Catch Council this week?
Here are some highlights:
- Dan Cress, Director of Protective Services, shared a 2025 fourth quarter report and January 2026 Protective Services report with Council. Of interest, in 2025, a total of 1,175 enforcement files were generated. They primarily consisted of traffic issues, public complaints, parking, and unsightly premises. The Peace River Fire Department responded to 456 calls in 2025, down from 650 in 2024. Most were alarm calls, with 23 structure fire calls, 53 exterior fires, seven vehicle fires, 86 medical responses, and more among the statistics. In January 2026, 122 Community Peace Officer files were opened. Most related to snow removal, parking, traffic, and business licenses. Twenty warnings were given and 36 tickets were issued.
- Council passed the 2026 Utility-Supported Operating Budget. This is the part of our annual budget that is funded by utilities (the other part is the tax-supported budget, which is still being reviewed). Total revenues and expenses included in the utility-supported budget are $8,923,800. You can see a full breakdown of this budget in the agenda.
- Council approved the purchase of two Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD trucks (units 124 and 125) for a cost of up to $36,000 with such funds coming from the Tax-Supported Capital Reserve. The two trucks were reaching the expiration of their leasing term. The average cost to buy out a unit is $17,867.13, while the average leasing cost is $20,021 per unit per year. Both units were assessed and deemed to be in good working order with low mileage.
- Council defeated a motion to waive the development permit and building permit fees for Mighty Peace Barbell Club, a local not-for-profit organization. The justification includes that is not common for the Town to waive these fees on an individual basis, that it could create a slippery slope of other organizations wanting similar fees waived, and that the fees help offset administration and service costs.
- Council approved Development Permit Application 2026-01 for the installation of fascia and associated signage for Wendy’s development on the West Hill, as proposed, subject to compliance with all applicable bylaws and regulations.
- Council adopted an amended Council Remuneration, Travel, and Expense Policy, which you can view in the agenda as well.
There was more!
You can read the whole agenda here: https://peaceriver.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/?expanded=9574,154743…
Or watch it again here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjPGg7R_g_s
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