Permanent Shelter What We Heard Report released

City of Red Deer

Published

3 years ago

3 minute read

Input on the permanent shelter collected from May 10 to June 13 was analyzed and compiled into a community report and posted to The City’s website today.

During the input process, information was shared about previously used site criteria and participants were asked whether they agree with each, and why or why not. They were also asked if there were other criteria to consider, and additional input on areas outside the site criteria. Input was gathered through an online survey, in-person sessions, and/or email:

 Between May 25 and June 10, 2022, an online survey was conducted with 723 participants sharing their input.
 Seven in-person input opportunities, which were held on June 8, 9 and 10, saw 101 participants.
 More than 80 emails were received from citizens and stakeholders sharing their input about the future permanent shelter in Red Deer. Emails received up to 8 a.m. on June 13 were included in report.

In summary, the top broad themes we heard across all input activities were as follows:

 Impact to surrounding neighbourhoods
 Improved integrated services
 Move forward with long-term approach (consideration of location and financial impacts)
 Continued community involvement through input opportunities, information sharing and opportunity for community to support in long-term success.

The top site-based themes we heard across all input activities were as follows:

 Impacts to surrounding land use is the most important consideration when making a decision about the location for a future permanent shelter in Red Deer.
 Impacts to people, specifically as it relates to “citizen safety” for everyone in the community, must be considered.
 Residential neighbourhoods should not be considered.
 Protection of recreational spaces and natural habitats
 Financial compensation should be considered for those who are directly impacted by the location of the future permanent shelter.
 Accountability must be a priority.

Council will review the report and consider next steps in the site selection process. Administration will recommend a Council Ah Hoc Committee to decide site criteria based on Council and community input and technical expertise, then develop a site criteria evaluation matrix which will guide the site selection process. The full report to Council can be found on Council’s meeting site.

Thank you to all citizens and community partners who provided input on the permanent shelter. The full What We Heard report can be found within the Council report and on all the Permanent Shelter webpages under resources. The direct link to the What We Heard report is here.

City of Red Deer

www.reddeer.ca

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Published on January 23, 2025

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It’s a telling detail about the person who leads Red Deer City Council. Always putting the city’s needs ahead of his own, Mayor Ken Johnston has announced his intentions within days of the opening of Nominations for October’s municipal elections,

After 12 years on council, Mayor Ken Johnston has decided against running for a second term as Mayor this fall. Johnson shared his decision in front of colleagues and supporters in a touching announcement on Wednesday.

At 71 years old, Johnston remains vibrant, passionate and healthy. He says that’s exactly why he and his wife Carolyn have decided now is the right time to start their next stage of life together.

Mayor Johnston listed a number of highlights and achievements he can look back on, including his help advocating for the redevelopment of Red Deer Regional Hospital, the growth of Red Deer Polytechnic, and positive moves in Economic Development.

All these lead of a feeling of ease about the decision to step away, though affordable housing and a permanent shelter for the homeless remain pressing concerns.

With about 8 months remaining in his term, Mayor Johnston is planning to push hard to move the needle on these housing issues.

“We’re looking forward to some more work and we’ll be going to the community shortly about it. So I still have optimism that maybe before the term is out we can have an announcement.”

This is the second major political announcement in Central Alberta in the last number of days. Earlier this week Red Deer Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen announced he won’t be running in the next federal election.

City of Red Deer

Council ends reduced fine option for early ticket payment, school and playground zones start at 7 AM

Published on January 15, 2025

Duane Rolheiser

City Council approves first reading of updated Traffic Bylaw and General Penalty Bylaw

Red Deer City Council completed first reading of updated Traffic Bylaw (3707/2025) and General Penalties Bylaw (3036/A-2025) that will provide clarity and consistency in application of the bylaws as well as eliminate challenges in enforcement.

Key updates to the bylaws include:

Ticket Pre-Payment:
- Removing the option to pay a parking ticket early to receive a reduced fee from the General Penalty Bylaw and adding it to the Traffic Bylaw.

School and Playground Zone Start Times:
- Through investigating requests from schools to have school and playground zones start at 7 a.m., rather than 8 a.m., Administration determined that almost all school and playground zones in the city have students on the street prior to 7:30 a.m. To be consistent across the city, the start time is being moved to 7 a.m. providing an added measure of safety for all students.

Salt on Sidewalks:
- Removing the provision prohibiting the use of salt on sidewalks as this provision was rarely reported and it is difficult and costly to enforce.

Permits:
- More structure was added to the bylaw to clearly articulate conditions and requirements of Use of Streets Permits, as well as Excavation Permits and Alignment Permits.
- Lastly, fees for closures impacting on-street and off-street stalls have been adjusted to reflect the actual revenue in each parking zone rather than the flat fee.

Penalties:
- Penalties have been reviewed and updated.
- During the last bylaw adoption, the penalty associated with vehicles being towed due to snow or street sweeping operations was inadvertently missed. This penalty has been added back in at a slightly higher amount due to an increase in the cost to tow a vehicle through The City’s contractor. This prevents the costs associated with towing vehicles during these operations from being subsidized by the tax base.

“These updates streamline the bylaws to create clarity for residents and administration,” said Erin Stuart, Inspections and Licensing Manager with The City. “They also help to eliminate regulations that are challenging to enforce and bring penalties in line with other City Bylaws.”

Second reading of both bylaws is anticipated for January 27, 2025.