Sylvan Lake

Term: Two term Councillor, first term Mayor

Mayor Hanson has been a Sylvan Laker for 14 years, serving two terms on council prior to being elected Mayor in 2021. Megan grew up volunteering in her hometown of Castlegar, BC and sat on her first regional committee at only 13 years old!

She values continuing education and is currently completing her National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration through the University of Alberta.  

Megan enjoys spending her free time with her young family, including her husband, Ryan, their three boys and her teenage step-daughters. They spend most of their free time cheering on their kids either in a hockey rink, next to a football field or out camping. 

Term: First term

As a leader in the hospitality industry Kjeryn owns three businesses on Lakeshore Drive. She opened her first restaurant when she was 26 years old. She has a background in finance with a RRC designation. She has always strived to contribute to our community by sitting on boards such as the Winter Village, WCD and the Chamber. Winner of the Business Woman Of The Year Award, the Philanthropy Award and Young Entrepreneur Award. She is ready to help Sylvan Lake reach its full potential.

Together with the love and support of her husband Kevin, they are raising three children Kora, Kasper and Kol. They also have a wheaten terrier named Kozmo. Kjeryn has enjoyed coaching soccer at times for her oldest daughters teams and Kevin is an avid tennis player. As a family we love travelling whenever we can and being active outdoors. Kol and Kasper enjoy swimming and will be on many sports teams in the coming years.  We love going to Gulls games! Go Gulls!

Term: First term

I have always felt that being in public office would be a great way to serve the community. However, I have always declined, as I was too busy volunteering, being a father, and too busy being an educator in the public school system. In July 2022, I retired from my 35-year career with the intent to reinvent my work life.  That’s when our Sylvan Lake by-election opportunity arose. I could finally serve with the time I believe it would take to serve well.

As an educator, I was involved in and led diverse projects including managing trust funds, classroom teaching, ethics code writing, curriculum writing, negotiations, and taking vice principal and other leadership roles. My career spanned BC, Yukon, and Central Alberta. I have had a rich career and continue a rich volunteer life.

My wife, Debbie and I spend time as new grandparents. Most of our ‘holiday time’ is spent helping our extended family. We enjoy visiting them and our friends; and, we squeeze in some camping too. I bring our value of family to my role as councilor in that I focus several decisions on our need for “Healthy Youth”. I also focus many decisions on our need to steward our “Healthy Lake”. My wife and I love to bike, paddleboard, and walk along our many paths, often with our family’s dog.

Term: Second term

Councillor Mearns has been involved in business in Central Alberta for over 17 years, working in communications and security with experience in sales and operations, managing teams across Alberta and British Columbia.  Previously, Councillor Mearns has also been involved as Chairman of the Board for Lighthouse Christian School Society as well as President of the TELUS Community Ambassador of Red Deer, which is the philanthropic arm of the TELUS organisation.  This is Councillor Mearns' second term.  He previously served on the Subdivision Appeals Board, Community Services Committee, Developer Industry Advisory Committee and as an alternate on numerous others.  Councillor Mearns is looking forward to using his experience from the last term and being a part of some new committees, all the while bringing his business experience to the decisions that are being made.   

Councillor Mearns has been married to his wife Lori for 29 years and they have called the Sylvan Lake area “home” this entire time.  They have three adult children, Lauren, Ethan and Nolan who are born and raised Lakers! The entire family are avid outdoor enthusiasts, and they take every opportunity to spend some quality time outside.  You can see them frequently out on their bikes, on the water, or cross-country skiing and skating when winter arrives.  They love that Sylvan Lake provides so many opportunities to get outside no matter what the season.    

Term: Fourth term

My life’s direction and passion has been community recreation. I was recruited to a fledgling leadership group growing up in Camrose where, as teenagers, we were given early youth coaching and officiating responsibilities in all sports. Recreation planning and programming was also part of those youth experiences. It simply carried on into the rest of my life.

After a brief professional hockey career, my work as a private contract operator of local arenas came, part in parcel, with coaching and volunteering, not only in hockey, but in community events and celebrations. These activities have never been work, they are enjoyment and become easily self satisfying. And I am one of many who have been able to walk down this path and, in reality, it is those small parts that make a community.

• Drafted 6th Round by the Montreal Canadiens | 1972 NHL Draft
• Played 3 Seasons of Professional Hockey
• President/Owner of the Sylvan Lake Hockey Camp | 1975 - Present
• Private contract operator, Sylvan Lake Arena | 1945 -2014, Caroline Arena | 2014- Present, Bentley Arena | 2015 - Present

Volunteer Committees

• Sylvan Lake Recreation Board
• Sylvan Lake Arena Board
• Spirit of Sylvan Yuletide Festival (Chair)
• 2014 Sylvan Lake Kraft Hockeyville (Chair)
• Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey Board Board of Director - Hockey Alberta

Council Committees

• Municipal Planning Commission
• Sylvan Lake Regional Water/ Wastewater Commission
• Red Deer River Municipal User Group Committee
• Central Alberta Community Futures Committee

• Married 49 years to wife Bonnie
• Two Adult Sons | Craig and Brandon
• Four Grandchildren | Ayla, Rylan, Zeke and Lexie

Term: Third term

A third term Councillor and resident of Sylvan Lake for 10 years, Councillor Payne is looking forward to the next four years representing the community. Councillor Payne is currently a local high school Counsellor, and teacher - with a Masters Degree in Education. 

In his free time, Councillor Payne enjoys coaching football, reading, and taking family trips. 

Term: Second term

Councillor Rilling is an author, speaker/facilitator, community volunteer, worked in the school system and banking industry.   She has been a Town Councilor  in Sylvan Lake since 2017 and has also had the privilege of serving as the Mayor for a brief time prior to the 2021 election. 

Teresa has served on the Sylvan Lake Lodge Foundation and represented Central Alberta as the Director at the Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association Board as well as numerous other boards and committees.  She has also been privileged to go to Jordan as part of the Jordan Municipal Support Project as a facilitator in Strategic Planning for five municipalities.  This project has continued virtually she is so excited to see Strategic Plans coming to fruition for these communities.

Teresa and Jim have three married children with 11 grandchildren and have called Sylvan Lake home for more than 11 years. Her favorite things to do include cheering for her grandkids in whatever sport/activity they are involved in, having coffee with friends, pouring her life into others through mentorship and support, hospitality, while also hanging out with Jim, playing the piano and singing.

• Read and follow meeting guidelines
• Attend, listen, watch:
  • Drop in to attend any meeting to listen and watch. Attendance numbers are limited by fire code.
  • Watch live online

  • To keep meetings respectful and democratic, everyone must follow the meeting guidelines:

    • Be quiet:
      • Turn off your phone
      • No talking, comments, or clapping
      • No heckling
    • Respect all participants
• Speak:
  • Open Mic 5 minute time slot: Speak during open mic without an appointment. Available in person. For simple issues and concerns.
  • Delegation 10 minute time slot: Make an appointment to speak as a delegation. Available in person or online by phone or video conference. This may be an individual or group.
• Formal rules: our Procedure Bylaw outlines all the rules and procedures of Council

• During the open mic, the public can address Council without making an appointment
• Each council meeting has a maximum of 15 minutes for open mic
  • Each open mic participant can speak for up to 5 minutes

How open mic works

• Open mic is first come, first served. Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign up
• There is a maximum of 15 minutes available for all open mic participants
• When you are called, take a seat in front of the microphone, and say your name and address before starting
• Any extension of time is subject to the approval of Council
• Open mic is received as information only

What is a delegation?

• Presentations must be 10 minutes or less
• Your delegation may:
  • express any municipal matters affecting the Town of Sylvan Lake,
  • express views or opinions regarding an issue appearing on the Council agenda,
  • identify a specific concern requiring a decision, or
  • provide information for Council to consider before making decisions.
• Your delegation may not:
  • Invite Council to events or special occasions, or
  • Promote private businesses or groups.
  • While delegations are not for invites, you can invite Council to special events by emailing the Legislative Services Clerk

How to Schedule Your Delegation

• Deadline: noon on Wednesday before the council date you want to give your presentation.
  • You must schedule your delegation in advance by the deadline
  • For example, if you are presenting on Monday, May 9, 2022, you must submit by noon on Wednesday, May 4, 2022

  • All materials must be submitted by the deadline. Late additions are not accepted

• Prepare all your materials such as presentations, handouts, or other documents in advance
• Include all your materials in your online application, do not bring handouts
• This allows Council to review your concern before the meeting
• If you are doing a computer presentation, we can set it up for you to run
• Groups:
  • Groups may have up to 2 spokespersons
  • Both spokespersons must stay within the total 10-minute presentation time
• Ready to apply? Submit all your materials at once using the application form

Delegation Approval

• Your delegation may not be approved if your concern:
  • Can be resolved by a staff member, or
  • Is outside the jurisdiction of the Town of Sylvan Lake.
• Your concern may be presented in a non-public part of the meeting if the topic falls under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). This is known as a closed session

How to present your delegation

• We normally hear delegations at the start of the meeting
• Arrive at council chambers 5 minutes before the meeting starts
• The Chair calls your name when it is your turn to speak
• Take a seat at the microphone
• Speak into the microphone so that everyone can hear you
• Identify your full name and the group you represent
• After your presentation, Council may comment or ask you questions
• When you finish, or if Council has no more comments or questions, the Chair will thank you
• Return to your seat in the audience section or leave the meeting
• Once your presentation is over, comments are closed:
  • Council will not continue to discuss your presentation as the rest of the meeting has to continue, and
  • Council may direct questions to staff.
• After all the delegations are heard the Chair may:
  • Discuss and decide on your item later in the meeting,
  • Refer your item to a future meeting to get more information, or
  • Receive the item as information only, which means Council is not changing the current policy.

Tips for delegates

• Prepare your 10-minute presentation and practice your presentation in advance. Time goes by very quickly when presenting, so practice to make sure you can cover your points in 10 minutes
• Bring your presentation notes to keep you focused and done within 10 minutes
• Tell Council why you are presenting and make your request clear and concise

• Our program is a great way to have your students learn about the roles and functions of the Municipal Government through a fun and integrative approach. 
• Students will have the opportunity to play the roles of Mayor, Councillors, administrative staff and members of the public.
• To register, fill out this form.

• To enhance learning and to promote the spirit of reconciliation, we cordially invite grade 6 students in out community to participate in delivering the Land Acknowledgement at the beginning of each Regular Meeting of Council. Students can choose to attend on their own, or with a partner, if they feel more comfortable.
• Meetings are on the second and forth Monday of each month (unless there is a statuatory holiday, then the meeting is on Tuesday) and start at 6:00 PM, opening with the Land Acknowledgement. Students are welcome to stay throughout the duration of the meeting.
• To register, fill out this form.