to add it
[2:56:13] to the agenda some capital items for budget.
[2:56:17] » What you need there is body capital.
[2:56:24] Um >> that's it for well for this report
[2:56:27] anyway. >> So I'm also not on your report but just
[2:56:30] any comments on the presentation we had this morning about grant writing like
[2:56:33] for tip and for >> Oh for sure. Yeah. I can touch on that a
[2:56:37] bit because I see it as more in-depth presentation at
[2:56:42] uh water north.
[2:56:46] [laughter] Um it [clears throat] seems decent for
[2:56:51] what he's offering. I mean, at the end of the day, if he's well, if the company
[2:56:58] is willing to for some of these grants do well, you're
[2:57:04] successful, we'll take our 500 bucks. If you get $10,000,
[2:57:11] my eyes are worth it. um depending on what the grant is for. Obviously, you're
[2:57:16] not just going to go right around and apply for solar panels on and everything
[2:57:23] and right like it needs to make sense for
[2:57:28] the municipality. Um I think it's worth administration
[2:57:33] digging into a little more in depth but just kind of wanted him to have a chat
[2:57:40] with you guys and see if there is any appetite for service like that. I know
[2:57:47] stepwise for the bridge um I did I haven't talked to him any further uh
[2:57:54] separate like our current bridge engineers offered to do it for $700. So
[2:57:59] that's $700 that yeah sure they'll do our step application for us
[2:58:07] but they're not guaranteeing anything right. Neither are these guys, but
[2:58:13] they have their finger on the pulse of grants a little more than what Josh or I
[2:58:19] do. And that's that's the big perk with the Michael this morning is that's what
[2:58:26] they're doing. They're talking to the administrators of these grants at the
[2:58:32] federal level, provincial level, and they know what
[2:58:37] they're looking for. like you said, >> them together,
[2:58:41] » which is something I would >> for sure. And I I mean, I'm I'm curious
[2:58:46] if there's if there's anything for, for example, you want to expand distribution
[2:58:52] systems. Is there anything in there to do an engineering study as to where and
[2:58:57] what it would cost? What's what's a approximate construction cost right as
[2:59:02] of right now? I think in 2027 I was reading that
[2:59:07] they're going to bring back some of the water for life stuff. So that might be
[2:59:10] an opportunity to have a good grant writer if they're going to reopen that
[2:59:13] up in 2027. >> Yeah.
[2:59:15] » To look at doing some expansions and things like that.
[2:59:17] » For sure. Cuz I mean and for for myself, I mean, I I do our STP
[2:59:24] applications off the side of my desk and Yeah, sure. I could fill out a form and
[2:59:29] put all the information together, but maybe there's and I we all know it's
[2:59:36] over subscribed. Um, and I've I've preached this, so I'm
[2:59:41] not going to get up on the soap box, but the the rating system and the current
[2:59:46] rating of that blue bridge, for example, is in my and other engineers. Well, I
[2:59:54] shouldn't say other engineers because I'm not an engineer, but in engineers
[2:59:58] opinions is not overly accurate when you look at all of
[3:00:03] the information as a whole. Then you go and you look at what this uh
[3:00:10] structural percentage rating is, which is what they are basing a lot of where
[3:00:15] they're sending this money. >> So you're saying
[3:00:19] » it's actually worse than what they're saying the rating is.
[3:00:22] » For sure. That's why it's not >> getting approved.
[3:00:25] » Yeah. Like it's we trying. >> So maybe these guys have a better angle
[3:00:30] on that than Right. >> 100%. Like and that's that's where I
[3:00:33] think this would be beneficial and the what um the assistance from these guys
[3:00:43] that are doing for example our our engineers go and throw together an
[3:00:48] application for us for 700 bucks. and and they are doing this for other
[3:00:55] municipalities that are potentially getting
[3:00:58] » competing with them, >> right? Like I mean I I look at where the
[3:01:04] money is going and I it's a broken system as as a whole in my opinion, but
[3:01:11] I'm going to get up on my soap box. So like there's all
[3:01:15] » Yeah, I was just going to say and I think there's like a reputation piece
[3:01:17] like I think that they look at it and they go that way because some of some of
[3:01:21] the ones like I know like Green View for example they use associated engineering
[3:01:24] to do their grant writing and they seem to consistently get st grants like and
[3:01:28] maybe it's just lucky maybe their bridges are further like so don't quote
[3:01:31] me on it's just because they're using somebody else to write their grant but
[3:01:34] like I mean we're really up against it. We got some seriously aging
[3:01:37] infrastructure and if it's worth a gamble to have somebody else write it
[3:01:40] then why not right? I I'd like to see it come back on a council agenda and if we
[3:01:44] could get a copy of the slides. I know he said he sent them but then we could
[3:01:47] read through them because he was pretty rushed which I think highlights our
[3:01:51] delegation versus presentation timelines but we could
[3:01:57] » and you did get the full uh the full uh picture on his uh analogy about the
[3:02:04] elephants. >> Yeah.
[3:02:06] » Well, is it it's a little more elaborate presentation of It actually makes sense.
[3:02:13] » He says his presentation is about an hour and he did extend if we as if the
[3:02:19] guys at council wanted to have that full hour, he will be more than happy to come
[3:02:24] back and present the whole the whole thing.
[3:02:26] » Yeah. I mean something our future procedural bylaws when we discuss that I
[3:02:31] guess it's allowing more time for presentations versus delegation.
[3:02:34] » Well yeah I think that we'd have to put it something like that somewhere else on
[3:02:38] the agenda not as a delegation. Yeah. And certainly they'll be able to do
[3:02:42] that, right? Can >> Yeah.
[3:02:45] » Yeah. I think it it the grand scheme though too, I think this is more of a
[3:02:50] presentation that like this. Yeah. Sure. Gets gets the information to council as
[3:02:55] a whole. And in the future, like you said, he's willing to go and have this
[3:03:02] hourlong meeting. Well, whoever's available, this is the time we're doing
[3:03:06] it. It's going to be a teams meeting and let's go.
[3:03:09] » Yeah. Are they are they going to also perhaps be bidding on some of the
[3:03:14] engineering work for those projects though or will they be disqualified if
[3:03:19] they have this as an advantage is the only issue I see because the other their
[3:03:23] competitor that they reference there is not engineers it's just grant writers
[3:03:28] but their fees are quite a bit steeper place with a engineering company to help
[3:03:34] us with the >> bridge bridge wise
[3:03:37] » but I mean we're looking beyond just bridges right I should be looking at all
[3:03:41] sources of >> Yeah.
[3:03:43] » And [snorts] some of them aren't even involve
[3:03:45] engineers, right? I mean, if you want >> may not, right? They could be grants out
[3:03:49] there like these intermunicipal collaboration grants. There's no
[3:03:53] engineering involved there and they'll be successful. Yeah. Usually, but these
[3:03:58] guys could certainly elevate our success rate. Well, and wasn't it ISOL that
[3:04:03] brought forward applying about a green grant or some kind of green
[3:04:06] » that was the green >> program whatever. [clears throat] Yeah.
[3:04:09] » So you and you guys did spend money on that one up to a point but then we just
[3:04:14] arked it. >> Yeah.
[3:04:16] » Okay. Well, thanks for that job. I think I think it's worthy that we will follow
[3:04:20] up with it. >> Oh, I I that's why I kind of brought it
[3:04:24] forward Gar and showed him kind of what what we had seen. didn't mention
[3:04:30] something about paving the street in front of the mayor's house. So,
[3:04:34] » so you're looking to get your uh intro paved there.
[3:04:41] » Yeah. >> Okay. So, any other questions for
[3:04:44] Charles? If not, we'll get a motion to accept the DGW report.
[3:04:52] » Second, councelor Reese. All in favor? Carried.
[3:04:57] And the next item, request for decision on the same subdivision, the general
[3:05:01] ruling. >> Back back to you guys again.
[3:05:05] » Yeah. >> So I I don't know how in depth you want
[3:05:08] me to go back into repeating myself on what we talked about. Okay, Greg.
[3:05:12] » Well, I think you should. >> Okay. Well,
[3:05:15] » we're all thinking the same. >> Yeah. So
[3:05:19] back a while ago there was a subdivision created. Developer agreement got entered
[3:05:24] into uh substantial amount of uh conditions
[3:05:30] within that developers agreements were not followed. Uh we never took ownership
[3:05:36] of the road. The internal roads, they're in very poor condition right now and
[3:05:43] require about $70,000 worth of rehabilitation
[3:05:48] and repairs. Uh council directed us to
[3:05:54] re uh send a letter again to the developer as well as to the residents.
[3:06:00] As of today, I have not received a response from anybody.
[3:06:07] Um, now I'm just looking where to go. What do I do? Do I do I keep grading the
[3:06:14] road? Do I go fix the road? Do I >> But it's not our road.
[3:06:19] » It's not It's not our road. >> Oh, then I think we need to just stop
[3:06:22] maintaining the road, change the labeling in GIS to match accordingly and
[3:06:26] move on. >> Yeah. So, how can we do that? We we've
[3:06:30] got people living there that we're taxing and we're not
[3:06:37] » sorry I I don't mean to cut you off Gary but to that point we also have other
[3:06:41] subdivisions that are in the exact same sorry there's another subdivision in
[3:06:49] that area that we advised against them building
[3:06:54] a road in a certain location. They went ahead and did it. They approach me every
[3:06:59] fall to take the road over and every fall, well I shouldn't say every fall,
[3:07:04] every other fall, I have to send them a letter say no as per our previous yada
[3:07:09] yada. But that's a little different. You're it's it's being looked at now.
[3:07:17] You're dealing with it now. This is like the cat that come and you start feeding
[3:07:22] it and uh and now it's sort of uh there and
[3:07:28] you've got to deal with it, you know, like uh after 14 years,
[3:07:34] it's sort of [clears throat] >> there's so many animal analogies.
[3:07:40] » Um I I do get your point. Yeah. >> Um
[3:07:48] I mean, at the end of the day, I I do what you guys tell me to do.
[3:07:51] » Maybe they will contact him if we don't do the road. They've got nothing. They
[3:07:57] they've got no hold on him. And the only thing that uh there'd be a hold is if he
[3:08:04] come and wanted some more u acreages developed in there that we could, you
[3:08:11] know, hold on them. But these these uh people that are living there really
[3:08:17] don't have anything to stand on, you know, like and we've been doing the the
[3:08:23] work for so long that uh I just don't know where we can sort of drop it
[3:08:30] really, you know, like well I guess maybe let let me use another analogy
[3:08:33] here. Say you're you're you're you're have a neighbor and and you the property
[3:08:39] line is not exactly where you thought and say you've been mowing 20 ft of his
[3:08:42] lawn thinking it's your own lawn and you find out that actually that's his law.
[3:08:46] You keep mowing it. really >> that's not really the same thing
[3:08:53] like you know like I mean they're they're um
[3:08:58] relying on us to to get out and you know you know like stuff like this you know
[3:09:04] like it's and we are charging them for living out there
[3:09:10] I just can't see where we have we can drop it and let them fend for themselves
[3:09:17] » the only thing I'm The road the road isn't the only service that they're
[3:09:20] taxed or paying. >> No, but it's part of
[3:09:23] » Oh, for sure. For sure. >> So,
[3:09:25] » I can just sit all the way around. >> So, so I agree in principle what you're
[3:09:30] saying, Gary. I I get it, too. I mean, put yourself in their shoes, right? You
[3:09:34] bought this in good faithless lot, developed a home there thinking you're
[3:09:38] going to have a road that met county standards or
[3:09:40] » Yeah. >> or the sub the developer, right? And it
[3:09:44] didn't. Now, you're stuck there. So what's the solution though?
[3:09:49] » The developer developer isn't willing to invest any
[3:09:55] more money in it. Doesn't look like right. Have you he reached out to since
[3:09:59] the last meeting? >> Yeah. So I I sent him a letter after our
[3:10:03] last meeting. >> So he's obviously not interested in
[3:10:05] » and and that's not the first letter he's received.
[3:10:08] » No. So the the only additional one that I sent out was to the residents to let
[3:10:13] them know like this is our situation right now because when we found that out
[3:10:18] we have not gone in there with a greater >> because at this point and and
[3:10:26] it's you're you're touching roads that are not yours. Is there the developers
[3:10:31] agreement is that registered on their individual parcels as well or just
[3:10:38] like top?
[3:10:41] » Well, two two comments on that. So the first comment is that if we are going to
[3:10:46] continue grazing those roads, there's some of the other subdivisions that will
[3:10:50] come after us for example flats and those type of that we are waiting for a
[3:10:56] a actual sign off on the on the quality of the roads before we take the roads
[3:11:01] over. And the second part of that is that um
[3:11:09] second one but the first one is is quite important.
[3:11:13] We have we have to keep that in mind. >> Yeah, I know that. And but we can't just
[3:11:20] leave them guys high and dry >> is my point. you know, like
[3:11:24] » maybe what we can do with them is um do a local improvement tax on them to bring
[3:11:30] the road up to standard for once and then take over the road.
[3:11:35] But >> this is a civil matter. This is a matter
[3:11:39] between that that was my point. It was this is a civil matter. This is this is
[3:11:43] between the the current owners there and the developer. We shall not get involved
[3:11:48] with them. Is are we sort of civily or like is there some sort of a um legal
[3:11:59] thing going between us and the developer too that or have we just sort of written
[3:12:04] that off that >> is
[3:12:08] » yeah I well if you look at the agreement we have in place with them that's just
[3:12:14] after the the RF that's the agreement we have with developer that will bring the
[3:12:19] road enough to stand it and then we'll take it over from them.
[3:12:26] » Who will bring up the steps? >> No no no novel
[3:12:30] like you said we do. >> No, we
[3:12:34] have the agreement saying between us and the developer. The other option is is we
[3:12:39] bring it up to standard but that would be a local improvement tax then that
[3:12:43] they can take and sue the the developer for. But then at the end of the day,
[3:12:49] that doesn't solve the problem of us still not owning the road.
[3:12:52] » So, we're doing a local improvement tax on somebody else's road and fixing it.
[3:12:56] And at the end of the day, we still don't own the road. The problem is the
[3:12:59] same. My thought is, I know it's not popular, and I know it's not good, but I
[3:13:03] think we hands off. It's not our road. >> Um, and then maybe that forces the
[3:13:07] developer hand to have to do something for the residents because that's on him.
[3:13:12] » And maybe he's just sitting there in his back pocket thinking, "Oh, there's no
[3:13:15] way the county is going to hold firm. I don't know that, you know, I have no
[3:13:19] idea what >> the residents don't have anything to go
[3:13:21] on. You're right. So, >> and I mean, we've been
[3:13:23] » they need to go after >> charging them, you know, taxes all along
[3:13:29] and uh, you know, like they're they're sort of
[3:13:33] looking at us for, you know, some some part of it. So, I I haven't talked I
[3:13:41] I know one of them personally and I've known the other one or one of two of
[3:13:46] them. I've met and uh I don't know if there's
[3:13:49] an appetite for the the tax like that and what what they
[3:13:56] you know what are the chances of them getting it
[3:14:00] blood out of the stone or you know like who knows but uh uh
[3:14:08] » but just be careful once we approve this one we're going to have kina slats we're
[3:14:12] going to have a lot of them coming after us for the same
[3:14:15] » deal I mean, but it's it's not that we're those other ones. They're still in
[3:14:22] the you know, like we've got we're we're looking at them in the works, but this
[3:14:28] is 14 years past. That's the part that is a little hard to do. Flats is not
[3:14:38] that far off of this though >> because it was one that they kept going
[3:14:43] down and grading and >> Yeah. Yeah. Well,
[3:14:46] » and then when and now in that situation they can't bring the road up to standard
[3:14:52] because they are so tight in there >> that
[3:14:56] » Right. >> Yeah.
[3:14:57] » Um as well as other concerns that we have with building infrastructure.
[3:15:02] » I think I think it's bad all the way around. I mean, you you assume that when
[3:15:05] you buy developed property that it's it's all the tees are crossed and all
[3:15:10] the eyes are dotted and I think unfortunately this just wasn't that
[3:15:13] situation and absolutely horrible and shame on us for all of the amount of
[3:15:18] money and gravel and grading we've done but when we know better you do better
[3:15:21] and unfortunately it's now we know better so now we have to do better and
[3:15:25] it's not our road so I firmly believe that we need to stop
[3:15:31] make sure it's uploaded on GIS and that Everything is good that way and
[3:15:36] hopefully this forces the hand of the developer and this gives those residents
[3:15:40] some leverage because they'll have an like our motion to go on that it's not
[3:15:44] our vote. This is our decision and maybe it'll give them something to fight with.
[3:15:49] » They will have to at least enforce
[3:15:58] decides that's >> and a letter is better for our benefit
[3:16:01] too, right? because then we can say that we discussed it and this is the
[3:16:03] decision. >> Yeah.
[3:16:04] » So just as a point of interest, I've never seen this road here. You've seen
[3:16:09] it and you've seen it. Well, how bad is it? Like they actually live to the point
[3:16:14] can't travel it or you said put mats at one point.
[3:16:17] » They Yeah, it seems in really wet years we have to go to extraordinary measures.
[3:16:24] We dumped pet run in there. We put because it's built on top, right? That's
[3:16:29] what it was built out of. I shouldn't say top soil, black dirt,
[3:16:34] » clay, >> organic material,
[3:16:35] » right? So, we've been dumping pit run 440. One year they had to do rigmats
[3:16:41] just so that people can get in and out. So, that's that's why the c like it's
[3:16:47] not just like doing a quick little shoulder pull on
[3:16:51] » whatever it is 400 meters of road. No, this is a full remove and rebuild
[3:16:58] because you just can't build on that kind of material.
[3:17:03] » Well, which is why I mean it's just passenger traffic and it's pushing it
[3:17:07] out. >> Yeah.
[3:17:09] » Yeah. So, there's not much per for body there. So, I'm sure it's crossing a
[3:17:15] swamp like it's just like a wound >> Oh, yeah. And I and I that's that's 100%
[3:17:21] what I um my understanding is how they build that out cuz they dug the ditches
[3:17:27] out, flopped that material uh balloon stuff um into the structure
[3:17:36] of the road and slaps some gravel on it. Hey county, come and deal with us.
[3:17:43] And I don't get me wrong, I I don't want it to be this way, but I also don't feel
[3:17:48] that the residents of the county that should be on the hook for $70,000 worth
[3:17:54] of repairs to a road approximately, I keep saying 70, that's an approximate
[3:18:00] number. Um that somebody who entered into an
[3:18:05] agreement with us and said, "Yeah, no, we are going to follow steps XYZ." and
[3:18:10] then didn't and turned around and went, "Okay, see you later." And then
[3:18:15] somewhere down the line, a greater operator with good intentions started
[3:18:20] grading it and then it just kind of snowballed from there. Right.
[3:18:26] So, it we have no legal uh legally we don't
[3:18:33] have uh anything to go after. It's it's got to be the the
[3:18:38] » No, we we don't own it. We don't we've never taken possession of it. So,
[3:18:44] » but I mean he's not upholding his end of the agreement with the county by not
[3:18:50] developing road to the standards, right? So,
[3:18:53] » 100%. Yeah, there's a fair amount of clauses in that agreement that you
[3:19:00] » answer's question. >> We do have, you know, if we wanted to,
[3:19:04] not saying we want to, but we could say that he's in breach of his agreement by
[3:19:08] not in the opening road to standards. >> I don't know what
[3:19:18] » this and throughout this while I was reading that I was I can't figure out
[3:19:23] why they the red loss in there. >> Oh, that was just to bring your
[3:19:28] attention to it. They're orange. Actually, it was just my orange
[3:19:30] highlighter. >> Why would they do that?
[3:19:34] » No, I sat there because I I kind of prefer to read on paper. So, I was just
[3:19:39] sitting there with my highlighter. >> Okay.
[3:19:44] » Well, I guess I will put the motion on the floor and be the bad guy. Um, and
[3:19:50] direct administration or public work.
[3:19:54] » No, direct administration. >> Uh direct administration to cease
[3:19:58] maintenance on the Sims subdivision internal road. Does it have a number?
[3:20:03] It's not a road. >> No.
[3:20:05] » Um uh going forward and um send letters
[3:20:17] » well.
[3:20:22] Case cease maintenance.
[3:20:29] » Let me know when you're cut
[3:20:44] maintenance on the Sims internal subdivision
[3:20:48] on the Sims subdivision internal road. Maybe we should call it.
[3:20:53] » You can give the legal part of so to if you want to give
[3:20:59] » uh Yeah, we can actually put that. So whenever you're ready for the legal,
[3:21:05] I can give it to you
[3:21:09] on southeast 22 8422 west meridian
[3:21:17] » and send correspondence
[3:21:25] to residents and developer regarding council's decision
[3:21:39] » regarding council's decision
[3:21:55] Well, do you want to put in there to cease maintenance and or to
[3:22:01] » Yeah.
[3:22:07] » and direct administration to cease maintenance on SIMS? Um because it's not
[3:22:12] listed in our GIS, is it? Uh, well, it has been.
[3:22:17] » Okay. >> But I will take that out of the G.
[3:22:19] That's not an issue. >> Just I'm thinking like if somebody logs
[3:22:22] into our public JS, they're going to see the level of service.
[3:22:26] » No, it'll be done. It'll be taken off like
[3:22:29] » 30 seconds. >> You know, I'm just trying to think of
[3:22:32] where people might see it where it would be different.
[3:22:34] » Oh, it'll be changed here ASAP. Maybe Jessica already described the
[3:22:44] the the legal part of Southeast
[3:22:50] that's described in the survey. So >> yeah,
[3:22:57] » okay. >> Okay. A chance to read that. I'll take
[3:23:01] it. Thank you.
[3:23:09] children.
[3:23:20] » See, pick it up. [laughter]
[3:23:28] » He's phonetically stol like spaghetti. Got to add extra.
[3:23:37] Okay, everybody had a chance to read that sense. Any final clarification?
[3:23:45] » Decision. >> All in favor?
[3:23:55] » Thank you, councel.
[3:23:59] » I'm on the fence and I I I can see both sides. Just
[3:24:04] » who wants to mash up the cat gets bad? >> Yeah. Sorry.
[3:24:09] » Okay, we can move down to services appointment or summer best inspector.
[3:24:21] » I could do my best impression, but I'll just stay in my place.
[3:24:28] » This is a pretty straightforward. >> Oh, yeah, it is. So we just we had a
[3:24:33] previous weed inspector left us early. So we would just like to appoint Ava
[3:24:39] Pepis as the replacement we inspector.
[3:24:45] » Okay. Councelor Deck moves that we appoint Ava Pepkus as a replacement weed
[3:24:51] inspector for the summer of 2026.
[3:24:57] All in favor? It's carried.
[3:25:04] It's already this meeting. Uh board and committee reports are there for your
[3:25:09] review. Any comments coming out? Otherwise, get a motion to accept them.
[3:25:20] Sorry, I forgot to put my upcoming meetings for the next month.
[3:25:28] I get it. >> Okay. Looking for a motion to accept the
[3:25:32] reports. [laughter]
[3:25:37] » Helping decorate together.
[3:25:53] Thank you. All in favor
[3:26:00] info package and then discussion coming out of it.
[3:26:14] a lot later.
[3:26:19] Okay. Motion to accept the info package of information.
[3:26:26] All in favor
[3:26:37] » that's just on our daily. It's just gone about half this meeting.
[3:26:43] » Yeah. And also got some clarification on anything or
[3:26:48] » Yeah. So the meeting is cancelled on August 25th.
[3:26:53] » Cancelled. >> Yeah,
[3:26:54] » that's true. That's right. >> And and the ribbon cutting in Fairview.
[3:27:00] » I'll have to see if I can do that. It looks like
[3:27:06] » that' be a good news story. Well, I just said Fairview is out of my coverage
[3:27:10] area, so we'll have to have a conversation.
[3:27:13] » Fairview.
[3:27:17] We got two. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The the one I'm
[3:27:20] going to in Dixon for sure. >> Oh, it's fair. You're not sure about it.
[3:27:23] Yeah. >> Yeah.
[3:27:24] » Okay. >> Um, so who's engineering the call to
[3:27:27] action letter? I I um I saw that the letter is is a sign, but I'm wondering
[3:27:32] is it the National Police Federation? >> Yes, that's right.
[3:27:35] » Okay. Um, Linda, you you expressed some
[3:27:39] reservations about Korea. However, you didn't support Brent's motion. Okay. Can
[3:27:44] you um sort of express your concerns about Bria?
[3:27:48] » The way I feel is that I think a little louder, please.
[3:27:53] » Okay. The way I feel is that I think that we should be looking at other
[3:27:58] other economic developments. >> Yeah.
[3:28:02] » That's all with with the committee. I think they should also be like you said
[3:28:08] solar panel or I don't care just we should be looking at other things too
[3:28:13] because that's what was important to me. >> Do you you want creating sound in the
[3:28:18] larger picture? Are you aware of any? >> Yeah.
[3:28:22] » Well, I can find you a few and let you know
[3:28:28] » because there's been a few people said they they wanted to bring stuff here.
[3:28:34] had any I don't know communication about that asking to show me that
[3:28:41] » to see that was I heard everything council
[3:28:43] » yeah I know you do yeah >> right you know I had here call me the
[3:28:48] other day why aren't we advocating for natural gas well
[3:28:51] » what so I said well number one we don't we're not advocators for it and number
[3:28:55] two there's been nobody to date has brought anything forward right I mean
[3:28:59] everybody has all their own ideas and motions and that's great but uh I know
[3:29:04] the council supported one of Mr. Nell's benches with a motion and a letter of
[3:29:10] support. >> I don't know the carbon capture thing.
[3:29:14] » I don't think anything happened. >> Never heard.
[3:29:20] » Yeah, we sent a letter of support from the
[3:29:26] » No, from council. >> He never asked.
[3:29:30] » Anything else? >> Yes. Uh, who from council is attending
[3:29:34] the rebel cutting induc.
[3:29:39] » All right.
[3:29:44] » Okay. >> And also Brenda.
[3:29:48] » Brenda. Yeah, of course. >> We assume and she runs here, but be
[3:29:53] surprised if she doesn't. She's on the board and
[3:29:58] » Yeah. Okay. Dad, do you It's Yazinski, Dean, Beast, and Uh re will be going to
[3:30:04] the Dixonville ribbon cutting. >> All right.
[3:30:10] Feel like I'm jumping into a whirling cauldron of
[3:30:14] » how how many people does the road in the distance since subdivision serve? Is
[3:30:19] that three residents? >> Yep.
[3:30:20] » Yep. >> And that's that's a 400 meter road.
[3:30:24] » Uh approximately it's a T road, right? So it Yeah. runs east,
[3:30:30] west, and north, south. >> And it's it's in the Weberville area.
[3:30:34] That's north of Range Road 222. >> Uh it's actually off of Range Road 222
[3:30:41] west to the west.
[3:30:54] » Anything else? >> Yeah. Weed inspector.
[3:30:57] Let's talk about the weed inspector. How did they do their inspection?
[3:31:02] Do they drive around and take a look or do they just go by
[3:31:08] little make little
[3:31:13] the inspectors are also fired? >> They
[3:31:18] » So then what are they doing with the organic forms like a lot of those fields
[3:31:23] of solid thistle wall to wall? There's going to be a war out there pretty soon.
[3:31:28] because they just blow that seed all over the place.
[3:31:32] » It's not obnoxious. >> You can call it whatever you want to. It
[3:31:37] was on the obnoxious list and we took it off.
[3:31:40] » We don't we prophet. >> Well,
[3:31:50] control it all the time. Yet they're not.
[3:31:52] » Degan Degan Scott. Is her egg field? She's having done
[3:31:58] » who? >> Degan Scott.
[3:32:01] » Is her egg field? >> No. No.
[3:32:04] » Well, her guard's there. She's out spraying actually today. That's why I
[3:32:08] had to appoint her inspector. So, her guards up the front table.
[3:32:16] Another one is uh all this land that's being cleared and the stuff that's being
[3:32:21] cleared around the creeks. I understood that they couldn't clear all the brush
[3:32:25] around the creeks and I know in some land there are the
[3:32:30] one in west and north star that those guys cleared. They cleared everything.
[3:32:34] They even got that trackco stuck in that creek a couple times. Now, I don't know
[3:32:40] if anybody is looking at it from from the county of Northern Lights or we got
[3:32:45] to get a hold of oceans and fishies. So, Alberta environment
[3:32:51] » Alberta environment would be all that. >> I'll get you a phone number.
[3:32:55] » Okay. Because they were never supposed to cut all
[3:32:59] their own creeks [clears throat]
[3:33:03] from what I understand. If they change the laws, we should they should know
[3:33:07] about so we can start tearing some more brush out
[3:33:14] because that's
[3:33:17] not right. Somebody's going to get played out again here pretty soon.
[3:33:25] » Good. Everything else? Go ahead. >> Yes.
[3:33:28] » Phil, before you start, let's go over some ground rules. We had a discussion
[3:33:33] about this open session and uh got some concerns about some of the things that
[3:33:39] had here. First of all, you may not be aware of this, but the municipal
[3:33:44] government act does not mandate that we have an open session. We do this as a
[3:33:48] courtesies to our residents. Now, you've made some comments over the last few
[3:33:53] months that are we feel across St. For example, you've called people parasites
[3:34:00] here. the last meeting you made a curved remark about people pulling the pants
[3:34:05] down. Okay. So, if you go to a bar and a restaurant and
[3:34:11] you make comments like that and you've also uh alluded to the fact that give
[3:34:18] question council's confidence and things like that. So, appetite for this is
[3:34:24] getting pretty slim. So, the chair can shut down the floor at any point. you
[3:34:29] start crossing the stuff. Now, if you got something pertinent on the agenda to
[3:34:33] deal with, that's fine. But, uh, some of this other stuff, uh, you're on notice,
[3:34:38] though. Not good with So, go ahead.
[3:34:43] Okay. Well, I'll say what I got to say, and if if you don't like it, stop me.
[3:34:47] But I think it's my right as your boss to tell you what I think about how
[3:34:53] you're doing your job. So number one, I I understand at the start of each
[3:35:00] meeting you do this land acknowledgement and to me it makes no difference, but I
[3:35:05] get I have the feeling you should also make
[3:35:09] an announcement that you are spending rateayers money
[3:35:15] and every time you do I see in the paper all the time it says council grants
[3:35:22] that should be changed to rateayers grants.
[3:35:25] It is our money that you are giving away. It's not your money. Council has
[3:35:29] no money. It is all of our taxpayers. Number two,
[3:35:36] I thank you for having the right payers. I know we have to fraud you quite a bit,
[3:35:42] but I'm really glad you did. They were really good. The only concern I have Oh,
[3:35:48] I'm not sure if Linda meant this. I got to clarify this. [laughter]
[3:35:53] I think I was mentioned in her report in a roundabout way as a regular attendee.
[3:36:00] I've never been referred to that as before, but I think that's me.
[3:36:07] Uh somewhere along the line, and you may
[3:36:12] take offense to this, you guys believe in democracy because
[3:36:17] you were voted again by the people. Then once you're in there, democracy
[3:36:23] seems to go out the window. We've had this discussion. Brand said
[3:36:29] because I I disagree with you guys giving away money. And he says, "Well,
[3:36:32] we're representing people who want to give away money." In the last 5 years, I
[3:36:36] can only remember council asking us, the rateayers, three questions.
[3:36:43] One was, "Do you want nuclear power?" And you prefaced it by saying, "No
[3:36:48] matter what you say, it's nonbinding. and we voted no we don't. Number two was
[3:36:54] do you want more information? And the majority of people voted for more
[3:36:59] information and you guys count that all the time. You need more information.
[3:37:03] You've been going to meetings for 2 years
[3:37:07] and Priya has not answered one question. You have not given us any information
[3:37:13] whatsoever. So why are you continually going to these meetings to gather
[3:37:18] information to give to the people but you claim voted to get information but
[3:37:23] you're not giving us any information about this whatever Priya is doing and
[3:37:29] looking into this nuclear power plant. And the third thing you asked was what
[3:37:34] should we do with the ice rank in Northstar? Five people responded
[3:37:40] something as simple as that. You need to ask people's questions, but all this
[3:37:44] other stuff just goes un unovered.
[3:37:51] I pay approximately $1,000 a year taxes to the county.
[3:37:58] County spent approximately, well, they did $1,000 on pink t-shirts
[3:38:04] for the bullying campaign. I noticed in the package today, I looked
[3:38:09] at the packages. Nobody on the float wore their pink
[3:38:13] t-shirts. So I'm thinking I paid my taxes. You guys took that thousand
[3:38:18] bucks, bought the t-shirts. There, my money's all gone.
[3:38:24] » We wore blue ones because it was >> for the
[3:38:28] » pink was for another thing. Pink was for >> antib.
[3:38:39] And those t-shirts are here for anybody else.
[3:38:43] » I'll wear mine next to me, too. >> Okay.
[3:38:46] » Uh I I appreciate your word reports and
[3:38:52] telling you all the meetings you go to, but I still don't feel that I'm getting
[3:38:57] information in the reports of what information you gathered at each
[3:39:02] of these meetings that is helpful to me as a rank picker. Like the report says,
[3:39:07] "I went to this meeting and we had a great time and we learned something."
[3:39:10] What did you learn? What did you bring back to council to make a better
[3:39:14] decision?
[3:39:19] Um, this I don't I'm not under not sure what happened and Linda may understand
[3:39:26] when when we had the the meeting in Keg River, every time I look on the
[3:39:31] schedule, it seemed to be changing from day to day. It was the 21st, then it was
[3:39:36] the 17th, and it was really confusing. And I don't
[3:39:40] know what happened there, but I just thought I'd bring it up in case nobody
[3:39:43] else noticed that. And I almost missed it cuz the the calendar said a different
[3:39:48] date than when it actually happened. So, I know you guys are working on the
[3:39:52] calendars. So, that would be nice to have.
[3:39:57] So, and again, you may not like this one. I've sat in now the meeting since
[3:40:03] first this year and I've watched you guys as you have your meet
[3:40:09] and I can tell for the most part most of you do not read this package before you
[3:40:15] come to the meeting because when you start discussing it the
[3:40:21] answer is usually in the in the package and you're asking the question and the
[3:40:25] answer was there you would have read and that is really disconcerting when your
[3:40:30] policy states, you are getting paid $1,600 a month to be prepared for the
[3:40:36] meetings.
[3:40:39] It only takes me an hour to read this whole stinking package. You guys are
[3:40:43] getting paid 1,800 bucks when you do two or three meetings. But anyway, that's
[3:40:47] just and it's it just frustrates that so much time is wasted reading their report
[3:40:54] like Charles reads his report. You guys can just Yep. I approve it because you
[3:41:00] already read it. >> Not everybody has a copy of the what we
[3:41:03] get. So that's why sometimes these guys report say what they put in their
[3:41:08] report. Not everybody is gets online or gets the the minutes given to them
[3:41:14] before the meeting. >> The only way I I every Friday I go on
[3:41:19] the computer and there's the minutes the whole package is there.
[3:41:24] » There's a lot of people that cannot even look at. Well, that's that's neither
[3:41:29] here nor there. And then this one I only got a bit left but
[3:41:33] » well >> this one really
[3:41:38] during the rate payers meetings there was questions about nuclear quite a bit
[3:41:43] and today nuclear and questions were brought up about PRIA and it's really
[3:41:48] disconcerting that when a question is asked about Priya Ry who is also the
[3:41:54] chairman of Priya pretends he knows absolutely nothing about what's going on
[3:41:59] in Priya. And we've had comments, well, we're just
[3:42:03] two people that get to vote in it and we really have no say on what happens in
[3:42:08] PRA. If you don't know what or you don't have a say in Pria, why are you even
[3:42:13] there? Because the people already said, we don't want nuclear, so why are you
[3:42:17] there?
[3:42:21] Uh Gary just made the comment, how can you leave the people in Sims high and
[3:42:25] dry after you've been looking after them for 14 years? Just at a previous
[3:42:30] meeting, you made a motion to stop snowplowing private driveways, left
[3:42:36] everybody high and dry, and there was lots of complaints about that. And have
[3:42:40] you done anything about that? No. But so you leave people high and dry all the
[3:42:45] time. Thank you.
[3:42:50] [clears throat]
[3:42:53] And so decisions on locations don't know that
[3:43:00] » I guess the decision kind of made during the report was it was probably
[3:43:05] » yeah motion that I like if you just
[3:43:11] it'd be kind of nice to come to my to engage with them a little
[3:43:15] more >> have the full have the full
[3:43:17] presentation. >> Yeah. Or Yeah. If you want us to set a
[3:43:21] full presentation, it can obviously virtual works best for him.
[3:43:27] » Yeah. >> In would we be able to fit it in a
[3:43:30] regular meeting? >> I don't think we should do it during a
[3:43:33] regular meeting. I think it's more you guys would given the broad scope of it.
[3:43:38] » It's an hour long like >> Yeah. I mean, if if his presentation is
[3:43:43] an hour, we probably got another hour of question and answers.
[3:43:47] » Well, that's just it, right? question answer.
[3:43:52] » Everybody's stopped here. >> So maybe we should do it as a meeting
[3:43:57] because they are disclosing some of their intellectual property during the
[3:44:01] presentation and I don't think it would be appropriate if we actually broadcast
[3:44:06] that because remember we are saving a copy of the council meeting online.
[3:44:10] » So I recommend we do it as a meeting. They send us a meeting request. We all
[3:44:15] go online virtually and listen to what they have to say about how they actually
[3:44:19] prepare and improve their >> put it on the agenda for regular
[3:44:23] meetings which is just >> just a separate meeting.
[3:44:27] » Yeah. But they landed on something >> to me already kind of gave his spiel. So
[3:44:33] all we need to do is ask questions about more questions than what we did. Now
[3:44:39] » I don't know if that's true. Well, there there's questions that I have for him
[3:44:43] that I'm not going to ask in public because similar
[3:44:48] » this this presentation I based on what we've seen so far is going to be a lot
[3:44:53] of it you know like an FCM oriented that's not really
[3:44:57] » not really what should be free money right
[3:45:05] » yeah well we call it free money but >> yeah our focus is more on the stick end
[3:45:10] of That's me, not the thorough. >> Well, that's probably the primary one,
[3:45:14] but I think we should >> Yeah,
[3:45:15] » a little more broad thinking. You know, there could be other things.
[3:45:18] » I think I think they have a fairly good, like I said, finger on the pulse of what
[3:45:23] is out there. What's coming up? Is there water for life stuff coming up? Is there
[3:45:30] there might be lots of other things coming up that we don't know about?
[3:45:34] » Taking on fire services. Maybe there's something relevant to that, right?
[3:45:37] » Yeah. >> So,
[3:45:39] » I I agree. I think I think we need to have a separate meeting because I don't
[3:45:42] think it got a fair shake today. It was a very rushed presentation and it was
[3:45:46] hard to digest and keep up and I would like the opportunity to read the slides
[3:45:49] and hear the whole thing to make no dorm decision not based on a 15minute crown
[3:45:55] it in. >> So councelor Deck has made a suggestion
[3:45:58] and I don't know what the administration thinks but we plan a meeting on the 18th
[3:46:02] to complete our strategic plan review. Would that allow us time for that as
[3:46:06] well? We we'll all be gathered anyway because we're halfway through that
[3:46:12] strategic plan stuff, right? We're not there's only I think three items left.
[3:46:16] » We're all literally all >> and we're starting at 9 that morning. So
[3:46:20] maybe by noon we're done or talk
[3:46:25] » and then we can schedule associated see if that works for Mike if he's
[3:46:31] available on Jess's number and his email so she can coordinate after you guys.
[3:46:38] » Yeah. >> And if not then obviously
[3:46:43] » my be nice to kind of kill two birds, right?
[3:46:46] » For sure. >> I mean,
[3:46:50] yeah, you want me to just reach out and see if he's available.
[3:46:55] » Okay. So, that would be no decision from delegation then other
[3:47:00] than that. Do you want do you need a motion to
[3:47:04] direct you to go ahead and reach out to him and schedule that?
[3:47:08] » No. >> Well, I'm saying yes on saying no. All
[3:47:11] we need >> I don't think we do. You just said yes.
[3:47:18] » But it's a decision. >> No. No. I'm mute on this one. I have the
[3:47:21] motion here, but I can easily just >> I'm just thinking everybody keeps saying
[3:47:27] that we're not letting people know what we're doing these guys and
[3:47:33] give them give us a presentation. So, I think we need a motion.
[3:47:36] » I'll put the motion on the floor that we have administration reach out to
[3:47:39] associate engineering and see if they can coordinate a virtual meeting on the
[3:47:42] 18th following our strategic plan. And if not, let us know how many dates.
[3:47:49] I would say following just say that date maybe they're all available online
[3:47:56] be flexible. Okay. All in favor
[3:48:02] we got a couple items. Do you want to have a quick break before we head into
[3:48:05] them? How long it going to take? >> One is
[3:48:09] » pretty quick. >> And then the other one is pearls.
[3:48:12] Pearl. How long do you think your hand will take?
[3:48:15] » Five 10 minutes. Oh, >> let's follow through.
[3:48:22] » We just need
[3:48:27] people.
[3:48:37] If you have problem subdivision for example
[3:49:06] separate
[3:49:17] like too crazy
[3:49:27] for garbage. Well, I didn't
[3:49:35] tell
[3:49:39] the same color of the fish.
[3:49:47] Just
[3:50:08] » mention
[3:50:14] how confident are you at I don't think I heard that nice
[3:50:20] » voice
[3:50:28] council grants one asking that
[3:50:32] » this is >> how long has it been called council
[3:50:34] grants >> this is from group five plus years yeah
[3:50:39] I can't speak to it >> no but it council was on there he was a
[3:50:44] » when Jim was on there with and lay at council gas.