Council Meeting Highlights - May 26, 2025

Introduction of New Staff

• John Meier, Manager of IT, introduced Ndidi Obinwanne, our new Programming and Database Administrator.
• Sara Walkey, Manager of Communications, introduced Raina Dezall, our new Communications Assistant.
• Ryan Poole, General Manager of Community Services, introduced Ryan Martin, a new Head Lifeguard.
• Kris Johnson, General Manager of Infrastructure introduced Jason Peacey, a new Utilities Operator.
• Aaron Leckie, Manager of Planning and Development, introduced Erin Rasmuson, our new Development Officer.

Welcome to all of our new staff!

Presentation - Ecole Camrose Composite Highschool - Multicultural Students
Several students from the École Camrose Composite High School Multicultural Students Association attended the Council meeting to share information about their group. They spoke about the success of their “Cultural Day” event and suggested that Camrose consider hosting a similar event for the broader community.

Presentation from Neighbour Aid
Representatives from Neighbour Aid presented to Council to highlight the services they provide to Camrose residents and to share the challenges they are facing with their current facility. They asked to continue partnering with the City and are looking for help to identify a more suitable piece of land or building to better meet both their needs and those of the community. Administration will explore potential options, and further discussions will take place in the future.

Property Management Policy
Council first adopted the Property Management Policy in 2021 to guide how City-owned properties are managed. As scheduled, the Policy was reviewed in 2025 and discussed at the May 7th Land Workshop.

Key updates include clarifying how leased spaces are prioritized, standardizing cost-of-living and subsidy adjustments for leases, and aligning internal processes. The Policy will be brought back to a future Regular Council Meeting for adoption.

ERP Replacement Project Update
General Manager of Finance, Travis Bouck, provided Council with an update to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Replacement Project that has been ongoing for over a year. This project entails the upgrading of the City’s internal financial, payroll, human resources, property tax, and utility billing systems because the current software will no longer be supported after December 2025.

The City selected two new systems: UNIT4 (called Project U4ria) for finance and HR tasks, and MUNIvers (Project GUTS) for managing property taxes and utility billing. Both systems are scheduled to go live on October 1, 2025, and are currently undergoing testing and staff training. These upgrades will improve internal workflows, system reliability, and data access and then a new customer portal for property taxes and utilities will be introduced in 2026, offering easier online access for residents. The full project is expected to stay within the approved budget.

Public Commentary
A resident spoke about the assessment and property taxes on their home.

Another resident spoke about the condition of the road by the landfill.

Public Hearing Bylaw 3373-25 - Land Use Bylaw Amendment
As required by the Municipal Government Act, Council must hold a public hearing before considering second reading of any bylaw that would amend the Land Use Bylaw. One written submission and one phone call was received as well as one person spoke in-person against Bylaw 3373-25 - Land Use Amendment.

Bylaw 3373-25 Land Use Bylaw Amendment
Council gives third 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.

Administration added that they worked with the developer and the Augustana Neighbourhood Association to ensure that the build met the minimum required standards.

Bylaw 3372-25 - Land Use Amendment
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). The proposed amendment is not compatible with the purpose of the existing C2 District and will affect the integrity of the future commercial uses for both this site and all other C2 zoned properties within the City and therefore, Council decided to defeat Bylaw 3372–25 at first reading.

Administration will continue to work with the applicant on finding a way to create a Land Use that would be potentially applicable to a building like the Duggan Wellness Centre but is different from a C2.

Lane Hard Surfacing Policy
Council has approved the updated Lane Hard Surfacing Policy. 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.

Funding Approval (26 Avenue Construction)
City Council will amend the 2025 Capital Budget to include $595,000 for the construction of 26 Avenue between 65 Street and the west entrance of Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic High School (not all the way to 68 Street). This work includes building a paved road, sidewalks, landscaping, and streetlights to provide secondary access to the school before classes begin in September. Of the total cost, $30,000 will come from the existing 2025 Operating Budget, and the remaining $565,000 will be funded through the City’s General Infrastructure Reserve.

Digital Billboard Signs
Council will be moving forward with a Request for Proposal (RFP) to replace two aging City-owned digital billboards - one at 53rd Street and 48th Avenue and one at Rudy Swanson Park. Both signs are currently not working.

The City would prepare an RFP inviting vendors to bid on either or both the sites at the southwest corner of 48th Avenue & 53rd Street and Rudy Swanson Park. Bundling the replacement of more than one digital sign may allow the City to realize synergies.

Temporary School Site
Council has approved the temporary use of a 0.29-hectare portion of Rudy Swanson Recreation Park, just north of the Community Centre, as a school site from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2035.

The Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN) has requested this location to accommodate modular classrooms being moved from Sherwood Park, as they await funding for a permanent school. The temporary school would serve up to 120 K–12 students, 12 - 16 preschoolers, and 10 - 12 staff. Since CSCN removed a planned gymnasium from their design and plans to use the Community Centre instead, the site now meets the reduced space needs.

Canada Day Road Closure Request
Council approved the request of a temporary closure of 54th Street between 45th and 46th Avenue on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 8:00am to 11:00pm for Canada Day celebrations. The closure would apply to all vehicle and non-motorized traffic, except emergency and City vehicles, to allow for safe community activities and fireworks.

Dog Control and Licensing Bylaw 3371-25
Council gives third reading to the updated Dog Control and Licensing Bylaw 3371-25.

The revised Bylaw introduces Over Limit Permits to replace the previous Home Kennel Licences. It also includes updated criteria and an appeal process for denied or revoked permits.

New licensing categories have been added for Nuisance Dogs and Vicious Dogs to help improve public safety and enforcement.

Starting January 1, 2026, the City will switch from annual dog licenses to lifetime licenses, with new fees to be finalized in the 2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw.

The Bylaw also includes:

• Clearer definitions and enforcement rules for dogs at large, nuisance dogs, and vicious dogs
• A structured process for designating dogs as nuisance or vicious
• An appeal mechanism for enforcement actions
• Updated penalties that reflect average fines in other municipalities, with higher penalties for more serious offences

Camrose Police Commission Recording Secretary
Council appoints the City’s Legislative/Executive Assistant as the Recording Secretary for the Camrose Police Commission, with the Legislative Services Coordinator as the alternate.

GOV 2.12.1 - Use of Council Chambers Policy
Council approved an updated version of the Use of Council Chambers Policy that offers clearer guidance and structure. The new policy includes added definitions, clarified roles for staff and Council, and new usage guidelines for both employees and external users. Key changes include allowing wedding ceremonies, requiring one-month advance bookings for public use, and limiting external access to business hours. The revised policy also includes a regular four-year review schedule to keep it up to date.

Council Support and Remuneration Policy
Council approved the updated Council Support and Remuneration Policy. At the May 5, 2025, Committee of the Whole meeting, Council confirmed its support for maintaining the current structure of a Mayor and 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.