HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-06 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL
MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL
June 6, 2024
The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and
livestreamed to the public on Thursday, June 6, 2024 commencing at 10:37 a.m.
Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting.
MEMBERS K. Christman, Deputy Reeve
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS: L. Kopp
H. Johnson
E. Unruh
A. Philpott
N.Johnson
ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve
D. Short
A. Skanderup
G. Skriver
STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer
T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering Services
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
S. Christensen, Manager of Corporate Safety Services
R. Nesbitt, Corporate Safety Services Officer
C. Knibbs, Corporate Safety Services Officer
A. Ferguson, Fire and Safety Administrative Assistant
C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator)
S. Yokoyama, Information and TechnologyAdministrativeAssistant
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
1. CALL TO ORDER
Deputy Reeve K. Christman called the meeting to order at 10:37 a.m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
C-190/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor
D. Short, CouncillorA. Skanderup, and Councillor G. Skriver be excused from the meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
Regular Council
June 6, 2024
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Council (May 23, 2024)
C-191/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the May 23, 2024 Council Meeting
minutes be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS
Deputy Reeve K. Christman called for post agenda items.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C-192/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the agenda be adopted as
amended.
MOTION CARRIED
6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION
A question period and notice of motion was held. No County Ratepayers were in
attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public.
7. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS
7.1 ASB Update
The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities
of the Agricultural Services Department, including weed inspections and the
roadside mowing and spraying programs that will begin next week. He provided
information regarding the tree planting day with the Brooks & District Fish & Game
Association on June 1, 2024, indicating that approximately 1800 trees were
planted.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
M. Harbicht arrived at 10:42 a.m.
Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural
Services responded to questions regarding the tree planting day, roadside
spraying for Volker Stevin, the weed school held recently in Cassi/s, and roadside
mowing. He provided information regarding options available for gopher and
raccoon control and responded to questions regarding the Coyote Control
Incentive Program.
LEFT THE MEETING
T. Green left the meeting at 10:57 a.m.
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Regular Council
June 6, 2024
9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
9.2
9.1
C-193/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Director of Municipal Services
Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for May 2024 be APPROVED as presented
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:14 a.m.
8.
C-194/24
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
8.1 Adoption of Strategic Priorities
Director of Municipal Services Report
The Director of Municipal Services presented his report to Council, giving an
overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions. The Director of Municipal Services responded to questions regarding
the dust abatement program, progress on the Tilley landfill reclamation project, the
Kinbrook Connection Pathway, and training for peace officers.
Utilities - NRSC Report
The Utilities - NRSC Report was presented to Council. Council was given the
opportunity to ask questions.
The ChiefAdministrative Officer provided background information on this item and
responded to questions from Council,
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council adopts the strategic priorities
included in the May 23, 2024, Strategic Priority Setting Session report from Dr. Gordon
A. Mclntosh.
MOTION CARRIED
8.2 Meeting with Premier/MLA D. Smith (June 25, 2024) - Agenda Items
The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and
responded to questions from Council. Council discussed further potential agenda
topics, including:
• Newell Housing Foundation Continuing Care Capital Program Application
— Connection Flats Independent Living Village
• Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub Initiative
• Highway 3 corridor development
• Highway 873 from City of Brooks limits to Kinbrook Island Access and
potential cost sharing opportunities
Administration will prioritize the topics and this item will be discussed further during
the June 20, 2024 Council meeting.
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Regular Council
June 6, 2024
8.3 Councillor Payment Sheets (April 2024)
C-195/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the April 2024 Councillor Payment
Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation
Review Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
8.4 Requests for Functions of Council
8.4.1 Brooks Newell Region Economic Development Business to
Business Patio Night (June 18, 2024)
C-196/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that any Councillor be permitted to attend
the Brooks Newell Region Economic Development Business to Business Patio Night in
Brooks, AB on June 18, 2024 as a function of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
8.4.2 Brooks Skatepark Redevelopment Design Workshop #2
(June 18, 2024)
C-197/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend
the Brooks Skatepark Redevelopment Design Workshop #2 in Brooks, AB on June 18,
2024 as a function of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
8.4.3 Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Campaign Advisory Cabinet
Reception (May 31, 2024)
C-198/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Reeve A. Doerksen be permitted to
attend the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Campaign Advisory Cabinet Reception in
Lethbridge, AB on May 31, 2024 as a function of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
ARRIVED AT MEETING
S. Christensen, R. Nesbitt, C. Knibbs, and A. Ferguson arrived at 11:28 a.m.
M. Harbicht and G. Tiffin arrived a� 11:30 a.m.
10. POST AGENDA ITEMS
10.1 Corporate Safety Services
The Manager of Corporate Safety Services provided background information on
this item, announcing that the County of Newell is ranked #1 out of 79 large
employers in Alberta as a result of having zero lost time accidents in the years
2020-2022. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information,
giving credit to the Corporate Safety Services team and those working in
hazardous positions for creating an environment where people want to stay. The
Manager of Corporate Safety Services responded to questions from Council,
indicating that this ranking has resulted in lower Workers Compensation Board
rates and significant cost savings.
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Regular Council
June 6, 2024
LEFT THE MEETING
S. Christensen, R. Nesbitt, C. Knibbs, and A. Ferguson left the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
11. INFORMATION ITEMS
11.1 Strategic Priorities
This item was accepted as information.
12. IN CAMERA
C-199/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 11:40 a.m. to
discuss the following matters:
• Land - FOIPAct Section 25;
• Intergovernmental Relations - FOIPAct Section 21.
MOTION CARRIED
C-200/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that we move out of camera at 12:24 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
13. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:24 p.m.
Signed this �� day of .J `�'1'e- , 2024
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