Newell Housing Foundation report - There are 5 people on the waitlist for the Pioneer Villas in Brooks.

• Brooksnet/Galaxy Fiber is working on plans to bring the service into the Villas should tenants choose to use it.

• The yearly income reviews are underway. The Pioneer Villas, Village Villas, Dr. Scott Apartments and community housing are all rent-geared to income (RGI). This means tenant pays 30% of their gross monthly income towards rent. Tenants provide their Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency to adjust their rent for the year.

• 160 households received subsidies in April for a total of $81,000 in subsidy payments.

• Rental Assistance Benefit Program is currently full. There is a waitlist, and clients are moved onto the program as others go off.

• 18 households on the wait list for Community Housing units.

• Stat Canada has reported that Alberta’s rent rate has risen a record 16% over rates this time last year.

• Member-at-large position (Brooks) -Vacant.

Emergency Response Calls in the County of Newell from January to May 2024 First Responders attended 134 emergency calls, a slight decrease from the previous period. The breakdown of these emergency calls is as follows:

• 2 vehicle fires

• 2 service-related

• 4 mutual aid

• 4 wildland vegetation fires

• 8 structure fires

• 22 alarms

• 77 medical emergencies

Halo Fundraiser/First Responders Recognition Night - The County of Newell is planning a fundraiser to support HALO Air Ambulance Services and recognize all emergency services, including Ambulance, RCMP, and CPOs. The event is tentatively scheduled for the last week of July at the Centennial Regional Arena, featuring a helicopter landing demonstration by HALO. They are reaching out to vendors to secure in-kind donations to cover the costs. Last year's event saw a shortfall of $5000, the goal is to reduce this difference with community support.

Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) held an inquiry into the ongoing economic, orderly and efficient development of electricity generation in Alberta. This inquiry came after much criticism from Municipal Governments. Applicants for new power plant applications, including wind, solar, thermal, hydroelectric and other power plants and new energy storage facility applications, will be required to satisfy requirements in Rule 007. Below is a brief summary of the requirements and County of Newell feedback around those requirements:

• Preservation of Agricultural Lands - An “agriculture first” approach to be taken when evaluating the best use of agricultural lands proposed for renewable development.

The County of Newell feels private landowners have the right to develop their land in their best interest, where that development does not unduly interfere with neighbourhood amenities. While the County recognizes the importance of high-quality agricultural land, we also realize our residents are trying to maximize their return on investment with their lands.

• Reclamation Security - Developers will be responsible for reclamation costs via bond or security to prevent a recurrence of the issues the oil and gas industry has faced with orphan wells.

The County of Newell feels there should be mandatory reclamation security requirements on all types of power plants. Standardization of contracts and an appointed body to administer the program is important.

• Pristine Viewscapes - Buffer zones of 35 kilometres will be established around protected areas and other pristine viewscapes as designated by the province.

The County of Newell feels that defining pristine viewscapes province-wide is difficult. The variation in our geography produces several different viewscapes, and defining pristine is a tough task. Addressing viewscapes should come from the local level and be controlled in a local framework.

• Development on Provincial Crown Land - Any development on Crown lands will be on a case-by-case basis.

The County of Newell has limited Crown Land in its boundaries but they feel the regulations should be the same as development elsewhere.

• Municipal Land Use - Municipalities will be granted automatic standing in AUC hearings, be eligible for cost recovery for participation, and be able to review rules related to municipal submission requirements while clarifying consultation requirements.

The County of Newell feels the ability to be involved in the AUC process is essential to ensure efficient development.

The AUC is continuing to gather and accept feedback on the proposed interim requirements and other regulations contained in Rule 007. They will be inviting written submissions until September 3, 2024. Additionally, the AUC intends to hire an external expert to propose a methodology for assessing visual impacts, with work to be completed in the summer of 2024. Once the above topics have been considered, the AUC will prepare a blackline version of Rule 007 for written feedback

If you can’t enjoy a break at the Brooks Farmers’ Market on Thursday there are two more options this week.

If you would like to be a vendor there are spots available.😁👍

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