September 2024 Newsletter

Hello Ward 6!

Council is back in full swing in September and there are many items that we will be focusing on this fall, leading up to our November budget week. In this edition of the newsletter you will read about the mid-cycle budget adjustments, the water main update, the latest on the Green Line, Local Area Planning reconnection and much more.

COUNCIL UPDATES

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Mid-Cycle Budget Adjustments

Last week Administration presented the mid-cycle budget adjustment review with proposed changes which will be decided on by Council in November. With population growth pressures it is crucial that we focus on maintaining aging water infrastructure and keeping up with Waste & Recycling demands. 

To read more about the budget adjustments go to https://www.calgary.ca/our-finances/budget-adjustments.html?redirect=/adjustments

Have your say on budget adjustments by going to www.Calgary.ca/publicsubmissions

Water Main Update

The City has successfully connected the Bearspaw South feeder main to the rest of our city’s water distribution system. The system has stabilized and our reservoirs have refilled. We are confident that we can meet normal water demand.

Calgary is now out of Stage 4 Water restrictions, effective immediately. Calgarians are welcome to return to normal water use, both indoors and outdoors. Where possible, please ease into normal water use over the next few days to help even out any spikes in demand, which in turn will be easier on our system.

You may also notice cloudy water or a chlorine smell in your water over the next few days. This is temporary and the water is safe to drink.

In the next few weeks, we have two smaller sections of pipe to repair in October and November along Memorial Drive in Parkdale. These repairs are much smaller in scope and won’t require city-wide water restrictions because we can isolate these sections while keeping the feeder main running. Please check Calgary.ca for the latest updates.

By the end of October, we anticipate receiving a detailed forensic report from our consultants that includes results from the PipeDiver, and soil & structural analyses of the Feeder Main. We will share more details on the report’s findings when they are available.

The cost of June’s emergency repair, which included the five hot spots, has been estimated to be between $20 and $25 million. Initial estimates of the latest 21 repairs are somewhere between $15 and $20 million.

I would like to thank all the Calgarians who saved water to help reduce pressure on our water system.  My upmost gratitude to those who worked diligently on the critical water main construction.

For the latest updates, water saving tips and to sign up to receive email updates about construction, visitcalgary.ca/savewater. 

Green Line Winddown

Last week I made the difficult decision to support the winddown of the Green Line Phase 1 Program. To say I am disappointed with this outcome is an understatement. The Government of Alberta sent a letter stating they are withholding funding for the approved Phase 1 alignment (from Lynnwood/Millican to Eau Claire) of the Green Line Program and would instead be engaging their own consultants to provide a report detailing alternate alignment options by the end of the year.  The Government of Alberta’s decision to hold back their support and funding, after previously confirming their support several times, further delays the project and puts it at risk for higher project costs. At this stage in the project, where active construction and more than 1,000 staff, consultants and contractors are in place, and the design is progressing from 60 to 90 per cent, each month of delay would cost The City and Calgarians $20 to $30 million. It is this reason why I decided to vote for the winddown as I could not in good conscience continue to waste money.

I believe in transit and the importance of providing an efficient means of transport to everyone in Calgary. Residents have been promised the linking of north central all the way to southeast communities. I share in the disappointment of these Calgarians. I am hopeful that one day the Green Line will be built and I would like to thank everyone who worked on the Green Line in the last 10 years. Your hard work and due diligence have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

DID YOU KNOW?

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Local Area Planning Reconnect

Reconnecting on the North Hill, Westbrook, and Heritage Communities Local Area Plans.

Reconnecting with you to share updates that are coming to your local area plan and opportunities to provide feedback on additional new community improvements.

Learn about updates to your local area plan

Your local area plan is being updated to align with the recent Council-approved citywide rezoning to allow for single-detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhomes and rowhomes across Calgary (see Rezoning for Housing for more information). 

Share your ideas for new community improvements

We're looking to gather ideas and suggestions for additional ideas for new community improvements for your local area. 

Learn more and share your ideas

Information will be shared and feedback will be collected online from September 16 to October 6, 2024, at calgary.ca/LAPreconnect.

In-person sessions will be offered on the following date (REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED):

Reconnect: Westbrook Communities Local Area Plan at Westgate CA

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 – REGISTER HERE

Let’s share the road safely and look out for each other.

October’s traffic safety focus is Pedestrian Safety.

Most pedestrian collisions happen when we’re rushing to get to work, school, an activity or home.

Weather conditions and daylight changes in the fall make it harder for people to see.

When driving or cycling, be ready in case pedestrians make unexpected moves.

• Never pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.
• Pay attention to pedestrians when turning.
• Watch for children. Drive cautiously through areas where children could be walking or playing.
• Be patient – especially with seniors or pedestrians with disabilities who need time to cross the road.

Pedestrians: Don’t assume drivers see you. When waiting to cross a road, make sure cars have come to a stop before proceeding. Make eye contact and wave.

• Don’t walk distracted. Keep your head up and look around.
• Walk on sidewalks. If there are no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• When walking to train stations, look both ways when crossing the tracks and obey traffic signals.
• Use point, pause, proceed to let drivers know you’re entering a crosswalk.

It’s important to teach children how to safely cross the street. Practice safe crossing skills to help them learn how to navigate our streets without harm.

• Remind kids not to run into the street or cross between parked cars
• Help kids to identify and understand car turn signals and back up lights and to be alert for cars turning or backing up.

Teach kids to put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street.

Fire Prevention Week: Are Your Smoke Alarms Ready to Save Lives?

Fire Prevention Week is here and this year, the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is focusing on one of the most vital tools in home fire safety: working smoke alarms. The CFD is urging everyone to make sure their smoke alarms are up to the task of protecting their homes and loved ones.

Smoke alarms are more than just devices; they’re lifesavers. Statistics show that the risk of dying in a home fire is reduced by over 50 per cent when working smoke alarms are present. Despite this, many tragic home fire deaths occur in residences without smoke alarms or with alarms that aren’t functioning. That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!

Here’s what you can do right now to ensure your smoke alarms are ready:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Make sure your smoke alarms meet the needs of everyone in your household, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button.
• If your smoke alarms are 10 years old, or don’t respond when tested, it’s time to replace them.

This Fire Prevention Week, take a few minutes to check your smoke alarms. A small effort today can save lives tomorrow.

Protect your pipes

Thanksgiving is almost here, and the holidays are a time for food, family and fun. The aromas of gravy, turkey and pumpkin spice may come to mind.

It’s important to remember that any fats, oils or grease (FOG) that travel down the drain can block your pipes and may result in messy and costly sewage backups.

Remember to:

• Cool it: in a disposable can or container.
• Scrape it: into a certified, compostable bag or paper bag.
• Compost it: by placing the rolled or tied up bag in your green cart.

Smaller amounts of FOG can be wiped with a paper towel and placed in your green cart. Learn more at calgary.ca/protectyourpipes.

EVENTS

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Orange Shirt Day/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The City would like you to join us in commemorating Indian residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. Remembering the Children.

Monday, Sept. 30, 9 - 10:30 a.m. at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Ave. S.E.

Enjoy presentations from various speakers, including the Mayor, Indigenous Elders and school board representatives at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (previously Fort Calgary). A blessing from an Elder will start the event and Indigenous dancers will entertain throughout. 

Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear orange as a sign of support, and to honour the children who didn't return from residential schools across the country.

Join the climate conversation at the 6^th annual Calgary Climate Symposium

The City is hosting its 6^th annual Calgary Climate Symposium to continue the conversation about climate change, share how it affects Calgarians and how we can work together to ensure no one is left behind. Connect with community leaders, climate experts and more for a series of unique, free learning opportunities between Oct. 21 – Oct. 25, 2024.

We invite you to join Mayor Gondek and Climate and Environment Director, Carolyn Bowen, on Oct. 21 at 10 a.m., as they kick off the week with an opening speech at the Calgary Public Library.

This year’s Climate Symposium theme is ‘Innovating for a Resilient and Equitable Future: Calgary’s Path to Climate Solutions’.

The Calgary Climate Symposium sessions will explore:

• Understanding climate change and the effects of climate hazards on Calgarians and the natural environment.
• How Calgary can position itself for a low carbon future and leverage economic opportunities.
• How our communities can take collective action to reduce the impacts of climate change and build a more resilient city.

Everyone has a part to play in preserving and protecting Calgary’s natural environment. Join the conversation to learn how your community can take collective actions to increase our climate resiliency and create a more equitable future for all Calgarians.
We look forward to seeing you online or in-person at the opening ceremony. Recordings of the sessions will be available on calgary.ca/climatesymposium in November.

To learn more and register for sessions, visit calgary.ca/climatesymposium.