Council Meeting Highlights for September 23
These Council highlights are intended to provide a brief overview of the most significant decisions made during the Council meeting. To access more information about the items listed below and to view the full Council meeting agendas, minutes and meeting schedules, please click here.
4.1 Ponoka Flying Club Presentation
The Ponoka Flying Club gave a presentation updating Council on improvements, future plans and challenges facing the Ponoka Airport. The Flying Club requested funding from the Town of Ponoka for $30,000 over three years (2026, 2027 and 2028). This request will be brought to Council’s 2026 budget deliberations for consideration on November 26, 27 and 28.
6.1 Bylaw 05-2025 Residential Assessment Sub-Class Bylaw
Council approved the second and third readings of the Residential Assessment Sub-Class Bylaw 05-2025
The Residential Assessment Sub-Class Bylaw is being updated to include a third residential assessment sub-class, consisting of residential properties which were annexed into the Town of Ponoka under Annexation Board Order MGB 019/11. Under the new bylaw, these properties will be taxed at 25 per cent of the residential rate set out annually in the Tax Rate Bylaw to help ease the transition between the tax rate under the annexation order and the full Town of Ponoka tax rates.
The Residential Assessment Sub-Class Bylaw will cease to apply to these properties when they are redesignated under the Town’s Land Use Bylaw or are connected to water or sanitary services provided by the Town of Ponoka.
7.1 Notice of Motion – Proclamation of Mental Illness Awareness Week
Council approved a motion proclaiming Mental Illness Awareness Week from October 5 to 11 in the Town of Ponoka. This initiative recognizes the overall impacts of mental illness and the importance of raising mental illness awareness through public education, compassion and the promotion of mental health services.
7.2 Sponsorship Request – Third Annual Firefighter Gala
Council approved the following sponsorship requests with funds allocated from the Council Advertising Budget:
- $750 to be a platinum sponsor of the Third Annual Firefighters Gala; and
- $720 for the purchase of a table at the event.
The Third Annual Firefighters Gala will be held on Saturday, November 29. This event celebrates the dedication and service of local first responders.
7.3 Sponsorship Request – Ponoka Arts, Recreation and Culture Society (PARCS)
Council approved a request from PARCS for the Town to be a Community Sponsor in the amount of $250 along with the purchase of two tickets to the PARCS Field & Fork community fundraising event on October 4. These sponsorship funds will be allocated from the Council Advertising Budget.
PARCS’ objective is to raise funds for future arts, cultural and recreation facilities in the Town of Ponoka and Ponoka County. PARCS recently donated $15,000 in funding for the Disc Golf Course at Riverside Rotary Park in Ponoka.
7.4 Request for Sponsorship – Ponoka and District Health Foundation
The Ponoka and District Health Foundation requested a $3,000 sponsorship from the Town for their Seniors’ Harvest Tea event on October 3 to buy hospital equipment and support the Helipad project at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre.
Council approved a motion requesting that Administration invite the Ponoka and District Health Foundation to bring forth a presentation regarding the Helipad project so that Council can gather more information about the project.
7.5 Rescind Staff Development and Training Policy HUM-001-031
Council passed a motion to rescind the Staff Development and Training Policy HUM-001-031 to be replaced by the new Administrative Policy AP-20. This is part of the Town-wide initiative to update and reclassify policies according to the Governance Document Framework Policy.
7.6 CP-25 Manufactured Home Community Property Tax Policy
Council approved the CP-25 Manufactured Home Community Property Tax Policy and rescinded the FIN-001-038 Manufactured Home Community Property Tax Policy. As part of the initiative to update and reclassify polices in accordance with the Governance Document Framework Policy, FIN-001-038 Manufactured Home Community Tax Policy has been identified as a Council Policy. The review and reclassification of policies ensure they remain relevant and effective.
7.7 CP 26 – Communications Policy
Council approved the CP-26 Town of Ponoka Communications Policy and rescinded the HUM-001-029 Town of Ponoka Social Media Policy and HUM-001-030 Town of Ponoka Media Relations Policy.
As part of the initiative to update and reclassify polices in accordance with the Governance Document Framework Policy, Administration has completed a comprehensive review of the Town’s Social Media Policy (HUM-001-029) and Media Relations Policy (HUM-001-030). These two policies have been identified as Council policies and have been consolidated into a new Communications Policy.
7.8 Re-opening of 54 Street at Highway 53
Council accepted as information a report about the petition recently received from the owners of The Liquor Store in Ponoka requesting the re-opening of 54 Street at Highway 53. The report outlines the reasons why the petition was declared insufficient.
13.1 Advice from Officials – Access to Information Act (ATIA) Section 29
Following a closed session, Council approved a motion to ratify the AUPE Collective Agreement as negotiated by the Town of Ponoka and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Local #118 Chapter 004 for the period of January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.
13.2 Labour – Access to Information Act (ATIA) Section 20(4)
Council approved a motion to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements with Baytex Energy for the sale of treated effluent at a net rate of $1.00 per cubic meter, subject to terms and conditions satisfactory to the CAO.
- Next Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, October 14 at 6 p.m.
- The public is welcome to attend all Council meetings. Meetings are held in Town Council Chambers on the third floor of the Ponoka Civic Centre (5604 50 Street).