Council Highlights
Regular Meeting of Council & Public Hearing – August 11, 2025
Council held a public hearing to review proposed changes to the Land Use Bylaw. Here are the key highlights:
- Rezoning for Trucking Business
A property on Lot 12, Block 44, Plan 132 3938 is proposed to be rezoned from C-1 Service Commercial to M-1 Light Industrial to support a new trucking business. The change would allow for a shop and truck parking, which better suits the intended use and surrounding area. - Home Occupation, Minor – Definition Update
The amendment also proposes to update the definition of “Home Occupation, Minor” to allow up to five client visits per day and clarify permitted uses. This would support small-scale businesses like day homes, hairdressers, accountants, cosmetic sales, and seamstresses.
No concerns were brought forward by the public for the hearing.
STAFF REPORTS
Community Services
As summer winds down, several programs and initiatives across Community Services are wrapping up or preparing for fall. The Red Cross Grant concludes at the end of August, with final events including Coffee with the Guys on August 19 and the Ladies Breakfast on August 20. Staff are also completing Psychological First Aid training to support future community needs.
Awareness campaigns have continued through events and social media, with highlights including Canada Day celebrations, International Youth Day in partnership with the library, and planning underway for a Truth and Reconciliation Walk in September.
Youth programming through FCSS saw strong participation, especially through the CHAMP partnership. The Tools for Schools initiative is preparing for the August 25 Fox Trot bus trip. Community garden relocation is in progress, and tax support services have completed 86 returns this year.
CALP is preparing for fall programming, including tutoring, literacy initiatives, and CAEC exam readiness. Tech Help services remain popular, and English Language Learning sessions begin in September.
The Newcomer Navigation program supported individuals exploring residency pathways and hosted a successful Embracing Diversity session in July. The next session is scheduled for August 26.
Recreation
The Multiplex has seen a strong increase in attendance so far this year, with a total of 6,187 visitors—up 16% from 2024. Notable growth was seen in the pool (up 38%) and fitness centre (up 92%), while the fieldhouse and arena also saw modest increases. Track usage has declined slightly, and library visits rose by 2%.
Memberships at the Multiplex show mixed results. Adult memberships have increased by 26%, while child and youth memberships have declined. Overall, total memberships have dropped by 12% compared to last year.
At the Fox Creek RV Park, camping activity remained steady. Serviced sites saw a slight decrease in usage, while rustic sites held consistent numbers. Senior usage of both serviced and rustic sites declined.
Summer programming was active throughout July. The pool hosted National Drowning Prevention Week and offered a range of swimming lessons and lifeguard training. A total of 59 children participated in summer camps, including themed weeks like Summer Kickoff, Heatwave Sports, Mystery Week, and Great Adventure.
Operations
Public Works crews have been busy with a range of maintenance and infrastructure tasks. Recent completed work includes culvert flushing and ditch cleaning along 2 Avenue North, grading at the airport and alleys, pothole repairs, crosswalk painting, and asphalt inspection near a storm drain. Ongoing efforts include mowing, street sweeping, and continued pothole repairs. Upcoming work includes additional pothole filling and GIS data collection.
The Utility Department completed several key repairs and inspections, including sewer digs, valve replacements, fire hydrant adjustments, and water sampling. Future tasks include daily inspections, pump motor replacement, and wildlife management at the lagoon.
At the Mechanic Shop, staff received a new John Deere loader, repaired vehicle windows, and sent trucks for recall servicing. Routine vehicle maintenance continues.
The Landfill and Transfer Station saw scrap metal and appliance pickups, gate upgrades, and compost pile management. Chemical testing is scheduled for future work.
Staff training was also a focus, with team members completing courses in bear awareness, workplace safety, transportation of dangerous goods, and pothole repair techniques.
Chief Administrative Officer
Planning for the Water Treatment Plant upgrade is progressing, with a completion date set for November 2026. Two scheduled shutdowns—tentatively in March and October 2026—will allow construction to proceed while minimizing impact during fire season. A communication strategy is being developed to keep residents informed.
Staff are also prioritizing the review of Town bylaws and policies to improve clarity and ease of use for the public, supporting transparency and better access to information.
Community engagement continues to grow, particularly through social media. The Town’s Facebook page saw significant increases in views, reach, interactions, and followers, now reaching over 77,000 people monthly. The new website is progressing well, with the layout approved and departments reviewing content for launch.
Health and Safety / Emergency Management
Work is ongoing to improve staff safety training. A new orientation plan is being developed in collaboration with the legislative clerk, and 74% of staff are currently up to date on required training. Fire extinguisher inspections are scheduled for September, with efforts underway to align all equipment under a single contract. Updates to signage, contact lists, and evacuation maps are also in progress. Safety meetings and site visits were conducted at multiple Town facilities, including Public Works, the CRC, and the Multiplex.
Staff attended the quarterly Northwest ESS meeting to review recent activations and discuss updates to the reception center platform. FRIAA representatives visited Fox Creek to review the completed logging and mulching project and expressed interest in featuring the Town in their newsletter following a successful inter-agency tabletop exercise.
Meetings were also held with AFRRCS radio coordinators to improve user profiles and communication efficiency. New SOLE templates from the province have been added to the emergency management team’s channel. Work is underway to update the structural protection plan for the FRIAA grant and to complete the After Action Report for wildfire WWF041.
BUSINESS
Regular Council Meeting Rescheduled
Council has approved rescheduling the Organizational Meeting and Regular Meeting of Council to October 27, 2025. This decision was made to accommodate the 2025 Municipal Election, scheduled for October 20, 2025, and to allow sufficient time for post-election procedures and preparations. The revised date ensures a smooth transition for the incoming Council.
Residential Land Sale Update
Council has approved making a counteroffer of $41,000—the current assessed value—for Lot 42, Block 33, Plan 962-1989 (292 8th Avenue), in response to an expression of interest. This decision supports the Town’s commitment to encouraging development while maintaining fair market value for municipal assets. By aligning the sale price with the assessed value, the Town demonstrates its openness to investment and growth while ensuring transparency and fiscal responsibility.
In addition, Council has moved to price all properties within the subdivision at their assessed value, creating a consistent and accessible framework for future land sales and reinforcing that Fox Creek is open for business.
Surplus Auction Update
Council has approved using Michener Allen as the auction house for the upcoming sale of Town surplus equipment, which includes gravel trucks, light trucks, trailers, a backhoe, and miscellaneous items. This decision supports an efficient disposal process while minimizing commission fees and administrative burden.
Michener Allen offers a mixed on-lot/off-lot auction format with competitive commission rates and simplified logistics. The selected approach balances broader market exposure with cost-effectiveness and aligns with the Town’s goal of responsibly managing surplus assets.
Land Use Bylaw Amendment Approved
Council has officially passed Land Use Bylaw Amendment 824-2019-A08, giving it second and third readings following a public hearing held earlier this evening. The amendment includes the rezoning of Lot 12, Block 44, Plan 1323938 from C-1 Service Commercial to M-1 Light Industrial to support a proposed trucking business.
The rezoning aligns with the Town’s Land Use Bylaw and supports future industrial development in the surrounding area. No public feedback was received during the hearing, and the decision reflects Council’s commitment to facilitating responsible growth and development in Fox Creek.
The next regular meeting of Council will be held September 8, 2025. We look forward to seeing you there!