Council Meeting Highlights - April 7, 2025

Please note: these Council Highlights are not official meeting minutes. They provide a summary of decisions and information from Council meetings, offering a more accessible way for residents to stay informed about City of Camrose updates.

Committee of the Whole Meeting Highlights

View the April 7, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda

Presentation by Duggan Wellness
Twylene Hicks, Administrator for Duggan Wellness, made a presentation to Council regarding zoning for daycares.

Fire Annual Report (2024 Summary Report)
Fire Chief Eric Graham gave a presentation on the 2024 Fire Department Annual Report.  He highlighted that over the past three years, the department has observed a consistent upward trend in certain categories of calls, notably Alarm Activations, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Assists, and Fires.

Additionally, the presentation also noted that the fire department maintains a roster of 33 active members, maintains a strong commitment to training, and proactively promotes fire and life safety within the community through various outreach initiatives.

Policy on Council Attendance at Local Events
As part of the 2025 Budget, $3,500 was set aside for Council to attend important community events by covering ticket costs. Administration developed a draft policy which outlines how this funding will be used, which events are currently included based on past attendance and allows Council to adjust the list. Council had no issues with the policy and requested it to come to a future Regular Council meeting for approval.

Dog Control Bylaw
The City of Camrose is in the process of updating its Dog Control Bylaw and presented a draft version to Council for feedback before it proceeds to first reading. Council discussed several key areas, including strengthening regulations for Dangerous Dogs, updating fines and penalties, and exploring licensing options such as switching from annual to lifetime dog licenses. There was also discussion about the potential removal or revision of Home Kennel Licenses and the possibility of regulating breeding operations through business licensing. Other topics included the importance of dog registration and a proposed increase in liability insurance coverage to $1,000,000 for Dangerous Dogs. Administration will consider all feedback and bring an updated draft of the bylaw to a future Council meeting.

Watch the Committee of the Whole Meeting archived video here.

Regular Council Meeting Highlights

View the April 7, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Public Hearing Bylaw 3363-25 - Land Use Amendment
A Public Hearing was held to consider a redistricting application from Al-Terra Engineering Ltd., submitted on behalf of Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord. The proposal involved redistricting Elizabeth Heights Park from Parks and Recreation District to Institutional District to accommodate a temporary school.

The applicant began the hearing with a presentation outlining the background of the project, the reasons for proposing a temporary school, and a summary of community feedback and responses.

In total, 100 written submissions were received, and 75 people attended the meeting, with 17 individuals speaking during the hearing.

Bylaw 3363-25 - Land Use Amendment
Council recognizes the importance of the new school and strongly supports its development. However, Council also values the feedback received from the public. As a result, the motion to give second reading to Bylaw 3363-25 was defeated.

Administration will continue working with the school board to identify an alternative location that will meet the needs of the temporary school.

Bylaw 3372-25 – Land Use Amendment
W.E. Roth Construction Ltd. On behalf of Duggan Wellness Centre is requesting a change to the Land Use Bylaw to allow a Day Care Facility in a commercial area (C2 District). Council decided to table this motion to allow for further future discussion.

Local Improvement Bylaw 3369-25
Council gives third reading to Local Improvement Bylaw 3369-25 for the replacement of the concrete separate sidewalk along the west side of 46 Street from 48 Avenue to 49 Avenue.

Local Improvement Bylaws 3356-25, 3357-25, 3358-25
Council gives third reading to Local Improvement Bylaws 3356-25, 3357-25, 3358-25. This project includes the replacement of the concrete separate sidewalk and the concrete curb and gutter along 49 Avenue from Grand Drive to 64 Street. In addition, asphalt edge milling and a 50mm asphalt overlay will be completed.

Local Improvement Bylaws 3359-25, 3360-25, 3361-25
Council gives third reading to Local Improvement Bylaws 3359-25, 3360-25, 3361-25. This project includes the replacement of the concrete separate sidewalk and the concrete curb and gutter along 64 Street from 48 Avenue Service Road to 50 Avenue. In addition, asphalt edge milling and a 50mm asphalt overlay will be completed.

Proclamation Requests

• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim April 20-26, 2025, as National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week.
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim April 25, 2025, as Lights On Afterschool Alberta Day.
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim April 28, 2025, as the National Day of Mourning.
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim May 1-31, 2025, as Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Collaborative Facilities Agreement Rewrite - Sole Source
Council approved hiring external legal support and to sole source the drafting of a new Collaborative Facilities Agreement (CFA) to Joshua Mohr. The current CFA, which governs the partnership between the City and the University of Alberta for the Camrose Performing Arts Centre, is outdated and overly complex, and a full rewrite is needed to simplify and clarify responsibilities without changing either party’s rights.

Watch the Regular Council Meeting archived video here.