Agenda highlights
2020 Operating and Capital Grant Programs
We are predicting a $7M budget shortfall in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic. To help address this shortfall, we approved the deferral of 5 capital projects ($17,088,000) to September 30, and 5 ($1,102,300 + $268,000) to 2021. We also cut operating projects by $553,400, previously approved public art projects by $110,000 and the $227,100 2020 public art budget. At that time of those decisions, we also delayed a decision about cutting grant programs ($395,900) until Monday so that we could learn about potential impacts of cutting these programs. On Monday, we will again consider Admin’s recommendation to cut the following grant programs:
I don’t expect opposition to the Council Grant program (Councillors can donate directly, but I don’t think most of us typically use this option), the Micro-Grant Program (we’ve never offered it before), and the remaining bit of the Outside Agency Program. Most registered speakers on this item are opposed to cutting the Community Capital and Community Events programs. I will likely try to retain the Environmental Initiatives Grant.
Re-opening of Recreation Facilities
We’re already getting the Waterplay Park ready to go, and Admin is recommending the following re-opening schedule for other rec facilities:
Servus Place Fitness Centre & Arenas & Artificial Turf - as early as July 19-25
Fountain Park - as early as August 2-8 (reduced to 12h/day from 16.5)
Jarome Iginla and Kinex Arenas - as early as August 9-15
Servus Place pool - Maybe as early August 29-September 5? This is unclear.
For Fountain, “the projected net cost to operate FPRC from August - December 2020 is $960,000. This is a 21% cost recovery in comparison to the 2019 actual cost recovery of 47%”. I struggled to find equivalent predictions for Servus or other facilities in the agenda package, but our CFO will be there Monday to answer questions about the details.
For pools, because of provincial guidelines on reopening, I’m not sure how lessons would be delivered in this scenario, or if public/family swim times would be offered. We’re predicting a 75% fill-rate for lessons at Fountain, but as a parent who has been on deck during lessons, I know firsthand how crowded it gets, so even 75% seems ambitious. Whirlpools, saunas, racketball courts, and indoor play areas remain closed under Health Orders.
Hours of Operation of the Compost Depot
Admin is proposing we change the hours of the compost depot to 10am-10pm Tuesday-Sunday, with no changes to seasonal closures. This would match the hours of the recycling depot. This change reduces hours by about 30/week, which will result in operational savings.
Arts Development Advisory Committee Bylaw
Back in November 2018, Council supported my motion to replace the administrative public art committee with a committee of Council. The drafted bylaw was then endorsed by our Community Living Standing Committee, and is now ready for Council approval.
Education Tax - AUMA Resolution
Councillor Hansen has moved “that the City of St. Albert second the Town of Drayton Valley’s 2020 Alberta Urban Municipalities Association resolution and that the collection of Education Property Tax be the responsibility of the Government of Alberta”. I would be shocked if this wasn’t supported unanimously.
“Based on equalized assessment value, the province calculates each year what amount a municipality must contribute. Municipalities are responsible to calculate the amount that each resident has to pay based on their assessed property value. Municipalities must collect the tax from each ratepayer and forward it on to the Province by submitting the contribution to ASFF.
However, using municipalities as agents in collecting the tax is an antiquated system with the technology that is available these days. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that Albertans are adaptable and will expect more automation of government services moving forward. The Province has an excellent opportunity to utilize technology to collect education taxes on their own behalf, which will also provide taxpayers with a direct line of sight where their tax dollars are spent provincially versus municipally.
Furthermore, it is an encumbrance for municipalities in regards to municipal budget planning as the fluctuation in the education mill rate might force municipalities to adjust their yearly budget to keep taxes at an affordable level – taking into consideration what impact the Education Property Tax has on each ratepayer and at the same time seeking to keep up the level of services.
It should also be noted that the current system blurs the lines of accountability and transparency and leads to a misconception amongst taxpayers in regards to municipal government taxation. Often, it is not clear to residents that approximately 30 per cent of their property tax goes to the province and not to the municipality that taxes them. As a result, municipalities are being criticized many times of raising taxes in an unduly manner.
In case a resident is unable to pay taxes partial or in full or in any arrear of paying taxes, the municipality is still required to make the quarterly payments to the Province. This means that the municipality might be fronting money that could be allocated towards other municipal programs or services.
Finally, with limited revenue options in the first place, it is a concern for municipalities that any default in Education Property Tax payments results in municipalities losing their ability to receive grant funding from the Government of Alberta until such payments are made.”
Extended Producer Responsibility/Financial Relief - AUMA Resolution
Mayor Heron is proposing “that the City of St. Albert second the City of Calgary's proposed 2020 AUMA resolution "Providing a Long Term Source of Financial Relief for Albertans". Again, I would be surprised if this wasn’t passed unanimously.
“Earlier this year, the Cities of Edmonton and Calgary, alongside the AUMA released a report titled “Extended Producer Responsibility for Residential Packaging and Paper Products: Alberta Collaborative Extended Producer Responsibility Study” whose development was supported by the City of St. Albert as a project partner.
The report has previously been shared with the Government of Alberta, and the study indicates that an Alberta EPR program can:
Reduce the recycling collection services costs that municipalities charge their residents each year by up to $105 million; this is Albertans’ money and it can be reinvested in other municipal services or provided as a cost saving to municipal residents
Add $16 million to the Alberta economy every year
Add approximately 220 new jobs in Alberta’s recycling industry
Recycle an additional 21,000 tonnes of packaging and paper products each year
Reduce CO2 emissions by 72,000 tonnes each year – the equivalent of removing 15,000 cars from the road annually
Increase recycling opportunities for rural Alberta and people who live in multi- dwelling residences”
Reinstatement of Provincial Transit Funding - AUMA Resolution
Councillor Brodhead is proposing “that the City of St. Albert second the City of Edmonton 2020 AUMA resolution regarding the reinstatement of permanent long-term transit funding that would provide predictable and stable funding so that Alberta municipalities with public transit can maximize the benefits of the strategic investments and contributions from the other orders of government”. This will also likely pass on consent.
Memorandum of Understanding Active Communities ($10,000 or $30,000)
In 2018, Council directed Admin to spend up to $10,000 on a value-for-investment evaluation of the Active Communities proposal to build an arena and other recreational amenities. Due to a policy mix-up, this funding was not carried forward to 2020. This motion is to reinstate that funding.
As a follow-up, we received quotes last week for the work in question, which range from $27,500 to $75,000 - So even if this funding is restored, it is insufficient to cover the cost of a consultant and Admin would recommend the budget be increased to $30,000.
Assessment & Tax Notice Delivery
This motion is to allow residents to receive their tax notices electronically rather than have a physical copy mailed, both to provide an environmentally preferable option and to reduce administrative costs. But - Software upgrades would be about $18,000 and, although the savings for mail-outs would be significant if we could charge a cost-recovery fee for those who opt-out of e-billing, the province does not appear to permit it. Despite the costs to implement this program, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Calgary, Airdrie, and Beaumont are among the municipalities that offer this alternative.
It is likely that I will withdraw this motion as the provincial legislation that now permits e-bills for tax notices does not allow municipalities to recover costs from owners who opt out of e-delivery, like we do for utility bills.
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.
From the City: “While we are in a state of public health emergency as declared by the Province of Alberta, the City of St. Albert Council meetings will be conducted… through the ZOOM platform which will… stream to this page from YouTube…. Members of the public who wish to address Council on a specific item must send an email to legislative@stalbert.ca indicating your desire to speak and including the title of the item on the Agenda that you wish to address.”
