Council Highlights

Stay informed on the latest from City Council with Council Highlights. The Highlights offer a brief summary of key decisions and items discussed at City Council and Governance and Priorities Committee meetings, posted the day after each meeting. 

Council Highlights are not official Council meeting minutes. Please refer to the Council Meetings and Agenda page for full agenda package details, official minutes, or to watch recordings of past meetings.

Recognition 

Past Chair of the Spruce Grove Library Board – Adam McArthur 

Adam McArthur served as Chair of the Spruce Grove Library Board from 2020 to 2025, providing strong leadership and dedication to the library, its staff, and the community. McArthur started with the Library Board in 2017 and served as Vice-Chair from 2018 to 2020.

Council recognized past Chair of the Spruce Grove Library Board Adam McArthur. From L to R: Councillor Brad Mastaler, Councillor Erin Stevenson, Adam McArthur, Mayor Jeff Acker, Councillor Spencer Bennett, Councillor Danielle Carter, Councillor Jeff Tokar.

Public hearings 

Public hearing, second and third reading – C-1421-25 – Land Use Bylaw Text Amendment – Westwind Mixed Use Direct Control District 

A public hearing was held for Bylaw C-1421-25, a land use bylaw text amendment to establish a Direct Control District on Lot 21, Block 2, Plan 252 1507 located at 15 Westwind Drive for a six-floor mixed use development with commercial uses on the ground floor and residential units on the above floors. Following the hearing, Council moved that the second reading of the bylaw be postponed to a future Council meeting and that Administration be directed to work with the applicant to amend the bylaw to provide additional clarity regarding the land use and regulation. 

Bylaw readings 

First reading - C-1422-25 – Easton Pioneer Area Structure Plan Amendment – Northeast Fenwyck 

Council gave first reading to Bylaw C-1422-25, an East Pioneer Area Structure Plan amendment (to enable the required grading) in the northeast area of the Fenwyck neighbourhood. A public hearing for the bylaw will be scheduled for an upcoming Council meeting. 

First reading – C-1423-25 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Redistricting – Fenwyck Stage 11 

Council gave first reading to Bylaw C-1423-25, a land use bylaw amendment redistricting 4.53 hectares of land in the Fenwyck neighbourhood from Urban Reserve District (UR) to Mixed Low to Medium Density Residential District (R1), Fenwyck Semi-Detached Direct Control District (DC.12) and Parks and Recreation District (P1). A public hearing for the bylaw will be scheduled for an upcoming Council meeting. 

First reading – C-1437-26 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Redistricting – Easton Stage 7 

Council gave first reading to Bylaw C-1437-26, a land use bylaw amendment redistricting 1.4 hectares of land in the Easton neighbourhood from Urban Reserve District (UR) to Mixed Low to Medium Density Residential District (R1) and Easton Semi-Detached Direct Control District (DC.23). A public hearing for the bylaw will be scheduled for an upcoming Council meeting.   

Business items 

2025 Business Improvement Area – Section 347 Cancellations 

Council approved and authorized the cancellation of uncollectible Business Improvement Area taxes for 2024-2025. 

2025 Year End Surplus Allocations to Reserves 

Council approved the 2025 year-end surplus allocations to reserves in accordance with CP-1064-25 – Reserves and Accumulated Surplus Policy which included $500,000 to the Snow and Ice Control Reserve, $3,039,399 to the Operating Projects Reserve, and $1,204,548 to the Capital Projects Reserve. The transfer to the Snow and Ice Control Reserve replenishes $179,000 of reserves used in 2025 as well as an additional $321,000 to bring the reserve to 56 per cent of the maximum balance. 

Motion – Rotary Club of Spruce Grove Funding Request – Ribfest Event 

Council approved a $10,000 funding request from the Rotary Club of Spruce Grove for the Ribfest event which will be allocated from the 2026 Council Contingency budget. Councillors Tokar and Mastaler identified a conflict of interest and recused themselves from the conversation and decision. 

Councillor reports 

  • Councillor Tokar shared that he attended a Spruce Grove Ag Society meeting and provided an update on the Spruce Grove Archives. The Ag Society has been digitally preserving historical documents and pictures and will soon be updating their website in the coming weeks to allow the public to access to some of the digitized content.
  • Councillor Carter provided an update on the Community Services Advisory Committee. 

Various board and committee meeting minutes 

Council received the following board and committee meeting minutes as information: 

Closed Session 

Fire Services update 

Council received a Fire Services update for information. 

Contract update 

Council received a contract update. 

Proclamation 

International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination 

Council proclaimed March 21 as International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination to affirm the City’s commitment to promote equality and eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hate. 

Delegations 

Economic Development Advisory Committee 2025 annual report and 2026 work plan approval 

Don Cooper and Victor Moroz of the Economic Development Advisory Committee presented the committee’s 2025 annual report and the 2026 work plan to Council. The plan outlines the key priorities and goals for the committee and was approved as presented. 

Councillor reports 

  • Councillor Mastaler provided an update on the Edmonton Region Waste Advisory Committee.
  • Councillor Stevenson provided a verbal report on the Policing Advisory Committee and her ride-along experience.
  • Councillor Gillett provided a verbal report on the Meridian Housing Foundation with an update on Horizon View Lodge.
  • Councillor Bennett provided a verbal report on attending MLA Searle Turton and MLA Boitchenko’s town hall event with Councillors Gillett and Stevenson to discuss the impact of education tax on residents and taxpayers. 

Notice of motion 

  • Councillor Bennett made a notice of motion to direct Administration to provide options on the Rotary Club of Spruce Grove funding request for the Ribfest event. 

Various board and committee meeting minutes 

Council received the following board and committee meeting minutes as information: 

Business arising from Closed Session 

Commemorative Naming request 

Council approved the Commemorative Naming request discussed in closed session. 

Economic Development update

Council received an Economic Development update for information. 

Contract update 

Council authorized the Mayor to sign a joint letter with other Integrated Services Mayors requesting a meeting with the Minister responsible. 

Delegations 

2026 Community Services Advisory Committee work plan approval 

Community Services Advisory Committee Chair Kimberley Shuya presented the committee’s 2026 work plan to Council. The plan outlines the key priorities and goals for the committee and was approved as presented. 

Bylaws 

First reading - C-1421-25 - Land Use Bylaw Text Amendment – Westwind Mixed Use Direct Control District 

Council gave first reading to Bylaw C-1421-25, a land use bylaw text amendment to establish a Direct Control District on Lot 21, Block 2, Plan 252 1507 located at 15 Westwind Drive for a six-floor mixed use development with commercial uses on the ground floor and residential units on the above floors. A public hearing for the bylaw will be scheduled for an upcoming Council meeting. 

Meeting cancellation 

Council approved the cancellation of the Governance and Priorities meeting on March 16, 2026. The Regular Council meeting on March 16, 2026, will still occur. 

Councillor reports 

  • Councillor Jeff Tokar provided updates on the City Centre Business Association, Yellowhead Regional Library Executive Committee, and the Tri Leisure Centre Board. 
  • Councillor Danielle Carter provided an update on the Alberta Municipalities Health and Social Wellbeing Committee. 

Various board and committee meeting minutes 

Council received the following board and committee meeting minutes as information: 

Business arising from Closed Session 

2026 board appointments - Assessment Review Board 

Council passed a motion to appoint Darlene Chartrand, Sheryl Exley, Tina Groszko, Richard Knowles, Marcel LeBlanc, Roland Merkosky, and Raymond Ralph to the Assessment Review Board for a term of one year ending February 28, 2027, and that Raymond Ralph be appointed as Chairman for a one-year team ending February 28, 2027. 

Advocacy Plan and Priorities 

Council discussed the Advocacy Plan and Priorities in Closed Session. 

Chief Administrative Officer Performance Evaluation 

Council voted to amend the Chief Administrative Officer’s contract as discussed in Closed Session. 

Proclamations 

Anti-Bullying Day (Pink Shirt Day) 
Council, who were all dressed in pink, proclaimed February 25 as Anti-Bullying Day, also known as Pink Shirt Day, encouraging Spruce Grove residents to take a stand against all forms of bullying and promote kindness, respect, and inclusion by lifting each other up.  

City Council wore pink as they proclaimed February 25 as Anti-Bullying Day, also known as Pink Shirt Day, at the February 23 Council meeting. L to R front row: Councillor Erin Stevenson, Mayor Jeff Acker, Councillor Spencer Bennett. L to R back row: Councillor Danielle Carter, Councillor Jan Gillett, Councillor Jeff Tokar, Councillor Brad Mastaler.

 

International Women’s Day 
Council proclaimed March 8 as International Women’s Day recognizing and celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and advocating for gender equality and women’s rights to improve the lives of women and girls, Two Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender diverse peoples.  

Delegations 

RCMP Presentation 
Inspector Kevin McGillivray, Officer in Charge of the Parkland RCMP detachment, provided Council an update on RCMP activities in the area, including a report on crime statistics, community engagement, and other projects. Sergeant Collin Kuca, who oversees plain clothes officers, also presented about this area. 

Public Hearings 

Public Hearing and second reading - Bylaw C-1420-25 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Redistricting – Copperhaven Stage 14 
A public hearing was held for Bylaw C-1420-25, a land use amendment redistricting 1.29 hectares along Covell Common in the Copperhaven neighbourhood from Urban Reserve District (UR) to Mixed Low to Medium Density Residential District (R1) and Copperhaven Planned Lot District (CPL). Following the hearing, Council gave second reading to the bylaw. The bylaw will be scheduled for third reading for an upcoming Council meeting. 

Business Items 

2025 Tax and Utility Carry Forward Requests 
Council approved two requests to carry forward unused funding, totalling $74,000, for projects not started or completed last year to the 2026 Budget and Fiscal Plan. 

Various Board and Committee Meeting Minutes 

Council received the following board and committee meeting minutes as information: 

Outstanding Achievement Recognition 

Council presented a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement to Sergeant Oliver Poitras who received the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in 2025. Sgt. Poitras received the Silver Award for accomplishing goals in physical recreation, skill development, voluntary service, and completion of adventurous journeys. 

Council presents a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement to Sgt. Oliver Poitras. L to R: Councillor Erin Stevenson, Councillor Jeff Tokar, Dr. Wade Poitras, Sgt. Oliver Poitras, Mayor Jeff Acker, Councillor Brad Mastaler, Councillor Danielle Carter.

Delegations 

Metrix Group LLP
Jeff Alliston, partner with Metrix Group LLP, presented the 2025 Audit Plan to Council. The plan provided an overview of the scope and timing of the audit in preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements. 

Alberta Parenting for the Future Association 
Pamela Geddes and Kathryn Way from the Alberta Parenting for the Future (APFA) Association provided the organization’s 2025 annual report outlining programs and services provided to families in the region. Based out of the Family Connection Centre in Stony Plain, the APFA supports youth and families through programs and services including early learning and care, family support and parent education programs. 

Bylaw Readings 

First reading – Bylaw C-1419-25 – Land Use Bylaw Text Amendment – Easton Semi-Detached Direct Control District
Council gave first reading to Bylaw C-1419-25, a land use bylaw amendment to establish a Direct Control District to allow semi-detached dwellings with a combination of alternating front and rear drive access and the option of secondary suites within the Easton neighbourhood. A public hearing for the bylaw will be scheduled for an upcoming Council meeting. 

Various Board and Committee Meeting Minutes 

Council received the following board and committee meeting minutes as information: 

Proclamations 

Black History Month 
Council proclaimed February as Black History Month celebrating the stories, culture, and history of Black Canadians and recognizing the significant and ongoing contributions to the City of Spruce Grove and Canada. 

Wear Red Canada Day 
Council proclaimed February 13 as Wear Red Canada Day raising awareness about women’s heart health. Wear Red Canada Day reminds all Canadians, but especially women, to be mindful, curious, and proactive in the management of heart health and wellness as heart disease is the leading cause of premature death for Canadian women. 

Public Hearings 

Public Hearing and second reading - Bylaw C-1416-25 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Easton Stage 10 
A public hearing was held for Bylaw C-1416-25, a land use amendment redistricting 1.19 hectares of land from Urban Reserve District (UR) to Mixed Medium to High Density Residential District (R2) in the Easton neighbourhood. Following the hearing, Council gave second reading to the bylaw. The bylaw will be scheduled for third reading for an upcoming Council meeting. 

Public hearing and second reading - Bylaw C-1417-25 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Easton Stage 11 
A public hearing was held for Bylaw C-1417-25, a land use amendment redistricting 1.57 hectares from Urban Reserve District (UR) to Mixed Low to Medium Density Residential District (R1) in the Easton neighbourhood. Following the hearing, Council gave second reading to the bylaw. The bylaw will be scheduled for third reading for an upcoming Council meeting. 

Bylaw Readings 

First reading – Bylaw C-1420-25 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Copperhaven Stage 14 
Council gave first reading to Bylaw C-1420-25, a land use amendment to redistrict 1.29 hectares along Covell Common in the Copperhaven neighbourhood from Urban Reserve District (UR) to Mixed Low to Medium Density Residential District (R1) and Copperhaven Planned Lot District (CPL). A public hearing for the bylaw will be scheduled for an upcoming Council meeting. 

Second and third reading - 2026 Budget and Fiscal Plan Borrowing Bylaws 
Council gave second and third reading to the 2026 Budget and Fiscal Plan Borrowing Bylaws. The Borrowing Bylaws allows the City to borrow up to a maximum of $1.5 million for a 20-year period to fund sanitary sewer capital projects. 

Business Items 

City Centre Redevelopment Incentive Program 
Council accepted the City Centre Redevelopment Incentive Program report and directed Administration to develop a bylaw to support the Tax Abatement Program. In 2025, MXD Development Strategists reviewed various municipality’s City Centre redevelopment programs and policies on accelerating and incentivizing investment in new and refurbished commercial and mixed-use buildings. A recommendation was made to adopt a property tax abatement program that would rebate the developer the municipal portion of the property tax based on the value of the project and its contributions to further development in the City Centre. The incentive would be performance-based and there would be no abatement provided unless the project proceeds. The program would start on April 1, 2026, and run for five years before returning to Council for renewal. 

NoTraffic Pilot and Recommendation 
Council approved direction for Administration to bring forward NoTraffic’s AI-based signal optimization along the corridors of Highway 16A and Jennifer Heil Way for Council’s consideration as part of the Spring Budget Adjustment. 

Council also authorized Administration to enter further negotiations with NoTraffic to pilot a rail pre-emption module at the Highway 16A and Century Road intersection and directed Administration to bring back a report on piloting the use of other AI-based signal optimization companies other than NoTraffic in other parts of the City, if applicable. 

Storm Water Management Facility Aeration Pilot Update 
Council directed Administration to discontinue the use of floating fountain aeration systems and proceed with subsurface diffuser aeration at current and future City stormwater management facilities following the results of a 2025 pilot program in the McLaughlin stormwater management facility. 

Policy CP-1066-26 – Council Remuneration Policy 

Council approved an amended Policy CP-1066-26 – Council Remuneration Policy. The policy was amended to clarify details on honorariums separate from Council’s base salary, expenditure statements must be submitted monthly, that the One-Time Home Office Set-up applies per term and that Councillors are eligible for honorariums for meetings on weekends.  

Meeting cancellation  
Council approved the cancellation of the Governance and Priorities meeting on February 17, 2026. The Regular Council meeting on February 17, 2026, will still occur.  

Councillor Reports 

  • Councillor Brad Mastaler provided an update  on the Spruce Grove Public Library Board following their orientation workshop sessions. 
  • Councillor Spencer Bennet attended a Youth Advisory Committee board meeting, which included nominations for new board members. 

Various Board and Committee Meeting Minutes 

Council received the following board and committee meeting minutes as information: 

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