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Home My WebLink About2025-07-21 Committee of the Whole (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole July 21, 2025 The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office in Council Chambers on Monday, July 21, 2025 commencing at 11:30 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. CHAIR: COUNCILLORS: A. Doerksen, Reeve D. Short A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman E. Unruh A. Philpott N.Johnson STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN Two (2) County of Newell Residents ATTENDANCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER � 3. W-06/25 Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Committee of the Whole (April 21, 2025) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the April 21, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. W-07/25 ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the agenda be adopted as presented. � MOTION CARRIED _. Committee of the Whole July 21, 2025 5. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES 5.1 Strategic Priorities Update The Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on Strategic Priorities. Council was asked to indicate any priorities that they want to continue into the next term. Meeting with Siksika Nation o move from In Progress to Not Started o a Chief must initiate the conversation with the other Chiefs. o working to establish Mutual Aid agreements o suggestion to start with a social engagement; make a priority for new Council to meet with all neighbours early on in the term Data Centers o dedicate more resources and form County of Newell o Land Use Bylaw updates in progress o determine how to regulate data centers [� NEW BUSINESS a committee to promote the 6.1 Community Group Insurance Support Initiative The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating that the survey received limited response. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that increasing the deductible does not lower insurance premiums by a significant amount and suggested that additional funding for insurance would be more effective. Discussion followed. • provide education regarding insurance requirements for community groups to enab/e them to make informed decisions regarding their insurance policies • self-insuring liability is not an option • Rural Municipalities of Alberta insurance advisors are available to provide seminars • consider an insurance audit to determine gaps • is it possib/e to get a better rate or consistent policies? The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from the Committee of the Whole. The Committee of the Whole confirmed that a policy regarding insurance policy deductibles for community organizations will not proceed. Rather, efforts will be directed towards facilitating agricultural societies to coordinate their insurance policy renewals. Discussion followed on an insurance audit. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to further questions regarding ownership of assets on County land. W-08/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Administration staff prepare information regarding an insurance audit plan for review at a future Council meeting. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 4 Committee of the Whole July 21, 2025 LUNCH The Committee of the Whole RECESSED for lunch at 12:04 p.m. and RECONVENED at 126 p.m. 6.2 Develop an Agricultural Strategy The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and suggested getting feedback from local producers on an Agricultural Strategy. Discussion followed. . coordinate an agricultural strategy with a commercial strategy • consider increasing farmland tax • what is the goa/ of the agricultural strategy? • how to accommodate smaller producers? • Council requested information on agricultural assessment and how farmhouses are separated from farmland • economic development strategy should include agriculture • Agricultural Services Department supports agriculture very well • more irrigated acres would generate more agricultural activity - how can we influence Eastern Irrigation District decisions • suggestion to sponsor a speakers series targeted at energy and agricultural producers The Chief Administrative Officer provided a summary: • identify use of undeveloped road a//owances and establish agreements • farmland tax rate in the County of Newell has more than doubled in under ten years with few complaints • determine permitting requirements for agricultural buildings • further discussion required on enforcement and how long to provide education and reminders before issuing a ticket • opportunity for focused weed control activities • further conversation regarding irrigation expansion required with the Eastern Irrigation District Board • create a su�vey to gather feedback from Agricultural producers Further discussion followed. • increase communication with EID • Palliser Economic Partnership has initiatives regarding market-readiness • Crop Diversification Centre South has a lot of potential for agricultural initiatives The Chief Administrative Officer suggested that additional insight may come out of a communications audit. The Committee of the Whole accepted this item as information. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. Page 3 of 4 _ __ _ Committee of the Whole � July 21, 2025 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The Chairman will be Reeve A. Doerksen. 9. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:12 p.m. ' Signed this z� day of I"aY�"� , 2025 C;��1 L�`�'��._-_ Reeve �„w.�-z County Administrato� Page 4 of 4