Council Highlights - September 14, 2026

Top Highlights from the Meeting

✔ Council supported the Indigenous Relations Advisory Committee continuing through 2027 while working toward an independent, community-led society
✔ Council approved a new Sidewalk Maintenance Policy
✔ Council directed Administration to proceed with improvements to the 1949 Building
✔ Council directed Administration to apply for grant funding to participate in Alberta's Municipal Internship Program
✔ Council directed Administration to continue discussions with Your Devon Neighbourhood Market and approved the non-profit rental rate for its Christmas Market

Indigenous Relations Advisory Committee to Continue Through 2027

Council supported the continued operation of the Indigenous Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC) for one year through 2027 while Administration and Committee members work toward establishing an independent, community-led society.

During the transition, the Town will continue to provide administrative support and collaboration with the Committee. Funding for IRAC in 2027 will also be brought forward for consideration during Council's upcoming budget deliberations.

Administration and IRAC will return to Council in March 2027 with a proposed transition and partnership framework outlining the long-term roles and responsibilities of the Town and the future society.

Sidewalk Maintenance Policy Approved

Council approved Sidewalk Maintenance Policy 4355, establishing a framework for the ongoing maintenance and repair of Town-owned sidewalks.

Under the policy, the Town's annual sidewalk repair program will prioritize sidewalk segments identified as being in the poorest condition through condition assessments. The extent of repairs completed each year will depend on resources approved through the annual operating budget.

The policy also allows temporary measures or emergency repairs to be undertaken outside the annual maintenance program where a sidewalk condition presents an immediate risk to public safety.

Improvements to Move Forward at 1949 Building

Council received the 1949 Building improvement plan and directed Administration to proceed with the improvements as outlined.

A total of $200,000 was included in the 2026 Capital Budget for upgrades to the building. Administration worked with facility users and an accessibility consultant to identify and prioritize improvements, with accessibility identified as a key priority.

Planned improvements include an automatic door opener and advanced activation button, upgrades to the accessible washroom and other priority improvements to the facility. Additional items considered as part of the plan include flooring, electrical, lighting, windows, air conditioning and a bottle-filling station.

Town to Apply for Municipal Internship Grant

Council directed Administration to apply to the Alberta Community Partnership Grant to fund participation in the Municipal Internship Program – Administration for the 2027 intake.

The program provides recent post-secondary graduates with hands-on municipal work experience, professional development and mentoring over an 18-month period while helping municipalities build organizational capacity.

Municipalities selected to participate receive provincial grant funding to help offset the costs associated with hosting an intern.

Your Devon Neighbourhood Market Presents to Council

Council received a presentation from Your Devon Neighbourhood Market regarding the organization's growth and its recent purchase of tables for future markets.

The Market advised Council that it is working toward becoming a registered non-profit society and has grown from 25 vendors at its first market in July to 54 vendors at its most recent market.

Following the presentation, Council directed Administration to schedule an in-person meeting with Market representatives for further discussion. Council also directed Administration to provide the Market with the non-profit rental rate for the Devon Community Centre for its Christmas Market.

FortisAlberta Provides Update on Devon Improvements

Council received a presentation from FortisAlberta regarding ongoing electrical distribution system improvements in Devon.

The presentation included information on system reliability, bird-proofing and avian protection measures, distribution system maintenance and FortisAlberta's ongoing upgrade project in the community.

Council accepted the presentation as information. FortisAlberta also advised that some outages will be required as work on the upgrades continues.

Public Hearing for Amendment Bylaw 1027/2026 Cancelled

Council cancelled the Public Hearing for Amendment Bylaw 1027/2026 that had been scheduled for September 14.

The applicant advised the Town in August that they did not intend to proceed with the proposed amendment at this time due to changes in market conditions and other internal business considerations.

With the application no longer proceeding, Administration considers the current application inactive. A new application may be required should the applicant choose to pursue the amendment in the future.