News

Council Decisions: April 28, 2020

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Here is a brief summary of the decisions of Rocky View County Council at the April 28, 2020 Council Meeting. This is a general overview of decisions only. Details of the agenda items can be found in the meeting’s agenda and details on the specifics of the decisions can be found in the minutes of this meeting, both on the Council Minutes & Archives page. Details are also available by contacting the County’s Municipal Clerk’s Office.

General Business

• Council approved budget adjustments to finalize Rocky View County’s 2020 Operating and Capital budget as part of their ongoing budget review process. These adjustments include changes in funding, expenses and revenue, and project deferments. Additionally, to financially assist ratepayers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the current 2% tax increase will be removed from the budget with an additional 3%, resulting in a 3% property tax decrease.
• Council denied the request for late tax payment penalty cancellation from the owner of Tax Roll 03222511 in accordance with Late Tax Payment Penalty Cancellation Policy C-204 and advise Administration to encourage the owner to sign up for the TIPP program.
• Council approved a budget adjustment of $3 million dollars to fund the County’s obligation for upgrades to Dwight McLellan Trail including a permanent stormwater management system and installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Dwight McLellan Trail and Nose Creek Boulevard. Funding to be provided through existing Transportation Offsite Levy funds.
• Council approved a time extension requested by the landowner group to allow for finalization of the Terms of Reference for the Glenmore Trail Area Structure Plan. Administration will return to Council with feedback regarding landowner contributions, terms of reference, and a budget adjustment, on or before May 26, 2020.
• Council approved the amendment of Condition #7 of Subdivision Application PL20190098 to defer a portion of the Transportation Offsite Levy as per a recommendation by the Municipal Planning Commission.
• In response to a request to reduce the Transportation Offsite Levy and defer the Stormwater Offsite Levy by the applicant of Development Permit PRDP20190022, Council approved a motion to collect an amount of $196,134.64 for the Transportation Offsite Levy and an amount of $101,143.84 for the Stormwater Offsite Levy.
• Council approved Development Permit Application PRDP20200125 for the construction of an offal processing addition to the existing facility in accordance with the conditions of approval.
• Council reviewed Administration’s request to seek permission from the Provincial Government to allow County Level 1 Community Peace Officers to conduct Traffic Safety Act enforcement on primary highways within the County’s jurisdiction. This item was tabled for reconsideration and additional review on a later date.
• Council rescinded the Guidelines to Evaluate Commercial Communication Facilities Policy C-308, as part of their regular policy review process, as its requirements would be more appropriate within an Administrative Policy.
• Council received, for information, a Utility Fee Deferral Program Assessment report outlining options for implementing bill payment deferrals for County ratepayers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including communications plan, budget implications and program comparisons by other municipalities.
• Council voted to cease further exploration of a Rocky View County Recreation and Parks Foundation, and revisit this option within six months of the approval of the County’s Recreation and Parks Master Plan.
• Council directed Administration to submit an application to the Municipal Sustainability Initiative in the amount of $1,160,000 to implement lifecycle improvements to the Springbank Park for All Seasons facility, and for the implementation of an off-leash dog park on Lot:6 MR; Block:2; Plan: 0413544.
• Council approved the funding of up to $100,000 for the design of the County’s portion for the Langdon Joint Use Facility. The funding will come from the Langdon Special Tax Levy over a period of three years. Council directed Administration to work with the Rocky View School Board to develop a joint use agreement.
• Council approved Bylaw C-8043-2020, intended to review late tax payment penalty options to assist our rate payers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tax payment penalty date for ratepayers will be moved from July 1, 2020 to September 1, 2020.
• Council also directed Administration to explore offering payment of property taxes, whether monthly or annually, via credit card, to support the timely payments of property taxes using a new payment method, including a service fee to ensure the County’s taxes remain whole and provide a report to Council on June 9, 2020.
• Council approved a first reading of borrowing Bylaw C-8032-2020, intended to fund the local improvement plan for Country Lane Estates water coop upgrades. The local improvement plan will be circulated to all affected owners and the bylaw will be advertised for a public hearing tentatively scheduled for June 23, 2020.
• Council approved a motion directing Administration to develop and deliver a Property Tax Deferral Program to be made available on a case-by-case basis that would allow County ratepayers to defer their 2020 tax payments until December 31, 2020. Program development will include a detailed list of qualifications, step-by-step sign-up procedure, and an established roll-out plan. This report will be brought back to Council May 12, 2020.

First Readings

• Divisions 2 & 3 – File 1015-550, Bylaw C-8031-2020: Springbank Area Structure Plan. Considered under the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regional Growth Plan. First Reading tabled until July 28, 2020. Council directed Administration to hold an additional workshop with Council to determine how the area is best served, whether through one large ASP or if it is better served through two or more ASPs.
• Division 5 – File 1012-370, Bylaw C-8033-2020: Conrich Area Structure Plan Amendments. Considered under the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regional Growth Plan, and the Conrich Area Structure Plan. First Reading tabled until July 28, 2020. Council directed Administration to look at buffer areas to the north and west.
• Division 2 – File PL20170009/10 (05701004), Bylaw C-8016-2020: Minor Amendment to the Central Springbank Area Structure Plan and Adoption of the Riverside Estates Conceptual Scheme. Considered under the City of Calgary/Rocky View County Inter-Municipal Development Plan, and the Central Springbank Area Structure Plan. First Reading approved.
• Division 7 – File PL20190194 (07308003), Bylaw C-7999-2020: Residential Redesignation. Considered under the County Plan. First Reading Approved.
• Division 5 – File PL20190181 (05308013), Bylaw C-8022-2020: Commercial Redesignation. Considered under the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regional Growth Plan. First Reading Approved.
• Division 9 – File PL20190188 (08903001), Bylaw C-8023-2020: Agricultural Redesignation. Considered under the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regional Growth Plan. First Reading Approved.
• Division 5 – File PL20190149 (03332011), Bylaw C-8024-2020: Industrial Redesignation. Considered under the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regional Growth Plan, and the Janet Area Structure Plan. First Reading Approved.
• Division 8 – File PL20200024 (06701019), Bylaw C- 8034-2020: Residential Two District to Residential One District. Considered under the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board Regional Growth Plan, and the Bearspaw Area Structure Plan. First Reading Approved.
• Division 8 – File PL20200010 (05724053), Bylaw C-8037-2020: Residential Redesignation. Considered under the County Plan. First Reading Approved.
• Division 4 – File PL20200022 (03234014), Bylaw C-8038-2020: Residential Redesignation. Considered under the County Plan. First Reading Approved.

Closed Session

• Council moved into a closed session to consider the confidential item “SR1” under Section 24 and 25 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). Council moved back into the public session, and a report will be made available at a later date.
• Council moved into a closed session to consider the confidential item “CMRB” under Section 21 and 27 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). Council moved back into the public session, and approved a motion that Council, in accordance with the 2019 Rural Municipalities of Alberta Resolution ER1-19F, continue to advocate for the dissolution of the mandatory Calgary Metropolitan Region Board as it is detrimental to the autonomy and long-term sustainability of Rocky View County. In addition, Council directed Administration to contract the services of Alberta Counsel as discussed in confidential report RVC 2020-20.

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