Council Highlights for March 23, 2026

Below is an overview of Council discussions and decisions from the Regular Council meeting on March 23, 2026:   

Delegation: Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) 

Darren Bourget, Regional Assurance Manager with AEPA, presented to Council on the agency’s role in regulating data centres. This included how projects are assessed before approval and how they are monitored once operational, concerning matters such as emissions, water usage, and wetland impacts. 

Council Action: Council received the Alberta Environment and Protected Areas Report as presented.  

Delegation: Infrastructure Services Quarter One Report 

The Infrastructure Services report provided an update on Operations and Planning and Development activities, highlighting recent progress and key challenges. Water loss continues to improve with costs down more than 45% in the first two months of the year compared to 2025, and similar trends in wastewater inflow and infiltration. Winter maintenance focused on priority routes during above-average snowfall. Upcoming work includes water meter upgrades (Phase 3), spring street sweeping, engineering standards updates, and the 57 Avenue deep service replacement project, which also includes traffic management upgrades to align with Alberta Transportation’s Highway 27 Functional Plan. 

Council Action: Council accepted the Infrastructure Services Quarterly Report as presented for information.  

Development Permits: 4098 50 Avenue (PRMO-2026-0029)  

Council action: Council approved Development Permit 2026-0029 subject to the conditions outlined.  

Development Permit: 5122 43 Street (PRMO-2026-0033)  

Council action:  Council approved Development Permit 2026-0033 subject to the conditions outlined. 

Municipal Policing Committee Bylaw (Bylaw 2026-08) 

Late last year, the province approved the Town of Olds’ request to opt out of the Southern Alberta Regional Policing Committee. While provincial legislation requires communities with RCMP contracts to participate in a policing governance model, municipalities may form their own local committee with approval. With this approval in place, the Town can establish its own Policing Committee. If Council approves all three readings, work will begin to put the committee in place. 

Council Action: Council gave all three readings for the Municipal Policing Committee Bylaw 2026-08. 

Olds Town Council seeks to be transparent and open with residents. These highlights touch briefly upon the key information presented and decisions made at the meeting.    
  
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM.    
Visit www.olds.ca/councilmeetings for all meeting agendas and minutes.