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Home My WebLink About2025-05-22 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL May 22, 2025 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, May 22, 2025 commencing at 10:15 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 H. Johnson E. Unruh A. Philpott ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve G. Skriver N. Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief C. Cochrane, Newell Regional Deputy Fire Chief T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor S. Yokoyama, Information and Technology Administrative Assistant (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Neufeld, Silver Sage Agricultural Society D. Musgrove, Silver Sage Agricultural Society Z. Shaw, Silver Sage Agricultural Society B. Bietz, IEPS Canada Ltd. G. Baden, IEPS Canada Ltd. M. Iwaasa, Brooks Newell Region Economic Development K. Swanson, Brooks Fire Department B. Yokoyama, Brooks Fire Department CALL TO ORDER Deputy Reeve K. Christman called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-178/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor G. Skriver, and Councillor N. Johnson be excused from the meeting due to their attendance at the Inventures 2025 Conference on behalf of the County. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council May 22, 2025 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (May 8, 2025) C-179/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the May 8, 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-180/25 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. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 10:19 a.m. 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Update -Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Rule 007 Proposed Edits The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item including an overview of the proposed changes to AUC Rule 007 and how they align with the comment matrix submitted by the County of Newell. She responded to questions regarding the soil classification map, indicating that irrigation districts use different maps that are based on suitability for irrigation. She responded to further questions regarding pristine viewscapes and visual impact assessment zones. C-181/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council accepts the update on the proposed edits to Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Rule 007 Facility Applications as information. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:25 a.m. Page 2 of 7 Regular Council May 22, 2025 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (May 2025) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding a recent agricultural career day geared towards high school students, spraying, the gopher population, efforts to revitalize the Brooks Aqueduct, and roadside mowing and spraying. C-182/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for May 2025 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:43 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Enhancing Water Availability Engagement - Phase 2 The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item including an update on the May 21, 2025 engagement session. Discussion followed regarding submitting a survey response. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. C-183/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council directs Administration to draft responses to the Water Availability Alberta Online Engagement survey questions and bring back for Council review at the June 5, 2025 regular meeting of Council. MOTION CARRIED RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:50 a.m. and RECONVENED at 10:54 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Neufeld, D. Musgrove, Z. Shaw, B. Bietz, and G. Baden arrived at 10:54 a.m. 9.2 Requests for Functions of Council 9.2.1 Enhancing Water Availability: Engagement on Proposed Amendments to the Water Act to Improve Availability (May 21, 2025) C-184/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the attendance of Councillor H. Johnson, Councillor E. Unruh, and Councillor A. Philpott at the session entitled Enhancing Water Availability: Engagement on Proposed Amendments to the Water Act to Improve Availability in Brooks, AB on May 21, 2025 be considered a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 7 Regular Council May 22, 2025 9.2.2 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Advocacy Webinars Councillor L. Kopp provided background information. The Chief Administrative Officer provided information regarding upcoming webinars. C-185/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Advocacy Webinars as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Request for Letter of Support - Silver Sage Ag Society K. Neufeld provided an update on the Silver Sage Agricultural Society, indicating that a strategic plan has been developed with input from the community. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson arrived at 11:02 a.m. K. Neufeld provided information on a conceptual plan for the Silver Sage facilities, which include the development of a campground and an events centre and reconfiguration of the site. These facilities would provide sustainable funding to the Silver Sage Agricultural Society. He requested a letter of support from the County of Newell which is helpful in obtaining grant funding. He indicated that the City of Brooks has provided a letter of support, and the Eastern Irrigation District has contributed land. Further, K. Neufeld requested that the County waive the fee to subdivide the land and asked for information regarding taxes. D. Musgrove provided information regarding the need for an events centre. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Neufeld responded to questions regarding the proposed events centre, which would be suitable for events like graduations and banquets. He provided a timeline for the future projects, indicating that the first priority is to fix the roof on the existing arena. The concept plan was developed with a 5-10-year time frame. Council requested the conceptual map and a copy of the letter of support provided by the City of Brooks. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the Director of Corporate Services and the Senior Assessor would provide information regarding taxes. K. Neufeld responded to further questions from Council. This item will be brought back to the June 5, 2025 Council meeting for further discussion. LEFT THE MEETING K. Neufeld, D. Musgrove, and Z. Shaw left the meeting at 11:25 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Iwaasa and B. Yokoyama arrived at 11:28 a.m. Page 4 of 7 Regular Council May22, 2025 7.2 Update - Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub The Director of Corporate Services provided an update on the Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub project and responded to questions from Council regarding the involvement of the Eastern Irrigation District and other potential partners. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies, C. Cochrane, and K. Swanson arrived at 11:33 a.m. The Director of Corporate Services explained the expression of interest process. B. Beitz provided additional information, indicating that elements of the hydrogen production, storage, and refuelling facility can run parallel to phase one of the project. Ideally a consortium of vehicles participating in phase 1 of the project would continue with phase 2. The Director of Corporate Services responded to further questions from Council. C-186/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council continue to seek opportunities to share and promote information regarding the County's interest in pursuing the Brooks Newell Hydrogen Hub project with local community and business leaders and officials from Provincial Government Ministries; and further, that three (3) representatives from Council be selected to represent the County during the June 9, 2025 opening for the Calgary Hydrogen Hub. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson, B. Bietz, G. Baden, and M. Iwaasa left the meeting at 11:45 a.m. 7.3 Federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item. Federal Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals will be presented to the following: • Ryan Andrews - Bow City Fire Department - 20 years • Martin Wiebe - Rosemary Fire Department 20 years • Weston Harder - Rosemary Fire Department - 30 years • Greg Witt - Duchess Fire Department - 30 years LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies, C. Cochrane, K. Swanson, and B. Yokoyama left the meeting at 11:49 a.m. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Newell Housing Foundation Councillor A. Skanderup and Councillor A. Philpott submitted a written report. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council May 22, 2025 11.2 Alberta Seniors Community Housing Association (ASCHA) Convention & Trade Show 2025 Councillor A. Philpott submitted a written report. 11.3 Joint Services Committee Councillor K. Christman submitted a written report. 11.4 Local to Global Forum Councillor H. Johnson submitted a written report. 11.5 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor A. Skanderup reported that there is a new board member representing the Eastern Irrigation District. She provided information regarding several upcoming community events, efforts to revitalize the Brooks Aqueduct, and filming for Fishing in the Wild West. Councillor A. Skanderup provided an update on the balance of the Destination Marketing Fund. 11.6 Recreation Board (Bassano & Area) Councillor K. Christman reported that funding has been allocated for 2025 and provided details. 11.7 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Kopp reported that a letter and draft budget have been sent to Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority. 11.8 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor H. Johnson reported that Palliser Economic Partnership continues to focus on connecting local producers with foreign markets. The annual general meeting will be held in June. Councillor H. Johnson responded to questions, indicating that she will request the report regarding the trade mission to Japan and distribute to Council. 11.9 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Johnson indicated a correction to the written report submitted - funding was not approved for the Saturday Farmer's Market pilot project. Page 6 of 7 Regular Council May 22,2025 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.3 2025 Q1 Financial Information Package The Chief Administrative Officer provided information regarding revenues and expenses for the Crop Diversification Centre South. 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. 15. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:03 p.m. Signed this S day of U 12025 eeve A. h County Administrator Page 7 of 7