Our meeting on Monday is expected to be quite long, so we’re starting with in-camera items early at 12:30 before moving into the public part of the agenda. We also have a time-specific in-camera Emergency Operations Centre item at 2pm, so my guess is that we’ll be live online starting at about 2:30/3pm.
Agenda highlights
Free Transit Program
Currently, there is a trial of a free local transit for those who are considered low income based on specific criteria (AISH recipients, low-income seniors, etc.). Based on the trial results, Administration is recommending that these programs become permanent service levels. The cost to make these permanent this year is up to $60,000. If passed, this program will join our free local transit program for all school-aged youth.
Business Incubation Supports (NABI & 13 Mission Ave)
Between 2008 and 2020, the City has provided about $3M in financial support to NABI, including operating and capital grants, rent subsidies for the 13 Mission Ave property, and operating expenses related to keeping 13 Mission Ave standing. In 2019 when the Mission Ave lease was extended for the last time, NABI was advised that the lease would end on August 31, 2021. As the building in almost 80 years old and there are “concerns with the roof, building envelope, windows, heating and ventilation, plumbing, hot water system and electrical”, I’m impressed that Admin was able to keep it operational for this long. The estimated costs in 2015 to make these repairs was around $800,000, so is likely substantially higher now. Regarding ongoing financial support, “Administration has serious concerns regarding NABI’s financial sustainability. Some of these concerns pertain to the number of annual losses NABI has realized over the last several years, their debt, the size of their financial reserves, and some of their some operating expenses”.
Going forward, Administration is recommending that we pause financial support for NABI and prepare options to deal with the property at 13 Mission Ave.
Riverside Redistricting (1st reading)
A public hearing will be scheduled on June 21 to consider second & third readings of a bylaw that would see the section of Riverside north of McKenney Ave and south of the train tracks be able to be developed, primarily for residential uses.
Akins Drive Commercial (1st reading)
A public hearing will be scheduled for June 8 to consider 2nd/3rd readings of a bylaw that would allows a “drinking establishment” at 23B Akins Drive (7-11, LB’s Pub, etc.). Although “drinking establishment” is not a permitted use at this location, LB’s has been allowed to operate because their business predates any prohibition against this business type at this location. This change would allow LB’s to operate an outdoor patio.
Special Purpose Public Hearing Procedure Bylaw
“The Special Purpose Public Hearing Procedure Bylaw is being brought forward to provide additional procedural detail for the June 9, 2021 Public Hearing(s)” handling the bylaws relating to proposed changes at the Oakmont site just upstream of Botanica and Shops on Boudreau. This bylaw will clarify the process whereby speakers can present, including:
Speaking on behalf of a group: If the group has 5+ people, the designated speaker is allowed up to 10 minutes instead of the typical 5.
The deadline for written submissions.
The deadlines for registering to speak.
A requirement that any “chat” function of the virtual application is not used during the hearing.
A requirement for presenters to state how they are impacted by the proposed amendment(s).
Clean Energy Improvement Program (2nd & 3rd readings)
This is to authorize the CAO to set up a Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP). This “is a financing program designed to make residential and non-residential energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades more accessible. CEIP leverages a… financing solution known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), which allows property owners to access flexible, long-term financing through their municipality. Repayment is facilitated through an added charge to the participant’s regular property tax bill”. The limits on this program are proposed to be $1M in the first year, and increasing to $1.5M (plus unallocated mounts from previous year) by the fourth year of the program. This would likely be done through low-interest loans and grants through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
What this means practically is that I can finance something like the installation of solar panels through this program. In this example, if I sell my home, the financing stays with the home as the responsibility of the new homeowner rather that it potentially being a loss for me personally if I move before my savings pay for my investment.
Jensen Lakes (2nd & 3rd readings)
This is the public hearing & proposed final readings for a bylaw to redistrict a small section of Jensen Lakes from R3 to R3A, which would increase the maximum density from 35 dwellings per hectare to 94, although the proposed development is for townhouses with a density of 50.75 dwellings/hectare.
Driveway Fire Pit Pilot Program
This is a motion to make driveway firepits permanently permissible on Saturdays. I suspect the bulk of our discussion will be around why this would be limited to Saturdays. It also looks like propane firepits have always been permitted and are not restricted the way wood fires are, but I’m not certain - I’ll verify this on Monday. In terms of nuisance smoke, I wonder if it would be preferable to limit driveway fires to propane devices.
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.
