Sherry Baers

Key discussions included directing Administration to respond to the Town of Strathmore's letter concerning the recovery of outstanding costs related to the Township Road 240 construction project. Additionally, the Council appointed Sherry Baers as the Chief Administrative Officer, effective February 24, 2026.

Key discussions and directives from the Council meeting included the approval of up to $112,530 for new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and related equipment for the Dalum Fire Protection Association, funded from the Fire Capital Reserve. Council accepted an offer of $570,000 for the purchase of approximately one acre containing a commercial building, contingent upon subdivision approval. Furthermore, Administration was directed to advocate for the Government of Canada to reverse the decision to close the Lacombe Research and Development Centre. Other directives involved preparing a Wheatland Housing Management Body questionnaire package for the subsequent meeting, finalizing a wastewater hauling agreement with the Town of Strathmore for the Lakes of Muirfield community, requesting a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, and negotiating amendments to the Annexation Agreement with the Town of Strathmore.

The meeting began with procedural announcements regarding in-person and remote attendance, adherence to the Municipal Government Act, and recording practices. The agenda was amended to reschedule Item 9.3 to 11:00 a.m. to accommodate a potential buyer, and to add a closed session item regarding an annexation agreement with the town of Strathmore, citing disclosure harmful to intergovernmental relations. Discussions during business arising focused heavily on correspondence from the Wheatland Housing Management Body (WHMBB). Council requested the administration formulate a comprehensive questionnaire package based on submitted questions regarding WHMBB operations, assets (including approximately 20 managed homes and rent grant subsidies), and the status of financial reporting, to be addressed in the subsequent meeting. There was also mention of updates regarding new care options, such as palliative care, being discussed for lodge residents.

The meeting addressed several development permit applications. Key discussions included DP2024-069 for a medium industrial storage facility for trucks and trailers, requiring the removal of a shared approach to install proper drainage swales and individual approaches. Application DP2025-129 concerned bringing an existing RV and leisure vehicle storage business, along with an employee dwelling, into compliance with zoning bylaws, including discussions around advisory notes on propane tank removal. Application DP2025-214 involved an accessory dwelling, necessitating a variance request because the proposed accessory dwelling size exceeded 80% of the primary dwelling size, and required addressing concerns from Lynx Energy regarding access road encroachment for their well operations. The commission approved the recommendations for all reviewed development permit applications.

The meeting commenced with procedural discussions regarding remote participation, recording, and rules for disruptive attendees, noting that voting is recorded via escribe. The agenda was amended to add a new item (9.1) concerning attendance at an emerging trends session and to move an in-camera session regarding township road 240 to 10:30 a.m. to accommodate another party. Discussions surrounding Consent Agenda Item 5.6 (police funding model changes) centered on increasing policing costs, the phased approach for municipal contributions, and the need for better reporting, while also noting existing local funding for policing services. A motion was passed to draft a letter to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services regarding these funding concerns. Consent Agenda Item 5.7 addressed correspondence from the Margo Library regarding unsustainable costs associated with rising Canada Post rates for sending library material, leading to a motion to request withdrawal from proposed amendments to the Canada Post Corporation Act in Bill C15. Council reports included updates on RMPE status, ASB summer tour progress, and recognition of staff response following a December storm.