Council Policies for Rescission

Council Policies for Rescission

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Staff Report to Council

DATE: Monday, July 20, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Administration
SUBJECT: Council Policies for Rescission

Executive Summary

As directed by Council, staff have been reviewing City policies in order to identify those which need updating to provide clarity and align with current processes where necessary. Staff have reviewed all current Council policies and have determined that 15 policies are obsolete and may be rescinded. Rescinding obsolete Council policies enhances good governance by ensuring that the City’s policy framework remains current, relevant, transparent, and effective. Repealing these policies makes it clear which policies apply and reduces potential conflicts between policies and bylaws.

Background

Over time, policies may become incorporated into bylaws or become obsolete due to a new process. While these policies remain in force, they are currently not being applied under the policy, rather they may be actioned based on the bylaw they have been incorporated into, or are now being managed by a different process.

Staff have focused on undertaking a comprehensive review of existing Council policies to identify those which have not been updated. The policies identified were then sent to the appropriate department to review and confirm whether the policy was still relevant or if it needed to be amended or rescinded.

Commentary

Keeping policies up to date supports good governance by ensuring consistency, eliminating redundancies, and confirming policies reflect operational practices. It also provides clarity for the public and staff as to which policies apply.

The policies identified for rescission are listed in the tables below and organized by the department responsible for the policy. The table also reflects the reasons for the proposed rescinding of each policy. Many of the changes noted below arise as the result of having incorporated the requirements in the policy into a bylaw. While policies are intended to provide guidance and clarity, bylaws may impose requirements and are, by their nature, enforceable.

Legislative Services Policies

The following Legislative Services policies may be rescinded:

Planning Policies

The following Planning policies may be rescinded:

Parks Policies

The following Parks policies may be rescinded:

Bylaw Enforcement Policy

The following Bylaw Enforcement policy may be rescinded:

Financial Implications

There are no known financial implications at this time.

Legal Implications

There are no known legal implications at this time.

Strategic Plan Alignment

5 - Good Governance.

Options

Option 1

THAT Council rescind the following policies:
a) POL-0019-ADMIN;
b) POL-0020-ADMIN;
c) POL-0021-ADMIN;
d) POL-0022-ADMIN;
e) POL-0023-ADMIN;
f) POL-0024-ADMIN;
g) POL-0025-ADMIN;
h) POL-0026-ADMIN;
i) POL-0074-LDEV;
j) POL-0077-LDEV;
k) POL-0078-LDEV;
l) POL-0076-PARK;
m) POL-0122-PARK;
n) POL-0144-PARK; and
o) POL-0125-BYLAW.

OR Option 2

THAT Council take no action with respect to the policies as indicated in the attached staff report.

Submitted By

SUBMITTED BY: Richard Wagner, Policy Analyst and Legislative Drafter

Concurrence:
Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services

Concurrence:
Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development

Concurrence:
Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities

Concurrence:
Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development

Concurrence:
Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works

Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance

Concurrence:
Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services

Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments

• Attachment 1 – POL-0019-ADMIN (Current “Advertising for Citizen Vacancies Policy”)
• Attachment 2 – POL-0020-ADMIN (Current “Agenda Timing Policy”)
• Attachment 3 – POL-0021-ADMIN (Current “Approval of the Agenda Policy”)
• Attachment 4 – POL-0022-ADMIN (Current “Agenda Order of Business Policy”)
• Attachment 5 – POL-0023-ADMIN (Current “Correspondence Policy”)
• Attachment 6 – POL-0024-ADMIN (Current “Minutes Policy”)
• Attachment 7 – POL-0025-ADMIN (Current “Minutes of Boards and Commissions Policy”)
• Attachment 8 – POL-0026-ADMIN (Current “Special (In-Camera) Council Meetings Policy”)
• Attachment 9 – POL-0074-LDEV (Current “Underground Irrigation Policy”)
• Attachment 10 – POL-0077-LDEV (Current “Subdivision and Development Control Policy”)
• Attachment 11 – POL-0078-LDEV (Current “Panhandle Lot Policy”)
• Attachment 12 – POL-0076-PARK (Current “Park Land Development Cost Charge Policy”)
• Attachment 13 – POL-0122-PARK (Current “Outdoor Concerts Policy”)
• Attachment 14 – POL-0144-PARK (Current “Parks DCC Reimbursement Policy”)
• Attachment 15 – POL-0125-BYLAW (Current “Council Policy on General Video Surveillance”)