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Home My WebLink About2026-07-09 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell Meeting Minutes Council July 9, 2026 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, July 9, 2026 commencing at 10:19 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILLORS ABSENT: K. Christman, Deputy Reeve D. Baumgarten A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver N.Johnson B. Hofer A. Doerksen, Reeve STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: G. Lentz, South Eastern Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association S. Pakula, South Eastem Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association 1 2. G220/26 CALL TO ORDER Deputy Reeve K. Christman called the meeting to order at 10:19 a.m. EXCUSED FROM MEETING MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Reeve A. Doerksen be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (June 25, 2026) The following changes were made to the June 25, 2026 Council Meeting minutes: Page 5- Item 10.2 - should read "...the Rolling Hills Agricultural Society has installed security cameras facing the entrances to the post office, the hall, and the arena. " _ Regular Council July 9, 2026 C-221/26 4. 5. C-222/26 6. 7 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that the June 25, 2026 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Deputy Reeve K. Christman called for post agenda items. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that the agenda be adopted as presented. 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. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2132-26 Bylaw Officer The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item including an overview of the changes. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-223/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2132-26, being a bylaw for the purpose of regulating the position of Bylaw Enforcement Officer appointed under the Municipal Government Act by the County of Newell, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-224/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2132-26 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-225/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that consent be given for Bylaw 2132-26 to receive third reading this 9th day of July, 2026. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-226/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2132-26 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 2 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2026 10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 Planning 8� Development Report (January - June 2026) The Planning & Development Report for January - June 2026 was presented to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-227/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Planning & Deve�opment Report for January - June 2026 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Biette arrived at 1025 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. He provided additional information regarding enforcement for a construction project at Twp Rd 192N and Hwy 873 and provided details regarding the number and type of tickets issued as well as corrective measures that have been installed. The Director of Municipal Services a/so provided a progress update on an initiative to identify owners of Texas gates. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Municipal Services indicated that he would provide Council with details regarding the Crop Diversification Centre South road and parking lot upgrade. The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions regarding construction on Hwy 873 from the City of Brooks corporate limits south to the Kinbrook Island Provincial Park access, reporting that Alberta Transportation South Region has indicated this project is not included in the budget. C-228/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the Director of Municipal Services Report for June 2026 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Harbicht left the meeting at 10:39 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Policy Review POL-046-26 Access to Information & Protection of Privacy The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, including an overview of the changes to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-229/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Policy POL-046-26 Access to Information & Protection of Privacy be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2026 9.2 Policy Review POL-034-26 Privacy - Web Applications The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, including an overview of the changes to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Executive Assistant responded to questions regarding privacy breach procedures and required notification. The Chief Administrative O�cer provided additional information, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for privacy breaches and giving credit to the Information & Technology DepartmenYs efforts in building and maintaining systems security. C-230/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-034-26 Privacy - Web Applications be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Policy Review POL-008-26 Electronic Recording of County Meetings The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, including an overview of the changes to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-231/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Policy POL-008-26 Electronic Recording of County Meetings be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9.4 Policy Review POL-042-26 Mini Bus Service The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, including an overview of the changes to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed regarding Meals on Wheels delivery and Council suggested a single rider fee if multiple meals are delivered to the same area. The Corporate Services Supeivisor indicated that a Meals on Wheels delivery fee could be included in the Schedule of Fees bylaw. C-232/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Policy POL-042-26 Mini Bus Service be adopted with the following amendment: "The minibus driver delivers Meals On Wheels to residents within the route on the assigned days for a fee charged in accordance with the Schedule of Fees bylaw." MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette left the meeting at 10:56 a.m. 9.5 Policy Review POL-066-26 Responding to Service Requests The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, including an overview of the changes to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Page 4 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2026 C-233/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Policy POL-066-26 Responding to Service Requests be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Lentz and S. Pakula arrived at 10:58 a.m. 9.6 Policy Review POL-067-26 Public Participation & Communications The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item, including an overview of the changes to the policy. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-234/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Policy POL-067-26 Public Participation & Communications be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:00 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:07 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 South Eastern Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association S. Pakula provided background information on the South Eastern Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association (SEARCWFI) and their efforts to promote rural crime prevention. She provided details regarding the fan out system that shares a/erts from the RCMP to subscribers. SEARCWA is currently operating in Cypress County, the County of Forty Mile, and the County of Newell and there are over 600 members. S. Pakula explained the board structure, indicating that each of the three zones has five elected directors, and outlined membership benefits. G. Lentz provided additional information on information shared with the RCMP which has led to the apprehension of criminals. SEARCWA memberships are available at www seabrcw. ca for a one-time fee of $25. G. Lentz provided information regarding efforts to replace signs installed previously by the Brooks & Area Rural Crime Watch. He indicated that Cypress County and the County of Forty Mile have had their operations crews installing the signs in their jurisdictional areas; further, they have covered the cost for Volker Stevin to install signs on the provincial roads in those counties. G. Lentz provided information regarding signs to be replaced within the County, noting that additional signage could be identified. He asked the County to consider installing the signs and covering the costs for Volker Stevin to install signs on provincial roads in the County Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Council noted that most of the sign locations identified are in the northern part of the County S. Pakula indicated that SEARCWA does not have a complete list of all the signs installed in the County and asked for help locating additional signs or identifying sign Page 5 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2026 locations. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that this request could be incorporated into the County's existing sign program. Discussion followed regarding additional signs and promoting SEARCWA to the community. C-235/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that South Eastern Alberta Rural Crime Watch signage be included in the County's Signage program. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING G. Lentz and S. Pakula left the meeting at 11:38 a.m. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - continued 9.7 Requests for Functions of Council 9.7.1 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Justice Member Committee Councillor A. Skanderup provided background information on this item, indicating that she has submitted an application to be considered for this Committee. Discussion followed. C-236/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Council of the County of Newell supports Councillor Adena Skanderup in her application to become a member of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Justice Member Committee; further, that the County of Newell acknowledges responsibility for per diem costs associated with participation in an RMAAdvisory Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.7.2 Southern Alberta Grazing School for Women (July 22-23, 2026) Councillor H. Johnson provided information on the Southern Alberta Grazing School for Women which will be held in Cassils, AB on July 22 & 23, 2026. 11. POSTAGENDAITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS 12.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 13. 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 6 of 7 Regular Council July 9, 2026 14. IN CAMERA There were no in camera items to discuss at this meeting. 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 11:44 a.m. Signed this G� of ��J � , 2026 i� �/ aeeve �,.,�.._��,r..nQse -� -- - County Administrator Page 7 of 7