[26:37] Okay, good morning everyone. We'll get
the uh
[26:42] July 21st council meeting underway here.
Uh any additions to the agenda,
[26:48] councelor Cunningham. So I will add
under close session intergovernmental
[26:53] relations ATIa section 26
and I will also add under council
[26:58] committee ports division 5 update
please.
[27:04] » Uh councelor
Anderson
[27:07] » I'd like to add for division one u uh
a thank you from the hesus uh community.
[27:18] » Okay. Uh, councelor Olsson.
>> Yeah, I'd like to uh add under uh the
[27:24] council and committee reports division 4
report and also uh for the
[27:31] summer tour.
>> Any other counselor or uh go ahead
[27:39] » um administration would like to add
third party business um ATI section 19
[27:43] to the agenda. Okay.
[27:51] Everybody's okay with that?
[27:59] » Councelor Hopkins.
>> That being said, I'll make a motion that
[28:03] we approve agenda as amended.
[28:10] » Any concerns or questions? All in favor?
Carried.
[28:18] That takes care of the adoption of the
minutes or the agenda. Uh approval of
[28:23] the council meeting minutes of the June
23rd. Anybody had a chance to go over
[28:28] them? I didn't see anything pressing
myself.
[28:33] Any errors or omissions?
[28:38] Councelor Olsson,
>> I'd make the motion that we adopt the
[28:44] minutes of uh June 23rd.
[28:49] Any uh questions or concerns on that?
All in favor? Carried.
[29:02] Okay. Uh let's go to 4.1.
[29:13] Good morning.
>> Good morning, Reef, members of council.
[29:19] This morning, I bring forth um a an RFD,
but more for information and questions
[29:24] if council has has any on the EPR
program. uh it's the phase two that is
[29:31] coming up and it's uh mostly involving
the curbside recycling collection.
[29:37] So the extended producer responsibility
regulation is underneath the
[29:40] environmental protection enhance
enhancement act through the provincial
[29:44] government. Um it basically is a
regulation that transfers the
[29:47] responsibility for managing uh
designated recycled materials such as
[29:52] packaging paper products from the
municipalities and onto the um design
[29:58] onto the uh producers.
Um the middle person or the pro as they
[30:03] call them is circular materials. Uh it's
a non national not for-profit producer
[30:08] uh responsibility organization which is
the or the pro producer responsibility
[30:13] organization and they're responsible for
implementing Alberta's residential
[30:18] recycling program. The EPR is uh being
implemented in phases across Alberta.
[30:24] Phase one focused primarily on the
depot's collection and not uh and did
[30:29] not materially change the level of
service already available at at our
[30:33] Nehill County transfer sites. Phase two
though represents uh the more visible
[30:38] service change for Neihill County
residents as uh they will be eligible
[30:43] for curbside recycling collection within
our hamlets. Um the new uh collection
[30:49] will start October 1st, 2026 and each
resident within the hamlets will receive
[30:55] a recycling cart. Um for this
the phase one of the program, it was
[31:01] implemented in 2025 and included Neihill
County transfer sites as rural depots.
[31:06] Um there wasn't much change in this. Uh
they pretty much kept what was there.
[31:10] So, at our transfer sites, we collect
cardboard, paper products um at all of
[31:16] our sites except for at Three Hills, we
do have a single stream recycling bin
[31:21] that can be used for plastics, um
plastics, paper, and that sort of thing
[31:26] as well.
[31:30] Phase uh phase two of the CPR program,
as I mentioned, begins October October
[31:35] 1st, 2026, and introduces that curbside
collection services. Um
[31:46] so basically to be eligible for this we
did have to provide uh curbside garbage
[31:51] collection in these urban facilities
which we've been doing for many years.
[31:55] So they were um placed into this phase
two.
[31:59] This phase two residents will be able to
place a wider v variety of recycling
[32:03] into these bins. Um, not only will we be
just be taking cardboard and paper and
[32:08] some plastics, but now um quite much
quite uh oh man, I'm trying to lose my
[32:14] things here, but a broader range of
recycling products. Uh like we weren't
[32:19] able to take a lot of the plastics, but
now we'll be able to take the plastics.
[32:22] We'll be able to take glass containers,
foam packaging, um cardboard, metal,
[32:27] metal containers, and everything else
inside these carts as well as our single
[32:30] stream bin at the Three Hills transfer
site will also be able to accept this um
[32:34] expanded material list.
So, the Nihill County communities that
[32:39] are included in this phase 2
implementation of curbside recycling are
[32:43] are the hamlet of Huxley, Sunny Slope,
Swallwell, Torington, and Wimbornne.
[32:49] These are selected because they were the
communities that were receiving the
[32:52] curbside garbage collection.
The EPR curbside recycling program
[32:58] applies only to eligible residential
premises. Commercial, industrial,
[33:02] institutional and community use
priorities properties um even if they
[33:06] are currently participating in the
Hamlet Gurbside collection will not be
[33:10] uh part of this recycling. Um through
the mandate through the Alberta
[33:14] government, it is residential only. um
anything other than non-residentials,
[33:19] they'll be responsible for arranging
their own recycling services such as
[33:23] using our transfer sites or one of the
other depots around.
[33:28] Alternatively, um as I said, since
non-residential properties are
[33:32] responsible for their own,
alternatively, the county could consider
[33:35] providing a separate service. However,
that service would fall outside of the
[33:39] EPR program and any cost associated it
would be the county's cost.
[33:47] So specific for this new collection
that's starting October 1st, um Circular
[33:53] Materials did issue out requests for
proposals back in in uh 2025 for the
[33:58] services to begin. Um these agreements
were finalized and they are now
[34:02] effective October 1st, 2026. And as I
mentioned, the hamlets that were
[34:08] included were Huxley, Sunny Slope,
Swallwell, Torington, Wimbornne. The
[34:11] collection contractor that won the RF
RFP was Emperingham Disposal Corp.
[34:17] They're going to begin October 1st and
the collection frequency is going to be
[34:21] bi-weekly on Mondays. And like I
mentioned before, new um collector bins
[34:28] will be distributed to all residents.
[34:34] So ahead of time that EP Eham disposal
corp, they will be doing a uh a roll out
[34:40] of the bins prior to October 1st. So
residents should start seeing new bins
[34:45] arriving throughout September. Um they
are asking that they don't put them out
[34:49] until October 1st because they won't be
collected until that first scheduled
[34:53] thing.
As I mentioned, um these bins will be
[34:57] considered single stream recycling. Um,
this is so that you can put any of your
[35:01] materials in from glass to cardboard to
paper products to tins all into one bin.
[35:07] They don't have to be sorted. This will
now be done at the sorting centers when
[35:10] they are brought into the uh to the main
hub.
[35:15] So, this is a little bit easier for
residents because they don't have to
[35:18] worry. Like I said, it's it's just a one
one drop bin and uh you can recycle.
[35:24] So some of the key milestones that have
been going on and they've kind of
[35:27] basically started is July and August um
circle materials has hosted introductory
[35:33] meetings with municipalities and their
designated collection centers. So I did
[35:37] uh participate in this zoom and did meet
Epingham and uh that sort of thing. So
[35:42] they are ready to go and uh this isn't
the first this isn't their first RFP.
[35:48] They've been doing this around the
communities um not within Nihill County
[35:53] but around Nih Hill County. They've been
uh been doing this. So there is
[35:56] experience there. So it's not going to
be a brand new companies doing this uh
[36:00] mid July. So basically now um we're
coming up and we're going to start uh
[36:04] promoting this onto our social medias. I
don't know if you're on social medias,
[36:08] but if uh Circle Materials has been uh
putting out a lot of ads lately on um
[36:13] Facebook, Instagram, all that sort of
stuff, targeting people and letting them
[36:18] know that, hey, this is all starting to
come out. So, uh we'll also be doing the
[36:21] same thing on our on our social media
channels just to make sure that people
[36:25] in the in the area know that this is
this is going to begin.
[36:29] As I mentioned in September, the cart
delivery is going to begin. Uh so the
[36:33] residents within the hamlets will will
uh be will uh be receiving those. And
[36:38] October 1st, well I guess the the first
Monday in October is when our collection
[36:42] will begin within our hamlets.
As this curbside collection program is
[36:49] managed by Circular Materials, um
residents will be be directed to them um
[36:53] or the contractor for any concerns that
they may have. Um this isn't a program
[36:58] run by the county. It's run by these
other individuals. So, we'll obviously
[37:02] take the the calls, but we will be
redirecting them to Circular Materials
[37:06] or the contractor. So, for example, if
uh their their recycling wasn't picked
[37:12] up, that call will be directed to the
contractor to make amends, it won't be
[37:16] the county that makes amends and goes
pick up the recycling. It'll be the
[37:20] contractor that does that. um if there's
inquiry about why this program is
[37:24] running or that sort of thing or why
isn't this collected or that collected
[37:29] that's going to be directed to circular
materials and that'll be up to them to
[37:33] um get back to our our residents on.
We're not going to ignore them obviously
[37:36] but we are going to direct them to those
appropriate places and that information
[37:40] is going to be out there so they can
actually call these people directly
[37:43] instead of going through the county
because it is a separately run um
[37:47] program.
[37:52] So for uh this one, so like I mentioned,
this is a program run by the provincial
[37:58] governments which push the financial
responsibility onto the producers of
[38:02] this material. So there is no um direct
cost to the county or the residents. Um
[38:09] indirect cost would be more staff time
um putting it out on our social medias
[38:14] um maybe answering rateayer questions.
So there is a cost to the time some of
[38:18] our staff but no direct purchasing of
the bins, no direct uh paying of a
[38:23] contract or anything like that but there
are some small indirect um costs to it.
[38:30] So that's uh a quick overview of it. Um
it's I guess it is my understanding that
[38:37] maybe the counselor have also received
some of this information. I was told on
[38:42] one of the Zoom meetings that uh
counselors were going to get a
[38:45] information package by email. I don't
know if that's been happened yet. If it
[38:48] hasn't, I'm sure it should be coming is
what I've been told on some Zoom
[38:52] meetings. Um but anyways, if you have
any questions or anything, then uh yeah,
[38:56] we can open that up.
>> So, one question I have is uh we're
[39:01] providing these guys are providing
another service that we didn't provide
[39:05] before. How can they do that for free?
[39:11] How much is this costing the right pairs
>> through the reef? Directly nothing. It's
[39:15] costing the right pairs. Um the onus has
been put back onto the producers of
[39:19] this. So a producer of this material is
someone who basically sells products
[39:25] that have over a certain amount of
tonnage of material waste would be
[39:30] considered a producer. For example,
Nihill County could be considered a
[39:34] producer if we produce a certain
threshold of material such as like when
[39:38] we um mail out taxes
or utility bills or anything and we
[39:44] produce a certain threshold of paper
products, we could become a producer. We
[39:48] don't meet that threshold, so we're not
um but
[39:51] » so that that threshold is set by the
Alberta government.
[39:53] » That's correct.
>> So it's it's like a tire tax.
[39:58] » Not so much like a tire tax. um
>> similar though they rather than tax you
[40:03] they're actually doing something with
it.
[40:06] » It's not a tax on a product but I guess
in a roundabout way I guess I mean if if
[40:11] you're getting charged you know to run a
certain project maybe your price goes up
[40:18] right but there's not an actual direct
cost or a tax on to these people to do
[40:23] this. Councelor Olsson,
>> do we have I know this is a program run
[40:28] by the government or by Alberta
government, but um do we have any idea
[40:31] what this is costing? Are we privy to
what it costs? Because I'm just worried
[40:37] that the government may start these
programs and then eventually
[40:43] turn them over to us. So if we have an I
at least have an idea what we what we're
[40:49] seeing here.
>> Yeah. through the reef that I don't have
[40:53] a answer to for the cost. Um that would
probably be something maybe the uh
[40:59] provincial regulatory body that's
running it is the uh Alberta Recycling
[41:03] Commission. Um so maybe that would be um
you know something that they would be
[41:10] able to share, but I don't know. I don't
know that.
[41:18] » Any other questions or concerns?
[41:25] Councelor Cunningham. Well,
>> I was just going to say I I agree with
[41:27] councelor Olsson like we've seen so much
provincial downloading. Is this going to
[41:31] be something that's going to come to us?
So, do we maybe want to send an email to
[41:35] um the what you say it was count the
recycling council and find out what the
[41:40] cost is like might not hurt. Hey,
>> so through the reef, this isn't uh new.
[41:47] Alberta is actually one of the last
provinces to uh to start doing this.
[41:51] This has been run through all different
provinces throughout Canada. So, it's
[41:55] not a new uh type of a program. It's
kind of a uh you know
[42:01] just just another part through all like
the other provinces done it. So, we're
[42:05] not creating the wheel. They're
basically uh just implementing here. So,
[42:09] and I I don't know if there's ever been
any issues in other provinces where
[42:12] they've downloaded it on.
Well, if we're uh you say we're going to
[42:18] get some information from these guys,
maybe they'll have some of that
[42:22] » um through the re. It won't be
information like that. It'll be
[42:24] information about um you know the
collection of it, the the new products
[42:28] and stuff like that. I don't think
there'll be any financials information
[42:32] in that.
>> Yeah. Okay. We should look into it
[42:36] somehow because one way or the other
we're paying for it.
[42:44] Okay. Any other questions, concerns?
[43:24] Uh let's go to 4.2 road committee
update.
[43:42] Good morning, council.
Uh on June 20 or June 17th, uh the Rome
[43:48] committee completed a tour. During that
review, uh we looked at several sites
[43:53] throughout Neil County, including
operation concerns, cap current capital
[43:58] projects, and potential future uh
maintenance and capital projects. So
[44:04] through the road committee, there was a
few things identified that we uh or the
[44:08] committee decided to bring back to
council.
[44:11] So just starting at number one here, so
we uh visited three hills yard. The
[44:15] stockpile location was was identified as
a concern. uh why is that stockpile
[44:21] located in three hills? Uh we discussed
the the concerns around the gravel
[44:24] trucks traveling through town. Uh the uh
and considered recommended to council
[44:31] that the the removal of the three hill
stockpile from our stockpile uh sites.
[44:38] Further discussion from that noted
removing the stock piles would increase
[44:40] hall distances uh for county operations
that could result in uh reduced
[44:45] operational efficiency. The committee
discussed the possibility of completing
[44:48] a broader review of county stockpile
locations and evaluate the oper
[44:54] operational requirements, hall
distances, cost, and potential
[44:57] alternative locations of of stockpiles.
uh excess equipment. Uh there was uh
[45:05] attachments looked at on the south fence
uh committee uh is or the administration
[45:11] is going to review and see what what we
currently are utilizing and what can be
[45:15] potentially sold.
Um the other one that was brought up was
[45:20] the old shop. Uh the committee reviewed
the old shop. Discussions uh were uh
[45:27] happened along the lines of uh
subdividing and selling that. There's
[45:30] things and what we store in there. So,
we store a number of graders, four
[45:34] graders, three plow trucks, and multiple
other pieces of equipment, uh, water
[45:38] trucks, and multiple little pieces of
equipment. Uh, potential things that we
[45:42] would have to look at if there was a
subdivision and sale of that shop would
[45:46] be, uh, separation and relocation of all
the power services currently shared with
[45:50] that building and water, installation of
f fences along the boundaries,
[45:55] relocation of power to the south gate.
uh what would the shop be worth versus
[46:00] what the cost of all that would cost? Uh
and then another one that was not in
[46:04] there that got brought up afterwards is
potential for our fuel tank being too
[46:07] close where we'd have to remove our move
our fuel tank as well.
[46:13] So that was three's location. Our second
location was the Gore Road culverts. Uh
[46:18] both bridge files have been completed.
Uh committee reviewed both sites. There
[46:22] was no comments on that. Uh for 2026
capital projects uh we looked at the
[46:28] Lynden overlay site was viewed work was
ongoing. There was no comments. Road
[46:32] stabilization uh program potential sites
were visited if the project were to move
[46:38] forward about possibly doing Sharples
Hill. Uh that project was then cancelled
[46:43] at the following uh council meeting
there. Uh major bridge maintenance. Uh
[46:48] no sites reviewed as they it's still in
uh determination what's what bridges
[46:53] we'll be completing. Uh the gravel
purchase program we stopped by the
[46:56] Redlands uh stockpile site.
Uh bridge file 2288. Uh the site was
[47:03] viewed admin or administration noted
that that the current uh bridge file is
[47:08] current actually two culverts that are
about 200 meters apart. After the
[47:12] construction uh or possible construction
next year, uh each culvert will be
[47:18] registered as its own bridge file.
Uh township 340 west 251. Uh that would
[47:25] be a tree removal project. Uh dirt road
that needs some brushing. Site was
[47:30] viewed. Uh we'll administration is going
to bring it back to council for uh
[47:34] potential operating project for
consideration.
[47:38] Uh we looked at uh Torington gravel pit
there with uh the water pumping that was
[47:43] going on there. There was no no
recommendations from that.
[47:47] Sharpel Hills was viewed. Uh gravel
general maintenance on the road was
[47:51] needed. It was bladed uh June 18th the
next day actually the greater was in the
[47:55] area. Um committee discussed the
possibility of moving the road
[47:59] stabilization. Once again uh project was
cancelled.
[48:04] uh range road 242 south of highway 27 or
575. The site was viewed uh committee is
[48:10] recommended to council or committee is
recommending to council to direct
[48:14] administration to install maximum 30 km
an hour signs through the curves um and
[48:19] then back to 80 km an hour in the
straight parts of that highway. Spot
[48:23] graveling may be required just as part
of oper operational u maintenance.
[48:30] Uh the other program that we looked at
was the edge of the road uh spraying
[48:34] that was happening north of highway 27.
We reviewed many sites committee
[48:38] discussed the current edge of the road
grass encroachment spraying program.
[48:43] Admin advised that the primary purpose
of the program is to control vegetation
[48:47] along the edge of the roadway reducing
the amount of vegetation that the
[48:51] graders can pull onto the road surface
while maintaining the shoulder.
[48:55] Uh the committee discussed the concerns
about sprain maybe contributing to
[48:59] shoulder deterioration because that
sprain is making it past the edge of the
[49:03] road onto that shoulder and then the
possibility of uh kosha being able to to
[49:09] sprout up easier easier in those areas
that have been sprayed.
[49:14] uh committee recommended to or
recommendation to council would be to
[49:17] direct a men to review the edge of road
strain program uh including its
[49:21] effectiveness, benefits, potential
impacts before determining whether the
[49:24] program should be continued or modified.
Uh brushing once again range 230 south
[49:32] of Buffalo Jump site was viewed. Uh
we'll bring that back, administration
[49:36] will bring that back as a operational
project for council's consideration
[49:40] during budgeting.
uh Heskith uh road we looked at a uh
[49:46] committee looked at a few sites. So a
ditch wash out uh site was viewed uh
[49:51] it's going to be brought back for
council during 2027 budget uh as a
[49:56] potential cap capital project. The
valley next to the road is is failing
[50:00] and the ditch is falling into that
valley. It keeps working closer and
[50:04] closer to the road. Um and the only way
to fix that properly is to go to the
[50:08] base and work our way back up. So,
there's some potential cheaper options
[50:12] of moving the roads. So, that'll come
back as a future project
[50:16] for council's consideration.
Uh ditching on the south hill. Uh
[50:20] there's a site that needed some uh dish
maintenance to get the water off the
[50:24] road. Uh and then ditching in front of
the old schoolhouse.
[50:33] So from from what we reviewed the
financial and staffing implications, the
[50:38] recommended motions one, two, and one,
two, four, and five will be funded
[50:41] through approved 2026 operating budget
and are not uh anticipated to have any
[50:47] other financial impact. Everything else
that would be coming forward as projects
[50:51] would be uh up to council's
consideration.
[50:55] Uh so there's a few options uh we or
recommendations to go through. uh we can
[51:00] uh and the council has a few options
from those of whether they approve uh
[51:05] them as presented or or uh provide uh uh
revised directions. So um first
[51:14] recommended motion would be that three
hills shopyard
[51:17] that council direct administration to
complete a review of county stockpile
[51:21] locations including operational
requirements and potential alternative
[51:26] locations and report findings back to
council.
[51:30] The second uh motion would be that
council direct administration to install
[51:35] 30 km hour signs, advisory signs, speeds
through the curves on range road 242
[51:41] south of highway 575 with speeds
returning to 80 km an hour in the
[51:46] straight sections.
The third recommended motion would be
[51:51] the council direct administration to
review the edge of road spraying program
[51:55] including its effectiveness, benefits,
potential impacts before determining
[51:59] whether the program should continue or
be modified.
[52:04] Uh the fourth motion be the council
direct administration to include
[52:07] township 34 uh z
tree removal project and range 230 south
[52:14] of Buffalo Jump brushing project as
potential uh projects for consideration
[52:18] during the 2027 budget deliberations.
And then the next motions would be the
[52:25] council direct administration to include
the range 222 220 at the valley slope
[52:31] failure as a potential capital project
for consideration during the budget
[52:34] deliberations 2027 budget deliberations.
Um
[52:41] the the next motion would be that
council direct administration to
[52:44] investigate the feasibility of the
drainage improvements on range road 22
[52:48] 220 two sorry Hesus road including the
utility constraints. Um that one is
[52:54] already ongoing just through op uh daily
operations. So,
[52:58] uh, the count the next last one would be
that council direct administration to
[53:02] complete the ditch cleaning on range
road 220 from the old schoolhouse appro
[53:07] approach eastward approximately 100 m.
[53:24] Yes, I believe that's it. Okay. Uh
couple couple things I'd like to discuss
[53:29] on this uh road committee report. Um I'd
like to see going forward the minutes
[53:34] come to the council to the committee
prior to coming into council because it
[53:39] looks like there's been some liberties
taken on what we've said or what we've
[53:43] discussed and I'll use an example. Um we
talked about the edge of road spraying
[53:49] where we've killed the grass over the
edge.
[53:53] uh their shoulders deteriorating and we
we do have kosha growing. Uh we as road
[53:59] committee recommended that that pro if I
remember correct me if I'm wrong what we
[54:04] discussed is we were going to recommend
to council that this stops immediately
[54:09] that spraying program.
>> Yeah.
[54:13] So I mean going forward if we can just
get these minutes sent out to us prior
[54:19] to getting into council we can correct
some of these. Uh that being said um
[54:25] we can carry on with this till the next
road committee. I'm okay with that.
[54:29] Every any other concern
>> from road committee.
[54:38] Um just another question the Okay, you
do have it is never mind. It's 2027
[54:44] coming out of the 2027 budget. Yeah,
correct. Okay.
[54:54] Councelor Olson.
>> So, with regard to the spraying on the
[55:00] on the shoulder,
um, do we need to have a motion to have
[55:06] that stopped because I think it was
added, right? So, if it was added by
[55:09] administration, then it can be just
deleted by administration. Is that not
[55:14] correct?
>> Um, that being said, I don't we don't
[55:17] know where that came from. It came from
prior to to Mike um going on. But I mean
[55:23] in order in in to get into a big
discussion, we can do that right now.
[55:27] But to me, I mean, road building 101, we
don't do that. You just destroyed our
[55:32] roads and and we've saw it. We we we saw
it all throughout the county. And Kosha
[55:37] is growing in those areas big time.
Now, um I I don't really want I I don't
[55:44] think we need to bring back that to
council, but that's up to you guys if
[55:48] you want. There's motions on the floor
there.
[55:54] » Yeah. No, I'm okay with that. We can
just
[55:57] adopt it as read.
>> Yeah.
[56:04] » Go ahead.
>> Through the chair. So with the road edge
[56:07] spraying program, uh the reason like in
the minutes there it's recommended or
[56:12] it's not recommended that it's canceled,
but that's where it was going. Uh where
[56:17] administration came through in in the
this RFD about that is there are
[56:21] benefits to it. I don't think the
program uh has been executed to it what
[56:26] it's supposed to be. It needs to be
refined. I I think there's still
[56:30] benefits to this program. The original
intent was just to spray that very edge
[56:34] of the road where the graders drag in
that that u saw and and we uh grass and
[56:39] have that encroachment. Uh the intent
was never to spray the shoulder. This
[56:44] year obviously the shoulder got sprayed
and we've seen that on the roads where
[56:47] where it was not executed correctly uh
to what what we need the program to. So
[56:53] that's where administration was coming
from with the the review on the program
[56:57] of refining it and actually laying out
specific roads that may be having it. If
[57:02] we make a motion or if council makes a
motion uh to cancel that program
[57:05] together, it kind of ties our hands on
if we have a problem, we can't go spray
[57:10] four miles that we're having issues with
that grass encroaching where the graders
[57:13] can't keep up to it. Uh so that that's
where uh administration was coming from
[57:17] on the review on it and and maybe
refining it, not such a broad program,
[57:22] but bringing it down to certain areas
and making sure it's just that edge of
[57:27] the road, not the shoulder. Uh so that
that's where administration was coming
[57:32] from on that one. So
>> okay, if I remember right, and correct
[57:36] me if I'm wrong, guys, the motion was
stop that procedure. We don't need to be
[57:41] spraying grass. We can't even spray the
the kosha
[57:45] and now now we're out there spraying
grass, killing grass on the edge of the
[57:49] road. That was a discussion that we had.
Also,
[57:58] our motion was to or our our our
thought was to bring this back to comm
[58:03] to uh council to recommend that that
program stops. There's more ways to kill
[58:07] the grass or to get rid of grass on the
road than what what we're doing there.
[58:11] That's just not even That's not even
road building 101.
[58:19] Councelor Penner, I guess the comment
that I would make though is that if
[58:24] council was to make a motion like that,
we're getting dangerously close to
[58:30] dealing with the day-to-day operations
of things. Administration has taken your
[58:36] information.
They're going to refine their techniques
[58:42] and
probably cut them back
[58:46] an extensive amount from what might have
occurred this year.
[58:51] I don't think we want to get into the
position where we're on a day-to-day
[58:56] basis
guiding administration's
[59:01] duties.
That would be my comment.
[59:06] That being said, that that's fine. I I I
agree for we are uh number one, I don't
[59:11] think we are. This is a level of service
I don't think we need to provide. And
[59:14] what it's doing is destroying the roads.
And no one has a right here to destroy
[59:19] these roads. These shoulders are getting
destroyed. They're they're falling
[59:23] apart. They're getting widened out. The
graders are digging them down. We could
[59:27] we could spend days going through this
and and we looked at it through real
[59:30] committee. Um it's this is this is a pro
process that doesn't need to be even be
[59:36] done as far as I'm concerned. It's a
level of service we don't even need to
[59:39] provide.
That's my thought.
[59:44] » Council Olson.
>> Yeah, I think we've seen it as a
[59:47] recommendation that it's something we
didn't want to do. Not that we're um
[59:51] trying to,
you know, steer
[59:56] administration, but we are making
suggestions that we don't like this just
[1:00:01] because of what it is doing.
[1:00:06] » Council Pa,
>> do we have a um delegation at nine or
[1:00:13] » I'm not here. Oh, there. Okay. I can ask
my questions afterwards if you want to.
[1:00:17] » Do you want to go through this? We can
just uh go through this approve whatever
[1:00:21] you want
>> and then we can get into the
[1:00:24] » No, sure.
>> Can I just I just have a question to ask
[1:00:27] first.
>> So, did the road committee then not
[1:00:30] recommend the sale of the old shop at
the
[1:00:35] » No, we did recommend the sale of the old
shop, but that it's just the way it's
[1:00:40] wrote here. So,
>> Okay. No, I mean I I think you explained
[1:00:42] it very well because that was in my
head. I'm like I'm assuming just the
[1:00:46] location of that old shop it would
complicate things a little bit to have
[1:00:49] to well we haven't saz here but we would
have to subdivide that piece of property
[1:00:54] and then to me the access like it would
change to me there would be quite a bit
[1:00:58] of cost to that to have to change the
access into that property and like you
[1:01:02] said I mean what's the cost of that
versus what the potential income of the
[1:01:06] sale would be so I just I I I just
myself I just don't know if we would
[1:01:11] come out on top of that but I don't
[1:01:18] Councelor Olson.
>> Yeah. No, that was again that was some
[1:01:23] of our discussion. I'm not in favor of
that as well, but I mean some of our
[1:01:28] some of our uh committee is, but I mean,
yeah, that was just that was some
[1:01:34] discussion that we had along the way. So
it's nothing that uh yeah there's a
[1:01:40] broader
absolutely thanks
[1:01:48] you guys want to carry on with this
councelor Olson
[1:01:52] » I think we've beat this up enough I
think we just uh acknowledges as as as
[1:01:57] read for now and we can uh bring maybe
more specific things forward later.
[1:02:04] » Okay. Councelor Coney
>> just one more for me. So number five,
[1:02:08] the water pumping concern. I know um
there was a rate pair that felt that his
[1:02:13] um well had substantially changed and so
I just want to clarify that we've
[1:02:17] confirmed that there was nothing on the
county's end that was altering his water
[1:02:22] well um production
>> through the chair. No, we did not test
[1:02:27] uh local land owners water wells. It's
an artisian well from my understanding.
[1:02:31] Uh he's upstream from where we are. Uh
the water levels are right back to where
[1:02:37] they are. So water levels on artisian
wells are going to fluctuate. Uh
[1:02:42] we've never tested any of the other
wells in the area and no one else has
[1:02:45] called us with any effects. So uh but
the water levels are back up to
[1:02:50] pre-pumping levels. So
>> just to confirm that we've followed up
[1:02:54] with him just because I was contacted as
well. Okay. Thank you. Can can you just
[1:02:58] uh expl give uh uh councelor Cunningham
a little more information on how quick
[1:03:02] that well or those springs fill that?
>> Yeah, it's not as if we're we're drowned
[1:03:08] in things or taking things out.
>> Yeah, I I don't have a specific uh cubic
[1:03:12] meters per minute. Uh um but it they
pumped in April and it was full by mid
[1:03:18] June. Uh, and they pumped 300,000 cubes,
just under 300,000 cubes, and it barely
[1:03:24] dropped that level of that uh that water
body. I think it dropped at 3 ft
[1:03:29] roughly, 4 feet maybe. So, it was very
minimal. So,
[1:03:32] » no, I appreciate that. I just wanted to
make sure because I I had received a
[1:03:35] message from him as well. So, just
wanted to make sure that he he uh had
[1:03:39] been followed up with. So, thank you,
>> Dr. Rosson. You want to move that as
[1:03:42] information
>> and then we can move on? Yes,
[1:03:45] » I need a motion. Uh I would make the
motion that we receive uh this
[1:03:50] information as read.
>> Okay. Any more discussion? All in favor?
[1:03:59] » Carried.
[1:04:06] » Yeah, we if that's okay. We'll take a
quick break. Five minutes then we'll go
[1:04:10] with the delegation.
>> We'll go with the delegation in five 10
[1:04:13] minutes.
[1:12:05] Okay, we're back. 9:15. Uh, let's go to
3.1.
[1:12:10] Uh,
[1:12:13] the Grant Prairie Christian Academy
grant application.
[1:12:17] Good morning. Uh, we'll start with some
introductions here. We'll start with my
[1:12:22] right.
[1:12:26] Good morning, Lorley Michelle
Cunningham, division five.
[1:12:29] » Looney Mook, division seven.
>> Good morning, Richard Hoppins, division
[1:12:34] six.
>> L Olsen, division four.
[1:12:37] » Good morning, Darcy Penner, division
two.
[1:12:41] » You got the floor.
[1:12:47] » Our project. Uh, also want to thank you
guys for serving our county. Um,
[1:12:53] so there's probably a word in there that
might not make much sense. Gaga pit, but
[1:12:57] I'll get I'll get to to it and why it's
a valuable piece for our community and
[1:13:02] our our project we do see is going to
enhance uh uh what we've already brought
[1:13:07] to our community. So, uh, if you want to
go to the next slide,
[1:13:12] I want to officially thank this uh this
uh council as well. In 2019, you granted
[1:13:18] us money towards our larger project. So,
I go to the next slide. Uh this
[1:13:23] playground, which is the only playground
in the north part of our town, and uh
[1:13:28] it's been used not only at school, but
all through the summer, uh soccer games,
[1:13:33] people send their kids over there. It's
it's well well used, well well loved.
[1:13:38] So, this is an a second or third thank
you. Um but along with that, I want to
[1:13:44] just go to the next slide, please.
It's a part of a bigger um activity area
[1:13:50] where our students in that community in
that part of our town have access to it.
[1:13:54] And if you see on the on the right side
and go further, yeah, we can go down.
[1:13:59] This is the Gaga pit. Okay. So, gaga
means hit. And it's a Hebrew word. I
[1:14:06] just learned that today by googling. And
uh you can see how well worn it is on
[1:14:09] the sides. It's been a very big part of
our our community. Kids go out there.
[1:14:15] It's a game that is a tag game, uh, but
it uses a ball and so it kind of has
[1:14:20] quick cycles. Uh, so you have young kids
in there on one and and older kids on
[1:14:25] the other and they have to manage
themselves and the kids kids love it.
[1:14:30] Like we've seen it being used over and
over again. So, we had put this in as
[1:14:35] part of the project um near after the
project and uh as you can see it has a a
[1:14:42] gravel pad and it's dirty and and muddy
and so I just go down a little further.
[1:14:49] Um it's,
you know, kids are wiping out and
[1:14:53] they're they're pulling uh pulling the
dirt back into the school and back into
[1:14:57] their and their homes are in as they use
it. And uh yeah, go on down. And so this
[1:15:04] is this is just a picture I took of the
the Three Hills uh school location. And
[1:15:09] they have this rubber on the on the
bottom. And we've had parents asking us,
[1:15:13] is there possibility for for this to uh
this to be enhanced at our location. Um
[1:15:22] it it's cleaner, it's it's safer, uh
it's durable, and it looks it presents
[1:15:27] well, and it would definitely kind of
clean up our our whole playground. Um,
[1:15:34] and so
this playground serves, and this is this
[1:15:39] is true, this playground serves the
north end of of Three Hills. It uh it
[1:15:44] has a lot of activity heading into from
that area. Um, the Gaga Pit is enjoyed
[1:15:51] and well used by kids of all ages and it
teaches them how to how to win, how to
[1:15:55] lose, how to play together and start
again and do it all over again. and we
[1:15:59] see them using it. Um, and then the
present Gaga pit, the hit pit needs a
[1:16:05] base that is both clean and safe for
kids. And then the next one, um, we have
[1:16:12] half the funds needed to complete this
project and would love for you to
[1:16:16] partner with us to make this improvement
a reality. Um,
[1:16:21] this this uh this year we have half the
funds and we'd ideally love to be able
[1:16:26] to finish it this summer. so that
September or even into October comes and
[1:16:31] it's it's ready to be used. Uh we we're
committed to completing this. Um but it
[1:16:37] might not be this this summer if if we
need to go into the next spring or
[1:16:43] summer. That wouldn't be ideal for us.
But that's uh what we're committed to
[1:16:48] do. We want to do it and uh we're
excited. Um I don't know. Again, it's
[1:16:54] been such a privilege to to be able to
think this through and to add this value
[1:16:58] because
uh I do think that it will
[1:17:03] be well welcomed and our hope is to to
obviously communicate to people who who
[1:17:09] is uh part of the project and helping it
be communicated and completed. So that's
[1:17:14] part of our strategy and plan. So thank
you for listening to my presentation.
[1:17:20] any any questions about
the details of that the um I guess I
[1:17:26] should add like through our getting
quotes and stuff um the paving comm uh
[1:17:31] companies that I think that's they did
on the side but they did that for the
[1:17:34] three hill school and the quote came to
about 15 which is like putting all the
[1:17:38] rock and underneath the base making a
solid base that it'll last a long time
[1:17:42] and then the UV protected rubber um
product and then walking away and having
[1:17:48] it useful then we will complete it by
painting it making it fresh and look
[1:17:53] brand new.
>> Have you uh any other funding or looked
[1:17:56] for any other funding?
>> Um we I mean we have our own funding uh
[1:18:01] process in our society. So that funding
is part of what we've done. We uh just
[1:18:07] raised funds for it ourselves. I've
looked into some of the larger projects
[1:18:12] and they're like looking at like 50,000
ones. And the way that I looked at I
[1:18:16] went through it locally and I was like
um I don't think we being it's a smaller
[1:18:23] project uh and a big pool of people um I
guess our our plan was if we could
[1:18:28] expedite the process and invite you guys
into it. That's how I was processing
[1:18:33] because the other ones would have
required like some like like ACO had one
[1:18:36] and
>> I was basically thinking like the town
[1:18:38] of Three Hills.
>> Oh, I haven't I haven't asked.
[1:18:43] Okay. council.
>> Um, yeah, I don't know anything about a
[1:18:50] gaga pit or so. I haven't seen any kids
playing do this, but obviously it's
[1:18:56] getting used. Um, I love kids things. I
I you know,
[1:19:02] I'm glad to hear that the playground's
being used,
[1:19:05] » but uh yeah, I I see this as a as a good
thing, but uh
[1:19:12] yeah, I
Jerry says to why that you haven't asked
[1:19:17] the the town as well, but uh there is a
lot of
[1:19:21] » there is a lot of uh kneehill residents
kids that that that go to the school.
[1:19:27] So, uh yeah, anything anything with kids
I'm kind of a sucker for.
[1:19:32] » Thank you for the presentation.
>> Thank you, C. So, this is interesting
[1:19:37] because I didn't know what a gaga pit
was either until last week when I had my
[1:19:41] grandkids and we drove by the Three
Hills School and they're like, "Hey,
[1:19:43] it's a gaga pit." And I'm like, "What?"
So, yeah, I got educated on that last
[1:19:47] week. So, no, they apparently really
enjoyed them. So, that's awesome. Could
[1:19:52] you just let me know um provincial wise,
does the province provide your school or
[1:19:56] any schools for that matter any money
for playground equipment?
[1:20:01] » Our last project, we as a society
fundraised the whole thing. So there
[1:20:06] wasn't anything there for that.
>> No, that's I I kind of figured that, but
[1:20:10] I just wanted to clarify that. Now, I
think as councelor Olsen said or I know
[1:20:15] people from all over town and even me as
a Nihill County resident, when I bring
[1:20:19] my grandkids, I go to different parks in
town, right? So, we're certainly using
[1:20:21] them. But do you folks have it broken
down at all for Prairie Christian
[1:20:25] Academy, how many children attending are
Nehill County residents?
[1:20:30] » It's a good question. Uh I mean our
busing system we I definitely know we
[1:20:36] have kids from Carbon and Lyndon and all
around but percentage wise I don't have
[1:20:40] that on my head. Sorry. Yeah. We
definitely do serve a wider community
[1:20:45] because we're we have people looking for
our school. So
[1:20:50] any other questions?
[1:20:55] » Thank you.
>> Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate your time.
[1:21:01] Yeah.
[1:21:26] » Let's go on to 5.1.
[1:21:38] Good morning.
>> Good morning, Mr. Reed. Members of
[1:21:40] council, I'm coming back to you with the
request for decision for further
[1:21:44] readings on three different bylaws. uh
area structure plan amendment bylaw 1927
[1:21:50] which is for prairie view estates direct
control district 9 which is bylaw 1928
[1:21:56] and direct control district 10 which is
bylaw 1929 for second and third
[1:22:01] readings. So an application was received
by the majority of the lot holder within
[1:22:06] saddleup estates to amend the bylaw 1586
which is the saddleup estates area
[1:22:12] structure plan. An amendment did require
a new bylaw. It also required or the
[1:22:17] applicants also proposed a new name
which is the Prairie View Estates. This
[1:22:22] application came to us also with two
land use bylaw amendments for the
[1:22:26] creation of two new direct control
districts and a homeowners association
[1:22:30] as well as some revised wording and
clarification. This request for decision
[1:22:35] is for second and third readings for
each bylaw. Each bylaw will require
[1:22:39] separate motions and we've tried to
break them out by color in the uh
[1:22:43] recommendation.
Council can approve, amend or deny any
[1:22:47] of these. If council's choosing to amend
anything, then um if you want to tell us
[1:22:53] what you choose to amend, administration
will make those changes and then we will
[1:22:56] bring it back for third reading. So you
would have that amended copy at that
[1:23:00] point in time. So again, any
applications to amend an area structure
[1:23:04] plan require a public hearing to be held
prior to amending a statutory plan.
[1:23:10] Amendments to the land use bylaw also
require a public hearing. Because they
[1:23:13] were all related, we did hold one public
hearing to address all of them. Um and
[1:23:19] that public uh first reading was given
to each of these bylaws on March 24th.
[1:23:25] All information information and
questions regarding the applications
[1:23:29] were brought forward at the public
hearing held on May 12th, 2026. Council
[1:23:34] moved to table this public hearing to
resume on June 9th. This gave further
[1:23:38] opportunity for participation in the
hearing. The public hearing process is
[1:23:43] legislated and as per the municipal
government act, council must hear any
[1:23:46] person or group of people who claim to
be affected by the proposed bylaws and
[1:23:51] also in this instance the amendment of
the area structure plan. Any land owner
[1:23:55] who felt they were impacted by the
proposal either positively or negatively
[1:24:00] had the opportunity to attend and speak
to the matter directly at the public
[1:24:04] hearing. Affected parties could also
submit their comments in writing and
[1:24:08] these comments were all included in the
public hearing package for council
[1:24:11] consideration at the time. In your
package, we've also included uh the uses
[1:24:17] of the recreation district as well as
what would be the revised uses in direct
[1:24:23] control districts if they're successful
in that. And again, council can change
[1:24:27] any of those uses as they see fit. Um
an area structure plan does provide the
[1:24:34] framework for subsequent subdivision
development within a certain area of
[1:24:37] land. So, it does give an extra layer of
rules to that property. In this
[1:24:42] instance, Saddleup esta states the
existing area structure plan encompasses
[1:24:46] the entire quarter section of the
southwest of five 3326 west of four.
[1:24:53] This amendment would not be a permit to
develop or subdivide, nor does the
[1:24:57] creation of the direct control districts
give automatic permission to develop.
[1:25:01] The direct control districts encompass
land which was previously zoned
[1:25:05] recreation. The recreation district
allows multiple uses on the lands which
[1:25:10] can can now be better controlled through
a direct control district.
[1:25:15] So again the direct control districts
are unique that compared to other
[1:25:19] things. So the municipal planning
commission reviews development proposals
[1:25:24] in a direct control district and they
make a recommendation to council. We
[1:25:27] bring that back to council. Subdivisions
are the exact opposite. We bring those
[1:25:31] to council. they make a recommendation
to the planning commission and then we
[1:25:35] take it to the planning commission for
approval. Um again there was no
[1:25:40] financial implications other than that
and we do need motions on each separate
[1:25:45] bylaw number um separately.
[1:25:56] Okay. Any discussion
[1:26:08] motions
[1:26:26] Anderson?
because it has to be done. I guess I
[1:26:30] will move that we give second reading of
bylaw
[1:26:33] 1927 for the purpose of amending the
area structure plan formerly known as
[1:26:38] saddle up estates as presented.
[1:26:43] » Any discussion or concerns?
[1:26:47] All in favor?
Opposed?
[1:26:54] Motion defeated.
[1:27:06] » [clears throat]
[1:27:09] » Second motion.
[1:27:14] » Councelor Penner.
I would move the
[1:27:18] I would make the motion that council
move second reading of bylaw 1928 for
[1:27:24] the purpose of creating a deck control
creating a direct control district 9
[1:27:29] within the southwest of 53326
west of the 4th
[1:27:34] formally zoned recreation encompassing
approximately 48.66
[1:27:39] plus or minus acres as presented.
Any questions or concerns on the motion?
[1:27:49] All in favor?
Opposed?
[1:27:55] Motion defeated.
[1:28:03] » Councelor Hawkins.
>> Yes. Make the third the council move
[1:28:08] second reading of bylaw 1928 for the
purpose of creating direct control
[1:28:12] district 10 within southwest 53326
west of four formally zoned recreation
[1:28:20] encompassing approximately 19.44 plus or
minus acres as presented.
[1:28:28] » Questions or concerns on the motion?
All in favor?
[1:28:34] opposed.
Motion defeated.
[1:28:44] Thank you.
[1:28:48] Uh let's go to back to
5.1.
[1:28:53] » Oh, wait a minute. Sorry. You want to do
4.3?
[1:28:59] » Oh, we can leave mic here for a bit.
Let's [snorts] do five. Let's do that.
[1:29:02] 5.1.2.
[1:29:07] Have we got time?
>> Yeah.
[1:29:16] » Um, this is regarding our redesignation.
So, bylaw 1935, a redesignation from
[1:29:22] country residential to agriculture. So
Jesse and Ashley Ryder, Timothy and
[1:29:27] Elizabeth Miller and Isaacam have
recently purchased the country
[1:29:30] residential property north of the town
of Three Hills and would like to
[1:29:33] redesate the 20 acres from a portion of
the northwest of 63223 west of 4 from
[1:29:39] the country residential district to the
agricultural district. The subject land
[1:29:44] is located around along range road 240
which is hard service. This parcel was
[1:29:49] redesated to the Country Residential
District in January of 1998,
[1:29:54] which by bylaw 1385.
The developer at the time intended to
[1:29:59] create multiple lots and sell them. The
current land owners have no intention of
[1:30:03] doing this. Under the municipal
government act, the applications for
[1:30:07] redesation of land require a public
hearing before the bylaw creating the
[1:30:11] due district can be adopted. The first
reading of this proposed bylaw was given
[1:30:15] on May 26, 2026. This is the mechanism
for getting an application into the
[1:30:21] queue. All information and questions
regarding the application were brought
[1:30:24] forward to the public hearing held on
June 23rd, 2026. As per the municipal
[1:30:30] government act, council has to hear any
person or group of persons who claim to
[1:30:34] be affected by the proposed bylaw.
Again, any landowner who feels they will
[1:30:38] be impacted either positively or
negatively had the opportunity to come
[1:30:42] and speak about the matter directly at
the public hearing. They could also
[1:30:45] submit their comments in writing. As
council reviews and discusses the
[1:30:49] content of the public hearing, it can
approve, amend, or defeat the proposed
[1:30:53] bylaw. The public hearing process is a
legislative process, and participating
[1:30:57] in the public hearing is the legislative
method to provide comments to council
[1:31:01] for consideration for applicants wanting
to redesate their land. Once a public
[1:31:06] hearing is closed, no additional
information should be considered in the
[1:31:10] decision-making process. Redesations are
about the proposed use. A redesignation
[1:31:15] establishes a land use district and is
not a development permit. The
[1:31:19] redesignation focuses on overall site
suitability and not specific development
[1:31:24] conditions. This property is located
approximately 0.368 miles north of the
[1:31:30] town of Three Hills and most of the
areas designated agriculture with three
[1:31:35] other country residential uh properties
in close proximity and one direct
[1:31:40] control district to the west of the
proposed redesignation. In the country
[1:31:44] residential district, land owners are
not allowed to have livestock and the
[1:31:47] current owners want to raise chickens,
sheep, and cows for their own use. The
[1:31:51] property currently has one dwelling on
the parcel that was converted into a
[1:31:55] duplex by previous owners. And again, we
are just looking for further readings on
[1:32:00] this bylaw.
[1:32:03] » Thank you.
>> Council Olson.
[1:32:08] » Uh yeah, there's no further discussion.
I would make the motion that uh council
[1:32:13] move second reading of proposed bylaw
1935 for the purpose of amending land
[1:32:19] use bylaw
[1:32:23] 1808 by red designating 20 plus or minus
acres on the portion of northwest 632
[1:32:31] 23 west of four from country residential
to district
[1:32:39] country residential district to
agriculture district.
[1:32:43] Any questions on the motion concerns?
[1:32:50] All in favor?
Carried.
[1:33:02] » Councelor Hopkins. [laughter]
[1:33:06] I move that council council move third
reading of proposed bylaw 1935 for the
[1:33:12] purpose of amending land use bylaw 1808
by redesating 20 plus or minus acres on
[1:33:18] a portion of northwest
63223
[1:33:22] west of 4 from country residential
district to agricultural district.
[1:33:28] » Any concerns?
[1:33:32] All in favor?
[1:33:36] Thank you.
[1:33:41] » Okay, let's go to 4.3.
[1:34:02] [clears throat]
Good morning again, council. Uh just
[1:34:06] here to do an operations verbal update
again. So, uh graders have continued
[1:34:11] working through their regular rotations
uh while focusing on the gravel roads uh
[1:34:17] when they're passing the dirt roads if
conditions allow just due to the
[1:34:20] weather. We've been uh trying to hit
them as we're passing by that area.
[1:34:24] We've had a new greater operator start.
Uh he spent two weeks with in-house
[1:34:29] training with another divisional grader
operator and now is operating
[1:34:33] independently. Uh division 10 uh is uh
blading along with following the gravel
[1:34:41] crew and reshaping those roads once the
gravel crew is applied. Uh we got u spec
[1:34:46] crude uh dust suppression coming July
23rd. So the Roma grader has been out
[1:34:51] prepping for that. our gravel program.
We're currently uh regraveling program.
[1:34:56] We're currently in division 10. Uh we
did shut down for a couple days there
[1:34:59] just uh due to con congestion in the pit
for loading for gravel sales as well.
[1:35:05] Uh dust control, the spec crew is going
to be applied hopefully this Thursday,
[1:35:11] weather dependent. Uh we uh we had four
additional top sprays that have been
[1:35:16] received. Uh we're going to do our
calcium second application in the second
[1:35:20] starting after the long weekend there of
August.
[1:35:24] Men maintenance crew has been busy uh
doing several ditch repairs, culvert
[1:35:28] extensions, uh water line repairs, crack
sealing, culvert uh uh and then they've
[1:35:34] also been prepping at that at the
hearten pit there for the 2026 crushing
[1:35:40] uh gravel sales. So we've sold quite a
bit of the hands gravel out of the
[1:35:44] Troshi stockpile there. town of Troshi
purchased about 4,600 tons of material.
[1:35:50] Um we had couple colonies by various
amounts and a couple rate pairs by
[1:35:55] various amounts.
Uh had uh 48 uh service requests since
[1:36:01] the last uh verbal update. Majority of
them have been answered and once again
[1:36:06] if they they've all been responded to
some of them may still be open just
[1:36:09] waiting for the work to be completed. Uh
moving into capital projects. Lynen
[1:36:15] overlay uh projects going well uh re
really real well so far. The scratch
[1:36:21] coat was played or finished on July
14th. Uh we did have a few people call
[1:36:25] in about that. Uh it's just that level
course to get all those wheel ruts out
[1:36:28] so that we get a true true uh final
layer of nice material. So the final
[1:36:34] lift of paving began on July 15th. Uh
I'm not 100% sure on the anticipated
[1:36:39] completion date yet, but hopefully
within the next couple weeks here. So,
[1:36:44] uh gravel purchase, I believe our
contractor is getting ready to start
[1:36:48] crushing our our next stockpile. So,
that's good to hear. Uh roads and needs,
[1:36:54] uh preliminary engineering continues. Uh
G& technical drilling on the Alenham
[1:36:58] curves there has been scheduled uh for
July 20th. Uh so yesterday there uh
[1:37:05] Bergen Pit uh the site site prep
continues uh crushing tenders closed.
[1:37:10] We're just waiting for a signed contract
before we announce the successful
[1:37:13] bidder. Uh the property survey uh has
been completed. Uh fence work uh is
[1:37:19] waiting on the brushing to be finalized.
Uh bridge file 13480 on Range Road 251.
[1:37:27] Uh detailed design is done. Uh
unfortunately we received notice that uh
[1:37:32] we were not successful in stip funding.
Uh so administration will be bringing
[1:37:36] forward a a recommend an RFD to council
to to tell us to reapply and uh
[1:37:43] hopefully we'll hear back next year with
better news.
[1:37:46] Uh township 304 culvert uh that tender
is live. It's uh supposed to close July
[1:37:52] 28th uh with current construction
hopefully to be completed in the fall.
[1:37:58] And then bridge file 2288 preliminary
engineering is continuing. So
[1:38:06] » thanks Mike. Couple questions.
>> Yes.
[1:38:09] » Um I know we discussed this but uh I I'd
like to see and correct me if I'm wrong.
[1:38:15] I'm probably wrong on this, but uh when
we did the detour, the detour up for
[1:38:20] around the torrent, pardon me, Chosu uh
pit
[1:38:24] » for the culvert on 585,
>> um I think we need to to basically send
[1:38:30] something out, just a quick
a quick email or something to all the
[1:38:34] counselors so we know what's happening
on it. I don't know if there's anything
[1:38:38] in the in the uh reports prior to that.
I can't remember, but I think that way
[1:38:43] then I can save a lot of time when I
when I get all the phone calls asking or
[1:38:48] or anybody gets a phone call asking
what's going on there
[1:38:52] » through the chair 100%. Uh yeah, yes, it
was not in the the updates by any means.
[1:38:56] We did uh do that uh detour road use
agreement with with at over a year ago.
[1:39:02] Um so once it was we'll make sure we get
notice out to council beforehand as
[1:39:06] well. It was posted on social media as
soon as we got word that they were going
[1:39:10] to do construction. We got it out there
as soon as possible for for the local
[1:39:14] residents. So, we will make sure to
>> try to get the local counselors involved
[1:39:18] that don't use social media. [laughter]
>> Um, next question. Who who they're in
[1:39:23] charge of dust control andor signage?
>> Correct.
[1:39:27] » Are we checking up on them?
>> Correct. Yes, we are.
[1:39:29] » All right. Thanks,
[1:39:33] » Councelor Olsson. Um, just with regards
to the the
[1:39:38] Bergen Pit, um, we're waiting on the
fencing there. Um, just wondering about
[1:39:43] the the holes and did that previous
landowner get his equipment moved yet
[1:39:51] through the chair. Uh, the test holes
that were dug there are were being
[1:39:55] filled in as of yesterday. I'm not sure
if they completed them 100% or not. And
[1:39:59] then, uh, the equipment, majority of
it's moved out. I'm just waiting
[1:40:03] confirmation on the last piece. I can
get a update for you momentarily soon.
[1:40:08] So,
>> are we So, are we you're just getting
[1:40:12] the pit cleaned up like is this where's
the budget coming from?
[1:40:18] » I guess in what asks like on the
prepping for the crushing is what you're
[1:40:23] asking.
>> Yep.
[1:40:24] » Through operating budget currently.
[1:40:30] So if we have operators that we have
like we are just have we got screening
[1:40:34] piles through the chair. We have
screening piles in the bottom of the pit
[1:40:36] there that need to be moved. So when we
have an operator available or two, we
[1:40:40] send them out there to help move
material just intermittent in between
[1:40:44] jobs as things are lining up currently.
So that was just being funded through
[1:40:49] current operation operation budget. Uh
the fencing is being will be paid for
[1:40:55] out of the additional $200,000 that you
guys uh uh council allotted to get the
[1:41:00] pit up and operational.
So that's where that money for that
[1:41:04] fence will be coming from.
>> Okay.
[1:41:10] » Any other questions for Mike?
[1:41:15] Thanks, Mike.
[1:41:25] 5.3.
[1:41:45] » Good morning, council. Um I'm bringing
you today a request to dispose of two
[1:41:50] towers that we have. Um so relevant
legislation
[1:41:55] uh the MGA the section contains limits
on municipal powers in relation to
[1:41:59] disposal of land but this is not land
this is just the asset um so it does not
[1:42:04] apply uh council bylaw. So and policy we
have a policy 1613 which is our tangible
[1:42:11] capital assets accounting standards and
depreciation
[1:42:15] um including asset disposals and
writedowns. This is something that um if
[1:42:20] you wanted to look at that full policy
but it um this we pulled out the one
[1:42:24] section and it refers to the CIO can um
adjust the C TCA records including the
[1:42:32] book the book values. uh disposal of
assets may occur by sale, trade-in,
[1:42:37] destruction, loss, abandonment or
donation when it when the asset becomes
[1:42:42] obsolete
or which serves no useful purpose. Um so
[1:42:47] that whole policy is there for you to
look at. Uh council will approve the
[1:42:52] disposal of assets that are not budgeted
for. This is part we can use some of
[1:42:57] this disposal cost as part of the budget
and I'll kind of go over that a little
[1:43:01] bit when we get to the finance part of
the RFD.
[1:43:04] Uh so background, Nihil County owns a
communications and tower system and it
[1:43:09] has been operational within the
protective services department due to
[1:43:12] its use for emergency communications for
fire. The tower system consists of two
[1:43:18] large towers and two smaller ones. Um in
2020 we moved our emergency
[1:43:23] communications to the Alberta first
responders radio communication system
[1:43:28] which is called A-Fra.
This now means that we use the
[1:43:31] proincially operated and maintained
tower system, Aphra. Handheld radios,
[1:43:36] in-car radios, and mobile repeaters that
work with the new system are operational
[1:43:40] within the fire agreements with each of
the municipalities for fire services.
[1:43:45] The old tower and radio system is no
longer used by the emergency
[1:43:48] communications teams. They are now only
used by private companies for internet
[1:43:53] services.
The ham radio club is on carbon. Um and
[1:43:58] I think the Calgary Club actually is
also on carbon as well and the Aqua 7
[1:44:02] water radio system is also used. Um they
use some of the towers as well.
[1:44:08] In 2025, we conducted an assessment on
Wimborn, Carbon, Torington, Sarscy, and
[1:44:14] Lynen towers, and many deficiencies were
noted and in order to keep operational
[1:44:18] work needs to be completed. And this was
a project that was passed by council,
[1:44:23] the towers project 2026, which we
actually just put out for bids. So, we
[1:44:27] just received those back. um council. So
the discussion in the options is that
[1:44:33] council approved that 2026 budget, the
tower project for repairs and
[1:44:37] maintenance for 1708 $887,000. That's
how much that project was. As part of
[1:44:43] the review of the project, we're
recommending that two of those towers,
[1:44:46] the SARC tower and the Lynen Tower, um
because they're only used by the private
[1:44:51] companies, that those two towers
actually just get disposed of through a
[1:44:55] sale of purchase. So we could just sell
those two towers just because they're
[1:45:00] not used by us. The SARC tower, it's
used by a private company company only.
[1:45:05] It is located on private property which
we do not have a lease for. This would
[1:45:09] be had to be negotiated between the
purchaser and the land owner and that
[1:45:14] legal advice has been received on that
tower and we're confident in this
[1:45:17] process. The Lynen Tower is used by a
private company and by the Aqua 7 Water
[1:45:22] Group in it is located on private
property which we do have a lease for um
[1:45:28] that can either be transferred or we
need to give oneyear notice to get out
[1:45:32] of that lease. Uh disposal of these
towers through the sale will save us
[1:45:37] money in the long run not only with the
lease agreement but also with the
[1:45:40] repairs and maintenance on these two
towers.
[1:45:43] Uh option one is notice of intent to
sell which would be posted on our
[1:45:47] website to notify public that we are
selling an asset. Um and then option two
[1:45:53] is notice of sale. This would be posted
on our website publicly to take bids
[1:45:57] from anybody. This would put the
existing provider in jeopardy and
[1:46:02] possibly risk losing that sale.
Following the assessment of 2025, the
[1:46:07] towers both need an amount of work and
their book value in the asset records is
[1:46:11] no longer relevant. The sale of these
towers may look may be less than book
[1:46:16] value with the price being negotiated
outside of this process. The difference
[1:46:20] between the book value and the sale
value would be a written down and
[1:46:24] expensed to the project. So, we have
that $187,000
[1:46:28] and if we don't sell it for whatever our
book value is, that would come out of
[1:46:33] the project
um cost or project budget, sorry. Um and
[1:46:40] there is an advertising requirement
because we're selling an asset and not
[1:46:43] interested in land. We do not need to
advertise this under section 70 of the
[1:46:46] MGA.
So financial impact may write down the
[1:46:51] asset value and would be processed
through the disposal system and impact
[1:46:54] to Aqua 7. A negotiation for the tower
space may need to be um negotiated for
[1:46:59] the Lynen tower. Um so both of these
towers are used by the same company that
[1:47:05] we would be looking to privately sell
to. Um they do work though for
[1:47:11] Aqua 7. They have a contract with Aqua
7. Um, I I do believe that Aqua 7 is
[1:47:17] eventually going to move to a different
system. Um, I think that's what they're
[1:47:21] looking into anyway. Um, but for now
they do require those towers.
[1:47:33] So, council options [clears throat]
include disposing of the Sarscy Tower
[1:47:38] and the Lynen Tenw through the notice of
intent to sell privately. Dispose of the
[1:47:43] Sarc Tower only through a notice of
intent to sell privately. That council
[1:47:47] disposes of the Lynen Tower only through
a notice of intent to sell privately.
[1:47:51] that council advertises both or only one
of the tower through the sale um through
[1:47:56] a sale of tower notice through a bid
process and that council keeps both of
[1:48:01] the towers within our operations.
[1:48:07] That's all I have. There's a recommended
motion there.
[1:48:11] » Questions? Councelor Penner
>> is administrative
[1:48:16] sorry is administration
relatively comfortable with the price
[1:48:21] that they have like I'm assuming you
have a price from from the contract from
[1:48:26] the tower purchaser
it
[1:48:30] sorry you have a value on those towers
is administration relatively comfortable
[1:48:36] that that is a fair market value for
these towers at this
[1:48:43] Uh in in my opinion, I think that
whatever we have on the books is not a
[1:48:47] relevant um price for those towers. Like
I don't think that we're going to sell
[1:48:52] them for that amount. Following the
assessments that we did in 2025, both of
[1:48:58] those towers, which we know and we've
told the the potential purchaser,
[1:49:02] they're both twisted.
like they both
[1:49:07] it so I I don't think the book value um
uh is is relevant anymore.
[1:49:13] » So so that cost would have to be written
out of the project.
[1:49:17] » Yeah, I guess I understood that part,
but I I you you don't see there being
[1:49:22] any added value to be gotten out of
these towers listing them and listing
[1:49:27] them for sale like
>> my opinion is no.
[1:49:30] » Okay. No, that's that that's what I
wanted to understand.
[1:49:33] » Yes. I think it costs us more to have
them.
[1:49:37] » It like it costs about $2,000 to um even
change a light bulb on them.
[1:49:44] » Like we're not we're not making money
off of these. Yeah.
[1:49:48] » Councelor Wilson,
>> is there any fear here? Like this these
[1:49:53] towers can still be used for emergency
service, right? And then No. Okay. So
[1:50:00] there's no value at all. just in case
the provincial system does not crashes
[1:50:06] or something.
>> No, because
[1:50:08] » this isn't a low tech thing we can still
use
[1:50:11] » through through the re through uh the
reef. No. Um because we have no um like
[1:50:17] communications equipment in any of those
towers anymore. Like everything has been
[1:50:21] stripped off of them. There's no We
don't have antennas on them. We don't
[1:50:25] have any of the communications equipment
on them. We've completely stripped them
[1:50:28] down. So they are not usable as a as a
backup.
[1:50:38] » Any other questions or concerns?
>> Did you want to put a TV antenna up
[1:50:42] there or something? Council.
[1:50:50] » Councelor Hopkins.
I uh move that council move to dispose
[1:50:55] of the SARC Tower legal southeast of
113122 west of 4th Meridian and Lynen
[1:51:02] Tower legal [clears throat] northeast
113125
[1:51:05] west of 4th Meridian through the
disposal disposal process as written in
[1:51:10] policy 16-13
selling both privately
[1:51:15] through uh notice of intent.
>> Any questions on the motion or concerns?
[1:51:23] All in favor?
Carried.
[1:51:27] Thank you.
[1:51:32] Let's take a little break before the
hearing
[1:51:36] at 9:55.
[2:04:18] Okay, we're back at 10:08. Um,
I I'll call for a motion for that the
[2:04:24] public hearing for bylaw 1934 be opened
at 10:08.
[2:04:29] Motion forthcoming forth.
[2:04:34] » Councelor Cunningham.
I'll move that the public hearing uh
[2:04:38] open at 10:08.
[2:04:42] » All in favor?
Car.
[2:04:47] Okay. Uh I'd like to just remind that
the public that if they wish to speak to
[2:04:51] the bylaw, they should register the name
on the speakers list. I don't see a
[2:04:54] speaker list. if they have any
opportunity there will also be
[2:04:57] opportunity to uh speak when I've gone
through the list or when I have gone
[2:05:03] through the speaker's list that I will
ask one final time if there's anyone
[2:05:07] else to speak uh right at this moment
we'll introduce council we'll start at
[2:05:12] my far right
>> Merl Anderson division one
[2:05:17] » good morning Lori Michelle Cunningham
division five
[2:05:19] » Lonnie Mcook division seven good morning
Richard Hopkins division
[2:05:25] Uh L Olsson, division 4.
>> Good morning, Darcy Penner, division 2.
[2:05:31] » Okay, no one's on line. So, uh today's
public hearing process will be followed
[2:05:37] by the procedure bylaw 1919. Uh copy uh
of the uh procedures is attached to the
[2:05:43] package and additional copies can be
found at the recording secretar's desk.
[2:05:48] The uh public hearing package can also
be downloaded from the Neo County
[2:05:51] website. The website addresses
and a QR code for quick access are
[2:05:57] displayed on the presentation screen.
I'll now ask for our planning and
[2:06:02] development department to come forward
and make their presentation.
[2:06:09] Good morning council. Today this is an
application for bylaw 1980 1934 to
[2:06:16] redesation uh portion of land from
agricultural to agriculture business.
[2:06:22] Uh this is a 31.39 acre parcel of land
within a portion of southwest of 1828-24
[2:06:29] plan 7710982
block one. The purpose of this
[2:06:33] redesation is to allow the applicants to
apply for a commercial use indoor riding
[2:06:37] arena.
As per the MGA, notifications were um
[2:06:42] sent to all adjacent land owners within
a mile and referral agencies. It was
[2:06:47] advertised in the capital June 17th,
June 24th, July 8th, and July 15th. And
[2:06:53] it was also posted on our kneehill
county website.
[2:06:58] The proposed site is a subdivided parcel
within the southwest of 18284 west of
[2:07:03] the 4th. Access is from Range Road 2500.
Rocky View County is directly to the
[2:07:08] west and Wheatland County is south of
Highway 9. And so the parcel of land is
[2:07:13] indicated by the blue star.
[2:07:18] It is approximately uh six miles east of
the village of Isicer um right down
[2:07:23] there on the southeast corner um right
across from Highway 9.
[2:07:31] It is also within the Rocky View uh
county intermunicipal development plan.
[2:07:36] Um notification was also sent to them as
per our um IDP. And again you can see
[2:07:42] the blue star indicates our location and
the red border there is our IDP area.
[2:07:52] The redesation encompasses the whole uh
parcel of land which is 31.39 acres.
[2:08:00] Um the 30.35 that's just a evidence of
an old hand and I can't quite outline
[2:08:07] exactly the 31.
[2:08:12] So the applicants are proposing a 6,000
foot heated indoor riding arena. The
[2:08:18] hopefully their uh 30 paddocks for
boarding up to 60 horses. It will be a
[2:08:24] family-run business with at most two
employees maybe on the weekend. Except
[2:08:28] expected traffic is approximately 10
vehicles per day with up to 15 on
[2:08:33] weekends and possibly during event there
may be up to 25
[2:08:38] and there's just a small out um site
plan. Um I'm just I don't have a pointer
[2:08:45] available to me but um the red the
riding arena is the red box
[2:08:50] approximately. It might be a little bit
further south. Um it this is just a
[2:08:55] rough drawing. This was the site plan
that they provided when they were um for
[2:08:59] their house, which is the uh box right
above the green area, which is going to
[2:09:05] be their septic field. And then the box
above that is their proposed new
[2:09:08] dwelling, which has already been
approved.
[2:09:15] Um as as per our municipal development
plan, uh it does meet
[2:09:21] um in the past many planning tools
focused on the actual protection of
[2:09:24] farmland. However, most recent
strategies promote productivity of the
[2:09:28] agricultural sector by providing maximum
flexibility for farm operations and
[2:09:33] ensuring agricultural uses are able to
integrate into an increasingly diverse
[2:09:38] economy. This also means the goal is to
encourage all agriculture operations to
[2:09:43] employ best management practices.
[2:09:48] Uh large parcel subdivisions will be
considered for uses within the
[2:09:51] agriculture business district. These
subdivisions may have a minimum of uh 10
[2:09:56] acres and a maximum up to 40. This is
already a subdivided parcel. Um and the
[2:10:02] whole parcel is 30 acres. So it
definitely meets the municipal
[2:10:05] development plan.
As far as economic goals, uh it is the
[2:10:11] goal is to create opportunities that
will provide a variety of development
[2:10:15] oper options to diversify and strengthen
the county's economy. And then the
[2:10:19] objective is to balance economic
development opportunities that are
[2:10:22] adjacent and compatible along
transportation corridors which it being
[2:10:27] adjacent highway 9 is a perfect fit.
As per the land use bylaw, the
[2:10:33] agriculture business district um a
riding commercial is a discretionary use
[2:10:38] in the egg business district. Um the
municipal planning commission will be
[2:10:43] the approving authority due to it being
a discretionary use.
[2:10:48] Um the egg business district isn't
there's also uh riding arenas commercial
[2:10:54] are also in the local rural commercial
district. However, we felt the egg
[2:10:57] business uh district was a best fit due
to less uses and better suited in a
[2:11:02] primarial primarily agricultural area.
[2:11:08] And then further to the egg business
district, um again in the land use
[2:11:12] bylaw, it also states that they should
be located along highways or
[2:11:16] well-developed roads
[2:11:21] as per uh our land use by bylaw section
65 indoor riding arena. A riding arena
[2:11:28] private shall be used solely by the
occupants of the residents whereas this
[2:11:32] is being applied for uh to be used
commercially and so they are not
[2:11:36] considered farm buildings and must meet
all Alberta building code requirements
[2:11:40] for public occupancy.
Uh riding arena commercial um is defined
[2:11:45] in the land use bylaw means public
facilities, building shelters or other
[2:11:49] structures at which horses are exercised
or trained. training in equestrian
[2:11:53] skills or equestrian competitions or
shows are held which this application
[2:11:58] fits as well.
[2:12:02] Um as in regard to the land um so again
we're looking at the parcel that's on
[2:12:07] the um south west corner there. Um so it
is soil classification three and then
[2:12:15] using the land suitability rating system
it is 80% class 2 with slight
[2:12:20] limitations due to inadequate heat and
moisture and then only uh 20% would be
[2:12:25] severe due to water holding uh capacity.
[2:12:32] Uh planning considerations that both
administration and then you as council
[2:12:36] um should be considering is the type and
scale and proposed use, suitability of
[2:12:41] the site for the proposed use,
compatibility of the surrounding
[2:12:44] existing and future land uses, municipal
service availability, emergency access,
[2:12:51] adequacy of the parcel size, consistency
with statutory and non-stutory plans and
[2:12:56] the land use bylaw and the needs and
benefits of the development and
[2:13:00] community.
[2:13:03] Uh, as far as receiving letters from
adjacent land owners and referral
[2:13:07] agencies, we didn't receive any in
favor, but neither do we receive any in
[2:13:11] opposition. Um, there was just the
referral agencies that had comments.
[2:13:16] Atco Gas had no concerns. Um, they were
just wanting to make sure rightaways
[2:13:20] were adhered to. Safe and healthy
environments, um, otherwise known as
[2:13:24] Alberta Health recommended a manure
management plan and storm water
[2:13:28] management plan. and Rocky View County.
Um, which you also have copies in your
[2:13:33] packages as well, comments related more
to the time of development.
[2:13:41] And here are some site photos. So, your
photo to the left um is just some
[2:13:46] corrals that they have started. Um, and
you can see then also to the right, it's
[2:13:53] just a little bit further uh picture
further back. Show and that's kind of
[2:13:57] looking north. um northeast.
[2:14:04] This area here to the picture on the
left is kind of the proposed area of the
[2:14:08] proposed arena.
Um the star relates kind of about where
[2:14:13] that is.
[2:14:17] And then this is the proposed parking
area. Um so they have kind of a laneway
[2:14:22] that kind of cuts there in half. So
proposed parking um is to the south, the
[2:14:27] arena would be to the north
and again their star is indicating that
[2:14:32] parking area
[2:14:36] and this is the residence that has
already already been approved. Um it
[2:14:42] being currently zoned agriculture that
is a permitted use. um even in the egg
[2:14:47] business it would be a permitted use and
anyway so when they purchase the
[2:14:50] property they are um building a new home
as well and the star is kind of showing
[2:14:57] your location again as well of that
residence.
[2:15:04] This is just um I'm in the far yes far
south uh west corner that's looking
[2:15:10] north kind of at the parcel. It's very
flat except for that little bit of that
[2:15:17] um seasonal drainage area.
[2:15:22] And then here I'm in the far uh
northwest corner looking south again
[2:15:28] fairly flat besides that little portion
to the east.
[2:15:37] Um if successful in redesation, details
and specific conditions required for the
[2:15:42] development will be dealt with through
the development permit process because
[2:15:45] this will be a discretionary use. Uh
consideration for second and third
[2:15:50] reading of bylaw 1934 will be on the
August 25th, 2026 council meeting
[2:15:55] agenda.
[2:16:03] Thank you. Council, got any questions
for the planner?
[2:16:13] » I'm sure we will in a bit.
Sure.
[2:16:18] » Okay. And now I'll ask the applicant to
come forward to make their presentation.
[2:16:26] » I don't really have presentation.
[2:16:31] Come on. Come on up. We got some
questions.
[2:16:38] » Oh boy.
[2:16:43] » Hello.
>> Hello there. Question for you.
[2:16:48] » Okay.
>> We've seen a lot of uh riding arenas
[2:16:52] throughout this county. What makes yours
so special that you think is going to
[2:16:55] make it a go? things here.
>> I think that we're doing it the right
[2:16:59] way by coming to council and getting it
approved for starters. Um Carla got an
[2:17:05] education, so I think that that's a
second thing where she can actually
[2:17:10] coach legally.
Um and it's us. [laughter]
[2:17:14] I think I think we're a hit.
[2:17:19] » Okay. Who Who lives Who lives in the
house on the south side on the south
[2:17:23] end? Um, so that's our neighbors, Naelli
and Nathan.
[2:17:26] » Can we pull that uh diagram up again,
please? Right down there. Right.
[2:17:32] » So, the white line uh to the north of
them is is your property.
[2:17:37] » Yes.
[2:17:41] » Okay.
[2:17:48] » So, run me through what what you're
going to be doing again. You're going to
[2:17:52] be it's a it's a riding arena. You're
going to be given lessons.
[2:17:57] » Yeah, that that's the plan hopefully. I
mean, either way, we'd like a riding
[2:18:01] arena just for us to ride in. But why
limit it at that? So, we'd like it to be
[2:18:07] commercial because that's the right
thing to do. And then in Carla's future,
[2:18:12] at least she has something she can work
on as an adult, right? We're building it
[2:18:17] for Carla. It's It's all Carla's.
[2:18:23] Wow.
>> Any other questions? Any
[2:18:27] » I feel like you should be doing the
talking. [laughter]
[2:18:31] » I don't know what to say. Relax.
>> It's like 4. You just talk.
[2:18:36] » Well, pretty excited. I have my level
six in coaching. So, I'm only three
[2:18:42] levels away and I can't get that until
I'm 18. So, I'm trying to apprentice
[2:18:46] under a coach and then I'll become a
fully licensed coach and hopefully
[2:18:50] Hopefully the arena will help with that.
Yeah.
[2:18:55] » And I won't have to pay to board horses
anymore, [laughter]
[2:18:58] » too. Boarding six horses is quite a bit.
[2:19:04] » Any other questions,
>> counc? And I I heard you mention earlier
[2:19:09] this you're doing the right thing by
coming to the county and we really do
[2:19:12] appreciate that that you the proper
process and we talk a lot at the county
[2:19:17] about how to keep youth in our in our
county. So, um, what I'm hearing is this
[2:19:21] could be a long-term plan for you.
>> It definitely,
[2:19:24] » and that's awesome. So, this is great.
This is exactly what we want. We want
[2:19:27] opportunities for young people to to be
able to have a career and and have a
[2:19:30] living here and and to stay here. So,
>> thank you. I appreciate it.
[2:19:34] » You're welcome,
[2:19:42] » Councelor.
It's probably an irrelevant question,
[2:19:47] but
>> I am familiar with the property. I
[2:19:51] hadn't been aware that it had been
subdivided that that acreage, your
[2:19:55] neighbors to the south, that that had
been subdivided out of that acreage.
[2:20:00] » Yeah, I think they subdivided a couple
years ago and then the people who
[2:20:03] originally owned it moved into their
campers with like four kids.
[2:20:08] » Oh,
>> little kids.
[2:20:09] » Okay. And then once winter started
coming last year, they were like, "Oh,
[2:20:13] we need to get rid of it." Yeah.
>> But we kind of were living like
[2:20:16] traveling gypsies for like six months,
waiting for something to come up. But
[2:20:20] for us, it had to be in the Nehill
County.
[2:20:23] » And then when that came up, we were
like, "Yep, it's ours."
[2:20:26] » But the plan was always in the future
for Carla to have some kind of riding
[2:20:30] arena, whether it be commercial or just
for her. It's her career. It's her life.
[2:20:36] So saving money by just building it
>> [laughter]
[2:20:40] » And having it there, I think has always
been the goal. This land just kind of
[2:20:46] the universe just kind of plopped it in
our laps. So, and it's very flat,
[2:20:52] [laughter] so it kind of works for
writing.
[2:20:58] » Councelor Olsson.
>> So, it sounds like you specifically were
[2:21:02] targeting NHL County. May I ask just
>> I would never leave Nihill County.
[2:21:07] » Oh, okay.
>> Yeah. I think we've been here now two
[2:21:09] decades. I would never I would never
pick another county. I love Deanna and
[2:21:14] Barb and
it's just it's so easy to have a
[2:21:18] relationship with your county and I feel
like some of the other counties aren't
[2:21:22] as
>> family like.
[2:21:26] » Yeah. Oh, good one.
>> Good. Good to hear. Thank you.
[2:21:30] [laughter]
Got to be careful with some of these
[2:21:32] guys. Well, I feel like to it there's
just a little more understanding in the
[2:21:38] Nihill County. So, when we sold our farm
in Swallwell, the idea was to never
[2:21:43] leave and then you couldn't find
anything for a while. Everything was
[2:21:47] being scooped up. So, we lived in our
campers, then we rented in three hills,
[2:21:52] boarded all the horses, and then this
place. And so, she said, "Neihill
[2:21:56] County." I said, "How much?" And in
three hours it was ours. So,
[2:22:03] » you're stuck with us for life,
unfortunately. [laughter]
[2:22:06] » I was just going to say I think we need
to get you folks on some promotional
[2:22:08] items because you sound like you're very
good at advertisement, [laughter]
[2:22:11] but no, we appreciate that. And that's
>> even through our nervousness.
[2:22:14] » Yeah. No, that's excellent. That's good
to hear. We want to hear that. So,
[2:22:17] appreciate that.
>> Okay. Any other questions? Council's
[2:22:21] satisfied with what they've heard so
far?
[2:22:25] Okay. I'd like to remind everybody that
once the public meeting closes, we'll no
[2:22:29] longer take any information?
Um,
[2:22:36] everybody's okay.
Okay.
[2:22:40] I now declare the public hearing uh
closed at 10:26 and ask for a motion to
[2:22:45] go back into the regular council
meeting.
[2:22:51] » Thank you guys.
>> Thank you, Council Olsson.
[2:22:58] Yeah, I would make the motion that we
resume um regular counsel
[2:23:06] that the public hearing. Okay, let me
read that. Let me read that again
[2:23:11] [laughter]
now that Caroline's made it a little
[2:23:13] more um that I make a motion that the
public hearing for bylaw 1820,
[2:23:22] » no 1934, sorry, be closed at
10:27
[2:23:29] and that council return to regular
council meeting.
[2:23:34] » Yeah, sure.
[2:23:38] By law 1934
and be closed at 11:27
[2:23:44] » 10:27 Oh my goodness, I looked at it
too. [laughter]
[2:23:50] 10:27 a.m. The council returned to
regular council meeting. See, you should
[2:23:55] have done this lowerly. Okay.
All in favor? Carried.
[2:24:05] Let's go to 6.1.
[2:24:19] » Good morning, council. Um, I'm bringing
back today the policy 16-1, the reserve
[2:24:24] policy. As you may remember, um, it was
reviewed at the committee of the whole
[2:24:30] on June 16th, and there were some minor
revisions that council was hoping to
[2:24:35] include. So, in the newest policy, we
have include included those revisions.
[2:24:41] The revisions include an addition of
section 2.2 Two, requiring an
[2:24:46] administration to provide supporting
rationale and analysis when recommending
[2:24:50] and establishing establishment,
modification, consol
[2:24:56] consolidation, renaming, and closure of
reserves. An amendment to section 2.3 to
[2:25:02] recognize emergency emergency response,
disaster recovery,
[2:25:08] and
recogni. Okay. an addition, sorry, an
[2:25:12] addition of section 2.5 recognizing
restricted reserves and identifying the
[2:25:16] county's current restricted reserves
and an addition an addition of section
[2:25:22] 8.2 establishing reserve reporting
expectations including reserve balances,
[2:25:28] contributions, transfers, and investment
income allocations, reserve
[2:25:33] expenditures, and other reserve activity
to support council oversight and
[2:25:38] decisionmaking.
So, I'm not sure if you want to go
[2:25:42] through the whole policy again. I think
we went through that during the
[2:25:46] committee of the whole and I'm here to
answer any questions you may have.
[2:25:50] » Just a quick question uh on this long-
winded policy.
[2:25:54] Um is there anything in there that
states that uh once a reserve hits a
[2:25:59] certain level that we should look at
giving some of that reserve back to our
[2:26:02] rate?
>> No, it's not in the back.
[2:26:07] » There isn't.
>> No.
[2:26:10] I'm just proposing that we look at
something like that because we're not in
[2:26:13] the business here to collect taxes and
make become multi-billionaires while our
[2:26:17] taxpayers aren't reaping the benefit of
some of this stuff
[2:26:22] » now. Like
>> maybe maybe it's something we can look
[2:26:24] at down the road. I don't know.
>> Well, when basically it's reserves are
[2:26:28] funded by council. Council chooses to
put funding into those reserves. Um, we
[2:26:36] don't it doesn't it's not like an auto
automatic collection of money where it
[2:26:40] gets to a certain point. If council
decides that they want to put money into
[2:26:43] a reserve account, they put money into
that reserve account. So, it won't get
[2:26:48] to a point
a a certain point where you'd give it
[2:26:52] back unless council decided that f they
were funding it. So, the council would
[2:26:56] in the budgetary process council makes
the decision to fund into a reserve. We
[2:27:00] don't make that process. It's not
automatic. I understand that, but I'm
[2:27:04] just saying we don't need to have $92
billion in an account and the rateayers,
[2:27:09] you know, we should have almost like a
target.
[2:27:12] » That's just a thought.
>> Yeah, we're talk. It's still talking
[2:27:18] here, but that that that's just a
thought. I mean, it doesn't say anything
[2:27:21] in here, so I just wanted to make sure.
>> Yep.
[2:27:24] » Councelor or CEO Teresa.
>> Thank you. Through the brief of council.
[2:27:29] So, the reserves are here to fund our
future capital needs. So, our assets,
[2:27:32] our our buildings, our processes, our
roads, our gravel. Um, council decides
[2:27:38] every year how much they want to put in
based on what we recommend for asset
[2:27:41] obligations over the next 30 years.
Those things can change, but the
[2:27:45] reserves are very important to our
future sustainability. It's not like
[2:27:48] we'd get to a place where we're like,
bing, we have enough. Let's give it
[2:27:50] back. We would never have enough. We
will never be ahead of the game.
[2:27:54] » That being said, I disagree with you
wholeheartedly. I mean it
[2:27:57] [clears throat] boils down to spending
and uh these are taxpayers dollars and
[2:28:02] that was just that's just a comment that
I made about having a pile of reserves.
[2:28:06] » Um we will get there one day.
[2:28:14] Is there any
>> office?
[2:28:17] » Uh I just want to say thank you for
adding some of the comments that I had
[2:28:21] in there from the last presentation.
And to me uh the old policy served
[2:28:28] primarily as an an accounting admin
procedure and the new policy establishes
[2:28:34] a more strategic governance framework
and aligns with our financial
[2:28:39] management. Um
[2:28:45] to me the new policy also um the reserve
funding just doesn't
[2:28:53] just because we have it doesn't mean we
have to spend it. And I think the old
[2:28:56] policy
left that window open a little bit. Uh
[2:29:00] this new policy clarifies that just
because we have it we don't have to
[2:29:04] spend it.
I'm also
[2:29:08] cautious that I We did it what two
months ago we spent 1/8 of our reserve
[2:29:16] in one meeting. Uh I do agree a little
bit that we have to be careful as to how
[2:29:23] much we have in reserves. But I do agree
that
[2:29:28] we can never have enough because we
never know what's going to come down in
[2:29:31] the future where we might have to spend
a lot of money in heck of a hurry. So,
[2:29:37] um, I like the new policy as presented
and, uh, that ends my comments.
[2:29:44] » Council Olsson,
>> yeah, I would agree. We never know what
[2:29:48] the future holds, but we do know that,
uh, a lot of our the money that we're
[2:29:54] able to put in reserves comes from
linear and, uh, that isn't always going
[2:30:01] to be there. Um, so I think we need to
plan for that. plan for um I mean when
[2:30:11] when we're uh you know abandoning more
wells and we're drilling you know um we
[2:30:17] have to be cogn of that and uh
yeah I I wouldn't be in favor of
[2:30:26] of uh giving
you know uh rebates but uh I am in favor
[2:30:33] of trying to keep tax down. Thanks
[2:30:40] Counc.
>> Yeah. I mean, I think it's good
[2:30:42] conversation to have. For me, the best
thing we can do for our rateayers is
[2:30:46] keep our taxes as low as we can,
potentially reduce them. I think that
[2:30:50] would make a lot of people happy. Um,
we've seen a lot of municipalities um
[2:30:54] even not very far from us um face some
infrastructure failure. So, I know I
[2:30:58] always feel confident that we've done
our due diligence and we're saving well
[2:31:02] and being very mindful of that money.
And as we've seen, we don't know what
[2:31:06] the province is going to do. We've faced
more downloading. I've experienced that
[2:31:10] in the last five years. So yeah, I'm I'm
very happy that we've been very
[2:31:14] responsible and have that that nest egg
because yeah, we don't know we don't
[2:31:18] know what's going to happen. So yeah,
thanks again. It was it's it's a good
[2:31:21] policy or good. Thank you.
[2:31:29] » Any other questions?
[2:31:33] Councelor Hopkins.
>> Uh, I move that council approve policy
[2:31:39] 16-1 reserves as presented.
>> Any questions or concerns on that?
[2:31:47] » All in favor?
>> Carried.
[2:31:50] » Thank you, council.
>> Thank you.
[2:32:01] » Let's go to 71.
[2:32:06] We're good.
>> 71 for the uh adoption of the 2026 2029
[2:32:14] county strategic plan.
>> Good morning, council. Thanks for
[2:32:19] bringing this back to council to review
the public here or the public
[2:32:23] information we gathered while we
advertised. Uh, as you recall, on June
[2:32:27] 9th, council passed a motion directing
administration to publicly advertise the
[2:32:31] draft strategic plan, invite feedback,
and return for consideration. Today, we
[2:32:37] did get quite a few hits on our
advertisement, and we advertised in
[2:32:40] quite a few places, as you've seen in
the report, but we got about 16,000
[2:32:44] advertisement views, which is quite
amazing, and 190 people visited our
[2:32:49] strategic plan, which is quite great for
a small rural municipality. Um the
[2:32:54] discussion was not significant in terms
of requiring an addition or a changes to
[2:32:59] our strategic plan but it was good
feedback and it was aligned with where
[2:33:03] council is going supporting practical
and fiscal responsibility.
[2:33:07] Um adding transparency and communication
with residents through our quarterly
[2:33:12] reports which is things that we're
already going to be doing. And then of
[2:33:15] course support for maintaining
traditional service delivery alongside
[2:33:18] digital services which we know is
critically important to our residents
[2:33:23] and recognizing one one rate pair did
talk about the recognizing the long-term
[2:33:27] economic sustainability and continued
growth of our municipal assessment base.
[2:33:32] We did get some good feedback but at the
same time nothing that would require a
[2:33:36] major rewrite of the strategic plan. So,
if council's in agreement, I would
[2:33:40] recommend that council adopt the 2026 to
2029 strategic plan as presented.
[2:33:49] » Uh, when we got this information back,
are these guys putting their names on? I
[2:33:52] think they're not required to put their
names on. Yeah.
[2:33:56] » Okay. Because I mean, I see some stuff
there. That's
[2:34:00] really I don't even understand why it
would be in here, but
[2:34:05] Okay.
Any other questions or concerns?
[2:34:08] Councelor Coney now.
>> Well, since I was the one that asked for
[2:34:11] this to go to the public, I just want to
thank administration and council for
[2:34:15] allowing that to happen. And yeah, I
think there was um quite a bit of
[2:34:18] feedback like you mentioned. Um 190
folks visited the strat plan, which is
[2:34:23] that's amazing to me because I actually
didn't even expect that we'd get that
[2:34:26] much. So, um I love the feedback. Not
going to say I always agree with it, but
[2:34:31] I'll always welcome people's opinions
and I'll look at it and consider it. Um,
[2:34:35] you know, as Zarie said, there's
definitely some interesting comments. I
[2:34:38] think a lot of it goes back to fiscal
responsibility, which I think as a
[2:34:41] council we could all say that's, you
know, one of the top responsibilities
[2:34:45] that we feel we have. Um, I I don't want
to put Miss Cochran on the spot because
[2:34:49] I don't know if we have, but there was
comments made about um the cost of this.
[2:34:54] And for me personally sitting here last
term um and it's no slight on last
[2:34:58] council but the decision was made last
time to actually hire someone to
[2:35:03] facilitate the strategic plan um there
was a stay in red dear and and um cost
[2:35:08] to that. So for me personally looking
what we did last term to this term I
[2:35:13] don't know what the exact cost
difference would be but to me it would
[2:35:15] be substantial. Um so I don't know if we
have the exact to me this was a very
[2:35:19] minimal cost. We did it in house. Um so
um I I appreciate the feedback for
[2:35:24] people but I just want to let them know
that it was a very lowcost um
[2:35:30] endeavor that we did. Um there's talk
about um you know people somebody
[2:35:35] mentioned about if we want economic
development um we need to reassess
[2:35:40] agriculture land. Well that doesn't fall
under our purview. That's a provincial
[2:35:45] um regulation. And you know, they a lot
of people talked about the community
[2:35:50] values and traditions and I and I think
we all speak to that. Um I think this
[2:35:55] was the one that talked about Oh yeah,
the roads. Um 583, which I get a lot of
[2:36:00] comments too. When are you going to fix
583? We don't take care of 583. And so
[2:36:04] that's just communication too. And I I
think um we did put that out on social
[2:36:08] media last week too about which roads
are our responsibilities and which are
[2:36:11] provincial. So So again, it's just some
education piece. Doesn't mean we can't
[2:36:15] advocate. We always do advocate with
Minister Duchian I think or we try to we
[2:36:20] ask for meetings. So we can definitely
look look at that and look at partnering
[2:36:24] with the town of Three Hills to advocate
for that. But yeah no I think it was
[2:36:27] great. So yeah
>> well the problem that I have with it is
[2:36:30] because this isn't half this stuff
that's coming back isn't from resident
[2:36:35] or uh rape pairs that McNeel County.
They're from the towns. They're from
[2:36:40] everywhere. And I mean I don't put any
credit in this one whatsoever. I There's
[2:36:45] a couple there that uh had a you know
without without taking everything for
[2:36:52] the grain of salt. But I mean to sit
there and and say that we got to lower
[2:36:56] taxes or or or pay the farmers got to
pay another more than $300 an acre that
[2:37:01] tells me exactly where these guys are
coming from and who they are. But uh
[2:37:05] that being said, it is what it is. So
>> yeah, go ahead. So, I I did dive down
[2:37:11] the social media platform on this one
and and I think majority we we actually
[2:37:15] know where these came from. If you go to
social media, the comments are public.
[2:37:19] So, I mean, I'm just guessing, Miss
Cochran, but I think there was maybe
[2:37:22] just be a couple anonymous, but the
majority um were from Nihill County. I
[2:37:26] mean, I know people well enough that the
a couple of the comments that came from
[2:37:29] 583 I know are Three Hills residents,
but I would say the majority of the
[2:37:33] comments did for sure come from Neihill
County residents. Any
[2:37:39] other discussion, concerns,
council county?
[2:37:44] » So, very good.
>> Okay, you're good.
[2:37:48] » We're good.
>> I won't fight you. Okay. So, I will move
[2:37:50] that council adopt the 2026 2029 Mihill
County strategic plan as presented.
[2:37:57] » Any other questions or concerns on the
on the motion?
[2:38:03] » All in favor?
carried
[2:38:11] 7.2.
We've been looking for this one for a
[2:38:14] long time.
[2:38:24] » Carolyn, is this you?
>> It is me.
[2:38:26] » Okay. Uh so before you today is the most
recent draft of the uh copy of the
[2:38:31] procedural bylaw including the proposed
amendments. Council had an opportunity
[2:38:36] to review these amendments at numerous
meetings. Attachment A is included and
[2:38:41] provides a detailed breakdown of the
proposed changes to by line 1919 along
[2:38:45] with the rationale for each amendment.
Since the last update um there has been
[2:38:51] an update on meetings by electronic
means. Council directed administration
[2:38:56] to amend the bylaw to remove
location-based requirements for
[2:38:59] electronic participation. Under the
revised approach, members may
[2:39:04] participate electronically regardless of
their location. However, participation
[2:39:09] is limited to a maximum of two
consecutive regular council meetings
[2:39:12] unless otherwise authorized by
resolution of council. So, council has
[2:39:17] the option today to pass third reading
to this bylaw or make amendments to the
[2:39:22] policy before um making the third
reading. That concludes my report and
[2:39:27] I'm happy to answer any questions you
might have.
[2:39:30] » Okay. Thanks. Any questions or concerns?
I think we beat this one up to death.
[2:39:40] » Um
motion
[2:39:45] council ro.
[2:39:48] » Yeah. Um,
I can make the motion that council
[2:39:53] provide third reading and final rating
to uh bylaw 1930
[2:39:58] procedural bylaw.
[2:40:03] Any questions or concerns on the motion?
Any any any questions or concerns on the
[2:40:09] motion?
Any concerns or questions?
[2:40:19] All in favor.
[2:40:34] Let's take a 5m minute break at 10:44.
Thanks.
[2:51:55] Are we on?
>> Okay, we're back at 10:55. Let's go to
[2:52:00] 7.3.
[2:52:04] » Arboritum.
>> The 7.3. Yeah, the grant request from
[2:52:09] the Troer Arboritum. So, good morning
council. Um, administration received an
[2:52:14] application from the TroUan District
Arboritum Society under the community
[2:52:18] and event sponsorship grant category.
Under this funding stream, applicants
[2:52:23] are not they're they're not required to
present to council. So, that's why you
[2:52:27] didn't see them today um see them
present today. Um, in terms of available
[2:52:33] funding, the county has 70,000 budgeted
for community and event sponsorship
[2:52:37] requests in 2026. To date, 45,350
has been awarded to other projects. This
[2:52:44] leaves a remaining balance of 24,650
available for funding requests. I'll
[2:52:50] just bring up that pie chart that I
bring up every um meeting when there's a
[2:52:55] grant request. So, there is um 65%
allocated already. Um 12% um are
[2:53:03] applications and review. That includes
the prairie request that we heard
[2:53:07] earlier and the troer arburidum. I
haven't received any new requests since
[2:53:11] then and um the remaining um available
is 23%.
[2:53:16] So the county has provided to this
organization in previous years. In 2025,
[2:53:22] council approved $500 in funding and in
2024 council approved $1,112.
[2:53:30] My understanding is that the 2024 was
the first year this event was organized
[2:53:36] by the Troshu and District Arburedum
Society. Prior to that, the event was
[2:53:41] organized by a group of local women in
Troshu in the Troshue area and no
[2:53:45] funding requests were made to the county
prior to 2020 24. Um the application is
[2:53:52] attached and provides an overview of the
project. Council's options today are as
[2:53:57] follows. uh approve the funding request
in the amount requested, approve a
[2:54:01] funding in a different amount or deny
the request and receive the report for
[2:54:06] information. That concludes my report
and leave the matter with council for
[2:54:10] discussion and direction.
[2:54:16] Councelor Wilson.
>> Sorry, Kieran. Uh, did you say we have
[2:54:22] given to them in the in the past two
years as well?
[2:54:26] » 2025 and 2024.
>> So 2025 we provided them $500 and in
[2:54:31] 2024 we provided them $1,112.
>> Yeah, that's what I thought.
[2:54:36] » So just to to clarify or maybe I'm
getting mixed up, if we provided them
[2:54:40] $1,000 last year, they couldn't get it
this year
[2:54:44] or is that the other grant? Um that was
through a different funding source.
[2:54:49] Yeah.
[2:54:53] » Did it say anywhere where the town of
Troy gave any money?
[2:54:55] » Um they did. They provided them $500 in
um
[2:55:01] » advertising money.
[2:55:10] So yeah, if we gave uh funding in
previous like I thought we were we
[2:55:16] needed to
skip once in a while or is that correct?
[2:55:20] Is that not in our funding?
>> That's over a thousand. So
[2:55:23] » that's over,000.
>> So last year we gave him $500.
[2:55:26] » Okay.
>> Yeah.
[2:55:31] » But it's a new funding stream this year.
So um compared to last year
[2:55:37] council
[2:55:41] looking at me. Um, yeah. No, this is a
great event. I I I don't know if it said
[2:55:45] historically how many years. I know my
my late mother-in-law used to be very
[2:55:48] involved in it and and there is a lot of
kids that go as well and they take their
[2:55:52] flowers that they've grown or their
baking that they've done. And so I think
[2:55:55] it kind of encompasses, you know, all
age levels. So it's a great event and
[2:55:58] like um Miss Vander said it previously
it was a group of women, local women
[2:56:03] that took care of it and now the society
has taken it over. So, um, with that
[2:56:08] being said, I will make the motion that
council approve funding in the amount of
[2:56:11] $500 to the Troshu Arburedum Society to
assist in the cost associated with
[2:56:15] hosting the Chro Flower, Baking, and
Photography Show.
[2:56:23] » Any comments on the motion?
[2:56:28] » All in favor?
Car.
[2:56:35] 7.4. Four, removal of historic motions
from council action items.
[2:56:53] So, um, this is me again, and you know
how much I love organizing and keeping
[2:56:57] things clean. So, I'm bringing to you
today u a report regarding the removal
[2:57:02] of historical motions from the council
action item list. U many of these
[2:57:07] motions were passed prior to the current
council term and several have remained
[2:57:12] inactive for some time. In some cases,
the motions no longer reflect the
[2:57:16] priorities or direction of the current
council. Rather than continuing to carry
[2:57:20] these for items forward forever,
administration is recommending that they
[2:57:24] be removed from the action items list
under the municipal government act,
[2:57:29] council may resend or amend previous
decisions by resolution. Uh the motions
[2:57:34] administration is recommending for
removal are as follows. Motion 123
[2:57:40] slash25.
This motion was passed prior to the
[2:57:43] current council term. The matter has
remained inactive for some time and
[2:57:47] administration does not believe there is
an intention to pursue it further. Um
[2:57:52] the second motion 30325.
Similarly, this motion was passed pri um
[2:57:58] before the current council term and has
been parked for an extended period
[2:58:02] without further action.
Motion 41125.
[2:58:08] Um, this motion relates to uh council
road tour. Uh, responsibility for
[2:58:14] coordinating road tours now falls under
the road committee. If council still
[2:58:18] wishes to proceed with road tours in the
future, administration re recommends
[2:58:22] that this item be managed through that
committee rather than remain on the
[2:58:26] action item list. Um, motion 41525.
This motion directed the 2026 2029
[2:58:34] policy review schedule to the committee
of the whole administration is currently
[2:58:38] reviewing county policies and working to
bring all policy reviews up to date. As
[2:58:44] a general practice, policies should be
reviewed at least once every four years.
[2:58:48] This means that in theory each policy
will come before a sitting council
[2:58:53] during its term. If council wishes to
review a specific policy sooner,
[2:58:57] administration would be pleased to bring
it forward at any time. Um, council has
[2:59:02] several options today. One is remove all
the motions identified in this report.
[2:59:09] Uh, two, remove only selected motions
from the list or receive the report for
[2:59:14] information which would result in no
changes being made to the current action
[2:59:19] items list. That concludes my report. I
will leave now. I'll leave the matter in
[2:59:25] council's hands.
>> Thank you.
[2:59:29] Any discussion?
[2:59:33] » Pretty simple, straightforward
motion.
[2:59:38] » Councelor Anderson,
>> I'd like to move that we remove all
[2:59:44] of the
[2:59:51] all. See motion. 12325
motion 30325
[2:59:59] motion 41125
motion 415/25
[3:00:07] everyone's okay with the motion
all in favor
[3:00:18] uh 7.5 m county scholarship applications
[3:00:23] This will be you again, Caroline. You're
you're speaking quite quite a lot this
[3:00:28] meeting.
[3:00:43] There we are. Okay. So, good morning
again. Today, I'm pleased to present the
[3:00:48] 2026 Nihill County scholarships. As you
may know, each year Nihill County awards
[3:00:53] two scholarships of $2,000 each to
residents enrolled in post-secondary
[3:00:58] institutions. This year we received six
eligible applications from only two high
[3:01:03] schools in our region. Um, every year we
come up with a new essay question on the
[3:01:08] application. This year, the essay
question posed to the applicants was,
[3:01:13] "What initiatives do you think a rural
municipality like Nihill County could
[3:01:18] take to better support youth in building
meaningful careers and staying connected
[3:01:23] to their community
council, before we proceed, I'd like to
[3:01:27] briefly explain why administration is
recommending that the scholarship
[3:01:31] applications be considered in close
session. Uh the scholarship applications
[3:01:35] contain personal information submitted
by youth applicants including
[3:01:39] educational information, personal
statements, achievements, and other
[3:01:43] identifying information that was
provided to the county for the purpose
[3:01:47] of evaluating scholarship eligibility.
Under Albert Alberta's new legislative
[3:01:52] framework including POPA and ATIA public
bodies have highlight heightened
[3:01:58] obligation to protect personal
information and limit its disclosure to
[3:02:03] only what is necessary for lawful
purpose. While scholarship applications
[3:02:07] may have been reviewed in open session
in previous years, administration has
[3:02:11] reviewed our practices as part of the
county's privacy management program and
[3:02:15] determined that discussing individual
applications in a public meeting creates
[3:02:19] a risk of unnecessary disclosure of
personal information belonging to youth
[3:02:24] applicants.
U moving the discussion to close session
[3:02:28] helps ensure the applicant's personal
information remains protected and that
[3:02:32] council can evaluate the applications
fairly and respectfully without publicly
[3:02:38] disclosing personal details and were pro
that were provided in confidence.
[3:02:43] Following council's discussion and
decision, the scholarship recipients
[3:02:47] will be announced publicly. However, the
personal information contained within
[3:02:51] the application themselves will remain
protected. For these reasons,
[3:02:55] administration recommends that council
move into close session to discuss the
[3:02:59] scholarship applications.
[3:03:14] session.
>> We can go into close session to discuss
[3:03:17] this and then go on to the We can do
itever way you want. We can um skip this
[3:03:24] and go to the next agenda item.
>> Let's do that.
[3:03:28] » Close session and yeah, then we'll just
have to come out and
[3:03:32] come out. We're done for sure.
[3:03:39] uh 8.1.
[3:03:49] » Hi.
>> Yeah. So, earlier today we heard from
[3:03:52] the Prairie Christian Academy. Um they
are requesting $7,500 in grant funding
[3:03:57] to assist their play with their
playground upgrades. The application
[3:04:03] is before you. um provides an overview
of the project and outlines the funding
[3:04:07] being requested. Um in terms of
available funding, the county has
[3:04:12] $70,000 budgeted for these types of
requests. To date, we have allocated
[3:04:17] 45,350 to other projects in 2026,
leaving a remaining balance of 24,650.
[3:04:24] Um the county has provided funding to
this organization in the PA past.
[3:04:29] Council approved a project in the mount
of 25,000 in 2018 to build a sports
[3:04:35] court and baseball diamonds and
playground which you saw pictures of in
[3:04:39] his presentation today. Council's
options today are as follows. Approve
[3:04:43] the funding in the amount requested,
approve funding in a different amount or
[3:04:48] deny the request and receive the item
for information. That concludes my
[3:04:52] report. I will need now leave it with
council for discussion.
[3:04:59] CA.
>> Sorry. Um, our planning manager sent me
[3:05:03] a message on this one. So, because
they're part of the school board and the
[3:05:06] school division, they could apply for
reserve funding, school reserve funding
[3:05:10] through the funding that we set aside
for school reserves. So, there is
[3:05:14] another option for funding for this
project besides our community grants,
[3:05:18] just as an FYI.
And and we could follow up with them
[3:05:23] should that be the the way that council
chooses to go. Councelor
[3:05:31] Olson.
[3:05:34] » Um, so when we gave them money in 2018
for the playground equipment, did that
[3:05:41] come out of that reserve funding or was
it out of a grant?
[3:05:45] » It was out of um it was a grant
>> because we do this for most we do this
[3:05:49] for most schools.
>> Actually, no, it wasn't a community
[3:05:51] grant. It was a um because they didn't
really meet the eligibility of the
[3:05:55] community grant application and council
um just made a a motion taking it out of
[3:06:02] reserves.
>> Okay. And and and we do this quite often
[3:06:07] for all schools withinities.
Is that correct? Um well some like we've
[3:06:14] we've like when they've built a new
school um we've provided um other
[3:06:19] schools with with funding like the Acme
School received 100,000 um for their
[3:06:25] gymnasium project um Troshu
>> but I guess specifically playground
[3:06:31] » for playgrounds we haven't really that
was the only playground that we um
[3:06:35] besides our own playgrounds in the hill
county that we've really contributed
[3:06:39] funs to
>> that's That's why I wanted this to bring
[3:06:42] this back to council again because this
is getting convoluted. Too much money. I
[3:06:46] mean I you know what I said before I'm
not in favor of schools and or hospitals
[3:06:50] getting this stuff. There's dollars and
cents. We're already paying taxes there.
[3:06:54] CEO.
>> Thank you. Through the reef to all of
[3:06:57] council. So the MGA on section 6712
covers the municipal school reserves and
[3:07:03] how they can get funding for that. So,
we do have funds set aside for school
[3:07:07] use for applications for things like
playgrounds, for sporting equipment, for
[3:07:12] additions. Um, I've dealt with this a
lot in previous roles in previous
[3:07:16] governments here. I haven't seen too
many applications come through, but we
[3:07:19] do have a healthy reserve to support
schools through that set aside funding
[3:07:24] acquired by the province.
And that's where they would have got the
[3:07:28] funding the first time. I believe
>> that reserve is required by the
[3:07:32] province.
>> Yes. Yes, I can get you all.
[3:07:35] » How much do we So, sorry this is off
topic, but I mean, how much does the
[3:07:40] province require us to put into this?
>> I will get you all the information on
[3:07:44] the school reserves because every
development has to set aside a portion,
[3:07:48] but I'm not as familiar with our policy
here, but we have they have set aside a
[3:07:52] portion that goes into that reserve
>> that supports schools funding in the
[3:07:56] future. But I will
>> Where is Where is that reserve at? Do we
[3:07:59] have that? Oh, sorry.
>> It's a healthy balance. We'll let
[3:08:04] » But I'll get you the information. I'll
bring it back.
[3:08:06] » We'll bring that back and we'll need
discussion on that, too, because you
[3:08:09] know what? Here we go.
>> Province's telling us what we we already
[3:08:12] paying taxes and they're telling us we
got to pay more.
[3:08:15] » Yeah.
Okay. Carrying on.
[3:08:19] Any other questions?
[3:08:28] motion.
[3:08:32] Council Olsson.
Yeah, I would uh make the motion that
[3:08:37] council uh
approve the grant request for
[3:08:44] uh or approve the funding in the amount
of 7500 to the Prairie Christian Academy
[3:08:48] for as to assist in costs
associated with uh
[3:08:56] sorry um
I removed that uh motion just based on
[3:09:05] uh I think we need to find out
for a different that there might be that
[3:09:12] different form of funding. Sorry. So I
>> uh yeah instead I remove the motion and
[3:09:19] I would like to table uh funding this
possibly or getting
[3:09:26] information
on the education
[3:09:30] funding of schools and sources. Yeah,
because we may want to do this. Um,
[3:09:36] yeah. So, table it to
next meeting.
[3:09:40] » Yeah,
>> that's good. Okay, thank you.
[3:09:46] » So, does that have to be a motion? Okay.
>> Okay. Sorry.
[3:10:01] Okay.
I will continue. Um, I make the motion
[3:10:07] the council defer this agenda item and
request administration bring back
[3:10:11] further information to the August 21st,
2026 meeting
[3:10:19] » clarification. That should be the 25th.
[3:10:23] » 21st is a Friday
>> for Do I have to say it again?
[3:10:27] » No.
>> Okay. August 25th. Thank you.
[3:10:34] Everybody's okay with the motion.
All in favor? Oh, pardon me.
[3:10:39] » Yeah. No, just and this isn't a comment
or wouldn't be part of the motion, but
[3:10:43] um I would really encourage them as well
to um go to the town of Three Hills as
[3:10:49] well and uh submit a funding request
from them as well.
[3:10:55] » Councelor Hopkins.
>> Yeah. And one more to that. I know
[3:10:58] there's lots of uh other funding avenues
that they can approach as well. Like we
[3:11:05] do have the grant writer that has been
able to be quite successful in quite a
[3:11:10] few grants. So, uh that's another option
for them. Um that that might work too.
[3:11:17] So, just be prepared.
[3:11:22] » I do believe that this organization has
gone to the grant writer and the grant
[3:11:26] writer did suggest that we have grant
funding available and to apply here as
[3:11:30] well
[3:11:39] everybody. Okay. All in favor.
[3:11:54] Let's go to council and committee uh
reports.
[3:12:05] » Well, we only have division five always.
[clears throat]
[3:12:08] Oh, okay.
>> Five, one, and four.
[3:12:10] » Oh, all right then. Let's start. Let's
start with division five.
[3:12:15] » Let's just set the tone right off the
top. Yeah. Yeah.
[3:12:21] » I'm on a time limit. Yeah. No, actually
pretty quick and simple for me. Um yeah,
[3:12:25] just July 1 attended the Busy Bee
breakfast um that they do there. Uh it's
[3:12:31] a fundraiser and um all the funds raised
go to the food bank. So that was
[3:12:36] awesome. Um and then I had a quick
pickup and and off went to the Chro
[3:12:39] Parade, so that was great. Um I know
councelor Hoppins was there with the
[3:12:43] Troy Fire Department and yeah, Troshi
just knocks it out of the park every
[3:12:47] year. So kudos to them. Great parade,
well attended, awesome. So, uh, July
[3:12:52] 11th, uh, was a Three Hills parade, and
I just want to say thanks to CEO Cochran
[3:12:56] for attending. I had a great driver from
Nihill County that I was able to meet
[3:13:01] that day. So, thank you to him. And I
had two really awesome young pals from
[3:13:07] division five that I recruited to come
help throw candy and they did an
[3:13:11] excellent job and they're on retainer
for next year. So, that was great. And
[3:13:14] again, Three Hills House does a great
job chamber with the kids carnival and
[3:13:18] everything, music in the park and yeah,
just a great day. So good to see people
[3:13:22] gather and be together and yeah, have
fun. So um and then July 13th, um I did
[3:13:28] attend the Troer housing meeting. Um
councelor Hopkins was away. Um maybe
[3:13:33] we'll bring some minutes forward with
that when they come to us, but basically
[3:13:38] the same same messaging on time, on
budget, and they're moving forward with
[3:13:43] things. So I think they're planning
another site tour I think in about
[3:13:47] September. So if anybody's interested um
it is it is worth a worth a tour there
[3:13:52] because yeah for me personally I can't
look at the plans and see what it's
[3:13:55] going to look like. So to actually be on
site it's pretty pretty amazing. And
[3:13:59] yeah July 14th uh we had an FCSS meeting
and uh we are making some progress on
[3:14:05] our multi-municipal agreement. Um, I
think we're getting close and uh they've
[3:14:09] been hosting camps and they've all been
full. So, they've been doing lots of fun
[3:14:13] things this summer. So, yeah, that's it
for me.
[3:14:16] » Thank you,
[3:14:20] » Council Anderson.
>> Division One, uh, I attended the 100th
[3:14:25] anniversary of the the Hescus of uh,
Paul and uh, it was a fun event. Lots of
[3:14:34] history, lots of pictures. uh some
amazing stories about the town. I never
[3:14:40] realized Hesus
had as much history as it did. Uh I mean
[3:14:45] they went through it all. They had they
had hotels, they had everything. U and
[3:14:51] uh but I did was asked to thank the
council for the $7,000 that they
[3:14:58] received and they put the money to good
use. Believe you me, I saw the old
[3:15:04] chairs in that hall and you didn't want
to sit down in them. The chair new
[3:15:08] chairs were much more comfortable. So it
was well spent and anyhow they want to
[3:15:13] express that gratitude for that.
[3:15:18] » Yep. Council.
>> Yeah. I just that's so awesome that you
[3:15:21] attended that and what a great event and
I'm just wondering if that's another
[3:15:24] thing maybe miss Cochran that we could
put on our social media because I
[3:15:28] noticed not noted when we did the ghost
pine one. Um, people just love that and
[3:15:33] people love to see the events that are
going on and the history of the county.
[3:15:36] So, I think that would be a great one to
include as well.
[3:15:42] » Councelor Olson.
>> Yeah, I just uh
[3:15:47] uh attended the uh Silver Willow's 50th
anniversary on July 11th. Uh, it was
[3:15:56] most of the day. Uh they had bands, they
had uh pancake breakfast, hot dog, steak
[3:16:03] dinner at the end. Um
which was uh to all help uh benefit the
[3:16:10] Silver Willows uh Seniors Association.
It was a great event. And uh shout out
[3:16:16] also to the Brook Haven uh bar and
restaurant there for helping uh put the
[3:16:24] event in front of the bar there because
uh of the construction that we had uh on
[3:16:29] the laneway. It was kind of closed off
there. So it was just brought out and it
[3:16:34] was just they they just helped the
seniors uh Silver Willows Association
[3:16:39] there so much. So I just wanted to give
them a shout out. Um, yeah, it was a
[3:16:44] great day. Other than that, uh, attended
the, uh,
[3:16:49] ASB summer tour this last week in
Strath, well, Weedland County. They put
[3:16:56] on a an act a great, uh, summer tour.
Uh, we toured lots of different farming,
[3:17:04] agriculture,
uh, areas. And uh I guess uh one that
[3:17:10] stuck out to me was the solar sheep uh
where they were grazing uh the sheep
[3:17:15] under the solar project there just uh
south and uh east of town there. So um I
[3:17:22] was actually surprised at uh the amount
of growth they could get under those
[3:17:27] panels. So there was some interesting
information there. So no, all in all uh
[3:17:32] it was uh I thought they they made a
great event and uh got some useful
[3:17:37] information there. So, thanks.
Thank you. Any other
[3:17:44] We lead pretty boring lives the rest of
us.
[3:17:52] » Okay, let's go to number 10. Council
followup action list. Has everybody had
[3:17:55] a chance to look at it? I didn't see
anything pressing on it. Unless you
[3:18:00] wanted to have a quick look at
>> counc. Yeah, not pressing, but I noticed
[3:18:07] uh motion 9226 about the information on
the newsletter that it was going to come
[3:18:12] back in July. We're probably going to be
looking for that in August now, I'm
[3:18:15] guessing.
Yeah. Okay.
[3:18:28] Everybody okay with it? Every action
list. Okay.
[3:18:34] We better get into close session.
[3:18:39] » Council Hopkins,
>> I move into close session at 11:22.
[3:18:52] » Okay.
[4:50:30] Okay, we're out of uh close session at
12:54.
[4:50:35] Uh motions from
[4:50:42] » pardon me, Councelor Penner. I would
move I would make the motion that
[4:50:46] council move forward on the order to
remedy contraventions
[4:50:51] at a maximum cost of $60,000 and the
costs added to the tax role number 322
[4:51:00] 6344
39 0.
[4:51:08] Everyone's okay with the motion. Any
concerns? All in favor? council
[4:51:20] cleaning up. I will make the motion that
council award the 2026 Nihil County
[4:51:26] scholarship in the amount of $2,000 each
to Shelby Pipky and Riet.
[4:51:34] » Any concerns, questions?
Councelor Hopkins,
[4:51:38] » I just want to say in regards to the
scholarship, um there were some pretty
[4:51:43] good essays and letters of reference and
just want to say thanks to those that uh
[4:51:50] submitted and uh congratulations to the
two winners. Thank you.
[4:52:00] » We have to stay till
>> No. Thank you, councelor Hops, because I
[4:52:04] have to say this is one of the hardest
things that I do every year. And it it
[4:52:08] actually when I read these essays, it
gives me great hope for for the future
[4:52:12] and and for uh Nihill County. Some some
it's just so hard to decide and like you
[4:52:17] say, good job to everybody.
>> All in favor?
[4:52:21] » Carried.
[4:52:26] Do we have any other comments or
questions prior to adjournment or
[4:52:31] anything? Councelor Cunningham.
[4:52:37] Oh, good.
Okay, let's adjourn.