Communities in Bloom earned 5 Blooms, achieving a Bronze in the 2024 International Challenge. Judges praised Brooks heritage conservation, highlighting visits to the Bassano Dam and Brooks Aqueduct, and commended the City for its strong environmental initiatives and impressive urban forestry. Brooks Regional Communities in Bloom decided to pause international competition next year and focus on key recommendations from the evaluation:

• Boost community involvement via a town hall.

• Create a flag park to celebrate diversity.

• Enhance urban forestry with increased Parks Department funding.

• Explore a fruit orchard project.

2025 Municipal Election - Preparations for the October 20, 2025, Municipal Election are underway to ensure voting is accessible to everyone. Council is reviewing the option for an elector to vote from their residence if they cannot attend a voting station or an advance voting station because of physical disability.

Wendy’s celebrated sourcing all of its beef from JBS Foods Canada for all Wendy’s locations in western Canada.

NewGrow - The businesses that will pitch to a panel of judges and compete for up to $10,000 in grant funding plus valuable business services, promotions and mentorship are:

• RJ’s Fish & Frys

• Aguanile Fuxion

• The Beauty Boxx

• Mama Safi East African Restaurant

• Angel Pastries and Cakes

• PK Experience

• TnA Auto Glass & Detailing

• 6D Wellness

• White Barn Fun Farm

Pitch Night is Friday, December 6th at City Hall.

Budget Meetings - are open for the public to see the budget planning process in action and stay informed about decisions shaping our community. City Hall in Council Chambers

• December 9, 4:00 - 8:00 PM

• December 12, 9:00 - 3:30 PM

• December 17, 9:00 - 3:30 PM

Welcoming and Inclusive Community (WIC) Committee will be an interagency alliance with one full-time staff person. Their work will be to develop a sense of belonging in Brooks by supporting the ongoing efforts of connectivity, integration and participation for residents. The committee will develop a community partnership plan, host events, provide policy input, and coordinate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Local stakeholders - the Francophone Association, Grasslands School Division, SPEC, REDI, and Members at Large strongly support the initiative, highlighting its potential to improve collaboration and impact. The City has budgeted $4,000 for WIC programming.

SAEWA update - Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association took a major step forward by finalizing its search for a new partner. After reviewing proposals, the board voted to begin negotiations with Global Green. Their proposal was for a smaller sub regional gasification facility. This will largely eliminate the long distance transfer of waste, which was one of the big challenges in having one facility to handle all of Southern Alberta. The Newell Regional Landfill Plant would be a prototype with similar facilities eventually being built to serve all of Southern Alberta.

Rezoning north of the Francophone School from "Residential Multi-family" to "Highway Commercial." The land, located at the corner of Meadowbrook Drive and Meadow Lake Way E., is being rezoned for a mixed-use development featuring commercial space on the ground floor and residential apartments above. A development permit has already been issued for this intended purpose.

Monday night Bingo - Knights of Columbus host Bingo every Monday night at St Mary’s Hall, doors open at 6:30PM. Pre-call at 7:00 PM with games starting at 7:30PM. For further information contact/message Dan

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