Regular Council Meeting Highlights for June 28, 2021

Councillor Eric Meyer Appointed Deputy Mayor

Councillor Eric Meyer has been appointed as Deputy Chief Elected Official. The position of Deputy Mayor is undertaken by each Council member twice within their Council term. Councillor Meyer will serve within the role until October 31, 202 or until the appointment of the next Deputy Chief Elected Official.

Learn more about the appointment of the Deputy Mayor in the agenda package on pages 6 – 11.

Off-Site Levy Bylaw Approved After Second and Third Reading

The Off-Site Levy Bylaw has been approved by Council following a public hearing and both second and third reading. In January of 2021, the Town brought in an external advisor to review and update the Town’s Off-Site Levy framework including the rates, bylaw, and associated policies. First reading was given to the bylaw at the May 10 Council Meeting. A substantial review of existing practices was carried out and changes to the bylaw include:

1. Expanding the number of basins from four to twelve;
2. Inclusion of the Recreation Levy;
3. Incorporating the applicable projects from all new master plans into calculations; and
4. Adopting a new Off-Site Levy Model to be updated annually.

The update has resulted in a minor change to the Town’s Off-Site Levy Rates. The new rate sits at an average cost across all basins of $74,949 per hectare – the lowest rate in the Tri-Region and one of the lowest in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.

The Off-Site Levy Bylaw will be available on the Town website.

View Off-Site Levy Bylaw public presentation and learn more about the bylaw in the agenda package on pages 14 – 32 and 53 - 128.

Approval of Borrowing Bylaw Authorizes Borrowing for Umbach Storm Pond

The Borrowing Bylaw was approved after second and third reading during last night’s meeting. The Borrowing Bylaw was given first reading at the May 25 Council Meeting and was publicly advertised for two weeks in the local newspaper with no responses received. The bylaw authorizes debenture borrowing of $12,075,000 for the construction of the Umbach Storm Pond slope remediation.  

Learn more about the Borrowing Bylaw in the agenda package on pages 153 – 157.

Fiscal Sustainability Framework Reviews Off-Site Levies

Council was presented with a continuation of Phase 2 of the Fiscal Sustainability Framework (FSF). The FSF was first introduced in June of 2020 wherein Council and Administration agreed to formalize 13 fiscal sustainability strategies in 2020 and 2021.

As part of Phase 2, a review of Off-Site Levies’ contribution to the sustainability of the Town was provided to Council for information. The final strategy of Phase 2 will include a review of Reserves and will be brought to Council in July of 2021.

Learn more about the Fiscal Sustainability Framework in the agenda package on pages 160 – 165.

Town to Make Financial Contribution to Regional Air Services Opportunity Fund

The Town will be contributing $42,988 to the Regional Air Services Fund in 2021. The Town’s contribution to the fund stems from Stony Plain’s position as a founding member and shareholder of Edmonton Global, the Edmonton Metropolitan Region’s economic development corporation aimed at attracting foreign investment in the region.

An Air Services Opportunity Fund was identified as a need for the region through conversation with the Airport Accord, a commitment to jointly plan for land use, servicing, transportation, economic development, and cost and benefit sharing between Edmonton, Leduc County, the City of Leduc, and Edmonton Regional Airports Authority. The $15-million fund aims to help incentivize airlines to re-establish direct international flight to and from the Edmonton region as pandemic restrictions lifted. Edmonton Global projects the fund will result in the creation of 7,000 jobs and a positive economic impact on the Edmonton Metropolitan Region’s GDP of $415 million.

More information about the Regional Air Services Opportunity Fund in the agenda package on pages 167 – 183.

Stony Plain Poverty Reduction Strategy Presented to Council

Stony Plain’s Poverty Reduction Strategy was presented to Council last night. A draft was first presented in January of 2021, but work on developing the strategy began in 2014. The strategy has involved community engagement and public participation throughout the plan’s development. The plan provides a clear poverty reduction strategy that will help align stakeholders, build stronger collaborations, and work toward poverty alleviation for all community members.

The Stony Plain Poverty Reduction Strategy can be viewed online on the Town website.

More information about the Poverty Reduction Strategy can be found in the agenda package on pages 185 – 202.

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.