(File photo/meadowlakeNOW)

By meadowlakeNOW staff

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Meadow Lake council advances lagoon funding, dog bylaw and zoning amendments

Dec 12, 2025 | 4:33 PM

Meadow Lake city council approved the allocation of more than $2 million in federal infrastructure funding toward lagoon dredging and advanced amendments to the city’s dog bylaw and zoning bylaw at its recent regular meeting.

Council directed administration to submit an Infrastructure Investment Plan allocating $2,062,482.80 from the city’s Canada Community-Building Fund toward a lagoon dredging project.

According to a report from administration, the funding consists of unallocated balances from 2019 to 2024 and projected allocations from 2024 to 2029 under the federal infrastructure program. Municipalities are required to submit an approved investment plan identifying how the funds will be used before receiving provincial approval.

The city completed a sludge survey and condition assessment of the lagoon in 2025, which identified dredging costs higher than previously budgeted. Administration said the work is required in the near future and that any unused funding could be redirected to another city project through a future investment plan.

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Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 09/2025, which amends the city’s Dog Bylaw, with second and third readings to be brought to a future meeting.

According to a report from the city’s community safety officer, the proposed amendments are intended to improve clarity, enforcement and public safety.

Among the changes, the bylaw would explicitly name the Meadow Lake and District Humane Society in the definition of an owner, replacing more general wording that administration said has led to confusion over which organizations are legitimate animal shelters.

The amendments would also add landowners as responsible parties in cases where occupant information is unavailable, addressing enforcement issues involving dogs kept by tenants who are difficult to contact.

Administration said the change would help bylaw officers obtain tenant information from property owners or, in extreme cases, allow charges to be laid against landowners for unlicensed dogs kept on their property.

Additional changes would require dog licence applicants to indicate whether a dog has been vaccinated for rabies and provide the name of the veterinary office that administered the vaccination, information administration said is important for health and safety when responding to dog-related calls.

The bylaw would also remove a section considered redundant and update penalty terminology to align with provincial legislation. Administration said the amendments would not change levels of service.

Zoning bylaw amendment

Council also gave first reading to Bylaw No. 10/2025, a zoning amendment bylaw, and set a public hearing for Jan. 12, 2026.

Administration said deficiencies in the current zoning bylaw have prevented the city from proceeding with a pending discretionary use and development application submitted by the Door of Hope, which is seeking to construct a new building to replace its current downtown facility.

While a full rewrite of the official community plan and zoning bylaw is planned for completion by mid-2026, administration said the application cannot reasonably wait until the new bylaw is in force.

The proposed zoning amendment would introduce new land-use definitions, modify parking requirements in certain mixed-use and commercial zones, and revise how rooftop and standalone solar panels are regulated.

Administration said the changes are intended to allow the current application process to proceed and to address similar issues for future developments, with council retaining the ability to amend or remove provisions before final adoption.

“While the Door of Hope’s proposal is the catalyst for these amendments, the benefits of these changes will extend to many small businesses and property owners throughout the City.”

Public input on the zoning amendment will be accepted as part of the scheduled January public hearing, while the dog bylaw amendment will return to council for further consideration at a later date.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com