HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-05 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL June 5, 2025 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, June 5, 2025 commencing at 10:01 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N. Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development, and Engineering R. Ayotte, Engineering Supervisor C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: N. Laviolette, City of Brooks M. Christman, City of Brooks L. Dressler, Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce N. Zacharias, Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. Regular Council June 5, 2025 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (May 22, 2025) C-190/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the May 22, 2025 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 3.2 Minutes - Special Council (May 31, 2025) C-191/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the May 31, 2025 Special Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-192/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON 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. DELEGATIONS 7.1 2025 Southern Alberta Summer Games N. Laviolette provided background information on this item and provided details regarding the 2025 Southern Alberta Summer Games. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional information on this item. N. Laviolette responded to further questions from Council. C-193/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that additional spending of up to $4,210 be APPROVED to purchase T-Shirts for the Team Brooks -Newell Southern Alberta Summer Games participants as requested by the City of Brooks Recreation Services Department. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING N. Laviolette and M. Christman left the meeting at 10:10 a.m. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council June 5, 2025 ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson arrived at 10:11 a.m. 7.2 Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce L. Dressler provided background information on the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce and the members of the team, acknowledging the efforts of N. Zacharias in the Brooks -Newell Region. She indicated that there are currently 67 members from the Brooks -Newell Region and provided statistics on available perks and benefits associated with membership. L. Dressler gave an overview of several local events hosted by the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce. ARRIVED AT MEETING N. Zacharias arrived at 10:23 a.m. L. Dressler asked Council for their perceptions of the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce and potential areas for opportunity to work together. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. L. Dressler responded to questions regarding the business roundtable sessions, indicating that Brooks - Newell Economic Development has attended. She provided an update on communications and demonstrated the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce website and events calendar. Council suggested approaching the Oilmen's Association and agricultural societies. N. Zacharias responded to questions regarding members from the agricultural industry. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Steinley and S. Luchies arrived at 10:38 a.m. L. Dressler and N. Zacharias responded to questions regarding the trade show to be held at the JBS Canada Centre in October. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 10:44 a.m. Council suggested that there are opportunities for the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce to grow with respect to the agricultural industry and regional collaboration. L. Dressler provided examples of some policies specific to agriculture and interprovincial trade. N. Zacharias outlined plans to create a sponsored space at the trade show for nonprofit organizations. LEFT THE MEETING N. Zacharias left the meeting at 10:52 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:53 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:02 a.m. Page 3 of 8 Regular Council June 5, 2025 9. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Steinley responded to questions regarding fire hydrant testing, indicating that the testing conducted by Newell Regional Services Corporation is separate from the testing conducted by Fire & Emergency Services. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:09 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin and R. Ayotte arrived at 11:10 a.m. 9.2 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 pivots watering on County roadways and provided an update on the Kinbrook Connection and Lake Newell Resort pathways. C-194/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for May 2025 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:26 a.m. 9.3 Tender Award - Lake Newell Resort Block 1 & 4 Street Rehabilitation Contract The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. He indicated that the contract includes provisions for mitigating safety concerns and requiring a communications plan. Councillor G. Skriver provided additional information regarding an open house planned for the second week of June. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions regarding future work planned for Lake Newell Resort. C-195/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council accepts the low tender as submitted and awards the Lake Newell Resort Block 1 & 4 Street Rehabilitation Contract tender to Industrial Backhoes Ltd for the tendered price of $3,626,770. MOTION CARRIED Page 4 of 8 Regular Council June 5, 2025 LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin and R. Ayotte left the meeting at 11:34 a.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 8.1 Policy Review - POL-071-25 Wildfire Mutual Aid The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer provided additional background information, indicating that the policy will empower the Newell Regional Fire Chief and divisional Fire Chiefs to respond to requests for assistance from the provincial government. The Newell Regional Fire Chief explained the decision matrix used to evaluate risks. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding budget implications and outlined the benefits of the proposed policy. Discussion followed. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to further questions from Council, indicating that the divisional Fire Chiefs know their respective fire areas very well. Council requested that communication to Council be added to the Communication & Coordination section. The Newell Regional Fire Chief responded to further questions from Council. C-196/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Policy POL-071-25 Wildfire Mutual Aid be adopted with the following amendment: • Add article 3.bThe Chief Administrative Officer will report all deployments immediately to Council. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies left the meeting at 12:07 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:07 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:52 p.m. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued 8.2 Enhancing Water Availability Engagement - Phase 2 Survey Response The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-197/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Council directs Administration to submit the response to the Water Availability Alberta Online Engagement survey as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 8 Regular Council June 5, 2025 8.3 Request for Letter of Support - Silver Sage Agricultural Society The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and Council indicated that more information is required regarding the proposed events centre. C-198/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN SHORT that Council provides a letter of support for the concept presented during the May 22, 2025 Council meeting with a request that the Silver Sage Agricultural Society further clarify the vision for the project and prepare a summary outline for the process including clarification of roles and supports that may be required from other community organizations. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 1:03 p.m. 8.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (April 2025) C-199/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the April 2025 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 8.5 Requests for Functions of Council 8.5.1 Conversation with Health Care Organizations in Brooks (June 4, 2025) C-200125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillors D. Short, A. Skanderup, G. Skriver, K. Christman, and A. Philpott be permitted to attend the Conversation with Health Care Organizations session in Brooks, AB on June 4, 2025 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10. POST AGENDA ITEMS 10.1 Report - Inventures Conference Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor G. Skriver, and Councillor N. Johnson reported on their experiences at the Inventures conference. • created several new connections with individuals in the technology industry • significant opportunities related to the development of data centres • business applications of artificial intelligence • University of Calgary interested in the Crop Diversification Centre South Page 6 of 8 Regular Council June 5, 2025 10.2 10.3 Report - Federation of Canadian Municipalities Convention Councillor L. Kopp and Councillor K. Christman reported on their experiences at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference. • "building tomorrow with tools from yesterday is not going to work" • panel of mayors from the United States, discussion around tariffs, auto - parts specifically cross the Canada/USA border several times • industrial buffer zones separating agricultural operations from residential areas • panel on urban life, focusing on rural • housing is a key issue for the federal government Conversation with Health Care Organizations in Brooks Councillor D. Short, Councillor A. Skanderup, Councillor G. Skriver, Councillor K. Christman, and Councillor A. Philpott provided information from the Conversation with Health Care Organizations in Brooks session hosted by RhPAP. • fundraising underway to build a simulation lab at the hospital to train nurses • would be beneficial for nurses to be able to complete their entire education at Medicine Hat College - Brooks Campus • increase use of simulation lab at the Bassano School • many JBS plant workers go to the emergency room for return -to -work notes because they don't have a family doctor • how to assist doctors from other countries in building credit • physician recruitment • support for the one -clinic model • interest in a standalone hospice • additional stakeholders identified for a follow-up meeting • identify a specific request that elected officials could lobby for through Rural Municipalities of Alberta and Alberta Municipalities 11. INFORMATION ITEMS 11.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. Discussion followed regarding the development of an agricultural strategy. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that other priorities include aspects of the agricultural strategy. He provided an update on other strategic priorities. 12. QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council June 5, 2025 13. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 14. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:54 p.m. Signed this Icr-�day of —�Tu" -< , 2025 ;XQ County Administrator Page 8 of 8