Red Deer Minute: Hospital Timelines, Thermostat Rebates, and Scooters Start Again

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

This Week In Red Deer:

• This morning, at 9:00 am, the Indigenous Funding Adjudication Sub-Committee will meet. The only agenda item - a discussion of the funding process - will be held in-camera.
  
  
• Also taking place this morning, at 9:00 am, is a City Council meeting. The meeting will begin in a closed session to discuss citizen appointments to Committees, Quasi-Judicial Boards, and External Boards and Societies, as well as an update on the permanent shelter. Once the meeting opens up to the public, Council will discuss the creation of a Stormwater Utility. On Wednesday, the Audit Committee will meet at 1:00 pm to hear an Audit Workplan Update.
  
  
• The City is relaunching its Smart Thermostat Rebate program, offering residents a $50 rebate for purchasing and installing a smart thermostat to improve energy efficiency at home. The program aims to reduce energy consumption, both for environmental benefits and to provide potential cost savings on energy bills. Applications for the rebate can be made online until December 31st.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• The Red Deer Regional Hospital expansion project timelines were officially unveiled at a public information session, with plans to add 200 beds, six operating rooms, and other facilities. The project is divided into two parts, with the first phase focusing on a new inpatient tower and renovations, while the second phase includes an ambulatory care building. Now that schematics are finished, the next phase involves design development, including detailed layouts for rooms and infrastructure systems like mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Dialog Design has already begun this work, and it could take up to three years to complete. A development permit application will be submitted to the City, along with a Request for Proposal for a construction manager. MLA for Red Deer-North and Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange said the Province is committed to seeing this project to completion. According to the Province, the project is on time and on budget, and should be complete by 2029, though renovations to the existing hospital could take until 2034.
  
  
• Neuron Mobility launched its e-scooter service in Red Deer for the fourth consecutive season. A survey conducted by Neuron revealed that 68% of previously taken trips led to purchases from local businesses, contributing an estimated $5.7 million to the local economy, based on an average spend of $70 per trip. Almost half of e-scooter rides replaced a car trip, and Red Deerians travelled 690,000 kilometres in the first three years the scooters were available. In Red Deer, riders must be at least 16 years old, and while helmets are recommended, e-scooters are allowed on sidewalks and paved trails.
  
  
• The City has proposed revisions to its Land Use Bylaw, aiming to introduce increased building heights and diverse housing options such as tiny homes and backyard suites. The focus is on reducing restrictions and streamlining standards to accommodate various housing needs. Proposed changes include greater flexibility for development applications, transitioning existing neighbourhoods while maintaining their character, and simplifying language for better public understanding. Residents and developers can access the draft and related reports online for review and feedback.

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