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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-24 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell Meeting Minutes Council July 24, 2026 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Friday July 24, 2026 commencing at 10:01 a.m. Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting. MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: D. Baumgarten A. Skanderup L. Kopp H.Johnson G. Skriver K. Christman, Deputy Reeve N.Johnson B. Hofer STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer G. Tiffin, Manager of Planning, Development and Engineering C. Hok, Manager of Agricultural Services L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services CT Schroeder, Manager of Operations C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: Dr. R. Buck, Southern Alberta Medical Program (via Microsoft Teams) B. Bietz, IEPS Canada Ltd. (In Camera - via Microsoft Teams) G. Baden, IEPS Canada Ltd. (In Camera - via Microsoft Teams) M. Iwaasa, Brooks Newell Region Economic Development (In Camera - via Microsoft Teams) 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (July 9, 2026) C-237/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that the July 9, 2026 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council July 24, 2026 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-238/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP 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. 7. BYLAWS 7.1 Bylaw 2134-26 AMENDMENT to Bylaw 2112-26 (Road Closure & SALE - NE 8 & NW 9-22-17-W4) The Manager of Planning, Development & Engineering provided background information on this item. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. ARRIVED AT MEETING C. Hok arrived at 10:04 a.m. C-239/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2134-26, being a bylaw for the purpose of amending Bylaw 2112-26 by changing the legal description of the road closure, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-240/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2134-26 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-241/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that consent be given for Bylaw 2134-26 to receive third reading this 24th day of July, 2026. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-242/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2134-26 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING G. Tiffin left the meeting at 10:06 a.m. Page 2 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2026 ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson arrived at 10:06 a.m. 8. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 8.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (July 2026) The Manager of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding the pump track at Emerson Bridge Park, indicating that signage will be installed before it is promoted. Councillor K. Christman provided information regarding the Rural Beautification Awards winners. C. Hok responded to questions regarding downy brome control. C-243126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for July 2026 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING C. Hok left the meeting at 10:17 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS (_ 10.1 Tilley Area Recreation Funding Agreement The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the Tilley & District Recreation Board is a formally established entity with bylaws. The Director of Corporate Services provided further information on the Tilley Recreation Board, indicating that the County inherited the recreation arrangement when the Village of Tilley dissolved. Discussion followed and Council suggested applying a one-year term to the agreement and requesting that the Tilley & District Recreation Board update their bylaws. C-244/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council approve the recreation agreement between the County of Newell and the Tilley Area Recreation Board for the term beginning January 1,2026 as presented; further, that the Tilley Area Recreation Board be encouraged to update their bylaws. The Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Corporate Services provided additional information on the distribution of recreation funding and asked Council to consider whether a standardized approach is the goal before efforts are made to update bylaws. For instance, the Rolling Hills Agricultural Society distributes the funds for Rolling Hills whereas the Patricia area submits receipts to the County to be paid. Further Discussion followed. Reeve A. Doerksen called the question. VOTE ON MOTION C-244/26 — MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2026 10.2 Requests for Functions of Council There were no functions of Council to discuss at this meeting. 9. DELEGATIONS 9.1 Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) Dr. R. Buck provided background information on the Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP), a partnership between the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge to train physicians and reduce the shortage of physicians in rural communities. Municipalities can help by investing in the program and strengthening assets. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. Dr. R. Buck provided information on the Introduction to Professionalism Ceremony, an event where SAMP students are welcomed to the profession. Council thanked Dr. R. Buck for the presentation and his efforts with SAMP. LEFT THE MEETING Dr. R. Buck left the meeting at 10:48 a.m. Discussion followed. C-245/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Council approve additional spending in the amount of $1,000 from the County's unrestricted net assets as a sponsorship in support of the September 12, 2026 Southern Alberta Medical Program's (SAMP) Introduction to Professionalism Ceremony. MOTION CARRIED 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 City of Brooks Recreation & Parks Board Councillor G. Skriver reported that City of Brooks Council had approved a 3% increase in user fees. The board is currently reviewing bylaws and attempting to reduce the number of members which will be selected through an open, competitive selection process and appointed for two-year terms. Discussion followed. 11.2 Newell Housing Foundation Councillor A. Skanderup circulated photos of tiny homes and provided an update on the project, indicating that a development permit and permission to build has been obtained and the land transfer is in progress. She also reported that the list of eligible families has been reduced since a change that included the Child Tax Credit as reportable income. 0; N Page 4 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2026 11.3 Recreation Board - Rolling Hills Area Councillor D. Baumgarten provided information regarding recent irrigation repairs and indicated that protocols have been put in place to improve future communications. Overwintering will no longer be allowed at the Rolling Hills Campground. 11.4 2026 Provincial Agricultural Service Board Summer Tour (July 14-16, 2026) Councillor K. Christman, Councillor H. Johnson, Councillor L. Kopp, and Reeve A. Doerksen provided the highlights of the 2026 Provincial ASB Summer Tour in Wheatland County: • soil improvement through rotational sheep grazing • demonstration of spray plane • charter school visit • institute working with the Calgary Zoo with threatened species including leopard frogs, burrowing owls, and marmots. 11.5 Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER) Symposium (July 19-23, 2026) Reeve A. Doerksen, Councillor D. Baumgarten, Councillor H. Johnson, and Councillor N. Johnson provided the highlights from the PNWER Symposium in Edmonton: • invasive species discussion • Hydrogen hub tour • quantum computing • Al is currently not regulated • drones at Suffield • information discrepancies regarding taxation of data centres • Government of Alberta has approved a private fast rail line route from Edmonton to Calgary • CN Rail has plans to shut down 413 miles of rail over the next couple of years 12. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 13. INFORMATION ITEMS 13.1 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. Page 5 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2026 14. 15. C-246126 QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. IN CAMERA MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move in camera at 11:23 a.m. to discuss the following matters: • Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub - Advice from Officials - Access to Information Act s. 29; • Gem Gravel Pit Road - Advice from Officials - Access to Information Act s. 29; • Crop Diversification Centre South - Disclosure Harmful to Economic & Other Interests of a Public Body - Access to Information Act s. 30. MOTION CARRIED LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 12:33 p.m. and RECONVENED at 1:08 p.m. C-247126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that we move out of camera at 1:57 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 15.2 Gem Gravel Pit Road -Advice from Officials (ATIA s. 29) The Manager of Operations provided background information on this item. C-248/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Council approves obtaining preliminary engineering design support for Route A, at an estimated cost of $50,400, to determine estimated construction cost before procuring road construction. MOTION CARRIED 15.1 Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub -Advice from Officials (ATIA s. 29) C-249/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Administration continue discussions with Emissions Reduction Alberta and IEPS to move the Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub project forward. MOTION CARRIED IN Page 6 of 7 Regular Council July 24, 2026 15.3 Crop Diversification Centre South - Disclosure Harmful to Economic & I Other Interests of a Public Body (ATIA s. 30) C-250/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Reeve A. Doerksen and Administration be authorized to proceed with the direction provided during the in camera portion of this meeting. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:07 p.m. Signed this 0 day of t SOUS I 2026 County Administrator Page 7 of 7