County of newell november/December 2013

www.countyofnewell.ab.ca

Check the County of Newell website forlast minute meeting changes

www.countyofnewell.ab.ca

UPCOMING MEETINGSUPCOMING MEETINGS

the office will be closed on the following days:

Municipal Planning Commission/Council

Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013 - Christmas DayThursday, December 26, 2013 - Boxing Day

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 - New Year’s DayMonday, February 17, 2014 - Family Day

All meetings are held in the Council Chambers of the County of newell Administration Building located in Brooks, AB at 183037 RR 145

unless otherwise noted.

the MPC meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. the Council meeting will begin immediately

after MPC adjourns.

Contact Us:

County of newellP.O. Box 130Brooks, AlbertaT1R 1B2administration@newellmail.catelephone:fax:

403-362-32661-888-361-7921

County websitewww.countyofnewell.ab.caChief Administrative officerKevin Stephensonstephensonk@newellmail.ca

Director of Corporate ServicesLayne Johnsonjohnsonl@newellmail.ca

Director of Information & technologyRoberta Fernellfernellr@newellmail.ca

County PlannerGavin Scottgavinscott@orrsc.com

Manager of Planning & DevelopmentAlyce Wickertwickerta@newellmail.ca

County AssessorKevin Halstedhalstedk@newellmail.ca

Manager of economic DevelopmentMichelle Gietzgietzm@newellmail.ca

Manager of financeMatt Fenskefenskem@newellmail.ca

Agricultural ServicesDirector of Agricultural ServicesTodd Greengreent@newellmail.ca

Manager of Agricultural ServicesHolly Whitewhiteh@newellmail.ca

Agricultural Services SupervisorWill Schaapschaapw@newellmail.ca

Municipal ServicesDirector of Municipal ServicesMark Harbichtharbichtm@newellmail.ca

Manager of operationsTerry Schroederschroedert@newellmail.ca

Manager of engineering ServicesGeoff Tiffintiffing@newellmail.ca

County CouncilDivision 1 - Rolling HillsClarence AmulungTelephone: 403-964-2292Division 2 - tilleyGordon SimpsonTelephone: 403-377-2596Division 3 - Patricia/MillicentAnne Marie PhilipsenTelephone: 403-378-4724Division 4 - Rainier/Scandia/Bow CityWayne HammergrenTelephone: 403-501-8909Division 5 - Cassils/lake newell ResortTracy FyfeTelephone: 403-793-2076Division 6 - BassanoKelly ChristmanTelephone: 403-641-2274Division 7 - RosemaryEllen UnruhTelephone: 403-378-4292Division 8 - DuchessBrian de JongTelephone: 403-362-4587Division 9 - GemMolly Douglass (Reeve)Telephone: 403-641-2562Division 10 - BrooksLionel JussTelephone: 403-362-5689

newell newslettereditor/Design & layoutAriana Nielsen (Executive Assistant)

ProofingJoanne Wells (Records Management Clerk)

Printed by: The Brooks & County Chronicle

Copyright © 2013 County of newell

County of Newell - Council Notesby Molly Douglass, Division 9 Councillor, County of Newell Reeve

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Municipal elections in Alberta resulted in a 47% change in elected officials. The usual number is about 33%. In the County of Newell there were four elections and six acclamations, which resulted in five new Councillors at our table. The familiar faces of Ike Schroeder, Allen Eastman, Ryan Andrews, Mara Nesbitt, and Joel Bulger are missed. We are appreciative of the time, energy, and wisdom given over their years on County Council and wish them good health and good times in the years ahead.

Our five new Councillors have put in two Council Meetings already. Gordon Simpson, Wayne Hammergren, Tracy Fyfe, Kelly Christman, and Ellen Unruh seem to be enjoying their new roles. Faced with a wide variety of committee work and a lot of reading, they continue to keep smiling—a good sign! Their positive approach and inquiring minds are welcomed. Look for contact info for your councillor on the front page of this newsletter!

Many people hear the term “reeve” but are not completely sure what it means. Basically, it has the same meaning as a mayor. Rural areas commonly refer to their chief elected official as reeve, while urbans call them mayors. Another fact that is not well known is that a reeve or mayor can be chosen year by year by the councillors, rather than being elected at large by the ratepayers. This is the system that the County, Bassano, Duchess, and Rosemary use while the City of Brooks has a stand alone election for mayor. Once a year in October, an Organizational Meeting occurs for municipal councils to determine the make up of numerous committees and to choose a Reeve and Deputy Reeve, if he/she is not elected at large. For 2013-14 Deputy Reeve Brian de Jong and Reeve Molly Douglass will continue in these roles.

To help you understand what “committee work” involves, here are some examples. The Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) involves all ten councillors and meets twice a month prior to Council Meetings. Common agenda items are reports on development/construction, applications for subdivision of land, permits for home businesses, work on inter-municipal plans, discussion of issues around compliance, or changes to land use. Certain decisions made at the MPC can be appealed to the Subdivision and Appeal Board, which is made up of members-at-large from the public. Much different and smaller is the committee involving the maintenance and operations of the Brooks Airport, which Councillor Lionel Juss sits on. This also involves members at large,Don McIntyre and Lloyd Rommens. This is a joint committee of the City of Brooks and County of Newell.

Here’s a few items from Council Minutes. Remember that there are complete copies of agendas, minutes, policies, etc at www.countyofnewell.ab.ca on our website.

Council decided to enter into an agreement with the 8760 Group for the provision of energy services for a period of two years. This company works with our provincial organization, Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Cost savings can be realized, not only for the County building, but also other community organizations associated with the County.

The Coyote Control Incentive Program, which pays a bounty of $15, will continue this winter from December 1 - March 31. Call the Agricultural Service Board at 403 362-3266 for additional information.

Due to the dissolution of the Village of Tilley

Road Maintenance ResponsibilitiesThe County of Newell is responsible for 1500 km of gravel and 200 km of paved roads including roads within the Hamlets and subdivisions.

All numbered Highways (paved and gravelled) in the County are maintained by Volker Stevin for the Province. To contact Volker Stevin please call 1-888-877-6237 (1-888-VS-ROADS)

Prioritization of Plow RoutesCounty maintained roads are plowed based on the following prioritization criteria:

1. Arterial and Paved Roadways: Arterials are major roadways having high traffic volumes over medium to long distances and are used for inter-county travel needs.

2. Collector Roadways, School Bus Routes, Subdivisions and Hamlets: Collectors distribute traffic between arterial and local roads serving as main connectors to subdivisions and linking subdivisions together. Collectors usually do not provide direct access to private property.

3. Local Roadways: Local roads are usually low to medium-traffic volumes and provide direct access to residences and private property.

Once arterial roadways are cleared, equipment is deployed to clear collector roadways and school bus routes. Local roadways are addressed when arterial and collector roadways are completed.

Snow Removal and equipment

Gravel Roads

Gravel roads are broken into 10 regions of grader responsibility and each operator maintains approximately 150 km of gravel road. This includes surface grading in the summer months and snow removal in the winter months. Each grader is equipped with a wing blade for pushing snow into ditches. Additionally V-plows and U/V blades can be added to front of graders for removing heavier snow accumulations. The County can dispatch a loader mounted snow blower, to remove very heavy snow drifting, assisted by either a dozer or loader.

Paved Roads

The 200 km of paved road infrastructure is broken into seven snow plow responsibility regions. These regions are managed by a fleet of five highway plow trucks. Two trucks with front plows and wings are dispatched to Northern regions (Bassano, Duchess and North County). One truck with extendable reversible front plow and a regular plow is dispatched around the Brooks and Patricia area. Finally, one regular plow truck is dispatched for the Southern area roads. Typically all paved roads will have snow removed and de-icing applied in an 8 hour shift.

Hamlets and Subdivisions

Snow removal in Hamlets and Subdivisions will happen after Arterial Roads have been cleared. Grader operators will windrow snow in Hamlets, so snow can be removed at a later time with equipment. Paved surfaces in some Hamlets and Subdivisions will be serviced by plow trucks (highway plow trucks or two tonne plow truck). Hamlet and Subdivisions will see two types of services. The first will be plowing snow to the center of streets to allow traffic to freely move. Then when all roads are cleared of snow and staff and equipment are available, snow will be removed from the streets, piled at designated areas. The County is currently installing a “snow gate” on a grader to manage snow windrows in residences driveways. If this tool is successful we will be installing snow gates on graders that service Hamlets and Subdivisions in the future.

For information on roads maintained by the County of Newell, please call 403-362-3266.

Snow & Ice Removal

into the County, Council continues to rescind numerous bylaws no longer in effect or required.

Council supported a motion to provide financial support in the amount of 50 cents per capita to the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance for 2014.

A motion was passed to add 0.65 km segment of a road in NW 33-19-14 to our road maintenance list.

Best wishes for a fun festive season!

the County of newell officeswill be closed at 3:00 p.m. on

December 24 and 31, 2013

Happy Holidays!

www.countyofnewell.ab.cathe newell newsletter - november/December 2013PAGe 2

Bylaw no. 1781-13

BEING A BYLAW OF COUNTY OF NEWELL IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA FOR THE REMOVAL OF SNOW, ICE, DIRT AND OTHER DEBRIS FROM PRIVATELY OWNED LAND ONTO PUBLICLY OWNED LANDS.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 18(1) of the Municipal Government Act, Statutes of Alberta, 2000, Chapter M-26, and amendments thereto, a Municipality, subject to every other Act, has the control and management of all roads within the Municipality; and

AND WHEREAS, pushing and clearing snow from private property across or onto County roads adjacent to private property causes frozen ridges, creates excessive drifting, increased maintenance cost and is a very serious safety concern;

NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the County of Newell in the Province of Alberta, duly assembled, hereby enacts as follows:A. TITLE:1. This Bylaw may be referred to as the “SNOW ON ROADS BYLAW”B. DEFINITIONS:1. “Road” in this By-law has the same definition as in the Municipal Government

Act and means land shown as a road on a plan of survey that has been filed or registered in a land titles office.

C. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES:1. Any person who, without justification, deposits snow, ice, dirt and other debris on

a road is guilty of an offence.2. Any person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and

may be ordered to forthwith remove any snow, ice, dirt and other debris deposited on the road.

3. When any person contravenes this Bylaw, the County may remove the snow deposited on the road and recover any expenses incurred in doing so whether or not a conviction is made.

4. Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and, upon summary conviction, subject to:a. A fine of not less than $100.00 and not exceeding $150.00 for a first offence,

andb. A fine of not less than $150.00 and not exceeding $2,500.00 for a second or

subsequent offence.D. SEVERABILITY:1. It is the intention of Council that each separate provision of this Bylaw shall be

deemed independent of all other provisions herein and it is the further intention of Council that if any provisions of the Bylaw is declared invalid, all other provisions hereof shall remain valid and enforceable.

E. EFFECTIVE DATE:1. This Bylaw shall come into force and take effect on the date of the final passing.

Snow Removal BylawThe County of Newell wishes to remind residents that the following bylaw is in effect throughout the County and is subject to enforcement by the County of Newell Enforcement Officers.

John Nesbitt – Municipal Enforcement Supervisor

The Tilley and District Public Library is located within the Tilley School in the Village of Tilley. The Tilley Library became a member of the Shortgrass Library System in 2005, which broadened the scope of library access for all our patrons and has been of great benefit to both our library and our community as a whole. A family membership costs only $10 per year and an individual membership is $5 per year.

September - JuneMondays 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

July - AugustMondays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.Wednesdays 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Tilley and District Public Library experienced some changes in the last few months due to the dissolution of the Village of Tilley and its subsequent reversion to hamlet status. The Tilley and District Public Library Board dissolved as a direct result of the village dissolution, after 38 years of service to the village and surrounding community. This does not mean, however, that our community will not have a library! Our library is now governed through the County of Newell Library Board, similar to Rolling Hills and Alcoma. We continue to provide library services to all members of the community, just as we have in previous years.

Through the support of the public library, the students of Tilley School have participated in videoconference sessions already this school year! We hosted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame out of Cleveland, Ohio, who presented to the Grades 5 and 6 classes, as well as the Royal Botanical Gardens from Hamilton, Ontario, presenting to the Junior High students in support of their science curriculum. We are very grateful to Mrs. Kim Simo and Ms. Erin Bellamy for their enthusiasm in arranging these programs and their willingness to utilize the library’s services!

We are very fortunate to be able to provide the opportunity for many people to use our videoconference equipment to attend meetings without driving out of the area. We encourage anyone interested to come in and inquire about programming and upcoming sessions. We are glad to take your suggestions and input and make it work for you the best way possible.

Our space is also open to community groups for meetings and gatherings. Special arrangements can be made for proctoring online distance education exams.

With the support of the Shortgrass Library System, the Tilley library also offers a Summer Fun Camp in partnership with the TD Summer Reading Program. This takes place over two separate weeks during the summer and consists of crafts, games and activities for children aged 3 to 12. This program is also free of charge.

Our volunteers are here to help you with everything from finding that next great novel to ordering materials from other libraries, basic Internet use and word processing, downloading electronic and audio books online, accessing community information and networking, or just providing a comfortable place to sit and read. Come in and visit us soon!

Contact Anita Chappell at 403-377-2233 Extension 150 (school) or email us at tillib@shortgrass.ca for more information.

Tilley & District Public Library

Mayor Martin Shields and Reeve Molly Douglass attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Brooks, AB on November 11, 2013. (Photo by S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin)

MANAGE AND MARKET WHAT YOU MEASURE

Workshop for Commercial Cow/Calf and Purebred Producers All mee�ngs—11:00 am to 4:30 pm

Date Loca�on Contact

Dec. 10, 2013 Elk Point Seniors Recrea�on Centre LARA, Ph. 780‐826‐7260

Dec. 11, 2013 Veteran Hall CARA, Ph. 403‐664‐3777

Dec. 12, 2013 Brooks, Cassils Hall, 190073, Rge Rd 15‐5

County of Newell, Ph. 403‐794‐2336

Jan. 14, 2014 Mayerthorpe Legion Hall Lac Ste. Anne Cty., Ph. 780‐785‐3411

Jan. 15, 2014 Leslieville Community Centre Clearwater County, Ph. 403‐845‐4444

Jan. 16, 2014 Claresholm Community Centre MD of Willow Creek, Ph. 403‐625‐3351

Registra�on Fee: $20/person

Registra�on Deadline: Space is limited so please register by December 6th for the December sessions and by January 10th for the January sessions, to reserve a seat and lunch

To Register, call: Local Agriculture Services, contact shown for each loca�on above

Sponsored by: Canadian Ca�lemen’s Associa�on, Alberta Angus Associa�on, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Local Agriculture Services (Coun�es, MDs and Special Areas)

Beef InfoXchange System (BIXS) Update

Examples of Useful Informa�on Flow

U�lizing Beef Herd Management Informa�on

Using EPDs/Genomics Effec�vely in Selec�on

Pro�ng from Informa�on and Selec�on

Q/A Panel Discussion

PAGe 3www.countyofnewell.ab.ca the newell newsletter - november/December 2013

Exploring Southeast Alberta Industryby Michelle Gietz, Manager of Economic Development

The County of Newell is very excited to be hosting the 2014 Provincial Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Summer Tour from July 7-10, 2014. This is an annual event that is hosted in a different part of the province each year. The hosting municipality showcases their area to elected officials and Agricultural Fieldman from across the province.

The County of Newell last hosted this tour 18 years ago in 1996. A number of changes to agriculture and industry have occurred since then and we are thrilled to share what we have to offer with delegates from across Alberta.

Typically around 300 delegates, 100 spouses and 50 children attend the summer tour each year. Our organizing committee is working hard to provide different and exciting tours for each of these groups. They will include everything from Dinosaur Park to a high tech robot dairy to specialty agriculture as well as an extensive tour of irrigation throughout our region.

The Eastern Irrigation District and City of Brooks have partnered with the County to help with organizing and hosting this special event. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for other organizations that may be interested in assisting with the summer tour. Please check out the website at http://asbtour2014.ca for more sponsorship and contact information.

The County of Newell would like to remind County residents that you must have snow and/or ice removed from publicly owned sidewalks within 24 hours after any snow fall event. Any owner and/or occupant of the property where the sidewalk is not cleared may be issued a fine as well as any costs incurred to clean the sidewalk.

For more information please refer to Bylaw #1779-13 or call 403-362-3266.

John Nesbitt, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor.

Source: Statistics Canada 2011

In the” 2011 Summary of Exploring Southeast Alberta Industry” report by the Newell regional Economic Development Initiative, research showed that the Industry Revenue per Worker in the City of Brooks and surrounding area is higher than that for both the City of Calgary and the City of Edmonton.

Source: Statistics Canada 2011

Meat processing in the Newell Region is the second highest contributor of that industry to the Province of Alberta.

TOP 5 Industries by Business Revenue in the Newell Region NAICS Industry Category Total Revenues

(Millions $) Total Labour

21 - Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction $2,002.60 1,985

31-33 - Manufacturing $1,172.73 1,860 41 - Wholesale Trade $987.75 450

22 - Utilities $854.69 200 23 - Construction $286.66 855

top 5 industry total $5,304.43 5,350

Total of all industry $6,824.66 13,225 Source: Statistics Canada 2011

Over 75% of all industry in the Newell Region is generated by five industry categories, employing 40% of all labour in the region.

Using 2011 Statistics Canada data, the Newell Regional Economic Development Initiative analyzed industry and employment in the Newell Region to give an economic snapshot of local industry. The data was compared to that in other municipalities and districts to allow us to compare our industry to that and to an Alberta standard. Industry was analyzed using the North American Industry Classification System to identify the top revenue producing industries in the area.

The graphs below are a sample of some of the findings.

2014 Provincial aSB Summer TourHoSTed By THe counTy of newell

S i d e w a l K S n o w r e m o va l

Merry Christmas!You are cordially invited to join

your elected officials for a

Christmas Open HouseTuesday, December 17, 2013

4:00 - 6:00 p.m.at the County of Newell Office

183037 RR 145

For more information, please contactAriana Nielsen, County of Newell 403-794-2319

County of NewellMini Bus Service

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DeCeMBeR 2013 JAnuARy 2014

PAGe 4 www.countyofnewell.ab.cathe newell newsletter - november/December 2013

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The Real Property Report & Letter of Complianceby Alyce Wickert, Manager of Planning & Development

In the sale of property, it is often suggested or even required that a Real Property Report (RPR) be prepared for the property and that a Letter of Compliance accompany the RPR as part of the purchase agreement. As the landowner or purchaser, the following questions may come to mind:

• What is a Real Property Report and a Letter of Compliance?

• Why are they important?• How much are they going to cost?

A Real Property Report (RPR) is a legal survey document, prepared by registered Alberta Land Surveyor. It shows the locations of all improvements on the property relative to its boundaries. An ‘improvement’ refers to pretty much any structure that exists on the property. The surveyor will also include the legal description of the parcel, encroachments into the property or an adjacent property, boundaries of the property, utility rights-of-way and easements that affect the title, and any other surface interests on the title. In order for the RPR to be valid, look for the surveyor’s stamp (red) and his signature in blue ink. Anything else is not a legal RPR.

A Letter of Compliance is issued by the municipality (usually the Development Officer) to verify that the improvements and information indicated on the Real Property Report are consistent with the requirements of the current Land Use Bylaw. While the municipality has no legal obligation to issue a Letter of Compliance under the Municipal Government Act (MGA), most municipalities prepare them as a public service.

The RPR and Letter of Compliance are useful tools for everyone involved in the sale or purchase of a property. For the landowner, the RPR shows the exact locations of improvements, whether encroachments exist, and compliance with the Land Use Bylaw. For the purchaser, it verifies the boundaries and improvements of the property and reveals any compliance issues. For the bank, it either verifies that the property conforms to municipal bylaws, or highlights problems that need to be resolved. Overall, a Letter of Compliance provides the confirmation as to whether the property complies with the Land Use Bylaw. If not, steps may need to be taken to ensure the property becomes compliant. It’s very important that the RPR is completed early in the process of selling the property, so that issues may be resolved prior to final sale. This will ultimately speed up the sale of the property and reduce legal fees.

The cost of preparing a Real Property Report by a registered surveyor will vary, depending on the type and size of the parcel, the number of improvements, and the difficulty of the survey. Expect to pay at least $1000.00 to have the RPR prepared by the surveyor. Keep in mind that the RPR is a small part of the total cost of your investment in the property and may help sell the property more quickly.

In order for the County of Newell to review an RPR and issue a Letter of Compliance, the following items are required:1. An original Real Property Report, signed and sealed by

the surveyor; 2. The RPR must be less than 1 year old; 3. The fee: residential compliance - $75; commercial or

industrial compliance $150.For further information about Real Property Reports, contact an Alberta Land Surveyor or go to their website: www.alsa.ab.ca. You can also contact the Planning & Development Department at the County of Newell.

Have you an event coming up that requires collection of cardboard, paper, newsprint or beverage containers? Rolling Hills has already booked the Newell Recycling events mobile recycling trailer for the long weekend in August, 2014. The beverage containers collected in the trailer need to be counted for Alberta Beverage and Container Recycling Corporation (ABCRC) and the proceeds will be returned to your organization.

Have your garden and flower beds been put to sleep for the winter? Think ahead to soil preparation for the next year with some compost from Newell Recycling. The compost (which is a beautiful light mixture and greatly enhances tired soil) has been the preparation of grass, leaves and garden waste from the back alley compost bins and the drop off from residents over the summer and autumn seasons. Best of all it’s free if you bring along some buckets and load it yourself or for $25 Newell Recycling staff will fill a half ton using the bobcat.

For more information call Newell Recycling at 403 362 2132.

Newell Recycling Newsby Florence Juska

County of Newell Rental Equipmentby Holly White, Manager of Agricultural Services

Have you been plagued by raccoons? Are magpies driving you nuts? Would a portable loading chute make your next cattle round up easier? Would a big BBQ be the perfect tool to make your family reunion a success? If you answered yes to any of these questions maybe it is time you checked out the County of Newell ASB rentals page on our website.

We have a wide range of rental options for cattle handling, pest control, weed spraying, no–till drills, tree planters and a large portable BBQ for events. All available to our rate payers at very reasonable prices.

For more information on our rental equipment check out the Agricultural Services page at www.countyofnewell.ab.ca or stop in at the new building and visit us at the parts counter.

Portable Loading Chute Livestock Squeeze Portable Scale

Tandem Axle BBQ