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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-27 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL November 27, 2025 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, November 27, 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: D. Baumgarten A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman N.Johnson B. Hofer STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services R. Fernell, Director of Information and Technology C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation M. Garner Skiba, Executive Director - Intensive Livestock Working Group (via Microsoft Teams) 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:16 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Organizational Meeting (October 30, 2025) C-325/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the October 30, 2025 Organizational Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED i i Regular Council November 27, 2025 C-326/25 5. C-327/25 3.2 Minutes - Council (October 30, 2025) The following changes were made to the October 30, 2025 Council Meeting minutes: Page 6 - Item 12.2 - add "A letter will not be sent. " MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the October 30, 2025 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED 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. ARRIVED AT MEETING R. Fernell arrived at 10:21 a.m. 8. C-328/25 C-329/25 AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (November 2025) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the equipment rental program. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for November 2025 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Policy Review - POL-005-25 Coyote Control Incentive Program (CCIP) The Director of Agricultural Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council regarding the annual coyote count. MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Policy POL-005-25 Coyote Control Incentive Program be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 8 Regular Council November 27, 2025 LEFT THE MEETING T Green left the meeting at 10:31 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Electronic Voting Option for Council The Communications Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that the existing conferencing system has an electronic voting feature. If implemented, the voting process would be more visible to the public watching the meeting livestream. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed. C-330/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that further discussion on "Electronic Voting Option for Council' be tabled to a future Council meeting. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING R. Fernell left the meeting at 10:37 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson and K. Steinley arrived at 10:37 a.m. 9.2 Appointment of Member -at -Large - City of Brooks Recreation & Parks Board The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-331/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Administration request a member - at -large application form be completed for the individual interested in representing the County of Newell on the City of Brooks Recreation & Parks Board. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Appointment of Member -at -Large - County of Newell Library Board (Gem) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-332125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Karen Walde be appointed as a member -at -large to the County of Newell Library Board representing the Gem Library Area for a three-year term expiring November 27, 2028. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council November 27, 2025 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Utilities - NRSC Report K Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K Steinley responded to questions regarding the pumps replaced in Scandia, indicating that two separate systems were involved. Council requested a tour of the water treatment plant in 2026. LEFT THE MEETING K. Steinley left the meeting at 10:48 a.m. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 10:48 a.m. 10.2 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 the municipal enforcement agreement with the Eastern Irrigation District and snow removal for the Kinbrook Connection Pathway. C-333/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Director of Municipal Services Report for October 2025 and the Utilities - NRSC Report for November 2025 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - continued 9.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (October 2025) C-334/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the October 2025 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.5 Requests for Functions of Council 9.5.1 State of the Region Address (January 22, 2026) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. A conflict was noted with the Provincial Agricultural Services Board Conference scheduled for January 20-23, 2026. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council November 27, 2025 C-335125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the State of the Region Address in Brooks, AB on January 22, 2026 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.5.2 Economic Developers of Alberta (EDA) Xperience (April 15-17, 2026) - Select Attendee The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. C-336/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillor B. Hofer be permitted to attend the Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Xperience conference in Kananaskis, AB on April 15-17, 2026 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 9.5.3 Upcoming Conventions in 2026 Discussion followed regarding upcoming conventions. Administration will prepare information regarding the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Alberta Municipalities, the Community Planning Association of Alberta, and any other annual conferences so that Council can determine who will attend. It was noted that there is no Inventures conference planned for 2026. ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Garner Skiba arrived at 11:00 a.m. 7. DELEGATIONS 7.1 Intensive Livestock Working Group (ILWG) Stock Talks Initiative M. Garner Skiba provided information regarding the Intensive Livestock Working Group (ILWG) and their efforts to reduce the disconnect between urban and rural populations and change perception of confined feeding operations. M. Garner Skiba explained Stock Talks, which bring local agricultural producers together with municipalities to identify issues and opportunities in areas such as infrastructure development, land use regulations, and resource management. She asked Council to consider hosting a stock talk and to continue promoting agriculture in the community. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. LEFT THE MEETING M. Garner Skiba left the meeting at 11:16 a.m. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS Discussion followed regarding the format for submitting committee reports and benefits associated with both written and verbal reports. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council November 27, 2025 RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:20 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:26 a.m. 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS 12.1 County -Duchess Intermunicipal Development Plan Update - Support for Alberta Community Partnership Grant Application The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-337/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council supports the submission of an Alberta Community Partnership - Intermunicipal Collaboration grant application, with the County of Newell as the managing partner, in support of the Intermunicipal Development Plan Update project with the Village of Duchess. MOTION CARRIED 12.2 Brooks Airport Commission Budget Councillor A. Skanderup circulated information received during the August 2025 meeting of the Brooks Airport Commission which included a budget and fee schedule for 2025 and 2026.. Discussion followed. LEFT THE MEETING Reeve A. Doerksen left the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Deputy Reeve K. Christman assumed the Chair. Councillor A. Skanderup responded to questions from Council regarding the actual and proposed budget and indicated that she would obtain more information on whether utilities are included in the hangar rental rate. Council requested a copy of the Terms of Reference for the Brooks Airport Commission and a breakdown of lot ownership and taxes collected. ARRIVED AT MEETING Reeve A. Doerksen returned to the meeting and assumed the Chair. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS - continued 11.1 Ag Connections Conference (November 13, 2025) Councillor H. Johnson submitted a written report. 11.2 Brooks Region Tourism Association Councillor B. Hofer reported that the Brooks Region Tourism Association is looking for more signage on trails in the County and at Dinosaur Park. Local businesses will be offered tourism development training so that they can promote Page 6 of 8 Regular Council November 27, 2025 local attractions and experiences. J. Goodnough has been appointed a member - at -large. A part-time student has been hired to assist with day-to-day operations, communications, and other projects. 11.3 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Kopp provided information on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program funding. The annual letter to Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority for continued funding has been drafted. 11.4 Recreation Board (Rolling Hills) Councillor D. Baumgarten reported that the Rolling Hills Arena repairs are complete, and the rink is in operation. Invoices will be forwarded to the County of Newell. 11.5 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Board of Directors Councillor K. Christman reported that the first meeting she attended was an orientation and that the County of Newell will not be responsible for costs associated with her work on the board. She thanked Council for their support and responded to further questions. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 2025 Q3 Financial Information Package This item was accepted as information. 13.2 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Bassano RCMP Mayor & County Monthly Report (October 2025) This item was accepted as information. 13.4 Brooks RCMP Report (October 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. Page 7 of 8 Regular Council November 27, 2025 15. IN CAMERA C-338125 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 11:42 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Chief Administrative Officer Performance Evaluation - Access to Information Act Section 20. MOTION CARRIED C-339/25 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that we move out of camera at 11:54 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 11:54 a.m. Signed this I 1 day of eLe)-RA/- 2025 Reeve County Administrator Page 8 of 8