Red Deer Minute: Central Sport, Housing Dollars, and a Transit Strike Looming

Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics

This Week In Red Deer:

• There will be a City Council meeting this morning. The meeting starts at 10:30 am with a closed session to discuss a land matter, committee appointments, and yet another permanent shelter update. Approximately two hours later, the meeting will open up to the public. Council will then discuss the Permanent Supportive Housing Capital Grant - Administration is recommending Council create this new municipal incentive grant contingent on receiving federal dollars from Ottawa’s Housing Accelerator Fund. Council will also look to pass amendments to the Code of Conduct Bylaw, which would see the creation of an Integrity Commissioner position to investigate future complaints. Council will also consider an omnibus amendment to the City’s Land Use Bylaw.
  
  
• On Wednesday, the Audit Committee will meet at 1:00 pm. The Committee will receive a number of reports including a Value for Money Report from Community Services, a Budget Policy Review Report, a Value Based Service Level Review, and an Audit Committee Self Evaluation. Then, the Committee will go into a closed meeting to discuss the Self Evaluation and a verbal report on testing, procedures, and audits.
  
  
• Another meeting of City Council is scheduled for Thursday at 1:00 pm. This time, it’s Agency Day. Council will hear reports from the Red Deer Public Library Board, Shining Mountains, Amethyst House, the Red Deer Housing Authority, and the Urban Aboriginal Voices Society.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• After eight days of bargaining and a day of mediation, the City and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569 did not reach a deal. The City is preparing for disruptions to transit service as a result. The mandated “cooling-off period” ended on Friday, and a strike is now looming. Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action and a practice picket was held. The City said they will post information about schedule changes or service stoppages on its website and share that information via local media as well. The Students’ Association of Red Deer Polytechnic urged both sides to reach an agreement as many students rely on the bus to get to school.
  
  
• The City said that volunteers are still needed to sit on various boards, committees, and commissions. There are open roles with the Municipal Planning Commission, Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee, Red Deer Tribunals, Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and the River Bend Golf & Recreation Society Board. Information and specifics about each committee are available online, and if one piques your interest, you’ll need to apply before Monday, September 25th at 9:00 am.
  
  
• Central Sport celebrated the grand opening of its new office at the Collicutt Centre, providing a physical space for people to learn about Central Alberta sport organizations. Central Sport, initiated as a legacy of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, aims to connect and promote sports in Central Alberta, offering services like an online sport directory, volunteer database, and event support. While currently focused on Red Deer and Red Deer County, Central Sport plans to expand its reach to other Central Alberta communities.

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