Council Meeting Highlights - May 5, 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 May 5, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda

Battle River Watershed Alliance Presentation
Susanna Bruneau from the Battle River Watershed Alliance made a presentation on the Shoreline and Riparian Condition Assessment and Riparian Restoration Project running until Spring 2027.

Riparian areas are transitional areas between a waterbody and the adjacent upland area that improve water quality, mitigate floods and droughts, improve biodiversity, and add aesthetic and economic value.

According to this assessment, there will be designated areas where weeds will be pulled, and trees will be planted this year.

Simple Connections Stronger Neighbourhoods Presentation
Tammy Richard from Recovery Alberta and Kendra Hansen from Alberta Health Services were in attendance to present to Council about Block Parties through the Simple Connections Stronger Neighbourhoods Initiative. This program aims to build healthy neighbourhoods that are welcoming, that create a sense of belonging and safety, and help individuals build relationships to enhance physical and mental health.

Administration will bring a recommendation to a future Council meeting on how these Block Parties can also be successfully integrated into our Special Event Permit process.

Development Statistics - 2025 Q1 (January 1 - March 31)
Aaron Leckie, Manager of Planning and Development, gave an update on development statistics for the first quarter of 2025. The start of 2025 has been marked by substantial high-value non-exempt permit applications.

Major Development Permit applicants include:

• Alpine Echoes II
• Fairway Villas
• RWR Trucking
• Battle River Homes

Lane Hard Surfacing Policy
Administration has brought forth a new Lane Hard Surfacing Policy for Council’s review before taking it to a Regular Council meeting.

Since 2014, developers have been required to upgrade adjacent rear lanes when redeveloping a property, based on direction previously endorsed by Council. These upgrades help reduce gravel tracking and drainage issues caused by increased traffic. The updated policy adds clarification but keeps the same standards that have been in place since 2014.

Dog Control and Licensing Bylaw
An updated Dog Control Bylaw was brought to the meeting to receive additional feedback from Council. Key changes include:

• Added definition for “Over Limit Permit”
• Dog Limits
• Licensing Structures
• Public Spaces
• Updated Offence Penalties to align with the average of other municipalities, with higher penalties maintained for dangerous behaviour

Council requested the next draft to include the following updates:

• Life-Time Licences – Tag issued by the City with Vicious and Nuisance Dogs required to have annual licence (only a change of address if they move)
• Limit of 3 dogs with updated regulations for Over Limit Permits with annual licensing requirements

Council Support and Remuneration Policy
A draft Council Support and Remuneration Policy was presented for feedback and will be brought to a future Regular Council Meeting for approval.

Council supported maintaining the current number of Council members (Mayor plus eight Councillors), as it provides broader representation of the community and helps reduce quorum-related issues.

It’s important to note that this Council size and its overall cost of governance remain comparable to other municipalities, even those with two fewer Council members.

The Policy is automatically reviewed every four years, with the option for Council to review it at any time.

Advocacy Topics Update
Since the Committee of the Whole Council last reviewed the Advocacy Topics report on April 7, 2025, the following updates have been made:

• Wastewater Treatment – Representatives from Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, and the City of Camrose will be meeting with Minister Schulz later in May
• Homelessness in Camrose – Housing and Homelessness Task Force presented to Council on April 21, 2025
• Water Security – Council allocated funds in the 2025 Operating Budget to hire a to review the City's water needs and current licenses from Driedmeat Lake to determine if additional licenses are necessary. Administration will begin this work soon.
• Underpass within the Stoney Creek Valley –  Administration met with representatives from CPKC to review current design options and cost estimates, as well as to discuss possible funding options. Administration to meet internally to review next steps.
• Elk Island High School – On April 29, Council authorized the City signing authorities to enter into an agreement with the Government of Alberta and Elk Island Catholic School Division and directed Administration to bring forward a Temporary Road Bylaw at the May 5 Council meeting.

Watch the Committee of the Whole Meeting archived video here.

Regular Council Meeting Highlights

View the May 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Public Commentary
A resident spoke at Public Commentary regarding the Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic High School.

2025 Big Valley Jamboree - July 31-August 4, 2025
The Special Event Permit for the 2025 Big Valley Jamboree on July 31^st – August 4^th has been approved!

Bylaw 3362-25 – Temporary Road Bylaw
Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 3362-25, the Temporary Road Bylaw, which dedicates the road right-of-way for 26th Avenue from 65th Street to 68th Street.

This Bylaw allows for immediate access to the right-of-way and the construction of the 26th Avenue extension, which will provide a secondary access route to Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic High School.

As outlined in Section 26(3) of the Municipal Government Act, a temporary road or right-of-way established under this section may remain open for no more than two years.

Council added the following points to correct misinformation and provide clarification:

• The City provided a site with access and services on 65 Street. We did not own the land on 26 Avenue.
• Although the City was not legal obligation to do so prior to entering the agreement, providing secondary access to the school was in the best interest of the community. It helps ensure the school opens on time and reduces the potential financial risk to the City.
• The situation was just as frustrating for Council and Administration as it was for residents. Communication has been difficult due to confidential negotiations.
• Council and Administration worked diligently for a year and a half, making decisions they believed were in the best interest of the community.
• The City is pleased to see the project moving forward.
• The City looks forward to continued collaboration with the Province and Elk Island School Division to explore potential funding support for this project.
• Council thanked Administration for all of their hard work on this project.

The Engineering Department will bring back further information at the next Council Meeting on May 26, 2025.

Waste Collection Cart Inventory Update
Amy Johnson, Senior Municipal Engineering Technologist, provided an update on the City’s waste collection cart inventory. She also requested approval to use $60,000 from the Solid Waste Management Infrastructure Reserve to purchase 648 new black waste carts, ensuring a two-year supply. Many of the original 2016 bins are nearing the end of their 10-year lifespan and are being damaged more frequently. Reports of damage have increased from an average of 3.5 bins per month in 2023 to 28 per month in 2025. With 6,504 bins currently in use, it's estimated that at least half will need replacement over the next five years.

Find out more about replacing your damaged cart at www.camrose.ca/waste

Camrose Elite Electric
Council will approve a Letter of Support for Camrose Elite Electric so the company can apply for the required provincial exemption to operate shared e-scooters in Camrose. This follows a successful two-year pilot project by Elite Scooters, which ended with shared e-scooter businesses being permanently added to the City’s Land Use Bylaw in 2024. Camrose Elite Electric has now purchased the business and plans to relaunch it in 2025. City Administration has reviewed their business plan and recommends providing the Letter of Support.

2025 Jaywalkers Jamboree - June 4-8, 2025
The Special Event Permit for the 2025 Jaywalkers Jamboree on June 6^th – 8^th has been approved!

Request to Operate Mirror Lake Express Train
Council has approved the Camrose & District Chamber of Commerce to run the Mirror Lake Express Train on the south side of Mirror Lake. The train will operate from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting, starting Tuesday, June 3, 2025. It will continue every Tuesday and Thursday evening until August 28, 2025.

Camrose Cruisers Street Closure Request
The Special Event Permit for the 2025 Camrose Cruisers “Show & Shine Cruise” on July 5^th has been approved!

Election Day Bus Route
Council has approved a bus route to be used on October 20, 2025, for the Municipal Election. This route will go to the following locations:

• Mirror Lake Centre
• Augustana/Viewpoint
• Kin Park/43 Avenue
• Marler Mini Mart
• Jack Stuart (Enevold / 57 St)
• Century Meadows Playground
• Duggan Park (43 Ave/73 St)
• Victoria Park (61 Str Cl)
• 53 Ave (between 54 & 55 St)
• St. Pat’s
• Solid Rock Church
• City Lights Church / Library

A finalized schedule will be available on the Election webpage in the future.

Bylaw 3375-25 - Council Meeting Procedures Amendment
Council gave three readings to Council Meeting Procedure Amendment Bylaw 3375-25 to clarify how long people can speak during Public Hearings. Presenters will have a maximum of five minutes when addressing Council at Public Hearings and allows the applicant to have a maximum of 10 minutes.

Proclamation Requests

• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim June 14, 2025, as Lemonade Day.
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim June 18, 2025, as Inclusive Recreation Day
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim the month of June 2025, as Recreation and Parks Month.
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim May 12-17, 2025, as Economic Development Week.

Watch the Regular Council Meeting archived video here.