Sturgeon County Council Recap: June 30, 2026

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Federation of Canadian Municipalities Defence Task Force Appointment 

Council appointed Mayor Hnatiw to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Defence Task Force, effective immediately. This Task Force brings together municipal and federal representatives to discuss defence policy, infrastructure priorities, and opportunities for collaboration.  

Town of Gibbons Viability Review – Community Vote Outcome 

Council received the Gibbons Viability Review update, including the results of the dissolution vote, known implications, and next steps, as information. On June 24 and 25, 2026, Gibbons residents voted 68.5% in favour of remaining a town. 

Municipal Property Tax Relief – Tax Roll 3024001 

Council cancelled property tax penalties for tax roll 3024001 in the amount of $800.21.  

Bylaw 1718/26 – Amendment to Bylaw 1696/25 – 2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw  

Council approved Bylaw 1718/26, an amendment to increase the base hourly rate for electric vehicle charging from $2.00 to $2.50 per charging hour, achieving cost neutrality for the operation of Sturgeon County electric vehicle charging stations.  

Waste Management Vision Statement Adoption and Master Plan Development 

Council approved the adoption of the Waste Vision Statement and funding of $120,000 from the Municipal Tax Stabilization Reserve for the development of a Waste Management Master Plan. 
 
This will provide clear direction to advance a coordinated, long-term approach to waste management.  

Industrial Heartland Traffic Coordination Overview Update 

Council directed Administration to carry out an integrated Traffic Impact Assessment of the Industrial Heartland in relation to current and upcoming development and growth projects. Funding will be provided through interim financing from the Tax Stabilization Reserve in advance of collection of development fees. 

Council also directed Administration to include cost estimates for the recommended Transportation Master Plan update and accompanying plans and studies for funding consideration as part of the 2027 Budget deliberations. 
 
Additionally, Council approved an allocation of $75,000 from the Network Reserves to fund a Traffic Impact Study of the Industrial Heartland Area.  

Major Community Capital Grant Requests 

Council approved grants with funding from the Community Enhancement Reserve, as recommended by the Sand and Gravel Advisory Committee, to the Riviere Qui Barre Agricultural Society ($450,000), West Sturgeon Agricultural Society ($400,000) and West Sturgeon People Aging in Place ($250,000).  

Provincially Authorized Developments 

Council directed Administration to prepare amendments to the Land Use Bylaw to add Provincially authorized developments as a discretionary use in all districts and add an enhanced notification level. This option would enhance communication with residents and add a “notification fee” to the discretionary use development permit.  
 
Provincially authorized developments are developments where a licence, permit, approval or other form of authorization from a Provincial body prevails over some elements of a municipality’s land use authority. Recent legislative changes will increase the number of developments that are subject to these specialized processes. 

Dark Sky Policy (Mayor Hnatiw) 

Council directed Administration to bring forward a Terms of Reference for a Dark Sky Policy to the July 14, 2026 Regular Council Meeting.  

Community Grant Program Review (Deputy Mayor McLennan) 

Council postponed this item to the August 25, 2026 Regular Council Meeting. 

Report on Employee Work Arrangements (Deputy Mayor McLennan) 

Council directed Administration to provide a report to Council at the November 10, 2026 Regular Council Meeting on employee remote and hybrid work arrangements, and known financial, legal and practical implications to any adjustment options.  

County Funding for Signalization at the Provincial Intersection at Highways 643 and 38 (Councillor Berry) 

Council approved an allocation of $825,000 from the Municipal Tax Stabilization Reserve to fund the signalization at the intersection at Highways 643 and 38.  

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Notices of Motion

Sub-Regional Policy Development 

Councillor Toms gave notice that she will introduce the following motion at the August 25, 2026 Regular Council Meeting:  

That Administration prepare a policy or policies, to be reviewed by the Governance and Council Services Committee and recommended to Council, that describes Sturgeon County’s positions on intermunicipal efficiency, service and infrastructure delivery, cost sharing, sub-regional governance models, and specific commitments in the case of the future dissolution of a community within Sturgeon County.  

Review of Small Business Incentives Policy 

Deputy Mayor McLennan gave notice that he will introduce the following motion at the August 25, 2026 Regular Council Meeting:  

That Administration and the Economic Development Advisory Board review and provide recommendations on potential amendments to the Small Business Incentives Policy that would increase program uptake, and report to Council in Q4 2026.  

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Realtors Association of Edmonton Presentation

The Committee received the Realtors Association of Edmonton presentation as information, regarding recent estate trends in the Edmonton metropolitan region.  

CLOSED SESSION 

Council received a confidential project update in closed session as information.