Council Meeting Highlights for June 10, 2025
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 full Council meeting agendas, minutes and meeting schedules, please click here.
7.2 Tax Sale – Approve 2025 Public Auction Terms and Conditions
Council approved the 2025 Public Auction Terms and Conditions as presented and the auction date of Monday, September 29 at 2 p.m. in the Town of Ponoka Council Chambers.
Municipalities are required to follow the tax recovery process that is legislated by the Alberta Government through the Municipal Government Act (MGA). In accordance with Section 418 of the Municipal Government Act, the municipality must offer for sale at a public auction any parcel of land shown on its tax arrears list for three years if the tax arrears are not paid.
There is currently one property on the Town’s tax arrears list that will be up for sale through the tax recovery process. It is important to note that any person may pay the tax arrears at any time prior to the auction of the property. This includes the option of setting up a monthly payment plan. If this occurs, the Registrar is contacted to remove the property from the arrears list and end the tax recovery process for that property.
7.3 Sponsorship Request – Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce
Council approved the $2,000 sponsorship request from the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce for the following two events:
- $1,000 towards the Ponoka Chamber Pancake Breakfast being held on June 25 during Ponoka Stampede Week from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the former Town Hall site in downtown Ponoka. Members of Council are also invited to help serve and prepare breakfast for this event; and
- $1,000 towards the Ponoka Chamber 2025 Business Excellence Awards scheduled for October 24, 2025 during Small Business Week across Canada. The Business Excellence Awards recognize the efforts of local businesses and the individuals who work so hard to ensure their success.
7.4 Community Peace Officer Program – May 2025 Report
Council accepted the Community Peace Officer Program – May 2025 Report as information. The Report provides an overview of the bylaw enforcement activities conducted over the past month, including statistics on compliance, violations and enforcement actions.
7.5 Highway 53 Corridor Improvements Update
Council accepted the Highway 53 rehabilitation and improvement update as information.
The Town of Ponoka has partnered with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to complete improvements and rehabilitation of Highway 53 (between Highway 2A and 38 Street). Improvements along the roadway will include:
- Pavement resurfacing and concrete repairs;
- Intersection improvements at 45 Avenue and 46 Street, including new signal lights at that intersection;
- Closure of 54 Street access at Highway 53;
- Stormwater infrastructure upgrades;
- New upgraded streetlighting;
- Expansion of the Town’s multi-use trail network along Highway 53 with a new paved trail extending from Highway 2A to 38 Street, and new crosswalks;
- Fencing and landscaping; and
- Wayfinding signage and the ceremonial renaming of the roadway to Rodeo Drive.
Council awarded the Highway 53 Corridor Improvements contract to Central City Asphalt Ltd. Construction is expected to begin this summer in July (after the Ponoka Stampede ends) and is expected to be completed in 2026.
An announcement about the kickoff of the project will be made in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the Town of Ponoka social media pages @TownofPonoka and the Town website at Ponoka.ca as construction and traffic updates related to the project will be posted there. Traffic updates will also be provided through Alberta 511 during construction.
The project is being funded by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, the Town of Ponoka off-site levy reserve and a debenture through the Town’s Borrowing Bylaw.
11.1 Information Items – Indigenous Support Line
The Town of Ponoka received a letter from Primary Care Alberta discussing that, as of June 1, 2025, Indigenous patients and families across Alberta can access the Indigenous Support Line for advice, advocacy, navigation, transition services and more. For more information, please visit Albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page18213.aspx
12.1 Notice of Motion – Community Safety in Downtown Ponoka
Councillor Clayton Nelson submitted a notice of motion directing administration to examine issues of crime and social disorder to improve community safety in downtown Ponoka. The notice of motion will be brought back to a future Council meeting for discussion and consideration.
12.2 Notice of Motion – Speed Limits on Highway 2A
Councillor Clayton Nelson submitted a notice of motion directing administration to look into changing the speed limits in collaboration with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors on Highway 2A at the north entrance to match the speed limits at other highway entrances in the Town of Ponoka. The notice of motion will be brought back to a future Council meeting for discussion and consideration.
12.3 Notice of Motion – Ponoka Sign on Rodeo Drive
Councillor Clayton Nelson submitted a notice of motion directing administration to explore erecting large ‘Ponoka’ letters across from the Stampede Grounds, as it could be a possible tourist attraction. The notice of motion will be brought back to a future Council meeting for discussion and consideration.
- Next Regular Council Meeting: Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m.
- Next Priorities and Initiatives Meeting: Tuesday, June 17 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).