January 13, 2025 4:51 PM
(Red Deer, Alberta)The following decisions were made by City Council during the January 13, 2025, regular City Council meeting:
CONSENT AGENDA:
Recruitment of Indigenous Representative for the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee
- Council accepted the recommendation to appoint an existing member of the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee (HHIC) to a different role on the committee. This appointment created a vacancy on the HHIC and therefore, Council directed administration to recruit a replacement member to the committee.
2025 Utilities Borrowing Bylaws (First Reading)
- Council passed First Reading of a series of borrowing bylaws related to the 2025 Utilities Budget.
- The 2025 Utilities Budget was approved on October 1, 2024. Based on the approved funding sources identified in the capital budget, borrowing is required. As such, the following borrowing bylaws are required to enable borrowing when needed.
- 3714/2025 – 2025 Electric Infrastructure Replacements & Upgrades Project
- 3715/2025 – 2025 Electric Overhead & Underground Systems – Annual Program
- 3716/2025 – 2025 Electric Customer Metering Project
- 3717/2025 - 2025 Wastewater Main Infrastructure – Annual Program
- 3718/2025 – 2025 Water Infrastructure - Annual Program
- 3719/2025 - 2025 Water Treatment Rehabilitation & Replacement Project
- 3720/2025 – 2025 Water Utility Infrastructure Project
Traffic Bylaw and General Penalty Bylaw Update
- Council passed first reading of a new Traffic Bylaw and subsequent amendments to the General Penalty Bylaw. The amendments are largely related to ticket pre-payment, use of street permits and penalties, as well as formatting of the overall bylaw. Two notable changes include:
- School and Playground Zone times: Administration is recommending a start time of 7 a.m. to accommodate start times for many schools in the city.
- Salt on Sidewalks: Administration is recommending the removal of the provision prohibiting the use of salt on sidewalks as this provision is difficult to enforce even with a considerable effort on City staff; therefore, the provision is not affecting the placement of de-icing chemicals on sidewalks which are widely used across the City including by the City itself.
- A more detailed news release is posted to www.reddeer.ca/news
NOTICE OF MOTION:
Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Dianne Wyntjes Re: Montfort Heights Concerns – Lighting and Trail Safety
BYLAWS:
Westerner Exposition Association (WEA) Loan Amendment
- City Council passed second and third reading of a loan amendment bylaw to suspend interest and principal payments related to a WEA loan. This item came back to City Council after first reading occurred in December 2024 at which time Council expressed the need for a more detailed report on why there is such a wide range of financial impacts on The Westerner loan, ORTS, and the resulting grant expense as well as ongoing costs to The City.
- A more detailed news release is posted to www.reddeer.ca/news
REPORTS:
Business Arising from Budget – Community Services Master Plan
- City Council received information about the upcoming Community Services Master Plan and how City Council will be involved. Administration highlighted when, where and how the project is expected to role out, and why this project matters.
- No decision was required. Council received the report for information.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw specific to House Suites in Duplexes – Bylaw 3357/XX-2024 Amendment to rezone 34 Rutherford Drive from R-D to DC (35)
- Following a public hearing, Council approved second and third reading of bylaw amendments related to the adoption of a new Direct Control Zone. These amendments allow the development of house suites in duplexes on a case-by-case basis. Rezoning to DC (35) is required before an application for a house suite may be pursued.
- Following the public hearing, Council approved an application to rezone 34 Rutherford Drive from R-D to DC (35).
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