Council Meeting Highlights - February 4, 2026

Regular Council Meeting

Meeting Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026

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

Council adopted the minutes from the January 21, 2026 Regular Council Meeting as well as the January 23, 24 and 25 Special Council Meetings.

PUBLIC HEARING

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-21 (209 Sixth Avenue, Strathmore)

• This Public Hearing was held for a proposed redesignation that would permit a Secondary Suite to be located within the basement of the existing single-detached dwelling situated on lands known municipally as 209 Sixth Avenue, Strathmore.
• Glen Ferguson presented on behalf of Administration.
• The Applicant, Brenda Sproule, spoke.
• Following the Public Hearing, Council ADOPTED Bylaw No. 25-21, being a bylaw to amend Town of Strathmore Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11.

BUSINESS

Annexation Application Report and Submission to the Land Use and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT)

• Strathmore is proposing the annexation of three quarter sections of land from Wheatland County. The annexation will support non-residential development within the town and provide increased housing options in response to significant non-residential development in the surrounding sub-region. The annexation is supported by the affected landowners.
• Administration is working to conclude negotiations with the County and finalize the Annexation Agreement. The annexation application package, once finalized, will be brought to Council for endorsement prior to submission.
• Council directed Administration to take all necessary actions to prepare and submit the annexation application to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT)

Capital Budget Amendment - Municipal Enforcement Patrol Vehicle

• On October 2, 2024 Council approved $60,000 in funding for a Patrol Vehicle. $18,000 from this project was carried forward into 2025. The overall budget required for this project is now $67,200 total, with the additional $7,200 required for programming new radios in the patrol cars.
• Per Town of Strathmore Budget Policy No. 1809, Council must approve all Capital Expenditures via Budget, or Council Motion.
• Council adopted a budget amendment in the amount of $7,200 funded from the Capital - Fire Reserve for the equipment that was installed in the 2024 Capital Budget Item - Municipal Enforcement Patrol Vehicle.

Operating Budget Amendment - Municipal Planning Intern

• The municipal planning internship is an 18-month intensive program that allows participants, typically students who have completed university, to work under the mentorship of a senior planning professional, develop a broad understanding of municipal government and develop skills and competencies in land use planning.
• The internship is supported by grant funding from the province in the amount of $62,500, which covers a portion of the salary for an 18-month period, and all of the funds required for professional development and a laptop computer. The Town would be responsible for the balance.
• Council adopted an Operating Budget amendment in the amount of $36,800, to come from the Development Application Reserve, to support the addition of a Municipal Planning Intern.

Youth Club Building Lease

• Since 2022 the Town has leased a vacant building to Golden Hills School division.
• The lease agreement has enabled Golden Hills School Division, through Crowther Memorial Junior High School, to operate the Anchors II outreach program.
• In the current lease agreement, the repairs and maintenance of the building have been shared with the Golden Hills School Division. While the Town has been responsible for the building envelope and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, there have been very little (less than $150.00) expenses incurred by the Town.
• Council authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to sign the 2026 lease agreement with Golden Hills School Division.

Accounts Receivable Write-Offs

• Formal approval of writing off uncollectible bad debts is best practice, to ensure the financial position of the Town accurately reflects the ability to no longer obtain the economic benefit owed to the Town on uncollectible receivables.
• Debt collectors have been unsuccessful in recovering amounts from two accounts that Administration recommended for write-off.
• Council approved accounts receivable amounts in arrears of $4,320.00 to be written off as uncollectible at December 31, 2025

During Councillor Statements:

• Mayor Fule shared that at a future Council meeting, he would like to request Administration explore potential improvements to the undeveloped cement area at the Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre, including the feasibility of developing a proper court.

*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 and agendas can be accessed here.

Watch the full meeting here:

February 4, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 1

February 4, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 2

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