Kylie Rude

The Council discussed and addressed several key items including the final 2026 operating budget and 3-year financial plan, the 2026 capital budget and 5-year capital plan, and the adoption of the Utility Bylaw and Tax Rate Bylaw. Additional agenda items covered administrative and operational reports, policy updates such as the Privacy Management Plan, and various new business items including the appointment of an Assessment Review Board member and a request to reschedule a future council meeting. The session also included updates on ongoing projects like the 51 Avenue sewer line, the Canada Summer Jobs Grant hiring process, and a review of quarterly municipal enforcement reports.

The council discussed various operational and administrative items including garbage collection service options, the re-approval of a joint use agreement between the community centre, curling club, and the village, and potential changes to tree dump operations to improve accessibility and compliance. Additionally, council addressed the proposed sale of village-owned land below market value, reviewed a financial report regarding tax arrears, utility training outcomes, and fire department service recognitions, and received updates on upcoming regional events and strategic planning.

The regular council meeting agenda included several significant items. Key discussions involved garbage service, with Administration seeking direction on contracting out the service, potentially with Prairie Waste Solutions, and associated rate structures. Council also addressed utility balance disputes for a specific property, noting that previous compromise offers were not accepted and the arrears were transferred to the tax roll. Furthermore, the Council was set to consider readings for the Annual Borrowing Bylaw (2026-001) to finance operating expenditures and the Fees and Charges Bylaw (2026-002), which proposes a flat monthly rate for snow removal services. Other new business included participation in the Regional Fire Services Funding mediation process and allocating funds for the removal of elm trees along 52 Street due to infrastructure damage. The summary of a recent Public Auction held on January 21, 2026, where two out of four properties sold, was also reviewed.

The meeting included discussions on various topics, such as equipment repairs and purchases, Christmas concert and lights, Christmas spirit contest, financial updates, and development questions. The council also discussed the Tax Installment Payment Plan Bylaw 2025-013, library board financials, review of financial reporting policy, review of snow clearing policy, and the Canada Summer Jobs Grant. Other topics included capital and operating budget, land use bylaw, utility bylaw, community standards bylaw, traffic bylaw, public participation policy, CCV maintenance policy, sewer line maintenance, strategic plan, tax incentives, economic development, removing concrete from tree dump, address signage bylaw, priorities for grants, tree dump policy, and Treaty 6 recognition.

The meeting included discussions and proposed actions regarding several key areas. These included a funding request from the Andrew Rural Academy Foundation, review and signing of the Council/CAO Covenant policy, and provision of benefits information for the CAO and employees. Further discussions covered a borrowing bylaw for sewer line replacement, water line repairs, and road repairs, as well as daycare proposals and the potential sale of a building to the Andrew Rural Academy. Lastly, the council considered attending the Two Hills Tourism Conference and Tradeshow to promote the Village.