The following decisions were made at today's Red Deer City Council Meeting.
CONSENT:
Procedural Request – City Council added an additional council meeting to its schedule, which will take place on October 27, 2026
Postponement Request Approved - Removal of Deadfall in Wooded Area
Downtown Business Improvement Area Disestablishment – Final Financial Wind-Up
- Council approved the final financial wind-up of the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) as part of its disestablishment.
- This represents one of the final administrative steps in completing the disestablishment of the Downtown Business Improvement Area.
2026 Budget Amendment - Building Safer Communities Fund
- Council approved a 2026 budget amendment related to the Building Safer Communities Fund.
- The amendment reflects an extension of existing funding from the Government of Canada, which has supported this work since 2022.
- The additional funding will allow The City to continue work supported through the Building Safer Communities Fund.
- The amendment does not require additional funding from municipal ratepayers and does not create additional staffing impacts.
Extended Producer Responsibility and Cart Collection Services Update
- Council received an update on changes to recycling and cart collection services in Red Deer.
- Under Alberta’s new recycling system, the companies that produce and sell packaging and paper products are now responsible for paying for and managing their recycling.
- The report explained what these changes mean for Red Deer residents, including how recycling and cart collection services are affected.
- Read more about what changes are coming up in October for cart collection here: EPR Cart Changes
Financial Reserves Council Policy Update
- Council approved updates to The City’s Financial Reserves Policy, which guides how The City saves and uses money set aside for future needs.
- The proposed changes are intended to make sure The City has appropriate savings available for future costs and unexpected needs.
- The Audit Committee reviewed the proposed changes on July 22, 2026, and its feedback has been included in the updated policy.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/DD-2026 – Zoning Map Boundary Interpretation
- Council passed first reading of a change to The City’s Zoning Bylaw to make zoning maps easier to read and understand.
- The proposed changes are intended to make it clearer which zoning rules apply to a property.
- A public hearing will be scheduled so residents can provide input before Council makes a final decision.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/FF-2026 - Site Exception for a Digital Facia Sign on 4840 51 Street
- Council approved first reading of a proposed Zoning Bylaw change for 4840 51 Street.
- The property owner is asking for an exception to allow a digital sign on the building.
- A public hearing will be scheduled so residents can provide input before Council makes a final decision.
REPORTS:
Municipal Consent and Access Fee Percentage Decision
- Council approved an increase in the water, wastewater and electric utilities to 20% and directed 25% of total MCAF revenue collected across all utilities to The City's Capital Projects Reserve to support long-term infrastructure renewal.
- This MCAF revenue will help address funding pressures related to infrastructure and municipal services, reducing reliance on other funding sources.
- Changes to the MCAF will be reflected in the 2027 Utility Budget and incorporated into utility rates, which Council will consider during upcoming budget and utility rate bylaw deliberations.
- Read more about this: News Release: Council approves MCAF changes to support future infrastructure investment
BYLAWS:
BYLAW 3743/2026 - ATCO Gas Franchise Agreement Bylaw
- Council approved the ATCO Gas Franchise Agreement Bylaw 3743/2026, related to the renewal of The City’s franchise agreement with ATCO Gas.
- The franchise agreement establishes the terms under which ATCO Gas operates and maintains its natural gas distribution system within Red Deer.
- Council considered the proposed bylaw as part of the formal process required to renew the agreement.
NOTICE OF MOTION:
A Notice of Motion was read into the record by Councillor Tristin Brisbois RE: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/T - 2026 – 4745 & 4749 32 Street from C-3 Neighbourhood Commercial Zone to R-M Residential Medium Density Zone (Second and Third Reading)
- Council approved second and third reading of a zoning bylaw amendment to change two properties on 32 Street from commercial to medium-density residential zoning.
- This approval came following a public hearing.
- This change will bring the properties in line with the surrounding residential area.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/EE - 2026 – Rezoning a portion of 2049 22 Street from Residential Medium Density Zone: R-M to Residential Narrow Lot Zone: R-N
- Council approved second and third reading of a zoning bylaw amendment for a City-proposed change to allow single-family homes on narrower lots on a portion of this property.
- This approval came following a public hearing.
- This change aligns the zoning with the existing plan for the Lancaster/Vanier East neighbourhood.
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 3357/CC-2026 - Application for Cannabis Retail Sales Site Exception at 2120 – 90 Thornburn Avenue
- Council did not approve second reading for this Zoning Bylaw Amendment, for a site-specific exception to allow a cannabis retail store at this location.
- This decision came following a public hearing at today's meeting.