Council Meeting Highlights - July 21, 2025

Introduction of New Staff

• Kris Johnson, General Manager of Infrastructure, introduced Dylan Kvale, a member of the Roads crew. Welcome Dylan!
• Fire Chief Eric Graham announced the promotion of Captain Jeff Knopf to the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Deputy Chief Knopf has proudly served the department for 24 years, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, operational expertise, and deep commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. Congratulations Deputy Chief Knopf!

Grass Maintenance Policy
Administration has prepared a draft Grass and Weed Care Policy to outline maintenance standards for parks, sports fields, natural areas, and the golf course. The policy reflects long-standing practices and aligns with the approved 2025/2026 budget. It sets targets for grass height, weed trimming, irrigation, and pesticide use, and is based on feedback from user groups.

The policy will be brought forward for further consideration at a future Council meeting.

Community Bus Route Update
General Manager of Infrastructure, Kris Johnson, was in attendance to provide an update and discuss potential changes to the Community Bus route. Since July 2024, a revised route and fare-free service have led to a significant increase in ridership. (This year, monthly ridership has at least doubled compared to monthly ridership in 2024 and in 2023!)

While the updated route expanded service to more residential and downtown areas, some residents have requested that previous stops be reinstated. Council considered these requests and recommended that the proposed changes to the Heritage Manor and City Lights stops be discussed further with the Rose City Handivan Society, keeping in mind that the route must remain under one hour to maintain efficiency.

ERP Update
The City of Camrose has been working hard to replace its current financial system, which will no longer be supported after December 31, 2025. This project includes the implementation of two major software solutions: UNIT4 for core financial and human resource functions, and MUNIvers for property tax and utility billing. Both systems are scheduled to go live on October 1, 2025, and significant work has been done to meet this tight timeline, including testing, data migration, and staff training.

To prepare for this huge transition, Council has granted a request to close City Hall to the public on Monday, September 29, since existing systems will be unavailable and staff will be focused on final implementation.

Phase II of the project, which includes additional functionality and customer-facing features like an online portal, will begin in 2026. Overall, this is a major undertaking that will modernize the City’s systems, improve efficiency, and enhance service delivery over the long term.

Divestment of City Lands - 52 Avenue
In 2018, the City discovered that some property owners along 52 Avenue were encroaching onto adjacent City-owned land near the CN rail line. After interest from one resident, the City invited other nearby owners to express interest, receiving support from 60% of them and beginning the process to subdivide and sell the land. Due to staff changes and delays caused by the pandemic, the process was only recently completed, and eight of ten owners have confirmed their intent to purchase. The land is being sold at assessed value, on an “as-is” basis, meaning buyers accept all conditions of the land and are responsible for their own inspections and due diligence. (Further discussion will be brought forward at the Regular Council Meeting.)

City Manager Bylaw
The City of Camrose is proposing a new City Manager and Designated Officer Bylaw to modernize and clarify the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the City Manager. This Bylaw consolidates several existing documents into one clear framework, aligning with updated legislation and best practices. It outlines the City Manager’s authority over operations, staffing, finances, legal matters, land agreements, and privacy legislation, while preserving Council’s oversight through defined limits and reporting requirements. The bylaw will be brought forward at a future meeting for formal consideration.

2026 Fleet Replacements
Council approved the updates to the City’s 2026 fleet replacement plan which included increasing the total expenditure by $46,000 (from $1,656,500 to $1,702,500) and allocating an additional $33,500 from the Equipment Replacement Reserve. Council also approved the addition of one pickup truck to the Building Maintenance fleet, by repurposing an existing unit from Utilities.

Outdoor Skating Rink Location Review
Council approved moving the Valleyview outdoor rink from the stormwater pond to the Valleyview Playground South to improve safety. Storm ponds are not recommended for skating due to dangerous ice conditions caused by moving water and uneven freezing. The new location is safer, level, and easier to maintain, while still providing local access to outdoor recreation.

Council also approved keeping the Elizabeth Heights rink, following strong community feedback.

Budget Amendment - Water Treatment Plant Motor Control Centers Upgrade Project
The City’s Water Treatment Plant (WTP) needs to replace its two original Motor Control Centers (MCCs), which are critical for operating pumps and electrical systems. Although $270,000 was originally budgeted for this project, recent bids show that replacing both MCCs at the same time would cost $589,000 ($319,000 more than planned). Council approved Administration’s recommendation for a full replacement now to avoid higher costs and operational disruptions in the future.

Budget Amendment - City Hall Roof Repair Funding
The City Hall roof has ongoing leakage issues that appear to be caused by condensation rather than rainfall. An investigation found that steel columns in the parapet walls were not built as designed, missing thermal breaks and proper sealing, which likely led to water damage. Council approved $60,000 from the General Infrastructure Reserve so that Administration can hire engineering consultants to design repair options and oversee construction.

Drive In Airshow Road Closure Request
Council approved temporary road closures for the 2025 Drive-In Airshow, including Snowbirds and other military demonstrations, taking place July 25 - 27, 2025. 39 Street from 54 Avenue to the north City boundary would be closed to all traffic between 1:00pm to 6:00pm each day.

52 Avenue Land Sales
Council approved seven land sales to adjacent property owners for parcels along the CN Rail-line, south of 52 Avenue between 53 Street and 56 Street. These lands have experienced long-standing encroachment issues, and the City began preparing them for sale in 2018 following a request from a nearby landowner. Due to a variety of reasons, the process was delayed, however, it is now ready to move forward. The proposed sales follow the City’s Land Development Policy and reflect market value, with terms discussed in a recent closed session of Committee of the Whole.

Recreation Advisory Committee - Council Appointment
Council approves the replacement of Councillor Ilg with Councillor Rosland on the Recreation Advisory Committee, effective July 21, 2025, until the 2026 Organizational Meeting of Council.

Community Standards Bylaw
Council gave first reading to the new Community Standards Bylaw. This bylaw sets clear expectations for property maintenance, noise, public behaviour, and other community standards to help keep Camrose safe and clean. If approved, it will replace several existing bylaws, such as the Nuisance Abatement, Public Property, Unsightly Premises, and Snow Removal Bylaws.

Proclamation Request - Rail Safety Week
Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim September 15-21, 2025 as “Rail Safety Week” in the City of Camrose.

Camrose Neighbor Aid Center
Council reviewed a request from the Camrose Neighbor Aid Centre for a new location for its Food Bank. After working with the organization to understand its needs and reviewing available land, Administration found that no City-owned land meets all of Neighbor Aid’s requirements. Using public green space was not recommended due to past community concerns and limited available land. Council directed Administration to formally notify Neighbor Aid that no suitable City land is available at this time.

Letter of Support - Bethany Group
Council authorized the Mayor to send a letter of support for the Bethany Group’s proposal for a new continuing care facility to meet the growing needs of residents in Camrose and the surrounding area. This $63 million project is a partnership between the Government of Alberta, The Bethany Group, the local Hospice Society, and the City. The new facility would help address the demand for hospice care and provide alternate levels of care for people with complex needs, especially important as Camrose has only one hospital.