Last week highlights
After testing positive for covid for the first time, I’m reminded of the impact this virus is still having on our community. As someone whose day job revolves around a vulnerable population and where Alberta Health Services still requires masking, respiratory viruses continue to be top of mind - But it’s easy to forget about the risks of falling ill with covid. It is sobering taking a look at the Alberta statistics and the impact on Albertans and our healthcare system:
I’m still feeling a bit rough, but I seem to be on the mend. My thoughts are with everyone in hospital - both patients and healthcare workers - and families who have lost loved ones to this virus.
Agenda highlights
Tuesday marks our first Standing Committee of the Whole of 2023 with a light agenda.
Business Leaders Forum($23,000/year)
This is a report and opportunity for discussion/feedback regarding a new way to engage with our business community after having disbanded our Economic Sustainability Advisory Board.
“The overarching goal is to create a forum to leverage the collective expertise and experience of local
business leaders with the aim of helping the City of St. Albert better understand and identify
coordinated, community-driven solutions to complex city building and local economy-related
challenges.”
Administration is proposing two in-person forums per year, each accommodating 25-50 people. The report proposes that attendees would either be invited (known expertise/interest) or could apply to attend. These sessions are proposed to be 2-hour evening events using a professional facillitator to ensure discussion is directed and productive. Possible topics of these sessions could include investment and development incentives, Downtown vibrancy, etc. The estimated cost of the new format is $23,000/y (two forums/year) to be funded from the existing Economic Development budget.
Census Policy
Administration is proposing to update our policies to direct that municipal censuses be conducted once every five years, between federal censuses. Compared to historical plans, this would save the city about $50,000/year, with only $40,000/year needing to be saved rather than the historical $90,000/y. Until 2018, we were conducting these every two years - But since then, the province stopped using this data for calculating grants. Because of the pandemic, we delayed the next census because of cost and resource pressures, including reduced provincial funding through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) grant. 2023 will be our first municipal census in 5 years.
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 register to speak if they have information to present to council. Full agenda packages can be found on the stalbert.ca website.