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Home My WebLink About2026-06-25 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell Meeting Minutes Council June 25, 2026 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Neweil was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, June 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 (via Microsoft Teams) H.Johnson G. Skriver (via Microsoft Teams) K. Christman N.Johnson B. Hofer ABSENT: A. Skanderup STAFF: M. Fenske, ChiefAdministrative Officer M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering S. Simpson, Development O�cer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services B. Biette, Maintenance Operator C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: 4 County Ratepayers in Attendance N. Gerestein, Mayor - City of Brooks K. Jacobson, Scandia Community Hall Board E. Chandler, Scandia Community Hall Board H. Thiessen, Scandia Community Hall Board E. Brodoway, Scandia Community Hall Board V. Muhlbeier, Grasslands Regional FCSS A. De Blasio, Grasslands Regional FCSS A. Philpott, Grasslands Regional FCSS CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen ca//ed the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING C-209/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that CouncillorA. Skanderup be excused from the meeting. MOTION CARRIED � Regular Council June 25, 2026 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES G210/26 4. 5. C-211/26 3.1 Minutes - Council (June 11, 2026) MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the June 11, 2026 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. ADOPTION OF AGENDA MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that the agenda be adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED C'� 7 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 2129-26 Land Use Bylaw Text Amendment - Data Centres The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and outlined the key points of the proposed amendment. Data centre developments will be separated into two types based on the scale of the development, with large scala data centres only being allowed in the Industrial, General District. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Planning & Development Supervisorresponded to questions regarding types of onsite powergeneration and requirements for lighting plans and indicated that the notification area could be increased. Discussion followed. C-212/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2129-26, being a bylaw for the purpose of amending Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 to include provisions for Data Centres, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 7.2 Bylaw 2130-26 Land Use Bylaw TextAmendments -Agricultural Buildings & Agricultural Structures The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Planning & Development Supervisor indicated irrigation infrastructure (pivots) are considered agricultural structures in the land use bylaw. Policy included in the proposed amendment is to ensure developers are C Page 2 of 7 Regular Council June 25, 2026 obtaining the required Safety Codes Permits, for example if the structure requires electricity or gas or if human occupancy exceeds the limit. Discussion followed. The Planning & Development Supervisor responded to further questions regarding setbacks and indicated that corrals are considered agricultural structures. She indicated that, if first reading is provided, the permit fees in the Schedule of Fees bylaw would be updated. Council requested public engagement not happen during the summer as farmers are busy The Chief Administrative Officer explained the process for public consultation and indicated that the public hearing would not be scheduled until late September or early October. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson arrived at 10:50 a.m. C-213/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2130-26, being a bylaw for the purpose of amending Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 to include provisions forAgricultural Buildings & Agricultural Structures, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson, G. Tiffin, S. Simpson, Mayor N. Gerestein, and three County Ratepayers left the meeting. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9.1 Call for Volunteers - Bassano Rodeo Pancake Breakfast (July 4, 2026) The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor B. Hofer, Councillor K. Christman, Councillor N. Johnson, and Councillor L. Kopp volunteered. LEFT THE MEETING One County Ratepayer left the meeting at 10:53 a.m. Discussion followed regarding the Rosemary Canada Day pancake breakfast July 1, 2026. Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor 8. Hofer, Councillor K Christman, and Councillor H. Johnson volunteered. 9.2 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual Convention The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed. � Page 3 of 7 __ _ RegWar Council June 25, 2026 C-214/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the County of Newell will send two (2) delegates to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual Convention in the eastern provinces and three (3) delegates to the FCM Annual Convention in the western provinces. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the Councillor's Compensation & Expenses Policy states that each Councillor may attend once per four-year term. Further discussion followed. ARRIVED AT MEETING K. Jacobsen, E. Chandler, H. Thiessen, and E. Brodoway arrived at 10:59 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-214/26 — MOTION CARRIED 9.3 Councillor Payment Sheets (May 2026) C-215/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the May 2026 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 9.4 RECESS Requests for Functions of Council There were no requests for functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. Council RECESSED at 11:02 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:06 a.m. 8. DELEGATIONS 8.1 Recreation Facility Improvement Funding Request - Scandia Hall The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item, indicating a correction to the Project Category Type on the funding application submitted. The original project was approved as a Category Two - Facility Life Extensions, Major Project in December 2022. E. Chandler provided an update on the project, which has been going well with significant community involvement. K. Jacobsen provided additional information on fundraising efforts and construction projects. She indicated that the Newell Regional Fire Chief is compiling a list to ensure the hall meets the fire code. K Jacobsen a/so provided information on the parking lot, indicating a barricade could be installed if the area is not suitable for parking. She thanked the County for their assistance with mowing. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. � Page 4 of 7 Regular Council June 25, 2026 C-216/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council approve a second phase 50/50 funding allocation for the Scandia Community Centre Association Hall Upgrade Project in the amount of $59,960, with funding provided from the Recreation Fund. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING K. Jacobsen, E. Chandler, H. Thiessen, and E. Brodoway left the meeting at 11:27 a.m. RECESS Council RECESSED at 1127 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:33 a.m. 8.2 Grasslands Regional FCSS V. Muhlbeier presented B. Biette with a Community ImpactAward in recognition of his volunteer efforts within the community. LEFT THE MEETING The Grasslands Regionai FCSS delegation left the meeting at 11:38 a.m. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Johnson provided information on the Community Impact Awards which has replaced the Citizen and Junior Citizen of the Year Awards. A volunteer impact video has been completed. 10.2 Recreation Board (Rolling Hills & Area) Councillor D. Baumgarten reported that the Rolling Hills Agricultural Society has installed security cameras facing the entrances to the post office, the hall, and the arena. The RCMP have been given access to the video feeds for improved security ARRIVED AT MEETING G. Tiffin returned at 11:40 a.m. 10.3 Palliser Economic Partnership Councillor H. Johnson reported that the Annual Genera/ Meeting was held on June 19, 2026 and there was good representation from municipalities. Reeve A. Doerksen has been re-elected chair. Councillor H. Johnson has been re-elected secretary treasurer. Reeve A. Doerksen reported that PEP is interested � Page 5 of 7 Regular Council June 25, 2026 in holding another veterinarian fundraiser and they are developing a business member framework. 10.4 Crop Diversification Centre South Ag Summit Council and the Chief Administrative Officer provided their thoughts on the CDC South Ag Summit held on June 18, 2026. The event was well attended and received a lot of positive feedback. Council commended the staff involved with organizing the event. 11. POST AGENDA ITEMS 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. 12.2 Brooks RCMP Report (May 2026) 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. 14. IN CAMERA C-217/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 11:49 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Development Permit 2025096 - Tillorie Farms - ATIA s. 29 Advice from officials • Newell Recycling -ATIAs.26 Disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations. MOTION CARRIED C-218/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of camera at 1226 p.m. MOTION CARRIED � Page 6 of 7 Regular Council June 25, 2026 C-219/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Council accept the May 26, 2026 letter from Tillorie Farms Ltd. as information and deny the request to waive the development permit late fee and the costs associated with relocating the water line. MOTION CARRIED 15. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 1229 p.m. Signed this ��day of �U� , 2026 n � _U :�1Ii� .-�..,.o-�►i County Administrator � Page 7 of 7