Council Meeting Highlights - January 21, 2026

Regular Council Meeting

Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

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

Council adopted the minutes from the December 10, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.

Following a Closed Meeting discussion, Council:

• Authorized an operating budget amendment; and
• Appointed the following Board and Committee Members.
  • Shanon Kelly to the Strathmore Municipal Library Board
  • Emily Rochford to the Strathmore Municipal Library Board
  • Duncan Mac Isaac to the Strathmore Municipal Policing Committee
  • Sean Duthie to the Family and Community Support Services Advisory Board

Administration will continue to advertise for openings that remain on the Family and Community Support Services Advisory Board and the Assessment Review Board.

BUSINESS

Naturalized Areas Boardwalk

• Administration returned to Council to present an initial report on the development of a naturalized pathway along the body of water located south of Gray's Park, adjacent to Lambert Village and residences along Lakeside Views. Feasibility, timelines and preliminary estimates for this project were requested by Council on September 17, 2025 and are not currently proposed through any Capital Plans.
• This parcel is currently under ownership of West Strathmore Developments Ltd., the owner of the Westcreek ASP. This land is intended to be dedicated to the Town through the development of the ASP however delays to development has meant this parcel has not yet been transferred to the Town. Any work will require the consent of the current landowner, or for the land to be transferred to the Town (tentatively planned for 2026 or 2027).
• Council directed Administration to return to a future Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss the funding and various options for the naturalized area south of Gray’s Park.

2026 Operating Budget Amendment – Water Continuity Project 

• In the event of an emergency, a Water Continuity Plan lays out priorities and requirements for the restoration of services for the Town, with a goal of minimal disruption. The Town of Strathmore currently has a simplified Water Continuity Plan that needs to be expanded and further defined. Administration recognizes the need; however, does not currently have the financial resourcing to complete this initiative.
• It was recommended that there be a reallocation of existing funds within the 2026 budget by delaying the Sanitary Master Servicing Study until the 2026 Central Trunk Sewer project is completed and replacing the project with a Water Continuity Plan project.
• Council directed Administration to delay the Sanitary Master Servicing Study until the 2026 Central Trunk Sewer project is completed and Council approved a 2026 Operating Budget Amendment that reallocates $150,000 from the Sanitary Master Servicing Study to the Water Continuity Project.

Wheatland Housing Management Body (WHMB) – Letter of Support

• The Town received a request from the Wheatland Housing Management Body (WHMB) Board for a letter of support for the proposed new Lodge/Hospice project. This would support WHMB's reapplication for the Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP) grant, as they have been advised that all municipalities must be in full support of the project.
• Council authorized Mayor Fule to sign the WHMB Letter of Support as presented and directed Administration to invite the WHMB Board and CAO to present the project update (including financial contributions) to Council at a future Council meeting.

2026 FCSS Advisory Board – Family & Community Support Services Grant Program

• The Family Community Support Services Advisory Board reviews applications for funding as part of a grant established with the United Way. As per Policy No. 5102, they bring recommendations back to Council for approval.
• The Family & Community Support Services and Calgary United Way grant programs are designed to provide financial assistance to community organizations that improve and strengthen Strathmore's preventive social services outcomes and programs for residents.
• Council approved the following funding recommendations of the FCSS Advisory Board for the Family & Community Support Services and Calgary United Way grant programs:  
  • Growing Families - Bridging the Gap - $24,884.00
  •  5 for Life Early Childhood - $15,392.00
  •  Accredited Supports to the Community - $4,500.00
  • Hope Bridges Society - $7,560.00
  • S.T.A.N.D. ASA - $5,100.00
  •  Strathmore Library - $15,000.00
  • Golden Hills School Division - $22,753.00
  • Christ the Redeemer - $9,101.00.
• With this approval, there are no additional funds remaining for the 2026 Grant Funding Program year.

• Council also directed Administration to return with a summary of the programs being funded to the February 18, 2026 Regular Council Meeting.

2026 Operating Expenditures Line of Credit Borrowing Bylaw No. 26-01

• The proposed bylaw is intended to allow the Town to access a line of credit in the event additional funds are needed prior to all property taxes being paid on July 1 of each year. The Town needs to ensure operations can continue and that staff, contractors, and supplies continue to be paid on time as per agreements.
• Council adopted the 2026 Operating Expenditures Line of Credit Borrowing Bylaw, No. 26-01.

2026 Supplementary Assessment Bylaw No. 26-03

• A municipality may pass a bylaw that allows it to assess improvements added to land after the December 31 condition date and collect property taxes on these improvements for a portion of the current tax year. Example, if a new home is constructed in Spring of 2026, the Town may assess and collect property taxes on those improvements for the remainder of the taxation year.
• Each year when a new supplementary assessment bylaw is passed the Town is required to repeal the previous year's supplementary assessment bylaw.
• Council adopted the 2026 Supplementary Assessment Bylaw, No. 26-03

2026 Central Trunk Sewer Borrowing Bylaw No. 26-02 

• Central Trunk Sewer collects sewage from approximately 80% of the Town. Upgrades are required prior to additional development. 
• The cost of the upgrades exceed what is available to draw from Reserves, or to fund with incoming/expected grants. Borrowing funds for the construction allows for all taxpayers, both current and future, to contribute to the cost. 
• The intent of the Borrowing Bylaw is for Administration to receive approval from Council to obtain debt financing required for all three phases of  construction of the Central Trunk Sewer Upgrades. 
• Advertisement for this bylaw, as required under the Municipal Government Act, will be completed following First Reading and any comments received from the Public will be presented to Council prior to Second Reading. 
• Council approved the 2027 and 2028 Capital Budget for the Central Trunk Sewer Project as follows:
• • For 2027, the Budget of $1,860,000 to be funded as follows: Waste Water Offsite Levies: $275,000; Waste Water Reserve: $372,000; and Debt: $1,213,000.
  • For 2028, the Budget of $1,815,000 to be funded as follows: Waste Water Offsite Levies: $60,000; Waste Water Reserve: $363,000; and Debt: $1,392,000.
• Council then gave First Reading to Bylaw No. 26-02, being the Central Trunk Sewer Borrowing Bylaw and directed Administration to advertise Bylaw No. 26-02 in accordance with the Municipal Government Act prior to Second Reading.

During Councillor Statements:

• Mayor Fule congratulated the Strathmore Fire Department for receiving the Community Impact award from the Strathmore and Wheatland Chamber of Commerce.
• Mayor Fule thanked MLA de Jonge for her support and shared that there have been two recent grants from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women awarded to organizations in the Town:

• $95,000 to the Strathmore Overnight Shelter for expansion; and
• $125,000 to the Strathmore Lions Club, for upgrades to the Splash Park.

*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:

January 21, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 1

January 21, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 2

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