City Council on the agenda – January 27, 2026

The Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. with a closed portion at the beginning. 

CONSENT: 

Off-Site Levy Bylaw Amendment 

• City Council will consider 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 is asked to consider 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. 

• Administration supports first reading as the application aligns with City Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan by encouraging a healthy business community. The Capstone Area Redevelopment Plan allows for consideration of drive-throughs in the Capstone Taylor Drive Zone when developed in conjunction with a financial institution. 

REPORTS: 

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

• City Council will receive 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.  

WEA Relationship Framework Agreement (RFA) Update 

• City Council will consider 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.  

• The report recommends extending the agreement to March 31, 2027, to align with the City’s three-year financial plan and to incorporate minor updates identified through the review. This ensures continued accountability, transparency, and a stable partnership supporting the long-term stewardship and economic role of Westerner Park. 

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

• City Council will consider a report confirming Council and citizen appointments to City committees, quasi-judicial boards, and external boards and societies for the 2026 term. 

• The report includes approval of a Councillor appointment to the Policing Committee, following completion of the required Provincial Enhanced Security Check, and recommendations from the Nomination Committee for citizen representatives to fill current vacancies. 

• 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 will consider a development permit application for a temporary overnight warming space at 5239–53 Avenue to support individuals experiencing homelessness during extreme cold weather. 

• The proposed seasonal shelter, operated in partnership with community agencies, would provide overnight safety, warmth, food, and basic medical support through March 31, 2026, with enhanced security and neighbourhood safety measures in place.  

• Administration recommends approval of the permit, noting it aligns with zoning provisions, prior Council direction, and the City’s cold weather response strategy. 

BYLAWS 

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 First Reading of Bylaws 3737/2025 (2026 Paved Network Roadway Management Program and Bylaw 3738/2025 (2026 Storm Water Infrastructure – Annual Program) 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 

• Administration is requesting all three readings of amendments to the Electric Utility Bylaw. Driven by the provision of Rate of Last Resort and the Default Supply rate, incorporation of the 2026 Balancing Pool rate, and implementation of new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), these amendments are needed to ensure that the costs of billing, account management, and provision of distribution services are established fairly, and that rates are set and collected in accordance with legislation and regulatory requirements. 

• Amendments to the following Bylaw appendices are recommended: 

• 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 will consider 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. Approval of all three readings will enable a related development permit application to proceed in accordance with the approved land use. 

NOTICE OF MOTIONS 

Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Chad Krahn RE: Reduced Parking Barriers for Subsidized Affordable Housing 

Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Chad Krahn RE: Removal of Direct Control Zone 35 and Amendments to Permit House Suites in Duplexes Across Zones