Red Deer Minute: Derelict Homes, Photo Radar, and Westerner Park Funding

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

This Week In Red Deer:

• There will be a City Council meeting tomorrow at 10:30 am. The meeting will begin with a closed session in which Council will discuss a shelter update and the 2025 Budget Utilities Process. The meeting opens up to the public around 1:00 pm. During the public portion of the meeting, Council will discuss a report regarding Mobile Speed Enforcement (photo radar). The report notes that the program is not financially sustainable on its own. Council will also discuss a report that outlines the process for preparing the 2025 budget. The report highlights the need for approximately $20 million in adjustments to achieve a balanced budget. It emphasizes the prioritization of Service Levels and the exploration of potential changes to reduce operating expenses, which will be discussed in detail during the September 3rd, 2024, Council meeting. Finally, Council will discuss another report, which recommends approval of a budget amendment of up to $350,000 for the Kinsmen Arena capital project to address significant issues with the arena's cooling system.
  
  
• Glendale neighbours are raising concerns about a neglected house on Greenham Drive, which has attracted break-ins and become infested with rabbits and weeds. The Greenham Drive property has been condemned by Alberta Health Services due to extremely unsanitary conditions, including animal feces and clutter. It also violates Red Deer's Community Standards bylaw, but the City says that it’s not a simple process to take action on privately owned properties.
  
  
• It’s Heritage Day! City Hall and City Administrative Offices are closed, and transit will be operating on its Sunday/holiday schedule. The City’s website lists the hours for recreation facilities on this holiday Monday. Hope you’re having a wonderful long weekend!

Last Week In Red Deer:

• Westerner Park received a $2 million funding boost from the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, the Donald family, and the Westerner Park Foundation to support its operations and progress toward self-sustainability within three years. This interim funding comes as the provincial government conducts a review of agricultural societies to address their financial challenges. Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston expressed confidence in the Park's strategic plan and its potential to recover post-COVID.
  
  
• RCMP Superintendent Holly Glassford tried to provide context to Red Deer's ranking as the city with the third-highest Crime Severity Index (CSI) in 2023. Despite this, Red Deer ranked second in Canada for improvement in the CSI, with an 11% drop in severe crime and an 8% decline in the overall crime rate from 2022 to 2023. Glassford highlighted a 14.5% reduction in property crime and an 8% decrease in crimes against persons from April to June 2023 compared to the previous year. She emphasized the importance of long-term trends, noting Red Deer's CSI has been decreasing since 2017. Mayor Ken Johnston echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of broader context and longer-term data when evaluating the city's safety. What do you think? Is Red Deer getting safer?
  
  
• Young Red Deer athletes have been achieving great success! Eileen Park, a 15-year-old golfer, finished ninth at the 110th Canadian Women's Amateur Championship. Park also won the Alberta Women's Amateur Championship last month and the Canadian Junior Girl's Championship title in 2023. And, Tyson DeZutter led Team Alberta volleyball to gold at the 2024 Canada Cup, with an undefeated tournament run. If you’re looking to join a team or get more active, the City’s recreation programs will be available for signup on August 13th.

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