Council Meeting Information
Whitecourt Town Council and Administration encourages all members of the community to attend Council Meetings!
Town Council Meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. at the Forest Interpretive Centre - 3002 33rd Street. (With the exception of the months of June, July, August and December.)
All Council Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. at the Forest Interpretive Centre.
Regular Council meetings are open to the general public. ‘In-Camera’ Council Meetings are closed to the general public and are held for Council to discuss items related to personnel, property issues, or legal proceedings.
Prior to each Council Meeting, Visitor and Delegation presentation and Public Hearing, the Chair will read statements informing everyone in attendance of the meeting process and guidelines.
Submitting An Item For Council’s Regular Meeting Agenda
If you have an item you would like included on a Council Meeting Agenda, a request in writing, including relevant details, must be delivered to the Administrative Assistant by 12:00, noon, on the Wednesday prior to Town Council’s Regular Meeting. Requests should be addressed to the Mayor or Whitecourt Town Council.
Send or drop-off requests to the Whitecourt Administrative Office located at:
5004 – 52nd Avenue, P.O. Box 509
Whitecourt AB T7S 1N6
Ph: 780-778-2273
Fax: 780-778-4166
Attention: Administrative Assistant
Visitors And Delegations - Addressing Whitecourt Town Council
Individuals and organizations can address Whitecourt Town Council at a Regular Meeting, provided prior arrangements have been made. A written request, including relevant details, must be delivered to the Administrative Assistant by 12:00, noon, on the Wednesday prior to Town Council’s Regular Meeting. Requests should be addressed to the Mayor or Whitecourt Town Council.
Send or drop-off requests to the Whitecourt Administrative Office located at:
5004 – 52nd Avenue, P.O. Box 509
Whitecourt AB T7S 1N6
Ph: 780-778-2273
Fax: 780-778-4166
Attention: Administrative Assistant
"Visitors and Delegations" present information to Council and all comments must be directed to the Chair. Presentations are limited to 15 minutes. Council may ask questions of Visitors and Delegations following presentations; however, Council will not debate nor enter into dialogue with Visitors and Delegations.
Once all Visitors and Delegations have presented to Council, the meeting will proceed to Agenda Item "Business Arising from Visitors and Delegations." At this time, Council may choose to discuss information presented by Visitors and Delegations. Prior to voting on motions regarding presentations made to Council, the Chair will summarize Council’s discussion and may ask the presenter if he/she has anything further to add. Additional comments are restricted to one minute.
Public Hearings
A Public Hearing is held in order for Council to receive comments from the public. All Public Hearings are advertised in the Whitecourt Star and on the Town website, and all area residents affected the proposal are notified. At a Public Hearing, any person present who believes his/her interest is affected by the proposed bylaw shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
Public Hearing Information Open House:
Prior to a Public Hearing, Town Administration will schedule an Information Open House to provide residents with clarification and further information on the topic of the Public Hearing. Information Open Houses will be held at 6:45 p.m. in the foyer of the Forest Interpretive Centre (near the front entrance). You are encouraged to attend and ask for clarification from Administration prior to the Public Hearing.
Public Hearing Procedures:
When addressing Council at a Public Hearing, always begin your comments by stating your name and address. All comments must be related specifically to the subject of the noted bylaw and must be directed to the Chair. Council may ask questions of you following your comments, however Council will not debate nor enter into dialogue with the Public at the hearing. The order for presentations will be as follows:
- those in support of the proposal;
- those opposed to the proposal; and
- any other person affected by the proposal who wishes to be heard.
After the Public Hearing, Council will resume the Regular Council Meeting. The issue discussed at the Public Hearing will then be discussed at the next scheduled Policies and Priorities Committee, and then forwarded to Council for a decision.
Bylaw 1391 - "The Procedure Bylaw"
Policies and Priorities Committee Meeting
Community members are encouraged to attend Policies and Priorities Committee Meetings.
Policies and Priorities Committee Meetings are held the third Monday of each month (except for July and August) at 4:00 p.m. in the Boardroom located downstairs at the Town Administrative Office.
The Committee provides a forum for all members of Council to discuss community issues. Its role is to:
A Public Dialogue Session has been incorporated into the end of this meeting to provide a venue for community members to voice opinions and to bring attention to local issues. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. See the Public Dialogue Session - Terms of Reference for further information.