Feb. 28 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.

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Feb. 28, 2023 Council meeting notes

View the Feb. 28 agenda.

Deputy Mayor oath – division 3 Councillor – Dalpreet (Dal) Virdi

Mayor Doblanko administered the Deputy Mayor oath to division 3 Councillor Dal Virdi for the period commencing March 1, 2023 to Oct. 31, 2023.

Public presentation

Jennifer Goodridge, Leduc County resident, submitted a presentation expressing her frustration with an autobody operation covered with junk bordering up to her property. The autobody operation operates seven days a week at all hours. This is causing jeopardy to her personal safety and physical health. Ms. Goodridge requested the County intervene on her behalf.

Mayor Doblanko advised Ms. Goodridge that administration would provide her with a response.

Staff introductions

The following staff members were introduced to Council:

• Cynthia Priebe, Administrative Assistant – Corporate Services
• Yana Harbar, Accounts Payable – Finance
• Kathleen Krabbes, Administrative Assistant/Receptionist – Finance
• Shailesh Modak, Manager – Utilities

Staff service awards

The following staff members were recognized for their years of service at Leduc County:

Five years

• Laurie Stoetzel, Administrative Assistant – Planning and Development, Development Services

10 years

• Renee Klimosko, General Manager – Financial and Corporate Services

2022 carry forward requests

As part of the financial year-end process, administration must seek approval to transfer tax dollars from 2022 to reserves in order to fund the year-end carry forward requests.

Administration recommended Council approve the 2022 carry forward project list in the amount of $5,328,200 and a total transfer of $709,500 to reserves to fund the 2022 projects that will be completed in 2023.

Council approved the recommendation.

Policies – Agricultural Services

Council approved the following Agricultural Services policies:

• AP-03 Rental Equipment
• AP-04 Horticultural Services
• SW-01 Small Acreage Drainage Projects

Road plan closure and land sale/swap: Road Plan 5135EO, Bablitz

On May 10, 2022, Council received a report to authorize a closure of a portion of road plan 5135EO and sell it to the owner of SW1/4 13-48-27-W4M. At that time, the landowner decided not to proceed with the purchase of the road.

Further discussion with the landowner lead administration to consider a land swap with the landowner for a portion of land that is adjacent to the bridge culvert BF00743 that crosses Township Road 482.

Administration recommended that Council authorize the road closure of road plan 5135EO within SW¼ 13-48-27-W4M and, upon approval by the Minister of Transportation, that a portion of the land be sold and consolidated with the balance of the quarter and approximately 0.86 acres of the land (approximately 100 metres x 35 metres) adjacent to bridge file 00743 be retained by Leduc County for the purpose of bridge culvert replacement and/or repair.

Council approved the recommendation.

Funding request: Sunnybrook low pressure sewer flushing point installation

On Nov. 28, 2022, administration was notified of a sewer issue in Sunnybrook. An individual had recently replaced a pump, and now sewer was flowing back into their tank. To correct the issue, a larger pump needed to be installed, which resolved the issue; however, Leduc County has now been notified by four other individuals about similar sewer issues.

Leduc County has never flushed the low-pressure sewer in Sunnybrook as flush points weren’t installed as part of the original design. Over time, solids can collect in sewer main sags, partially blocking pipes. Fats/oils/greases discharged into the system can collect over time and restrict the mains as well. These partial blockages will create constrictions within the pipes, increasing the pressure needed to discharge to the sewer by the residents, and this will require larger pumps to be installed.

Administration recommended Council allocate $39,000 from the capital wastewater collection lagoon repair and replacement reserve to install two flush points within the Sunnybrook low-pressure sewer.

Council approved the recommendation.

In-camera session

Council met in-camera to discuss an item related to the Leduc County/City of Leduc tax share agreement. This session was held in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.