RCMP Municipal Crime Statistics Report Presented to Council

At last night’s Council Meeting, Inspector Kevin McGillivray provided a presentation of the crime statistics for the Town of Stony Plain for the months of January to April 2024. The RCMP presents crime statistics to Council twice, annually. Inspector McGillivray highlighted the increase in RCMP community involvement through events such as coaching young sporting teams and the Emergency Preparedness event. This presentation aligns with the Town’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, conveying the importance of enhancing safety and protection and ensuring public safety levels meet the needs of Stony Plain. Parkland RCMP also reported to Council, they now have a Facebook page. Since March it has garnered 1100 followers. Council accepted the RCMP Municipal Crime Statistics Report for Information.

Learn more in the agenda package on page 6 – 21 and page 50.

Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board Update Presented to Council

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) provided an update to Council lead by Allan Gamble, Board Chair and Parkland County Mayor, Karen Wichuk, CEO, and Cindie LeBlanc, Director of Corporate and Stakeholder Relations. The EMRB is a provincially mandated regional growth management board. The board brings together voices from rural and urban municipalities to discuss responsible and sustainable regional growth. The Town of Stony Plain has been a member of the EMRB since its inception in 2008. EMRB’s presentation focused on the dynamic collaboration of the 13 members including Stony Plain, a thriving region with a boasting population of 1.5 million and a robust Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $109 billion, and a bright future with a forecasted additional million people and 500 thousand jobs in the next 20 years.

Learn more in the agenda package on page 23 - 42.

Council Accepts the Horticulture & Arboriculture Levels of Service Presentation for Information

Administration presented the Horticulture and Arboriculture levels of service to Council. Horticulture and Arboriculture levels of service are overseen by the Horticulture team within the Parks & Leisure Services business unit. This crew ensures all tree inventory, public land shrub, flower beds, and container plantings are planned and maintained. They also coordinate the barrel sponsorship program and are responsible for pest and nuisance control within the community. The presentation provides an overview of department structure, services provided, and data, while also identifying challenges and opportunities as Stony Plain grows.

Council accepted this presentation for information. Learn more in the agenda package on pages  52 – 68.

Tri-Municipal Regional Transit Update Presented to Council

An update on the Tri-Municipal Regional Transit was presented, following a request during the 2024 Corporate Plan discussions. Originally developed in 2018 by Watt Consulting Group, the Tri-Municipal Regional Transit Report outlined strategies for long-term transit enhancements, service design, and standards. Recent work includes the integration of Spruce Grove Specialized Transit and Stony Plain Handi-Bus services, implementation of on-demand services, and a transition to Edmonton Metro Transit Services Commission (EMTSC). Regional Transit work that continues includes:

  • Dissolution of the EMTSC in 2023 has led to an expanded Regional Transit Collaboration working group. The working group was established under the direction of the regional CAO’s and formalized through a Regional Transit Collaboration MOU signed by Stony Plain, Devon, Strathcona County, Parkland County, Leduc County, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton and Beaumont
  • Tri-Municipal Transit committee has initiated review and modeling of automating the scheduling of the Accessible Transit service (ATS), similar to on-demand model
  • Continue to explore the co-mingling of the ATS and on-demand services
  • Continued analysis of the increasing demand on the local and commuter services and solutions
  • Assessing the impacts of transit’s current state on the suggested operational models captured in the early (2018) transit modeling and recommended steps forward
  • Service decision making model - how do future transit service decisions become integrated into established operational procedures

The above are being completed at a pace supported by financial and human resources allocated to transit. Learn more in the agenda package on page 70 of 225.

Council accepted the update for information, recognizing ongoing efforts to improve transit infrastructure and service delivery in the region. 

Council Accepts 2024 Advocacy Priorities for Information

Administration presented the Advocacy Priorities, and Council accepted them for information:

  • Invest and support the new Stony Plain Recreation Facility
  • Improve access to and services from WestView Health Centre
  • Infrastructure investment for growing municipalities
  • Strengthen prosperity through regional collaboration
  • Foster community belonging and public safety

Advocacy is an important tool to manage the impact of external factors which can limit the Town’s ability to meet these priorities, it goes beyond simply changing policies but ensures the best interests, and positions of the Town, as well as the residents and businesses of Stony Plain, are being presented to other governments and stakeholders.

Learn more in the agenda package on pages  227 – 243, also a page on the Town website will be maintained to profile and reference these priorities, www.stonyplain.com/advocacy

Please note: This is not the official Town of Stony Plain council meeting minutes. Please refer to Agendas and Minutes for all supporting documents, and official meeting minutes that have been approved by Town Council.