Red Deer Minute: Fee Hikes, Terminal Expansion, and Committee Volunteers Needed

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

This Week In Red Deer:

• There will be a meeting of City Council on Tuesday at 10:30 am. The meeting begins with a closed session for Council to discuss a union update and a shelter update. When the meeting opens up to the public, Council will discuss the Quarterly Community Policing Report, as well as an Administration recommendation to increase Municipal Consent & Access Fees from the current 10% to 15% for Electricity, Water, and Wastewater.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, there will be a meeting of the Red Deer & District Family and Community Support Services Board. No agenda or time is available for this meeting yet.
  
  
• The City of Red Deer is seeking ten volunteers to join the newly established Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee, which aims to develop a new economic model for the community. Interested applicants must submit a form to the City’s Legal and Legislative Services by October 7th. The Committee will present its findings and recommendations to Council in April 2025. Additional information can be found on the City’s website.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• Red Deer Regional Airport celebrated its 25th anniversary with the unveiling of a $3.5-million terminal expansion, which adds 10,000 square feet for security, baggage, and future customs services. This marks the second phase of the airport's plan to create a transportation hub for both passengers and aviation industries. A new access road, part of an $18-million project, is also under construction and expected to be completed by 2026. The expansion and infrastructure upgrades aim to attract ultra-low-cost carriers and aviation-related businesses.
  
  
• It was announced that Red Deer's overdose prevention site will close next spring as new addiction recovery services are introduced. A Dynamic Overdose Response Team will be established at Safe Harbour Society's homeless shelter to monitor the area and provide medical assistance, though drug use at the shelter will not be permitted. The province is investing $3.4 million in new services, including a Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine clinic, recovery coaches, and enhanced detox capacity. Additional funding has been allocated to the Red Deer Dream Centre for more addiction treatment beds.
  
  
• The City of Red Deer received backing from other Alberta municipalities for three resolutions during the Alberta Municipalities Convention. These resolutions focus on advocating for federal funding for compressed natural gas and clean diesel buses, establishing a comprehensive Provincial Emergency Shelter Strategy, and increasing funding for permanent supportive housing. Red Deer has a history of successful policy advocacy through Alberta Municipalities.

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