October 27 Council Highlights
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
These highlights provide the community with a brief overview of the most significant information shared and decisions made during the recent Wetaskiwin City Council meeting. To access full Council meeting agendas, minutes, and livestreams, please visit Wetaskiwin.civicweb.net/portal.
Committee of the Whole: For Information & Discussion
The Council Action Task Summary provides an overview of ongoing and recently completed actions Council directed Administration to complete at previous Council Meetings.
The Recreation Department presented the mid-year report to the Committee, which provided an overview of 2026 statistics and highlights for revenues, programming, facility utilization, special events, community grants, and departmental changes compared to 2025. The key report highlights include:
- Membership and drop-in revenue increased compared to 2025, despite a reduction in operating hours.
- The fill rate for summer swimming lessons decreased from 94 per cent to 93 per cent, while the fill rate for the Orcas Lifesaving Club increased from 80 per cent to 83 per cent.
- The fill rate for PD Camp Registrations went from 83 per cent to 85 per cent.
- Increase in the utilization of both Arena 1 and 2 and a decrease in the utilization of the Rec Hall.
- 22 special events were supported by the City, including the Heritage Festival.
- 6 organizations received $24,290 of the $55,000 budgeted for the Community Grant Program during the 2026 Spring intake.
The Industrial Investment Action Plan formalizes the City’s industrial action strategy in 2026. Economic Development presented the plan to the Committee, which establishes a framework for development and outlines initiatives.
Administration brought forward an amendment to Bylaw 2079-24 for the Committee's review following feedback received during Council's October Workshop.
Administration brought Policy CO-002 for the Committee's review following feedback received during Council's October Workshop. The proposed updates rework the remuneration framework for Council.
This report includes Formal Information Requests (FIRs) submitted by members of Council to Administration for a period of August 1 to September 20, 2026. The FIR in this report pertains to the topic ‘Council Chamber Desk Renewal.’
The City Manager Report is an ongoing monthly opportunity to update the Committee and the community on City operations and public events.
The Council Committee Reports and Attendance Report updates the community on the work that Council does outside of Regular Council Meetings.
Addition: Santa Claus Parade
Council discussed their participation in the 2026 Santa Claus Parade on November 20 at 7 p.m.
Correspondence:
Regular Council Meeting
Council approved the following Deputy Mayor Rotation for November 2026 to October 2027:
- November 1 to December 31, 2026: Councillor Karen Aberle
- January 1 to February 28, 2027: Councillor Laura White
- March 1 to April 30, 2027: Councillor Wendy Hoyle
- May 1 to June 30, 2027: Councillor Wayne Neilson
- July 1 to August 31, 2027: Councillor Dean Billingsley
- September 1 to October 31, 2027: Councillor Mark Elder
Council approved the 2026/27 City Council Meeting Schedule as presented. Committee of the Whole and Regular City Council Meetings will continue to occur every second and fourth Tuesday of each month starting at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. There will only be one Committee of the Whole and Regular City Council Meeting in August and December on the second Tuesday.
Council appointed members of Council to the boards and committees that require a member of Wetaskiwin City Council to act as a representative.
Following a public hearing, Council approved the motion to begin the process of removing the reserve designation from Plan 7822973, Lot R11, and the Municipal Reserve designation from Plan 0023675, Lot 2MR.
Council approved Administration's proposed updates to Local Improvement Policy CO-035, which will make it easier for the City to perform infrastructure maintenance in the community. Council could initiate local improvement projects, or property owners could initiate a petition for an improvement in a particular area ahead of what is scheduled based on the condition assessment, and then the appropriate levy would be applied.
Reserve Policy CO-013 establishes reserve accounts for the purpose of property tax stabilization, contingency funding, reducing the need for debt financing, and setting aside funds for the replacement of existing equipment, facilities, and future projects.
The amending bylaw amends the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw to ensure consistency between the City's standards and provincial legislation, such as now specifying that a Council member appointed to the board must be on each hearing panel and clarifying the appropriate course of action if an objection is made to a member of the panel.
Wetaskiwin FCSS Board Appointments
Council appointed Kat MacCallum, Jessica Johnson, and Crystal Hill to the Wetaskiwin Family and Community Support Services Board with a term ending December 31, 2030.
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