Town Council Meeting

Council Highlights

April 22, 2024

Below is a quick summary of Council discussions and decisions at the April 22, 2024, Regular Council meeting.

• Public Hearing for Bylaw 2024-11 Land Use Bylaw 01-23 Amendment: A public hearing was held for Bylaw 2024-11, which proposes various changes to the Land Use Bylaw intended to reduce barriers for higher density developments. After consideration and discussion, Council gave the Bylaw 2024-11 second and third readings, as presented.

• 2023 Town of Olds Audited Financial Statements: Mr. Jeff Alliston from Metrix Group LLP, the Town's appointed auditing firm, presented the 2023 Audit Findings Report and the 2023 Town of Olds Audited Financial Statements. Mr. Alliston also answered questions from the Council related to the report and financial statements.
• After the discussion, Council moved to accept the 2023 Audit Findings Report for information and approved the 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements for the Town of Olds as presented.

• Former Fire Hall Proposal: Council instructed administration to negotiate with Mountain View Food Bank, Olds and District Hospice Society, and Community Lending Shelf to lease the former fire hall.

• Community Services Quarterly Report: Community Services presented an overview of its accomplishments during the first quarter of 2024. Council accepted the report as presented for information.

• Bylaw 2024-09 Water Bylaw: At the April 8, 2024 regular Council meeting, Bylaw 2024-09 received its first reading as amended. Today, Council gave the amended bylaw its second and third readings as presented.

• Bylaw 2024-10 Wastewater: Administration introduced Bylaw 2024-10 Wastewater, which offers greater clarity to administration and ratepayers regarding the mechanisms used to operate and administer the Town’s wastewater utility. Council gave Bylaw 2024-10 all three readings.

• Bylaw 2024-17 Water Conservation: Administration proposed Bylaw 2024-17 Water Conservation as a proactive measure to tackle emerging water management concerns and guarantee the sustainable use and maintenance of the Town's water resources. Council recommended some revisions to the bylaw and approved all three readings for Bylaw 2024-17 with the proposed amendments.

• Supplementary Assessment Bylaw 2024-18: At the regular Council meeting held on April 8, 2024, Council asked administration to present a draft Supplementary Assessment Bylaw for their review and consideration. This bylaw calculates a supplementary tax based on an increase in property value from the annual assessment to the completion or occupancy value. The tax is prorated for the months in which the development was completed or occupied.
• A motion to the first reading of Bylaw 2024-18 was defeated. As such, a supplementary assessment process will not proceed this taxation year.

• Bylaw 2024-15 Tax Rate Bylaw: Administration presented various options for the tax rates in 2024 to Council for discussion during the regular Council meeting held on April 8, 2024. After deliberation, Council decided to maintain the same municipal tax rate as the previous year and gave the bylaw its first reading. Today, the bylaw received its second and third readings as presented.

• Environmental Incentive Program: An Environmental Incentive Program was introduced that would offer up to 50% of the cost of a rain barrel and/or home composter unit, up to a maximum of $50. Upon review, Council directed administration to implement the program to encourage the use of residential rain barrels and home composters.

• Branch and Leaf Dump Proposal: Administration proposed a pilot program to establish a dedicated site for the seasonal disposal of branches and leaves. Council approved the provision of a seasonal branch dump as presented.

• Council Code of Conduct Bylaw Review: Council directed the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare an Ad Hoc Committee Bylaw for the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw Review and to bring it forward to a future Council meeting for consideration.

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm.