Council Meeting Highlights - October 6, 2025

ERP Update (Verbal)
General Manager of Finance, Travis Bouck, provided an update about the ERP project stating that it has reached a major milestone with UNIT4 successfully going live on October 1. The transition has gone smoothly, with only a few tickets reported and on-site consultants helping staff adjust efficiently. The next milestone is scheduled for December 1, when the new tax and utility software will go live.

Looking ahead, the 2026 phase will focus on digitizing timesheets, automating HR workflows (including recruiting tools), rolling out the expense module, adding new integrations, implementing updated budgeting software, and continuing general system improvements. The project remains on budget, and while some elements from Phase 1 have been deferred to Phase 2, the team remains confident that full implementation will be completed by the end of 2026.

Council also added that they recognize and appreciate all of the additional hard work that staff have been putting in throughout this project.

Asset Management Update
Asset Management continues to be a key priority for the City, with significant progress made since it was first identified in the 2018 Strategic Plan. Since 2022, the City has developed key policies, completed readiness assessments, and launched both an Asset Management Framework and Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP).

As of 2025, 70% of SAMP actions are in progress, 23% are complete, and 7% have not yet started, with full completion expected by early 2026.

Current initiatives include integrating asset data into CityWorks, conducting departmental reviews, piloting Asset Management Plans and Levels of Service, and expanding staff training and risk assessments.

Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission Regional Water Supply Feasibility Study - Water For Life Grant
The City of Camrose has been working with the Capital Region Southwest Water Services Commission (CRSWSC) to explore options for a secondary water source.

In 2024, the CRSWSC led a joint grant application with support from the City of Camrose, City of Wetaskiwin, and County of Wetaskiwin to fund a Regional Water Supply Feasibility Study. In May 2025, the Province approved the application, providing up to $250,000 through the Water for Life program.

The CRSWSC and its engineering consultant are now beginning the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with City Administration supporting the process as needed.

Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord Update
On May 26, 2025, Council approved the temporary use of a portion of Rudy Swanson Recreation Park as a school site for Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN) and directed Administration to negotiate a lease. Since then, Administration has worked with CSCN’s development team through several pre-application meetings, which led to a Development Permit submission on September 18, 2025.

The application is now under internal review through the standard permit process. Construction is expected to begin on December 1, 2025, and be completed by May 31, 2026, with the school opening in September 2026. The project is valued at approximately $2.5 million, and while the construction schedule has shifted, the terms of the lease remain consistent with Council’s original direction, ending August 31, 2035, unless otherwise decided.

Advocacy Topics Update
Council developed and prioritized a list of Advocacy Topics during workshops in 2022 and 2023, with each topic assigned a Council Sponsor to help advocate at events with government officials.

Since the last review on September 8, 2025, the Wastewater Treatment topic has been removed, and the list renumbered. Updates include grant approval for a Regional Water Supply Feasibility Study and letters of support sent to the Minister of Advanced Education for funding requests related to local post-secondary programs.

Opportunity to Meet with Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors (Verbal)
The Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors had reached out for requests to meet during the upcoming Alberta Municipalities conference. Council decided that water security, passing lanes on Highway 21, intercity transit, and the underpass are all topics that will be brought up for discussion.

Local Improvement Policy Update
Council approved the updated Local Improvement Policy. Before bringing it forward, Administration reviewed how other Alberta municipalities including Edmonton, Calgary, Wetaskiwin, and Lacombe, handle local improvement cost sharing. The review found that each community uses different funding ratios, with property owners typically paying all or part of the costs depending on the project type.

Council aggreged with Administration’s recommendation to maintain Camrose’s existing funding ratios to ensure consistency and fairness for property owners who have previously paid under past local improvement bylaws.

Community Bus Route Revisions at 66 Street Centre
Council has approved a revision to the Camrose Community Bus route, which includes several updates to improve service and efficiency. The 66 Street Centre bus stop will be moved approximately 40 metres south along 66 Street instead of into the parking lot east of the building.

Additional updates include adding a new bus stop at Heritage Manor, moving the City Light/Library bus stop further south on 48 Street, and changing the Safeway bus stop to an on-demand stop. The updated bus route will take effect on October 14, 2025.

Parkland Regional Library System 2026 Proposed Budget
Council approved the 2026 Parkland Regional Library System Proposed Budget. The proposed budget includes a 1.84% increase, which is within the 3% that the City of Camrose anticipated and budgeted for 2026.

Proclamation Request
Council authorized the Mayor to proclaim October 12-18, 2025 as Co-op Week in the City of Camrose.

26 Avenue Expropriation
As discussed in a Closed Session, Council directed Administration to commence expropriation proceedings in relation to the extension of 26 Avenue.