Council Meeting Highlights - June 9, 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 June 9, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda

Community Transit Advisory Committee - Hang Up Your Keys Challenge
Patricia Johnston asked Council members who joined the Hang Up Your Keys Challenge to reflect on their biggest challenge, any surprises, and whether the experience raised awareness about local transit issues. The Council members who participated in the challenge agreed that they found it was successful in bringing awareness to transit barriers in the community.

Presentation - STARS Air Ambulance
Glenda Farnden, representing STARS Air Ambulance, attended the meeting to provide Council with the annual STARS update. Council acknowledged the vital role STARS plays in the region and that permanent financial support be considered in our future budget.

Presentation - Indigenous Trails Concept
Arnold Malone provided an update on the Indigenous Trails Concept, following his initial presentation to Council on April 8, 2024.

He noted that the project is still in the very early stages of planning and that he will also be presenting to Camrose County. Council expressed interest in the concept and looks forward to future updates.

Presentation - Viking Cup
Leroy Johnson and Joren Johnson were in attendance to present to Council on the Viking Cup. They stated that the Augustana Vikings Hockey Alumni Association, the new sponsor of the Viking Cup, is working to bring back the International Viking Cup—a tournament that ran successfully in Camrose from 1980 to 2006. The original event was known for its high-level play, strong community involvement, and international goodwill, with over 400 players going on to be drafted by the NHL.

The tournament is planned for December 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026, and will feature six to eight teams from North America and Europe. The Alumni Association is seeking provincial support and hopes to build on the Viking Cup’s strong legacy to benefit sport, education, and the community.

Council requested that Administration bring additional information to a future Council meeting, including possible funding sources.

Police Strategic Communications
The Camrose Police Service currently faces challenges in consistently and effectively communicating with the public due to a lack of dedicated resources and the complex nature of police communications.

Because of the sensitive and strategic demands of police work, finding someone with the right mix of policing awareness, professional communication skills, and clearance is difficult - especially without offering a permanent position or benefits. To address this, a $1,000/month contract position will be introduced and funded from an existing budget line, with no new financial impact for 2025–2026.

EPR Depot Agreements Update
Senior Municipal Engineering Technologist Amy Johnson provided an update on the new contracts being developed with Circular Materials (a Producer Responsibility Organization) and Centra Cam for the period of July 2025 to September 2026.

The plan is for Circular Materials to supply and manage large front-load bins with more flexible lids and improved material acceptance. Residents would then be able to recycle all plastics (#1–7), in addition to glass, which will continue to be sorted separately. Centra Cam would remain responsible for daily site operations, and both parties have agreed to updated roles and responsibilities.

While a curbside recycling program is scheduled to begin in October 2026, the Recycle Depot will remain in place to collect materials that won’t be accepted at the curb, such as glass and styrofoam. Administration believes the EPR program will enhance recycling services and provide long-term financial and environmental benefits. Two related reports will be presented to Council for approval at the June 23 meeting.

These contracts will provide significant funding for the City, allowing for a reduction in recycling user charges for all properties. The program will also improve service levels by requiring less sorting through the use of multiple large collection bins at the Recycle Depot.

Administration notes that there will continue to be a need for a Recycling Depot in Camrose, even after curbside collection begins in October 2026, as items like glass and styrofoam will not be included in curbside pickup under the EPR guidelines. The City remains committed to working with Centra Cam to manage depot operations, provided the arrangement continues to be mutually beneficial.

Please note that the above plans are not yet finalized and are subject to the terms and conditions of the agreements currently under negotiation.

Advocacy Topics Update
Since the Committee of the Whole Council last reviewed the Advocacy Topics report on May 5, 2025, the following updates have been made:

• Elk Island High School
  • May 26 – Council authorized funding for 26th Avenue
  • Wastewater Treatment
    • May 20 – Met with Minister Schulz to regarding Phase 2 limits
    • June 2 – Minister Schulz responded in support of our request to not include Phase 2 limits in our next 10 year wastewater approval

Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators - Long Service Recognition Awards Program
Malcolm Boyd has worked with the City of Camrose since July 15, 2015, showing dedication and professionalism in his role as Chief Administrative Officer. To recognize his ten years of service, the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators has presented him with a Long Service Recognition Award.

Congratulations Malcolm!

Watch the Committee of the Whole Meeting archived video here.

Regular Council Meeting Highlights

View the June 9, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Golf Cart Replacement Change
Council approved an increase to the annual golf cart replacement reserve from $61,000 to $88,000 for 2025 and 2026. This change reflects rising cart costs and the need to improve service at the municipal golf course.

Currently, the fleet of 54 aging electric carts has proven unreliable, especially during peak times, causing service issues, increased maintenance, and additional rental costs. Switching to gas-powered carts and increasing the fleet to 60 would improve reliability, reduce downtime, and eliminate rental needs, as gas carts are more efficient and have higher resale value.

Property Management Policy
Council has adopted the updated Property Management Policy. Council reviewed this policy as part of the recent Land Workshop on May 7th and reviewed the recommended updates at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on May 26th. Key updates include clarifying how leased spaces are prioritized, standardizing cost-of-living and subsidy adjustments for leases, and aligning internal processes.

Road Closure - Camrose Public Library Summer Kickoff Event
Council has approved a road closure for the Camrose Public Library Summer Kickoff Event. As part of the event, 50th Avenue between 47th Street and 48th Street will be closed to all traffic, including bicycles, skateboards, e-scooters, and roller blades from 4:30pm to 9:00pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Natural Gas Franchise Agreement ATCO
Council gives three readings Bylaw 3364-25, which allows the City of Camrose to enter into a new ten-year Natural Gas Franchise Agreement with ATCO Gas.

Proclamation Request
Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim June 2025 as “ALS Awareness Month” in the City of Camrose.

Indigenous Survivors Day
The City of Camrose has received a request to proclaim June 30, 2025, as Indigenous Survivors Day – National Blanket Ceremony Day, in recognition of residential school survivors and their resilience. While the City acknowledges the importance and significance of this day, proclamations of this nature are typically issued at the provincial level. Administration has been asked to contact the office of MLA Jackie Lovely to clarify the appropriate protocol before proceeding.

Advocacy for Freshwater Sustainability
Council authorizes the Mayor to send a letter to the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, raising concerns about the impacts of coal mining in the Eastern Slopes. Studies show these activities can contaminate freshwater headwaters with toxic substances, which build up in the food chain and cannot be easily removed. Since Camrose may depend on this water source in the future, the letter would support efforts to protect long-term water quality.

Watch the Regular Council Meeting archived video here.