Regular Council Meeting July 6, 2020
Last couple weeks highlights
Homeland Housing Board Meeting: This was a regular meeting where we discussed plans for a replacement administrative building, our continued covid-19 response, and our performance over the last month. We’ll reconvene again in September.
Committee of the Whole: Earlier this week, Council met in-camera for a 3-hour meeting to hear information about “Financial Matters related to COVID-19”.
Deputy Mayor duties/Grand Opening: I wrapped up my 2 months as DM with my first time at an event since the lockdowns started. Welcome to Green Rock Cannabis St. Albert and thank you to St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce for organizing the grand opening!
Emergency Advisory Committee: Yesterday marked the first week in the last few months that the EAC did not meet. With accelerated provincial direction about opening facilities, most of the decisions are now being made by Council.
And, just a reminder that the Farmer’s Market at the 2020 Servus Place location continues to run Saturdays:
Agenda highlights
Re-opening of Cultural and Recreational Facilities
Last week, Council approved potential dates to reopen Fountain Park and the gym/ice/artificial turf at Servus Place. On Monday, we’ll consider recommendations to open remaining services at Servus, including the pool, and clubhouses as early as August 29-September 5. We’ll also consider a recommendation to reopen the Arden for professional programming as early as October 1. Arden rentals would start October 15. In terms of how facilities are opened, what precautions are being taken, and how service levels are being impacted, Admin is also recommending that the CAO be given general guidance to prioritize a return to normal as quickly as possible, avoiding a tax increase in 2021, etc.
From the backgrounder: “Although Administration will strive hard for a return to as much “normalcy” as possible, the COVID- modified facilities, programs and services may look very different to community members than previous operations. Modifications could potentially include maximum gathering sizes, physical distancing, enhanced or mandatory sanitation and hygiene measures. Ultimately, these things will impact the user experience and, in some cases, may limit flexibility of facility operations.”
10 YEAR MUNICIPAL & UTILITY RMR PLANS
At the last CGISC meeting, the committee recommended approving the 10-year plans proposed by Admin. I don’t expect extensive discussion on this proposal as most of Council, including myself, attended the CGISC meeting.
2020 Sidewalk Patios - Temporary Development Fees
Last month, Council agreed to waive fees to set up outdoor patios/commercial areas on City sidewalks. We subsequently learned that there was a desire for businesses on private land to access the same fee waiver. When Mayor Heron asked Council if we wanted to also waive permit fees for businesses wanting to expand into sidewalks/parking lots on private land, it was a resounding ‘yes’ and Councillor Hughes volunteered to bring forward the motion. I would be shocked if unanimous consent for waiving the standard 21-day notice wasn’t given for this motion.
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.”