City Council on the agenda – Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. and will start in a closed meeting for approximately three hours. It is anticipated to move to open session following the lunch break, at 1 p.m.   

REPORTS: 

Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee: 

• The Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee will provide an update to City Council, outlining its initial findings and early recommendations on how Red Deer should organize and lead its economic development efforts in the future. This update marks a significant milestone in the Committee’s work, which will culminate in a final report to Council in June 2025.  

Recommendation from Municipal Planning Commission and Options for Backyard Suites: 

• Council is receiving two reports related to backyard suites: recommendations from the Municipal Planning Commission, and options for backyard suites. Since adoption of phase 1 of the Zoning Bylaw in 2024, there have been 10 applications for backyard suites. Administration is seeking direction from Council to explore updating the regulations surrounding backyard suites, including maximum allowable size, size in relation to lot size, if there should be special considerations for historic areas and a defined definition of storeys. Administration intends to report back in Fall 2025.

Alberta Municipalities Proposed Resolution: 

• Council will consider a proposed resolution to be discussed at the Alberta Municipalities Annual Conference in November. The proposed resolution focuses on including municipalities on the list of entities who receive consumer carbon tax rebates and exempting municipalities from any future consumer carbon pricing mechanisms. 

Zoning Bylaw Project – Progress Report:  

• The City wrapped up Phase 1 of the Zoning Bylaw project in May 2024, and the updated bylaw came into effect in June. This first phase included a full rewrite of the residential, commercial, and industrial zoning rules, along with updated definitions. We also improved the overall layout and wording to make the bylaw easier to understand and use.
  
  
• The project has three phases in total. Phase 2 was originally planned for late 2025, but it’s now expected in 2026. This change allows staff to focus on possible bylaw changes related to the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF2).
  
  
• As requested by Council on May 13, 2024, this report provides an overview of the work so far, key observations from the first nine months of using the new bylaw, and what’s coming next in the project. The report is for information only.

Capital Budget & Plan Amendment: Indigenous Cultural Centre: 

• Following public consultation on a future Indigenous Cultural Centre, administration is seeking Council direction to both continue the engagement process and to provide a commitment to funds.  Administration is seeking a Budget Amendment request of $50,000 in 2025, $250,000 in the Capital Plan for 2026, and $2-4 million in the Capital Plan for review and debate.

BYLAWS: 

Business Improvement Area Tax Bylaw (Three Readings): 

• The Downtown Business Association (DBA) was established in 1983 and is currently The City’s only Business Improvement Area (BIA). Legislatively the DBA board is responsible for determining its programs and services including preparing the annual budget for Council’s approval.
  
  
• The 2025 DBA budget was approved on December 2, 2024, and subsequently, Council must pass a BIA tax and tax rate bylaw before May 1, enabling City administration to levy and collect the required 2025 BIA tax revenue funding.
   
• Administration is recommending that Council approve the 2025 bylaw amendment that sets a tax rate sufficient to raise the tax revenue previously approved by Council to fund the 2025 Downtown Business Association budget.

Tax Rate Bylaw (Three Readings): 

• Council is legislatively required to pass an annual tax rate bylaw. The Tax Rate Bylaw sets the property tax rates that collect the property tax revenue requirement approved in the 2025 Operating Budget and sets the rates to collect the 2025 requisitions for other organizations. 

Administration is recommending that Council give this bylaw three readings at Tuesday’s meeting.