Council Meeting Highlights — Regular Council Meeting January 23, 2026

The items below focus on key decisions and issues that have emerged from the January 23, 2026, Regular Council Meeting.

Key Items on the Agenda

Council Business

• Council reviewed and adopted meeting minutes from the January 8, 2026 Regular Council Meeting.

Delegations & Presentations

• Council received the following presentations:
  • Coyote Community Association President Nick Lysachok outlined Coyote Community Hall renovations and improvement priorities, asking Council for additional funds. Council did not approve the funding request at this time, directing Administration to bring forward the Grants and Sponsorship funding model—a County Community Engagement initiative—for future consideration.
  • Alberta Beach Snowmobile Club executive members Tyler Geddes, Marvin Eckert, and Chris Brookes presented the club’s multi-phased trail expansion proposal within Lac Ste. Anne County. Council deferred a decision at this time to allow the Club and the County to work together on public engagement to gather landowner input and additional information.
  • Council received a presentation from Tammy Ethier regarding operations at the Peter Trynchy Airport near Mayerthorpe, highlighting its role in regional transportation, emergency response, and the potential for improvements. Accepting this for information; Council committed to reviewing the Airports’ services.

Corporate Services

• Council approved the following items:
  • Updated Signing Authority for financial institution accounts and documents; directing Administration to bring an updated Signing Authority Policy 03-050-21 back to the February 26 Council Meeting.
  • An amendment to the Provincial Education Requisition Credit (PERC), cancelling 2025 oil and gas industry property taxes as required to support the County’s application to the Province for credits on uncollectible education property taxes and the Designated Industrial Requisition.
  • Acceptance of the November 2025 Operating Budget Report, requesting Administration present quarterly reports going forward.

Infrastructure

• Council approved the addition of the Emergency Culvert Replacement and Road Repair BF#13468 at NW29-57-8-W5 to the 2026 Capital Budget, in the amount of $525,000, with funding allocated from the Canada Community Building Fund and the Local Government Fiscal Framework Grant.

Community Engagement

• Council:
  • Ratified Administration’s issuance of a Letter of Support for the Coyote Community Association to accompany grant applications for facility improvements.
  • Denied the East End Bus Society’s request for increased operating funding in 2026 and confirmed that any future funding requests beyond the current partnership agreement would require formal renegotiation.

Bylaws & Policies

• Council:
  • Gave third and final reading to Bylaw 01-2026 — Borrowing Bylaw: Operating Line of Credit.
  • Gave first reading to Bylaw 02-2026 –Water Distribution Utility Bylaw and directed Administration to return it to a future meeting for further consideration.
  • Adopted the Property Tax Penalty Relief Policy 03-010-011.

County Manager

• Council appointed Reeve Jurgen Preugschas to the Lac Ste. Anne County Agricultural Service Board, replacing Councillor Bo Knysh in that role.
• Planning & Development provided an update on the status and landowner concerns with respect to:          
  • Development Permit 193193-25-D0220
  • Subdivision Application 021SUB2025

Council & Committee Updates

• Council received updates on recent meetings, conferences, and community engagements from each Councillor:
  • Reeve Jurgen Preugschas — CAO search, including interviews and two special meetings of Council, legal orientation, Pembina District RMA meeting online, ASB and ALUS, Onoway Mayors & Reeves meeting, ASB conference
  • Councillor Mike Derksen — CAO search, including interviews and two special meetings of Council, Summer Villages of Sandy Beach & Sunrise Beach Lake Restoration meeting, Pembina District RMA meeting online, ASGA conference, Shane Getson & Michael Cooper Town Hall event, Summer Villages East meet and greet, East End Bus Society meeting
  • Councillor Barry Voltner — CAO search, including interviews and two special meetings of Council, MPC, ASGA Conference, Shane Getson & Michael Cooper Town Hall event
  • Deputy Reeve Dale Johnson — CAO search, including interviews and two special meetings of Council, Waters Edge meetings, two Highway 43 East Waste Commission meetings, two WILD Water meetings, Rich Valley Ag Society meeting, meetings with residents in area subdivisions and Lac La Nonne, Pembina District RMA meeting online, LSARA Annual General meeting
  • Councillor Bo Knysh — CAO search, including interviews and two special meetings of Council, listed all his committee and commission appointments; has been playing catch-up on status, projects, and how to proceed. Will share details from appointments going forward.
  • Councillor Ed Gifford — CAO search, including interviews and two special meetings of Council, Cherhill Legion meeting, ASB/ALUS meeting, including wild boar regulation changes and the Northern Alberta Family Farm Award,  CFYE meeting, ASB Conference highlights included AI in AG, and economics and trade markets, the rural vet shortage in our province, and attending the Chairman's meeting.
  • Councillor Jill Stoney — CAO search, including interviews and two special meetings of Council, LSA Foundation org meeting, Beachwave Park Stakeholders meeting, ASB/ALUS meeting, Pembina District RMA meeting online, ASGA Conference, George Pegg Society meeting, CAO tour of County hamlets, ASB Conference, and Sangudo Community School Council online meeting

Looking Ahead

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by attending public meetings in-person or online, viewing meeting recordings, and reviewing Council Highlights, Council Meeting Minutes, and future Council Agendas.