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Home My WebLink About2024-12-05 Committee of the Whole (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole December 5, 2024 The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office in Council Chambers on Thursday, December 5, 2024 commencing at 12:58 p.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. CHAIR: A. Philpott COUNCILLORS: A. Doerksen, Reeve D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh N. Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Schroeder, Manager of Operations A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER Councillor A. Philpott called the meeting to order at 12:58 p.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Committee of the Whole (July 15, 2024) W-15124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the July 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA W-16/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Committee of the Whole December 5, 2024 5. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES 5.1 Strategic Priorities Update The Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on Strategic Priorities and highlighted the following items to be discussed in 2025: • determine advocacy approach to Rural Home Care • Rosemary Fire Agreement discussions have been deferred to November 2025 • Society/Self insurance options • Crop Diversification Centre South revitalization 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Dust Abatement "Hot Spots" The Manager of Operations provided background information on this item, including an explanation of different road classifications and a history of the County -paid dust abatement program. Heavy traffic creates challenges in general and it is difficult to define "hot spots" with dust and washboard. Key questions include: • who pays for dust abatement and how much? • who is responsible for controlling the dust? • who is responsible for washboard and road safety? Discussion followed. The Manager of Operations responded to questions, indicating that the quality of gravel affects the amount of dust and the overall road quality. Road Use Agreements could be considered for heavy haul traffic but may not be appropriate for agricultural traffic. The Manager of Operations indicated that he encourages communication and coordinates grading with agricultural haulers and suggests that they water the road. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that Administration propose updates to Policy POL-035-23 Dust Abatement Program that include subdivisions under article 2(a)(i). The Manager of Operations responded to further questions. Discussion followed regarding the route to the Bassano Dam. LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht and T. Schroeder left the meeting at 1:46 p.m. 6.2 Joint Services Committee - Terms of Reference The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. The Joint Services Committee was established to focus on potential opportunities for collaboration within the region and evolved more recently into a place for regional conversations on topics including economic development. Discussion followed regarding creating a separate group that would focus on economic development efforts. Council acknowledged the Page 2 of 4 Committee of the Whole December 5, 2024 importance of relationship building through regular meetings. Suggested changes include: • separating economic development from intermunicipal collaboration • municipal members of the economic development committee contribute funding to the annual budget • quarterly meetings • subcommittee focused on how the City and County are represented in the Palliser Economic Partnership It was noted that the Joint Services Committee will be reviewing the Terms of Reference in January. Joint Services Committee members will bring the results of that discussion to the next Committee of the Whole meeting. 6.3 Opposition to the Canadian Net -Zero Emissions Accountability Act Resolution The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item. Discussion followed regarding the draft resolution. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions, indicating that the Canadian Net -Zero Emissions Accountability Act has not been previously targeted in the Rural Municipalities of Alberta's lobbying efforts. He outlined the potential response options. Further discussion followed. W-17/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ARNO DOERKSEN that the Committee of the Whole refers the "Opposition to the Canadian Net -Zero Emissions Accountability Act Resolution" to Council with a recommendation for APPROVAL as presented. MOTION CARRIED 7. IN CAMERA W-18/24 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 2:29 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Intergovernmental Relations — FOIPAct Section 21; • Confidential Evaluations — FOIPAct Section 19. MOTION CARRIED W-19124 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move out of camera at 3:00 p.m. 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING MOTION CARRIED The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025. The Chairman will be Councillor Neil Johnson (Division 10). Page 3 of 4 Committee of the Whole December 5, 2024 9. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Signed this Z( S day of ' 12025 i m County Administrator Page 4 of 4