Council Meeting Highlights - December 10, 2025

Regular Council Meeting

Meeting date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 

In attendance: Mayor Fule, Councillor Brown, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Hyde, Councillor Langmaid, Councillor Wegener and Councillor Wiley

Council adopted the minutes from the December 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.

Two (2) time-sensitive items were added to the agenda for discussion:

• 2025-2026 Policing Support Grant Funding Agreement
• Notice of Motion – Development of Soft Levies

BUSINESS

Amenity Opportunity Resolution No. 234.07.25 Amendment

• Plans and directions set by the previous Council may change when new Council establishes its priorities for the next four (4) years. In such cases, Administration will review and present any outdated Resolutions to Council so they can be formally rescinded or altered, and the records updated.
• Community Engagement regarding a new arena was not actioned as per Resolution 234.07.25, as it was not feasible to complete the study in a comprehensive format before the conclusion of last Council's term. This project did not make the Capital Budget for 2026 and therefore Administration looked to Council for direction regarding whether this resolution remains a priority of Council. If so, it was recommended that the timelines be amended; and if not, it was recommended that the resolution be amended to remove the request.
• Council amended Resolution No. 234.07.25 to remove: "AND THAT Council direct Administration to undertake community engagement around the potential of Option 2; AND THAT Council direct Administration to authorize an operating budget amendment for the community engagement in the amount of $25,000 from the financial stabilization reserve."

2026 and 2027 United Way Funding Memorandum of Understanding

• The 2026 and 2027 funding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town and United Way of Calgary and Area provides additional financial support to enhance the social well-being of individuals and families in Strathmore.
• Council adopted the 2026 and 2027 United Way Funding Memorandum of Understanding.
• With this agreement the United Way provides funding to Town of Strathmore in the annual amount of $44,290.

RCMP Watch Clerks Multi-Year Funding Memorandum of Agreement

• The RCMP Watch Clerk program allows RCMP members to increase their presence on the roads and in the community by entrusting many of their administrative duties to watch clerk staff.
• This agreement establishes a multi-year funding arrangement between three (3) partners (the Town of Strathmore, Rocky View County, and Wheatland County) with all the costs associated with the three (3) watch clerk positions to be shared.
• The agreement is for four (4) years, commencing the January 1, 2026, and ending on December 31, 2029.
• Council approved the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Strathmore, Rocky View County, and Wheatland County for the RCMP Watch Clerk Program.

Land Use Agreement Extension (3 Parklane Drive)

• The Town entered into a Temporary Land Use agreement with 101288037 Saskatchewan Ltd. on June 20th, 2023. The agreement covers the parcel located at 3 Parklane Drive (Lot 3, Block 5, Plan 1611582), immediately east of the Strathmore Municipal Building. Currently, the lands are not occupied by any buildings or structures, and staff are not aware of any plans for development in the short term.
• The agreement allows the Town to use the parcel for overflow parking and other similar uses during large events in exchange for the maintenance of the site. This maintenance includes mowing the site 2-3 times per year.
• Council authorized the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to sign the extension of the Land Use Agreement between the Town of Strathmore and 101288037 Saskatchewan Ltd. to December 31, 2028.

Water Source and Storage

• The Town of Strathmore currently holds water licenses to withdraw water from the Bow River.
• This water is treated by the City of Calgary and delivered to the Town via the East Calgary Regional Waterline. Storage of treated water is maintained to ensure multiple days of use is on hand, as well as sufficient volumes for fire protection purposes.
• Council received a presentation to summarize the Town's potable water source and storage currently, and into the future, to allow for discussion on how and when to proceed on future water projects.

2025-2026 Policing Support Grant Funding Agreement

• The Town receives an annual grant from Public Safety and Emergency Services Alberta for the policing services provided by the Town. Each year the Town signs an agreement regarding the conditions of the funding and the amount to be received.
• Council authorized the Mayor to sign the 2025-2026 Policing Support Grant Funding Agreement, in which the Town will receive a grant in the amount of $414,712.00.

New Business – Notice of Motion – Development of Soft Levies

Mayor Fule raised new business regarding soft levies (the fees a municipality may charge developers to help fund "soft" community infrastructure, like recreation centers, fire stations, libraries, parks, and police services.)

“WHEREAS the Municipal Government Act grants authority to municipalities to charge offsite levies for new or expanded community recreation, fire hall, police station and library facilities, hereinafter referred to as “Soft Levies”;

AND WHEREAS the Town of Strathmore has not previously charged Soft Levies for development within the Town;

AND WHEREAS Council recognizes that growth will have a significant financial impact to the Town;

AND WHEREAS the Town is looking for opportunities to mitigate the financial impact of growth on existing residents and businesses;

AND WHEREAS “Soft Levies” will mitigate the capital costs associated with growth on existing residents and businesses;

Notice is hereby given that the following motion will be brought forward for consideration at the Regular Council Meeting on December 10, 2025.”

• Council agreed to waive the normal waiting period and hear the motion immediately, to allow for Administration to do the work in time for the new year.
• Council directed Administration to return to the January 14, 2026 Committee of the Whole with a report relating to the potential development of bylaw amendments relating Soft Levies and their application; and return with a proposed implementation plan relating to the incorporation of Soft Levies.

*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:

December 10, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 1

December 10, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 2

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