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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-24 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL July 24, 2025 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, July 24, 2025 commencing at 10:16 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: A. Skanderup L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N. Johnson ABSENT: D. Short STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering D. Christensen, Projects Assistant R. Burgess, Municipal Enforcement Supervisor R. Ryder, Community Peace Officer Level 1 C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: T. Dingwall, Brooks and District Museum Sgt. R. Harms, RCMP - Brooks Cpl. S. McCready, RCMP - Brooks B. Boulet, Councillor Compensation Advisory Committee 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:16 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-234/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that Councillor D. Short be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council July 24, 2025 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (July 10, 2025) C-235/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the July 10, 2025 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-236/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the agenda be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 6. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION A question period and notice of motion was held. W County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Planning & Development Report (January - June 2025) The Planning & Development Supervisor presented an update on the recent activities of the Planning & Development Department. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 10:19 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-237/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Planning & Development Report for January - June 2025 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 Road Closure -Approval to Proceed (NE 33-14-15-W4) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-238/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we proceed with the process for closing and LEASING the road allowances adjacent to NE 33-14-15-W4. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2025 9.3 Subdivision Extension Request - 2023-0-011 (NE 7-21-15-W4) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council regarding fees associated with subdivision extension requests and the conditions to be satisfied before the subdivision is complete. C-239/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the request for a time extension to subdivision application 2023-0-011 be APPROVED for one (1) year to September 21, 2025. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson left the meeting at 10:28 a.m. 9.4 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (July 2025) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Dingwall in at 10:38 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services provided an update on the Crop Diversification Centre South, indicating that renovations to the Griffin Building have started and quotes have been requested for the greenhouses and that there has been interest in the facilities from the University of Calgary and Olds College. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to further questions regarding weed control and efforts to protect the bat population at Emerson Bridge Park. C-240125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for July 2025 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:50 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. R. Harms and Cpl. S. McCready arrived at 10:51 a.m. Page 3 of 7 Regular Council J u ly 24, 2025 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Letter of Support - Brooks & District Museum and Historical Society T. Dingwall provided background information on herself and the Brooks & District Museum. She gave a presentation regarding the proposal to construct a building that will house tractors and covered wagons for public viewing. She provided an overview of fundraising efforts, indicating that an application for matching grant funding will be submitted under the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP). The Brooks & District Museum and Historical Society is requesting a letter in support of the project from the County of Newell. T. Dingwall provided an estimated timeline for the start of construction and displayed plans showing the proposed structure and where it will be located on the museum grounds. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-241/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Council provides a letter in support of the Brooks & District Museum and Historical Society's application for funding under the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP). MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Dingwall left the meeting at 11:05 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING D. Christensen and B. Boulet arrived at 11:07 a.m. 7.3 RCMP Quarterly Reports — Bassano S. Sgt. R. Harms presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. S. Sgt. R. Harms responded to questions regarding efforts to fill the administrative position at the Bassano Detachment. 7.2 RCMP Quarterly Reports — Brooks S. Sgt. R. Harms presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. Cpl. S. McCready provided information regarding regular media releases and ongoing crime reduction strategies that include presentations and other efforts to raise public awareness. The school resource officer will start August 31, 2025, S. Sgt. R. Harms provided additional information regarding public engagement efforts and gave an update on staffing levels at the Brooks detachment and indicated that they are always looking for proactive ways to prevent crime. ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Burgess and R. Ryder arrived at 11:36 a.m. Page 4 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2025 Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Council requested efforts to raise awareness of dangers associated with cutting fences. Cpl. S. McCready responded to questions regarding the School Resource Officer. S. Sgt. R. Harms responded to questions regarding changes to victims services and the availability of police dogs and other units to the Brooks detachment. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. R. Harms and Cpl. S. McCready left the meeting at 11:45 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:45 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:49 a.m. 7.5 Introduction - Community Peace Officer Level 1 The Municipal Enforcement Supervisor introduced R. Ryder, Community Peace Officer Level 1, to Council. R. Ryder provided background information on himself. LEFT THE MEETING R. Burgess and R. Ryder left the meeting at 11:51 a.m. 7.4 2025 Councillor Compensation Advisory Committee Report The Projects Assistant and B. Boulet provided background information on this item including a summary of the Councillor Compensation Advisory Committee's recommended changes to the Councillor's Compensation & Expenses Policy. Council requested the information comparing compensation rates of other municipalities. B. Boulet responded to questions regarding the reasons for including all regular meetings in an increased honorarium rather than compensating at an hourly rate. She provided more information regarding activities that would be considered core Council responsibilities. C-242/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the final report of the Councillor Compensation Advisory Committee be accepted as information. MOTION CARRIED Reeve A. Doerksen thanked the Councillor Compensation Advisory Committee for their work. LEFT THE MEETING D. Christensen and B. Boulet left the meeting at 12:02 p.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED at 12:02 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:40 p.m. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2025 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Convention Councillor K. Christman and Councillor L. Kopp submitted a written report. 10.2 Newell Housing Foundation Councillor A. Skanderup and Councillor A. Philpott submitted a written report. Councillor A. Skanderup responded to questions from Council regarding the types of subsidized housing available and the resident criteria. Discussion followed regarding the Newell Housing Foundation policy that allows residents who have not paid taxes to the local municipality access to subsidized housing. 10.3 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor A. Skanderup reported that she had reminded the Brooks Region Tourism Association that the Kinbrook Connection and Lake Newell Resort Pathways are not currently open. 10.4 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Johnson reported that Grasslands Regional FCSS will be reviewing applications for core funding in September. Microgrants were approved for the Brooks Composite High School Plant Club and family mediation services. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 12.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 12.3 Bassano RCMP Monthly Report (June 2025) This item was accepted as information. Page 6 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2025 13. QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 14. IN CAMERA C-243/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that we move in camera at 12:51 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials - Township Road 192 - Access to Information Act Section 29. MOTION CARRIED C-244/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move out of camera at 1:21 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Signed this '"day of klO , 2025 County Administrator Page 7 of 7