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Home My WebLink About2025-09-11 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL September 11, 2025 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, September 11, 2025 commencing at 10:20 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: ABSENT: A. Doerksen, Reeve D. Short A. Skanderup H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman A. Philpott N.Johnson L. Kopp E. Unruh STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: A. Hofer, Newell Colony J. Hofer, Newell Colony B. Herman, Lake Newell Resort Marina Association 1. 2. C-266/25 3. C-267/25 CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Councillor L. Kopp and Councillor E. Unruh be excused from the meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (August 7, 2025) MOTION CARRIED MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the August 7, 2025 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED September 11, 2025 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS � C-268/25 6. 7. Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Regular Council MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that the agenda be adopted as presented. QUESTION PERIOD/NOTICE OF MOTION MOTION CARRIED 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. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2101-25 Newell Regional Emergency Management Partnership The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from CounciL C-269/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2101-25, being a bylaw for the purpose of establishing a Regional Emergency Advisory Committee, Agency, and Planning and Coordinating Group that includes the County of Newell, the Town of Bassano, the Village of Duchess, the Village of Rosemary, and the City of Brooks, be given THIRD and FINAL reading. LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 10:24 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS MOTION CARRIED 10.1 Subdivision Extension Request - 2023-0-005 (SW 4-23-18-W4) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item, indicating that approval under the Environment Protection & Enhancement . Act is forthcoming. The applicants were present to respond to questions from Council. The Planning & Development Supervisor responded to questions from Council. C-270/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the request for a time extension to subdivision application 2023-0-005 be APPROVED for one (1) year to September 11, 2026. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 6 September 11, 2025 Regular Council LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson, A. Hofer, and J. Hofer left the meeting at 10:27 a.m. 10.2 Councillor Payment Sheets (June 2025) C-271/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the June 2025 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.3 Requests for Functions of Council 10.3.1 Tour of W.A. Ranches (October 15, 2025) C-272/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the tour of W.A. Ranches in Rocky View County on October 15, 2025 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10.3.2 SPEC Association Annual General Meeting (September 16, 2025) C-273/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that up to three (3) Councillors be permitted to attend the SPEC Association Annual General Meeting in Brooks, AB on September 16, 2025 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 11.1 Utilities - NRSC Report The Utilities - NRSC Report was presented to Council. 11.2 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 dust abatement, the Kinbrook Connection Pathway, and the road construction at Lake Newell Resort Blocks 1& 4. C-274/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the Director of Municipal Services Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for August 2025 be APPROVED as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 10:43 a.m. Page 3 of 6 Regular Council September 11, 2025 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 ASB Update The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson and S. Biette arrived at 10:47 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 9.2 South Region Agricultural Services Board Conference (October 8, 2025) The Director ofAgricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and Council will confirm their attendance with the Director of Agricultural Services. LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:54 a.m. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Payment Registers The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Report - Brooks RCMP (July 2025) This item was accepted as information. 13.4 Report - Bassano RCMP (August 2025) This item was accepted as information. Page 4 of 6 September 11, 2025 Regular Council 13.5 Report - Police Review Commission (August 5-18, 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. 15. IN CAMERA C-275/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 10:58 a.m. to discuss the following matters Legal - Advice from Officials - Access to Information Act Section 29; Personnel - Access to Information Act Section 20. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette left the meeting at 11:50 a.m. C-276/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR AMANDA PHILPOTT that we move out of camera at 11:55 a.m. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING B. Herman arrived at 11:58 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Update - Lake Newell Resort Marina Association 8. Herman provided Council with an update on the Lake Newell Resort Marina replacement project. The Lake Newell Marina Association (LNRMA) continues to work with the developer on an easement agreement to ensure public access to the marina. Another agreement between the LNRMA and the Eastern Irrigation District (EID) is in the draft stage. 8. Herman provided information regarding project funding, indicating that matching grant funding has been received from the provincial government in the amount of $117, 000. While finalizing the replacement of the old boat launch, it was determined that the shoreline should be repaired. The ElD has provided a quote for this work. 8. Herman outlined the previous cost of the project compared with new quotes received, indicating that costs have escalated and the project is now facing a shortfall of nearly $70, 000. The LNRMA is requesting funding from the County in the amount of $48, 000 to begin the marina replacement project and avoid further cost increases. 8. Herman provided additional information on plans for future fundraising efforts and outlined the benefits of a new marina. Page 5 of 6 September 11, 2025 Regular Council Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. 8. Herman indicated that the cost of labor and supplies have increased since the project started. He provided information regarding the cost of boat slip rental at Lake Newell Resort compared to other lakes. The Director of Corporate Services confirmed that the easement agreement is nearly complete. 8. Herman responded to questions regarding fees for day users, indicating that the marina is not manned all the time and usage statistics are unavailable. The E/D considers Lake Newell an irrigation lake and will not make improvements for recreation. 8. Herman responded to further questions from Council. Council expressed appreciation to B. Herman and the LNRMA for the progress made towards the boaf launch replacement and advised that further Council consideration of the funding request may be given after project outcomes are known. LEFT THE MEETING B. Herman and L. Johnson left the meeting at 12:33 p.m. 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:33 p.m. Signed this ?iS day of ��^^�� , 2025 � __ _..� �., . County Administrator Page 6 of 6