Council Highlights

Regular Meeting of Council – May 26, 2025

RCMP Q4 Report and 2025-2026 Annual Policing Priorities
Sergeant Andrew Brand presented the RCMP Q4 report and the 2025-2026 Annual Policing Priorities to Council. He provided an overview of the Alberta RCMP’s proactive preparations for what may be another challenging wildfire season, including the early staffing of the Division Emergency Operations Center to ensure readiness.

In addition to emergency preparedness, Sergeant Brand outlined key community policing priorities, which focus on:
• Crime Reduction Initiatives, particularly targeting property crimes
• Enhanced Engagement with the Local Community to foster stronger relationships and collaboration
• Traffic Safety Initiatives, with a specific emphasis on reducing impaired driving.

The detachment remains committed to maintaining a strong presence in the community, ensuring visibility and accessibility whenever possible. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in policing, the Fox Creek Detachment will begin rolling out body-worn cameras in July. This initiative aims to strengthen public trust and improve interactions between officers and community members.

BUSINESS

Support for ATCO Electric’s Climate Reliability and Wildfire Mitigation Initiatives
ATCO Electric has launched a comprehensive climate adaptation and wildfire mitigation strategy to address the growing risks posed by extreme weather events and wildfires. These efforts are especially critical for the Town of Fox Creek, which lies within Alberta’s Forest Protection Area—an area that has faced significant wildfire impacts in recent years.

Council has recently engaged in discussions with ATCO regarding its initiatives to enhance climate reliability and wildfire mitigation. These efforts include right-of-way widening, removal of hazard trees, upgrading power poles and cross arms, and installing fire mesh on power poles. We believe this work is essential in ensuring safe and reliable electricity while mitigating risks to electrical infrastructure and reducing the potential for wildfire ignition.

Recognizing the importance of these initiatives, Council has passed a motion to formally support ATCO Electric’s wildfire mitigation work through a letter of support.

Council Support for Municipal District of Greenview’s Annual Clayshoot
Council has passed a motion to send Mayor Gilmour and Councillor Doran to attend the Municipal District of Greenview’s annual clayshoot and to financially support the event by becoming a bronze sponsor.

Over the past seven years, this event has raised more than $282,000 in support of charities and non-profit organizations within the MD of Greenview. This year, all proceeds will be equally distributed among the five food banks that serve Greenview residents, ensuring essential support for those in need.

Council is proud to contribute to this impactful initiative and looks forward to continuing its support for community-driven fundraising efforts.

Recognizing Alberta Rural Health Week
Alberta Rural Health Week, celebrated from May 26-30, 2025, is an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the people, communities, and initiatives that contribute to strengthening rural healthcare across the province.

In recognition of the dedication and hard work of healthcare professionals in our community, Council has motioned to provide a special lunch for all local healthcare workers as a token of gratitude for their invaluable service. Their commitment to rural healthcare ensures residents receive the support and care they need, and we are proud to take this opportunity to thank them for all they do.

Non-Directional Beacon Decommissioning
Fox Creek’s private Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) was scheduled for maintenance with MS Navigation, during which the maintainer recommended investigating its decommissioning. Nav Canada confirmed that the NDB at Fox Creek Airport is now obsolete, as most aircraft utilize satellite-based navigation systems that provide superior accuracy, reliability, and coverage.

Council has approved moving forward with the decommissioning process. There are no costs associated with shutting down the beacon, and eliminating its annual maintenance budget of $1,200 will result in cost savings for 2025. Other municipalities, including Valleyview, Drayton Valley, and Camrose, have recently decommissioned their NDBs as well.

Formal decommissioning could take between one to five months, allowing Nav Canada time to update pilot paperwork and notices. This decision aligns with Nav Canada’s recently completed Navigational Aid Modernization Project, which removed over 250 NDBs from Canadian airspace to improve navigation accuracy, reduce reliance on outdated technology, and accommodate increasing air traffic demand.

The Town will proceed with the necessary steps to finalize the decommissioning.

Community Gardens Relocation
On May 22, 2025, administration met with the Community Gardens Board and members of the public to discuss the necessary relocation of the community gardens. The move is required to accommodate the expansion of the water treatment plant facility and protect the town’s water tower, a critical infrastructure component.

During the meeting, potential new locations were explored to ensure continued accessibility and sustainability for residents. After discussion, the board agreed that the existing tennis courts would be the most suitable site, offering high visibility, ample parking, and access to water. The existing fencing will be repurposed, and funds from the 2025 Operating Budget will be used to expand the fenced area and purchase new garden beds where needed.

Council acknowledged that relocating the gardens would result in the loss of a public tennis court, which has seen limited use and requires repairs due to tree root damage. Council has motioned to approve the relocation of the community gardens to the existing tennis courts and has directed administration to include the development of new tennis courts in the 2026 Capital Budget discussions

Wildfire Relief Support Request
Councillor Hailes has requested that the Town of Fox Creek send a letter to the appropriate ministries and Alberta municipalities, advocating for increased provincial support in wildfire relief efforts.

The letter will request that the province assign a disaster recovery team member to be present during emergencies to review and approve expenses as they occur. This measure aims to accelerate the reimbursement process, ensuring municipalities are not burdened with the financial costs of wildfires that occur outside their boundaries.

Council supports this initiative and recognizes the importance of streamlining disaster response funding to provide timely relief for affected communities.

The next Regular Meeting of Council will take place on Monday, June 16, 2025. Council meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate – your voice matters in shaping the future of Fox Creek.