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Lacombe City Council discussed the city’s public engagement plan, the priority data integrity project to organize the city’s bylaws and policies, and the expansion of the Birthplace Forest during the Feb. 24 regular meeting.
Here are the meeting highlights:
Presentations
Audit Plan – BDO
Mitchell Kennedy, BDO Senior Manager, and Tetiana Nabutovskyi, BDO Manager, gave a presentation to Council on the City’s Audit Plan.
Flying Club/Airport Committee 2025 Update
Jon From, Lacombe Flying Club President, and Stewart Wilson, Flying Club Treasurer, gave an update on the Lacombe Flying Club and the Airport Committee.
Public Hearings
Bylaw 400.68 - Redesignation for 4722 and 4902 Beardsley Avenue
Notice was given that council gave first reading to Bylaw 400.68 to amend Land Use Bylaw #400. If approved, Bylaw 400.68 would amend Schedule A of the Land Use Bylaw by:
• Redesignating the subject site from UT – Utility District to R1 - Residential Detached District.
Requests for decision
Appointment of External Auditor for 2024–2028
Under Section 280(1) of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), Council is required to appoint one or more auditors for the municipality. Following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, BDO Canada LLP emerged as the highest-ranked candidate to provide audit services and financial reporting for 2024–2028. To meet MGA requirements, Council must formally appoint BDO Canada LLP as the City's auditor. The 2024 audited financial statements are scheduled to be presented to Council at the April 28th, 2025, Regular Meeting.
Council appointed BDO Canada LLP as the City of Lacombe's auditor for the 2024–2028 fiscal years.
2025 Council Public Engagement Plan
The City of Lacombe conducts a variety of public engagement activities every year both planned and ad-hoc. The Lacombe 2025 Council Public Engagement Plan aims to involve Council members in significant local events such as Farmers’ Markets, festivals including Lacombe Days and Light Up Lacombe, and other community meet-up opportunities.
This document represents some of the planned ways Council actively engages with the public and does not encompass all City communications, public participation, and engagement avenues.
Council endorsed the 2025 Council Public Engagement Plan as presented.
Bylaw 400.68 Land Use Bylaw Amendment – Redesignation for 4722 and 4902 Beardsley Avenue
Administration is currently processing a subdivision application for the previously redesignated lots. During the review process, it has been identified that Lot 20 (previously designated as a Public Utility Lot [UT District]) would more appropriately be designated as R1 District to ensure compliance with the City’s Encroachment Policy, for adequate protection of City infrastructure, and to prevent unnecessary maintenance costs.
Bylaw 400.68 proposes an amendment to the City of Lacombe Land Use Bylaw (LUB) to redesignate a portion of Lot 8 and 9, Block 7, Plan 042 4116 within the NE 31-40-26-W4M (4722 and 4902 Beardsley Avenue).
Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 400.68 as amended.
Bylaw 523 - Data Integrity Project Phase 3.12
In 2016, the City identified a priority data integrity project to organize and index the City’s bylaws, policies, and administrative directives. In the course of this work, it was discovered that many of the City’s governing documents were inoperative, obsolete, or expired. Over the following years, Council has repealed over 1,000 Bylaws and nearly 1,300 Policies.
In 2022, Council endorsed a formalized approach to categorizing, developing, and maintaining the City’s various Governance Documents. This was subsequently formalized as Council’s Governance Framework Policy. The May 2nd presentation also included a list of Governance Documents for Update, which identified the policies in this batch. Phase 3.12 of the Data Integrity Project repeals fourteen bylaws that have been determined by administration to no longer be necessary.
Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 523 – Repeal of Inactive Bylaws 2025.
Birthplace Forest
The Birthplace Forest Program (Policy), initiated in 2007, continues to transform Lincoln Park on Woodland Drive into a thriving commemorative urban forest. Designed to celebrate the birth of children, this program also supports Lacombe’s urban forestry objectives by enhancing air quality and beautifying the city. The trees remain accessible for all residents to enjoy.
Originally, in September 2006, Lot 1MR, Block 5, Plan 922-2219 (Lincoln Park, west of the cemetery) was designated as the Birthplace Forest site. However, on November 20, 2006, the motion was amended to allocate only the eastern portion of Lincoln Park for the forest, with \plans for Phase II to be developed northeast corner of Lot 43ER (Bruns Pond).
The existing site has been well received by residents, with ongoing interest from community families. As Phase I has now reached capacity, the program must expand into Phase II. Given the site conditions, extending west from the current (Phase I) location is a natural progression.
The initially designated Phase II area contains remnants of an old roadbed, making it less suitable for sustaining healthy tree growth.
Council approved the expansion of the Birthplace Forest to the west of the path at the current location, situated on the east side of Lot 1MR, Block 5, Plan 922-2219, as Phase II. Additionally, Council approved Lot 1R, Block 6, Plan 922-2219, located northeast of Bruns Pond, to be designated as Phase III of the Birthplace Forest.
The next council meeting is scheduled for March 10 at 5:30 p.m., at City Hall.
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