Regular Council Meeting Highlights for April 24, 2023

Town of Stony Plain 2022 Audited Financial Statements - Auditor Presentation

The audit report on the 2022 Financial Statements has been completed as per Section 281 of Municipal Government Act (MGA). The external auditor, Phil Dirks, Partner from Metrix Group LLP, provided a financial presentation for Town Council at last night’s Council Meeting.

“The audit went very well,” said Phil Dirks. “The Town of Stony Plain accounts are well-looked after and the Town remains in a good financial position.”

Learn more about the update in the agenda package on pages 6 - 19.

Bylaw 2672/TAX/23 Given First, Second and Third Reading

In 2021, a tax rate split was formalized in coordination with the Revenue and Taxation Policy C-FS-051to incrementally stage increases by tax year 2024. The increases will align the Town’s non-residential tax split to that of the average urban municipalities (less Edmonton) within the Edmonton Metropolitan Regional Board (EMRB). Movement to a tax rate split of 1.32 has been applied to the 2023 tax bylaw. The final increment bringing the Town to the EMRB average will be applied to the tax bylaw in 2024, bringing the split to 1.39.

At this meeting, Council gave first, second and third readings, to unanimously adopt Bylaw 2672/TAX/23, a Bylaw to authorize the rates of taxation to be levied against property within the Town of Stony Plain for the 2023 taxation year.

Property Assessment reflects the market values of properties as of July 1^st last year. The Town experienced an increase in inflationary growth parallel to what was seen throughout the province. Combined true growth for residential and non-residential totaled $37,432,080 in assessment, which equated to 1.35% tax – just over 1% tax growth as estimated in the Corporate Plan. The unbudgeted growth helps to support the budget approved by Council.

Learn more about the update in the agenda package on pages 33 – 45.

Land Use Bylaws 2673/LUO/23 and 2674/LUO/23 Given First Reading

Two amendments to the Land Use Bylaw are being proposed:

1. To remove a height restriction in the Sun Meadows neighbourhood; and
2. To facilitate the redevelopment of a lot within the Woodlands neighbourhood from R1 - Large Lot Single Detached Dwelling Residential District to R7 - Multi-Unit Building Residential District

The above proposals align with the Municipal Development Plan and the associated neighbourhood plans. Council has given first readings to both Bylaws to amend Land Use Bylaw 2761/LUO/23 to facilitate the proposals.

Public hearings for each of the proposed bylaw amendments will be held on June 12, 2023 in Council Chambers.

Learn more about the update in the agenda package on pages 46 – 105.

Council Accepts the Town of Stony Plain 2022 Audited Financial Statements

Following a financial presentation and question period provided by Metrix Group LLP, the annual Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2022, were reviewed, and accepted by Council.

Learn more about the update in the agenda package on pages 108 – 141.

Council Approves Updated Strategic Priorities in Preparation for the Provincial Election

In anticipation of the Provincial Election on May 29, 2023, Council and Administration reviewed and updated the Town’s goals and practices around advocacy to levels of government and key stakeholders. Additionally, two strategic priorities have emerged that warrant profiling as valuable opportunities for provincial support and investment. The Town will encourage the provincial government to address the following priorities:

• Invest in the new Stony Plain Recreation Centre; and
• Improve access to and services from WestView Health Centre

Learn more about the update in the agenda package on pages 142- 151. To read more about the strategic priorities identified by Council and Administration, information is available in the official News Release.

Council Accepts the Strategic and Corporate Plan Q1 2023 Report for Information

The Town of Stony Plain’s Corporate and Strategic Plans were approved by Council in November 2022 and March 2023, respectively. As the Town progresses through 2023, Administration provides quarterly updates to Council that detail status on actions and results of the key initiatives from each of the guiding documents. Council accepted the Strategic and Corporate Plan Q1 2023 Report for information as last night’s meeting.

Learn more about the update in the agenda package on pages 153 – 162.

Council Appoints Claire Callbeck to the Stony Plain Public Library Board

After the yearly Citizen-at-Large board appointments in October 2022, two vacancies became available on the Stony Plain Public Library Board. One vacancy was filled in February 2023, and now the second position has been filled. The board interviewed the applicant and recommended the appointment of Claire Callbeck. Council accepted the recommendation and appointed Claire Callbeck to the Stony Plain Public Library Board for a 1-Year Term.

Learn more about the update in the agenda package on page 164.

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.