Sylvan Lake council looks at respectful interactions, commercial tax incentive, and golf carts pilot

Unlike the previous council code of conduct, Sylvan’s new policy is not mandated by the Municipal Government Act or any arm of the province.

Those codes of conduct were mandated for every municipality until Bill 50 passed in the Legislature this past May, repealing them all in one fell swoop.

Mayor Megan Hanson calls it a proactive step to support a safe and respectful environment for anyone interacting with the town.

“While we have had a few challenging incidents in Sylvan Lake, this policy is really about being proactive rather than reactive. It’s about making sure we’re prepared and have clear expectations and tools in place to deal with difficult or disrespectful interactions before they escalate,” Hanson says.

Many municipalities across Alberta and Canada have implemented similar respectful interactions or public conduct policies — for example, City of Lacombe, Smoky Lake and Strathcona County have comparable guidelines. It’s becoming more common as communities work to ensure safe and positive spaces for both staff and residents.”

According to the policy, interactions are expected to be done in a manner which:

Acknowledges and values diversity, including differences in opinion, background, and experience.
Avoids personal attacks, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or demeaning language or actions.
Promotes active listening and constructive dialogue, even in situations of disagreement.
Ensures a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment where individuals feel heard and respected.
Adheres to ethical standards and municipal policies, reinforcing accountability and public trust.

Should it be warranted, consequences may include verbal or written warnings, temporary bans from facilities, communication restrictions, and if necessary, legal action.

Recommendations for consequences will be determined by the director of the affected department on a case-by-case basis. Consequences can be appealed, to be reviewed by the CAO and municipal GMs.

The policy, which will be reviewed every four years or as required, is effective immediately.

More on page 88 of the council agenda.

Non-residential tax incentive

Meantime, Sylvan Lake is taking a stab at attracting more business with a new non-residential tax incentive.

The incentive received first reading this time around, with second and third anticipated in the fall.

“Now is the perfect time for Sylvan Lake to launch this Non-Residential Tax Incentive Program as we seek to capitalize on our current growth and attract new investment. By stimulating economic development, we can create more job opportunities and enhance our community’s vibrancy. This program puts one more tool into our municipal toolbox to support investment retention and attraction,” says Amanda Mercer, economic development officer.

“In recent years, we’ve seen both challenges and opportunities in our business landscape. While some businesses have left, we’ve also welcomed several new ones, and this incentive will help us retain and attract even more, ensuring our economy remains strong and diverse.”

The incentive would offer a five-year tax exemption period with a 75 per cent reduction in the municipal tax portion of the tax bill for eligible properties — those being primarily industrial and commercial property owners.

Mercer says that while the incentive will mean the town forgoes collecting some property taxes for the five-year period, strategically, the long-term growth it should spur makes it worth it.

“This economic activity also generates additional tax revenue from sales tax, property tax, and employment taxes,” adds Mercer.

More on page 106 of the council agenda.

Golf cart pilot project

Finally, the town is proposing to join the Alberta government’s golf cart pilot program.

The idea to do so came from a local hotel owner who wanted to use golf carts as a shuttle service for customers.

“Sylvan Lake is known for being a fun and active community, and with our low speed limits, we’re a great candidate for creative transportation options like golf carts. This idea supports local businesses and residents by offering a new, memorable way to get around,” says Mayor Hanson.

“Council has shown their open-mindedness toward alternative modes of transportation through our winter OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) pilot, and this is another way to explore new options. On top of that, more small, slow-speed vehicles on our roads could help reduce vehicle congestion and emissions, making it easier to get around while being kinder to the environment.”

Hanson notes similar successes in neighbouring municipalities like Lacombe County and many others across North America.

“We believe Sylvan Lake has the right character and scale to make this work too,” she says.

To get the carts rolling, the town must first establish a golf cart bylaw, something council directed administration to bring forth at a future meeting.

Under the program, operators must be 14 or older, the carts cannot be operated at night, and they may only be operated on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or lower, among other regulations as stipulated by the Alberta government.

The provincial pilot, which you can read more about here, runs through June 2029.

More on page 146 of the council agenda.

by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Sylvan Lake council looks at respectful interactions, commercial tax incentive, and golf carts pilot

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