City Council Recap – January 27, 2026

The following decisions were made by City Council today:

Off-Site Levy Bylaw Amendment 

• City Council passed first reading of an amending bylaw to update Red Deer’s Off-Site Levy rates for 2026, as required annually under the Municipal Government Act. The update reflects current development activity, project staging, and infrastructure costs, and ensures levies collected from developers remain accurate and sufficient to fund growth-related transportation, water, sanitary, and storm infrastructure. If given first reading, the bylaw will be advertised and return to Council for second and third readings in February. 

Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Proposed Rezoning to Allow a Drive Through at 4837 54 Avenue 

• Council gave first reading to a site exception application for 4837 54 Avenue, to allow a drive-through as discretionary use for a new financial institution. The site is zoned Capstone Taylor Drive zone, which permits financial institutions but prohibits drive-throughs. The application aligns with City Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan by encouraging a healthy business community.  

Economic Development Arm’s Length Organization Transition and Implementation Committee Wrap up Report 

• City Council received the final report of the Economic Development Arm’s Length Organization Transition and Implementation Committee, marking the completion of its mandate to establish a new arm’s-length model to lead and steward economic development in Red Deer. 
• City Council approved the Mayor as a Council Representative to the Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. Economic Development Association with Councillor Bruce Buruma appointed as an alternate to the Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. Economic Development Association. 

WEA Relationship Framework Agreement (RFA) Update 

• City Council considered the annual review of the Relationship Framework Agreement between The City of Red Deer and the Westerner Exhibition Association, which confirms both parties are meeting their governance, financial, and reporting obligations. 
• City Council approved extending the Relationship Framework Agreement between The City of Red Deer and the Westerner Exhibition Association to March 31, 2027, to align with the City’s three-year financial plan and to incorporate minor updates identified through the review.

Representative Appointments to Committees, Quasi-Judicial Boards, External Boards and Societies 

• Red Deer City Councillor Cassandra Curtis was appointed to the policing committee for a two-year term, set to expire at City Council’s organizational meeting in 2027.
• Ashley MacDonald was appointed to the Mayor’s Recognition Awards committee for a three-year term, to expire at City Council’s regular organizational meeting in 2028.
• Jurgen Grau was appointed as a citizen representative to the Red Tribunal for a three-year term, to expire at City Council’s regular organizational meeting in 2028.
• Daniel Fairbrother and Kevin Van Bussel were appointed to the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority Board for a term of January 27, 2026 – December 31, 2029.
• These appointments support legislated governance requirements and ensure community voices continue to be represented on key advisory and decision-making bodies.  

Development Permit Consideration: Proposed Emergency Shelter (Overnight Warming Space) at 5239 53 Ave 

• City Council approved a temporary overnight warming space at 5239 53 Avenue to support people experiencing homelessness during extreme cold.
• Read more here: News Release - City Council approves temporary overnight warming space to support people during extreme cold 

Borrowing Bylaw – 2026 Paved Network Roadway Management Program (Second and Third Reading) 

Borrowing Bylaw – 2026 Storm Water Infrastructure – Annual Program (Second and Third Reading) 

• Council gave Second and Third reading to Bylaws 3737/2025 (2026 Paved Network Roadway Management Program and Bylaw 3738/2025 (2026 Storm Water Infrastructure – Annual Program). First Reading was provided on December 16, 20205. 
• These tax-supported borrowing bylaws would allow The City to borrow up to $7.21 million for the 2026 Paved Network Roadway Management Program, and up to $6.94 million for the 2026 Storm Water Infrastructure – Annual Program, if and when the funding is needed.   
• Approval of these bylaws does not commit The City to immediate borrowing but ensures the necessary authority is in place, in compliance with the Municipal Government Act and within Council’s approved debt limits, to allow projects to proceed as planned during the 2026 construction season.  

Electric Utility Bylaw 

• Council approved all three readings of amendments to the Electric Utility Bylaw. The changes reflect the Rate of Last Resort and Default Supply rate, the 2026 Balancing Pool rate, and the introduction of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). They ensure billing, account management, and distribution service costs are set fairly, and that rates are established and collected in line with legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Amendments to the following Bylaw appendices are approved:
  • Appendix A - Distribution Tariff to be effective March 1, 2026
  • Appendix B - Distribution Access Services Schedule of Fees to be effective March 1, 2026
  • Appendix D - Regulated Rate Tariff to be effective March 1, 2026 

• Customer bills will be updated to reflect changes.
  • All customer’s monthly bills will reflect a decrease in the Balancing Pool cost. A typical resident using 600kW/h per month would see a decrease of approximately $0.02 per month.
  • Roughly 6,850 customers on the Rate of Last Resort or the Default Supply rate will see an increase of approximately $1.61 per month to the Administration Charge on their monthly bill.
  • Changes to Distribution Access Services Schedule of Fees are not part of regular monthly bills and will only affect individuals requesting or requiring a particular service. 

Revised Zoning Bylaw Amendment – Map Correction for 5239 53 Avenue 

• City Council approved a technical amendment to the Zoning Bylaw to correct Zoning Map L15 so it accurately reflects a site exception previously approved for 5239 53 Avenue.
• The revision aligns the zoning map with Council’s December 2024 decision allowing a Temporary Care Facility or Emergency Shelter within the existing building and resolves an administrative oversight.

NOTICE OF MOTION

• City Council passed a Notice of Motion, submitted by Councillor Krahn, directing Administration to look at reducing parking requirements for subsidized housing and temporary care facilities. By the end of the second quarter of 2026, Administration will bring forward a report with recommended Zoning Bylaw changes, how they could be implemented, and any potential impacts. The goal is to remove parking standards that can make it harder to build much-needed affordable housing, while still supporting safe and functional neighbourhoods.

• City Council passed a Notice of Motion, submitted by Councillor Krahn, to remove Direct Control Zone 35 and allow one house suite in duplexes across all zones where duplexes are permitted, as long as neighbourhood limits are respected. Administration will bring a report by the end of the second quarter of 2026 with proposed bylaw amendments and next steps. This would remove the need for each application to go to a public hearing at Council and make it easier to add this type of housing in appropriate areas.