Last weeks + Regular Council Meeting December 21, 2020
Monday’s meeting is the last regularly-scheduled meeting of the year. It will also be the first exclusively-virtual meeting that we’ve had since August, so members of Council and the public will not have the option of attending in-person. With five covid-related deaths recorded in St. Albert so far this week and active cases as high as 375, I’m relieved that we’re responding to the most recent Health Order - that “an employer shall require a worker to work from their private residence unless the employer determines the worker’s physical presence at the workplace is required to effectively operate the workplace” - with this change that will reduce risk to the staff who make in-person meetings possible.
Last weeks highlights
Homeland Housing: This was the last board meeting of the year. The good news is that we have possession of the affordable housing units in Morinville and are actively taking applications for interested residents. We’ll be meeting next in January to finalize our new strategic pan.
Arts Development Advisory Committee (ADAC) workplan: I met with the staff that will be supporting our new ADAC - We hope to meet for the first time in January, where we’ll have a full schedule to get ready for the work in 2021.
Agenda planning: It’s been interesting being back on Agenda committee (previously, the Deputy Mayor attended rather than chairs of our standing committees). Although Monday’s meeting is packed, our January meetings should be more straight-forward.
Agenda highlights
Regional Transit Commission
This motion is to reaffirm our commitment to forming a regional transit partnership, to align with new provincial requirements for this partnership. The name of the commission will be “Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission” and members include St. Albert, Beaumont, Devon, Edmonton, Fort Saskachewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain. Councillor Brodhead continues to represent St. Albert on the board and has been appointed Chair.
2021 Municipal & Utility Budgets, Utility Rates & Master Rates Bylaws
Although budget debate was completed earlier this month, these motions are to approve the finalized budgets. Right now, Municipal/Utility budgets are on our “consent agenda”, which is typically approved without comment. The bylaws will update all the rates (utility & planning fees, etc.), as previously approved.
Rapid Housing Initiative
A couple of weeks ago, we directed Administration to prepare a grant application for our Youth Transitional Housing project. Unfortunately, the tight timelines mean that we are unable to submit a proposal, so we’re being asked to rescind our previous motion. Interestingly, the Homeland Housing board also pulled out of this grant process for similar reasons. Staff will continue to work on this Youth Housing initiative and will apply for future funding if it becomes available.
2021 Election - Appointment of Returning Officer
2021 is an election year, so this motion is to appoint our Chief Legislative Officer (CLO) as Returning Officer. This election season will be a bit different because candidates can submit their nomination papers as early as January 4 - previously, nomination day was in mid-September - so there may be declared candidates on the City website as early as the first week of January.
Our CLO is working to put together information for interested candidates so they understand the requirements or the role, and the specifics of the role within the St. Albert context. I’ve also spoken to a handful of persons that have shown interest in running for Council or the school boards - I’m happy to speak with anyone else looking for more information.
Financial Forecast Update - November/December Provincial COVID-19 Orders
2020 has been rough, but thanks to quick action by our staff, financial impacts of the covid-19 response are manageable. The net loss for 2020 is projected to be $10,000, after factoring in revenue losses ($500K), savings ($245K), and October/November gains from forecast ($245K). 2021 will continue to be challenging, with Health Orders keeping recreation facilities closed until at least January 15.
From Administration: “One of the challenges in mitigating operating costs to help offset revenue losses is related to the Province of Alberta’s propensity to impose short duration restrictions (2-4 weeks). With our large pieces of infrastructure, such as ice surfaces and pools, an analysis has demonstrate that it is more expensive to remove/reinstall ice and drain/fill pools over the 4 week closure than it would be to keep the ice/water in for the duration. Adding to the challenge of not having a set re-opening date is the fact that announcements that will allow services to resume are typically only given a couple of days in advance however it would take up to 2 weeks for us to have that infrastructure back and ready for use if the ice was removed and the pools were drained.“
Face Coverings Bylaw amendment - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Readings
With our current face covering bylaw expiring at the end of 2020, this amendment will remove the expiry date and suspend the bylaw while a provincial face-covering Health Order is in effect. This means that only one of the Order or Bylaw would be in effect at a given time. Council could then rescind the bylaw when appropriate - My hope is that this happens sooner than later.
Municipal Development Plan (MDP) - 1st reading
After two years of work, this is to present our new MDP, which will guide growth in St. Albert for decades. It is arguably the most important work completed during the 2017-2021 Council term. At the Public Hearing in Q2 2021 (date TBD, after Edmonton Metropolitan Board approval), there will be a presentation explaining the new plan, but the document is available online now.
Energy Corporation Feasibility Report
If this motion looks familiar:
“That by June 30, 2021 Administration provide a feasibility report, including recommendations, for Council to consider next steps in establishing an energy corporation as a means to generate new revenue to offset declining traditional sources of revenue.”
… it’s because it’s not too dissimilar from the failed motion from December 2019 to move forward with a municipal utilities corporation. The difference this time is that the report will be done in conjunction with the Ernst & Young Operational/Fiscal review (at a maximum cost of $75,000 from the stabilization reserve if needed), the study is recommended by our Economic Sustainability Advisory Board, and there is explicit instruction to include the following in the report:
“Net income projections
The suite of potential energy generation and marketing opportunities,
focusing on green energy with the objective of carbon neutral or carbon credit
generating operations
Financing methods available to raise capital independently of the City of St.
Albert so as not to impact taxes, rates or debt
Opportunities to work collaboratively with regional partners and the private
sector
Integration opportunities with regulated utilities in new developments and/or
offsetting of costs associated with traditional offsite infrastructure
development methods, and
The required process, decision gates/offramps, timelines and cost to establish
the energy corporation”
Skating on the river
In a year where we’ve had to make some heartbreaking decisions, this is a motion that has me excited. Mayor Heron has been pushing Admin for expanded skating options - including on the river - for years, and she has responded to Administration’s latest response with motions to:
Construct a small Freezeway Loop in Lions Park for the 2020/2021 winter season. ($8,000)
Construct a small Freezeway Loop in Rotary Park for the 2021/2022 winter season. ($34,000)
Hire a consultant who is certified in ice structures on natural ice surfaces to assist the city to design and implement skating on the Sturgeon River in 2022. ($11,000)
This year more than ever, we’ve seen the importance and value of outdoor recreation, so my best guess is that these motions will pass & we’ll able to skate loops with our families starting in January.
This is a brief and incomplete overview of our meetings, with my personal comments sprinkled in - In no way are my opinions representative of the official direction of council or the City of St. Albert. Please let me know of any typos or errors. Members of the public can also register to speak if they have information to present to council. Full agenda packages can be found on the stalbert.ca website.
