Council Meeting Highlights - May 7, 2025

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Regular Council Meeting
Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 
In attendance: Mayor Fule, Councillor Langmaid, Deputy Mayor Mitzner, Councillor Montgomery, Councillor Peterson, Councillor Wegener, and Councillor Wiley. 

 

Council amended the Agenda to add a third Delegation.

Council adopted the minutes from the April 16, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and the April 30, 2025 Special Council Meeting.

 

Public Hearings

A Public Hearing was held for:

Proposed WestCreek Area Structure Plan Amending Bylaw No. 25-07

The proposed bylaw amendment suggested modifications to the existing WestCreek Area Structure Plan (Bylaw No. 08-22), which was adopted on August 18, 2010. The key changes included a revised configuration of residential districts, the introduction of multiple landscaped areas to enhance the public realm, the inclusion of an artificial storm pond to support stormwater management and community aesthetics, and the designation of land for emergency services.

  • Kate Bakun presented the bylaw amendment for Administration.
  • Written submissions were received from:
    • Doug and Sandra Slatnik
    • Gary Moore
    • Lee and Joy Travis 
    • Linda and Wally Freeman
    • Brent Robinson and Katherine Zagorsky
    • Daren and Shannon Kennett
    • Marianne Pinchbeck
    • Ruth Burne and Alan Kostrosky
    • Carolyn McIsaac
    • Carlee McIsaac
    • Chris McIsaac
    • Troy Rederburg
    • Dr. Andrea Holowka, Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools
  • Speakers included:
    • Mike Festa (WestCreek Development) and Ben Lee (Arcadis Professional Services Canada Inc.)
    • Doug Slatnik
    • Daren Kennett
    • Beverley Martin
    • Alan Kostrosky
    • Marianne Pinchbeck
  • Jamie Dugdale provided closing comments from Administration

 

Bylaws

Proposed WestCreek Area Structure Plan Amending Bylaw No. 25-07

  • Before Council were amendments to the WestCreek Area Structure Plan, that had previously been approved in 2010. Council discussed the options before them: keeping the existing plan for the land owned by the developer, or adopting the proposed changes.
  • Following the Public Hearing Council adopted Bylaw No. 25-07, being a bylaw to amend WestCreek Area Structure Plan Bylaw No. 08-22.

 

Delegations

Foothills Advocacy In Motion Society (FAIM)

Gerry McCallum presented on behalf of FAIM, sharing their story and purpose with Council.

FAIM is a not-for-profit agency that supports adults with developmental disabilities in Strathmore and Wheatland County. Due to growth, they are in the process of moving to a larger location within Strathmore, with their new building anticipated to open in May 2025. 

Wheatland and Area Hospice Society

Dr. Joni McNeely, President, and Ms. Randi Collins, Building Director, Wheatland & Area Hospice, presented information on behalf of the Hospice Society.

Strathmore Bird Sanctuary Initiative

Laura Matheson, Claude Brown, Simon Metke and Ashley Mack presented on behalf of the Strathmore Bird Sanctuary Initiative.

 

Closed Meeting

Following an In-camera session, Council authorized the Returning Officer to enter into an agreement with the Golden Hills School Division #75 and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools for the 2025 municipal election, with costs to be shared.

 

Bylaws

2025 Property Tax Rate Bylaw No. 25-11

  • Once a Property Tax Rate Bylaw is passed by Council, Administration can prepare the property tax bills.  These bills will be mailed to property owners during the last week of May with a due date of June 30, 2025. 
  • Council adopted 2025 Property Tax Rate Bylaw No. 25-11.

 Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-09 (Removal of regulations for Garden and Garage Suites)

  • This bylaw proposes the removal of garden and garage suites entirely from the Land Use Bylaw.
  • Currently applications may go directly to the Planning Department. If the bylaw passes, and garden and garage suites are removed from the Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11, applicants would still have the right to apply for them, but the process would involve Council deciding on site-specific land use.  If a positive land use decision is received, then applications may be made for a development permit and building permit through the Planning Department.
  • Council gave First reading to Bylaw No. 25-09, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11 and directed Administration to schedule a Public Hearing for the Bylaw on June 4, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

 

Business

Corporate Strategic Plan & Financial Plan Quarterly Report – Q4 2024

  • The Corporate Strategic Plan & Financial Plan Quarterly Report is produced four times per year to communicate the progress made on Council's Strategic Plan, as well as a quarterly update on the Town's financial position. This report provides transparency to Council and the public through an update on the status of each of Council's Strategic Priorities.
    • Overall, Revenues were $3.7 million higher than budgeted due to Offsite Levies worth $1.04 million during the year (which were transferred to Reserves, so no net impact on surplus).
    • User Fees were $243 thousand lower than budgeted, due to impact of the Calgary Water Main break and subsequent water restrictions.
    • Government Grants are $494 thousand higher than budgeted, due to Local Government Fiscal Framework operating grant received ($204 thousand) and anticipated recovery of Water Main Break costs ($163 thousand).
    • Expenses were $1.7 million higher than budgeted, due to increased transfer to reserves (i.e. RCMP, Offsite levies, current year surplus), and increased wage costs due to wildfire response.
    • Council accepted the Q4 2024 Corporate Strategic Plan & Financial Plan Quarterly Report as presented.

Notice of Intent to Annex Land from Wheatland County

  • The Town of Strathmore is proposing to annex three quarter sections of land on the existing west municipal boundary from Wheatland County. This annexation proposal has been requested by two landowners and aims to support long-term financial sustainability for the Town, as well as support economic development activities in the surrounding region. It will also provide increased housing choices in Strathmore.

Returning Officer Appointment

  • Council rescinded the appointment of Johnathan Strathdee as the Town of Strathmore's Returning Officer for the 2025 Municipal Election and appointed:
    • Vanessa Cunningham as the Town of Strathmore's Returning Officer for the 2025 Municipal Election, and
    • Claudette Thorhaug as the Town of Strathmore's Substitute Returning Officer for the 2025 Municipal Election.

2026 Capital and Operating Budget Timelines

  • To prepare for the upcoming budget season Administration presented Council with proposed timelines for the 2026 Budget which included:
    • Council Meeting - Intro to Budget – Wednesday, November 5, 2025
    • Community Group Funding Requests – Wednesday, November 12, 2025  
    • Coffee with Council or alternative engagement with the public –  Wednesday, November 12, 2025
    • Council Budget Information Requests –  Due Friday, November 14, 2025  
    • Council Meeting Budget Deliberations, Including Finance 101 – Thursday, November 20, 2025
    • Council Meeting Budget Deliberations – Tuesday, November 25, 2025
    • Meeting Budget Deliberations – Wednesday, November 26, 2025
    • Meeting Potential Approval of 2026 Budget – Wednesday, December 3, 2025

 

Notice of Motion

Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Child Care Services – Councillor Langmaid

  • Councillor Langmaid gave notice that she would be bringing forward the following motion for consideration at the May 21, 2025 Regular Council Meeting:

THAT Council direct 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 THAT Council directs Administration to present the amended bylaw to Council at the June 4, 2025 Regular Council Meeting for consideration.

 

Correspondence

  • Councillor Langmaid requested, and Council voted in favor, that May 19 – 25, 2025 be proclaimed Community Disability Services Professional Appreciation Week in the Town of Strathmore.

 

*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 7, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 1

May 7, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 2

May 7, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 3

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

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