Council Meeting Highlights - September 8, 2026

Introduction - New Staff
Cora Harpell-Yates, Health and Safety Advisor, introduced Daniel Paddison, who has joined the City as Health and Safety Administrative Support.

Presentation - Hospice Society
David Samm, Executive Director of the Hospice Society of Camrose and District, provided Council with an overview of the Society’s services, finances, community benefits, and the current state of palliative care in the region.

Council directed Administration to include consideration of financial support for the Society on the list of items to be reviewed during the upcoming budget deliberations.

Presentation - Housing and Homelessness Taskforce
Shannon Holtz, Lyndel Kasa, Inspector Rene Brisson, and Leslie Lindballe, on behalf of the Housing and Homelessness Task Force, provided Council with an update on the Task Force’s activities and initiatives. The presentation included a review of activities to date, an overview of the Coordinated Access initiative, success stories, and planned next steps.

Council directed Administration to include the Task Force’s budget request among the items to be considered during upcoming budget deliberations.

Subdivision Time Extension Policy
Council reviewed a draft policy that would guide how the City handles requests for extra time to complete approved subdivision projects. Currently, these requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with no formal process in place. The proposed policy would make the process more consistent and transparent by setting clear expectations for applicants and clear criteria for decision-makers. It would allow some flexibility when extra time is needed, while ensuring applicants provide a reason and show progress if they request multiple extensions.

The Policy will be brought back to a future Regular Council Meeting for approval.

Recycling Bylaw
The City is proposing a new Recycling Bylaw to support upcoming curbside recycling collection and recycling services for apartment and condominium buildings. The new Bylaw is intended to clearly explain how recycling services will work, what residents can recycle, how materials should be prepared and set out for collection, and the responsibilities of both residents and the City.

The draft Bylaw also updates and clarifies existing rules related to recycling fees, billing, and enforcement. The decision was made to keep recycling rules separate from garbage collection rules to make it easier for residents to understand the requirements for each service.

The Bylaw will be brought forward to a future Regular Council meeting for approval.

Marler Phase 2 Update
The Marler Drive upgrade project includes replacing underground water and sewer lines and rebuilding the road, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks between Mount Pleasant Drive and 68 Street. Construction is currently about five weeks behind schedule because of the unusually wet weather earlier this summer. Work on the underground utilities is moving forward, and parts of Marler Drive are expected to reopen in stages before winter. However, if there are further delays, some of the final surface work may need to be completed in early 2027.

2026 Alberta Municipalities Resolutions Book
Council members attending the 2026 Alberta Municipalities Convention received guidance on how to vote on key resolutions that affect municipalities and appointed Councillor Banack to speak, if needed, in support of a resolution that would make more water infrastructure funding available to municipalities like Camrose.

Advocacy Topics Update
Since the Committee of the Whole Council last reviewed the Advocacy Topics report on August 10, 2026, the following updates were made:

• Topic 1 – Water Security: Draft feasibility study received from the CRSWSC for review with comments due September 4. This will be discussed at the CRSWSC Board meeting on September 17.
• Topic 4 - Underpass within the Stoney Creek Valley: August 24 – Council supported the submission of an application to the Railway Safety Improvement Program.

Centra Cam Recycle Depot Operations Agreement
Council has approved a new agreement with Centra Cam Vocational Training Association to continue operating the City’s Recycle Depot. Residents will continue to be able to drop off accepted recyclable materials at the depot, while some services will be updated, including changes to commercial cardboard collection to smaller collection only, added staffing for sorting of household hazardous waste material, and assistance with maintaining the City’s waste and organics carts. Centra Cam will also continue to manage the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the depot.

This agreement is in place until December 31, 2027. The City will consider future agreements as needed to continue depot services after that date.

Condominium Conversion Policy
Council has approved an updated Condominium Conversion Policy that better reflects Council’s governance role by providing clear policy direction, while a separate administrative procedure outlines how condominium conversion applications will be reviewed and processed by Administration.

Bylaw 3413-26 Addressing Bylaw
Council approved a new Addressing Bylaw that gives Administration the authority to name roadways and assign municipal addresses, with an additional corresponding administrative policy that provides standards and procedures to support consistent addressing practices and Next Generation 9-1-1 requirements.

Budget for Green Building Pathway Feasibility Studies
Council has approved $40,000 for the Green Building Pathway Feasibility Studies project. The project will assess approximately 10 major City-owned facilities and identify opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, support long-term asset planning, and guide future investment decisions. The funding also supports the City's effort to secure federal grant funding, which could cover up to 80% of eligible project costs.

Memorial Sign Placement Request
Council has approved a memorial sign beside the Stoney Creek Centre to honour Garry and Dorothy Gibson for their longstanding contributions to the Camrose Ski Club and the community. The sign will also include a map of local ski and bike trails to help visitors find their way, with the Camrose Ski Club responsible for installation and ongoing maintenance.

Memorial Light Pole Placement Request
Council has approved the Camrose Ski Club’s request to install a memorial solar light pole along a ski trail in Stoney Creek Valley to honour Ole Heie for his contributions to the Club and the community. The Ski Club will pay for the installation and ongoing maintenance, and the City will work with the Club to choose a suitable location and ensure the light is installed safely.

Bicycle Disposition Policy
Council has approved a new policy for handling unclaimed bicycles. The policy keeps the same options for disposing of unclaimed bikes, including donating usable bicycles to community organizations or selling them through a public auction, while moving detailed staff processes into a separate administrative procedure that can be updated as needed.