HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-07 Council (Regular) MinutesCOUNTY OF NEWELL
MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL
December 7, 2023
The regular Council Meeting of the County of Newell was held in the County Office on Thursday,
December 7, 2023 commencing at 10:12 a.m.
Notice was posted at the front entrance advising the public of the meeting.
MEMBERS A. Doerksen, Reeve
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS: D. Short
A. Skanderup
L. Kopp
H.Johnson
G. Skriver
K. Christman
E. Unruh
A. Philpott
N.Johnson
STAFF: M. Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer
L. Johnson, Director of Corporate Services
M. Jackson, Supervisor of Planning and Development
R. Fernell, Director of Information and Technology
M. Harbicht, Director of Municipal Services
C. Siakaluk, Communications Officer (Moderator)
A. Nielsen, Executive Assistant
OTHERS IN S. Stanway, Brooks Bulletin
ATTENDANCE: K. Steinley, Newell Regional Services Corporation
D. Perkins, Brooks Community Amphitheater
1. CALL TO ORDER
Reeve A. Doerksen called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m.
2. EXCUSED FROM MEETING
All members were in attendance at this meeting.
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
3.1 Minutes - Council (November 23, 2023)
C-366/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the November 23, 2023 Council
Meeting minutes be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
Regular Council
December 7, 2023
4. CALL FOR POST AGENDA ITEMS
Reeve A. Doerksen called for post agenda items.
5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
C-367/23 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. No County Ratepayers were in
attendance. The moderator indicated that there were no questions from the public.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
9.2 Electoral Boundary Review - Terms of Reference
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item
including an overview of the proposed timeline and public engagement
activities. He requested guidance from Council regarding the number of electoral
divisions to be used to redistribute the population. Council was given the
opportunity to ask questions. Discussion followed. Feedback received from
ratepayers indicates a desire for communities to stay together and maintaining
adequate representation. Further discussion followed regarding determining the
number of divisions.
C-368/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council adopt the Terms of
Reference for the Electoral Boundary Review as presented based on the reduced
number of seven (7) councillors.
MOTION DEFEATED
C-369/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council adopt the Terms of
Reference for the Electoral Boundary Review as presented based on ten (10)
councillors.
MOTION DEFEATED
C-370/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Council adopt the Terms of
Reference for the Electoral Boundary Review as presented based on the reduced
number of nine (9) councillors.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
Councillor D. Short left the meeting at 10:48 a.m.
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Regular Council
December 7, 2023
10. MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUSINESS
10.1 Utilities - NRSC Report
K. Steinley presented The Utilities - NRSC Report to Council, giving an overview
of the highlights. Council was given the opportunity to ask questions. K. Steinley
responded to questions regarding the bulk water fill stations and the Lake Newell
Resort lift station upgrades. The Director of Municipal Services provided
additional information regarding the Lake Newell Resort lift station and long-
range plans for the fill stations. The Chief Administrative Officer gave an
overview of how repairs and maintenance for infrastructure are funded.
LEFT THE MEETING
K. Steinley left the meeting at 11:05 a.m.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
R. Fernell arrived at 11:07 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. Council was given the opportunity to ask
questions. Discussion followed regarding delays associated with the
appointment of Peace Officers.
C-371/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KELLY CHRISTMAN that Administration send a letter to the
Minister of Justice (cc'd to MLA D. Smith) regarding delays associated with the
appointment of Community Peace Officers.
MOTION CARRIED
C-372/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR ELLEN UNRUH that the Director of Municipal Services
Report and the Utilities - NRSC Report for November be APPROVED as presented
MOTION CARRIED
ARRIVED AT MEETING
L. Johnson and M. Jackson arrived at 11:16 a.m.
10.3 Brooks Elks Lodge - Tabs for Tots
The Director of Municipal Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-373/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council APPROVES a one-time
contribution of the net revenue collected from the blue metal collection bins, based on
the 4 YearAverage being $2,050.00, from the County's unrestricted surplus.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
December 7, 2023
LEFT THE MEETING
M. Harbicht left the meeting at 11:18 a.m.
7. BYLAWS
7.1 Bylaw 2063-23 Debenture - Lake Newell Resort Pathway
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council.
C-374/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Bylaw 2063-23, being a bylaw for the
purpose of authorizing the Council of the County of Newell to incur indebtedness by the
issuance of debenture(s) in the amount of $750,000 for the purpose of financing the
"Lake Newell Resort Pathway" local improvement project, be given FIRST reading.
The Director of Corporate Services responded to questions regarding the
advertising process. No responses were received during the petition period and
limited concerns regarding how the project was to be funded were received after
the petition period ended.
ARRIVED AT MEETING
D. Perkins arrived at 11:21 a.m.
VOTE ON MOTION C-374/23 - MOTION CARRIED
7.2 Bylaw 2064-23 Schedule of Fees
The Director of Corporate Services provided background information on this item
including an overview of the changes made. The Chief Administrative Officer
indicated that road allowance /ease rates would be discussed in detail during the
January 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. Discussion followed.
C-375/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that Bylaw 2064-23, being a bylaw for the
purpose of establishing a schedule of fees, be given FIRST reading.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
L. Johnson and M. Jackson left the meeting at 11:29 a.m.
8. DELEGATIONS
8.1 Funding Request - Brooks Community Amphitheater
D. Perkins provided background information on a proposed project to build an
amphitheater at Lake Stafford Park. He indicated that a committee has been
established and the Brooks Kinsmen are interested in the project. He reguested
support from the County of Newell for the project. Council was given the
opportunity to ask questions. D. Perkins responded to questions regarding
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Regular Council
December 7, 2023
responsibility for maintenance and bookings after the structure is
complete. Reeve A. Doerksen suggested that this project be presented to the
Joint Services Committee when further details are available. D. Perkins
responded to further questions from Council.
LEFT THE MEETING
D. Perkins left the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS — continued
9.1 Policy Review POL-033-23 Open Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use
The Director of Information & Technology provided background information on
this item and responded to questions from Council. She provided examples of
potential uses for generative Al, which include drafting procedures, policies, and
correspondence and outlined some concerns with its use, indicating that human
oversight is required. The Director of Information & Technology responded to
further questions from Council.
C-376/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that Policy POL-033-23 (Open Generative
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use) be adopted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
LEFT THE MEETING
R. Fernell left the meeting at 11:56 a.m.
LUNCH
Council RECESSED for lunch at 11:57 a.m. and RECONVENED at 12:44 p.m.
9.3 Establishment of a Committee for Crop Diversification Centre (CDC) South
Revitalization
The Chief Administrative Officer provided background information on this item
and responded to questions from Council. Discussion followed and Council
indicated that members-at-large would be beneficial to have on the committee
once the agreement with the provincial government is in place.
C-377/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Council establishes the Crop
Diversification Centre (CDC) South Revitalization Committee that will consist of three (3)
Council members and two (2) members-at-large from the community with expertise in
agriculture, research, and relevant fields.
MOTION CARRIED
Discussion followed regarding the Council representatives. Councillor
H. Johnson nominated Reeve A. Doerksen. Councillor E. Unruh nominated
Councillor N. Johnson. Councillor L. Kopp nominated Councillor
K. Christman. Councillor E. Unruh nominated Councillor H. Johnson.
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Regular Council
December 7, 2023
C-378/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR GREG SKRIVER that the CDC South Revitalization
Committee consist of four (4) Council members as follows:
• Reeve A. Doerksen
• Councillor H. Johnson
• Councillor K. Christman
• Councillor N. Johnson;
and two (2) members-at-large from the community with expertise in agriculture,
research, and relevant fields to be appointed later.
MOTION CARRIED
9.4 Joint Municipal Meeting (December 16, 2023)
The Executive Assistant provided background information on this item. The
Chief Administration Officer provided updates on the agenda items. Discussion
followed regarding who would be speaking to each item. Reeve A. Doerksen will
coordinate with Mayor J. Petrie on the items shared with the City of
Brooks. Council indicated that Newell Regional Solid Waste Management
Authority should be removed as service levels have improved.
9.5 Councillor Payment Sheets (October 2023)
C-379/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that the October 2023 Councillor
Payment Sheets be accepted with the amendments recommended by the Councillor
Compensation Review Committee.
MOTION CARRIED
9.6 Requests for Functions of Council
9.6.1 State of the Region Address (January 4, 2023)
C-380/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that any Councillor be permitted to attend
the State of the Region Address in Brooks, AB on January 4, 2023 as a function of
Council.
MOTION CARRIED
9.6.2 Brooks Newell Summer Games Society
Councillor G. Skriver provided background information on this item and
responded to questions from Council, indicating that it is an extension of
the Alberta 55+ Summer Games committee that will organize and
fundraise for future summer games events.
C-381/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that Councillor G. Skriver be permitted to
attend meetings of the Brooks Newell Summer Games Society as a function of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
December 7, 2023
9.6.3 Open House for Garnet Altwasser (December 1, 2023)
Discussion followed and Council indicated that the open house for
G. A/twasser on December 1, 2023 was considered a function of Council.
9.6.4 Tourism Advocacy Summit (February 4-6, 2024)
Councillor H. Johnson provided background information on this item.
C-382/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR HOLLY JOHNSON that Councillor A. Skanderup be
permitted to attend the Tourism Advocacy Summit in Edmonton, AB on February 4-6,
2024 as a function of Council.
MOTION CARRIED
9.6.5 Business 2 Business Manufacturing & Trade Open House
(December 14, 2023)
Councillor N. Johnson provided background information on this
item. Discussion followed.
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 Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association Meeting (January 19, 2024)
This item was accepted as information.
12.3 Update - Agricultural Services Board South Region
This item was accepted as information.
13. IN CAMERA
C-383/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR LYNETTE KOPP that we move in camera at 1:19 p.m. to
discuss the following matters:
• Legal — FOIPPAct Section 27;
• Intergovernmental Relations — FOIPPAct Section 21.
MOTION CARRIED
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Regular Council
December 7, 2023
C-384/23 MOVED BY COUNCILLOR NEIL JOHNSON that we move out of camera at 2:05 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
14. ADJOURN
Being that the agenda matters have been concluded, the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
Signed this ��� day of �Q.- , 2023
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County Admin� istrator
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