Thank you.
» I know.
All right.
In the spirit of respect, authenticity,
and reconciliation, the town of
Slavelike honors and acknowledges that
we are situated on the traditional lands
of sovereign First Nation within Treaty
8 territory, home to indigenous, matey,
and Inuit peoples who have occupied
these lands since time immemorial.
Councelor Gamick.
I'd
>> like to make a motion to adopt the
agenda as presented.
>> Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion? Call to question. Those in
favor and that one is carried. Perfect.
We can move right into reports of new
business and service level on dust
control, gravel roads, and street
sweeping.
Alvin, floor is yours.
>> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Purpose
of the report is to provide council a
summary of dust control uh gravel roads
and street sweeping. The background
every year the town performs the dust
control, gravel maintenance program and
street sweeping. The programs are
essential and a part of of maintaining
gravel uh paved and gravel streets to
prevent higher capital costs in the
future. uh discussion
uh dust control involves the application
of a dust control agent uh to gravel
roads to minimize the dust. The dust
suppressant used in town is calcium
chloride. The calcium is applied to the
gravel and retains moisture to help
weigh the dust particles down. It also
acts as a road stabilizer
by adding uh calcium to the gravel.
helps bind the smaller particles to the
aggregate together and tighten up the
road surface. This also helps seal the
road to minimize water penetration when
it rains. Repeating this pro process
every year will improve the road surface
and base for better quality of roads.
All gravel roads uh are are part of the
dust pro program. In Slave Lake, there's
about 17 kilometers of roads that need
dust control, excluding alleys.
Every road in town receives one
application per year. In the spring,
until the frost is out of the ground, we
try uh to disturb the surface as little
if possible. This differs from roads
that do not have any treatment. Treated
roads form a hard crust and minimize the
soft spots and prevent the help prevent
the frost boils. That's a dark mudlike
crap. Um, disturbing these frost boils
opens up the crust and spreads quickly
to become larger spots that will need uh
lead to more expense extensive repair.
Once frost is out of the ground and the
roads firm up, usually end of May to
early June, the roads are shaped up by
the grater in preparation for the dust
control or for gravel. Uh gravel can be
typically laid uh mid June or mid yeah mid to late June.
The successful contract of of our gravel
maintenance program will deliver the
gravel and roughly spread it down the
road. The greater will finish spreading
the gravel
and uh work it into the road. Each
summer, we budget for approximately 50%
of the roads, putting a 2-in lift of
gravel to maintain the structure of the
road. When the gravel is placed, uh when
the gravel when all the gravel is
placed, the grater will dress up the
road and prepare it for calcium. After
all the gravel roads are finished being
dressed up, the calcium is brought in
and sprayed evenly down the road.
Maintenance after requires pre-wetting
the road uh prior to grading to maintain
the effect effectiveness of calcium.
Grading throughout the summer months
happens once uh
every uh one to two weeks. Uh we monitor
the roads weekly and if they need it, we
grade them sooner.
This process is done earlier.
Uh this process is not done earlier as
it we would require two amounts of
calcium and would be uh covered with the
gravel when we do our gravel maintenance
program. The pro the full process cost
approximately 95 or $94,000.
Uh the cost uh includes purchase of the
gravel, preparing the roads uh purchase
of gravel as well as maintaining the
roads after the dust present.
Uh street sweeping is another form of
dust control. This allows for the
removal of sand and salt throughout the
winter that we use throughout the
winter. This process cleans up the
streets and prevents trash, dirt, and
other debris from commun commun
accumulating in the storm system.
Uh there are two components to sweeping.
The first is the initial uh cleanup
including lawn and boulevard sweeping.
The second is the ongoing maintenance
throughout the summer. Uh water jets on
the sweeper are used to minimize the
dust that is kicked up by the brooms.
Street sweeping starts in the spring
when the overnight temperatures are
constantly above freezing and most of
the snow snow is melted. The initial
cleaning starts with the two large
brooms uh going out and doing the mains
collectors arterials and picking up the
bulk of the winter sand and salt.
Once the remainder of the snow was
melted off the lawns, the little
sleepers sent out uh to remove the sand
and salt that was left over from snow in
the windross.
Uh res residential lawn and sidewalk uh
cleaning only occurs to properties that
are on the designated side of the road.
That's the side of the road that we put
the snow on. The debris the debris is
swept onto the road and then the bigger
sweepers pick it up and haul it out to
their snow dump. This completes the
initial spring cleaning.
After the cleanup has happened, we shift
into m summer maintenance. Downtown core
uh is scheduled to be cleaned once a
week. This generally happens in the
middle of the night on night shift. All
means, arterials and collectors will
also be cleaned once a week. This
happens during normal hours. Residential
sweeping will occur twice per month. Uh,
and this also happens during regular
hours. And of course, this is all very
weather dependent as we found out this
year.
Um,
any questions?
» Councelor Hughes.
>> Thank you, Calvin. Um, just to your
comment about whether then, so are we a
little bit behind with sweeping in
residential areas at this point just due
to all the rain or
>> Yeah, we are. We have swept residential
twice. Um, All quadrants.
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, okay.
>> The hurdle we have is when it rains, uh,
it's an oil field come uh, town, so when
it rains, all the trucks bring the dirt
and mud and stuff like that and they
just like Caribou Trail, we've swept, I
think, three or four times already.
>> Okay.
>> And it looks like it's just Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> So, the rain is uh not our friend when
it comes to sweeping.
>> Yeah. Okay. Thank you.
Okay. Anything
further from council on that? Councelor
Chova.
» I'd like to make a motion to accept the
service levels summary of dust control
gravel roads and street sweeping report
as information.
>> Okay. Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion? Call to question. Those in
favor and that is carried. Thanks.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. Next up, thank you. You too.
>> Operating budget update. Roland.
>> All right. Uh, [clears throat] good
evening, your worship and members of
council. Uh, the purpose of tonight's
report is just to give council an update
as to where we're sitting as of June
30th on our operating budget. Uh, I'm
not going to go over everything. I am
going to go over some of the highlights.
Uh, some things are kind of in line. I'm
just going to skip over those, but I
will go with the ones that uh uh do have
some variance uh on that. Uh the overall
big picture right now uh for the revenue
is that uh operating revenues are
sitting at 18 18.2 million representing
71% of the approved uh $26 million
annual revenue budget. Uh for municipal
taxes, uh all municipal tax revenue has
been invoiced for the year uh with
revenues at 10.5 million or 100% of the
annual budget. Uh this represents the
total invoices build but not yet
collected. Um I did provide a breakdown
of exactly where we're sitting with our
receivables uh as of July 1st for our
taxes. Uh so currently we have $3.8
million in 2026 outstanding. Um, that
does seem like a big amount, but uh, for
the most part uh, a lot of that is on
the pre-authorized payment plan. So, not
everybody pays the full amount on June
30th. We expect to collect most of that
by December 31st. Uh, in 2025 we have
$152,000 in rears. In 2024, we have
36,000. Uh, 2023 we have 9,000 and in
2022 and prior years we have 556,000.
And in the 2022 total and prior, uh
there's approximately three properties
with one property in that range. That
basically accounts for 90% of the uh
total outstanding amount.
Uh total arars uh total 754,000.
Uh current roles are 1,392.
Um and we do have 1,60 rolls that are on
the pre-authorized payment plan. So, I'm
just bringing that report back. When we
did start the pre-authorized payment
plan and tried to push this, we started
around 56% about 8 years ago of the town
that was on the pre-authorized payment
plan. We're now sitting around 76%. So,
that's come a long way. A lot of people
have signed up to to pay their taxes on
a monthly basis.
Uh, so I think that's a a good thing.
Uh, for user fees and sales are good.
Um, so overall, we're sitting at 52% of
budget. Not really any concerns here. uh
the water and sewer uh fees are trending
a little bit lower. Um not really
surprising. It's been a very very uh wet
year and winter never ended. So you
don't have to uh water your grass and so
we are seeing that. Um however the good
news on that one is that re that lost
revenue is uh offset uh with higher than
expected revenues from our bulk water.
So we're doing uh really good on our
bulk water and our bulk sewer. um that
to cover that kind of little dip in and
less water usage.
Uh penalties uh penalties are sitting
around 42% of the year. Uh they're
trending lower than expected. Um
and I think this is just mainly
attributed to the fact that our
pre-authorization
uh tax amounts uh are sitting at a
record high of 76%. So we're having less
people um paying once at a time kind of
or you know failing to pay and incurring
those penalties and going on the monthly
plan. So uh we will be looking at
projecting uh a different uh penalty
revenue for the years going forward. Uh
license and permits
uh it's sitting around 90,000 or about
65% of budget. Uh this revenue here is
projected to be under budget for the
year. Uh so the two factors there just
slightly lower than anticipated.
business license revenue for the year
and then the bigger one is just the
cancellation fees for the planning and
development permits for the year.
Other than that, um the only other one
other revenue where uh we have a little
bit of variance there is just other
revenue. It's sitting at 190,000 or 74%
of budget. Um we are projecting revenue
here to come in higher than budget and
this is just a result of a number of
donations made uh that were not
anticipated during budget. Um however
this additional revenue will be offset
by uh the expenditures that we incur
from the donations.
Um so overall uh revenue we're uh
looking good. Uh on the expense side
uh same kind of story here. Total
operating expenses are about 11 million
representing 52%. Uh so halfway through
the year right right around the half
mark. Uh no uh no real overall concerns.
Um I did provide two breakdowns here. So
salaries, wages, and benefits overall
the total big picture. Um we're sitting
at 51% of budget and we don't expect uh
to exceed that budget. Uh the devil's in
the details within certain departments
where we do have certain uh overruns,
but overall big picture, we should be
able to offset some of the overruns uh
where we have unridges in other places
to kind of cover all the overall
salaries and wages. uh budget
uh contracted and general services. Um
no anticipation of overages here. Again,
uh the big caveat on this one is um
snow. So we have used up our entire snow
budget. We did budget for that. We
anticipated that um should we have you
know a massive snowfall again if the
spring and winter stays the same. Yes,
we are going to have a bit of a
challenge on our overall contractors and
general services. But for right now um
we believe we can maintain uh budget
materials supplies and utilities
um currently represent uh 1.4 million
representing about 45% of budget. Uh
right now utilities, power and gas are
trending lower and are expected to come
in under budget. Uh the assumption here
again is made for uh a mild summer
season along with average fall
temperatures. Um, if we see 30°ree
September and 30°ree August, of course,
air conditioning goes up, power might go
up. That could affect that. Um, I'm not
anticipating that. Um, the only other uh
area here where we are definitely going
to exceed budgeted limits. However, um,
with this lower power and gas things, we
should be able to offset that is just
our fuel expenses. Uh so both fuel
budgets at fire services and operations
are expected to exceed amounts by about
$10,000 and $50,000 respectively. Um and
that's just due to uh overall increased
fuel prices uh for the whole year and
then we'll see what the the fall brings.
Um
so overall um on the big picture for
expenses uh we are expecting to kind of
come in right on the mark right now uh
with a current projection with a small
surplus of about $12,000.
Um where were uh where where we had some
concerns uh within the individual
departments. Uh so council right now is
sitting at 62% of the budget. Um looking
at the uh meeting fees, uh council has
now spent its entire meeting budget for
the year. So we are going to have some
cost overages there uh for the end of
the year. Again, looking at other areas,
we do have some other areas where um
we'll be able to cover some of those
overages. Um
uh the other areas where we expect some
a little bit of overages here, uh fire
services, uh currently total is 1.4 4
million or 55% of budget. Um, and while
revenues right now are currently sitting
at 60% of budget, uh, we did take uh, we did budget in this year for about
a $200,000 in deployment revenue. And of
course, then Mother Nature decided to
uh, make it rain and squash all of our
potential fires.
Um so we probably won't be again you
never know uh receiving that uh revenue.
So in uh in that case here this revenue
shortfall will have to be split between
the town and the MD.
Um other than that those were just the
two areas of concern right now where we
just expected some overages or we're not
collecting the revenue. All other uh
departments right now are currently
sitting at that 50% mark. um kind of in
line with prior years and we don't
really have uh at this time uh any
expectation of uh further budget
overruns uh as of today.
With that, I'll open it up to any
questions for council.
In the uh two sheets there too, you'll
have your year to dates and the
projections also as in the columns
there.
>> Well, I'll start it off with some
questions. Um, so my questions are
actually just regarding the forecast
versus the approved budget. Um, and just
some curiosity. So, water supply and
distribution. I've got here
approximately a $217,000
increase expected for the forecasted for
the 2026 year. I'm just wondering why
such a swing based on the budget.
Usually, water's fairly stable
>> for Okay, so which revenue expenses
>> uh expenses? water supply and
distribution. I'm just looking at your
forecasted year end column and your
approved budget column because it just
the forecast is
>> Oh yeah. So u so on this run right here
I have reserves transfers built right
in. So that does cover that. So uh based
on the current revenue project and our
current expenses I'm expecting that
we'll be able to transfer a little bit
more into reserve. So it's not an
overall bad thing. it just shows a
higher
>> expense because of the reserve
>> in this in this format uh reserve
transfers are included in the
department.
>> So in that same comparing those two
columns my other questions would be
there's a projected
um community services it's looking like
it's under approximately 246,000 off of
the budget for year to date. utilities
and power power and gas right now for uh
the MRC are definitely working in our
favor.
>> Okay. Um same thing. So administration
I've got 400,000 as a discrepancy.
>> Um that's again where we're offsetting
some of that. So administration we did
add a new position and there's some
other
>> why it's lower that you have 2.9 million
for forecasted and approved budget is
3.3.
So that's what my curiosity is why it's
If we're trying to because we've been
trying to get budgets as aligned as
possible. So if there's big swings like
a power and gas that's expected. I was
just curious why the discrepancy in
administration.
» Let me get back to you.
>> Yep. That'd be great. Um and then as far
as the overages for meeting fees. So for
council for meeting fees is that what is
that? Is that the hourly? Which
category?
>> Hourly because there is that's the only
one left, right? We have the bi-weekly
allowance and then you have the hourly.
So when we did that originally I budget
it's uh 40 we had that spreadsheet about
40 meetings a year.
>> Okay.
>> So we've basically I said for council
you've probably hit that mark right now.
>> Okay. So it's the meeting fees are the
hourly meetings that we've under
budgeted for.
>> Okay.
Anything further from the rest of
council?
Okay. Okay. So, yeah, if you can just
get back to us on that uh on that
discrepancy there, that would be great.
I would entertain a motion from council
then.
Councelor Choba.
>> Thank you.
Um I'd like to move to
accept the operation budget update as
information.
>> Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion?
Call to question. Those in favor and
that one is carried. Thank you.
councelor Hughes is
>> just Okay, perfect.
>> Okay, next up,
Joe.
» It's a quick turnaround on a bylaw.
>> Mhm.
» Under the circumstances.
Uh good evening uh your worshiing
council. Uh presenting tonight bylaw
number 10-2026
leisure economic assistance program
bylaw. The purpose of this report is to
present the revised and updated leisure
economic assistance bylaw number 10-2026
for council's consideration and to
recommend that council give the bylaw
reading um as the revisions from last
week strengthen the overall governance
framework for the town's leisure
economic assistance program by improving
administrative clarity, enhancing
accountability, expanding eligibility
provisions, and establishing consistent
procedures for program administration.
Again, for background, the existing
leisure economic assistance policy was
adopted in 2015 and has served the
foundation for the town's recreation fee
assistance program. Since that time,
municipal practices, legislative
requirements, and community expectations
have evolved significantly.
Administration undertook a comprehensive
view and have created a bylaw to ensure
it reflects current best practices,
improve accessibility for residents
experiencing financial hardship, and
provides a moderate administrative
framework for the delivery of recreation
fee assistance.
administration has completed a detailed
review of the proposed bylaw
incorporating council's feedback to
improve clarity, consistency, and
operational effectiveness and
legislative alignment. Uh the bylaw also
reflects current privacy requirements,
establishes clear administrative
responsibilities and strengthens dispute
resolution process while ensuring
stewardship of municipal resources.
administration has completed a review um
to ensure that it provides a clear,
transparent and sustainable framework
for administering the LEAP program. Uh
the revisions improve the readability of
the bylaw by expanding definitions uh
and responsibilities. Uh there are three
options administration that I
administration has identified. The
recommended option is to give the
reading of the bylaw. Uh this option
modernizes the fee assistance program as
discussed. Uh section 7 provides three
options for council's consideration and
approval that community services can use
moving forward as the program benefit
guidelines. Implementation can occur
using existing administrative resources
and will support improved customer
service and operational efficiency.
Alternatively, the council may refer the
bylaw back to administration for
additional revisions. While this would
provide an opportunity for further
refinement should council identify
additional changes, it would obviously
delay implementation of the updated
policy and require additional staff time
and future council consideration.
Council may also choose to defeat the
proposed bylaw. This option would
maintain the existing policy framework,
however, would leave the town operating
under an outdated policy that doesn't
fully reflect current administrative
practices.
The proposed revisions in this proposed
bylaw, taking it from policy to a bylaw,
are not expected to create significant
financial or staffing impacts beyond
those already approved through the
annual operating budget process. The
LEAP program will continue to operate
within council approved funding.
Administration will manage approvals in
accordance with available budget
capacity. Operationally, the revised
bylaw is expected to improve
administrative efficiency by
standardizing procedures, clarifying
eligibility requirements, reducing any
inconsistencies in decision-m, and
improve overall program administration.
As mentioned last week, this bylaw
repeals and replaces policy D-025
from 2015, establishing a much more
modern governance framework for the LEAP
program.
The communication strategy following
adoption of the bylaw administration
will implement a communication strategy
to ensure residents and stakeholders are
aware of the revised program.
Information will be published on the
town's website. Application forms and
supporting materials will be updated and
community organizations, schools, social
service agencies, and recreation user
groups would be advised of the changes.
Internal training will also be provided
to community services staff to ensure
the revised bylaw is implemented
consistently and that applicants receive
accurate and timely information
regarding eligibility application
requirements and available programs. And
depending on which of the three options
are chosen, there may be minimal impact
to our residents and our users. Uh and
it very well could be the status fairly
much the status quo. Uh the proposed
bylaw supports council's commitment to
fostering a healthy, inclusive, resil
resilient community by reducing
financial barriers to participation in
recreation and leisure opportunities.
The bylaw promotes equitable access to
municipal services while ensuring
responsible stewardship of public
resources through transparent
eligibility requirements and accountable
administrative processes. Recommendation
to council's administration recommends
that council uh give all three readings
in unanimous consent. Uh the proposed
revisions significantly strengthen the
bylaw uh as discussed in this
presentation and it better position the
town to provide equitable and
transparent recreation fee assistance
while ensuring responsible stewardship
of municipal resources.
get to the right page here.
» So, a couple administrative things from
me. 4.10 10 refers to appendix B, but
appendix B is blank in here. Is that
because it's based on our choices? Okay.
>> And then
>> and appendix A reads that u
>> it's labeled a schedule A
>> for the purposes of the bylaw. So that
this isn't something as any of the LICO
amounts and in discussions with Darcy
and FCSS and and kids sports, I think I
mentioned to you out of chamber that the
rates that they use for LICO are
actually higher.
>> It's this plus 50%.
>> Yeah. Which is interesting because I was
just I don't understand why they make
the LICO rates with the discussion from
last week that we had. Same thing I said
if they set rural rates that are for
towns their size. It's interesting that
those aren't the ones that are used by
peers etc. I just found it very odd.
That's why my questioning was around
that because obviously you hadn't done the research about that. So
appendix B is going to have the details
based on what we decide here. Just a
note that um the body of the bylaw
refers to appendix A, but it's labeled
as schedule A. So
>> B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B was sort of an option in relation to
limiting benefits, I think, because
we're suggesting to mayor and council
that our current program stays the same
out of the three options that are listed
within section 7.
>> Y
>> um and and part of the discussion I had
with with Darcy was relation to uh those
communities that have a 75% off policy.
It still creates a situation that family
four needs to come up with a
considerable amount of money if you're
on a budget. So I believe we figured out
a family of four or a family of five
would need to come up with over $300 to
pay that 25% portion of a family pass.
So though it's an option here on the
page, it's not my preference or
recommendation to council. I think our
current model, particularly based on
usage, as discussed last week, is very
reasonable and and fills a need within
the community, but it's not something
that's overtly been used and we have
tremendous numbers. It's a small portion
of the community that
>> is that so is that option one, two, or
three? Just
>> 75%.
>> Uh the option I'm suggesting is that the
it 7.1.1
>> it's the one 7.1.2 he's talking about
the
>> I'm discussing 7.1.2, which is the
second option.
>> Third option is what some communities
use similar to St. Albert where it's an
either or situation. It's one free
six-month pass or again 75% off an
annual pass.
>> And so you're suggest So administration
is suggesting
>> administrator suggesting 7.1
>> 1.1.
>> So the multif family membership hassles
and a $40 discount.
>> Okay. So what so the first one
>> is what we do now and then the other two
options are for council's discussion and
consideration now
>> for consideration
» what she's saying is you change it to
schedule a notending
you got to change it to schedule aendex
>> okay gotcha
So currently annual multif family passes
plus a $40 program discount. So that is
we provide it to if they qualify for the
program anyone that qualifies and that's
to all the pool MRC etc.
>> And we have never administered the $40.
It's never been used. It's always just
>> the $40 program discount. So that's when
it's outside. So that would be if you
wanted to sign up for
>> summer splash.
>> Okay,
>> it is but traditionally people would
apply for greater funding through kids
sport or jump start.
>> Okay, so that's that one's just usually
not used, but it is a tool there if
someone chose to use it. So right now we
can it's free essentially annual multif
family passes for those that qualify in
the program.
>> It's sort of a try out fee. $40 would
cover usually one day at camp, right? to
see whether or not there's a fit for the
children andor should they apply next
year for maybe jump start and and apply
for the whole
>> Okay. And so that would be for the
obviously not just the facility usage is
that's for
>> Okay. Okay. No, I just wanted to make
sure I understood what that was that
kind of stuff.
>> Okay.
Any questions from council on that or
discussion on preferred options?
>> Council Hughes.
>> The only other one that had flagged for
me here was our discussion last week
just regarding um being in good
standing. So, I was just looking at the
5.1.6.
Um, and you're just basically saying as
long as they're in good standing with
the community service department of the
town and the MD, including having no
outstanding community services related
obligations, um, that would affect their
eligibility. So, nothing in terms of
other town departments then?
>> Not at this time. That's not the
suggested administration. We keep
focused to the services that we offer
and in good standing with us as the
offering department.
>> Okay.
Um,
>> yeah, that was just one of our Oh,
sorry. Go ahead.
>> A lot of times these people applying are
renters, so they wouldn't have
outstanding taxes. A lot of them are in
low-inccome housing.
>> In low income. Okay.
>> Okay. Yeah, that was just one thing that
was kind of a topic of discussion. So, I
just thought I would highlight it here
and sort of say to council, everybody
seems okay with that [laughter]
one and moving through that. I was
initially on the other like the oppos
side that it should be all of that, but
I understand if we're looking at
barriers to entry for access to
community services and recreation. I can
see how it makes sense to go with
administration's recommendation of oper
of it in a silo of good standing with
community services
>> and and it is at the discretion of the
director. So in that situation,
councelor Hughes, if there was someone
that it was brought to my attention that
was another outstanding matter, for
instance, uncut lawns or something that
bylaw was, you know, dealing with that
was an outstanding issue or a vehicle
that wasn't being moved. Those would be
pieces we could consider and maybe have
a conversation with the applicant to
say, "We have a concern of the
department. It's creating a bit of a
delay and try and figure out best
possible solution." again u looking at
our previous client base and people who
were applying for the program I don't
see that being the issue that was
discussed in our first meeting with tax
concerns or water concerns as discussed
and again each application's done on a
case-by case basis if there's any
recommendations or mention from staff
that provide new information that should
be considered it would be done at that
time and obviously if any leap
assistance was not provided to that
person it would be spelled out in a
letter and then the appeal process would
start.
>> I did read that that you would respond
to them with the reasons and I also
think that that's great. So everything
else in the bylaw I found to be fine. I
just wanted to open that up for
discussion and make sure everyone was
comfortable. But I do appreciate that
you guys will be taking it by a case by
case basis and I feel confident in that.
So
>> Alex wanted to weigh in. So, just to add
and support support um the community
services, one of the things we talked
about if if a family uh parents cannot
afford their taxes per se or or they've
got a grass cutting bylaw fine, is that
fair to the children that might be five
or six years old to want to go to the
pool? So, that's why we left it with the
community services department and not
punishing the entire family for maybe
they can't pay $1,500 in taxes um but
they should still be able to get some of
that mental health relief. So, that's
where we left it at that as a support to
what they just said. Okay. Thank you.
Okay. Anything further from council,
» council?
>> No. If there's no other questions, I'll
make a motion. But it recommends give
second reading, but unless I'm mistaken,
we haven't given first reading. So,
that's what I'm going to do, right? Y
>> needs to be first reading.
>> I'll move that council gives bylaw
number 10-2026
first reading.
>> Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion? Call to question those in
favor and that one is carried.
Councelor Bows move that council gives
bylaw number 10-2026
second reading.
>> Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion? Call the question. Those in
favor and that is carried. Councelor
Choba.
>> I move that council gives biler number
10-2026
unanimous consent for third reading. Any
further discussion? Call to question.
Those in favor and that is carried. And
councelor Williams.
>> I move that council gives bylaw number
10-2026
third reading.
>> Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion? Call to question. Those in
favor. And that is carried.
Okay. Thank you very much.
» Okay. On to the CEO update. Alex, floor
is yours.
>> Thank you, Mayor and Council. Uh, so
we'll start with planning development on
the update today. Um, some of the
activity taking place, the staff
attended an intermunicipal uh,
subdivision appeal or ESTAB hearing um,
in support of a local applicant. Some of
the summer events taking place. There's
been lots of special events which uh,
have been benefited the community and
the permits are all approved. Again,
we're still challenged with some of
these events coming in with very short
notice, but our planning and development
partners has been department has been
done a very good job of working through
them quickly so that these events can
take place. Uh they and the uh again
continue to work closely with the other
um activities that are taking place
coming up
under human resources. Um we have some
training coming up uh and taking place
respectful workplace for all of our
staff and mental health for leaders and
supervisors is on ongoing. Um it's a quick online takes about an hour
for our staff. Um and we've made it
through all of our from full-time
directors down to the part-time staff.
And our internal audit um under health
and safety is beginning this year
because of our high score last year and
all the work that went in is just a
report for the next couple years. So we
don't have to do all the interviews and
audits and things like that. Um which is
a feather in the cap to the team. um for
projects. So, the multi-purpose HVAC and
washroom upgrades have gone out to RFQ
or request for proposal.
The new diving board has finally been
ordered and we're hoping for a delivery
in late July and then we'll work on
getting it installed. So, that was a
carryover project from last year. Um the
water main replacement on 11th Avenue um
has started. the letters have gone out
and as mentioned last week the overlay
and grind and fill program um the
companies have been notified and they're
getting ready to uh mobilize in town. Um
community services under FCSS the parade
of programs is on September 12th. Um the
internal grant applications there was
seven received they will be coming to
council on August 11th. Uh the pool the
school year end swims wrapped up with
over eight eight swims with over 100
patrons each. Um the MRC had Canada Day
with over 500 attendees and um we keep
um speaking about the,200 pancakes that
were served by the fire department. So
that was a a good news on their behalf.
The legacy has uh we we installed a
ghost kitchen. So if you're not sure
what that means, basically anybody can
come and just rent the kitchen. It
doesn't have to be for an event. And
we've had two people sign up for that.
So it's another way that we're looking
at creating some revenue over there.
Um, we have a couple of baseball
tournaments that just took place as well
as provincials are coming up this
weekend and we've had two hockey camps
at the MRC and two more coming up uh
next month.
The fire department, so they've been
busy um as even though it's been wet
weather, they've still been busy there
on the inspection side. There was four
inspections, two investigations, and
four complaints that were handled in
June. the WOOI team coordinator, the
admin program coordinator and did some
wildfire assessments in a couple of MD
properties. They're really pushing
wildfire assessments through um Fire
Smart Canada right now. There's an
online app and our fires smart
coordinator is able to handle that. Um
their calls uh so far as of July 6 are
344. They're trending up slightly from
last year, but nothing um nothing like
years previous to that. And currently
there's 118 members across the region. A
couple of side notes that weren't in the
report. Um, recently you may have saw
that we put out a post on behalf of the
RCMP um for some stolen property. We
included pictures, which is something we
haven't done in the past very much. So,
um, in speaking with the RCMP detachment
commander, that's they that's something
they're starting to do a little bit more
of when they have um good pictures of of
potential suspects that they want us to
share. So, we're working with them on
that. our peace officer. Um he was away
last week so I wasn't able to get a
quick or an update but he did spend time
adjusting his schedule for river boat
days, helping out with the parade,
fireworks, and patrolling the grounds.
Um dealing with unsightly properties at
this time of year with all the weather
uh the moisture. So we we've got lots of
grass um complaints coming in and as as
normal right now the encampments
operations. So we heard a bit of their
street sweeping gravel roads. They
weren't able to do the the uh calcium
just yet because of the wet weather, but
the wet weather also helps with keeping
the dust down. So, it is still ongoing.
Um recycle keeping that um get grass
removal and garbage pickup as needed. Um
pothole repairs. I did ask today there
was a couple questions on Main Street.
So, there is some overlay taking place
by between Second and Third AB. So,
that's kind of in front of RBC. Um
there's going to be some more potholeing
done by the the uh Legion. Um, so there
is some on more ongoing work going there
and line painting um will finish up once
the new overlay takes place on the south
end of Main Street.
Um, and at the water plant, they're
painting the new shop, getting that
almost finished up and prep work on the
line repairs, uh, sewer line repairs and
water lines in town. Any questions?
Just double checking on that. I asked a
question last week about potholes. So I
heard you say now that they're doing
some work in front of the Legion. Is
that
>> So there's a um some of the ones the the
now that the plants are up and running, there's a a section in
front of the Legion um kind of by Carlos
there that needs to be worked on. Okay.
>> And then the section in front of RBC
that's part of the overlay, there's
going to be grind and fill done in that.
So the little holes won't get filled
until the grind and overlay takes place.
Okay.
>> And and then residential's ongoing, but
those are the big ones that are standing
out in the community right now on Main
Street.
>> Okay. So we can expect within the next
several weeks that the majority should
be filled, I would.
>> Yeah. Ongoing. Um those ones are very
major, so they'll probably get on them
sooner rather than later. Okay.
>> And then as the grind and fill takes
place, they'll do the ones outside of
that patching program.
>> Any further questions from council
councelor Hughes?
>> Uh motion to accept the CAO update.
>> Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion? Call to question. Those in
favor and that is carried.
Okay, moving forward into
where am I at? Management task list.
>> So, thanks again. I just Sorry, I lost
my place. Just pulling it up. So, there
is a couple things on the management
task list.
uh the um advertisement for the the kind
of the projects was completed and sent
out on our social media pages. The um
tri council health meeting has been um
uh planned and the sale of the VIC for
the 64 $642,500
was signed last week. So that has been
completed. It's just in the MD hands now
to finalize the that and the land
transfer and all of that. So everything
on the current task list has been
completed as of today or or just about
finalized as of today.
>> Councelor Hughes,
>> is there a timeline on when things with
the VIC will be sort of finalized?
>> Yeah, it's uh it's basically in getting
the land titles adjusted and getting the payment processed. Um I would
suspect be done by the end of August.
Okay.
>> Uh land titles is a little bit behind,
but it's really not. It's just the
payment once we have the payment, but
the paper the documents were signed by
the mayor and myself last week. So our
end is done now. is just accepting the
payment and finishing the land title.
>> Okay, thank you.
>> Okay,
councelor Choba
>> like to move to accept the management
task list as information motion on the
floor. Any further discussion? Called
questions in favor and that is carried.
Um, anything for question period?
>> Oh,
trouble. [clears throat]
Quick question, Alex. Um,
at our tri council health meeting, we
agreed that the town should send a
letter to
I'll give you um AHS medical affairs. um
just supporting
our local hospital um and chatting with
them about the decision to move or or
basically relocate a physician without
proper consultation or replacement
plans. So basically would admin like me
to make a motion on that or is that
something that you can take with?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. All right. I guess I will make a
motion tasking admin to um write a
letter of support
supporting our local um hospital to AHS
medical affairs um letting them know
about our displeasure in how they've
handled the physician relocation from
Slave Lake without consultation and
replacement planning.
>> Okay, there's a motion on the floor. Um
any further discussion? Call to
question. Those in favor and that is
carried and then councelor Chobbo if you
can provide the relevant details to
administration. Assume there's a bit
more specifics that would need to be
included in that. Anything further for
question period
as I see none we can move forward into
the committee minutes.
Okay. First three are me. So, uh,
intermunicipal meeting was held this
month. Um, there was discussion
surrounding the MD boat launch and
needed repairs and the potential for a
joint grant application regarding the
approximately $75,000 repair cost. We
also had a presentation of the
intermunicipal bylaw first draft for the
MGA. A bylaw is required to govern the
intermunicipal committee and it needs to
be established to spell out quorum
voting requirements and dispute
resolution. So, just doing some of the
cleanup on the legislative end. uh
moving into Alberta North Central
Alliance um was presented the ACP
housing document that ANSA has been
working on for a while. So it was an
update on our regional housing study um
gathering the data from all the member
uh member communities uh regarding
vacancies
um housing needs. It's actually quite
detailed. So, similar to the mental
health um information that was gathered
and presented just about everywhere in
the region, the housing document is
intended to have that same presentation
as it's as it's finalized. Um so, a lot
of the data has never been put into the
same place at one time. So, it's very
interesting um going through it because
it went through all the nations that are
members and all of our communities as
well. Um and it's uh it's quite
detailed. Um so, there we talked about
next steps for review and approval on
that. There was also discussions
surrounding the proposals for using
there's an approximately 74,000
remaining for the uh related ACP grant.
So discussions on how to further that
housing document that's coming forward
and and what that will look like as well
as discussions regarding the economic
development advisor courses as um doing
that as a regional cohort. So uh be
training that involves the certification
course talking about how it's delivered,
how it's going to be um presented and
where. So discussions to make that uh as
effective as possible because each uh
municipality and nation sent multiple
members to come to that to get their EDA
training. And
then housing
the weight list went from 78 to 82. The
increase is mostly in senior
self-contained and Vanderwell which went
from 19 to 24. So that would be from
April to May. Um so we are seeing a
consistent increase. I think I say this
every time uh used weight list used to
be 0 to5 about 3 four years ago and now
we are seeing that 19 to 24. So we're
taking a look at existing projects that
we might be able to push forward. Um but
that's uh there's significant need for
seniors housing. Uh we also went along
with our standard business reviewing
policies and approval of the 2026
business plan that was submitted to the
province. Um we're working on improving
scheduling. So taking a look at expected
timeline for uh repair completion.
Usually when tenants move out there
sometimes there's repairs that need to
be completed and lining that up with a
tenant that's ready to go. So we're
minimizing the downtime and the vacancy
in in the social housing units. Um as
well as we went on a tour of 11 units
that were transferred from the province
into the social housing portfolio. So,
they are previously provincial owned and
were transferred for a dollar um 11 of
them, majority in the southeast into our
portfolio, which is great. Um along with
a um a grant that goes along with any
repair to get them up to to current
standards, although most of those units
are in very good condition. Um and
market appraisals were done ahead of
time. So, the province is actually
moving away from transferring units into
housing authorities. So, uh, we're we're
quite lucky to have those those
properties transferred over. And that is
my three. Tri Council Health. Sounds
like you've had an entertaining time.
Councelor Bows. So, uh, we had our one
of our monthly meetings here just the
other day and with it being summertime,
of course, there's a lot of people away,
so it wasn't very long meeting. Um, of
course with summer holidays, this also
correlates into longer wait times. if
you're looking to get into the clinic.
Um, however, we will have two new
physicians that will be starting around
the end of September or sorry, end of o
August, beginning of September. And
currently, there is a proposal for a new
phone system. It has been submitted to
senior management at AHS. So, we will be
waiting to see what comes through on
that.
And that's it.
Thank you. Um, library
councelor Williams.
>> Thank you. Um, so the library committee
is pleased to share several positive
updates. Um, beginning in September, the
library will expand public service
hours. Uh, we will be open until 8:00
p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and open
from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
And that's uh beginning in September.
Uh, so positive news. Uh the committee
is excited to increase access to library
services for families, students, and
working residents. Um the library
programs continue to see strong
participation. During May and June, the
library hosted 39 programs and
activities with total attendance of 684
participants.
Uh some of the highlights included uh
summer kickoff party with 85 attendees,
museum day 79. Uh they had a Super Mario
day with 65 attendees. Um also along
with story times, English as a second
language, conversation cafe, book club,
writers group, and school visits. Uh an
additional 200 craft kits were
distributed to community members during
that reporting time. as well. Uh the
archives continue uh to preserve and
promote Slave Lake's history through the
community outreach, research assistance,
and collection development. Recent
activities include included hosting a
local history event attended by 84
participants, assisting with genealogy
and historical research requests,
processing donations of photographs,
books, yearbooks, and historical
materials, creating historical displays,
and educational materials for the town's
Canada Day celebrations, reviewing and
organizing more than 900 pages of
historical records. Uh, the library
hosted the Alberta Foundation for the
Arts traveling exhibit, Scouring Heaven
and Earth, that will be showcased until
July 22nd if you want to check it out.
Uh, the library was also successful in
securing a $2,800 in Northern Alberta
Foundation grant funding to support
future programming and services. Um, as
we look ahead to the fall, the well
closer to the fall and the new hours,
the library committee is excited to
welcome residents back for the expanded
hours. the programs and continued
opportunities to connect, learn, and
explore. And thank our community for
ongoing support of services.
>> Thank you.
Okay.
Entertain a motion. Thank you, councelor
Chova.
>> Like to move to accept the committee
updates as information.
>> Motion on the floor. Any further
discussion? Call to question. Those in
favor? And that is carried. Uh next ups.
Do we have anything for state in the
lake from council?
I see nothing currently. I would just
like to note that council will be on a
four-week regular meeting break um
returning in August. I believe it's
August 11th. So, happy summer to
everyone. I think most of our committees
are a little bit slowed down. Um so, and
there's some holidays going on so uh
looking forward to that. Councelor
Hughes.
>> Uh motion to go into close session.
>> Any further discussion? Call to
question. Those in favor? And that is
carried.
You will
» a bird call me.
>> All right.
Welcome back, councelor Bows.
>> Um, I would like to make a motion that
council authorize administration to seek
legal advice respecting the developers
proposals prior to any negotiations or
amendments to the existing development
agreements. that administration will
prepare a detailed confidential report
including legal advice and
recommendations and we'll bring it back
to council for closed session in
September of 2026.
>> All right, we have a motion on the
floor. Is there any further discussion?
Call to question those in favor and that
is carried. Councelor Choba
make motion to adjurnn.
>> Any further discussion? Call to question
those in favor and that is carried.