Red Deer Minute: Election Day, Drought Readiness, and a Regional Partnership Plan

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

This Week In Red Deer:

• It’s Election Day! There are 10 candidates running in the byelection to fill a vacant Council seat. Polls are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can cast your ballot at Westerner Park (Salon B - Prairie Pavilion), Parkland Mall, or the Baymont by Wyndham (the old Red Deer Lodge). For more information and eligibility requirements, click here. Information about the candidates is available here.
  
  
• There will be a City Council Agenda Review Committee meeting on Tuesday. No time or agenda is available for this meeting yet. Also on Tuesday, the Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee will meet at 5:00 pm. The Committee will discuss the final report and recommendations made by the Chamber Task Force on Homelessness.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 5:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Mayor's Recognition Awards Committee. Most of this meeting will be held in-camera while the Committee evaluates candidates.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• The City of Red Deer has launched a public engagement effort regarding downtown parking, aiming to gather feedback from residents, seniors, downtown businesses, and drivers. This initiative seeks input on the effectiveness of the new parking system, its challenges, and suggestions for enhancements. Residents can participate by filling out an online survey until May 3rd, attending an open house at City Hall from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on April 24th, or engaging with staff at various downtown locations and events over the next couple of weeks.
  
  
• Council received an update from Utility Services regarding the City's readiness for a potential drought. They discussed the current state of drought in the province, the City's preparations, and the Government of Alberta's water sharing agreements. Red Deer has been participating in workshops on water-sharing and drought prevention in the South Saskatchewan River Basin and intends to sign a water sharing memorandum of understanding. The City is preparing a Drought Management Plan, anticipating outdoor water restrictions starting in June and focusing on public education to ensure effective water conservation measures.
  
  
• The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County have been awarded $100,000 in provincial funding from the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program (NRED) to collaborate on identifying shared economic development targets. The two municipalities plan to leverage their strategic locations along the QE2 corridor, working together to identify suitable land, workforce availability, and necessary urban infrastructure to attract development. Mayor Ken Johnston and Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood said the partnership will help build the region and position central Alberta as investment-ready.

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