Saddle Hills County public meetings in 2024
29 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
2024-12-16 Special Council Meeting
Council is meeting to adopt minutes from a previous regular session and hold closed-session discussions regarding intermunicipal relations. The agenda is primarily procedural with a focus on confidential administrative matters.
- Adoption of minutes from the December 10, 2024, Regular Council Meeting
- Closed session regarding Intermunicipal Relations (FOIP Section 21)
2024-12-10 Regular Council Meeting
Saddle Hills County Council will consider several items, including the adoption of minutes from recent meetings and the Chief Administrative Officer report. The council will review business arising from previous meetings such as a powerline cost estimate for the Central Peace Regional Water Project. New business includes a draft policy on peace officer body‑worn cameras, a variance request for an ATCO underground powerline on Range Road 75, and approval of the 2025 interim operating and capital budget.
- Adoption of minutes from the November 26, December 3, and December 4, 2024 council meetings
- Chief Administrative Officer report presentation
- Powerline cost estimate approval for the Central Peace Regional Water Project
- Draft Policy PS13 Peace Officer Body‑Worn Cameras
- Variance request for ATCO underground powerline along Range Road 75
2024-12-04 Capital Budget Council Meeting
The Capital Budget Council will consider several capital projects for the 2025 interim budget, including major water infrastructure upgrades, clinic renovations, equipment and vehicle replacements, and road widening. Key proposals are the $7,597,000 Bonanza Water Treatment Plant expansion, the $200,000 Woking Raw Water Storage expansion, and the $90,000 Ksituan Raw Water Pipeline. Additional items include upgrades to chemical storage sheds, network servers, and various municipal vehicles, as well as a 1.2‑km widening of Range Road 112. Decisions will be recorded in the council’s minutes.
- Bonanza Water Treatment Plant expansion – $7,597,000 from Rural Water Capital Reserve
- Woking Raw Water Storage expansion – $200,000 (70% funded by Drought and Flood Protection Program)
- Ksituan Raw Water Pipeline – $90,000 from Rural Water Capital Reserve
- Widening Range Road 112 northward for 1.2 km (no dollar amount specified)
- Replacement of 2015 Hotsy Steamer (no dollar amount specified)
2024-12-03 Special Council Meeting
The council is holding a special meeting with a focus on closed session items. Discussions in these private sessions include the Central Peace Regional Water Project and intermunicipal relations.
- Closed session regarding Central Peace Regional Water Project/Intermunicipal Relations
- Closed session regarding Intermunicipal Relations
2024-12-03 Operating Budget Council Meeting
Council will deliberate on the 2025-2028 Proposed Interim Operating Budget and several funding requests. Discussions include potential healthcare staffing and municipal service upgrades.
- 2025-2028 Proposed Interim Operating Budget
- Proposed $54,500.36 for 2025 Town and Country News subscriptions and advertising
- Proposed $15,000 for real-time water volume displays at truckfills on the County website
- Discussion on hiring a social/mental health worker for the Central Peace
- Requests for decision regarding Rural Water Cistern Grant and Central Peace Food Bank
2024-11-26 Regular Council Meeting
Council will discuss water infrastructure grants and updated drought planning. The meeting includes delegations from Ste. Marie School and the Woking Multiplex Association, as well as a review of utility invoicing policies.
- Drought and Flood Protection Program for the Woking Dugout Expansion
- Water for Life Grant for the Central Peace Regional Water Treatment Plant
- Updated Draft Potable Water Drought Plan
- Policy Update FN16 Invoicing and Collection of Utility and Miscellaneous Charges
- Draft Policy PS12 Mobile Stage Rental Policy
2024-11-21 Agricultural Service Board Meeting
The Agricultural Service Board will vote to adopt the November 21 agenda and approve the minutes from the October 24 meeting. A delegation from the Peace Country Beef and Forage Association will present a report on its 2024 research projects. The board will also discuss the old‑business request to purchase a tree planter for the rental fleet.
- Adopt the November 21, 2024 agenda as presented
- Approve the October 24, 2024 Agricultural Service Board meeting minutes
- Delegation from Peace Country Beef and Forage Association to report on 2024 projects
- Old business: purchase of a tree planter to add to the rental fleet
- Closed session item (mowing contract review) listed
2024-11-15 Grant Program Budget Council Meeting
The Grant Program Budget Council will consider the 2025 Cemetery Maintenance Grant Program. Thirteen applications have been submitted, covering cemeteries such as Alexview, Blueberry Mountain, and Gordondale. The total requested funding is $16,000, which would be allocated to the listed cemeteries and included in the 2025 operating budget. Council will vote to approve the grant amounts or direct administration accordingly.
- Approve 2025 Cemetery Maintenance Grant Program – total $16,000 for 13 cemeteries
- Review 2025 Operating Grant Program (pages 47‑283)
- Review 2025 Capital Grant Program (pages 285‑448)
- Review 2025 Cemetery Capital Grant Program (pages 449‑460)
- Public hearing on grant program applications
2024-11-12 ALUS Partnership Advisory Committee Meeting
The ALUS Partnership Advisory Committee is meeting to establish its leadership and review the program's framework. The body will elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and review the committee's Terms of Reference.
- Election of Chairperson
- Election of Vice Chairperson
- Review of ALUS Terms of Reference
- Presentation by Iris Vaisman, ALUS Associate Hub Manager - West
- Discussion of 2025 ALUS Projects
2024-11-12 Regular Council Meeting
Saddle Hills County Council will adopt the agenda and previous minutes, hear reports on unauthorized ditching and a remote water hauling subsidy, and discuss new policies on virulent blackleg of canola and a veterinary medicine bursary. The council will also review several sponsorship requests from local individuals and organizations. All items are presented for council decision or discussion.
- Policy AG19: Virulent Blackleg of Canola
- Policy AG27: Veterinary Medicine Bursary Program
- Sponsorship request from Elizabeth Gustafson
- Sponsorship request from The Kinette Club of Spirit River
- Sponsorship request for the Town of Spirit River's Festival of Trees
2024-10-24 Agricultural Service Board Meeting
The Agricultural Service Board is meeting to elect its Chair and Vice-Chair for the October 2024 to October 2025 term. The board will also consider equipment purchases for its rental fleet and review sponsorship requests.
- Election of Agricultural Service Board Chair and Vice-Chair
- Purchase of a chicken plucker, wood chipper, and tree planter for the rental fleet
- Sponsorship requests for Alberta Invasive Species Council 2025 and 2025 Canadian Turf & Forage Seed Conference
- Review of Policy AG19 (Virulent Blackleg of Canola) and Policy AG 27 (Veterinary Medicine Bursary Program)
- Closed session for mowing contract review
2024-10-22 Regular Council Meeting
The council will adopt the agenda and approve the minutes from the October 8 meeting. It will hear a CAO report, delegations, and a public hearing (none scheduled). New business includes a road construction request for Whitecap Resources, advisories on bridge and culvert ratings, options for upgrading the Bonanza water plant, a Q3 budget variance report, proposed dates for an interprovincial meeting, a Christmas event, and a policy on remuneration for election workers. A closed‑session item will address warranty issues with the Savanna Water Treatment Plant roof.
- Road Construction Request for Whitecap Resources Inc. on Township Road 760 West of Range Road 94 to Access a Pad Site
- Bridge and Large Culvert Low Rating Advisories
- Bonanza Water Plant Upgrade Options
- 2024 Q3 Budget Variance Report
- Policy AD72 Remuneration for Election Workers
2024-10-22 Organizational Meeting
The council will consider a motion to conduct all elections at this meeting by secret ballot. It will also vote to elect the Reeve and Deputy Reeve for the 2024‑2025 term. The Reference Summary for Committees and Boards will be accepted as presented. No other business is listed.
- Adopt secret‑ballot voting procedure for all elections
- Elect Reeve for the period Oct 22 2024 to Oct 28 2025
- Elect Deputy Reeve for the period Oct 22 2024 to Oct 28 2025
- Approve Reference Summary for Committees and Boards as presented
- Destruction of ballots after the meeting
2024-10-08 Regular Council Meeting
The Council will discuss several subdivision extension requests and a partial road closure for Road Plan 892 0441. The meeting includes delegations from the Rycroft Agricultural Society, the Municipal Library Board, and other local organizations.
- Bylaw 437-2024 General Traffic Bylaw
- Additional funds for Blueberry Firehall
- Partial Road Plan 892 0441 Closure
- Road construction request for Advantage Energy Ltd. on Range Road 133
- Sponsorship requests for 2025 Peace Country Beef Congress and Wounded Warriors Canada
2024-10-08 Municipal Planning Commission
The Saddle Hills County Municipal Planning Commission will adopt its agenda and approve the minutes from the September 10, 2024 meeting. The commission will consider Development Permit Application 33‑DP‑24 for a private aircraft landing strip on SE 24‑79‑08‑W6, with specified setbacks and regulatory conditions. No other business is listed on the agenda.
- Adoption of the meeting agenda
- Adoption of the September 10, 2024 meeting minutes
- Decision on Development Permit Application 33‑DP‑24 for a private aircraft landing strip on SE 24‑79‑08‑W6
- Additional business (no items listed)
2024-09-24 Regular Council Meeting
The council will adopt the agenda and approve the minutes from the September 10 meeting. It will consider business from prior meetings, including a draft code of conduct bylaw, a road construction request from Tourmaline Oil Corp. on Range Road 81 north of Township Road 762, and an updated potable water drought plan. New business includes a request to reclassify half a mile of Range Road 80 south of Township Road 794, a speed‑limit proposal for the paved section of Northmark Road, a renewal of Town and Country News subscriptions, the August 2024 financial report, and a draft bylaw designating the Assessor as an officer. The council will also review public‑works policies (PW12, PW13, PW31).
- Draft Bylaw 427‑2024 Council and Committee Code of Conduct Bylaw
- Road Construction Request from Tourmaline Oil Corp. on Range Road 81 north of Township Road 762 to access a pad site
- Request to reclassify half a mile of Range Road 80 south of Township Road 794 from farm access to a local road
- Speed limit proposal for the paved section of Northmark Road
- Draft Bylaw 436‑2024 Assessor as a Designated Officer
2024-09-19 Agricultural Service Board Meeting
The Saddle Hills County Agricultural Service Board will adopt the agenda for its September 19, 2024 meeting and approve the minutes from the June 20, 2024 meeting. It will receive the Agricultural Coordinator’s report for information and hold a closed‑session review of Veterinary Innovation Grant applications under FOIP. No other financial or policy decisions are listed on the agenda.
- Adopt the September 19, 2024 agenda as presented
- Approve the June 20, 2024 Agricultural Service Board minutes
- Accept the Agricultural Coordinator Report for information
- Closed‑session review of Veterinary Innovation Grant Applications (FOIP)
- Delegations from Peace Country Beef and Forage Association, Agriculture for Life, and AgKnow
2024-09-10 Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission will adopt the agenda and adopt the minutes from the August 13, 2024 meeting. It will review Development Permit Application 31-DP-24 for a sweet gas plant with six compressors and an office trailer on SW 19-79-10-W6, submitted by Logan Energy Corp. The commission will decide whether to approve the permit with the conditions listed in the recommendation.
- Adoption of agenda
- Adoption of minutes from the August 13, 2024 MPC meeting
- Review of Development Permit Application 31-DP-24 for a sweet gas plant on SW 19-79-10-W6
- Conditions include compliance with Land Use Bylaw 430-2024, road use agreement, setbacks, regulatory approvals, waste removal, and site reclamation
- Decision to approve or refuse the permit as recommended
2024-09-10 Regular Council Meeting
The Council will hear from delegations including the Doe River Colony and Maskwa Medical Center. The body is deciding on a cemetery capital grant policy, asset disposal, and additional potable water hookups in the Woking area.
- Request for additional rural potable water hookups in the 2024 Woking Area
- Draft Policy AD71 Cemetery Capital Grant Program
- Disposal of Assets
- Request for material for the Spirit River Arena Project
- Closed session regarding land and easement purchase in Woking
2024-08-27 Regular Council Meeting
The council will adopt the minutes from the August 13 meeting and consider items from previous meetings, including repealing Bylaw 359-2019 Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework with Clear Hills County and reviewing Draft Bylaw 427-2024 Council and Committee Code of Conduct. New business includes approving a drought and protection grant for the additional Ksituan water reservoir, a road construction request by Tourmaline Oil Corp. on Township Road 762 to access a pad site, and awarding Contract 2 of the Central Peace Regional Water Project. The council will also receive the July 2024 Monthly Financial Report and discuss 2025 Budget Development Guidelines.
- Drought and Protection Grant Approval for Additional Ksituan Water Reservoir
- Road Construction Request for Tourmaline Oil Corp. on Township Road 762 to Access a Pad Site
- Award of the Central Peace Regional Water Project (Contract 2)
- July 2024 Monthly Financial Report
- 2025 Budget Development Guidelines
2024-08-13 Regular Council Meeting
The council will adopt the meeting agenda and approve minutes from the July 23 and August 7 meetings. It will hear the Chief Administrative Officer report and consider delegations from residents. Business arising includes review of municipal development and land‑use bylaws, a water‑distribution addition, a truck‑fill volume quote, and funding to deepen the South Reservoir in Bonanza. New business items include a subdivision extension request, rural waterline easement challenges, a road addition on Range Road 120, an award presentation, the intermunicipal agreement with Clear Hills County, and a sponsorship request for the Savanna Fair.
- Bylaw 429-2024 Municipal Development Plan and Bylaw 430-2024 Land Use Bylaw
- Additional residence to add to the 2024 Water Distribution Expansion
- Quote for remaining volume at Saddle Hills County Truck Fill
- Request for additional funding to deepen the South Reservoir in Bonanza
- Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement with Clear Hills County
2024-08-13 Municipal Planning Commission
The Saddle Hills County Municipal Planning Commission will adopt the minutes from its July 9, 2024 meeting. It will decide on Development Permit 27-DP-24 for a new Blueberry Fire Hall located at Lot 1 Block 2, Plan 2320297. The approval includes conditions such as compliance with the County Land Use Bylaw and obtaining a Roadside Development Permit from Alberta Transportation.
- Adopt minutes of the July 9, 2024 Municipal Planning Commission meeting
- Approve Development Permit 27-DP-24 for a Blueberry Fire Hall at Lot 1 Block 2, Plan 2320297
- Require applicant to obtain a Roadside Development Permit from Alberta Transportation
- Fire Hall classified as a discretionary public building use in Agriculture (A) zone
2024-08-07 Special Council Meeting
The Saddle Hills County Council will adopt the agenda and previous meeting minutes, receive the chief administrative officer report, and hold a public hearing. They will also review policies and bylaws, discuss additional topics if time allows, and conduct a closed‑session meeting on intermunicipal relations under the FOIP Act.
- Adoption of agenda
- Adoption of previous minutes
- Public hearing (topic not specified)
- Review of policies/bylaws
- Closed session on intermunicipal relations (FOIP)
2024-07-23 Regular Council Meeting
Council will hold a public hearing regarding the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB). The meeting also includes discussions on water systems, budget variances, and local infrastructure requests.
- Public hearing for Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB)
- Review of Draft Bylaw 434-2024 Master Rates Bylaw
- Bylaw 433-2024 Water and Wastewater Systems Bylaw
- Pipeline variance request from Birchcliff Energy Ltd. for Township Road 774
- 2024 Q2 Budget Variance Report
2024-07-09 Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission will consider a development permit application for a workshop and water storage building on Lot 1 Block 1 Plan 1324090. The application includes a request for a 1.2m variance to the side property line setback. The commission will also review the minutes from the May 28, 2024, meeting.
- Development permit application 22-DP-24 for a workshop and water storage building
- Request for a 1.2m (4ft) variance to the side property line setback
- Adoption of May 28, 2024, meeting minutes
2024-07-09 Regular Council Meeting
The council will consider Bylaw 423-2024 regarding water and wastewater systems. Discussions include a report on the Hamelin Creek Pit and the repeal of two previous bylaws. Several new administrative policies for health, safety, and maintenance are also scheduled for review.
- Bylaw 423-2024 Water and Wastewater Systems Bylaw
- Report on Hamelin Creek Pit
- Repealing of Bylaws 360-2019 and 366-2019
- Gravelling request for the New Cotillion Hall
- Partial closure of Road Plan 892 0441
2024-06-25 Regular Council Meeting
The Council will consider Bylaw 425-2024 regarding a Carbon Capture Tax Incentive and a pipeline variance request from Pembina Pipeline Corp. The agenda also includes discussions on potential housing development locations and intermunicipal agreements with Birch Hills County. A delegation from TC Energy is also scheduled to attend.
- Bylaw 425-2024 Carbon Capture Tax Incentive Bylaw
- Pipeline variance request from Pembina Pipeline Corp
- Northmark Paving Project contract award
- Bonterra Energy Corp road network addition request
- Potential housing development locations in the County
2024-06-20 Agricultural Service Board Meeting
The Agricultural Service Board will review its draft Strategic Plan and the Carbon Credit Aggregation Program. The meeting includes presentations from several agricultural associations and an update on vegetation management activities. Members will also discuss new proposals regarding meeting recordings and resolution grading.
- Review of Draft Agricultural Service Board Strategic Plan
- Discussion of Carbon Credit Aggregation Program
- Delegation from Peace Country Beef and Forage Association
- Update on Compound 1080 pesticide registration requirements
- Proposal for Audio and Video Recordings of Meetings
2024-06-11 Regular Council Meeting
The Council will consider first readings for the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw. The agenda also includes a draft Carbon Capture Tax Incentive Bylaw and reviews of road construction policies. Other items involve intermunicipal agreements and grant submissions.
- First reading of Bylaw 429-2024 Municipal Development Plan
- First reading of Bylaw 430-2024 Land Use Bylaw
- Draft Bylaw 425-2024 Carbon Capture Tax Incentive Bylaw
- Review of Policy PW25 Road Construction Request
- Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Agreement with MD of Fairview No. 136