Council Meeting Highlights - July 2, 2025

Regular Council Meeting
Meeting Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 
In attendance: Mayor Fule, Councillor Langmaid, Deputy Mayor Mitzner, Councillor Montgomery, Councillor Peterson, Councillor Wegener, and Councillor Wiley. 
 
Council adopted the minutes from the June 18, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
  

Public Hearings and Bylaws

The first Public Hearing was held for:

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-14 (Childcare Services as a Discretionary Use in the CHWY – Highway Commercial District)

This proposed bylaw was to add Childcare Services as a discretionary use within the Highway Commercial (CHWY) land use district. Listing as a discretionary use would give staff the ability to make decisions on development permit applications for childcare services in the CHWY district. Staff would review and evaluate each application based on its own merits and other factors for possible approval.  

• Kate Bakun presented the bylaw amendment for Administration.
• One written submission in opposition was received from Kimberly McCutcheon.
• Trish Zain spoke in favor of Bylaw No. 25-14.
• Claude Brown spoke in opposition to Bylaw No. 25-14.
• Jason Hollingworth spoke in opposition to Bylaw No. 25-14.

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

The second Public Hearing was held for:

Land Use Bylaw Amending Bylaw No. 25-16 (Textual Amendments)

The Town of Strathmore proposed housekeeping textual amendments to Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11, including:

• Clarifying notification timelines for development permit decisions.
• Replacing the term “Lot Area” with the defined term “Site Area” throughout the bylaw.
• Updating permitted yard projection regulations.
• Deleting the maximum site area requirement in the R3 District

• Kate Bakun presented the bylaw amendment for Administration.
• No written submissions were received.
• No members of the public spoke to the bylaw amendment.

 
Following the Public Hearing, Council ADOPTED Bylaw No. 25-16, being a bylaw to amend Town of Strathmore Land Use Bylaw No. 14-11.

Business

Corporate Quarterly Report – Q1 2025

The Corporate Quarterly Report is published four times annually to convey the progress achieved on Council's Strategic Plan and to provide a quarterly update on the Town's financial status. This report aims to ensure transparency for both Council and the public by offering an update on the status of each of Council's Strategic Priorities.

• At the end of Quarter 1 for 2025, revenues are forecasted to be $356 thousand higher than budgeted due to higher than anticipated Development Application and Subdivision Fee Revenue ($110 thousand) and Streetlight Revenue ($54 thousand) which administration recommends be transferred to Reserves.
• Government Grants are higher than budgeted, due to receipt of an unbudgeted Local Government Fiscal Framework operating grant of $205 thousand.
• Overall, expenses are forecasted $108 thousand higher than budgeted, due to increased transfer to reserves which related to the development application and subdivision fees note above.
• The overall surplus of the organization is forecasted to be $248 thousand for Q1.

Council Meeting Schedule Amendments

• The Town of Strathmore's Meeting Schedule was prepared in accordance with Council's Procedure Bylaw, No. 23-17, and adopted during the October 23, 2024 Organizational Meeting. Since that time it was identified that there are two upcoming meetings that may not be required.
• Council directed Administration to cancel the Committee of the Whole Meetings scheduled for July 9, 2025 and September 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
• Council also directed Administration to move the July 16, 2025 Regular Council Meeting to July 23, 2025.

Joint Election Agreement

• The original joint agreement  between The Town, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools and the Golden Hills School Division was discussed and approved by Council on May 7, 2025. Once the Agreement was circulated for signatures, Administration was advised of further changes being requested to the agreement. Financially, the Town is not in a position to fund the joint election by incurring costs associated with the School Boards Trustees Elections should the election(s) occur.
• Council rescinded Resolution No. 142.05.25: "THAT Council authorizes the Returning Officer to enter into an agreement with the Golden Hills School Division #75 and Christ the Redeemer Catholic School for the 2025 municipal election, with costs to be shared as referenced in Attachment I."

2025 Operating Budget Amendment – Watermain Insurance

• Council discussed insurance policy options for the East Calgary Regional Waterline. This is key infrastructure and the Town's sole water source.
• Council approved a 2025 Operating Budget Amendment in the amount of $183,700 for watermain insurance costs, funded from the Financial Stabilization Reserve.

2025 Operating Budget Amendment – Celebrate Canada Grant

• Council approved a 2025 Operating Budget Amendment to increase Communications and FCSS Contracted Services expenditures related to Canada Day and Indigenous Peoples Day in the amount of $10,000; funded by the Celebrate Canada Grant program.
• This 2025 Budget Amendment has no net impact on the tax requirement, or surplus, of the Town. Program expenditures will be offset by the recognition of grant funding received.

2025 Capital Budget Amendment – Aerial/Ladder Truck Initial Payment

• As high-density development continues to expand within the town, including the construction of six (6) story residential buildings, the operational needs of the Town's Fire Department must evolve accordingly. A modern aerial firefighting apparatus ensures the department's ability to respond effectively to emergencies and ensure community safety, resilience, and preparedness.
• Council approved a 2025 Capital Budget amendment of $350,000 for the initial payment associated with the purchase of an aerial/ladder truck, with $200,000 coming from the Fire Reserve and $150,000 from the Financial Stabilization Reserve.

*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:

July 2, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 1

July 2, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting - Part 2

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