Council Meetings

All meetings are open to the public, and no person shall be excluded except for improper conduct. The only exception to limit access is when Council closes all or part of the meeting to the public (in camera sessions) to discuss confidential items. Attending Council meetings can be an excellent way to understand how Council makes decisions. While the doors to Council Chambers are never locked during a meeting, attendees are encouraged to arrive early as not to disrupt the meeting. Public seating is located just inside the doors of Council Chambers.

If you are unable to attend, you can watch Regular Council meetings live here.

A closed session is the portion of a Council Meeting that is for Council to discuss sensitive items such as those within Part I, Division 2 of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Council cannot make any decisions during a closed session. To pass any motions or resolutions, Council must close the closed session and return to an open session.

Anyone who is not a member of Council or the Management Team is required to leave Council Chambers during a closed session, and the livestream/recordings are ended. This would include other members of Administration and members of the public and media.

There are no recorded minutes or notes taken during a closed session.

We are introducing Council Highlights, a new way to share key updates from Council Meetings. This format allows us to provide more details and context, making it easier to understand important decisions and discussions.

View Council Meeting Highlights

View any upcoming Public Hearings.

Note: Any correspondence or presentations submitted to the City of Camrose on this notice will become part of the public record and will appear on the City’s website as part of the meeting agenda. The City considers the author’s comments relevant to the Council’s consideration of this matter and will publish this personal information.

How to Participate in Public Hearings:

City of Camrose Council meetings are open to the public to attend and participate. Residents and interested or affected parties are encouraged to attend meetings and to participate when a matter interests or affects them. An Applicant will have a maximum of 10 minutes to address Council. Each member of the public shall have a maximum of 5 minutes to address Council. 

Some topics at Council meetings, particularly those related to planning and development, require Public Hearings as outlined in the Municipal Government Act. If you believe you are affected by a matter, you have the opportunity to be heard at a Public Hearing.

Public Hearing Process:

Public Hearings for planning and development matters generally follow this order:

• The Chair opens the Public Hearing.
• The City Manager outlines the purpose of the Public Hearing.
• The Chair invites verbal presentations from those in attendance in person.
• The Chair invites verbal presentations from virtual attendees.
• The Chair allows questions from Council members after each presentation.
• After all presentations and questions, the Chair closes the Public Hearing.

After the hearing is closed, Council deliberates and makes a decision, which may include approving, denying, amending, or further investigating the matter.

Ways to Participate in Public Hearings:

There are multiple ways for residents and interested parties to participate in Public Hearings:

• In-person presentation
• Electronic presentation (via Microsoft Teams)
• Written submission

In-Person Presentations

If you wish to speak in regard to a Public Hearing matter, you may make an in-person presentation at the Public Hearing at the City Hall on the date and time indicated on the Public Hearing notice.

If your presentation includes written or visual components, you must bring a digital copy or 15 physical copies for distribution at the Public Hearing. Any materials you provide at the Public Hearing will be retained by the City and saved in the public record.

Note: There will be a signup sheet as you enter the Council Chambers to attend the Public Hearing. If you wish to speak, please register on the signup sheet prior to the start of the Public Hearing to ensure your place on the speaking list. The signup sheet is used to determine the order of speakers at the Public Hearing. 

Virtual Presentations

If you are unable to attend a Public Hearing at City Hall but wish to speak in regards to a Public Hearing matter, you may make an electronic presentation at the Public Hearing via Microsoft Teams by submitting an email to Legislative Services at legservices@camrose.ca or calling 780.672.4426.

If your presentation includes written or visual components, you may share them using the screen share function. Any materials you share at the Public Hearing must also be provided to Legislative Services to be retained by the City in the public record. 

For instructions on how to raise your hand during a meeting, click here.

Written Submissions

Written submissions must be provided to Legislative Services in an email or letter format by the deadline on the Public Hearing notice.

Email: 

Put your comments in an email and send it to legservices@camrose.ca by the deadline indicated on the Public Hearing notice. Please include the bylaw number of the Public Hearing in the subject line of your email, and your name in the body of the email.

Physical Letter: 

Write your comments in a letter and mail your submission to Legislative Services at the address below by the deadline indicated on the Public Hearing notice.

Legislative Services
City of Camrose
5204 50 Avenue, Camrose, AB, T4V 0S8

Please include “Public Hearing Submission” on the envelope of your letter, the bylaw number of the Public Hearing in the subject line of your letter, and your name in the body of your letter. Your letter must be received by the deadline on the Public Hearing notice. 

Committee of the Whole Council Meetings

Held on the first and third Monday of each month unless posted otherwise, Committee of the Whole Council Meetings start at 2 p.m.  All meetings are open to the public except for matters held in closed session. Meetings are held in Council Chambers on the first floor of City Hall at 5204 - 50 Avenue in Camrose.

A Committee of the Whole Meeting provides the opportunity for Council to hold discussions on any matter, determine process, and receive detailed information from administration, delegations or subject matter experts. Committee of the Whole meetings are held in a less formal atmosphere than a Regular Council Meeting.

Regular Meetings

Held on the first and third Monday of each month unless posted otherwise, Regular Council Meetings start at 5 p.m. All meetings are open to the public except for matters held in closed session. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers on the first floor of City Hall at 5204 - 50 Avenue in Camrose.

Regular Council Meetings are when your Mayor and Council make decisions that set the direction for maintaining a safe and viable community. Those decisions come in the form of resolutions/motions and bylaws which enable Administration to conduct day-to-day operations of our community. Residents have the opportunity to participate in council meetings through Public Commentary and by attending as a delegation.

Special Council Meetings

A Special Council Meeting may be called at any time for a specific purpose by the Mayor or if requested by a majority of the Councillors. These meetings are usually called for time-sensitive items that cannot wait until the next Regular Council Meeting.

Annual Organizational Meeting of Council

Council must hold an organizational meeting annually not later than 2 weeks after the 3^rd Monday in October.

At the Organizational meeting, Council conducts the following business:

• Selection of the Deputy Mayor by rotation;
• Establishes the Council Meeting Dates (Committee of the Whole Council and Regular Council Meetings);
• Appoints Council Members on Council Committees, Commissions, Boards and Authorities; and
• Any other business as is required by the Municipal Government Act.

Committees and Boards

Council has established a number of Committees and Boards through bylaws or terms of reference. Council appointed members serve on the majority of the committees and boards including members at large from the community who are appointed by Council.

Council has a “Recognition of Member at Large Appointments Policy” to recognize the important contribution Committee and Board members make to the community. A formal acknowledgement is given to each member upon conclusion of their appointed term.