Yellowhead County public meetings in 2024
31 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Heritage Advisory Board
The Yellowhead County Heritage Advisory Board is meeting to handle routine administrative items, including adopting the agenda and previous minutes, electing a chair and vice-chair, and setting the 2025 meeting schedule. The main financial decision is whether to approve a $3,940 grant request from the Brule Community Society for a heritage photo display at the Brule Community Hall. The board will also receive reports and updates on its strategic plan and orientation.
- Grant request: $3,940 to Brule Community Society for heritage photo display at Brule Community Hall
- Election of Board Chair and Vice-Chair for term ending after 2025 Council organizational meeting
- Adoption of 2025 Heritage Advisory Board meeting schedule
- Acceptance of Heritage Advisory Board Strategic Plan 2022-2025 Update
- Acceptance of Heritage Coordinator's Report
Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting
The Governance and Priorities Committee will consider approving a $4,111,489 purchase of two fire apparatus from Rocky Mountain Phoenix, and will discuss updated public engagement policies including annual open houses and a 'Coffee with a Councillor' program. The committee will also receive capital project reports and consider a policy update for gravel road depreciation.
- Approve $4,111,489 CDN purchase of fire units YCF-23 and YCF-54 from Rocky Mountain Phoenix
- Direct administration to bring public engagement policies 1100.15 and 1100.24 to a future council meeting
- Adopt 100-year useful life for gravel roads in Policy 1200.10 Appendix B
- Receive August–November 2024 Capital Project Reports
- Accept revised gravel specifications for rural roads as information
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Board
The Yellowhead County FCSS Advisory Board will consider approving a grant to the Fulham Community School Parent Advisory Council for its after-school care program. The board will also continue developing the FCSS Business Plan, discussing priorities based on the Social Needs Assessment and Regional Service Levels documents. The meeting includes routine adoption of the agenda and previous minutes.
- Grant application for Fulham Community After School Care Program: initial $4,000, with potential second installment of up to $4,000 after detailed budget review
- FCSS Business Plan discussion: continuing steps 1 and 2 (reviewing Social Needs Assessment and Regional Service Levels, identifying priorities)
- Adoption of November 20, 2024 meeting minutes
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council will consider several items, including third reading of the Elections Bylaw 15.24, appointments to the Agricultural Services Appeal Committee and Agricultural Service Board, and funding decisions for regional healthcare recruitment. Council will also vote on supporting a grant application for the Marlboro water and sewer upgrade project and granting Fortis exceptions to policy for underground electrical line installations on three range roads. The meeting includes a closed session under FOIP.
- Third reading of Bylaw 15.24 - Elections Bylaw
- Appoint Robert Mitchell as Agricultural Service Board Chair and Christina Bowman as Vice Chair
- Direct $10,000 to Edson Community Care Foundation in 2025 budget; deny $71,850 to Hinton Healthcare Foundation
- Support application for Local Growth and Sustainability Grant for Marlboro water and sewer upgrade
- Grant Fortis exceptions to Policy 3200.23 for underground electrical lines on Range Roads 133, 135A, and 155A
Agricultural Services Board
The Yellowhead County Agricultural Services Board will meet to adopt its agenda and minutes, receive board orientation, and elect a chair and vice chair for recommendation to Council. The board will also consider two grant requests and hear a delegation from the Stewardship Alliance for Conservation Agriculture.
- Appointment of ASB chair and vice chair for Council approval
- Grant request from Yellowhead 4-H District for $5,244.00
- Grant request from Stewardship Alliance for Conservation Agriculture for $5,640.00
- Delegation from Stewardship Alliance for Conservation Agriculture
- Adoption of October 17, 2024 meeting minutes
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council will consider several items, including first through third reading of a new Elections Bylaw, second and third reading of a land use amendment, approval of a $6.37 million land purchase from the Province of Alberta for economic development, and adoption of the 2025 interim budget. The agenda also includes routine approvals of minutes, financial reports, and the municipal emergency plan.
- First, second, and third reading of Bylaw 15.24 (Elections Bylaw)
- Second and third reading of Bylaw 11.24 to redistrict part of NE-19-53-17-W5M from Rural to Country Residential
- Approval to purchase approximately 1,873.79 acres from the Province of Alberta for $6,370,500.00
- Adoption of the 2025 Interim Budget effective January 1, 2025
- Approval of the Municipal Emergency Plan for the next year
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Board
The Yellowhead County FCSS Advisory Board will elect a chair and vice-chair, set its 2025 meeting schedule, and review grant reports. It will vote on two grant applications: $3,740 for the Brule Community Society and $2,630 for Successful Kids and Families. The board will also receive reports from program coordinators and a business plan update.
- Election of Board Chair and Vice Chair for 2024-2025
- 2025 FCSS Advisory Board meeting schedule with budgeted costs of $19,800 honorarium and $8,900 travel
- Brule Community Society grant application for $3,740.00
- Successful Kids and Families grant application for $2,630.00
- Brule Community Association 2024 grant report for $1,750
Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting
Yellowhead County's Governance and Priorities Committee will review updates on emergency response improvements, infrastructure projects, and planning activities. They will also consider directing administration to list crossings with resident complaints for a potential train whistle cessation bylaw, and to bring back options for relocating the Evansburg Library to Tipple Park for a future decision.
- After Action Review follow-up on 2023 wildfires/floods, including staffing increases and training
- Infrastructure update: culvert repairs, road tenders, and utility work
- Whistle cessation bylaw: potential costs $18,000-$214,000 per crossing
- Evansburg Library relocation to Tipple Park options
- Closed session on transfer station, recycling operations, and CAO overview
West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority
The West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority is meeting to adopt its 2025 interim budget, which includes an updated fee schedule raising the mixed waste tipping fee from $175 to $200 per tonne. The board will also accept the Solid Waste Manager Report and the minutes from the October 4, 2024 meeting. The agenda is otherwise routine, with no other new business or public hearings.
- 2025 interim budget with updated fee schedule
- Mixed waste tipping fee increase from $175 to $200 per tonne
- Mattress disposal rate to $220/MT plus $20 per item
- Fluorescent tube fee reduced from $3.75 to $1.00 per tube
- Capital projects: road paving ($264,000), leachate pond expansion ($464,213), landfill operations relocation ($100,000)
Special Council Meeting
This special council meeting is dedicated to deliberating the draft 2025 interim budget, presented by Chief Administrative Officer Luc Mercier. The budget outlines operations, capital projects, and tax distribution, with a proposed 0% mill rate change. Council will consider adopting the interim budget to allow the county to operate from January 1, 2025, until final budget adoption in May 2025.
- 2025 interim budget totals $260,230,839, up from $238,735,199 in 2024
- Proposed 0% change to the county's mill rate for 2025
- Capital projects budgeted at $138,141,152 for 2025
- Contributions to reserves decrease from $12,826,052 to $7,601,757
- Operating revenues projected at $132,502,327 for 2025
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council is meeting to adopt minutes, hold a public hearing on a land use bylaw amendment, appoint election officials, and award multi-year grader beat contracts. The meeting also includes second and third readings of a bylaw to designate a public utility lot and adoption of an access approach management policy.
- Public hearing on Bylaw 11.24 to redistrict part of NE-19-53-17-W5M from Rural District to Country Residential District
- Award Shiningbank grader beat to McPhee Construction Ltd at $214-$236/hour for 2024-2027
- Award Edson Northwest and Edson/Wolf Creek grader beats to Noble Enterprises 2017 Ltd at $165-$167/hour for 2024-2027
- Appoint Tracy Parker as Returning Officer and Ashley Tompkins as Substitute for 2025 Municipal Election
- Second and Third Reading of Bylaw 09.24 designating Plan 1022047 Block 6 Lot 3 as Public Utility Lot
Special Council Meeting
This is a special council meeting with a single substantive item: 2025 budget deliberation, presented by Chief Administrative Officer Luc Mercier. The rest of the agenda is procedural (call to order and adjournment). No specific budget figures or decisions are listed in the agenda.
- 2025 Budget Deliberation, presented by CAO Luc Mercier
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council is meeting to adopt minutes, hold a public hearing on Bylaw 09.24 to designate a County-owned lot in Brule as a Public Utility Lot, and consider several administrative items including policy approvals, a natural gas aggregation contract, and membership in an assessment review board. The agenda is largely routine, with no major new expenditures or controversial items.
- Public hearing on Bylaw 09.24 to designate Plan 1022047 Block 6 Lot 3 in Brule as Public Utility Lot
- Proposed natural gas aggregation contract with Alberta Municipalities (for information)
- Proposed membership in Capital Region Assessment Services Commission for Assessment Review Board services (2025-2027)
- Adoption of policies 7400.01-7400.04 on historical programs, cemetery grants, and signage
- August 2024 financial report (for information)
Organizational Meeting
This is the annual organizational meeting where Council will elect a Deputy Mayor, adopt the regular meeting schedule for November 2024 through October 2025, and appoint councillors and members-at-large to various boards and committees. The agenda is largely procedural, with no substantive policy decisions or public hearings listed.
- Election of Deputy Mayor for term November 1, 2024 to October 29, 2025
- Adoption of regular Council meeting dates (second and fourth Tuesdays) and Governance and Priorities Committee dates (third Tuesdays) for 2024-2025
- Appointment of Council members to boards and committees for term October 23, 2024 to October 31, 2025
- Appointment of members-at-large to boards including Agricultural Services Board, FCSS, Heritage Board, Library Board, Recreation Board, and Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
- Closed session under FOIP sections 17, 19, and 24 regarding member-at-large applications
Yellowhead County Recreation Board
The Yellowhead County Recreation Board is meeting to decide on four grant requests for local community groups, including funding for exercise programs, a new dishwasher, a water well, and an indoor playground. They will also receive reports on the Green Grove Pool, campground stats, and staff updates. The meeting includes adoption of the agenda and previous minutes.
- Carrot Creek Community Association: $1,020.00 for Get Fit Get Active instructor costs
- MacKay Community Association: $2,756.25 for a new dishwasher for community hall
- Pinedale Agricultural Association: $13,102.33 for drilling a new water well
- Hinton Parents for Play Society: $2,200.00 for indoor playground funding
- Reports: 2024 Green Grove Pool report, 2024 Campground Stats, Recreation Coordinator and Parks & Recreation Supervisor updates
Agricultural Services Board
The Yellowhead County Agricultural Services Board will consider two grant requests totaling $12,500: $5,000 for the Alberta Invasive Species Council and $7,500 for Farming Forward. The board will also hear a delegation from Farming Forward, accept reports, and appoint a member to speak to a resolution on drought and livestock AgriStability at the regional conference.
- Grant of $5,000 to Alberta Invasive Species Council for education and monitoring
- Grant of $7,500 to Farming Forward for 2024 projects
- Delegation from Farming Forward (formerly West Central Forage Association)
- Appoint member to speak to Yellowhead County resolution on Drought and Livestock AgriStability
- Accept Agricultural Services Coordinator and Supervisor reports
Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting
The Governance and Priorities Committee is reviewing updates to four culture-related policies, including increased cemetery grant funding, and will hear a presentation from the Edson & District Historical Society. The committee will also receive the Community Services monthly highlights and a strategic plan review. Items are mostly for information or direction to return to a future Council meeting.
- Cemetery Maintenance Grant increased to up to $3,500 annually; Special Projects Grant up to $5,000
- Volunteer labor rates increased to $20/hr unskilled, $35/hr skilled, $70/hr donated equipment
- Historical Programs & Facilities Grant now includes individuals owning municipally designated heritage resources
- Historical Interpretive Signage may now be placed on Provincial Crown land via agreement
- 2025 budget includes additional $10,000 for cemetery grant increases
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council is deciding on a $6,198,664.30 tender for the Hamlet of Marlboro wastewater treatment lagoon and treated effluent pipeline, along with a land use bylaw amendment, a new 'Coffee with a Councillor' policy, and a $500 agricultural bursary. The meeting also includes routine adoption of minutes and informational reports.
- Award $6,198,664.30 tender to Martushev Logging Ltd. for Marlboro wastewater lagoon and pipeline
- First reading of Bylaw 11.24 to redistrict NE-19-53-17-W5M from Rural District to Country Residential District
- Adopt Policy 1100.24 'Coffee with a Councillor' allowing up to $300 per event for hall rentals
- Award $500 Agricultural Services Bursary to Ross Stanley
- Receive Community Aggregate Payment (CAP) Levy report as information
West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority
The West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority is meeting to elect a chair and vice-chair, adopt minutes, and receive updates on disaster waste from Jasper, a biosolids study, Cell 8 completion, mattress diversion, and the solid waste manager's report. The board will also consider the 2024 budget update and the 2025 budget plan. The most consequential item is a recommendation to direct administration to pursue Option 1 of the Leachate Pond Expansion Feasibility at a capital cost of $564,221.45 for inclusion in the 2025 capital budget.
- Leachate Pond Expansion: $418,912.45 capital cost plus $45,300 geotechnical and $100,000 for relocating public transfer station, totaling $564,221.45 for 2025 capital budget
- Accommodation of Disaster Waste from Jasper update: 2,041.21 MT received so far, with 50,000 MT expected
- Biosolids Study report accepted as information
- Cell 8 Completion Report accepted as information
- Mattress Diversion Report accepted as information
Agricultural Services Board
The Yellowhead County Agricultural Services Board is meeting to review the 2024 Provincial ASB Resolution and Response Package, recommend a $500 bursary to Ross Stanley, and approve a $684 grant to Lobstick 4-H. They will also consider approving the Farm Family Award and Producer Gala event for 2025, subject to budget adoption, and accept various reports and correspondence.
- Recommend Ross Stanley receive $500 Agricultural Services Bursary
- Approve $684 grant to Lobstick 4-H
- Approve Farm Family Award and Producer Gala event for 2025
- Review 2024 Provincial ASB Resolution and Response Package
- Accept Vegetation Management, Weed and Pest, and Coordinator/Supervisor reports
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council will consider several administrative items, including denying a $1,500 reimbursement request for firework permits, setting the 2024 property tax auction date and reserve bids, and receiving the July 2024 financial report. They will also give first reading to a bylaw designating a public utility lot and discuss the Evansburg Community Hall concept design.
- Deny $1,500 reimbursement request from Charlene Callioux, Go Hard Ranch, for firework permits
- Set 2024 Property Tax Auction for November 28, 2024, 10:30 am at Edson Administration Building
- Adopt reserve bids for property tax auction, ranging from $18,000 to $420,000
- First reading of Bylaw 09.24 to designate Plan 1022047 Block 6 Lot 3 as Public Utility Lot
- Direct administration to continue developing Evansburg Community Hall concept design and explore library integration at Tipple Park
Special Council Meeting
This is a special council meeting with a single substantive item: a 2025 budget operational review led by Chief Administrative Officer Luc Mercier. The rest of the agenda is procedural, covering call to order and adjournment. No decisions or proposals are detailed in the agenda text.
- 2025 Budget Operational Review presented by CAO Luc Mercier
Heritage Advisory Board
The Yellowhead County Heritage Advisory Board will consider two $5,000 grant requests, an invitation to a heritage designation event, and a proposal to assess county ownership of Long Lake Cemetery. The board will also receive updates on the Empyrean Cemetery and other reports.
- Approve $5,000 grant to Hinton Historical Society for winter operations of Northern Rockies Museum
- Approve $5,000 grant to Peers Historical Society for Mathews United Church restorations
- Direct administration to assess viability of county assuming ownership of Long Lake Cemetery
- Accept invitation to October 6th Mathews United Church Heritage Designation Open House
- Accept Empyrean Cemetery update and invitation to October 4th ribbon cutting
Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting
The Governance and Priorities Committee will hear a presentation from ATCO about its proposed Yellowhead Mainline natural gas pipeline, and will discuss and provide direction on the county's level of support for regional healthcare initiatives, including potential funding requests from the Hinton Healthcare Foundation and the Community Care Foundation of Edson.
- ATCO Yellowhead Mainline Project presentation: 200-230 km natural gas pipeline, $2+ billion investment, construction starting Fall 2026
- Request to consider $71,850 contribution to Hinton Healthcare Foundation over two years for Hinton Medical Clinic operations
- Request to consider $10,000 funding and appointment to Edson Community Care Foundation's recruitment sub-committee
- Request to appoint a council member to the Attraction and Retention Committee of Hinton (ARCH)
- Closed session for Chief Administrative Officer Overview (FOIP s.24)
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Board
The Yellowhead County FCSS Advisory Board will consider approving the Social Needs Assessment completed by Moorhouse and Associates and direct administration to develop options for a long-term business plan for future service delivery. The board will also review reports on summer programming, coordinator activities, and a grant application for Meals on Wheels.
- Approval of Social Needs Assessment by Moorhouse and Associates
- Direction to administration for long-term business plan options
- Meals on Wheels grant application for $1,680.96
- Summer Programming 2024 report
- Children's, Youth, and Community Outreach Coordinator reports
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council is meeting to give second and third readings to several bylaws, including the Procedure Bylaw, Committee Bylaw, Municipal Development Plan, Land Use Bylaw, and amendments to the Edson Urban Fringe Intermunicipal Development Plan and Bench Creek Area Structure Plan. Council will also receive updates on community resilience, FCSS services, and Jasper disaster waste disposal. The meeting includes a closed session under FOIP.
- Second and third reading of Bylaw 08.24 (Procedure Bylaw) and Bylaw 10.24 (Committee Bylaw)
- Second and third reading of Bylaw 03.24 (Municipal Development Plan) and Bylaw 02.24 (Land Use Bylaw)
- Second and third reading of Bylaw 06.24 amending the Edson Urban Fringe Intermunicipal Development Plan
- Second and third reading of Bylaw 07.24 for the Bench Creek Area Structure Plan on Plan 0021462 Block 2 Lot 1 and NE-19-53-17-W5M
- Update on disaster waste from Jasper to WYRWMA Landfill
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council is meeting to adopt minutes, hold public hearings on two land-use bylaws (Edson Urban Fringe Intermunicipal Development Plan amendment and Bench Creek Area Structure Plan), and consider first readings of procedure and committee bylaws. Council will also decide on a cemetery operations agreement, approve a $150,000 unbudgeted survey expenditure, and award an investment services contract.
- Public hearing: Bylaw 06.24 amending Edson Urban Fringe Intermunicipal Development Plan
- Public hearing: Bylaw 07.24 Bench Creek Area Structure Plan (Plan 0021462 Block 2 Lot 1 and NE-19-53-17-W5M)
- First reading: Bylaw 08.24 Procedure Bylaw and Bylaw 10.24 Committee Bylaw
- Approve $150,000 unbudgeted survey work funded from Restricted Surplus Fund: Land
- Award RFP-CORP-24-001 investment services to Hobson Chahal Advisory Group, CIBC Wood Gundy (3 years + 2-year option)
Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting
Yellowhead County's Governance and Priorities Committee will hear presentations from the Cadomin Community Society and the Community Care Foundation of Edson & District, and will consider several governance items. Key decisions include whether to forward the proposed Municipal Development Plan (Bylaw 03.24) and Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 02.24) to the September 10, 2024 Council meeting for second reading. The committee will also vote on a councillor's request to serve on the FCM Board of Directors with costs up to $5,000 per year, and on adopting a revised policy for road allowances and closures.
- Bylaw 03.24 (Municipal Development Plan) forwarded to September 10, 2024 Council meeting for second reading
- Bylaw 02.24 (Land Use Bylaw) forwarded to September 10, 2024 Council meeting for second reading
- Councillor Dawn Mitchell's request to serve on FCM Board of Directors with costs up to $5,000 per year
- Adoption of revised Use and Closure of Road Allowances and Other Roads Policy no. 3200.04
- Cadomin Community Society presentation on hall status and operational plan
West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority
The West Yellowhead Regional Waste Management Authority is deciding whether to accept disaster waste from the Town of Jasper at the Hinton Landfill following the July 2024 wildfire. The board will consider setting tipping fees, authorizing an unbudgeted expenditure offset by estimated revenue, and directing administration to inform member municipalities. The agenda also includes routine adoption of minutes from the April 18, 2024 meeting.
- Acceptance of unseparated disaster waste from Jasper at Hinton Landfill under Aug 2, 2024 provincial authorization
- Tipping rate of $175/mt for building waste, ash, and co-mingled disaster material; $208/mt plus $20 per mattress if mattresses included
- Unbudgeted expenditure of $1,054,500 offset by estimated revenue of $7,695,500, with remainder to reserve
- Adoption of WYRWMA minutes from April 18, 2024
Council Meeting
Yellowhead County Council will consider first readings of Bylaw 06.24 (amending the Edson Urban Fringe Intermunicipal Development Plan) and Bylaw 07.24 (Bench Creek Area Structure Plan), with public hearings set for August 27, 2024. Council will also decide on a grazing lease, a road closure application refusal, and several routine administrative items.
- First reading of Bylaw 06.24 to amend the Edson Urban Fringe Intermunicipal Development Plan; public hearing set for August 27, 2024
- First reading of Bylaw 07.24 for the Bench Creek Area Structure Plan on Plan 0021462 Block 2 Lot 1 and NE-19-53-17-W5M; public hearing set for August 27, 2024
- Proposed refusal of Road Closure Application RC24-02, with policy direction to limit future road allowance closures
- Approval of a 5-year grazing lease to Jean Wright for PT NE-02-54-16-W5 at $90 per year
- Approval to add Cadomin Community Society as an Additional Named Insured under the county insurance policy
Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting
The Yellowhead County Governance and Priorities Committee is receiving updates on the Universal Broadband Project, Protective Services, and Infrastructure and Planning Services. Council will also consider directing administration to draft bylaw amendments to keep council meeting recordings available for 7 days, and will enter a closed session.
- Universal Broadband Project UBF-03570 update: construction underway, completion slated for December 2026, over 3,000 households to gain access
- Protective Services report: 295 violation tickets, 229 warnings, 16 summons since Jan 1
- Council livestream recordings: direction to draft bylaw amendments for 7-day public viewing
- Provincial Horse Holding Lease Terms: letter from Paul and Rachel Wolters accepted as information
- Closed session under FOIP s.24 for Chief Administrative Officer overview