Council Meeting Highlights - December 4, 2024

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Meeting Date: December 4, 2024.

In attendance: Mayor Fule, Councillor Mitzner, Councillor Montgomery, Councillor Peterson, Councillor Wegener, and Deputy Mayor Wiley.

Absent: Councillor Langmaid

 

Council adopted the minutes from the November 19, 20 and 27, 2024 Regular Council Meetings.

 

Delegations

5.1 Strathmore Legion #10

  • The Legion came to request permission to paint two crosswalks red and white at the intersections of 2nd Avenue and 3rd Street to honor veterans.
  • Council directed Administration to prepare a report on the request and bring it back to a future Council meeting for a decision.
  • Council also directed Administration to prepare a policy on permanent and semi-permanent displays on public property and bring it to a future meeting for discussion.

5.2 Handi-Bus

  • Representatives from the Handi-Bus spoke regarding service level changes.

 

CLOSED MEETING

Council held a Closed Meeting to discuss:

6.1. Intergovernmental Relations – Disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations - FOIP S.21 (1)(b)

 

Business

9.1 2025 Operating and Capital Budget

  • Council adopted the 2025 Operating Budget in the amount of $39,319,000 and the 2025 Capital Budget in the amount of $9,313,000. · The final budget can be viewed here

9.2 Council Meeting Schedule Amendment – December 2024 Meetings

  • Council changed the meeting scheduled on December 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers from a Committee of the Whole to a Regular Council Meeting.
  • Council canceled the Regular Council Meeting on December 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

9.3 Corporate Strategic Plan & Financial Plan Quarterly Report – Q3 2024

  • Council accepted the Corporate Strategic Plan & Financial Plan Quarterly Q3 Report as information.

9.4 Local Growth and Sustainability Grant Application

  • The Local Growth and Sustainability Grant was recently offered by the Province of Alberta to Local Governments with a population between 10,000 and 200,000 that have an Asset Management Plan that has been updated within the past five years. Administration believes the Town of Strathmore meets all of these requirements and as such, can apply under the Growth Component of the grant. The growth component requires a council resolution, a minimum project size of $1M, and the project must be shovel ready (proceed prior to September 30, 2025). The Wildflower Road project meets all of these requirements and would be eligible for 50% funding, if successful.
  • Council authorized the application to the Local Growth and Sustainability Grant, as announced by the Province of Alberta, for the Wildflower Road (Phase 1) Project.

9.5 Alberta Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Program – Expression of Interest

  • The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), in collaboration with the Forestry Operations Branch, is expanding its Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Program to include four additional WUI teams, increasing the total from two to six teams. The primary goal of this program is to mitigate the risk of wildland fires to Alberta communities through integrated fire response operations and enhanced training for municipal fire departments. The program is supported by a $5 million grant over three years, with each new WUI team receiving $1.25 million for a three-year contract.
  • An expression of interest must be submitted to demonstrate the Town's desire to participate in the program.
  • Council directed Administration to proceed with the Expression of Interest for the Alberta Wildland Urban Interface Program and authorized the Mayor to sign the letter of support as a part of the application.

9.6 Alberta Municipalities Energy Program – 2027 Natural Gas Agreement (NatGas+)

  • Alberta Municipalities is running a 2025-2027 natural gas aggregation, referred to as NatGas+, for municipal and not-for-profit members who have contracts that end before December 2027. As the Town of Strathmore’s current natural gas contract expires December 2026, the Town was eligible to participate in the program for the 2027 calendar year.
  • For 2027, this agreement has provided the Town with the benefit of a larger buying power of natural gas – a fixed price $3.2800/GJ – with an administration fee of $0.05/GJ “Procurement Fee” payable to AMSC. The Retail Service Charge will be based on a monthly site usage of $0.20/GJ, subject to a minimum monthly site charge of $20.00.

9.7 Policing Support Grant Funding Agreement 2024-2025

  • The Town receives an annual grant from Public Safety and Emergency Services Alberta for the policing services provided by the Town. By signing this agreement, the Town is able to support the wellness of the community through providing municipal policing services. The grant ensures that this program is financially sustainable.
  • Council authorized the Mayor to sign the Policing Support Grant Funding Agreement for 2024/2025
  • The Town will receive a grant in the amount of $414,712.

 

*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:

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgnfw8xznQ4

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me5Zb02V5Qs

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