Council Meeting Highlights - April 15, 2026

Regular Council Meeting

Meeting date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

In attendance:  Mayor Fule, Councillor Brown, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Hyde, Councillor Langmaid, Councillor Wegener (virtual) and Deputy Mayor Wiley

PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing was held to review an application for land use bylaw amendments for the Lakewood community. The Developer has indicated to the Planning Department that there is demand for secondary suites, garage suites, and 1.2m side yard setbacks in Lakewood's most recent phases.

The proposed amendments included:

1. Adding "Secondary Suite" as a permitted use for 42 serviced, but undeveloped lots, located in Phase 2B. The 42 lots are currently designed R2X - Medium Density Attached Residential District (R2X).
2. Adding "Garage Suite" as a permitted use for 34 laned lots located in Phase 2B and 6 laned lots located in Phase 2A (totaling 40 lots). The lots are currently designated R2 - Low Density Residential District (R2) and R1N - Single Detached Residential (Narrow Lot) District (R1N).
3. Reducing the side yard setback requirement from 1.5m to 1.2m for 33 future R1N lots in Phase 2C.

Two written submissions were received. One from Wheatland County and one from Ryan and Kari Pender.

Chuck Procter presented on behalf of Administration.

The following individuals spoke in favor of Bylaw No. 25-27 

• Kent Riehl
• Brian Martin
• Scott Silva
• Ryan Pender

Following the Public Hearing, Council ADOPTED Bylaw No. 25-27, being a bylaw to amend Town of Strathmore Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11.

DELEGATION

Western District Historical Society

• Rhonda Stockwell, with the Western District Historical Society, proposed two projects to Council:

1. 1. the installation of “binzebos” at Gray’s Park
   2. the installation of a large community bulletin board at Kinsmen Park

• Council directed Administration work with the Western District Historical Society to create a report on the financial and organizational implications of the request for two binzebos at Gray’s Park and a bulletin board at Kinsmen Park and another one at Gray’s Park and bring the report to the June Committee of the Whole Meeting.

BUSINESS

2025 Audited Financial Statements

• Calvin Scott, CPA from Avail CPA presented the 2025 Town of Strathmore Consolidated Financial Statements to Council.
• The financial statements and audit ensure that the Town is following generally accepted accounting principles and is compliant with municipal reporting requirements.
• The results of the financial statements confirms that the Town is on solid financial ground and has stable revenue to meet its financial obligations.

Corporate Strategic Plan & Financial Plan Quarterly Report – Q4 2025

• The Corporate Strategic Plan & Financial Plan Quarterly Report is produced four times per year to communicate and provide transparency on the progress made on Council's Strategic Plan as well as update on the Town's financial position.
• Council accepted the report.

Stormwater Agreement Amendment

• The Town has had a stormwater discharge agreement with the Western Irrigation District (WID) for many years, the most recent agreement being signed in 2017. This existing agreement included areas which are now part of the Cooperative Stormwater Management Initiative (CSMI) and did not include more recent development areas such as Edgefield.
• This amendment corrects the agreement such that the entirety of the Town is either included in this agreement or the CSMI agreement and removes any overlap between the two.
• Council directed that the new agreement be signed.

911 Fire Dispatch Options

• The municipality currently receives fire dispatch and/or 9-1-1 call-taking services through WADEMSA.
• As directed by Council, Administration undertook a review of service delivery to determine the various options and opportunities for the community. This review included the financial costs, technology comparisons, service reliability, and governance.
• Council directed Administration to request a meeting with Wheatland County and Siksika Administrations for the purpose of reviewing 911 Fire Dispatch Services and bring a report back to Council including a 911 Fire Dispatch Agreement with a recommended provider by May 6, 2026. 

Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre – Sport Court Feasibility

• Administration presented Council with information on potential costs that would be associated with the installation of a specialized sport flooring, over the concrete pad, at the Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre. The investment would provide an additional gymnasium/court space that could be used for a variety of sports (badminton, basketball, pickleball, volleyball, etc.) and other multipurpose activities.
• Council directed Administration to bring the Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre – Sport Court Feasibility, including financial implications to a future Committee of the Whole Meeting.

BYLAWS

Cemetery Bylaw No. 26-04

• The current Cemetery Bylaw is not aligned with the Cemeteries Act, in addition, maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery have been an ongoing challenge for Operations. Moving forward with additional supports in place will help ensure a cleaner and safer environment for all.
• Over the past several years, the Town of Strathmore has been working closely with internal teams and outside partners. To ensure financial sustainability, alignment with the Cemeteries Act, and as a solution to operational concerns occurring at the cemetery, Council and Administration began to undertake a review of the Cemetery Bylaw for efficiencies.
• A proposed version of the Cemetery Bylaw was presented to Council.
• Council adopted Cemetery Bylaw No. 26-04.

Tax Arrears Payment Plan Bylaw No. 26-09

• Having a TAPP Bylaw in place permits the Town to enter into agreements with taxpayers in arrears on property taxes, to assist the Town with collecting the amounts owed.
• Council adopted Tax Arrears Payment Plan Bylaw No. 26-09.

Tax Penalty and Tax Installment Payment Plan Bylaw No. 26-10

• The Tax Penalty and Tax Installment (TIPP) Bylaw has two components:

1. Describes how penalties for non-payment of tax amounts owing are calculated.
2. Describes how monthly tax installment payment plans are administered.

• Council adopted Tax Penalty and Tax Installment Payment Plan Bylaw No. 26-10.

NOTICES OF MOTION

Provincial Funding for Regional Water Infrastructure – Councillor Wegener

• Councillor Wegener proposed the following “THAT Council direct Administration to complete a draft Resolution for the 2026 Alberta Municipalities Convention that advocates for increased provincial funding and regulatory reform to support regional water supply infrastructure and new water licenses for high- growth municipalities.”
• Council defeated this motion.

Provincial Support for Small-Municipality Transit Connections – Councillor Wegener

• Councillor Wegener proposed the following “THAT Council direct Administration to complete a draft Resolution for the 2026 Alberta Municipalities Convention that asked the Provincial Government to create a funding program for intermunicipal transit between mid-sized towns and major cities.”
• Council defeated this motion.

Public Space Neutrality Bylaw – Councillor Wiley

• Councillor Wiley gave notice that he will be bringing a motion to the May 6, 2026 Council Meeting that will state:

“THAT Council direct Administration to draft a "Public Space Neutrality Bylaw" for Council’s consideration, which shall include provisions to:

1. Limit the flags displayed on municipal buildings, flagpoles, and Town-owned property to official government flags, including the National Flag of Canada, the Province of Alberta Flag, the Town of Strathmore Flag, and the flags of our municipal partners, such as Siksika Nation and Wheatland County;

2. Ensure that all future municipal crosswalks and roadway markings are maintained in standardized traffic-safety configurations (such as continental or ladder patterns) and remain free from non-standard colors or symbols associated with specific ideological causes or social movements;

3. Include a grandfathering provision stating that any existing non-standard crosswalks, or those previously approved by Council motion, be permitted until such a time as scheduled maintenance or replacement is required, at which point they shall be converted to standardized configurations; and

4. Clarify that such regulations apply only to flagpoles and crosswalks on public municipal property and do not regulate displays or symbols on private property.”

*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 here. 

Watch the full meeting here:

April 15, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 1

April 15, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 2

April 15, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 3

April 15, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 4

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