Council Meeting Highlights for August 12, 2026

These Council highlights are intended to provide a brief overview of the most significant decisions made during the Council meeting. To access more information about the items listed below and to view the full Council meeting agendas, minutes and meeting schedules, please click here.

Regular Meeting of Council:

4.1      Public Hearing - Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Direct Control Zoning

A public hearing was held for Bylaw No. 04-2026 which proposed to amend Land Use Bylaw No. 453-21 by changing the zoning for Lot 35, Block 16, Plan 082 0167 from an Urban Reserve (UR) district to a Direct Control (DC) district.

5.1      North Red Deer River Water Services Commission Presentation

Council heard a presentation from the North Red Deer River Water Services Commission. The commission is updating their bylaws to align with Municipal Government Act legislation requirements and include the agreement with Ermineskin Cree Nation.

7.1      Land Use Bylaw Amendment No. 04 - 2026

Following the public hearing, Council passed second and third readings to amend Land Use Bylaw 04-2026 by designating Lot 35, Block 16, Plan 082 0167 from an Urban Reserve (UR) district to a Direct Control (DC) district.

8.1      Excuse Councillor David from the September 9, 2026 Council Meeting

Council passed a motion to excuse Councillor David from the September 9 Council Meeting.

8.2      Excuse Councillor Lloyd from the September 9, 2026 Council Meeting

Council passed a motion to excuse Councillor Lloyd from the September 9 Council Meeting.

8.3      Bylaw No. 10-2026 - Repealing of Inactive Bylaws 

Council passed first and second readings to Bylaw No. 10-2026 – Repealing of Inactive Bylaws.

The purpose of this bylaw is to improve the Town of Ponoka bylaw index by formally repealing bylaws that are inoperative, obsolete, expired, spent or otherwise ineffective, ensuring that the Town's legislative records remain accurate and current.

8.4      Tax Forgiveness Request – Roll 215200

Council defeated a motion to approve the tax forgiveness request of penalties outstanding on Roll. 215200.

11       Correspondence Items

Council accepted the following correspondence as information:

• A letter was sent to the Town of Ponoka from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors informing the Town that the Wastewater Treatment Plan Upgrades (early works) was not approved for grant funding at this time.
• A letter was sent to Mayor Ferguson from the Honourable Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services thanking the Town for raising concerns about public safety in Ponoka and asking the Mayor to reach out to the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justic and Attorney General of Canada about the proposed changes to the Criminal Code.
• A letter was sent to the Town of Ponoka from the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation sharing information about the ‘Our Legacy’ campaign.

11       Information Items

Council accepted the information item as presented. Administration provided Council with an update on the tax sale of property on 5212 53 Avenue, where the reserve bid of $70,000 was not met and the auction closed without the property being sold. The property has been transferred to the Town through the tax forfeiture process, and the Town will begin demolition of the structures and restoration of the property in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.

Next Regular Council Meeting: Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend all Council meetings. Meetings are held in Town Council Chambers on the third floor of the Ponoka Civic Centre (5604 50 Street).