Regular Committee Meetings February 10. 2020
The meetings this week both have packed agendas, with presentations from the public expected.
CLSC Agenda Highlights
Outside Agency Grant Program Review
This program is to support the operation of local not-for-profits and total program funding is set at $9/capita/year. About 2 years ago, Council amended the policy so that all St. Albert agencies could apply for funding rather than having the fund be limited to a select few, and to change the requirements so that the same expenses couldn’t by covered by duplicate sources. Administration is not recommending further changes to the program at this time. Our Community Services Advisory Committee also provided feedback:
“The CSAC are not recommending any further changes to the Policy or program including no increase to the base budget for funding allocations. While the Committee was in agreement that the changes have caused increased demands on the organizations to seek additional funding sources, the changes have also brought transparency, accountability, and a clearer understanding of the degree of support the organizations are receiving from the City.”
Outdoor Refrigerated Rink ($1.175M)
In 2018, Council passed a motion to have an outdoor refrigerated rink built of one of the rink sites that already has a washroom/changeroom facility. Since then, it has been determined through public engagement that there are significant concerns about this project and minimal public support has been identified. It also appears that the budget would be insufficient to build this facility. Admin is recommending that we rescind the motion directing them to proceed with this project.
Poet Laureate Program ($1,000/year + ?)
In 2016, a local poet approached the city and library about the potential Poet Laureate program. At that time, Administration decided to proceed with a program, funded through the existing Community Services budget without any involvement of Council to approve a budget as far as I can tell. The proposed budget includes $1,000/year for the Poet Laureate, but costs to administer the program (shared between the city and library?) haven’t been identified.
Pickleball Noise Abatement Screening ($98,000)
Originally, about $300,000 was used to convert tennis courts in Akinsdale for Pickleball use. These have seen high-usage since opening, but some residents have been disturbed by the increased noice from the courts. As a result of noise complaints, Admin closed two of the courts for part of the season last year. Admin are now recommending that we spend $98,000 for noise abatement screening, which would be installed at the start of the season, and removed at the end of the season. It is unclear how effective this screening would be, how long it would last, or how resistant it is to vandalism. The operating costs (to install & remove paneling every year, and store them in the winter) were not identified. I’m also not sure what these noise abatement products (fencing?) look like - a Google search brought up this kind of product, which might be what Admin is referring to.
CGISC Agenda Highlights
Polystyrene Recycling ($8,000/year)
Administration is recommending that we continue the polystyrene (Styrofoam) recycling program at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot as a permanent service. This would cost approximately $0.36/year/household.
“From July to December 2019, 337 totes (2 m cubes) of Styrofoam were collected and processed for recycling. This amount equates to approximately 3,370 kg of traditional Styrofoam that was diverted from the landfill.”
North St. Albert Trail Design
Admin is recommending that we update plans for St. Albert Trail after a review:
“Upon completion of the review of the above considerations, design recommendations were made that included:
1) The alignment of St. Albert Trail follows the existing Northbound lane alignments and proposes the Southbound travel lanes shift / relocate to the east.
a. This alignment was proposed in the North St. Albert Trail Integration Plan (2019); however, varies from the LRT Study report (2014) which concluded the opposite.
2) The current forecasted alignment of the LRT be adjusted to transition from the east side of St. Albert Trail to the West side of St. Albert Trail at the intersection of St. Albert Trail at Villeneuve Road / Erin Ridge Road.
a. This LRT alignment varies from the 2014 LRT Study report, to which the LRT remained on the East side of St. Albert Trail until it crossed St. Albert Trail North of Everitt Drive North.
(I’ve requested a clearer copy of this map.)
Speed Study
In 2018, the city set a target of “Vision Zero” - where no serious injuries or fatalities occur as a result of motor vehicle collisions on our roadways”. As part of this vision, Administration completed a review of speed limits.
These are their recommendations:
1) Reducing all neighbourhood roadways (collector roads and local roads) to 40 km/hr from the existing 50 km/hr.
2) Increase of speed limits for the following arterial road segments - with “start” and “end” of segments and recommended change in speed:
Sir Winston Churchill Avenue - Riel Drive to Levassuer Road: from 50 to 60 km/h
Bellerose Drive - Evergreen Drive to City limits: from 50 to 60 km/h
Sir Winston Churchill Avenue - north-east of Poirier Avenue to City Limits: from 50 to 60
Sturgeon Road - Beacon Crescent (S) to Boudreau Road: from 50 to 60 km/h
i. Note - Maintain the reduced speed warning sign along the curve of the road in the vicinity of Bishop Street
ii.Note - Due to accesses and multiple intersections on the segment from St Albert Trail to Beacon Crescent (S), it is recommended to remain at 50 km/h.
Dawson Road - Giroux Road to McKenney Avenue: from 50 to 60 km/h
Meadowview Drive - West of Ray Gibbon Drive: from 60 to 70 km/h
3) Removal of existing short 30 km/hr zones at the following locations:
Sturgeon Road: Burns Street to Burnham Avenue
Mission Avenue: Between St Vital Avenue and Malmo Avenue
Grosvenor Boulevard: Gaylord Place to south of Grenfell Avenue
Grenfell Avenue: Gatewood Avenue to Greenwich Crescent
Meadowview Drive: Mission Avenue to 150 m west of Mission Avenue
4) Playground and School Zones
Change from School Zone to Playground Zones at Elementary Schools
Apply a time of day for playground zones, 8 AM - 8 PM, this would apply every day of the year.
Removal of three playground zones, with no playground equipment (only park space).
Admin is also recommending that we hire a consultant ($20,000) to complete public engagement in advance of potential amendments to our Traffic Bylaw in July 2020.
Birthing Centre
Last month, the Committee recommended to Council that a particular residential property be rezoned to allow a birthing centre (through the St. Albert Midwives) to operate at that location. Since then, it appears that the St. Albert Midwives cannot acquire that property in a timely manner, and there may also be legal issues around rezoning a particular property in this manner. Admin is also looking for general direction regarding commercial uses in residential areas. Admin is recommending the Committee rescind the motion from last month, and replace it with motions that show general support for allowing a midwifery practice to provide birthing services “that mirror as closely as possible the experience of home birth”.
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. As always, I also encourage everyone who is able to tune in the the live-stream of the meeting (9:30 and 1:30pm respectively here) or attend in-person (3rd floor of St. Albert Place, hang a right getting out of the elevator). Full agenda packages can be found on the stalbert.ca website.
