Council Meeting Highlights - April 21, 2025

Building the Camrose Urban Forest Project Presentation
Dr. Greg King presented to Council about the Camrose Urban Forest Project. He highlighted the social, financial, and ecological importance of urban forests - which include trees and vegetation on both public and private property - and emphasized the success of the City's collaboration with the University of Alberta Augustana Campus on this initiative. Dr. King also noted that unlike most municipal assets, such as roads and buildings that depreciate over time, trees are living assets that appreciate in value as they grow, providing increasing benefits to the community.

Advocacy for Fresh Water Sustainability Presentation
Margaret Rathnavalu gave a presentation on the importance of advocating for freshwater sustainability, prompted by the Provincial Government's decision to lift the coal mining ban of Alberta’s Eastern Slopes - an essential source of freshwater - for coal exploration.

Housing & Homelessness Task Force Presentation
Carla Beck, CEO of The Bethany Group, Lyndel Kasa, Executive Director, Camrose & District FCSS, and John Corbett, Inspector, Camrose Police Service, made a presentation to Council on behalf of the Housing & Homelessness Task Force.

The Camrose & District Housing and Homelessness Task Force was created in July 2024 to respond to rising housing insecurity in the region. The Task Force brings together partners from government, law enforcement, healthcare, housing, and social services to find evidence-based solutions rooted in community needs.

Flood Risk Study Update
Council confirmed that the City of Camrose will continue following a long-standing practice of restricting development near Stoney Creek to protect against flooding, which was formally included in the Land Use Bylaw in 2016 and updated again based on the 2022 Camrose Flood Hazard Study. This study, led by the Province, uses the "1 in 100 year" flood event to determine areas at risk, and confirms that most City-owned lands are well protected, with minimal impact to private properties.

Camrose Casino Community Gaming Centre Presentation
Scott Mather attended virtually to present to Council on the Camrose Casino Gaming Center Proposal to AGLC.

The Camrose Casino license is being relocated to South Edmonton, and a new, smaller Community Gaming Center (CGC) is being proposed to remain in Camrose. The CGC would offer only electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and would not involve local charities, though charities could still work events in Edmonton. Revenue from the CGC would be split between AGLC (68%), the CGC operator (27%), and the local region (5% through grants). The proposal aims to keep jobs, support local businesses, and maintain tax revenue in Camrose while offering a cost-effective solution for AGLC. If approved, the conversion of the existing casino to a CGC would take around 18 months when the Camrose Casino license is anticipated to relocate to South Edmonton.

Council requested that this item be added to a future Regular Council Meeting so they can vote on whether to send a letter of support for the Camrose Casino Gaming Centre proposal to AGLC.

Deputy Chief Joe Mah Retirement
After 35 years of distinguished service, Deputy Chief Joe Mah has announced his retirement from the Fire Department, effective May 1. His leadership, professionalism, and unwavering dedication have had a profound and lasting impact on the department and the broader community. As he transitions into retirement, we extend our sincere gratitude for his many contributions and celebrate the legacy he leaves behind.

Bylaw 3373-25 Land Use Bylaw Amendment
Council gives first reading to Bylaw 3373 - 25 to redistrict a property at 4723/4725 48 Street from SRD – Special (Historical) Residential District to DC – Direct Control District. The duplex on this oversized lot was built according to all applicable plans and guidelines, but under the current SRD zoning, the property cannot be subdivided to allow each half to be sold separately.

Bylaw 3372-25 Land Use Amendment (Tabled at the April 7, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting)
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).

However, the applicant has requested that this item be postponed to a future meeting to allow additional time for the applicant to explore other alternatives.

Water Treatment Plant Filter Upgrade Budget Amendment
Council has approved the revised 2025 and 2026 funding allocations for the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Media Filter Replacement project, allowing the City to move forward with a major upgrade to its WTP filtration system, originally built in 1988. While $2.2 million was budgeted based on a conceptual design, a more detailed design by Associated Engineering now estimates the total cost at $4.53 million. The increased cost is mainly due to unanticipated issues such as structural deterioration, valve replacements, system upgrades, and inflation.

City of Camrose Financial Statements, Reserve Summary and Financial Information Return for the year ending December 31, 2024
Council approved the City of Camrose’s 2024 Audited Financial Statements, Reserve Summary, and Financial Information Return, which were audited by RSM Canada LLP and reviewed by both the Finance Committee and Council.

These documents will be available on our website later this week.

2024 Audit
Council received the 2024 audit of the City of Camrose, completed by RSM Canada LLP and presented to the Finance Committee on April 14, 2025. 

2025 Property Tax Bylaw
Council gave three readings to the 2025 Property Tax Bylaw. It should be noted that the City’s 2025 budget included a 4.65% tax rate increase, but actual property tax changes will vary due to higher-than-expected growth and increased provincial education taxes. For example, the average residential property owner will see an overall tax increase of about 5.3%, while non-residential property owners will see a 3.7% increase. The municipal portion of taxes actually decreased to around 3.7% because new growth brought in more revenue than expected. However, a significant rise in the provincial education tax - over which the City has no control - contributed to the higher totals.

Tax Notices will be mailed during the second week of May and Property Taxes are due June 30^th.

Council Policy - Liquor Licence Recreation Facilities
Council approved the Council Policy – Liquor Licence Recreation Facilities which outlines how liquor can be served at City recreation facilities (e.g. Golf Course, Rec Centre), based on current practices and AGLC rules.

Council Attendance at Community Functions Policy
Council has approved the Council Attendance at Community Functions Policy which outlines how the $3,500 allocated in the 2025 Budget will be used as well as the relevant community events that Council typically attends.

2025 Love Local Big Block Party - September 6, 2025
Council has approved a Special Event Permit for the Love Local Camrose Society’s Big Block Party on September 6, 2025. As part of the event, 50th Street - from the south side of 51st Avenue to the north side of 48a Avenue - will be closed to traffic from 7:00am to 9:00pm, with exceptions for emergency, service, and City vehicles.

Proclamation Requests

• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim May 5 - May 10, 2025, as Health and Safety Week.
• Council authorized the Mayor proclaim May 19 - May 25, 2025, as Alberta Disability Services Professional Week.
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim June 2-8, 2025, as Senior’s Week.
• Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim May 2025, as Good Neighbour Month.