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Home My WebLink About2024-06-06 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. Page 2 of 5 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. Page 3 of 5 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. Page 4 of 5 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 eeve . A� I �� CountyAdministrator Page 5 of 5