Council meeting notes
Council meeting notes are an informal recap of each regular Council meeting.
These notes are not an official record of Council meetings; official minutes are posted online once approved by Council.
June 14, 2022 Council meeting notes
Public presentation
A public presentation was made by Dalpreet Virdi, who spoke on behalf of neighbours and residents in division three about concerns that their councillor no longer resides in their division.
Mayor Doblanko advised Mr. Virdi that administration would provide a written response addressing the concerns.
Staff introductions
The following new staff members were introduced to Council:
- Christina Kwok, Manager – Accounting Services, Finance
- Kala Raymond, Planner – Development Services, Planning and Development
Establish a 2022 tax sale date
Each year, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA), administration follows a process to offer any parcel of land shown on its tax arrears list for sale at a public auction if the arrears are not paid.
Administration recommended that Council set the tax sale date for Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. at County Centre.
Council approved the recommendation.
Kavanagh wastewater lagoon renewal additional funding request
The Kavanagh wastewater lagoon renewal project was approved as part of the 2022 Major Capital Plan. Since the project was approved, costs have increased, specifically when it comes to sludge removal and disposal.
There are multiple options for sludge disposal, but the two most common (and feasible) options are application to agricultural land and disposal at a landfill. The tender was developed to accommodate both sludge application to agricultural land and sludge landfill disposal. The pricing for landfill disposal option came in well above budget and is not a financially viable option. The pricing for land application was higher than the project budget.
Administration recommended Council approve an additional $134,000 to be funded from MSI Capital to fund the shortfall for the Kavanagh wastewater lagoon renewal project.
Council approved the recommendation.
Recreation cost-share agreement with the City of Leduc
For more than 35 years, Leduc County and the City of Leduc have shared the cost of recreation service provision for residents. Since 2019, the agreement has set an annual fixed funding allocation for recreation cost sharing operating expenses. A joint committee of both Leduc County Council and administration and City of Leduc Council and administration have proposed a revised agreement and funding allocation for another three years.
Administration recommended Council approve the revised recreation cost-share agreement with the City of Leduc and its associated contribution of $400,000.
Council referred the agreement back to administration to look at clarifying the end date for the agreement and to ensure that the capital is clearly negotiated. Further, Council asked that administration bring this information back to Council at the July 12, 2022 meeting.
2020 and 2021 recreation cost-share capital – City of Leduc
Over the last few months, administration and Council members of Leduc County and the City of Leduc held meetings to review and update the existing recreation cost-share agreement between the municipalities. During the meetings, previous year capital projects that were completed by the City were reviewed. According to the cost-share agreement, projects will be reviewed by Council and agreed to with a contribution to be made following project completion.
Administration recommended the following:
- That Council support the 2020 capital program, as submitted by the City of Leduc, and approve a funding contribution of $96,472.
- That Council support the 2021 capital program, as submitted by the City of Leduc, and approve a funding contribution of $78,795.
Council approved the recommendation.
2022 recreation cost-share capital – City of Leduc
The City of Leduc has submitted their list of 2022 capital projects to be included in the recreation cost-share program. As per Leduc County’s agreement with the City of Leduc, Council must approve all projects prior to a commitment of financial support.
The recreation cost-share committee reviewed the 2022 summary, and recommended support of an amended project list with the removal of three projects, as follows:
- Grain Elevator
- Leduc Lions Park
- Leduc Golf Club
Administration recommended Council support the amended 2022 capital projects summary from the City of Leduc.
Council deferred the consideration of the amended 2022 capital projects summary from the City of Leduc until the July 12, 2022 regular Council meeting pending approval of a new City of Leduc cost-sharing agreement.
Recreation and library cost-share: Town of Thorsby 2019 final payment
Administration recommended Council approve a final payment of $60,000 for the 2019 recreation and library cost-share to the Town of Thorsby.
Council approved the recommendation.
Recreation and library cost-share agreement: Town of Thorsby 2022 budget payment
The Town of Thorsby submitted its current year budget for recreation and library cost-share services. As per the information provided, the amount eligible as per the cost-share agreement is $335,881, with a 60 per cent budget payment due by July 1.
Administration recommended that Council:
- Accept the 2022 budget from the Town of Thorsby for cost-share recreation and library services and its associated budget impact of $335,881, which will be funded by $281,830 from the 2022 approved operating budget and the remaining $54,051 by operating special purpose future year initiative reserve or 2022 internal savings.
- Approve a payment for the 2022 recreation and library cost share in the amount of $201,528 to the Town of Thorsby.
Council approved the recommendation.
Recreation and library cost-share: Town of Calmar 2021 final payment
Administration recommended Council accept the 2021 audited financial statements from the Town of Calmar for cost-shared recreation and library services and approve a final payment of $162,143 for the 2021 recreation and library cost-share.
Council approved the recommendation.
Recreation and library cost-share: Village of Warburg 2021 final payment
Administration recommended Council accept the 2021 audited financial statements from the Village of Warburg for cost-shared recreation and library services and approve a final payment of $39,049 for the 2021 recreation and library cost-share.
Council approved the recommendation.
Recreation and library cost-share: Village of Warburg 2022 budget payment
Administration recommended Council accept the 2022 budget from the Village of Warburg for cost-shared recreation and library services in the amount of $147,573 and approve a budget payment of $88,544 for the 2022 recreation and library cost-share.
Council approved the recommendation.
New Sarepta Agricultural Society – special project funding
The New Sarepta and District Agricultural Society has requested support to rebuild two compressors that support ice plant operations. This is a required maintenance task that improves ice plant efficiency and reduces the risk of breakdowns and repairs during the operating season. A cost estimate of $11,725 per compressor was provided to the Ag society on Feb. 4. Additional costs may be required and will not be known until the project is initiated. All costs greater than $25,000 will be funded by the Society.
Administration recommended Council approve a grant of $25,000 to the New Sarepta Agricultural Society to support arena ice plant repairs.
Council approved the recommendation.
Fisherton Cemetery Maintenance Society request for financial support
In 2018, Council approved a policy to support community cemeteries that are owned by Leduc County. The Fisherton Cemetery Maintenance Society requested a contribution of $3,000 to support current year operations and assist with the replacement of their mower.
Administration recommended Council approve a grant of $3,000 to the Fisherton Cemetery Maintenance Society.
Council approved the recommendation.
Thorsby Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church request for financial support
On April 25, Council received a request for financial assistance from the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Calmar. The parish is facing difficulty with volunteers and finances to appropriately serve the community.
Leduc County policy CD-05 allows for cemeteries that are owned and operated by Leduc County to receive financial assistance. The policy does not address cemeteries that are owned and operated on private lands, such as the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Calmar.
Administration recommended Council deny the request for financial assistance.
Council denied the request and made a motion for the Municipality Policy Review Committee to review the Community Cemetery Funding Policy CD-05.
Leduc County Library Board – financial reviewer appointment
The Alberta Libraries Act requires Council to approve the appointment of an individual or company to review or audit library financial information. The Library Board has requested approval of its appointment of Ashley Rounceville.
Administration recommended Council approve the appointment of Ashley Rounceville as the financial reviewer for the Leduc County Library Board.
Council approved the recommendation.
Royal Oaks Estates outstanding deficiencies
On May 26, administration presented a report and facilitated a workshop discussion with Council in relation to the outstanding deficiencies left uncompleted by Cancom in the Royal Oaks subdivision. The discussion centered around the specific works that remain outstanding from Stages 2, 3, and 4, the initial administrative perspective regarding priorities for completion of outstanding works in 2022, and the estimated value of infrastructure that remains unconstructed.
Administration recommended Council approve the commencement of work to complete the identified deficiencies within Royal Oaks Estates and approve a funding request of $291,669 for construction to be undertaken in 2022.
Council approved the recommendation.
2023 budget guidelines
As part of the annual budget process, Council establishes guidelines that provide a framework to administration for the preparation of the annual budget.
Administration recommended Council direct administration to follow the following guidelines in the development of the 2023 budget:
- The budget will include the following documents:
- Corporate Plan
- Department operational plans
- Operating budget projections for 2024 to 2026
- Long-range financial plan for 2024 to 2033
- Major Project Plan
- Capital Project Plan
- New Initiatives Plan
- The interim budget for 2023 will assume up to a three per cent tax dollar increase over 2022.
- The funding for the Major Project and Capital Project Plans will be a minimum of $5,500,000 in tax dollars.
- The budget process will follow the 2023 budget Council timeline.
Council approved the recommendation.
2022-2025 Strategic Plan
Every four years, Leduc County Council develops a Strategic Plan for the organization. After the 2021 election, a strategic planning process was initiated to create Leduc County’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. Administration presented Council with a final version of the plan for adoption.
Council adopted the plan with amendments.
Cancellation of June 28 regular Council meeting
Administration recommended Council cancel the June 28 Council meeting to allow Council to attend the Little Potato Company groundbreaking ceremony.
Council approved the recommendation.
In-camera session
Council met in-camera to discuss a potential solar project in Nisku and the Council Code of Conduct, sections 17, 19 and 24. This session was held in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Business arising from in-camera session – Council Code of Conduct
Council passed a motion that Leduc County Council adopt the finding of the external investigator and finds that certain public statements made by Mayor Tanni Doblanko regarding the proposed Creekside Solar Project were made in breach of Mayor Doblanko’s duties under section 5.3 of the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw. At the relevant time, Leduc County Council did not have an official position on this project, nor does it have one today, and the public remarks made by Mayor Doblanko did not represent the will of Council nor did they accurately reflect the public remarks of some of her fellow Councillors. Mayor Doblanko’s conduct in this regard was inappropriate and fell short of the standards expected of members of Council for Leduc County. Council acknowledges Mayor Doblanko’s admission of inappropriate conduct and accepts her verbal apology to Council.
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