TAMRMS#: B06
3.1
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2026 Council Strategic Planning Session
Presented by: Nicole Duley, Manager, Strategic Services and Danielle Littlefair, Strategic Business Advisor
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
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That Council move in camera to have a confidential dialogue in accordance with sections 28(1)(b), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b) of the Access to Information Act.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of the report is to share the 2026 Council Strategic Planning Agenda and associated documents in advance of the Council Strategic Planning Session scheduled for February 10 and 11, 2026.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION
City Council Policy C-CG-06 - City of St. Albert Strategic Framework states:
1. Council is responsible for setting its strategic priorities for its four-year term through a City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan.
2. A newly elected Council shall develop the St. Albert Council Strategic Plan in the first quarter of the year following the municipal election. This will be done through a facilitated strategic planning retreat. The plan shall establish priorities for the Council term to provide direction to Administration for the priority outcomes.
3. Priorities outlined in the St. Albert Council Strategic Plan shall be used to plan and prioritize projects and initiatives in the Corporate Business Plan and Mid-Range Department Plans to achieve Council established strategic priorities, and to inform the proposed Financial Plan and Budget.
City Council Policy C-CG-02 - City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan states:
1. The City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan establishes Council’s strategic priorities for their four-year term. Details relative to the City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan are provided within Schedule A to this policy.
2. The City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan shall be recognized as the primary resource in the development of the Corporate Business Plans, Performance measures and budgets.
3. Council shall review this policy following a general election, or more often at its discretion.
4. The Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for ensuring that the Corporate Business Plan and supporting budget reflect Council’s strategic priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
As per Council Policy C-CG-02, City of St. Albert Strategic Plan, Council is responsible for developing a strategic plan which serves as direction for Administration for the 4-year Council term. Additionally, a newly elected Council shall develop the St. Albert Council Strategic Plan in the first quarter of the year following the municipal election. This will be done through a facilitated strategic planning retreat. The plan shall establish priorities for the Council term to provide direction to Administration for the priority outcomes.
The 2026 Council Strategic Planning Session is scheduled for February 10 and 11, 2026, at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. The strategic planning session agenda was developed based on the input from Council members to ensure that expected outcomes are achieved. The agenda’s focus is on developing a strategic plan that reflects the priorities of the incoming Council to set the focus for the next four years.
The Council Strategic Plan will inform initiatives in the Corporate Business Plan, which will indicate how Council-established strategies will be advanced or achieved. The Corporate Business Plan is then used to inform the proposed budget to ensure the delivery of services to the community and related initiatives align with and help advance Council priorities.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The planning session will be informed by community input received during Council members’ election campaigns and by the findings of the Community Satisfaction Survey.
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Report Date: February 10 and 11, 2026
Author(s): Danielle Littlefair, Strategic Business Advisor
Department: Financial and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher