Red Deer Minute: Issue 215

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

📅 This Week In Red Deer: 📅

• City Council unanimously rejected a federal condition tied to a $12-million Housing Accelerator Fund grant that would allow four housing units as-of-right on all residential lots. The City had originally applied for $30 million but was approved for less, with the controversial zoning condition attached to the smaller amount. Council members and residents expressed concerns that the blanket zoning change didn’t fit the community’s needs. The City will now advocate to federal officials to remove this requirement while committing to pursue other housing initiatives. The condition was expected to add 67 units over three years, part of a larger plan to incentivize 352 units in total, though the future of the remaining units is uncertain. Officials emphasized that alternative tools and community-driven solutions can still meet housing goals without the as-of-right policy.
  
  
• Speaking of the Housing Accelerator Fund, a town hall gathered about 120 residents to discuss its impact on local housing. The event was organized to address community concerns after Council rejected the federal condition requiring four units as-of-right on all residential lots. Panelists, including former City Manager Craig Curtis, criticized the federal government for overstepping by imposing zoning changes and emphasized the City's unique needs and existing development opportunities. Discussions also highlighted other fund conditions, such as speeding up permit approvals and encouraging development near transit. Some attendees urged residents to focus on neighborhood-specific impacts, like infrastructure strain from new developments, while attendees from Calgary shared examples of anxiety caused by blanket rezoning and infill development replacing existing homes.
  
  
• Council unanimously approved a comprehensive "financial roadmap" aimed at improving the City’s financial management and collaboration between departments. The 112-page report by KPMG provides an in-depth analysis of current operations and identifies opportunities for improvement, focusing on better financial reporting, updated policies, and standardized data management. City officials emphasized that this roadmap is a strategic plan rather than a cost-cutting measure. Key initiatives include filling the vacant Chief Financial Officer role, enhancing interdepartmental cooperation, and reviewing the City’s 10-year Capital Plan. The roadmap also highlights financial challenges ahead, such as strained reserves and potential needs for increased borrowing, higher property taxes, or spending cuts. Quarterly progress updates will be shared with the City’s Audit Committee. 
  
  
• Red Deer has been named Alberta’s most active community for the fourth consecutive year through the 2025 ParticipACTION Community Challenge, a national initiative promoting physical activity during June. The city earned the top spot on the provincial leaderboard and received a $15,000 prize to support local sport and wellness programs. This achievement was driven by the collaboration of nearly 90 local partners, including health organizations, educational institutions, and the City itself, which offered a variety of free activities to engage residents of all ages. Events like community walks, beginner orienteering, and active living campaigns contributed to Red Deer’s success. This year marked Red Deer’s sixth consecutive participation in the challenge. Nationally, Richmond, BC won the title of Canada’s Most Active Community. Over 846,000 Canadians across 672 communities took part in the month-long challenge.
  
  
• Red Deer’s crime severity index (CSI) dropped by 20% in 2024, falling from 147.8 to 118.7, though the city remains among Canada’s most dangerous, ranking fourth highest nationally. The reported crime rate also decreased by 17%, but Red Deer still had the second-highest crime rate among census metropolitan areas. The RCMP credits the decline to strategic policing efforts and community collaboration, including increased patrols, use of drones, and intelligence-led initiatives targeting repeat offenders. Specialized teams also focused on supporting individuals facing addiction and partnering with businesses to prevent crime. Public education campaigns and data-driven resource allocation further helped reduce victimization. Police and City officials expressed pride in the progress and commitment to continue these efforts in 2025. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The City is developing a new Community Services Master Plan to improve how services like recreation, parks, arts and culture, transit, and social supports are delivered.

Take 10-15 minutes to complete the resident survey and share your priorities:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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