High River public meetings in 2024
24 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will discuss the ATCO Gas franchise fee agreement, which must be re-approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission before March 17, 2025, or it will terminate. They will also receive an update on the Aquatics Expansion construction project. The meeting includes adoption of the November 25, 2024 minutes.
- ATCO franchise fee agreement: estimated $728,625 in franchise fees for 2025, current fee rate 20%
- Deadline for AUC re-approval is March 17, 2025; otherwise agreement terminates
- Aquatics Expansion construction update (BN-24-35)
Regular Council
Council will consider several bylaws and the 2025 budget, including a 3.4% tax rate increase, a $34.2 million operating budget, and a $31.85 million capital budget. It will also vote on election-related bylaws and appointments, a fire mutual aid agreement, and a tax write-off. The meeting includes routine adoption of minutes and reports.
- Adopt 2025 Operating Budget of $34.2 million and Capital & Special Projects Budget of $31.85 million, with 3.4% tax increase
- Give readings to Bylaw 4632/2024 (Municipal Election Bylaw) to align with legislative changes
- Appoint Jody Hipkin as Returning Officer and Sonja Coleman as Substitute for 2025 election
- Approve 2025 Rate Bylaws (Bylaw 4635/2024 and 4636/2024) for fees and charges
- Authorize write-off of $38,671.02 in grant-in-lieu of property taxes
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will hear delegations from Foothills Pride Society and Ledcor Technical Services, then discuss the broadband survey report, the 2025 operating/capital budget and municipal taxation, and the 2025 rate bylaw. It will also receive information on an infill variance application for 1109 4 St SE. The meeting is primarily for discussion and information; no final decisions are made by this committee.
- Foothills Pride Society delegation on security cameras, crosswalk paint, and statement on targeted vandalism
- Ledcor Technical Services delegation
- Broadband Survey Report (BN-24-36)
- 2025 Operating, Capital & Special Projects Budget - Municipal Taxation (BN-24-37)
- 2025 Rate Bylaw (BN-24-38)
Regular Council
The High River Council will consider implementing a new Reserve Policy and reviewing a request from Westwinds Communities to extend borrowing beyond one year. The meeting also includes discussions regarding the financing of the Aquatics Facility Expansion.
- Implementation of Reserve Policy POL-0091
- Aquatics Facility Expansion funding via Community Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund
- Westwinds Communities request for borrowing extension under the Alberta Housing Act
- Annual review of Reserve Funds due by end of Q3 2025
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is meeting to hear delegations and discuss business items. They will hear from Crowsnest Headwaters requesting a resolution against a coal mining referendum, and from Systemic Architecture Inc. about the Highwood Village North Apartments. Council will also consider a development permit for the apartments and an update to the Subdivision and Development Securities Policy.
- Delegation from Crowsnest Headwaters requesting High River object to Crowsnest Pass coal referendum
- Highwood Village North Apartments development permit application 2006.24 for 117 units in 3 four-storey buildings
- Variance requests for common amenity space (6.2% vs 10% required) and landscape area (35.1% vs 40% required)
- Update to Subdivision and Development Securities Policy (CDR-24-12)
- Infill variances for 1109 4 St SE: stone steps, covered porch, fence above 1.8m
Regular Council
Council will decide on three Community Vitality Advisory Committee grant recommendations totaling $11,820, and approve a new four-year risk management and insurance services agreement with Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) starting January 1, 2025, with expected premiums of $590,238 plus $24,475 for cyber insurance. The agenda also includes adoption of previous minutes, councillor and board reports, and a donation request from Habitat for Humanity.
- Award $5,120 to Jesus Rock of Ages Ministries for Connecting Culture through Basketball
- Award $4,200 to Unity Film Festival for High River Chronicles - Stories of a Prairie Town
- Award $2,500 to Windmill Theatre Players for their 50th Anniversary Celebration
- Approve Risk Management and Insurance Services agreement with RMA (Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange) for 4 years, 2025 premiums $590,238, plus $24,475 for cyber insurance
- Donation request from Habitat for Humanity regarding 'Lunch with the Mayor'
Special Meeting of Council - 07 Nov 2024 - CLOSED pursuant to Sections 23(1) and 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
This is a special meeting of Council that is entirely closed to the public, held to discuss a legal item. The closure is authorized under the Municipal Government Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. No public decisions or discussions are on the agenda.
- Closed meeting pursuant to Section 197(2) of the Municipal Government Act
- Closed under Sections 23(1) and 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- Closed under Section 18(1)(e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Regulation
- Agenda item: Legal Item
Community Vitality Advisory Committee
The Community Vitality Advisory Committee will consider two funding requests under the Community Vitality Fund: $8,620 for a basketball program and $4,200 for a documentary series. They will also review a new fund policy, funding accountability reports, and a funding agreement template, and ratify prior conference and event funding.
- Connecting Cultures Through Basketball - $8,620 request
- High River Chronicles - Stories of a Prairie Town - $4,200 request
- Ratification of Connecting the Dots Conference for $1,800
- Windmill Theatre Gala Request - $2,500
- el papalote 2024 Day of the Dead - $2,000
Organizational Meeting
This is the annual organizational meeting where Council will adopt the meeting schedule for the next year, set the deputy mayor rotation, and make appointments to internal and external boards and committees. The agenda also includes a closed session for a labour item and reappointments of citizens to town boards.
- Adopt Regular Council, Committee of the Whole, and Strategic Priority Session schedule for Nov 1, 2024 - Oct 31, 2025
- Adopt Deputy Mayor and Acting Deputy Mayor rotation schedule for Nov 1, 2024 - Oct 20, 2025
- Reappoint Rob Bennington and Sundi Clark to Assessment Review Board, Pat Shorrock to Library Board, Sundi Clark to Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (3-year terms ending Oct 31, 2027)
- Appoint councillors to internal boards (e.g., Community Vitality Advisory Board, Emergency Advisory Committee) and external boards (e.g., Calgary Metropolitan Region Board, Foothills Regional Emergency Services Commission)
- Closed meeting for a labour item under MGA and FOIP
Regular Council
Council will hear delegations from CAREERS, Rowan House Society, and concerned citizens petitioning against the aquatics expansion borrowing bylaw. They will also give second and third reading to the new Town Plan and consider defeating Bylaw 4633/2024 for the aquatics expansion borrowing after a valid petition was received.
- Second and third reading of Bylaw 4629/2024 (Town Plan / Municipal Development Plan)
- Motion to defeat Bylaw 4633/2024 (Aquatics Expansion borrowing) after valid petition
- Delegation from CAREERS proposing a Foothills Advisory Group for youth internships
- Delegation from Rowan House Society annual update
- Petition from concerned citizens to stop the Aquatics Expansion borrowing bylaw
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is meeting to adopt minutes, hear a delegation from the High River Rotary Club about a wind sculpture, and then move into a closed session for a labour item. The main business is ongoing budget discussions, including finalizing the 2025 capital projects and considering a local improvement tax to fund the Aquatics Expansion.
- High River Rotary Club delegation: wind sculpture purchase totaling $32,650 USD, including shipping and 10-year warranty
- Closed meeting for labour item under MGA and FOIP
- 2025 budget: new capital projects include Crescent Avenue SE mains replacement ($65,000), Wallaceville Pathway Realignment ($300,000), and others
- Proposed local improvement tax of $75/year ($6.25/month) for Aquatics Expansion, shown separately on property assessments
- Tax stabilization reserve approximately $6.8M as of end of 2023
Special Committee of the Whole Budget Discussions
The Special Committee of the Whole is reviewing the 2025 balanced budget, including revenue and expense projections, and discussing the municipal taxation framework, rates and fees, and final decisions on capital and special projects. The meeting includes presentations and Q&A, with no final votes scheduled.
- 2025 budget: $33.82M revenues, $30.17M expenses, balanced with $0 surplus/deficit
- Tax rate scenarios: 1% to 4.95% net municipal tax revenue increase, with residential impacts from $25 to $176 annually
- Capital projects: BSRC aquatics expansion ($20M+), 64th Street paving ($1.95M), 12th Avenue paving ($1.17M), 112th Street East upgrade ($65K-$1.25M)
- Rates and fees: proposed splitting Rate Bylaw into four schedules (utilities, parks/recreation, permits, general)
- Next steps: budget adoption Nov 12, rate bylaws Nov 25, tax bylaw May 31, 2025
Special Committee of the Whole Budget Discussions
The Special Committee of the Whole is reviewing the 2025 capital and special projects budget, including a $20+ million aquatics expansion and several road projects. The budget is balanced with no property tax revenue increase, though scenarios for increases will be discussed at the October 21 meeting. Council will ask questions of administration before final adoption in November.
- BSRC Aquatics Expansion and Lobby Renovations: $20+ million
- 64th Street Paving: $1.95 million
- 12th Avenue Paving (East End to RCMP Intersection): $1.17 million
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Design and Regional Feasibility: $2.8 million
- 0% property tax revenue increase for 2025
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is meeting to discuss three main items: a funding update on the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), a request from Highwood Golf for a noise bylaw exemption, and the joint administration building agreement with MD Foothills. The committee will also adopt minutes from previous meetings. No final decisions are being made at this meeting; it is for discussion and direction.
- Clean Energy Improvement Program funding update: FCM funding unlikely; administration recommends holding program until other funding available
- Highwood Golf requests exemption from Good Neighbor Bylaw noise restrictions to operate equipment before 7 AM
- Discussion of Joint Administration Building Agreement with MD Foothills (2001 agreement)
- Adoption of September 9, 2024 Committee of the Whole minutes
- Adoption of October 7, 2024 Special Committee of the Whole Budget Discussions minutes
Regular Council
High River Council is deciding on several operational items: adopting a sidewalk and pathway repair policy, renewing a lease with Lifemark Health Corp. for space in the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex, removing underused electric vehicle charging stations downtown, and updating strategic priorities. The agenda also includes routine consent items and requests for proclamations.
- Adopt Sidewalk and Pathway Repair and Inspection Policy POL-0089
- Renew lease with Lifemark Health Corp. for Unit 201, 228 12 Ave SE, with 2% annual rent increases over 5 years (year 1: $31,212.00)
- Remove plug-in electric vehicle charging stations off 3rd Ave S between Centre Street and 1st West
- Adopt updated Top 5 Strategic Priorities including recycling program, skatepark, town farm, 112 Street E area structure plan, and water strategy
Special Committee of the Whole Budget Discussions
The Special Committee of the Whole is holding budget discussions for 2025, reviewing the CAO's budget briefing and draft operating and capital budgets. The proposed budget aims to be balanced with no projected increases in taxes or utilities, though council may direct rate changes based on infrastructure needs. The meeting includes a question-and-answer period for council to query administration.
- 2025 Operating Budget Binder Version 1.0
- 2025 Capital Budget Binder Version 1.0
- HRGM Fee for Service Request (002)
- Each 1% tax increase generates approximately $155,000 in new revenue
- New construction estimated to bring about $200,000 in new revenue
Special Meeting of Council - 02 Oct 2024 - CLOSED pursuant to Sections 23(1) and 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
This is a special meeting of Council that is entirely closed to the public under provincial privacy and municipal law. The only substantive item is a legal matter discussed in private. No decisions or public business are on the agenda.
- Closed meeting pursuant to Sections 23(1) and 24(1) of FOIP Act and Section 18(1)(c) of FOIP Regulation
- Legal item discussed in closed session
Regular Council
High River Council is deciding on several capital contracts, including a water treatment plant upgrade, rooftop unit replacement at Town Hall, and a new bucket truck. They will also consider funding for mold remediation at the Boys and Girls Club, cemetery ribbon replacement, and a consultant for the 112 St. E. area structure plan. Delegations will present on air quality monitoring and a youth mental wellness hub.
- Award $291,750.16 contract to Ridgeline/CIMA+ for Water Treatment Plant UVT upgrade and PLC 5 replacement
- Award $587,888 contract to Chisholm Industries for rooftop unit replacement at Town Hall
- Award $242,538 purchase contract to Altec Industries for a new bucket truck
- Approve $110,000 from reserves for mold remediation at Boys and Girls Club (1204-10th Street SE)
- Award $277,763 contract to Tetra Tech for 112 St. E. Area Structure Plan and Functional Servicing Report
Regular Council
High River Council will vote on whether to defeat Bylaw 4621/2024 for an Entertainment District, and consider first, second, and third readings of a new Board & Committee Bylaw. They will also decide on funding for a community event, approve a policy amendment, update council remuneration policies, and confirm participation in a transit funding expression of interest.
- Defeat Bylaw 4621/2024 Entertainment District (second and third reading)
- First, second, and third reading of Bylaw 4626/2024 to amend Board & Committee Bylaw 4615/2023
- Award $6,000 to Brian Chipchase Show & Shine
- Adopt amended Council Remuneration Policy #096 and new Reimbursable Expense Policy #097
- Confirm participation in Canada Public Transit Fund Expression of Interest via CMRB
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is discussing a collaborative regional economic development partnership with other Calgary Metropolitan Region municipalities, which may involve a future financial request. They are also considering a proposal for public art in a downtown traffic circle. The meeting includes adoption of previous minutes and routine procedural items.
- Discussion of Collaborative Regional Economic Development Partnership, with potential financial ask in first year
- Rotary proposal for public art in downtown traffic circle
- Adoption of August 12, 2024 Committee of the Whole minutes
Community Vitality Advisory Committee
The Community Vitality Advisory Committee is reviewing a $6,000 request for the Brian Chipchase Show & Shine. The committee is also discussing a revised policy for approval by Council on September 9, 2024.
- Brian Chipchase Show & Shine: $6,000 requested
- Revised Community Vitality Fund policy for Council approval
- Senator Riley Outdoor Playground discussion
- Remaining 2024 CVAC funding: $40,889.46
Regular Council
Council will consider first reading of a borrowing bylaw for the aquatics expansion, along with several policy updates and budget amendments. They will also discuss next steps for the RedTail Rise development, including requirements for an Area Structure Plan and rezoning. The agenda includes routine items such as minutes and correspondence.
- Bylaw 4633/2024 - Aquatics Expansion Borrowing Bylaw (first reading)
- Budget amendment of $102,500 for RCMP HVAC equipment replacement
- Adoption of Municipal Displays of Respect and Support Policy #094
- Amendment to Respectful and Violence Free Workplace Policy HR-POL-100-02
- RedTail Rise development: next steps including Area Structure Plan and rezoning
Second Public Hearing - Town Plan
Council is holding the second public hearing for Bylaw 4629/2024, the Town Plan (Municipal Development Plan), which will guide development in High River for the next 20 years. The hearing follows extensive public consultation and revisions made in response to feedback from the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board and Foothills County. Council will consider any public feedback received at this hearing before potentially adopting the plan.
- Bylaw 4629/2024 - Town Plan (Municipal Development Plan)
- New policies for regionally significant transportation corridors, including the 543 Corridor (498 Ave. E)
- New map identifying regional transportation corridors within 1.6 km
- Foothills County supports dark sky standard and no annexation policy
- DREAM developer requests thoughtful, practical implementation of policies
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is meeting to discuss sandwich board signage. The agenda includes adoption of the July 8, 2024 minutes and a question-and-answer period for council to ask administration questions. No decisions are listed on the agenda; the only business item is the signage discussion. The meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM on August 12, 2024, in the Joint Council Chambers.
- Sandwich Board Signage Discussion
- Adoption of July 8, 2024 Committee of the Whole minutes