Council Meeting Highlights - April 16, 2025

Regular Council Meeting
Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
In attendance: Mayor Fule, Councillor Langmaid, Deputy Mayor Mitzner, Councillor Montgomery, Councillor Peterson, Councillor Wegener, and Councillor Wiley.

Council adopted the minutes from the April 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and the April 7, 2025 Special Council Meeting.

Public Hearings
Two public hearings were held:

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 24-22 (710 3rd Street, 712 3rd Street, 380 Ridge Road, and Area A Plan 0313207)

Chuck Procter presented the bylaw amendment for Administration.
Jean Gauvin spoke in favor of Bylaw No. 24-22.
There was no one present to speak in opposition to Bylaw No. 24-22.

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-06 (Edgefield Phase 3)

Kate Bakun presented the bylaw amendment for Administration.
Alan Boucher spoke in favor of Bylaw No. 25-06.
Cody Adamson spoke in opposition to Bylaw No. 25-06.

Bylaws

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 24-22 (710 3rd Street, 712 3rd Street, 380 Ridge Road, and Area A Plan 0313207)

This Bylaw regards an application for a Land Use Bylaw (LUB) redesignation. The amendment requested is to accommodate the construction of a mixed use residential and commercial apartment complex. The proposed change would allow for a combination of high-density housing (R3) and commercial uses. The commercial land use is to facilitate future short-term housing (30 days or less), if there is a demand and required.
Council adopted Bylaw No. 24-22, being a bylaw to amend the Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11.

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-06 (Edgefield Phase 3)

This Bylaw is regarding a proposed redesignation to facilitate the development of R1N – Single Detached Residential (Narrow Lot) District, R2 – Low Density Residential District, R3M – Medium Density Modest Residential District, and P1 (MR) - Public Service District. These properties are currently designated as AG – Agriculture General District in the Land Use Bylaw (LUB).
Council adopted Bylaw No. 25-04, being a bylaw to amend the Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11.

Business

2024 Town of Strathmore Audited Annual Financial Statements

Darren Adamson, CPA from Avail CPA presented the 2024 Town of Strathmore Consolidated Financial Statements to Council and highlighted:
- A reduction of debt from $16.1 million to $13.9 million.
- A reduction of the Town's debt percentage from 29.7% to 23.6%.
- An increased reserve fund balance from $14.0 million to $16.9 million.
- And a favourable shift from Net Financial Debt position ($2.0 million) at December 31, 2023 to Net Financial Asset position ($2.5 million) at December 31, 2024.
- Council accepted the 2024 Annual Audited Financial Statements as presented.

Thistle Way Sanitary Replacement

In early 2025, EPCOR determined there was a line separation along Thistle Way which was not impacting services but would have the potential for future failure or leakages. Upon review, a full replacement was recommended due to the age and location of the pipe.
Council authorized a Capital Budget Amendment in the amount of $300,000, funded from the Capital Reserve - Wastewater, for the Thistle Way Sanitary Replacement.

Strathmore Legion Crosswalk

Commemorative Crosswalks are not a typical installation for Strathmore. Following the completion of a Pride Crosswalk adjacent the Strathmore Municipal Building, concerns were raised about the lack of traction on the painted surfaces and a such, Administration has created an Engineering Standard to be used going forward.
Council directed Administration to provide materials necessary for a road closure and assist the Legion in sourcing necessary materials for their commemorative crosswalk(s).

Accounts Receivable Write-Offs

Town Policy No. 1815 Accounts Receivable Policy states Council is responsible to review and approve all uncollectible accounts receivable exceeding $500. Two outstanding accounts were recently deemed uncollectible by Town staff and a third-party collections agency.
Council approved accounts receivable amounts in arrears of $4,734.57 be written off as uncollectible at December 31, 2024.

Budget Amendment – Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) Program Grant Funding

Administration applied for the Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) Program Grant in October 2024. Staff were recently notified of their successful application, and the awarding of $91,000. Due to the timing, and uncertainty of receiving the grant, this amount was not included in the 2025 Operating Budget.
Council approved a 2025 Operating Budget Amendment to increase Economic Development Contracted Services expenditures related to Investment Attraction and Marketing in the amount of $91,000; to be funded by the Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) Grant program.

Capital Budget Amendment – Plow Truck

As a reliable fleet of plow trucks is vital to winter operations, AUTO - 3098 - Roads - PW 22 Sterling 7500 Plow Truck Replacement 2025 was included as a part of the 2025 Capital Budget for $470,000.
Due to unanticipated tariffs on parts, the projected cost of the truck has increased to approximately $500,000.00.
Council approved $30,000 to come from the Local Government Fiscal Framework Grant (LGFF) to be put towards the total purchase of a snow removal vehicle for the Operations department.

Closed Meeting

Following an In-camera session, Council appointed Virginia Howard to the Community Improvement Program Committee for a term of two years, ending October 31, 2026.

*Council Highlights provide a brief review of the information given and discussions had at Strathmore Town Council Meetings. Council Highlights are not presented as official minutes of the meeting and do not include items discussed in a closed meeting. Official meeting minutes can be accessed at the relevant date on the Council Calendar.

Watch the full meeting here:

April 16, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 1

April 16, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 2

April 16, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 3

April 16, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 4

Watch all past streams here: https://www.youtube.com/@TOStrathmore/streams