St. Albert Minute: Issue 89

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

📅 This Week In St. Albert: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, the Standing Committee of the Whole will meet. On the agenda are updates regarding the Housing Accelerator Fund. St. Albert has received approval for up to $11.8 million through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to support faster development of “missing middle” housing and improve affordability. The funding, provided in four installments, requires the City to meet specific housing targets, implement systemic process changes, and explore options for up to four units on typical low-density lots. Two initiatives nearing completion include updates to the Land Use Bylaw’s Established Neighbourhood Overlay (ENO) and amendments to minimum residential parking requirements. ENO changes aim to simplify rules, support modern renovations, allow more flexibility in garage placement, and reduce duplication while balancing neighbourhood character. Parking updates propose reduced minimum requirements for apartments, townhouses, supportive living, and non-market housing, helping lower development costs and improve affordability. Administration plans to present these Land Use Bylaw amendments for public hearing and Council approval on January 27th, 2026, with community engagement already underway through questionnaires, public open houses, and online promotion.
  
  
• Administration will also provide an update on the City’s debt strategy, noting that current long-term debt of $220 million is within the internal limit of $307 million, with $107 million already drawn. Debt primarily funds large, multi-year capital projects, including road construction, fire halls, transit facilities, and municipal buildings, and is financed through Alberta Treasury Board and Finance at stable, fixed interest rates. The 10-Year Municipal Growth Capital Plan proposes $339 million in additional debt-funded projects, including community amenities, police facilities, and road improvements. If these projects proceed as scheduled, the City would exceed its debt limit by 2030, requiring deferrals or adjustments to align priorities with fiscal capacity.
  
  
• Council has voted to advance the paving of the Botanic Park parking lot to the 2026 construction season, ahead of its original 2027 schedule. The project, at $881,000, comes in under the initial estimate of just over $1 million. The current gravel lot has long been a concern for accessibility and visitor experience, particularly for those using strollers, walkers, or wheelchairs. Volunteers highlighted the park’s value as a free public space, emphasizing the long-term contributions and community significance. Council members noted the upgrade will improve accessibility, safety, and support for a well-loved community asset, though some expressed concern about setting a precedent for funding capital projects for community groups. Temporary alternative parking plans are being considered while construction occurs.
  
  
• Council confirmed a 3.9% tax increase for 2026 during budget deliberations on December 1st. Council approved funding for new staffing positions, a $300,000 business case to review policing services, and a $275,000 Type 6 brush truck for St. Albert Fire Services. A motion to reduce library funding by $30,000 over waived late fees for children and teen books failed, while an additional $46,500 was approved for a new library outreach position. A motion to reduce the neighbourhood traffic calming budget from $483,000 to $300,000 was defeated, maintaining funding for safety measures like speed bumps and roadway narrowing. Debate on the policing review highlighted differing views on whether the City should proactively plan for potential changes to the RCMP contract or provincial policing models. The final vote on the budget is scheduled for December 16th, when municipal and utility operating and capital budgets will be adjusted.
  
  
• Administration has no plans to eliminate dog and cat licensing, despite nearby Morinville phasing out annual licences in favour of ID tags. Morinville, along with Spruce Grove and Strathcona County, cited the cost and administrative burden of running their licensing systems as a primary reason for the change. By contrast, St. Albert projects $436,000 in dog licensing revenue for 2025, with $95,000 funding dog park improvements and the remainder supporting animal control services with an annual budget of $1.8 million. The ity also maintains a two-tiered licensing fee - $73 for unspayed/unneutered pets and $40 for spayed/neutered. Acting Director of Emergency Services Aaron Giesbrecht emphasized that removing licensing fees would shift costs to general taxpayers and undermine the City’s ability to fund animal services and dog parks. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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