Social Media Update – Brooks Council Committee will review an updated City social media policy this week, the first major update since 2012. The rewrite shows how much online communication has changed. The old policy listed examples such as MySpace, Flickr, and Bing Maps. The new policy lists the City’s official accounts as Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube, with the Communications Officer responsible for managing, maintaining, and posting to them. One notable change is that the City would only post, share, or promote events organized by the City or where the City is an official partner. The policy also gives the City room to remove comments that are abusive, misleading, political, commercial, off-topic, or that share private information.

Mural Application – A new mural could be coming to 2 Street West. Brooks Council Committee will review a private mural application from In Sequins Studio of Dance. Under the City’s mural policy, all large mural applications on buildings now go to Council Committee. The work would be done by a fourth-year artist at the Art University in Calgary and privately funded by the studio, which would also cover ongoing maintenance.

New Rules for Citizen Seats – The City is looking at tighter rules for how citizen-at-large members are chosen for several boards and committees. The proposed changes would affect the Recreation and Parks Board, WIC Committee, Airport Commission, and Library Board. Vacant seats would have to be advertised, with applications reviewed by the board or committee before a recommendation goes to Council. Council would still make the final appointment. Terms would move to two years, replacing longer terms that ran up to three consecutive three-year terms on some boards. Current or former members could return, but only after an open selection process. Council Committee is being asked to review the changes and send the bylaws to Council for formal approval.

Thursday Market – Brooks Farmers' Market is back in Veteran's Park this Thursday from 2-6 PM, with vendors filling the park. Shoppers can look for food trucks, baking, preserves, handmade goods, community tables, and farm vendors. Nan's Diner is expected with classic market favourites, including Taco in a Bag. Thursday is shaping up to be an easy supper stop and a good midweek walk through the park. You deserve a break!

County Solar Project Approved – County of Newell Council approved awarding the Newell Microgen Project to CBI Solar for $886,848. The project will build a solar microgeneration system to help power the County’s Administration and Shop Facility complex. Under microgeneration rules, the system can only produce what the facility uses over a 12-month period. Extra summer power will go back to the grid as a credit on the County’s electricity bill, which can be used in winter. The project was included in the 2026 capital budget, with $1 million set aside and a $383,000 MCCAC grant reducing the amount needed from the facilities fund. Administration said the payback is expected to be about seven years, although transmission and distribution charges will still apply.

Help Bring the Market to Life – Brooks Farmers’ Market is looking for volunteers who can be part of the Thursday market team this season. Roles include set-up crew, greeter and info booth assistant, vendor support, photo/video volunteer, data collector, and take-down crew. Some jobs are active, some are social, and some are behind the scenes. A season-long commitment is ideal, with room to miss when life gets busy. Volunteer position details are available at rosemaryag.ca under Volunteer Positions.

AGM for the Brooks Music Festival Association - June 22, 7:30PM, outback building of the Alliance Church.

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