THE CITY OF SPRUCE GROVE

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council

-
3rd Floor - Council Chambers
315 Jespersen Ave
Spruce Grove, AB T7X 3E8
Members Present:
  • Mayor Acker
  • Councillor Carter
  • Councillor Gillett
  • Councillor Houston
  • Councillor MacDonald
  • Councillor Oldham
  • Councillor Stevenson
Also in Attendance:
  • Dean Screpnek, City Manager
  • David Wolanski, General Manager of Community and Protective Services
  • Jamie Doyle, General Manager of Sustainable Growth and Development Services
  • Zeeshan Hasan, General Manager of Corporate Services
  • Anthony Lemphers, Director of Finance (Outgoing)
  • Deborah Comfort, Director of Recreation and Culture
  • Francine Pitcher, Director of Finance (Incoming)
  • Jennifer Hetherington, Director of Corporate Communications
  • Trudy Dyer, Director of Human Resources
  • Marlin Degrand, Manager of Enforcement Services
  • Karey Steil, Transit Planner and Administrative Liaison to the Youth Advisory Committee
  • Lindsay O'Mara, City Clerk
  • Nicole Hitchens, Recording Secretary

Mayor Acker called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and acknowledged that City Council meets on the traditional land of Treaty 6 territory.

Mayor Acker proclaimed December 3, 2024 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

2.

 
  • Resolution:RCM-300-24
    Moved by:Councillor Houston

    THAT the agenda be adopted as presented.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-301-24
    Moved by:Councillor Stevenson

    THAT the recommendations contained in the following reports be approved:

    Item 4.1Minutes - November 18, 2024 Regular Council Meeting

    Item 12.1C-1366-24 - Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment - Timing of Meetings in an Election Year - First Reading

    Item 13.1CP-1059-24 - Council Administration Protocol Policy

    Unanimously Carried

The following motion was approved on the Consent Agenda:

  • THAT the November 18, 2024 Regular Council Meeting minutes be approved as presented.

There were no Public Hearings on the agenda.

David Ibsen of Spruce Grove attended virtually to make a statement regarding Heritage Programs and Supports in the 2025 - 2027 Corporate Plan.

Mayor Acker thanked David Ibsen for attending virtually to speak to Council and provided that a discussion will be held to review strategic planning ahead of spring budget adjustments and will bring this up at the Spruce Grove and District Agricultural Heritage Society Annual General Meeting this month.

David Wolanski, General Manager of Community and Protective Services, added that while the plan is not included until 2027, work is still being coordinated while a detailed plan is prepared. 

Gordon Rink of Spruce Grove was present to make a statement regarding concerns with parking on Longview Drive.

Mayor Acker thanked Gordon Rink for attending to speak to Council and provided that Council has received several emails from the neighbourhood about parking and safety and take safety concerns seriously.

Jamie Doyle, General Manager of Sustainable Growth and Development Services, shared that five main concerns in the public submissions have been identified: parking, emergency access, pedestrian safety, design compatibility, and traffic management, and outlined how the City is trying to address the concerns.

Beatrice Fotty of Spruce Grove was present to make a statement regarding the design compatibility of the Stoneshire townhouse development. 

Mayor Acker thanked Beatrice Fotty for attending to speak to Council and provided that this development was approved and the City does not have a say in the architectural controls of developments. Jamie Doyle, General Manager of Sustainable Growth and Development Services, added that Administration will speak with the developers about the design concerns. 

Jim Jones of Spruce Grove was present to make a statement regarding concerns with the proposed development at 88 Longview Drive.

Mayor Acker thanked Jim Jones for attending to speak to Council.

Jamie Doyle, General Manager of Sustainable Growth and Development Services, provided that the developer is revising the site plan and that information can be provided to residents. He will also reach out to the developer to better understand the parking spill out at 92 Longview. David Wolanski, General Manager of Community and Protective Services, added that Enforcement is aware of the concerns in the area and are actively monitoring and taking action.

Margaret Jones of Spruce Grove was present to ask a question about development proposals.

Mayor Acker thanked Margaret Jones for attending to speak to Council and provided that the community concerns will be shared with the developers as they go through the design process. 

The City Clerk read emails on behalf of Maureen McDonald and Marc McDonald of Spruce Grove regarding parking on Longview Drive.

Mayor Acker thanked Maureen McDonald and Marc McDonald for emailing in the statements.

There were no Council Presentations on the agenda.

Karey Steil, Administrative Liaison to the Youth Advisory Committee, introduced Cara Nicholls, Chair, and Hannah Dunbar, Vice Chair, of the Youth Advisory Committee.

Cara Nicholls, Hannah Dunbar, and Karey Steil provided a presentation on the Youth Advisory Committee - 2024 Year End Report.

Council thanked Cara Nicholls, Hannah Dunbar, and Karey Steil for the presentation. 

Mayor Acker called a recess at 6:58 p.m.

Mayor Acker reconvened the meeting at 7:02 p.m.

  • Resolution:RCM-302-24
    Moved by:Councillor Houston

    THAT Council go into Closed Session at 7:02 p.m. under the following sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

    Item 9.1  Brand Framework Update 3

    Section 24; Advice from officials

    Item 9.2  2025 Public Member Board and Committee Appointments

    Section 17; Disclosure harmful to personal privacy

    Item 9.3  Request for Waiver of Penalty

    Section 24; Advice from officials

    Item 9.4  2024 Labour Relations Collective Bargaining

    Section 24; Advice from officials

    Item 9.5  Police Act Changes - New RCMP Governance Model

    Section 24; Advice from officials

    Item 9.6  Partnership Funding Agreement

    Section 16; Disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party

    Unanimously Carried

9.1
Brand Framework Update 3
Jennifer Hetherington

 

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 9.1 Brand Framework Update 3:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Jamie Doyle, Zeeshan Hasan, Lindsay O'Mara, Jennifer Hetherington, and Cinnamon Toast Consultants, Rachel Kamstra and Andrea Dyer.

9.2
2025 Public Member Board and Committee Appointments
Lindsay O'Mara

 

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 9.2 2025 Public Member Board and Committee Appointments:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Jamie Doyle, Zeeshan Hasan, Lindsay O'Mara, and Deb Comfort.

9.3
Request for Waiver of Penalty
Dean Screpnek

 

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 9.3 Request for Waiver of Penalty:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Jamie Doyle, Zeeshan Hasan, and Lindsay O'Mara.

9.4
2024 Labour Relations Collective Bargaining
Trudy Dyer

 

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 9.4 2024 Labour Relations Collective Bargaining:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Jamie Doyle, Zeeshan Hasan, Lindsay O'Mara, and Trudy Dyer.

9.5
Police Act Changes - New RCMP Governance Model
David Wolanski

 

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 9.5 Policy Act Changes - New RCMP Governance Model:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Jamie Doyle, Zeeshan Hasan, Lindsay O'Mara, and Marlin Degrand.

9.6
Partnership Funding Agreement
David Wolanski

 

The following persons were also in Closed Session to provide information or administrative support for item 9.6 Partnership Funding Agreement:

Dean Screpnek, David Wolanski, Jamie Doyle, Zeeshan Hasan, Lindsay O'Mara, and Deb Comfort.

9.7
Return to Open Session - December 2, 2024

 
  • Resolution:RCM-303-24
    Moved by:Councillor Carter

    THAT Council move out of Closed Session at 9:44 p.m. 

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-304-24
    Moved by:Councillor Carter

    THAT the Brand Framework be finalized as presented in Closed Session.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-305-24
    Moved by:Councillor MacDonald

    Community Services Advisory Committee

    THAT the following individuals be appointed as members of the Community Services Advisory Committee for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2027:

    • Kimberley Shuya
    • Jeff Tokar
    • Dee Zilke
    • Tessa Scott
    • Spencer Bennett
    • Neil Quaid
    • Gene Kushnir
    • Lisa Iwanyk
    • Ambili Rose
    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-306-24
    Moved by:Councillor Gillett

    Community Services Advisory Committee

    THAT Hannah Dunbar be appointed as the youth member of the Community Services Advisory Committee for a two-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2026.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-307-24
    Moved by:Councillor Oldham

    Spruce Grove Public Library Board

    THAT Sharon Shuya be reappointed as a member of the Spruce Grove Library Board for a second three-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2027.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-308-24
    Moved by:Councillor Oldham

    Spruce Grove Public Library Board

    THAT the following individuals be appointed as members of the Spruce Grove Library Board for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2027:

    • Ashley French
    • Shelly McDonald
    • Teresa Anderton
    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-309-24
    Moved by:Councillor Stevenson

    TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre Board

    THAT Amanda Chubey be appointed as a member of the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre Board for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2027.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-310-24
    Moved by:Councillor Carter

    Youth Advisory Committee

    THAT Meagan Tokar be appointed as a member of the Youth Advisory Committee for a one-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2025.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-311-24
    Moved by:Councillor Oldham

    Youth Advisory Committee 

    THAT the following individuals be appointed as members of the Youth Advisory Committee for a third one-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2025:

    • Cara Nicholls
    • Dylan Yee
    • Havana Sinclair
    • Jasmeet Pujji
    • Joaquin Tabulog
    • Rowan Johnson
    • Sierra Manning
    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-312-24
    Moved by:Councillor MacDonald

    Youth Advisory Committee

    THAT the following individuals be appointed as members of the Youth Advisory Committee for a second one-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2025:

    • Cole Cochrane
    • Hannah Dunbar
    • Isabella Quintanilla
    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-313-24
    Moved by:Councillor Stevenson

    Council Board and Committee Reserve List

    THAT the following names be approved as qualified applicants on the Council Board and Committee Reserve List:

    • Shelly McDonald
    • Shae Masse 
    • Ian Bramble 
    • Lori Bethel 
    • Kimberly Fisher
    • Patrick Guidera
    • Luke Osbak (Youth Advisory Committee)
    • Elsa Romiya (Youth Advisory Committee)
    • James Nicholls (Youth Advisory Committee)
    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-314-24
    Moved by:Councillor Oldham

    THAT Administration be directed to respond to the requestor advising of denial of the request for waiver of penalty.

    In Favour: Mayor Acker, Councillor Carter, Councillor Gillett, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Oldham, and Councillor Stevenson

    Opposed: Councillor Houston

    Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-315-24
    Moved by:Councillor Gillett

    THAT the collective bargaining mandate with Local 955, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) as recommended by Administration be approved.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-316-24
    Moved by:Councillor MacDonald

    THAT Administration be directed to amend the Partnership Funding Agreement with the Parkland Pickleheads as per the proposal presented in Closed Session.

    Unanimously Carried

There were no Administrative Updates on the agenda.

12.

 

The following motion was approved on the Consent Agenda:

THAT first reading be given to C-1366-24 - Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment - Timing of Meetings in an Election Year.

Lindsay O'Mara, City Clerk, presented on C-1366-24 - Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment - Timing of Meetings in an Election Year.

Council thanked Lindsay O'Mara for the presentation.

  • Resolution:RCM-317-24
    Moved by:Councillor Stevenson

    THAT second reading be given to C-1366-24 - Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment - Timing of Meetings in an Election Year.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-318-24
    Moved by:Councillor Houston

    THAT unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading to C-1366-24 - Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment - Timing of Meetings in an Election Year.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-319-24
    Moved by:Councillor Gillett

    THAT third reading be given to C-1366-24 - Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment - Timing of Meetings in an Election Year.

    Unanimously Carried

The following motion was approved on the Consent Agenda:

  • THAT CP-1059-24 - Council / Administration Protocol Policy be approved as presented.

Zeeshan Hasan, General Manager of Corporate Services, presented on CP-1060-24 - Reserves and Accumulated Surplus Policy.

Council thanked Zeeshan Hasan for the presentation.

  • Resolution:RCM-320-24
    Moved by:Councillor Carter

    ​​​​THAT CP-1060-24 - Reserves and Accumulated Surplus Policy be approved as presented.   

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-321-24
    Moved by:Councillor Oldham

    ​​THAT the transfer of $27,296,723 from Unrestricted Surplus to Restricted Reserves, as presented in the Reserves Continuity Schedule, be approved.

    Unanimously Carried

Anthony Lemphers, Director of Finance (Outgoing), presented on the 2025 - 2027 Corporate Plan and 2025 Operating and Capital Budget.

Council thanked Anthony Lemphers for the presentation.

  • Resolution:RCM-322-24
    Moved by:Councillor MacDonald

    THAT Council approve the 2025 - 2027 Corporate Plan and adoption of the 2025 Budget.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-323-24
    Moved by:Councillor Stevenson

    THAT Council approve the 2025 Operating Budget, containing $125,779,000 in total revenues, including a general municipal tax requirement of $58,444,000 and non-tax revenue of $67,335,000, with total expenditures consisting of expenses of $113,647,000 and a net transfer to reserves of $12,132,000, as shown in Attachment 2.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-324-24
    Moved by:Councillor Houston

    THAT Council approve the 2025 Capital Budget, containing $22,594,000 in capital revenues, $33,080,000 in expenditures, and a net transfer from reserves of $10,486,000, as shown in Attachment 2.

    Unanimously Carried
  • Resolution:RCM-325-24
    Moved by:Councillor Gillett

    THAT Council approve the Capital projects spanning more than one year in duration, as per the attached 2025 Multi-Year Project Summary, as shown in Attachment 4.

    Unanimously Carried

Councillor Reports updates were provided for information on Boards and Committees attended. 

There were no Notices of Motion provided.

  • Resolution:RCM-326-24
    Moved by:Councillor Gillett

    THAT the Regular Council meeting adjourn at 10:39 p.m.

    Unanimously Carried
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