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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-24 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL April 24, 2025 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, April 24, 2025 commencing at 10:21 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS K. Christman, Deputy Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp G. Skriver E. Unruh A. Philpott N.Johnson ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve H.Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant S. Page, Planning and Development Administrative Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Sgt. R. Harms, RCMP - Brooks Sgt. D. Searle, RCMP - Brooks Sgt. J. Schmidt, RCMP - Bassano P. Bohnert, CTS Academy K. Lewis, CTS Academy CALL TO ORDER Deputy Reeve K. Christman called the meeting to order at 10:21 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-143/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor H. Johnson be excused from the meeting due to their attendance at the Local to Global Conference on behalf of the County. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council April 24, 2025 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (April 10, 2025) C-144/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the April 10, 2025 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-145/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the agenda be adopted as presented. 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. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2089-25 Fire The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and an explanation of amendments made to address specific concerns raised during the April 10, 2025 Council meeting. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-146/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Bylaw 2089-25, being a bylaw for the prevention or extinguishing of fires, for the safety, health and welfare of people and the protection of people and property from injury or destruction by fire, be given SECOND reading as amended. MOTION CARRIED 7.2 Bylaw 2102-25 Special Tax - Rainier Raw Water Irrigation The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-147/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2102-25, being a bylaw for the purpose of imposing a special tax on lots within the Hamlet of Rainier that benefit from the conveyance of water supplied by the Eastern Irrigation District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 8 Regular Council April 24, 2025 C-148125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2102-25 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-149125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that consent be given for Bylaw 2102-25 to receive third reading this 24th day of April, 2025. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-150/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Bylaw 2102-25 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 7.3 Bylaw 2099-25 Tax Rates The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-151/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Bylaw 2099-25, being a bylaw to authorize the rates of taxation for various purposes in the year 2025, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-152/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2099-25 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette and L. Johnson left the meeting at 10:29 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:30 a.m. and RECONVENED at 10:33 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 2024 Annual Report The Communications Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council reviewed the 2024 Annual Report document and provided feedback. C-153/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Council APPROVES the 2024 Annual Report as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council April 24, 2025 10.2 Newell Pro Rodeo Pancake Breakfast (June 6, 2025) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-154/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council accepts the invitation from the City of Brooks to participate in the Newell Pro Rodeo Pancake Breakfast being held on June 6, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.; further, that the County of Newell agrees to cover 50% of the costs. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING T Green arrived at 10:36 a.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Legislative Appointments - Weed Inspectors & Pest Inspectors The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-155/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the County of Newell appoints Remy Strach, Jersey Cluett, Jenna Presley and Rebecca Andrew as Inspectors pursuant to Section 7 of the Weed Control Act until such a time that their employment with the County ceases. MOTION CARRIED C-156/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that the County of Newell appoint Remy Strach, Jersey Cluett, Jenna Presley and Rebecca Andrew as Inspectors pursuant to Section 10 of the Agricultural Pests Act until such a time their employment with the County ceases. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Rural Beautification Awards - Review Policy POL-025-25 & Assign Council Judge The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. The Council judge will be determined at a later date. C-157125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Policy POL-025-25 Rural Beautification Awards be adopted as presented. The Director of Agricultural Services Diversification Centre South revitalizatio from Council regarding marketing the Administrative Officer and the Director questions from Council. LEFT THE MEETING MOTION CARRIED n provided an update on the Crop initiative and responded to questions grounds for public use. The Chief of Agricultural Services responded to Page 4 of 8 Regular Council April 24, 2025 T Green left the meeting at 10:53 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 10.2 Newell Pro Rodeo Pancake Breakfast (June 6, 2025) —continued Discussion continued. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that funding for both the Brooks and Bassano Rodeo pancake breakfasts are included in the budget. Discussion continued regarding volunteers. 10.3 2025 Citizen & Junior Citizen of the Year Awards - Invitation & Request for Gift Basket The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-158/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council supports the Grasslands Regional FCSS Citizen & Junior Citizen of the Year Awards, and that a gift basket in the amount of $125.00 be donated on behalf of the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED C-159/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Councillor A. Skanderup, Councillor L. Kopp, Councillor H. Johnson, Councillor E. Unruh, and Councillor A. Philpott be permitted to attend the Grasslands Regional FCSS Citizen & Junior Citizen of the Year event in Brooks, AB on May 16, 2025 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 HALO Annual General Meeting (March 27, 2025) Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 11.2 Joint Shared Services Committee Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 11.3 Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association Councillor N. Johnson provided an update on the energy -from -waste facility project and responded to questions from Council regarding membership in SAEWA. Councillor K. Christman indicated that the SAEWA Annual General Meeting has been scheduled following the October 20, 2025 municipal election. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council April 24, 2025 11.4 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Kopp reported that Newell Recycling Association continues to work on a budget to be presented to the Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Association. 11.5 Shortgrass Library System Councillor L. Kopp reminded Council that most of the libraries in our area are charitable organizations that provide tax receipts for donations. The Shortgrass Library System can provide charitable receipts on behalf of those that are not. 11.6 City of Brooks Recreation & Parks Board Councillor G. Skriver reported that the board has resumed the practice of approving $500 for use of the recreation facility to organizations and user groups. The Board also received a presentation on a climbing wall and kilter board and provided direction to staff to gather more details regarding costs and possible places to install this equipment. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Safe Communities Report (April 2025) This item was accepted as information. 14. QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:06 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:12 a.m. 15. IN CAMERA Page 6 of 8 Regular Council April 24, 2025 C-160125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 11:12 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials — FOIP Act Section 24. MOTION CARRIED C-161/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 11:26 a.m. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING Sgt. D. Searle, S. Sgt. R. Harms, Sgt. J. Schmidt, and M. Harbicht arrived at 11:30 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports — Brooks S. Sgt. R. Harms provided background information on himself. Sgt. D. Searle presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Sgt. D. Searle responded to questions regarding copper wire theft prevention and victims services. 8.2 RCMP Quarterly Reports — Bassano Sgt. J. Schmidt presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Sgt. J. Schmidt responded to questions from Council regarding rural property crime prevention and crash reports sent automatically via smartphones. LEFT THE MEETING Sgt. D. Searle, S. Sgt. R. Harms, Sgt. J. Schmidt, and M. Harbicht left the meeting at 12:00 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:45 p.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING P. Bohnert and K. Lewis arrived at 12:45 p.m. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council April 24, 2025 8. DELEGATIONS — continued 8.3 Rural Alberta Workforce Development for High School Students P. Bohnert and K. Lewis presented a proposal for a virtual Alberta CTS Academy focusing on labor skills, career education and work force challenges. Both presenters are educators in the Province of Alberta with the hope to create a partnership with rural communities, schools, and industry partners. Through this program, rural and remote students will have increased access to Career & Technology Studies (CTS) programs. A summary of the courses to be offered was presented. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed and Council will be provided a draft letter of support for review. LEFT THE MEETING P. Bohnert and K. Lewis left the meeting at 1:25 p.m. 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Signed this day of 2025 R eve County Administrator Page 8 of 8