Council Meeting Highlights - August 11, 2025

Introduction of New Staff
General Manager of Community Services, Ryan Poole, introduced Regan Corkery as the new Head Lifeguard. Welcome, Regan!

Bill Fowler Centre Washroom Update
The public washrooms at the Bill Fowler Centre had been closed since January 2025 due to repeated vandalism and misuse and were replaced with porta-potties.

However, due to public demand, they were reopened for the summer until the September long weekend.

After that, only the porta-potties will remain, due to lower park use, the closure of the ice cream vendor, and reduced Visitor Info Centre hours. Administration will continue to monitor porta-potty use and keep Council updated.

Community Gardens
Several years ago, the City of Camrose took over the community garden program from a local church group, which once offered up to 60 plots. Recently however, interest has declined due to issues such as poor soil quality, deer, exposure to weather, and a less-than-ideal location have persisted for years.

Council requested that Administration look into options such as downscaling, moving, and/or working with community groups to manage the garden plots and bring back an updated report to a future meeting.

Q2 Development Statistics
Q1 saw a balanced mix of large-scale commercial and residential projects, while Q2 has been driven almost entirely by residential developments. The estimated total permit value remains above the five-year average, and major subdivision activity continues in Stoney Creek Estates, West Park, and Valleyview.

Indigenous Committee Terms of Reference
Council is considering creating an Indigenous Advisory Committee to help develop a Reconciliation Plan in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The proposed structure includes one Councillor, one alternate, and five to eight Members at Large, ideally with Indigenous heritage. Unlike other committees, it may adopt a different leadership structure if members feel a culturally appropriate approach would be better.

The Committee’s role would include advising on culturally relevant activities and programs, helping to create the Reconciliation Plan, and providing recommendations to Council as needed. The Committee would begin its work in January 2026, with a finalized Terms of Reference to be presented to Council in September.

Land Development Policy
The City’s Land Development Policy now includes guidelines for requests from registered nonprofits seeking land at below-market rates for social purposes. Applications will be assessed on factors such as the group’s mandate, community impact, lease length, requested subsidy, property availability, and alignment with Council priorities. Financial documentation may also be required. The updated Policy will return to a future Committee meeting for further discussion before approval.

Area Structure Plan Guidelines
The updated Area Structure Plan (ASP) Guidelines provide a clear framework for preparing, submitting, and evaluating ASPs. They ensure that developments align with the City of Camrose’s broader planning goals and provincial legislation.

Originally approved in 2015, the Guidelines have been updated to reflect changes in legislation, the Municipal Development Plan, and lessons learned from recent planning projects.

Key changes include stronger requirements for public engagement. Applicants are now required to submit a Public Engagement Plan for approval. In addition, graphics and visual aids have been added to make the process easier to follow.

The ASP boundaries map has been revised to reflect development timelines based on land use, servicing capacities, and growth projections. While some sections have been reorganized for clarity, the overall structure and intent of the Guidelines remain the same.

This will be brought to a future Regular Council meeting for final approval.

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

• Addition of Passing Lanes Along Highway 21
  • Meeting scheduled for August 26

Census Results
The City of Camrose conducted its 2025 Municipal Census from April 14 to July 15, collecting responses online, by phone, in person, and through neighbour submissions.

The Census recorded a population of 20,405, representing an 8.7% increase since 2021 and placing growth ahead of earlier projections. Age data shows a slight decline in young children, stable numbers in the 20–44 range, and a significant portion of residents aged 60 and older.

Nearly half of Camrose’s population has moved to the city within the past decade, while over one-third have lived there for more than 20 years.

Employment results show that most residents work in Camrose, with smaller numbers working remotely or in other regions. This information provides valuable insight for future planning, economic development, and service delivery.

The Census data has been submitted to Municipal Affairs. Administration will wait for the results to be reviewed, confirmed, and accepted by the Province in late 2025 or early 2026. 

Public Commentary
A resident of Camrose spoke regarding the new Community Standards Bylaw.

Public Hearing Bylaw 3380-25 - Road Closure
A public hearing was advertised on July 15 and 22, 2025, for a proposed road closure bylaw, giving residents the opportunity to attend or submit written feedback by July 30. No submissions were received.

Bylaw 3380-25 Road Closure
Council approved the closure of a 0.021-hectare portion of 54th Street next to Lots 6 and 7, Block G, Plan 5590S, and sell it to the adjacent landowner for $5,250 plus GST. The closure would resolve an existing parking encroachment, align the land’s zoning with the neighbouring property as R3 – Medium Density Residential, and create opportunities for future development. The change would not affect traffic flow, access, or City operations, and all related costs would be paid by the applicant. No public concerns were received.

Community Standards Bylaw 3377-25
Council approved the new Community Standards Bylaw which establishes clear and consistent regulations related to property maintenance, public behaviour, and the overall well-being of the community. The intent of the Bylaw is to promote a safe, clean and welcoming environment for all residents and visitors to Camrose.

The Bylaw addresses a range of community concerns, including property upkeep, noise control, public conduct, and other potential nuisances. If adopted by Council, it will consolidate and replace the Nuisance Abatement Bylaw, Public Properties Bylaw, Unsightly Property Bylaw and Snow Removal Bylaw, streamlining enforcement and improving clarity for residents.

Grass Maintenance Policy
Council approved a Grass and Weed Care Policy to set clear standards for maintaining parks, sports fields, natural areas, and the golf course. It outlines targets for grass height, weed trimming, irrigation, and pesticide use, aligning with the 2025/2026 budget.

Key updates include raising the grass height target to 2.5 - 3.5 inches and clarifying irrigation guidelines. A new clause sets mowing targets based on current resources and provides guidance on where naturalization can be expanded to help manage costs.

City Manager and Designated Officer Bylaw 3376-25
A new "City Manager and Designated Officer Bylaw" has been approved by Council. The updated bylaw modernizes terms related to land leases and sales, incorporates authority under the new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Acts, and formally establishes the position of City Assessor. It clearly defines the City Manager’s responsibilities and authorities, reinforcing the “one employee” model where the City Manager is the sole direct employee of Council.

Subdivision and Development Authority Bylaw 3379-25
The Subdivision and Development Authority Bylaw has been updated to reflect current organizational structures, clarify roles, and maintain compliance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The new bylaw aligns membership with the City’s current leadership team, while keeping the core function of the Subdivision Authority the same.

Mirror Lake Centre - Community Facility Enhancement Program - Grant Request
The Camrose and District Senior Centre Society is applying for a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) provincial grant to help fund renovations at Mirror Lake Centre.

As CFEP is a matching grant program, the Society is requesting that the City of Camrose provide the matching funds for the washroom and window projects.

Council approved funding of up to $47,800 - comprised of $6,500 for the Coffee Room window replacement and up to $41,250 for the washroom upgrades - to be funded from the General Infrastructure Reserve, subject to the successful application and receipt of the CFEP grant.

Community Bus Route Revisions
Council approved the following changes to the Camrose Community Bus route: adding a stop at Heritage Manor, moving the City Lights/Library stop slightly south, relocating the 66 Street Centre stop to the nearby parking lot, and making the Safeway stop available only on demand.

These changes will help keep the route on its one-hour schedule while adding the new Heritage Manor stop. They were reviewed with the bus operator and are expected to improve efficiency without affecting service reliability.

Budget Amendment - CN Pond Inlet Channel Project
Council approved transferring $55,000 from the Storm Structure Upgrades project to the CN Pond Inlet Drainage Channel Improvements project. This channel upgrade, located west of 41 Street between 47 Avenue and 44 Avenue, was originally planned as a larger project but was scaled back after local improvement funding was declined through a petition process.

The current approved budget of $100,000 is not enough to complete the revised design, even though contractor bids came in lower than expected. The extra funds would allow the work to begin this fall, with major upgrades completed in 2025 and final landscaping finished in 2026.

Community Navigator Position Funding Request
Council tabled the funding request from Camrose and District Family and Community Support Services for the Community Outreach Navigator position to a future meeting.

Declaration of Surplus Lands
The City owns two parcels of land east of the Camrose Airport that were rezoned in 2023 to support industrial development. Council has declared the lots surplus, allowing them to be sold under City policy. Selling them aligns with the Intermunicipal Development Plan, reduces maintenance, and meets demand for 1–2 acre unserviced industrial lots.

The lots are within the Airport Vicinity Protection Area, which permits certain industrial uses but restricts building height, emissions, and activities that could affect airport operations. 

Proclamation Requests

• Council authorizes the Mayor to proclaim August 23, 2025, as “Heritage Day” in the City of Camrose.
• Council authorizes the Mayor to proclaim September 21-27, 2025, as “Legion Week” in the City of Camrose.
• Council authorizes the Mayor to proclaim September 2025 as “Prostate Cancer Awareness Month” in the City of Camrose.