Meeting date changes made by M.D. council

By Rob Vogt
As a new year gets into full swing, the Municipal District of Willow Creek has reviewed the 2026 calendar and requires a number of changes to meeting dates.
At its Jan. 14 meeting, council agreed to make the following changes to council meeting dates in 2026:
• May 6 instead of May 13.
• Aug. 19 instead of Aug. 26.
• Nov 10 instead of Nov. 11 due to Remembrance Day.
• Dec 16 instead of Dec. 23 due to the Christmas season.
A coffee with council event was also re-scheduled from Aug. 25 in Fort Macleod to Aug. 19.
Waste to energy
Couns. Earl Hemmaway, Brian Nelson and John Van Driesten will attend an informational session on waste to energy sponsored by the Alberta SouthWest regional economic development association in Claresholm on Feb. 4.
Minister meeting
Council was advised Dan Williams, minister of municipal affairs will be meeting in 15-minute blocks with municipalities at the 2026 Rural Municipalities of Alberta spring convention at the Edmonton Convention Centre from March 16 to 18.
Council agreed to try and secure one of these meetings to discuss the impact of quas-judicial boards, such as the Alberta Utilities Commission and Natural Resources Conservation Board, on local land-use planning; how Section 619 of the Municipal Government Act allows these boards to override municipal land-use planning authorities; and political parties in municipal politics.
Meeting
Council was reminded the next meeting of the Foothills-Little Bow Municipal Association will be in Lethbridge on Jan. 16.
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg and Couns. Glen Alm, Evan Berger, Brian Nelson and John Van Driesten indicated they would be attending.
Council also agreed to contribute two gift bags for door prize draws.
The Foothills-Little Bow Municipal Association, includes all rural municipalities in Southern Alberta.
Subdivision fee increases
Council was advised the Oldman River Regional Services Commission will increase subdivision fees effective Jan. 1, 2026 as follows:
• The subdivision application fee, from $750 to $800.
• The per lot portion of the subdivision application fee, from $350 to $400.
• The per lot endorsement fee, from $220 to $250.
• The first extension request fee, from $350 to $375.
• The second extension request fee, from $450 to $475.
• The third extension request fee, from $550 to $575.
• The re-circulation fee, from $350 to $400.
Fees bylaw
Council discussed changes to the fees bylaw and directed administration to prepare an updated fees bylaw, with proposed changes, and bring that draft back to council for discussion.
Closed session
Council went into closed session at the end of its meeting.