Council Meeting Highlights - May 6, 2026

Regular Council Meeting

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Members of the community came out to share their thoughts on the Notice of Motion for a Public Spaces Neutrality Bylaw. Those that spoke to the subject were:

• Peter Jenner
• Mandy Gillespie
• Sarah Thornton
• Marlow Lovelace
• Trevor Ward
• Alex Wright
• Tiffany Carlson
• Kaven Brewer
• Sunday Adeola
• Kateryna Rycor
• Shane Devine

Council also acknowledged they had received written submissions from 55 individuals.

NOTICE OF MOTION

Public Spaces Neutrality Bylaw – Councillor Wiley

• Councillor Wiley proposed that Council direct Administration to draft a Public Spaces Neutrality Bylaw for Council’s consideration, which would include provisions to:

1. 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 defeated this motion.

BYLAWS

2026 Property Tax Rate Bylaw No. 26-12

• With the proposed Bylaw, the average residential taxpayer will see a year-over-year tax increase of 5.8% (a total increase of $232 annually), the average Municipal tax increase for residential properties will be 0.9%.
• Property tax bills will be mailed to property owners at the end of May, with a due date of June 30, 2026.
• Council adopted the 2026 Property Tax Rate Bylaw.

BUSINESS

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 cease using the Wheatland and Adjacent Districts Emergency Medical Services Association for 911 call-taking fire dispatch services only and secure a 911 call-taking and fire dispatch services agreement with Calgary 911.

Post Secondary Fire School Partnership

• Chief Sturgeon presented Council with an initiative that would establish a firefighter training program in Strathmore that:
  • Trains entry-level firefighters to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards;
  • Utilizes Strathmore’s facilities, apparatus, and operational expertise as the practical backbone of delivery;
  • Expands post-secondary and skilled trades training opportunities within the community;
  • Supports workforce development in emergency services; and
  • Creates local economic and reputational benefits for the Town of Strathmore.
• This initiative would position Strathmore as a regional center for applied emergency services training, with potential for future program growth and long-term community reinvestment.
• As next steps Administration will:

1. 1. Continue discussions with the preferred partner regarding program structure, governance, and implementation requirements.
   2. Confirm financial terms, facility needs, apparatus use, and staffing supports required for program delivery.
   3. Undertake legal and risk review, including agreements related to liability, insurance, and operational responsibilities.
   4. Refine the implementation timeline for a potential Fall 2026 pilot intake.
   5. Develop a communications approach to support public awareness and regional promotion of the program.
   6. Return to Council with any further recommendations or approvals required prior to launch.

• Council expressed their support for this initiative.

COUNCILLOR QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS

Non-Priority Roadway Snow Management

• Councillor Brown moved that Council direct Administration to return to a subsequent Committee of the Whole with a report on financial and operational implications and activating conditions for plowing or rut filling of roads and cul-de-sacs in town that are not currently covered under the priority roadways, as it relates to the Town’s Service Levels.
• Motion was defeated

Alleyway Maintenance

• Councillor Brown moved that Council direct Administration to return to a subsequent Committee of the Whole with a report on financial implications and triggering conditions for increased alleyway maintenance as it relates to the Town’s Service Levels.
• Motion was defeated.

Bayshore Health Care Aids

• Councillor Langmaid stated that she spoke to a few Health Care Aids who work for Bayshore Health Care and provide services to residents of the community. She shared that the Health Care Aids were requesting Council’s support in their call for an agreement, as they have been negotiating for 3 years with no resolution.

*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:

May 6, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 1

May 6, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 2

May 6, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 3

May 6, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting – Part 4

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