March 24, 2026 3:50 PM
(Red Deer, Alberta)The following decisions were made at today’s City Council meeting.
CONSENT:
Electric Utility Annual Report to Council for Alberta Regulation 582015:
- Council approved the Electric Utility’s 2025 Annual Compliance Report, required under provincial regulations before, submission to the Alberta Utilities Commission.
- The report confirms overall compliance, with no complaints and one low-risk non-compliance incident that was addressed and resolved.
- Council approval is needed to meet legislated deadlines and maintain regulatory compliance for The City’s Electric Utility operations.
RCMP Quarterly Community Policing Report:
- Council was presented the Quarterly Community Policing Report for information, which covers the October 1, 2025-December 31, 2025, reporting period.
East Hill MASP Bylaw & Zoning Bylaw Amendment:
- Council considered and approved first reading of a bylaw and zoning application to rezone a portion of undeveloped lands located at 2820 40 Ave in the Bower Woods neighbourhood (Bylaw 3357/F2026). The proposed rezoning is from A-1 Future Urban Development Zone to C-4 – Major Arterial Commercial Zone in alignment with the recently adopted Bower Woods Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan.
Evergreen NASP Amendment Bylaw & Zoning Bylaw amendment:
- Council considered and approved first reading of a bylaw and zoning amendment to rezone a portion of land in the Evergreen neighbourhood from R-N to R-M and A-1 to P-1.
REPORTS:
Council Guidance to Administration – Budget 2027:
- In preparation for Budget 2027, administration brought forward draft budget guidelines for Council’s review and direction. Council budget guidelines, along with aligning administrative budget guidelines, form the guidance to the organization to prepare a recommended budget for Council to consider.
- The guidelines were drafted based on preliminary discussions and feedback collected from Council at Committee of the Whole on March 4, 2026.
- Approved guidelines include:
- Administration should prepare the 2027 budget with a focus on balanced tax decisions that reflect both affordability and responsible long-term financial stewardship.
- Administration should prioritize core infrastructure funding and lifecycle investment in the 2027 budget, highlighting when risk tolerances have shifted.
- Administration should avoid strategies that defer financial pressures into the future simply to minimize short-term rate increases.
- Administration should ensure reserve sustainability and compliance with minimum thresholds remain a consideration in the 2027 budget and have a plan to meet in the near future.
- Administration could present options that balance service levels, infrastructure investment, and affordability considerations.
- Read more here: Council approves guidelines to shape 2027 budget development
Ground Ambulance Contract Response to EHS:
- City Council received information about our future EHS ambulance contract.
- The City received notice from the Province of Alberta last week requiring municipalities to indicate, by the end of April whether they will continue to operate integrated fire and ambulance services under new funding conditions that would likely result in increased municipal costs.
- Council passed a resolution to collaborate with the seven other municipalities with integrated services to advocate to the Provincial Government on this item.
- Read more details here: https://www.reddeer.ca/whats-happening/news-room/city-of-red-deer-seeks-time-and-clarity-on-future-of-ambulance-services.html
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
- Council approved a Zoning Bylaw to rezone 3937 50 Street, in the Eastview neighbourhood, from Mixed-Use Commercial Zone C-5 to Multi-Neighbourhood Commercial Zone C-2.
- Council approved a Riverside Meadows Area Redevelopment Plan and the Zoning Bylaw to change the intensity of use of a ±543m² residential parcel by rezoning it from Residential Low-Density Zone: R-L to Residential Medium-Density Zone: R-M to facilitate redevelopment to a higher density.
- Council approved a Zoning bylaw amendment for rezoning land in the Emerson neighbourhood, in accordance with the Emerson Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan to facilitate subdivision and development for the next phase of Emerson, including second and third reading.
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For more information, contact:
Community & Public Relations
The City of Red Deer
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