HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-26 Committee of the Whole (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL
Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole
November 26, 2025
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office in
Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 commencing at 3:04 p.m.
Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting.
CHAIR: A.
Doerksen, Reeve
COUNCILLORS: D.
Baumgarten
A.
Skanderup
L.
Kopp
H.
Johnson
G.
Skriver
K.
Christman
N.
Johnson
B.
Hofer
STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
CALL TO ORDER
Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
All members were in attendance at this meeting.
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Committee of the Whole (July 21, 2025)
W-09/25 MOVED BY GREG SKRIVER that the July 21, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting
minutes be adopted as presented.
CARRIED
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
W-10/25 MOVED BY KELLY CHRISTMAN that the agenda be adopted as presented.
CARRIED
5. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES
There was no business from the minutes to discuss at this meeting.
Committee of the Whole
November 26, 2025
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 County Committees Review — Governance Framework Alignment &
Compliance with MGA
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item.
• Brownlee LLP is currently reviewing the list of boards and committees to
prepare a committees bylaw with a schedule for each committee to be
updated periodically
• Council was asked to consider how they are being served by each
committee
Discussion followed.
• online meetings save travel time
• hamlet -specific meetings were included on the list; some hamlets have
multiple boards for specific purposes
• specific standalone entities with their own bylaws are not considered
Council committees
The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council. This item
will be brought back to a future meeting for further discussion.
6.2 Debrief — George Cuff Orientation to the Governance of Local
Municipalities
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item.
• Management Team will be more formal while in Council Chambers to
show respect for the office of Councillor and what that represents for the
community and democracy
• Council to decide whether formality should continue outside of Council
Chambers
• Council is fine with the Chief Administrative Officer sitting next to the
Reeve
• more practice is required when directing something through the Chair in a
Council meeting
• suggestion for a quarterly special in camera session without staff present
for discussion on meeting procedures and communication issues
The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council.
6.3 Council Strategic Priorities - Initial Review & Reaffirmation for the
2025-2029 Term
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item
and summarized items completed or removed from the Strategic Priorities
list. Discussion followed.
• Bassano Hospital - seniors care is in progress; try and develop a
business case for a full hospital
• Building relationship with Siksika Nation - Council asked to consider what
this looks like; extend invitations, learn our history, reconsider land
acknowledgements
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Committee of the Whole
November 26, 2025
Irrigation expansion - what is the current plan, focus efforts on the next
plebiscite for irrigators; this is a priority for the County, and we want to
help the EID; regular meetings were suggested
Economic development - it is important to pre -identify sites and have
paperwork ready if a developer comes in with an investment -ready
project; irrigation expansion also contributes to economic development
The Chief Administrative Officer provided information regarding the strategic
planning session to be held March 10-11, 2026. Discussion followed regarding
the location and Council suggested holding it locally. Details will be provided
once finalized.
6.4 Snow Plowing 8r Sanding Policy
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on
this item. Discussion followed regarding snow removal in alleys.
• solid waste collection services are provided in the Hamlet of Tilley only,
and some of the pickup locations are in the alleys
• no other services require snow removal or other alley maintenance
• issues could arise where fences or other structures extend into the alley
The Chief Administrative Officer recommended that the Director of Municipal
Services draft an updated policy that includes the service level provided to the
Hamlet of Tilley and include provisions that would allow for service requests in
other areas.
7. IN CAMERA
There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting.
8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The Chairman will be Councillor Neil Johnson.
9. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Signed this 0114QY of J�� �c"�y 202(o
Ree e
County Administrator
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