Sturgeon County Council Recap: July 15, 2025

Public Presentation – Request for Payment Time Extension for Firefighting Invoice – 55231 Range Road 255 

Council approved an amendment to the existing Charging Agreement between Liane and Zachary Menzel and Sturgeon County, extending the deadline to pay the firefighting invoice for 55231 Range Road 255 to August 31, 2026, or until all related legal matters are resolved, whichever comes first. This extension is conditional on maintaining a charge against the property title for the outstanding amount. Payment will also include any accrued interest and Sturgeon County’s legal fees.  

Additionally, an update from the taxpayer regarding the legal status of this case is required every six months. In the event of non-compliance with any of the conditions on the charge against the property title, the full amount will become immediately payable; failing to do so may result in the County adding the amount owing to the tax roll. 

Public Hearing – Bylaw 1665/24 – Redistricting a portion of NE, NW, SE, SW-20-54-26-W4, NE-19-54-26-W4, SW-21-54-26-W4, and NE-17-54-26-W4 to Resource Extraction Direct Control District 2 

Council held a public hearing to receive submissions for or against Bylaw 1665/24; this proposal would amend Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 to facilitate the continuation of a natural resource extraction area; this expansion requires a new permit. To issue a new development permit this land must be rezoned to the new Resource Extraction Direct Control district (REDC2). 

Council will consider the presentations made during the hearing and any written submissions registered and will make a decision at a future Council meeting. 
 

Public Hearing – Bylaw 1683/25 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 – Redistricting a Portion of RL-64-54-25-4 (Pinnacle Village Outline Plan) 

Council held a public hearing to receive submissions for or against Bylaw 1683/25, which would redistrict approximately 14 hectares within RL 64-54-25-4 (located directly north of Pinnacle Ridge on the east side of Starkey Road) in alignment with the Pinnacle Village Outline Plan, for a proposed development of a 144 multi-lot residential subdivision. 

Council will consider the presentations made during the hearing and any written submissions registered and will make a decision at a future Council meeting. 

Consolidated Contract Award Report – June 17 to July 4, 2025 

Council accepted the Consolidated Contract Award Report of June 17 to July 4, 2025 as information. 

Award of the 2025 Dale MacMillan Scholarship for Community Leadership 

Council awarded the 2025 Dale MacMillan Scholarship for Community Leadership to Morgan Williams and Mya Leeman. 

Bylaw 1675/25 – Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 1385/17 – Redistricting of SE-12-57-21-W4 from AG – Agriculture District to RE – Resource Extraction District – Second and Third Readings

Council gave second and third readings of Bylaw 1675/25 which includes the proposed hauling route for ‘Pit 79.’ This bylaw enables the redistricting of SE-12-57-21-W4 from an Agriculture District (AG) to a Resource Extraction District (RE). This allows the applicant to facilitate a natural resource extraction operation, specifically silica sand extraction, on the 64.7-hectare parcel of land. 

Sil Industrial Minerals: Victoria Trail Bridge Replacement Cost Share 

Council authorised the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a Cost Contribution Agreement with Sil Industrial Minerals (543077 Alberta Ltd.) for the replacement of the Victoria Trail Bridge. With an approximate total project budget of $3,400,000, Sturgeon County’s 30% contribution of $1,020,000 will be funded from the County’s Municipal Infrastructure Reserve. 

Bylaw 1689/25 – Amendment to Heartland Incentive Bylaw 1552/21 – Second and Third Readings 

Council gave second and third readings of Bylaw 1689/25, enabling an amendment to the existing Heartland Incentive Bylaw to permit implementation of a phased approach to projects considered under this initiative. 

Bylaw 1688/25 – Parks Bylaw – First Reading 

Council gave first reading of Bylaw 1688/25, which is meant to regulate activities and usage permitted within County parks such as hosting special events, haying and grazing, tree harvesting, business operations, Licenses of Occupation, leases and agreements for the construction and operation of amenities (such as playgrounds, rinks, and community gardens), and renting picnic shelters and obtaining liquor licenses. 

Range Road 235 (Lily Lake Road) – Variable Speed Limit for Prairie Gardens 

Council directed Administration to schedule a non-statutory public hearing on August 26th, 2025, for the proposed seasonal speed limit change on a portion of Range Road 235 in front of Prairie Gardens from 100 km/hr to 80 km/hr. 

Community Grants Policy Update 

Council approved the updated Community Grants Policy, reflecting Council’s previous direction on grant allocation at the March 25, 2025 Council Meeting. This policy establishes a framework for distribution of grant requests from Sturgeon County community non-profit organizations that provide broad and inclusive recreational, cultural, and social programs and services to County residents. 

Industrial Heartland Process Water Intake Initiative – Phase 1 

Council directed Administration to initiate “Phase One” of the Industrial Heartland Process Water Initiative, including the acquisition of all land required for the project in accordance with the selection criteria as outlined in the Process Water Intake Location Assessment, procurement of a qualified engineering firm to complete the detailed design of the project and initiation of the associated public communications plan.  

This project will support future Heartland industrial sites to access process water, rather than potable (drinking) water, in their business processes. This initiative will also provide community benefit in the form of reserving more of Sturgeon County’s drinking water system for resident consumption, especially during times of drought. 

West Sturgeon People Aging in Place – Major Grant Request 

Council approved the referral of West Sturgeon People Aging in Place’s grant request of $381,520.29 from to the 2026 Community Grants process. This grant would allow that organization to install solar panels as part of their on-going commitment to become “greener” and reduce their carbon footprint. The solar panels could provide 50% of West Country Hearth’s electricity and potentially save $40,000 a year in electrical costs. 

Villeneuve Lift Station Generator 

Council authorized Administration to procure a stand-alone permanent generator for the Villeneuve Lift Station with a budget not to exceed $200,000 (to be funded from the County’s Utility Infrastructure Reserve).  

This purchase will ensure continued flow of sanitary sewage during potential power outages in the Hamlet of Villeneuve. Historically, power outages have disrupted the operation of this lift station and have led to sewer backups at West Country Hearth. 

Villeneuve Future Possibilities Consultation – What We Heard Report 

Council received the Villeneuve Future Possibilities Consultation – What We Heard Report as information and directed Administration to bring forward a proposed process (including timelines and costs) for Council’s consideration of the themes presented in the Report. 

Villeneuve Sound Attenuation Wall 

Council received the Villeneuve Sound Attenuation Wall update as information and directed Administration to conclude reviews on this matter until such time as a valid petition to establish a local improvement levy is received from the community. 
 

CLOSED SESSION

Contractual Matter 

Council discussed a contractual matter in closed session.  

COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE 

Letter from the Sand and Gravel Advisory Committee re Distribution of CAP Levy Funds 

Council accepted correspondence received from the Sand and Gravel Advisory Committee dated July 7, 2025 as information. 

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 

Broadband Phase 1 and 2 Update 

The Committee received the Broadband Phase 1 and 2 update as information. 

The Committee recommended to Council that Administration engage with landowners in Sturgeon Industrial Park and Legal Crossing to gather interest in potential Phase 2 connected broadband service, including cost-recovery options, for Council’s consideration within the 2026 capital budget review.  

Sturgeon County has been encouraging Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to improve broadband quality and speeds available to residents and businesses in the County and has invested in building new broadband facilities to serve areas of the community.