Council Meeting Highlights - May 21, 2025

Social Prescribing Grant Program

• The Social Prescribing grant program is designed to support residents in Strathmore and Wheatland County by bridging the gap between medical and social care services. Through this approach, healthcare professionals refer patients to community-based programs that complement a client’s medical care by providing non-medical supports to enhance their quality of life. (i.e. the Link worker may assistance in tasks like helping individuals find suitable housing.)
• Since October 2023, the existing Social Prescribing Grant Program has been fully funded through the Calgary United Way and Healthy Aging Alberta (UW/HAA). While the existing agreement expires in September 2025, a new three (3) year program extension has been secured; however, years two and three of the grant require a financial commitment from the grantee.
• The proposed funding model is as follows:
  • Year 1 (Oct 2025 – Sept 2026) - $85,000 (100% funding from UW/HAA)
  • Year 2 (Oct 2026 – Sept 2027) - $51,000 (60% funding from UW/HAA)
  • Year 3 (Oct 2027 – Sept 2028) - $25,500 (30% funding from UW/HAA)
• Council discussed the continuation of the Social Prescribing grant program from October 2025 until September 2028; and the request for a portion of the funding to come from the Town in the amount of $31,025.00 for 2027 and $35,275.00 for 2028.
• Council directed Administration to bring back additional information on Social Prescribing Grant Program opportunities and options for alternative uses for the funding being requested.

2026 Capital Project and Major Initiatives Priority

• Council supported the utilization of the proposed 2026 Capital Project and Major Initiative Matrix for the development of the 2026 Budget.
• By using different categories and factors with weightings to quantify and rank the priorities, this tool will assist with determining which Capital Projects could proceed, and the timing of when.

Debt Management Policy No. 1821

• Council adopted the new Debt Management Policy, which was developed to help support the long-term asset management of critical municipal infrastructure. The policy also assists Council in strategically planning for future community facilities and services.

Community Improvement Program (CIP) Funding Recommendations

• The Community Improvement Program (CIP) provides grant funding to not-for-profit community organizations based in Strathmore and area, to support the recreation, culture, and social based programs and activities that enhance Strathmore's overall identity, sense of place, and quality of life for residents.
• Council approved funding in the amount of $4,000.00 to the Project H.O.P.E Foundation through the Community Improvement Program.

Bylaws

Designated Officer Bylaw No. 25-12

• Council adopted Designated Officer Bylaw No. 25-12. This bylaw provides the Town with the necessary authority required to exercise certain legislated powers in enforcing issues.
• Council then appointed Kevin Scoble, Chief Administrative Officer, Kara Rusk, Director of Strategic, Administrative and Financial Services, Mark Pretzlaff, Director of Community and Protective Services, Shawn Press, Senior Peace Officer and Kirk Meers, Community Peace Officer, as Designated Officers.

Proposed WestCreek Area Structure Plan Amending Bylaw No. 25-17

• During the initial Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 25-07 (being a bylaw to amend WestCreek Area Structure Plan Bylaw No. 08-22) a map was presented but not included in the final bylaw schedule. The recommended action is to bring forward a new bylaw to amend the WestCreek ASP Bylaw No. 08-22 to properly include Map 7 into the ASP. Map 7 remains as it did on May 7, 2025, no changes are proposed, or have been made to the map, in the time since.
• Council gave First reading to Bylaw No. 25-17, being a bylaw to amend the WestCreek Area Structure Plan Bylaw 08-22.
• Council directed Administration to schedule a Public Hearing for Bylaw No. 25-17 on June 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-08 (WestCreek Phase 1)

• This current application to amend the Town's Land Use Bylaw represents the next step in the land use planning process and will facilitate the eventual subdivision of the lands within Phase 1 of the amended WestCreek ASP.
• The purpose of the proposed re-designation on the WestCreek Phase 1 lands is to facilitate the creation of 96 urban residential lots along with 3 blocks intended to be used for emergency services, stormwater, and open space purposes. The WestCreek Phase 1 lands would be accessed from Wheatland Trail via construction of an east-west arterial road that is intended to be extended in a westerly direction as future phases of the WestCreek ASP are developed.
• Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 25-08, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11.
• Council directed Administration to schedule a public hearing for Bylaw No. 25-08 on June 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Municipal Development Plan Amendment No. 1 (Municipal-Wide: Promoting Non-Residential Tax Assessment Base Growth)

• This amendment is for the designation of land for new commercial and industrial areas, and encourages mixed use, to support achieving a more balanced residential to non-residential tax assessment split. The expectation being that once developed, the increased volume of non-residential assessments will have served to provide new property tax revenue that can reduce the tax burden on residents, while at the same time, providing employment growth and local job opportunities for residents living in a municipality.
• Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 25-13, being a bylaw to amend the Town of Strathmore Municipal Development Plan.
• Council directed Administration to schedule a public hearing for Bylaw No. 25-13 on June 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 25-16 (Textual Amendments)

• The proposed amendments are to enhance clarity and consistency in the Land Use Bylaw, streamlining the development process, reducing the need for variances, and supporting higher quality, context-sensitive development aligned with the Town’s strategic goals for sustainable and adaptable growth.
• Council gave First reading to Bylaw No. 25-16, being a bylaw to amend the Town of Strathmore Land Use Bylaw No. 14- 11.
• Council directed Administration to schedule a public hearing for Bylaw No. 25-16 on July 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Notices of Motion

Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Child Care Services – Councillor Langmaid

• Council directed Administration to prepare an amendment to Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11 to include Child Care Services as a discretionary use within the Highway Commercial (CHWY) land use district, and to present the amended bylaw to Council at the June 4, 2025 Regular Council Meeting for consideration.

WestCreek Land Transfer – Mayor Fule

• Mayor Fule gave notice that he will be bringing the following motion forward for consideration at the June 4, 2025 Regular Council Meeting:

“THAT Council direct the CAO to complete an agreement for the transfer of WestCreek lands south of Gray’s Park to the Town of Strathmore, at an appropriate and mutually agreed upon time in the development and approval phases.”

*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:

May 21, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 1

May 21, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 2

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