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Home My WebLink About2026-08-06 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell Meeting Minutes Council August 6, 2026 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, August 6, 2026 commencing at 10:00 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 N.Johnson B. Hofer STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer C. Hok, Manager of Agricultural Services S. Biette, Corporate Services Supervisor M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services S. Simpson, Development Officer L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: S. Sgt. R. Harms, RCMP - Brooks Sgt. J. Schmidt, RCMP - Bassano CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (July 24, 2026) C-251/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that the July 24, 2026 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council August 6, 2026 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-252/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON 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. 10. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 10.1 ASB Update The Manager of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Manager of Agricultural Services responded to questions about the Pasture Power Up event, indicating that a report on the trial results will be prepared. LEFT THE MEETING C. Hok left the meeting at 10:05 a.m. 11. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 11.1 2026 Tax Sale by Public Auction The Corporate Services Supervisor provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-253/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the 2026 Tax Sale by Public Auction be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the County of Newell Building with cash or certified cheque only terms, and that the reserve bids for the 2026 Tax Sale properties be set as recommended by Administration. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Biette left the meeting at 10:07 a.m. Page 2 of 8 Regular Council August 6, 2026 11.2 Municipal Affairs Engagement — Councillor Accountability Framework Design The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that the deadline to respond is August 14, 2026. This item was accepted as information. 11.3 Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) Fall 2026 Convention (November 2-5, 2026) Council was provided with background information on this item and discussion followed. The Executive Assistant was directed to arrange meetings with the following: • Minister of Transportation & Economic Corridors - upcoming paving projects; regulating e-scooters, traffic count at JBS Access Road • Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation - Crop Diversification Centre South, water, and agriculture • Minister of Technology & Innovation - support for data centres, update on the data centre concierge service Discussion followed regarding arranging tours of RCMP 'K" Division, the Edmonton Fleet Services Ellerslie Facility, and the University of Alberta's energy research facilities. This item will be brought to a future Council meeting for further discussion. 11.4 Councillor Payment Sheets (June 2026) C-254/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the June 2026 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 11.5 Requests for Functions of Council 11.5.1 Pink Tea Reception in Honor of the Famous 5 (August 8, 2026) The Executive Assistant reported that a Member of Legislative Assembly will be in attendance at this event and that the Brooks & District Museum has requested greetings from the County. Councillor K. Christman will attend on behalf of the County. C-255/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Councillor K. Christman be permitted to attend the Pink Tea Reception in Honor of the Famous 5 in Brooks, AB on August 8, 2026 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 8 Regular Council August 6, 2026 11.5.3 Brooks & District Health Foundation Gala (September 26, 2026) C-256126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council approve additional spending in the amount of $1,000 from the County's unrestricted net assets for the County to purchase a table at the Brooks & District Health Foundation Gala on September 26, 2026. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING M. Harbicht arrived at 10:19 a.m. 12. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS 12.1 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 regarding reduced heavy hauling traffic and provided an update on the JBS Access Road. Council suggested discussing the possibility of a traffic count on the JBS Access Road with the Minister of Transportation & Economic Corridors. C-257/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the Director of Municipal Services Report for July 2026 be APPROVED as presented MOTION CARRIED 13. POST AGENDA ITEMS There were no post agenda items to discuss at this meeting. 16. IN CAMERA C-258/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that we move in camera at 10:33 a.m. to discuss the following matters: Policy POL-069-25 Drainage - County/EID Joint Projects -Advice from Officials - Access to Information Act Section 29. MOTION CARRIED C-259/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move out of camera at 11:08 a.m. MOTION CARRIED ARRIVED AT MEETING S. Sgt. R. Harms and Sgt. J. Schmidt arrived at 11:10 a.m. Page 4 of 8 Regular council August 6, 2026 9. DELEGATIONS 8.1 RCMP Quarterly Reports - Brooks S. Sgt. R. Harms presented the Brooks RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events and a staffing update. He provided the Crime Severity Index (CSI) results, indicating that the rural score of 46.4 has increased from the previous score but is still well below the provincial average. More detail on CSI will be included in the next report. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. S. Sgt. R. Harms and Sgt. J. Schmidt responded to questions regarding regulations for drones and e-scooters. 8.2 RCMP Quarterly Reports - Bassano Sgt. J. Schmidt presented the Bassano RCMP Quarterly Report to Council, including an overview of statistics and significant events. He also provided information regarding a Farm Tractor Safety Day scheduled for August 21, 2026 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Brandt Tractor in Brooks. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson and S. Simpson arrived at 11:36 a.m. Sgt. J. Schmidt responded to questions regarding domestic violence reporting and rural crime prevention techniques. LEFT THE MEETING S. Sgt. R. Harms and Sgt. J. Schmidt left the meeting at 11:45 a.m. C-260/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that we move into Public Hearings at 11:46 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2131-26 Road Closure & LEASE (Snake Lake Reservoir) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:46 a.m. Reeve A. Doerksen did not review the procedures that would be followed for the hearing as there were no new persons in attendance. The Director of Municipal Services stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2131-26. The intent of this bylaw is to close and LEASE the road allowances that are currently under Snake Lake Reservoir as well as the undeveloped road allowances that will be impacted by the Snake Lake Reservoir expansion. Page 5 of 8 Regular Council August 6, 2026 The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item, indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to all adjacent landowners as well as to a list of affected agencies. No responses were received from adjacent landowners. All responses have been received from the required referrals and none have indicated any objections. There were no persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-261/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:49 a.m. MOTION CARRIED 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2131-26 Road Closure & LEASE (Snake Lake Reservoir) C-262/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2131-26, being a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel and LEASING the road allowances currently under Snake Lake Reservoir as well as the undeveloped road allowances that will be impacted by the Snake Lake Reservoir Expansion as shown in Schedule A, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED 8.2 Bylaw 2135-26 26 LUA 007 (Lot 1 Block 1 Plan 1910458 in NW 30-22-14-W4 - S-PPS to A-GEN) The Development Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-263/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Bylaw 2135-26, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating a 107.74 acres (43.6 hectares) parcel known as Lot 1 Block 1 Plan 1910458 in NW 30-22-14-W4 from Special, Parks & Public Services (S-PPS) District to Agriculture, General (A-GEN) District, be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING S. Simpson and M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:52 a.m. 8.3 Bylaw 2137-26 2026 LUA 008 (S 34-19-15-W4 & Lot 1 Block 2 Plan 2010258 - A-GEN to I-GEN) The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. Page 6 of 8 Regular Council August 6, 2026 C-264126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that Bylaw 2137-26, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by redesignating portions of land in S 34-19-15-W4 and Lot 1 Block 2 Plan 2010258 from Agriculture, General (A-GEN) District to Industrial, General (I-GEN), be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson left the meeting at 11:54 a.m. 14. INFORMATION ITEMS 14.1 Payment Registers The Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions from Council regarding tax refunds and the Brooks Animal Protection Society retainer fee. This item was accepted as information. 14.2 Strategic Priorities Chart This item was accepted as information. 14.3 2026 Q2 Financial Information Package This item was accepted as information. 15. QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. No County Ratepayers were in attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. Council discussed the Rural Beautification Awards Tour and increasing the number of nominations. It was noted that nominations are often declined for various reasons. LUNCH Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:58 a.m. and RECONVENED at 12:41 p.m. 16. IN CAMERA - continued C-265/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move in camera at 12:41 p.m. to discuss the following matters: • Policy POL-011-25 Councillor's Compensation & Expenses -Advice from Officials - Access to Information Act Section 29. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 8 Regular Council August 6, 2026 C-266/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that we move out of camera at 12:58 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 17. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 12:58 p.m. Signed this L day of2026 County Administrator Page 8 of 8