Town of Vauxhall council meeting briefs from Jan. 20

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are selecte briefs from the January 20, Town of Vauxhall Council meeting.

Bylaw No. 1001-24 Code of Conduct for Members of Council

Council discussed giving third reading to Bylaw No. 1001-24 – Council Code of Conduct, a bylaw that establishes a code governing the conduct of members of Council committees, and other bodies established by Council who are not Councillors. The memo regarding Bylaw No. 1001-24 Council Code of Conduct established that councilors have a duty to adhere to the code of conduct established by the council and live by the highest standards of conduct, standards that members of the public who elect them are entitled to expect of them. Bylaw No. 1001-24 was given first and second reading at the December 16, 2024, meeting of Council, with the motion for first reading being made by Councillor Norris and the motion for second reading being made by Deputy Mayor Forchuk. Following second reading, Council elected to review Bylaw 1001-24 further before giving it third reading. During Council meeting on January 20, 2025, Council discussed that some numerical amendments were between second and third reading, and a motion was then made to give the amended Bylaw 1001-24 third reading, and the motion was carried.

Bylaw No. 1002-25 Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw

Council discussed the possibility of adopting Bylaw No 1002-25, Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw. Council discussed that according to Section 556 of the Municipal Government Act, they are required to specify the powers and duties of Bylaw Enforcement Officers as well as specify procedures for misuse of powers, hence their need for a by-law. Council also stated that they had a policy in place, but not a specific by-law for the by-law officer, so they needed one after two previous inspections detected that one was not present. Ultimately, a motion was made that Bylaw No. 1002 Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw be given first reading and the motion was carried. Councillor Norris then made a motion that Bylaw No. 1002 – Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw be given second reading, and the motion was carried. Councillor Zacharias then made a motion that Bylaw No. 1002 – Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw be moved to third reading, and the motion was carried. Finally, Councillor Zacharias then made a motion that Bylaw No. 1002 – Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw be given third reading, and the motion was carried.

Bylaw No. 1003-25 – Consolidation Bylaw

Council discussed Bylaw No. 1003-25 – Consolidation Bylaw and established that the purpose of the by-law would be to grant approval to the Chief Administrative Officer or approved designate to consolidate passed amended by-laws original by-laws whenever a minor change to a bylaw is required. Council acknowledged that they wished to have the consolidation of by-laws as ‘an option for future use.’ A motion was made to give Bylaw No. 1003-25 – Consolidation Bylaw first reading, and the motion was carried. A motion was then made to give Bylaw No. 1003-25 – Consolidation Bylaw second reading, and the motion was carried. A motion was also made to take Bylaw No. 1003-25 – Consolidation Bylaw to third reading, and the motion was carried. Finally, a motion was made to give Bylaw No. 1003-25 – Consolidation Bylaw third reading, and the motion was carried.

Bylaw No. 1004-25 – Chief Administrative Officer Bylaw  

Council discussed Bylaw No. 1004-25 – Chief Administrative Officer Bylaw, which is intended to ‘establish and define the powers and duties of the Chief Administrative Officer’, and to also ‘delegate powers, duties, and functions to the Chief Administrative Officer. Bylaw No. Council acknowledged that Bylaw 1004-25 was established because Section 205(1) of the Municipal Government Act RSA 2000, Chapter M-26 requires that Council establish a Chief Administrative Officer Bylaw. Administration’s recommendation was that Council only do first reading of Bylaw No. 1004-25 – Chief Administrative Officer Bylaw, as they might want to adjust the bylaw after first reading is passed. Ultimately, a motion was made to give Bylaw No. 1004-25 – Chief Administrative Officer Bylaw first reading, and the motion was carried.

Invitation to the Town of Taber 120th Anniversary Event

Council discussed how the Town of Vauxhall Council was invited to the Town of Taber’s 120th Anniversary Event on Monday, June 30, 2025, and the event would begin at 5 p.m. at Confederation Park in Taber via a letter sent from Town of Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop. Mayor Prokop’s letter indicated that all invited dignitaries will be invited to share a few words, whether they will be attending in-person or virtually, and those who are interested in attending the event are encouraged to RSVP with Executive Assistant and Legislative Services Manager Brittany Gilbertson at 403-223-5515 or at Brittany.gilbertson@taber.ca by April 16, 2025. A motion was made that Council receive the invitation for information, and the motion was carried.