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Home My WebLink About2025-10-30 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL October 30, 2025 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, October 30, 2025 commencing at 11:12 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Baumgarten A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman N.Johnson B. Hofer STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Sgt. R. Harms, RCMP - Brooks Sgt. J. Schmidt, RCMP - Bassano 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 11:12 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (October 9, 2025) C-310/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. _ . . _ _ __ ReguLarCouncil October 30, 2025 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-311/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN 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. 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports — Brooks S. Sgt. R. Harms and Sgt. J. Schmidt provided an overview of the Brooks and Bassano RCMP detachment areas of jurisdiction and services provided. S. Sgt. R. Harms presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events and a staffing update. He provided information regarding the "Coffee with a Cop" and Youth & Criminal Justice Committee initiatives and the emergency operations drill at Lake Newell on September 16, 2025 that included six other agencies. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. S. Sgt. R. Harms responded to questions regarding potential causes for the recent increase in motor vehicle accidents. 9.2 RCMP Quarterly Reports — Bassano Sgt. J. Schmidt presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Sgt. J. Schmidt responded to questions regarding notifying landowners to repair fences damaged in accident, proposed federal bail reforms, and RCMP response to fire calls. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Biette arrived at 11:48 a.m. Sgt. J. Schmidt responded to further questions regarding holding cells, indicating that Bassano RCMP brings prisoners to Brooks or Gleichen. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. R. Harms and Sgt. J. Schmidt left the meeting at 11:50 a.m. C-312/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move into Public Hearings at 11:51 a.m. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 7 Regular Council Octaber 30, 2025 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2108-25 Land Use Bylaw (LUB) Text Amendment — Solar (Freestanding) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:51 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen reviewed the procedures that would be followed for the hearing. The Planning & Development Supervisor stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2108-25. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by updating policy for so/ar (freestanding) and setbacks to subdivision roads in all land use districts as indicated in Schedule A. Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to adjacent landowners and to a list of affected agencies. No responses have been received from adjacent landowners. None of the affected agencies have indicated any objections. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-313/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:55 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2108-25 Land Use Bylaw (LUB) Text Amendment - Solar (Freestanding) C-314/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2108-25, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by updating policy for solar (freestanding) and setbacks to subdivision roads as indicated in Schedule A, be given SECOND reading MOTION CARRIED C-315/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2108-25 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Bylaw 2110-25 Amendment to Bylaw 2106-25 Local Improvement - Lake Newell Resort Path The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 3 of 7 Regular Council October30,2025 C-316/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2110-25, being a bylaw for the purpose of amending bylaw 2106-25 (Local Improvement - Lake Newell Resort Pathway) with an amended parcel listing in Scheduie A, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-317/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Bylaw 2110-25 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-318/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that consent be given for Bylaw 2110-25 to receive third reading this 30th day of October, 2025. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-319/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2110-25 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette left the meeting at 11:57 a.m. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:57 a.m. and RECONVENED at 12:46 p.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Alberta Municipalities Convention (November 12-14, 2025) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor A. Skanderup indicated that they would attend the Alberta Municipalities Convention. 10.2 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Fall 2025 Convention (November 17-20, 2025) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council regarding meetings with Ministers. Discussion followed regarding meeting with members of a neighbouring municipality for dinner during the RMA Fall 2025 Convention. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council and indicated that he would reach out to the MD of Taber to determine their availability Monday or Tuesday evening. Page 4 of 7 Regular Council � October 3q 2025 . � 10.3 Councillor Payment Sheets (September 2025) C-320/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that the September 2025 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 70.4 Requests for Functions of Council 10.4.1 Ecco-Farm Livestock & Forage Agricultural Innovation Tour (October 24, 2025) Councillor H. Johnson provided background information on this item. Discussion followed regarding what constitutes a function of Council. The Chief Administrative O�cer responded to questions regarding divisional Councillor activities that are included in the monthly per diem rate. For other activities, Council can limit compensation to mileage and donate time. C-321/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Councillors who participated in the Ecco-Farm Livestock & Forage Agricultural Innovation Tour in Gem, AB on October 24, 2025 be permitted to claim mileage as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Newell Housing Foundation CouncillorA. Philpott and CouncillorA. Skanderup submitted a written report. 17.2 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Kopp provided information regarding the secure shredding event in September, indicating that another event is planned for March 2026. She a/so provided an update on environmental plastics recycling. Councillor K. Christman reported that issues with the recycling bins in Bassano have been improved. 11.3 Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Councillor N. Johnson provided an update on Global Green's energy from waste facility project and reported that a financial report was presented during the last meeting. 11.4 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor A. Skanderup reported that she attended the last meeting and Annual General Meeting, which was well attended. She provided an overview of the result of a recent visitors' survey, indicating that all campgrounds reported lower usage rates this year and the �-Fi service could be improved. The full report will be made available to Council. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council Octaber 30, 2025 11.5 Tilley Agricultural Society Annual General Meeting Councillor A. Skanderup provided a summary of ice rental rates for the Tilley arena, indicating that a motion was passed to increase the rates in 2026. 11.6 Bassano Agricultural Society Councillor K. Christman reported that annual grant funding has been allocated to the Bassano Golf Course, arena, skating club, and recreation complex. 11.7 Fire Area Committee - Rosemary 8� Rural Area Councillor K. Christman provided an overview of call statistics, volunteer membership, and completion of NFP,4 1001 fire training. There is interest in training for grain bin and electric vehicle extrication. Councillor K. Christman reported that a budget increase is expected to be used to improve the communications system and upgrade equipment. 11.8 Speech from the Throne Reeve A. Doerksen reported that he attended the Speech from the Throne on October 23, 2025 and had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Environment & Protected Areas, the Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation, and the Associate Minister of Water. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS 12.1 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) District 1 Director Election Councillor K. Christman provided background information and requested Council's support for running as a candidate for District 1 Director in the RMA Board of Directors election. C-322/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Council of the County of Newell supports Councillor K. Christman as a candidate for the District 1 Director position in the Rural Municipalities ofAlberta (RMA) Board of Directors election. MOTION CARRIED 12.2 Letter Regarding Forever Canadian Petition Discussion followed regarding sending a letter to Premier/MLA D. Smith regarding the results of the Forever Canadian Petition and proceeding with a referendum. Concerns were raised regarding sending a letter without knowing the opinions on the matter held by County of Newell constituents. A letter will not �+�� be sent. 12.3 Councillntroductions � Each Councillor introduced themselves and provided additional background information to public viewers of the livestream. Page 6 of 7 Regular Councit Octaber 30, 2025 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Report - Police Review Commission This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Bassano RCMP Monthly Report (September 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-323/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move in camera at 1:38 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • City of Brooks Wastewater Agreement Updates — Intergovernmental Relations — Access to Information Act Section 26. MOTION CARRIED C-324/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move out of camera at 2:03 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:03 p.m. Signed this 2� day of NDv �"�� ; 2025 ��o�/ _ _ _dy�s�"v'� �� Reeve �.�i" �—rr� County Administrator Page 7 of 7