Snow and Ice Priorities - Council reviewed how the City manages snow and ice removal on roads, sidewalks, pathways, and parking lots throughout the winter. Clearing priorities are based on safety factors such as traffic volume, speed, terrain, and pedestrian use. Council reviewed snow and ice priorities during its strategic planning session and will now decide priority routes annually. Maps showing which routes receive priority snow removal are available on the City’s website. There are no budget changes unless service levels or coverage areas are expanded.

WIC Community Engagement Results - The Welcoming and Inclusive Community (WIC) Committee shared results from in-person engagement sessions and online surveys. The Committee uses standard definitions to guide its work:

• Diversity is the range of backgrounds and experiences in the community

• Equity is fair access to services based on differing needs

• Inclusion is creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and able to contribute.

Feedback showed strong pride in Brooks as a safe, welcoming place with strong community connections, while also identifying challenges such as limited transportation, fewer family and youth activities outside organized sports, a lack of indoor gathering spaces, and some residents feeling unwelcome. Residents identified priorities, including cultural celebrations and improved communication beyond social media.

Urban Forestry - Council received an update on the Urban Forestry Management Plan, which has guided tree removal, replacement, and planting since 2016. Hundreds of trees have been planted through a mix of City funding, grants, donations, and partnerships with groups such as Rotary, Trees Canada, Fortis Alberta, Canadian Tire, and local businesses. Replacement is planned alongside removals and focused on long-term canopy health rather than one-for-one replacement. In 2025, the City spent $127,959 for tree maintenance, removed 14 trees and planted 60, including 20 in the Commemorative Forest.

Emergency Reassignment - Council reviewed a recommendation to reassign the City of Brooks’ representation on the Newell Region Emergency Management Partnership (NREMP). The emergency management role is shifting from previously designated Councillors to the Mayor, with the Deputy Mayor as alternate, aligning authority and accountability during emergency preparedness, response, and potential States of Local Emergency (SOLE). The change strengthens coordination and communication across Brooks, Newell County, Bassano, Rosemary, and Duchess.

What Neighbours Need to Know - Council reviewed amendments to replace the Municipal Planning Commission with a Development Authority, following a decision made in December. The updates change wording only and do not change zoning or land use rules. Public hearings are required for changes to zoning rules or area plans, and landowners within 100 metres of affected properties will be notified, along with others likely to be impacted. Some development proposals require special approval because they are discretionary uses, listed in the Land Use Bylaw as possible in a zone but not permitted uses, such as secondary suites, or because they involve larger variances. These proposals are not automatic and must be reviewed by the City, where they may be approved with conditions or refused. Notice is required when parking reductions exceed 25% or when variances for new construction exceed 50% of bylaw standards.

New Jumpstart Program - PFFT! (Personal Fitness Fun for Teens!) is a program for youth aged 12-16, and focuses on establishing a fitness routine with proper techniques tailored to their age and personal abilities. This program will also focus on fitness centre etiquette. Taught by Leona Skriver, Fridays in the Fieldhouse Mezzanine, February 20 - March 27, Ages 12-13 (from 1-1:30pm) - 10 spots available, Age 14-16 (from 2-2:30pm - 10 spots available. Call for more info.

Brooks Music Festival - March 19, 23-27. Register Jan 1-31 at brooksmusicfestival.ca Classes for Voice, Piano, Strings, Speech and More

Brooks Public Library turn 75 - Since first opening its doors in March 1951, in the basement of the Ladies Community Rest Room, the library has grown from a modest collection of 2,000 books to a vibrant community hub serving the City of Brooks and the County of Newell. To honour this milestone and thank the community for seven and a half decades of support, the Library Board is pleased to announce that all library memberships will be free for the duration of 2026. The standard $10 annual fee for adult memberships is waived for all residents within the Shortgrass Library System until December 31, 2026. Patrons with current memberships expiring in 2026 have already had their memberships automatically extended by one year.

Correction - CAO Doug Lagore retracted a statement he made about a sign on 2nd Ave. that the City asked the company to remove a number of times, and they did not remove it. They have since been informed through Community Futures that they were informing the sign company about a different sign, not the one they were referencing.

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