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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-25 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell Meeting Minutes Council March 25, 2026 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 commencing at 10:15 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Baumgarten L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman N.Johnson B. Hofer ABSENT: A. Skanderup STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer T. Green, Director of Agricultural Services S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-81/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Councillor A. Skanderup be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (March 12, 2026) C-82126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the March 12, 2026 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. Regular Council March 25, 2026 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-83/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the agenda be adopted as presented. 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. ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Luchies arrived at 10:18 a.m. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (March 2026) 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 shelterbelt partnership program with the Eastern Irrigation District, tree planting planned by the Brooks & District Fish & Game Association, and soil erosion. Council suggested inviting ALUS to give a presentation. The Director of Agricultural Services indicated that the Eastern Irrigation District must be on board to manage any shelterbelt projects. Councillor D. Baumgarten reported that he had attended a webinar regarding future plant breeding where the Director of Agricultural Services and the Projects Coordinator provided information on the Crop Diversification Centre South. The Director of Agricultural Services provided additional information. C-84/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for March 2026 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING T. Green left the meeting at 10:28 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Appointment of Fire Guardians The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council March 25, 2026 C-85/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the following individuals be appointed as Fire Guardians: All Divisions — Stewart Luchies & Cory Cochrane Rolling Hills — Kelsey Skrove Tilley — Robin Daniels Patricia — Ray Torkelson Duchess — Gregory Witt Scandia — Ryan Slenders Brooks Rural — Barry Yokoyama Bassano — Logan Rose Rosemary —Anton van Bavel Gem — Dwayne Klassen Bow City — John Ketchmark and further that the Finance Clerk, the Payroll & Benefits Administrator, the Executive Assistant, the Planning & Development Administrative Assistant, the Fire & Disaster Services Administrative Assistant, the Municipal Services Administrative Assistant, the General Administrative Assistant, the Information & Technology Administrative Assistant, the Projects Assistant, and the Corporate Services Supervisor be appointed as Fire Guardians for the issuance of Fire Permits only. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Luchies left the meeting at 10:31 a.m. 10.2 Appointment to County of Newell Library Board - Councillor The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-86/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Councillor A. Skanderup be appointed to the County of Newell Library Board representing the County of Newell Council for a one-year term starting October 30, 2025 and expiring October 22, 2026 MOTION CARRIED 10.3 Councillor Payment Sheets (February 2026) C-87/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the February 2026 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.4 Requests for Functions of Council 10.4.1 Local to Global Forum 2026 (April 8-10, 2026) Reeve A. Doerksen provided background information on this item. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the auditors have been contacted, and they are available to present the audited financial Page 3 of 8 Regular Council March 25, 2026 statements if the April 9, 2026 MPC & Council meetings are rescheduled to Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Discussion followed. Councillor H. Johnson provided information regarding last year's Local to Global Forum. C-88/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Local to Global Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor Forum in Vegreville, AB on April 8-10, 2026 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Discussion followed. Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor N. Johnson indicated that they would be interested in attending the Local to Global Forum. C-89126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the Municipal Planning Commission and Council Meetings of April 9, 2026 be RESCHEDULED for Wednesday, April 8, 2026. MOTION CARRIED 10.4.2 Blossoms & Ballads Gala (April 25, 2026) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. Discussion followed. C-90126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the County of Newell purchase a Ballad Sponsor package for the Blossoms & Ballads Gala in the amount of $1500 from the Public Relations account. MOTION CARRIED 10.4.3 Royal Canadian Legion Centenary Honors & Awards Dinner (April 10, 2026) Reeve A. Doerksen provided background information on this item. Deputy Reeve K. Christman indicated that she would attend this event. RECESS Council RECESSED at 10:51 a.m. and RECONVENED at 10:55 a.m. 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 PTAC Digital Innovation Forum Councillor G. Skriver and Councillor N. Johnson submitted a written report. 11.2 County of Newell Library Board Councillor A. Skanderup submitted a written report. Page 4 of 8 Regular Council March 25, 2026 11.3 Recreation Board - Tilley Area Councillor A. Skanderup submitted a written report. 11.4 Recreation Board - Bow Slope Area Councillor H. Johnson reported that the recreation board allocated funds to the Rainier Hall, Scandia Hall, EID Historical Park, Bow City Hall, and a new community enhancement project in Scandia. 11.5 Recreation Board - Duchess Area Councillor B. Hofer provided an update on the Duchess Arena ice plant replacement. He indicated that the arena board is looking for individuals that will run the arena and develop a safety program. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions. Councillor B. Hofer provided usage statistics for the Duchess curling rink, indicating that they had a successful season and are considering a sound system upgrade. 11.6 Recreation Board - Gem Area Reeve A. Doerksen reported that he attended a Gem Community Association meeting and there were no significant issues. The recreation board is interested in putting a new surface on the sport court for pickleball. 11.7 Regional Emergency Advisory Committee Reeve A. Doerksen and Councillor D. Baumgarten attended the elected officials portion of the Newell Regional Emergency Management Plan mock disaster exercise on March 24, 2026. The material covered included roles and responsibilities of elected officials and declaration of a state of local emergency (SOLE), which can be declared by a municipality on behalf of any of the other partners. ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin arrived at 11:02 a.m. Councillor D. Baumgarten provided additional information, indicating that the session was well -attended with participants from many different stakeholders including CPKC, ATCO Gas, Volker Stevin, the RCMP, the EID, and Grasslands Public Schools. Reeve A. Doerksen added that the number and variety of different participants highlights the importance of working together during an emergency. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council March 25, 2026 11.8 Recreation Board -Rural Brooks Area Councillor G. Skriver reported that the recreation board met on March 12, 2026 and allocated funding to Lake Newell Resort, Silver Sage Agricultural Society, and the Cassils Community Center. The remaining funds will be carried forward to 2027. Councillor G. Skriver responded to questions from Council. 11.9 Rosemary Agricultural Society Reeve A. Doerksen provided information regarding a Rosemary Agricultural Society fundraising dinner and auction that will be held on April 11, 2026 starting at 5:30 p.m. 15. IN CAMERA C-91/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move in camera at 11:08 a.m. to discuss the following matters: Advice from Officials -Access to Information Act Section 29. MOTION CARRIED C-92/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that we move out of camera at 11:32 a.m. MOTION CARRIED PECUNIARY INTEREST Councillor N. Johnson declared a pecuniary interest as the applicant for 26 LUA 001 and left the Council table. Pursuant to section 172(3) of the Municipal Government Act, Councillor N. Johnson remained in Council Chambers to exercise the right to be heard as the applicant and addressed Council in that capacity from the presenter's table. C-93126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move into Public Hearings at 11:33 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2113-26 26 LUA 001 (NW 3-19-14-W4 -A-GEN & I-GEN to R-RUR) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:33 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Planning & Development Supervisor stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2113-26. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by rezoning a portion of NW 3-19-14-W4 Page 6 of 8 Regular Council March 25, 2026 from Agriculture, General (A-GEN) District and Industrial, General (1-GEN) District to Residential, Rural (R-RUR) District. The 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. Approval of this Land Use Amendment is a condition of the subdivision approved by the Municipal Planning Commission on February 26, 2026. There were no persons in attendance speaking in opposition to the proposed bylaw. The Applicant was present to respond to questions from Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-94126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:35 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2113-26 26 LUA 001 (NW 3-19-14-W4 -A-GEN & I-GEN to R-RUR) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-95/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2113-26, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating a portion of NW 3-19-14-W4 from A-GEN Agriculture, General District and I-GEN Industrial, General District to R-RUR Residential, Rural District, be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-96/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2113-26 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED Councillor N. Johnson returned to his seat at the Council table. 8.2 Bylaw 2124-26 26 LUA 002 NW & SW 6-19-14-W4 (A-GEN to A-SML) The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council regarding the property lines. C-97126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2124-26 being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating a portion of NW 6-19-14-W4 and a portion of SW 6-19-14-W4 from A-GEN Agriculture, General District to A-SML Agriculture, Small Lot District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 Regular Council March 25, 2026 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no Post Agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Payment Registers This item was accepted as information. 13.2 2025 Q4 Financial Information Package This item was accepted as information. 13.3 Brooks RCMP Report (February 2026) 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 - continued C-98/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move in camera at 11:44 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Advice from Officials -Access to Information Act Section 29. MOTION CARRIED C-99/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of camera at 12:22 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:22 p.m. Signed this ay of pia` l I 2026 Reeve County Administrator Page 8 of 8