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Home My WebLink About2025-04-21 Committee of the Whole (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole April 21, 2025 The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office in Council Chambers on Thursday, April 21, 2025 commencing at 9:01 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. CHAIR: A. Doerksen, Reeve COUNCILLORS: D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott ABSENT: N. Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering Services M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING W-01/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that Councillor N. Johnson be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Committee of the Whole (December 5, 2024) W-02125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the December 5, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Committee of the Whole April 21, 2025 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA W-03/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 5. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES 5.1 Strategic Priorities Update The Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on Strategic Priorities. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.2 Permitting of Agricultural Buildings (G. Tiffin) The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item. • the County of Newell does not require a development permit for agricultural buildings • Land Use Bylaw policy must be followed, including setbacks • if an agricultural development meets the Land Use Bylaw requirements, a development permit should not be required • Alberta Building Code does not apply to farm buildings • safety codes permits (i.e. electrical plumbing, PSDS, etc.) may be required • other municipalities do require development permits for agricultural buildings to ensure compliance with the Land Use Bylaw • is there a way to change the permitting process to better control the siting and placement of agricultural buildings to reduce future issues? Benefits of issuing development permits for agricultural buildings: • approved permits show that the development is in compliance with the Land Use Bylaw • would show up on a Real Property Report for future marketing of the property • prevent any issues with non-compliance before the development is complete The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering indicated that allowing agricultural buildings to be constructed without a development permit reduces red tape for permitted uses, but there is an opportunity to educate potential developers on safety codes permits and setback requirements and prevent issues with non -compliant developments in the future. He explained the declaration for agricultural buildings used by Vulcan County, where the proposed development is reviewed and the developer signs a declaration indicating that they understand. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions, indicating that enforcement Page 2 of 5 Committee of the Whole April 21, 2025 is driven by complaints or if safety issues are discovered. Non -compliant structures are not removed, but the property must be brought into compliance before any new development occurs. He explained the process for discretionary use permits, noting that if someone proceeds with development before contacting the County, there is no opportunity to consider potential impact on adjacent landowners, industry, etc. The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering responded to questions regarding permit fees and indicated that there would be no fee for a declaration. The Planning & Development Supervisor provided an overview of the proposed agricultural building declaration process, indicating that the main goal is contact between the developer and the Development Officer in the planning stage. Discussion followed. Council agreed with the concept of declarations for Agricultural development and suggested the following: • offer an incentive to encourage potential developers to participate • when property changes hands, provide information to the new landowner regarding development rules The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering will develop a declaration process for agricultural developments and a communications plan for future consideration by Council. LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin, M. Jackson, and M. Harbicht left the meeting at 9:50 a.m. RECESS The Committee of the Whole meeting RECESSED at 9:50 a.m. and RECONVENED at 9:57 a.m. 6.1 Members -at -Large Revised Application Form (A. Nielsen) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. Discussion followed and Council approved the new form for use with the removal of the Palliser Economic Partnership Business Representative. 6.3 Return Rural Home Care (L. Johnson) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item. The Chief Administrative Officer suggested waiting for the results of Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocacy efforts on an existing resolution before creating a new one. Discussion followed. • there are not currently enough homecare staff for an aging in place initiative in general, let alone for rural areas • government subsidy available for self -managed home care that allows individuals to hire private care providers • clarify definition of rural as City of Brooks is considered rural • difficult to determine how many individuals requiring home care 1-2 times per week are in the County right now Page 3 of 5 Committee of the Whole April 21, 2025 • increased funding for homecare included in the provincial budget Discussion followed. Council suggested identifying current gaps and potential local solutions, then meeting with the Minister of Health and Minister of Seniors, Community & Social Services. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions, indicating that advocacy for a local solution would start with gathering information to determine current gaps in the homecare system. The Chief Administrative Officer outlined the next steps: • this item will remain on the list of advocacy items • will determine where RMA is in their advocacy efforts • seek opportunity to discuss the issue further with provincial government Ministers • follow up with Grasslands Regional FCSS to determine the level of local need for homecare LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 10:31 a.m. RECESS The Committee of the Whole meeting RECESSED at 10:31 a.m. and RECONVENED at 10:37 a.m. 6.4 Terms of Reference - Joint Services Committee (M. Fenske) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that the terms of reference have been discussed at Joint Services Committee meetings as well as with the municipal CAOs. He outlined two potential options, one of which involves creating two separate, purpose -driven committees and separates the Economic Development function. Discussion followed, and Council indicated support for the option to create separate committees. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council regarding funding based on population, administrative support costs, and how the Joint Services Committee chair is elected. If approved by the Joint Services Committee, individual Councils would be asked to review and support the concept. For specific economic development programs, if the service is delivered within a municipality's boundaries, that municipality could be required to provide funding. Further discussion followed. Council suggested that Economic Development staff provide reports regarding their attendance at economic development conferences and events. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding the Brooks Region Tourism Association, indicating they are a separate entity. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin and M. Harbicht returned at 11:17 a.m. Page 4 of 5 Committee of the Whole April 21, 2025 The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that Option 2 - Two Distinct & Purpose - Driven Committees would be presented for review at a future Joint Services Committee meeting. 7. IN CAMERA W-04/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move in camera at 11:23 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials (FOIPAct Section 24) - TR192N & HWY873 Intersection. MOTION CARRIED W-05/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move out of camera at 12:12 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on July 21, 2025. The Chairman will be Reeve A. Doerksen. 9. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:12 p.m. Signed this 09 / day of N/ K C }1 2025 4� eeve County Administrator Page 5 of 5