TAMRMS#: B06
5.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability Policy (C-CG-11)
Presented by: Darija Slokar, Manager, Strategic Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That Standing Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the updated Vision and Pillars of Sustainability Policy (C-CG-11), attached to the report dated July 8, 2025 entitled “Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability Policy (C-CG-11)” be approved.
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SUMMARY
Following the sessions with seven Council Committees, Administration is bringing forward recommended updates to the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability for Standing Committee of the Whole’s review before Council receives the updated Policy for their approval. The updates are based on the common themes shared by most Council Committees.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
AR-24-429 and CB-24-032
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. That Standing Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the proposed approach to assess the Vision and Pillars of Sustainability Policy (C-CG-11) outlined in the agenda report dated October 8, 2024, be approved.
Policy Direction
Council Policy C-CG-11 Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability.
Service Standards/Expectations
4. To ensure that the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability continue
to reflect the desires of the community, it will be assessed every 10 years.
5. Future changes to the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability should
be taken back to the community for collaborative consultation as per the
Public Engagement Policy.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability (Policy C-CG-11) were developed in 2015/16 by a special Council Committee consisting of members of Council, residents, and Administration, and with input from over 7,000 residents received through a survey, in-person participation opportunities and videos.
The Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability were established to provide a single, shared community vision and set of sustainability pillars to govern and align all strategic and business planning and decision-making efforts across the City. The Community Vision outlines an inspirational future state and quality of life that the community aspires to, and the Pillars of Sustainability are the key areas that need to be supported to provide strength and balance to the community.
The Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability are reviewed and adopted by each Council as their Vision for the Community and used to inform Council’s 4-year Strategic Plan to ensure proper alignment with the desired community's future state (Policy C-CG-02, City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan). The Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability were also used to inform the updated Municipal Development Plan and are used when developing Long-Range Strategies. This approach helps ensure that all plans and delivery of services align with the Vision and Pillars of Sustainability - the community’s desired future for the city.
As per the Policy Standard, the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability are to be assessed every 10 years to ensure they continue to reflect the community's desires.
On October 8, 2024, Council approved the proposed approach to consult with Council Committees for input related to assessing the relevance of the Vision and Pillars of Sustainability and to bring an updated policy to Council or an alternative recommendation, if applicable. This approach will help ensure that the updated Policy is available for the new Council term to inform the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.
Meetings with seven committees took place in Q1 and Q2 2025. The following are attached to this report:
1. What We Heard Report - A summary of common themes and recommended adjustments to the Vision and Pillars of Sustainability
2. Redlined version of the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability Policy C-CG-11
3. Redlined version of the Attachment - Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability
Based on the common themes and input received, edits are recommended to reflect updated terminology used 10 years later and to acknowledge and reflect the history of our community as we know it today. Other common themes include streamlining the content where possible and providing more information to the community related to the Botanical Arts City branding used as part of the Community Vision.
At this time, Administration is recommending updates to the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability based on the input received and a broader review of the Policy to be considered by Council during the 2025-2029 Council term.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
In Q1 and Q2 2025, Administration representative met with the following committees:
1. Arts Development Advisory Committee
2. Community Services Advisory Committee
3. Environmental Advisory Committee
4. Internal Audit Steering Committee
5. Senior’s Advisory Committee
6. Policing Committee
7. Youth Advisory Committee
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
The proposed policy update complies with the standards outlined in the Council Policy C-CG-11, Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability, to assess the Vision and Pillars of Sustainability every 10 years.
Program or Service:
Programs and services will require continued alignment with the Council Policy C-CG-11. Any required adjustments or changes to services and or service levels as a result of the update policy will be presented to Council for approval as a separate agenda item.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
The recommendation helps mitigate the potential strategic risk of long-term plans and the Council’s Strategic Plan not aligning with the community’s desired future state for the community.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
As per Policy C-CG-02, City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan and Policy C-CG-06, City of St. Albert Strategic Framework, Council’s Strategic Plan shall be informed by and aligned with the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability.
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
Strategic and Long-Term Planning - Support alignment of the organization towards the strategic and long-term direction from the community, Council, and Executive Leadership. Facilitate the development of Council’s Strategic Plan and steward the plan on behalf of Council. Steward the long-term planning process and the development of long-term plans. Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability are assessed every 10 years.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Standing Committee of the Whole does not want to proceed with the recommended motion, the following alternatives could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1: That the Standing Committee of the Whole provides input to be incorporated before the updated Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability Policy is presented to Council for approval.
ALTERNATIVE 2: That the Standing Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct Administration to prepare a detailed Public Participation Plan along with the resource and budget requirements as part of the 2026 for broader community input to inform updates for the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability Policy.
Financial:
Should alternative 2 be approved, Administration would require additional funding for public participation in 2026. Based on the scale and scope, as per Council’s direction, Administration would prepare a business case for 2026 budget for Council’s approval before proceeding.
Compliance & Legal:
Both alternatives would also align with the Council’s policy to assess the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability every 10 years.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
Alternative 1: n/a
Alternative 2: Dedicated resources would be required to prepare a Public Participation Plan, and a business case for Council’s consideration and to execute the plan. Based on the scope and scale of public participation, additional resources may be required to conduct planned activities. Other initiatives and services may need to be reprioritized to ensure adequate resources are available in 2026 to conduct public participation activities.
Risks
Alternative 1: The Committee of the Whole’s edits may not align with common themes received from the Council’s Committees. Also, different word/term preferences may hinder consensus for final edits. By focusing on the objective, to assess the intent of the policy statements, and sharing of information with the Committee of the Whole can help mitigate this risk.
Alternative 2: Strategic Risk - With the upcoming Council’s strategic planning session in 2026, the updated Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability will not be available to align the Council’s strategic direction.
More significant changes to the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability after only 10 years may result in a need to make more significant changes to the existing strategic and business plans and services and service levels to ensure alignment with any updates to the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability.
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Report Date: July 8, 2025
Author(s): Darija Slokar, Manager, Strategic Services
Department: Financial and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher