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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-24 Council (Regular) MinutesCounty of Newell Meeting Minutes Council September 24, 2026 The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office and livestreamed to the public on Thursday, September 24, 2026 commencing at 10:14 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 (via Microsoft Teams) L. Kopp H. Johnson G. Skriver (via Microsoft Teams) K. Christman N. Johnson (via Microsoft Teams) B. Hofer STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer T Green, Director of Agricultural Services L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services M. Jackson, Planning and Development Supervisor M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator) A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin ATTENDANCE: J. Swain, Global Green Energy (Canada) B. Bietz, IEPS Canada Ltd. S. McKay, Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Three (3) Members of the Public 1. CALL TO ORDER Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:14 a.m. 2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING All members were in attendance at this meeting. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 3.1 Minutes - Council (September 10, 2026) C-290/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the September 10, 2026 Council Meeting minutes be adopted as presented. MOTION CARRIED Regular Council September 24, 2026 4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA C-291/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY 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. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10.1 Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) Grant— Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) — City of Brooks The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-292126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that Council supports the City of Brooks in making an application under the Alberta Community Partnership Program as the Managing Partner, to facilitate the update of the existing Intermunicipal Development Plan between the County of Newell and the City of Brooks. MOTION CARRIED 10.2 Request for Surplus Materials - Brooks & District Fish & Game Association The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-293/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council approves the request from the Brooks & District Fish & Game Association and donates surplus lay flat hose to be used for watering trees and shrubs at the Vern Potiuk Memorial Conservation Site in SW 36-16-13-W4. MOTION CARRIED 10.3 Loss of Registries Service in Bassano The Chief Administrative Officer and Councillor K. Christman provided background information on this item. ARRIVED AT MEETING T. Green arrived at 10:22 a.m. Discussion followed. Page 2 of 9 Regular Council September 24, 2026 C-294/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council supports the Bassano Council's efforts to retain registry services within the Town of Bassano. MOTION CARRIED The Chief Administrative Officer will follow up with the Town of Bassano's Chief Administrative Officer. 9. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BUSINESS 9.1 Agricultural Fieldman's Report (September 2026) The Director of Agricultural Services presented the Agricultural Fieldman's Report to Council. ARRIVED AT MEETING L. Johnson arrived at 10:29 a.m. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. The Director of Agricultural Services responded to questions regarding clubroot and the number of different species of weeds identified in the County. C-295/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that the Agricultural Fieldman's Report for September 2026 be accepted as presented. MOTION CARRIED 9.2 2026 ASB Report Card The Director of Agricultural Services presented an update on the recent activities of the Agricultural Services Department. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. This item was accepted as information. LEFT THE MEETING T Green left the meeting out at 10:37 a.m. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS - continued 10.4 Petition —Bylaw 2129-26 Land Use Bylaw Text Amendment —Data Centres The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item, indicating that documents presented as a petition related to Bylaw 2129-26 have been reviewed against the general petition requirements of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). He suggested that anyone seeking to complete a petition review the public Memo to File included in the agenda package as it contains an itemized list of requirements. He provided an overview of each of the three petitions. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-296126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Council accept the Chief Administrative Officer's report regarding the petitions received September 10, 2026 as information. MOTION CARRIED Page 3 of 9 Regular Council September 24, 2026 10.5 Councillor Payment Sheets (August 2026) C-297126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that the August 2026 Councillor Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor Compensation Review Committee. MOTION CARRIED 10.6 Requests for Functions of Council 10.6.1 EDA Xperience 2027 (April 14-16, 2027) Council was provided background information on this item. Discussion followed and Council indicated that delegates will be determined later. C-298126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR H. JOHNSON that two (2) Councillors be permitted to attend the Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Xperience conference in Kananaskis, AB on April 14-16, 2027 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 10.6.2 Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Ministry Dinner (October 22, 2026) Council was provided background information on this item. This item was accepted as information. 10.6.3 Scandia Hall Open House (Oct. 22, 2026) C-299126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that any Councillor be permitted to attend the Scandia Hall Open House in Scandia, AB on October 22, 2026 as a function of Council. MOTION CARRIED 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 11.1 Brooks Regional Tourism Board Councillor B. Hofer submitted a written report. He responded to questions from Council regarding the official name change. 11.2 Grasslands Regional FCSS Councillor H. Johnson reported that funding requests received from 14 community groups exceed the amount of funding available. Grasslands Regional FCSS will be deliberating next week. 11.3 Newell Recycling Association Councillor L. Kopp reported that the Newell Recycling Association and Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority had a meeting and decided that the recycling depot will continue operating as usual and both groups will revisit the issue in February 2027. Page 4 of 9 Regular Council September 24, 2026 11.4 Recreation Area -Rolling Hills Councillor D. Baumgarten provided an update on the Rolling Hills Arena project, indicating that everything is going well. 11.5 Palliser Economic Partnership Reeve A. Doerksen provided an update on the Canada Infrastructure Bank project. Councillor H. Johnson reported that she had attended a tour of the humalite production facility at the former Sheerness mine. 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. RECESS Council RECESSED at 11:00 a.m. and RECONVENED at 11:07 a.m. 14. QUESTION PERIOD A question period was held. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public online. B. Roy apologized for the duplicated pages with the Change.org petition submitted September 10, 2026 and indicated that revised documents were delivered September 23, 2026. She provided information regarding the number of signatures on each petition and indicated the Send a Letter campaign would remain open. Reeve A. Doerksen indicated that the Chief Administrative Officer and Planning & Development Supervisor are available for public engagement. 15. IN CAMERA C-300/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move in camera at 11:10 a.m. to discuss the following matters: Land Acquisition — TR192 Paving Project — Access to Information Act Section 29 (Advice from Officials) Crop Diversification Centre South — Access to Information Act Section 26 (Intergovernmental Relations). MOTION CARRIED Page 5 of 9 Regular Council September 24, 2026 C-301/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that we move out of camera at 11:28 a.m. MOTION CARRIED C-302/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN that we move into Public Hearings at 11:30 a.m. MOTION CARRIED PUBLIC HEARINGS 7.1 Bylaw 2135-26 26 LUA 007 (Lot 1 Block 1 Plan 1910458 in NW 30-22-14-W4 - S-PPS to A-GEN) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:30 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 Planning & Development Supervisor stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2135-26. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by rezoning approximately 107.74 acres (43.6 hectares) known as Lot 1 Block 1 Plan 1910458 in NW 30-22-14-W4 from Special, Parks & Public Service (S-PPS) District to Agriculture, General (A-GEN) District. The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to adjacent landowners and to a list of affected agencies. No responses have been received from adjacent landowners. None of the affected agencies 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. 7.2 Bylaw 2137-26 26 LUA 008 (S 34-19-15-W4 & Lot 1 Block 2 Plan 2010258 -A-GEN to I-GEN) Reeve A. Doerksen called the Public Hearing to order at 11:32 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 Planning & Development Supervisor stated that the intent of the Public Hearing is to hear representations on Bylaw 2137-26. The intent of this bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 2016-21 by rezoning a portion of SW & SE 34-19-15- W4 and Lot 1 Block 2 Plan 2010258 in SW 35-19-15-W4 from Agriculture, General (A-GEN) District to Industrial, General (I-GEN) District. The Planning & Development Supervisor provided background information on this item indicating that a copy of the document had been circulated to adjacent Page 6 of 9 Regular Council September 24, 2026 landowners and to a list of affected agencies. No responses have been received from adjacent landowners. None of the affected agencies have indicated any objections. B. Bietz gave a presentation on the Newell Regional Hydrogen Hub project which is proposed for north of the Regional Landfill. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. B. Bietz responded to questions regarding the project timeline, indicating that they hope to complete both phases by August 2027. LEFT THE MEETING B. Bietz left the meeting at 11:40 a.m. J. Swain gave a presentation on the proposed energy -from -waste facility that will be built at the Newell Regional Landfill and an update on progress made. He indicated that Global Green Energy (Canada) is committed to building the facility with local employees and contractors and they are working with Medicine Hat College on waste management education opportunities. Once the provincial permits are in place, Global Green Energy (Canada) will be opening a local information centre. There were no other persons in attendance speaking either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed bylaw. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. C-303/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that we move out of Public Hearings at 11:47 a.m. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING L. Johnson, J. Swain, S. McKay, and two (2) members of the public left the meeting at 11:47 a.m. 8. BYLAWS 8.1 Bylaw 2135-26 26 LUA 007 (Lot 1 Block 1 Plan 1910458 in NW 30-22-14-W4 - S-PPS to A-GEN) C-304/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR DAN BAUMGARTEN 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 SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-305126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Bylaw 2135-26 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED Page 7 of 9 Regular Council j September 24, 2026 8.2 Bylaw 2137-26 26 LUA 008 (S 34-19-15-W4 & Lot 1 Block 2 Plan 2010258 -A-GEN to I-GEN) C-306/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER 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 SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-307/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ADENA SKANDERUP that Bylaw 2137-26 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED LEFT THE MEETING M. Jackson and one (1) member of the public left the meeting at 11:49 a.m. 8.3 Bylaw 2140-26 Rescind Bylaw 1915-18 (Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework - MD of Taber) The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item and responded to questions from Council. C-308/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Bylaw 2140-26, being a bylaw for the purpose of rescinding Bylaw 1915-18 (Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement - MD of Taber), be given FIRST reading. MOTION CARRIED C-309/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Bylaw 2140-26 be given SECOND reading. MOTION CARRIED C-310126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that consent be given for Bylaw 2140-26 to receive third reading this 24th day of September, 2026. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY C-311/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2140-26 be given THIRD and FINAL reading. MOTION CARRIED 15. IN CAMERA - continued C-312126 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Council authorize Administration to purchase the lands required for the Township Road 18-2 paving project, as discussed during the closed session, with the purchase and associated costs to be funded from the approved Township Road 18-2 project budget. MOTION CARRIED Page 8 of 9 Regular Council September 24, 2026 C-313/26 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR BENJAMIN HOFER that Council approve sending a letter, signed by the Reeve, to the local Member of the Legislative Assembly and related ministries, requesting the initiation of discussions with the Province of Alberta to explore the potential transfer of ownership of the Crop Diversification Centre South property to the County of Newell. MOTION CARRIED 16. ADJOURN Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 11:54 a.m. Signed this O+ day of , 2026 Reeve County Administrator Page 9 of 9