HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-07 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell
Meeting Minutes
Council May 7, 2026
The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and
livestreamed to the public on Wednesday, May 7, 2026 commencing at 11:08 a.m.
Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting.
MEMBERS
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS:
ABSENT:
A. Doerksen, Reeve
D. Baumgarten
A. Skanderup
L. Kopp
G. Skriver
K. Christman
N.Johnson
B. Hofer
H.Johnson
STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer
M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
S. Luchies, Newell Regional Fire Chief
C. Hok, ManagerofAgricultural Services
C. Woods, Projects Coordinator - CDC South Revitalization
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator)
A. Nielsen, ExecutiveAssistant
OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin
ATTENDANCE: M. Nesbitt, Brooks Housing Society
L. Schrader, Brooks Housing Society
D. Perkins, Brooks Housing Society
1.
2.
C-148/26
3.
C-149/26
CALL TO ORDER
Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 11:08 a.m.
EXCUSED FROM MEETING
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Councillor H. Johnson be excused
from the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Council (April 23, 2026)
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that the April 23, 2026 Council
Meeting minutes be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Regular Council
May 7, 2026
4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS
Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C-150/26 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.
7. BYLAWS
7.1 Bylaw 2771-26 Road Closure & LEASE
(E 28 & SE 33-20-12-W4 and W 27 S� SW 34-20-12-W4)
The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on
this item and responded to questions from Council.
C-151/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2111-26, being a bylaw for the
purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING the following:
• all those portions of government road allowance adjacent to NE 28-20-12-W4;
• all those portions of government road allowance adjacent to SE 28-20-12-W4;
and
• all those portions of government road allowance adjacent to SE 33-20-12-W4
be given SECOND reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-152/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that Bylaw 2111-26 be given THIRD
and FINAL reading.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:12 a.m.
7.2 Bylaw 2126-26 Newell Regional Emergency Management Partnership &
Agreement
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item,
indicating that the agreement has been circulated to the partner municipalities for
their approval. He responded to questions and provided an ove�view of the
changes to the agreement.
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Regular Council
May 7, 2026
C-153/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2126-26, being a bylaw for
the purpose of establishing a Regional Emergency Advisory Committee and a Regional
Emergency Management Agency that includes the County of Newell, the Town of
Bassano, the Village of Duchess, the �Ilage of Rosemary, and the City of Brooks, be
given FIRST reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-154/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2126-26 be given SECOND
reading.
MOTION CARRIED
C-155/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that consent be given for Bylaw
2126-26 to receive third reading this 7th day of May, 2026.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C-156/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2126-26 be given THIRD
and FINAL reading.
MOTION CARRIED
9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS
9.1 ASB Update
The Manager of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent
activities of the Agricultural Services Department Emerson Bridge Park
Campground will open for the season on May 14, 2026. She provided an update
on soil erosion surveys and cleanup in Scandia, Rolling Hills, and Cassils. She
also provided information on new protocols for compound 1080 for coyote control
and the emergency use approval for strychnine that is in effect until November
2027. The Southern Alberta Grazing School is scheduled for July 22-23,
2026 and the Foothills Forage & Grazing Association Pasture Power Up is June
24, 2026.
The Projects Coordinator - CDC South Revitalization provided an update on the
Crop Diversification Centre South. She provided details regarding the CDC
Newell Ag Summit scheduled for June 18, 2026.
Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Agricultural
Services responded to questions regarding the online training required for
strychnine application.
9.2 Rural Beautification Awards - Review Policy & Assign Council Judge
The Manager of Agricultural Se�vices provided background information on this
item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed.
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Regular Council
May 7, 2026
C-157/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-025-26 Rural
Beautification Awards be adopted as presented; further, that Councillor K. Christman be
the Council judge for the Rural Beautification Awards Program and that the judging
day(s) be considered a function of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
9.3 Agricultural Services Board Program Review - Select Date
The Manager of Agricultural Services provided background information on this
item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed.
C-158/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Council directs Administration to
secure the Agricultural Services Board Program Review Field Visit for July 9, 2026.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
C. Hok and C. Woods left the meeting at 11:36 a.m.
8. DELEGATIONS
8.1 Brooks Housing Society
M. Nesbitt provided background information on this item, noting that the concept
for Phase 3 of the Prairie Meadows housing development had been presented to
Council previously. She provided an update, indicating that she had connected
with the Minister of Assisted Living & Social Se�vices during the Alberta Seniors
& Community Housing Association (ASCHA) Conference and there are grant
funding opportunities available. The Brooks Housing Society asked the County
of Newell to become a partner in this project with the City of Brooks, who has
donated the land for this development as well as the two previous projects. M.
Nesbitt provided Council with a breakdown of the project costs, an overview of
the assets currently held by the Brooks Housing Society, and other funding
sources. She asked Council to consider providing a letter committing to
providing funding in the amount of $500,000.
Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. M. Nesbitt responded to
questions regarding the project timeline. Discussion followed.
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Nesbitt, L. Schrader, and D. Perkins left the meeting at 11:55 a.m.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
10.1 Fire Service Mutual Aid Agreement - Vulcan County
The Newell Regional Fire Chief provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
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Regular Council
May 7, 2026
C-159/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Fire Service Mutual Aid
Agreement with Vulcan County be APPROVED as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
S. Luchies left the meeting at 11:59 a.m.
10.2 Funding Request -Alcoma School Performance Stage
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council Discussion followed.
C-160/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that this item be accepted for
information at this time; further, that Administration be directed to obtain more
information on Alcoma School's fundraising efforts for the Performance Stage project.
MOTION CARRIED
LUNCH
Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:06 p.m. and RECONVENED at 12:44 p.m.
10.3 Requests for Functions of Council
10.3.1 Small Town Smoke Down BBQ Competition (May 29-31, 2026)
The Chief Administrative Officer reported that four (4) complementary
tickets are available for Council who want to attend the Small Town
Smoke Down BBQ Competition in Bassano May 29-31, 2026.
10.3.2 Brooks & District Community Fund Spring 2025 Grant Presentation
(May 27, 2026)
This item will be discussed further during the May 21, 2026 Council
meeting.
11. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
11.1 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 about dust
abatement, gravel retrieval, and soil erosion.
C-161/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Director of Municipal Services
Report forApril 2026 beAPPROVED as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
May 7, 2026
11.2 Proclamation - National Public Works Week (May 17-23, 2026)
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-162/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council hereby proclaims May 17-23,
2026 as "National Public Works Week" in the County of Neweli.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Harbicht left the meeting at 12:57 p.m.
12. POST AGENDA ITEMS
12.1 Top 7 Over 70
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item,
which was discussed during a previous Council meeting. Discussion followed.
C-163/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the County of Newell purchase a
Sponsor package for the Southeastern Alberta Top 7 Over 70 Gala in the amount of
$2500 from the Public Relations account.
MOTION CARRIED
12.2 Bill 28
Reeve A. Doerksen provided background information on this item. Discussion
followed and Council suggested making a list of 3-5 questions regarding the
proposed Bill 28 to be discussed at the upcoming meeting with Premier/MLA D.
Smith. Councillor K Christman provided further information, indicating that Rural
Municipalities of Alberta has had ongoing communication with the Minister of
Municipal Affairs. The Chief Administrative Officer asked Council to watch the
recent RMA webinar and review the summary of legislative changes compiled by
Alberta Municipalities. A shortlist of specific questions will be provided prior to
the meeting with Premier/MLA D. Smith.
13. INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1 Strategic Priorities Chart
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.
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Regular Council
May 7, 2026
15. IN CAMERA
C-164/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that we move in camera at 1:06 p.m.
to discuss the following matters:
• Funding Request - Brooks Housing Society - Access to Information Act Section
30;
• Update - Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub - Access to Information Act Section 30.
MOTION CARRIED
C-165/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that we move out of camera at
2:16 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
C-166/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Council approves funding in the
amount of $500,000 from the Stabilization Fund in support of the Brooks Housing
Society's Prairie Meadows - Phase 3 project.
MOTION DEFEATED
C-167/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council approves funding in the
amount of $300,000 from the Stabilization Fund in support of the Brooks Housing
Society's Prairie Meadows - Phase 3 project.
MOTION CARRIED
16. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:18 p.m.
Signed this Z{g day of � , 2026
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Reeve
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County Administrator
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