Town Prepares for 2021 Municipal Election

With the municipal election coming up this fall, the Town is beginning preparations and updating the Election Bylaw to align with the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). During last night’s meeting, Council gave first, second, and third reading to an updated Election Bylaw.

The municipal election is scheduled to take place on October 18, 2021. More election information will be made available in the months ahead.

Read more about the Election Bylaw in the agenda package on pages 25 – 55.

Council Approves Updated Compensation and Expenses Policy

Council has approved the updated Council Compensation and Expenses policy recommended by the Council Remuneration Committee. The Council Remuneration Committee was appointed in March 2020 with public members meeting the following August (delayed due to COVID-19). The committee made eight recommendations which were presented to Council and discussed at the November 23 Council Meeting.

Read more about the Council Compensation and Expenses policy in the agenda package on pages 57 – 77.

Stony Plain FCSS Looks to Integrate into the Town

Stony Plain Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is looking to integrate under the Town. Over the last 32 years, FCSS has operated under a separate governance board with 20 percent of funding stemming from the municipality and 80 percent from the province. In 2019, concern around provincial funding increased and conversations began around shifting the structure of FCSS to align more closely within the Town as a department.

To date, funding has not changed and the province has entered into a three-year funding agreement for the delivery of FCSS programming. Following the funding announcement, the FCSS board continued discussing the benefits of a more seamless working relationship with the rest of the municipality. Should Council approve the recommendation, the organizational shift will take place over the course of the next six to eight weeks. The move has no anticipated additional budget impacts.

Learn more about the Stony Plain FCSS integration in the agenda package on pages 79 – 102.

Increase to Natural Gas Franchise Fee Update

Council received an update on the natural gas franchise fee increase. Information regarding the potential for a natural gas franchise fee increase from 30 percent to 35 percent was presented at the October 13 Council Meeting and the increase was included in the Corporate Plan 2021 – 2023. Letters were sent to notify each gas utility and the increase was advertised in the local paper. Since advertised, one phone call was received from a resident concerned about the increase.

The impact of the increase to a customer using 115 GJs of gas per year is estimated to be $26.33 annually or $2.19 per month effective February 1, 2021.

Read more about Natural Gas Franchise Fee on pages 103 – 105 and 106 – 111 of the agenda.

2020 Audit Plan Presented to Council

Council was presented with the 2020 Audit plan during last night’s meeting. Since October of 2018, Metrix Group LLP has served as the Town’s Auditor and has presented an annual audit to Council each year. Findings for 2020 will be presented at the April 26, 2021 Regular Council Meeting.

Learn more about the 2020 Audit Planning Report in the agenda package from pages 112 – 120.

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.