Westlock County public meetings in 2024
24 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Special Council
This is a special council meeting with a single substantive item: a draft collective bargaining agreement, to be discussed in-camera (closed session). The rest of the agenda is procedural (call to order, adoption of agenda, adjournment).
- Draft Collective Bargaining Agreement (in-camera discussion)
Regular Council
Westlock County Council will consider approving the 2025 interim operating budget of $21,141,383 and interim capital budget of $1,956,635. The operating budget is a 1.3% increase over 2024. Council will also give three readings to a bylaw appointing a new municipal assessor, and hold in-camera sessions on land, housing, and personnel matters.
- 2025 interim operating budget of $21,141,383 (1.3% increase)
- 2025 interim capital budget of $1,956,635, including $600,000 for road rehabilitation and $468,635 for bridge rehabilitation
- Bylaw 62-2024 to appoint Travis Horne as Municipal Assessor
- In-camera items: Westlock Intermunicipal Library Board appointment, Homeland Housing affordable housing at 22 St. Thomas Street, personnel matter, CAO annual evaluation
- Council follow-up action report includes letter to Minister of Municipal Affairs on unpaid oil and gas taxes
Budget Committee
The Budget Committee is meeting to review the draft 2025 operating budget for Westlock County, which is presented over several days. The budget outlines revenues and expenses, with a proposed increase in expenses of 1.33% compared to a CPI of 2%. The committee will discuss allocations across divisions and strategic priorities.
- Draft 2025 operating budget with expense increase of 1.33%
- Tax incentive bylaw in place to support economic development
- Development of North Sky Business Park to promote investment
- Review of Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development Plan to continue into 2025
- Enhanced support for community halls in hamlets recommended
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will review a follow-up action report and a hamlet infrastructure assessment from Select Engineering, which may affect capital spending priorities. The committee is also expected to accept these reports as information, with potential capital budget amendments to follow at the December 10 regular meeting.
- Select Engineering Hamlet Infrastructure Assessment Report with prioritization and cost estimates
- 2025 Capital Budget approval scheduled for December 10, 2024 regular council meeting
- Inter-municipal collaboration framework (ICF) agreement with Summer Village of Larkspur awaiting signed copies
- Follow-up action report on previous committee decisions
Regular Council
Westlock County Council's regular meeting on November 26, 2024, will review the October 2024 operating variance report, which shows 96.6% of revenue and 78% of expenses realized, with outstanding taxes receivable at $2,633,120 (42% from oil & gas). Council will also consider appointing a Returning Officer and Substitute Returning Officer, and approve 2025 Tri-Council meeting dates. The agenda includes several in-camera items (land, intergovernmental, personnel, and CAO evaluation) that will be discussed behind closed doors.
- October 2024 Operating Variance Report: 96.6% revenue, 78% expenses realized; taxes receivable $2,633,120 (42% oil & gas)
- Appointment of Returning Officer and Substitute Returning Officer
- 2025 Tri-Council Meeting Dates
- 2024 Engagement Letter and Audit Planning Report from Metrix Group LLP
- In-camera items: land, intergovernmental, personnel matters, and CAO annual evaluation
Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission will consider a development permit application for a manufactured home located at 63130 – RR 252. The applicants are requesting a 28% age variance because the 1992 home exceeds the 25-year age limit allowed in the Agriculture District.
- Variance request for a 1992 manufactured home at NE 10-63-25-W4
- Development Permit Application No. 24 086
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will hear presentations from the Tawatinaw Valley Ski Club, RCMP, and the Barrhead Animal Rescue Society, and review the 2025 Capital Budget. They will also discuss the Municipal Energy Manager's goals and a follow-up action report. The meeting includes an in-camera session on an economic development matter.
- 2025 Capital Budget presentation
- Tawatinaw Valley Ski Club year-end report (2,740 visits from Westlock County, 111% increase in Edmonton visits)
- RCMP quarterly update
- Barrhead Animal Rescue Society presentation
- In-camera economic development matter
Regular Council
Westlock County Council is meeting to consider several items, including a reserve fund transfer for the Highway 44 and Westlock Industrial Park Project, a service agreement with Gateway Research Organization, and terms of reference for the Westlock Economic Region Committee. The agenda also includes routine items like adopting minutes and a follow-up action report, plus a pump replacement for the Vimy Water Plant.
- Highway 44 and Westlock Industrial Park Project - Reserve Funds Transfer
- Gateway Research Organization - Service Agreement
- Westlock Economic Region Committee Terms of Reference and Charter
- Vimy Water Plant Pump Replacement
- Additional Committee of the Whole Meeting
Special Council
This is a special council meeting of Westlock County, AB, held on October 24, 2024. The main item of business is an in-camera (closed session) discussion regarding the appointment of financial auditors. The agenda is otherwise procedural, with no other substantive items listed.
- In-camera appointment of financial auditors
MPC Organizational
This is a procedural organizational meeting of Westlock County's Municipal Planning Commission (MPC). The agenda contains only routine items: adopting the agenda, appointing a chairperson and vice-chairperson, and adjourning. No substantive planning decisions or public hearings are scheduled.
- Appointment of chairperson
- Appointment of vice-chairperson
- Adoption of the agenda
Municipal Planning Commission
The Municipal Planning Commission will decide on a development permit for a data processing facility powered by a natural gas generator on an agricultural quarter in Westlock County. The application was tabled from the previous meeting for clarification on generator capacity and noise levels. The commission will also adopt the minutes from the September 18, 2024 meeting.
- Development Permit 24 090: 720 kW data processing facility with natural gas generator on NW 33-59-27-W4
- Proposed conditions include a Development Agreement and site reclamation within 3 years
- Adoption of minutes from September 18, 2024 MPC meeting
Agricultural Service Board
The Agricultural Service Board will consider a proposed three-year service agreement with Gateway Research Organization (GRO) for $5,000 per year, and discuss requests for funding from AgKnow ($2,000) and Ag for Life ($2,500). They will also review a debrief from a provincial field visit, a post-operational summary, and upcoming conferences. The board will decide its role in distributing funds to non-profits and may direct administration to draft a policy.
- Proposed service agreement with GRO: $5,000/year for 3 years
- AgKnow funding request: $2,000
- Ag for Life funding request: $2,500
- Debrief of provincial ASB field visit (Aug 15, 2024)
- Upcoming ASB conferences: NW Regional (Oct 30, 2024) and Provincial (Jan 20-22, 2025)
Organizational Meeting
This is the annual organizational meeting where Council will elect a reeve and deputy reeve, make appointments to boards and committees, and approve the 2025 meeting schedule. The agenda includes appointments to the Municipal Planning Commission, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and the Westlock Regional Municipal Airport Advisory Board, as well as the 2024-2025 Council appointments list. The 2025 schedule accounts for the municipal election on October 20, 2025, and Remembrance Day.
- Election of Reeve and Deputy Reeve
- Appointments to Municipal Planning Commission and Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
- 2024-2025 Council appointments to boards, committees, and commissions
- Approval of 2025 Council and Committee of the Whole meeting schedule
- No meetings scheduled around October 20, 2025 municipal election
Regular Council
Westlock County Council is meeting to handle routine business, including adopting minutes and receiving updates. Key items include second and third reading of Bylaw 55-2024 on responsible animal ownership, an update on the Recreation Needs Assessment and Facility Master Plan, and a report on the Community Grant Advisory Committee's fall 2024 recommendations. The meeting also includes in-camera sessions on tax sale reserve bids and a tri-council agenda review.
- Bylaw 55-2024 - Responsible Animal Ownership - second and third reading
- Recreation Needs Assessment and Facility Master Plan update from RC Strategies
- Community Grant Advisory Committee Fall 2024 Recommendations
- Appointment of Financial Auditors
- September 2024 Variance Report, Capital Report, and Reserve Summary
Committee of the Whole
The Westlock County Committee of the Whole is meeting to discuss routine business, including adoption of the agenda and minutes, and receiving council committee reports. Key items for review include an update on the Cemetery Strategic Plan and a verbal update on Highway 44 road construction. The meeting also includes a follow-up action report on previous decisions.
- Cemetery Strategic Plan update
- Highway 44 road construction verbal update
- Committee of the Whole Follow-up Action Report
- Council committee reports from all divisions
Regular Council
Westlock County Council will give second reading to Bylaw 55-2024, which sets rules for licensing, regulating, and confining animals. The bylaw has been amended after public feedback, including a waiver of the $15 license fee for registrations before December 31, 2024. Council will also review a follow-up action report on previous resolutions.
- Second reading of Bylaw 55-2024 - Responsible Animal Ownership, with amendments including dog age change from 4 to 6 months and fee schedule updates
- License fee waiver: $15 fee waived for animal registrations before December 31, 2024
- Council Follow-up Action Report: status updates on resolutions, including completed $11,000 in community grants and $500 scholarships
- In-camera session for personnel update
Regular Council
Westlock County Council will review a 'What We Heard' report on the proposed Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw 55-2024, which addresses community concerns about dog limits, fines, and enforcement. They will also accept the August 2024 Operating Variance Report, showing 90.7% of revenue and 59.8% of expenses realized, and consider recommendations from the Community Grant Advisory Committee.
- Bylaw 55-2024 Responsible Animal Ownership: What We Heard report
- August 2024 Operating Variance Report: 90.7% revenue, 59.8% expenses realized
- Outstanding taxes receivable $3,551,558 as of July 31, 2024
- Community Grant Advisory Committee Summer 2024 recommendations
- Council Follow-up Action Report with 9 in-progress items
Municipal Planning Commission
The Westlock County Municipal Planning Commission is meeting to decide on three development permit applications: a microbrewery in an existing building, a cryptocurrency data processing facility powered by natural gas, and a garage suite with a future single detached dwelling. All are discretionary uses in the Agriculture District and are subject to conditions if approved.
- DP 24 087: Change use to Microbrewery (Cidery) and 4' x 4' sign at 23526 TWP RD 590 (SW 06-59-23-W4)
- DP 24 090: 700 kW natural gas generator for cryptocurrency datacenter on NW 33-59-27-W4
- DP 24 093: Detached garage with 860 sq. ft. suite and single detached dwelling at 63313 RGE RD 261A
- All applications are in the Agriculture (AG) District and require conditions if approved
Committee of the Whole
The Westlock County Committee of the Whole is meeting to discuss and receive updates on follow-up actions and a proposed change to capital funding for road rehabilitation. The roads update suggests redirecting the annual $200,000 MSI funding from the Shoulder Pull Program to address subgrade issues and general road repairs, with locations to be determined for spring 2025. The meeting also includes council committee reports and an in-camera session on the strategic plan.
- Roads/Capital Funding Update: propose redirecting $200,000 MSI from Shoulder Pull to subgrade repairs, e.g., Range Road 233 north of Township Road 590
- Follow-up Action Report: ICF agreement with Summer Village of Larkspur returning to Sept 10 Council for approval
- Athabasca Landing Trail update pending MOU circulation
- Cemetery strategic plan update scheduled for Oct 8 COW
- In-camera session on Strategic Plan/Corporate Business Plan check-in
Regular Council
Westlock County Council will review the July 2024 Operating Variance Report, which shows 89.1% of revenue and 53.7% of expenses realized, with outstanding taxes receivable at $3,904,753. They will also review the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) and sub-agreements with the Summer Village of Larkspur. The agenda includes routine adoption of minutes and a follow-up action report, plus three in-camera personnel matters.
- July 2024 Operating Variance Report: revenue 89.1% realized, expenses 53.7% realized; taxes receivable $3,904,753
- Review of ICF and sub-agreements with Summer Village of Larkspur
- Council Follow-up Action Report with updates on pending resolutions
- In-camera sessions for three personnel matters
- Adoption of August 13, 2024 meeting minutes
Municipal Planning Commission
The Westlock County Municipal Planning Commission is meeting to consider one development application: DP 24 081, which would change the use of an existing farm shop on SW 27-61-27-W4 to a single detached dwelling with an attached accessory building. The property is in the Agriculture (AG) District and is located in a flood fringe area, so the proposed conditions include flood-related requirements. The meeting will also include adoption of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting.
- DP 24 081: Change use of farm shop to Single Detached Dwelling with attached Accessory building on SW 27-61-27-W4 (93.28 acres, 61401 – RR 273)
- Applicant: Johnston, Rick (Son – Brant Johnston)
- Property is in a flood fringe area; conditions require ground elevation of living spaces at or above flood construction level and installation of weeping tile
- Second dwelling allowed on parcel per Land Use Bylaw Section 6.8 (parcel larger than 32.0 ha)
- Previous approval DP 23 053 for farm shop was before Flood Hazard Area amendment 60-2024 took effect
Committee of the Whole
Westlock County's Committee of the Whole will hear a quarterly update from RCMP S/Sgt. Jeff Sehn and review a follow-up action report. The meeting also includes an in-camera review of the ICF agreement with the Summer Village of Larkspur, along with council committee reports and an agriculture and environment update.
- RCMP quarterly update by S/Sgt. Jeff Sehn
- In-camera review of Westlock County and Summer Village of Larkspur ICF Agreement
- Committee of the Whole Follow-up Action Report
- Agriculture and Environment Update
- Division 7 committee report includes Waste Commission updates (new cardboard broker, landfill cover savings)
Regular Council
Westlock County Council's regular meeting includes a delegation from STARS air ambulance, a review of June 2024 financial reports, and discussion of a proposed intermunicipal subdivision and development appeal board with the Village of Clyde. The agenda also includes routine adoption of minutes and a follow-up action report, plus an in-camera session with the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
- STARS 2024 operations update presentation
- June 2024 variance, capital, and reserve reports
- Westlock County and Village of Clyde intermunicipal subdivision and development appeal board
- Council resolution follow-up action report
- In-camera meeting with Minister of Municipal Affairs at RMA Fall Convention
Municipal Planning Commission
The Westlock County Municipal Planning Commission is meeting to decide on five development permit applications. These include a Class II sand extraction pit, a replacement maintenance building at a biomass plant, and several other development requests. The meeting will also adopt the minutes from the previous meeting.
- DP 24 072: Class II sand pit on SE 19 & SW 20-59-23-W4, up to 208,000 bcm over 2 years, with conditions including $2,000/acre reclamation deposit
- DP 24 071: Demolish and replace 60x40 ft maintenance building at SW 1-63-2-W5M near Jarvie
- DP 24 070: Variance request for Lots 13 & 14, Block 7, Plan 1308CL in Jarvie
- DP 24 075 and DP 24 078: Additional development applications to be considered