June 2023 newsletter
Hi Ward 1,
I am so excited to see the recent warmer weather bringing our community together. I am looking forward to meeting many of you at community barbecues, Neighbour Day events and Stampede breakfasts soon!
Thank you to everyone who has reached out over the past month to share concerns about spring cleanup on our roads, maintenance of our parks, and other community concerns. I appreciate the chance to ensure that The City is delivering the levels of service you expect and depend on.
I hope you find this month's newsletter informative and helpful. As always, please don't hestiate to reach out to me and my team if you have anything you would like to discuss further.
—Sonya Sharp
Updates on City services
Free summer activities
The City offers a variety of free summer activities and programming throughout Calgary for families.
Parents can bring their children to both structured and open play opportunities, featuring games, arts, crafts, entertainment and educational experiences. There are many opportunities for youth to learn leadership skills and critical thinking in our LEAD programs. Teens and adults can take part in a guided workout with a certified trainer at one of our Fit Parks. And so much more!
Ensuring that Calgarians have affordable and accessible recreation and social program opportunities helps to enhance individual, family, and community well-being by encouraging community interactions, social cohesion, and healthy lifestyles. Thank you for your continued support of these initiatives. Find these activities and more at calgary.ca/free.
Property tax deadline
This year's property tax bills were mailed out on May 30. Taxes are due on June 30, 2023. On July 1, unpaid accounts are assessed a 7% penalty.
Calgarians can also choose to enrol in the TIPP program to make monthly property tax payments instead of the entire amount ahead of the June 30 deadline.
The Alberta Land Titles office is still experiencing delays and so The City may not have the latest contact information for some property owners. If you have yet to receive your 2023 property tax bill, please contact 311 as soon as possible, as penalties are still assessed at the deadline
Updates in brief
- The City's Planning & Development Services department is once again offering appointments to visit the Development, Business, and Building Services counters, just in time for summer construction projects. To book an appointment, visit appointment.calgary.ca.
Community updates
Silver Springs construction
Work continues on traffic calming improvements as part of the Silver Springs Neighbourhood Streets project. The work includes curb extensions, the extension of the Silver Springs Blvd wheeling lane pilot to Nose Hill Dr, and improvements to crosswalks.
From Friday, June 16 until early next week, crews will be performing water utility work at Silver Springs Blvd east of nose Hill Dr NW which will require lane closures on eastbound Silver Springs Blvd. Lane closures on westbound Silver Springs Blvd will follow after this work is complete.
There may be other impacts from construction as work continues throughout the summer. Get the latest construction updates and learn more about the expected improvements at calgary.ca/silverspringsstreets.
From Friday June 16 until June 19 (including the weekend), crews will be performing water utility work at Silver Springs Blvd. N.W. just east of Nose Hill Dr. N.W. This work will require lane closures on Silver Springs Blvd. (eastbound) .The City will however, maintain vehicle, bike, and pedestrian access through the area in all directions, and will also maintain access to Spring Hill Village Mall.
Sport Calgary
With Council’s continued support, Sport Calgary will be hosting All Sport One Day on June 17th and August 19th. All Sport One Day is an amazing opportunity for Calgary children and youth to try a new sport and to discover a new passion. With hundreds of sessions featuring dozens of exciting activities to choose from, parents or guardians can enroll children (ages 6 and above) in FREE sport sessions for two summer days (June 17th and August 19th) of fun! Activities take place at facilities all across Calgary. Registration is online at AllSportOneDay.ca or sportcalgary.ca/all-sport-one-day.
Be Safe. Ride Smart.
Be Safe. Slow Down. We are thrilled to see more and more e-Bikes on Calgary pathways. But with the increased use, comes some concerns about pathway safety. Remember that e-Bikes are heavier than regular bikes and can travel at higher speeds. While riding e-Bikes, remember to always follow the posted speed limit and look out for others. Learn more at calgary.ca/besafe.
Updates in brief
- A reminder that Neighbour Day is coming up on June 17. Visit calgary.ca/neighbourday to learn more and check with your community association to learn about events planned near you.
- The Bowness Community Association has launched its 15th annual Quality of Life survey (formerly Vital Signs), which will inform how the community association engages with the community for the next several years. Complete the survey by the end of June for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Please note the survey is open to Bowness residents only.
News from City Council
Parking fees
The Ward 1 Office continues to receive your feedback on the new fee structure planned for the residential parking permit program later this year. Councillor Sharp has been listening closely and will be supporting a Notice of Motion led by Councillor Chabot to remove the fee for the first vehicle on standard residential permits for the current year.
Councillor Sharp believes that we must ensure that permits are only imposed where they are necessary, and that Calgarians feel they receive value for the program.
Councillor Sharp continues to welcome feedback on how we can make the residential parking permit program as effective as possible.
Canada Day fireworks
Following extensive public feedback and a planned Council motion from Councillor Sharp and nine of her colleagues, City Administration has reversed its earlier decision and reinstated this year's Canada Day fireworks celebration.
This year's fireworks will be launched from Stampede Park. While the Stampede grounds themselves will not be open for viewing, the fireworks should be visible from all of the usual locations.
Councillor Sharp is pleased that this year's celebrations are going ahead. Thank you to everyone who wrote in for making your voice heard.
Housing affordability
Last week, Council heard the recommendations of the Housing and Affordability Task Force to address the housing affordability crisis that our city faces.
Councillor Sharp and a majority of her colleagues voted against accepting the recommendations in an initial vote, but she is very pleased that Council is able to proceed with work on these recommendations following a reconsideration.
The motion adopted by Council will allow more opportunity for the public to engage with these recommendations, particularly as they concern city-initiated land use redesignations and parking. Councillor Sharp believes the path adopted will make it easier to address housing affordability.
City Administration will return to the Community Development Committee this fall with its plan to implement the recommendations.
RouteAhead
Council's Infrastructure and Planning Committee recently supported revisions to The City's RouteAhead policy, which will guide Calgary Transit over the next 30 years.
With the revised policy, Calgary Transit will put greater focus on developing a high frequency primary Transit network.
In a city the size of Calgary, we must strike the right balance between frequent, reliable service and the coverage of service within communities. More frequent service will make Transit a more reliable choice for Calgarians, but may require walking slightly further than now to a bus stop.
Councillor Sharp knows that this could be a significant change for how Calgarians use Transit and will be working to ensure that the needs of those without access to other transportation options and those facing mobility challenges continue to receive the level of service they need.
RouteAhead will receive Council's consideration on July 4.
Categories: General, Newsletter