HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-29 Committee of the Whole (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL
Meeting Minutes
Committee of the Whole
January 29, 2026
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office in
Council Chambers on Monday, January 29, 2026 commencing at 2:16 p.m.
Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting.
CHAIR: N. Johnson
COUNCILLORS: D. Baumgarten
A.
Skanderup
L.
Kopp
G.
Skriver
K.
Christman
B.
Hofer
A.
Doerksen
ABSENT: H.
Johnson
STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer
C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
1. CALL TO ORDER
Councillor N. Johnson called the meeting to order at 2:16 p.m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
W-01/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Councillor H. Johnson be
excused from the meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - 2026 Interim Budget Review (November 26, 2025)
3.2 Minutes - Committee of the Whole (November 26, 2025)
W-02/26 MOVED BY REEVE ARNO DOERKSEN that the 2026 Interim Budget Review minutes
and the Committee of the Whole meeting minutes from November 26, 2025 be adopted
as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
W-03/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the agenda be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Committee of the Whole
January 29, 2026
5. BUSINESS FROM MINUTES
5.1 Strategic Priorities Update
The Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on Strategic Priorities,
indicating that this chart will be used as a starting point for the Council Strategic
Planning Session scheduled for March 10-11, 2026. Discussion followed:
Meet with Siksika Nation - work on building relationships, ask how they
would like to be acknowledged
Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework agreements to be reviewed
along with the connected recreation and fire services agreements
operational strategies include items in budget requiring significant
resources
The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding the Crop
Diversification Centre South and the Lake Newell Resort Pathway
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Brooks -Newell Region Strategic Planning Session (February 11, 2026) -
Preliminary Work
The Chief Administrative Officer provided 'background information on this
item. Council was asked to complete the Brooks -Newell Region Economic
Development Strategic Planning Survey before February 3, 2026. He noted that
one of the strengths of BNRED is content, including the economic development
and websites and the provincial site -selector database. Discussion followed
regarding including Grasslands Public Schools and the Chief Administrative
Officer indicated that the purpose of the Intermunicipal Affairs Committee is to
build Council relationships and have open discussions. The focus of the
February 11, 2026 /AC meeting is setting strategic plans and work plans for
economic development.
DELEGATIONS
7.1 Confero Electronic Voting Walkthrough (C. Siakaluk)
The Communications Officer provided background information on this item and
provided Council with a hands-on demonstration of how electronic voting would
work during a meeting.
• would effectively make every vote a recorded vote in the videos posted to
YouTube, but votes would not be recorded in the minutes unless a
recorded vote is requested
• current camera is unable to zoom out far enough to capture the raised
hands of all Council
• purpose of streaming Council meetings is increased transparency, ability
to show all votes would increase transparency further
• incorporating electronic voting would slow meetings down
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Committee of the Whole
January 29, 2026
Discussion followed. Council suggested administration investigate a wide-angle
camera lens. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from
Council, indicating that this item would be brought back to a future Council
meeting for a decision.
8. IN CAMERA
W-04/26 MOVED BY REEVE ARNO DOERKSEN that we move in camera at 2:57 p.m. to
discuss the following matters:
• Disclosure Harmful to Business Interests of a Third Party - Access to Information
Act Section 19.
MOTION CARRIED
W-05/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move out of camera at
3:02 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on April 20, 2026
The Chairman will be Councillor D. Baumgarten
10. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 3:02 p.m.
Signed this day of r CP I 2026
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County Administrator ---
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