Last week
Exploring EPR Impacts on Waste and Recycling Providers webinar: Thanks to the Recycling Council of Alberta for hosting this session. It was an interesting presentation and discussion on the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility policies coming to Alberta.
Homeland Housing: I continue to meet regularly with the CEO, which was particularly important as we respond to yet another change to Health Orders impacting many of our facilities. We also held our regular board meeting, where we approved our new strategic plan - Following this approval, our Admin will respond with a business plan that will describe how we’ll achieve our goals, including increasing capacity in St. Albert.
Arts Development Advisory Committee Meeting: This was a fairly straight-forward meeting, with a motion to recommend the recipients of a youth arts development grant, and recommendations regarding the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts which will be incorporated into a draft policy before being sent to Council.
WASP: 3D printing eco-homes with local clay webinar: Although the Italian company hosting this Smart Citizens' Sustainable Design Talk primarily introduced their sustainable 3D-printed houses, they also touched on how their research in 3D printing has potential in plastics recycling, alternative energy, and medicine. It’s interesting to consider how these technologies could open up new sectors in Alberta, help with solutions related to affordable housing, or increase the sustainability of a range of products.
Sustainable Edible Gardening in Alberta: This webinar hosted by the Edmonton Horticultural Society was a fascinating dive into urban sustainability, health, and food security. It’s amazing what people can grown here, both in community gardens and on their own properties.
EMAC agenda highlights
The Emergency Management Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Monday morning to discuss:
A situation update, which I suspect will include discussions on the most recent targeted Health Order which impacts "junior and senior high schools, and indoor sports and fitness activities".
A recreation update, including information on Grosvenor, the waterplay park, Canada Day, pricing at Fountain Park, the skatepark, and an in-camera session regarding the Rainmaker Rodeo. With indoor facilities closed due to Health Orders for at least the next two weeks, I suspect outdoor recreation will be in high demand.
Agenda highlights
Operational & Fiscal Review - Phase 2 Final Report
EY’s final report that evaluated St. Albert’s operations and provided recommendations will be presented Monday, after a ~90-minute in-camera session. Administration’s response, including recommendations that are already being implemented, will also be presented. EY’s executive summary clearly outlines the pressures that we’re facing, including decreasing provincial funding, a growing infrastructure deficit (so, our ability to maintain municipal assets like roads, building, etc.), changes to the provincial Disaster Relief program which will download costs to municipalities, and our recovery post-COVID. The list of recommendations/proposed business cases is long, but includes:
Creating a business incubator for social profits.
Creating a future of work/modern workplace strategy.
Regional partnerships for recreation service delivery.
Continued environmental stewardship.
Re-Municipalization of Organic Waste Collection.
Review of library grant funding & delivery model review.
Land Use Bylaw - Downtown District (1st Reading)
This is an amendment that proposes to update the regulations for the downtown area to include considerations of a parking study when determining parking requirements, to specify maximum heights in meters, and to specify floor area relative to lot size rather than a fixed number. The public hearing will be scheduled for May 31, 2021.
Household Pool Bookings
This is a Council motion to further subsidize pool rental fees while covid-19 health orders prohibit public swim times. Currently, these fees are subsidized at about 20% ($175 vs. the typical $240). Note: Fountain Park is currently closed to due provincial Health orders, but it’s possible that it might reopen on May 17.
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.
