Ward 7 what's new

Traffic Safety in Highwood

The City of Calgary's First Poet Laureate

In July of last year, City Council approved the motion to establish the honorary position of Poet Laureate.  A citizen-led initiative, sponsored by the Calgary Foundation and several corporations, Calgary Arts Development Authority organized a poetry showcase with six of the final candidates. 

The performances were riveting, with a wide range of style from hip-hop, to slam, to visual poetry, all to a sold-out audience.  Today it’s my pleasure to present Calgary’s first Poet Laureate.  He will join a world-wide and long history of poets laureate, with the likes of Chaucer, Longfellow, and Canada’s current poet, Fred Wah. 

This artist is a fixture in Calgary’s spoken word, literary and theatre communities, creating music and lyrics for numerous award-winning projects and performing around the world.  He is a skilled, passionate and keenly insightful artist whose work is both accessible and deeply committed to an honest expression of what it is to be Calgarian. 

Please welcome our first Poet Laureate, Kris Demeanor!

Framework for growth and change

​Alderman Farrell is pleased to report that significant progress is being made on the issue of cost of growth, particularly growth in new communities.  As Calgary’s population is forecasted to double by 2076, with half of this growth targeted for new development on the city’s edges, the discussion around who pays for the necessary services has become urgent.  

Residents in the new communities will require City services such as police and fire, transportation and transit, water servicing, recreation, and libraries. The amount needed to service this growth is $10 billion over the next 10 years.

City Council now recognizes how important it is that growth should pay for itself, rather than rely on support from existing taxpayers and ratepayers.  Cities across North America are grappling with similar challenges and many are looking at Calgary’s proposed model with interest.

The City is designing a groundbreaking framework that seeks to achieve walkable neighbourhoods with easy access to transit and amenities, while ensuring a logical and equitable approach to funding the necessary City services.  Given that a new community can take up to 45 years to start paying for itself, it is critical that we adopt a more sustainable model. 

On April 11th the new Framework for Growth and Change will be discussed at the Standing Policy Committee on Planning and Urban Development. You can present at the meeting, or email your letters in advance to cityclerk@calgary.ca.

Bow to bluff - citizen led engagement

Over several months last fall the Bow to Bluff team asked Calgarians to contribute ideas on how to revitalize the public corridor along the Sunnyside LRT line from the Bow River to McHugh Bluff. The Bow to Bluff project, spearheaded by a city-wide group of Calgarians interested in improving public spaces, garnered funding through Council's Innovation Fund. The fund was set up to encourage new ways to transform City processes, and the Bow to Bluff project, with its unique public engagement process, has gained international attention. After receiving thousands of suggestions and working with Alderman Farrell and staff from a number of City departments, the Bow to Bluff team is ready to present their Urban Design Guide. David White, one of the original members of the Bow to Bluff team, was featured in Avenue Magazine for his involvement.  

Green cart pilot project - a successful start

During the first week of March, the City began collecting compostable waste in Abbydale, Brentwood, Cougar Ridge and Southwood.  I’m pleased to report that we’re off to an impressive start with the green cart program.  Collecting food and yard waste is completely new for most Calgarians, so it’s encouraging to see so many residents making the effort to keep organics out of our landfills. Like any new program that requires a change to our regular routine, it will take time to adapt.  We have a great group of people handling collections in the pilot communities and they are taking extra time with the residents to make participating as easy as possible.  

Centre city - clean to the core

Happenings in Ward 7

 

Alderman Farrell takes time out of her busy Ward 7 schedule to spend time reading with Cambrian Heights students at the Calgary Reads Together event. 

Calgary cool

Check out this fence in Parkdale. “Don’t Fence Me In”, originally a poem written by an engineer with the Department of Highways in Helena, Montana, was reworked into a cowboy song for the unproduced 20th Century Fox musical Adios, Argentina.

And for those of you who cannot read music, this fence is singing the song "Don't Fence Me In". 

Calgary Homeless Foundation makes international news

The Calgary Homeless Foundation moves from TAKING best practices from other places to BECOMING the best practice. The concept of “Collective Impact” was first raised in Stanford Social Innovation Review’s Winter 2011 issue, resulting in an overwhelming response from organizations and individuals interested in guidance on implementing these principles. In their follow up article called “Channeling Change: Making Collective Impact Work”, the authors have held out the work of  the Calgary Homeless Foundation as an example of “Collective Impact”. Congratulations to Tim Richter, the board, staff and partners of the Calgary Homeless Foundation.

Pop-up patios

Best bar none

2012-2014 business plan budget cycle

 

Council approved the 2012-2014 Business Plan and Budget Cycle in late November 2011. Here are the City of Calgary department highlights. 

Autochalk pilot project

The Calgary Parking Authority plans to pilot a new, automated parking enforcement tool in the Ward 7 communities of Hillhurst Sunnyside and Briar Hill, in an effort to boost enforcement while improving convenience for residents. The Autochalk system will use on-board cameras that register license plates automatically, replacing chalking tires and writing tickets by hand. Parking permits and visitor's permits will be unnecessary under the new system. Residents will be able to register their license plates so they don't get ticketed and register guests on-line. Mass-parking exemptions would also be available for house parties and special occasions.

10 year plan to end homelessness

As a member of the Calgary Homeless Foundation Board, Druh Farrell is very proud of the progress being made toward the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Congratulations to Tim Richter, President & CEO, the staff and board for all their 2011 successes, of which a few are highlighted here.

Prevention of social disorder

In November 2008, City Council approved my motion on the “prevention of social disorder and community impacts in and around licensed premises”. The motion directed the Police Service, Fire Department, Licensing and other City departments to work with their Provincial counterparts to reduce the disruption caused by bars and nightclubs on the surrounding neighbours and ensure a safe environment for patrons.

The main strategy behind this coordinated approach was to focus limited resources to identify and target the venues associated with the greatest number of problems. Only through working together were the responsible agencies able to address the cumulative impacts the licensed premise was having on a community.  The multi agency groups dealt proactively with a wide range of issues including size and proximity limitations in residential areas; requirements for safety/security management plans, taxi stand and pedestrian drop off areas, and police checks.

In a report to Council last month, we learned that the collaborative approach is working well.  2011 represented the lowest volume of violent, intoxicated and disturbance calls in at least 7 years and a 65% reduction in calls to Emergency Services versus the same period in 2008.  The multi-agency group will continue to provide an annual update to City Council on their progress and recommend legislative changes as needed. 

If bars and nightclubs are poorly planned and badly managed, the concerns around noise, social disorder, criminal activity, and violence, can have a severe effect on the surrounding neighbourhood. Conversely, well-run establishments with a responsible operator can contribute to the diversity, economy, and vitality of Calgary.

Green bin pilot project

The City of Calgary is one step closer to meeting its goal of 80% waste diversion by 2020 with the adoption of a residential food and yard waste pilot. Organics make up almost 60% of our residential waste.  Public support for this important next step is high, with 83% of Calgarians surveyed supporting a curbside organics program.  Waste and Recycling Services is recommending a food and yard composting pilot starting in 2012 March. The pilot will be funded with the savings from operational efficiencies related to the Black Cart automation.  The pilot will help us gauge citizen satisfaction and participation, understand collection volumes and frequency, and refine operational costs. Based on a successful pilot, the program could be expanded city-wide from 2015-2017, allowing for the design

4 Street S.E. underpass grand opening

The resulting discussion led The City to adopt new downtown underpass guidelines, that won a national award this year for planning excellence. The LED lighting within the walls and handrails helps make the space more people-friendly and the kinetic art within the canopy allows pivoting fins to move with the motion of the wind or a passing train. We hope you appreciate not just the convenience that it offers but the connection to parts of the city that until now, have been isolated from one another.

Urban laneway movement

The urban laneway movement is sweeping many cities around the world, converting some of the most gritty and neglected places into charming spaces. Calgary has its own secret gems rich with history just waiting for a bit of spit and polish. Rather than treating laneways as places for refuse and dumpsters, a network of laneways can be an important amenity. Shops and galleries that are off the beaten path allow for the discovery of the city’s hidden spaces.

Savoury Lodge closure

It's not often that people celebrate the closure of a business, but the residents and businesses in Banff Trail are thrilled to see the end of Savoury Lodge. The Savoury has long been a hotbed for criminal activity that often spilled over to neighbouring businesses and the C-Train station. The owners of the Savoury decided not to appeal a closure order by the City's Licensing Department, after the Police Service amassed a shocking amount of evidence. The landowners are applying for a development permit for a better quality hotel that complies with the newly approved Area Redevelopment Plan that requires improved design and pedestrian infrastructure. The neighbouring businesses are looking forward to a bright future for Motel Village and are considering a name change to kick-start the new approach.

Chinatown murals

The momentum created by the Chinatown Centenary continues to build with a number of new community initiatives. The Calgary Chinese Community Services Association added several beautiful murals this fall, some highly visible and others tucked away in back lanes and rear courtyards. These murals started out as a simple graffiti abatement program by the City, and have been elevated to expressions of cultural pride and diversity by the community, inviting the urban explorer in all of us to discover Chinatown's hidden gems. Alderman Druh Farrell is also working with the landowners on the heritage preservation and restoration of the Canton Block. The next big project is the Sien Lok Park redevelopment which is currently in the design stage. A draft plan is being reviewed by the community and we hope to have a final master plan approved by Spring 2012.

10 Street N.W. bike lane pilot project

The 10th Street NW bike lane pilot has generated a lot of attention and discussion over the past few months. Although 10th Street NW was adopted by City Council in 2001 as a major cycle route, it took over 10 years for policy to be implemented with physical changes to the road way.

The response from cyclists is generally very positive, however many citizens are wondering about the timing and rationale of the project. A lack of proper notice, signage instructing both motorists and cyclists on how to use the new lanes and Calgary's first "bike box", as well as the fact that the project took several weeks to complete due to weather and technical delays, added to the confusion. While the preferred timing for the pilot would have been springtime, it was far cheaper to implement at the same time as paving. The Roads Department has already done a post mortem on how to do a better job next time.

For the first few weeks of the project we saw significant traffic delays. Motorists seem to be adapting to the change and delays have been reduced considerably. Vehicles are getting through the traffic lights in one cycle and city staff are monitoring the project, collecting data, and will be making tweaks as necessary. We are asking cyclists and motorists to note specific hot spots and share recommended improvements with 311.

Pilot projects are an important way to introduce new ideas, monitor success, and fine-tune. The rush hour lane reversal on Memorial Drive and 10th Street is a good example: The first week was chaotic as drivers adjusted, several tweaks were made, and now it is considered a model of efficiency, reducing cut-through traffic in the neighbouring community and moving increased volumes in a very cost effective way.

City Council is committed to Calgary's Cycling Strategy. While we are lucky to have an extensive recreational pathway system, Calgarians have expressed a desire for safe and direct routes for on-street cycling lanes for commuting and getting about their neighbourhoods.

Cycling Strategy

Alderman Druh Farrell's notice of motion in 2010 resulted in a proposed Cycling Strategy and Pathway Safety Review that were both approved at Council on July 5, 2011.

It was encouraging to see the number of Calgarians who participated in the engagement process while the strategy was being developed. This strategy is the first step in creating a more bicycle friendly Calgary, so that all Calgarians can cycle safely regardless of whether they are commuting or exploring this beautiful city on bicycle.

Imagine yourself commuting on one of these lovely bicycles.

Plain language at City Hall

At the July 4 City Council Meeting, Druh Farrell proposed a plain language policy that will help promote clear communication by The City with Calgarians. As best said by Tony Seskes at the Calgary Herald, "the weird language and strange acronyms used at city hall can be as clear as mud in a muddy mud puddle with a pile of mud added for good measure." But this is about more than just acronyms and insider knowledge of terms. If The City really wants to engage with Calgarians and have them participate in the process, it is important to remove barriers, such as intimidating language and acronyms. For a humorous take on this notice of motion, read Tony Seskes' article.

Cost of growth

For many years, a large share of the cost of suburban growth has been covered by all Calgarians through property taxes and utility rates. A large portion of tax dollars are directed to new growth, rather than reinvestment and renewal in our established communities. Last July, City Council passed a set of principles to guide the new levy negotiations with the suburban development industry. These principles recommended development levies that would more closely reflect the true costs of growth.

The discussion around the cost of suburban growth has become an urgent one. Calgary has grown by 250,000 people (the population of Saskatoon) over the last decade and during this time, growth-related debt has ballooned to $1.5 billion. If left unchecked, utility debt alone is projected to rise to $2.5 billion by 2018.

It takes many years for a new community to fully build out, and yet these new communities still require the amenities afforded to all Calgarians, before there is a tax base to support the services. Improper timing of new development puts a significant burden on both the operating and capital budgets.

The principle of allowing housing choice – where you want to live in Calgary and in what type of dwelling – is an important one. It is equally important that the true costs are associated with the choices that we make and that they are not based on a public subsidy. This has been an important issue on Druh Farrell’s agenda even prior to being elected in 2001, and she continues to be a strong advocate for finding a more sustainable growth framework for Calgary.

Waste and recycling

Druh Farrell initiated a study for curbside recycling in 2002, which resulted in the highly successful Blue Cart program and more recently the residential Black Carts. Next steps in this recycling initiative are:

• Design a food and yard waste pilot program for 2012.
• Work with the private sector to increase opportunities for multi-family residences, as 22% of recycled material from multi-family residences ends up in the landfill.

Food and yard waste, when they break down in the landfill, produce methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent then carbon dioxide. It is important that the City work toward its 80/20 Recycling Target (80% of waste diverted, 20% to landfill), as Alberta Environment may institute mandatory financial penalties for landfill greenhouse gas emissions.

Accomplishments toward The City's 80/20 Recycling Target to date are:

• Residential waste diversion has nearly doubled to 40% since introducing Blue Cart recycling.
• Food and yard waste is the largest diversion opportunity, as it represents 57% of the remaining residential waste; a focus on diverting these materials will achieve the most progress toward the targeted 80% diversion.
• Composting is a preferred approach to managing food and yard waste.

Secondary suites

Photo courtesy of JohnBentley.ca

Legalized secondary suites provide benefits to both home owners and renters, if done properly. Other Canadian cities have successfully implemented a similar policy on secondary suites with no sharp increase in the number of applications for a secondary suite.

Legalizing secondary suites offers the following benefits to homeowners:

• Provides some mortgage assistance to new home buyers.
• Allows existing homeowners a way to supplement mortgage payments and operating costs.
• Enables seniors on a fixed income to age in place.

Legalizing secondary suites offers the following benefits to renters:

• Increases affordable housing options without the need for government subsidies
• Provides safe accommodations that meet building and safety codes.

Issues that need to be addressed:

• Absentee landlords who do not maintain the property in adherence with the community’s standards and the City’s bylaws.
• Renters occupying all of the available on-street parking. This can be addressed through parking permits, and reviewing the parking situation prior to legalizing secondary suites.
• Tracking homes with legalized suites, and ensuring the conditions under which the suite was legalized are maintained (i.e. owner occupation remains after a sale). This can be addressed in a number of different ways, and needs further investigation.
• Enforcement of bylaw adherence and inspections by City officers. Ideally with legalized suites, there will be less need for bylaw services to address issues related to illegal suites, so that resources can be redirected appropriately.

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Fluoride

After sixty years of water fluoridation, it remains an emotional and divisive issue around the world. In May 2011, Council voted to remove fluoride from Calgary’s water system. Druh Farrell's motion to remove fluoride, which was signed by nine of her Council colleagues, included a resolution to redirect funds currently spent on fluoride to provide a more targeted approach to improve dental health issues for children living in poverty.

While compelling scientific evidence exists both for and against water fluoridation, the basic questions – is it safe, is it ethical, and is it effective – became the real issue. At the same time, alternative options to water fluoridation are readily available, such as fluoridated toothpaste, dental treatments, and tablets.

Many have asked why Council did not refer the decision to an expert panel. The panel offered to Council had already stated their support of water fluoridation. The City of Calgary established an expert panel in 1998 and agreed to reduce the level of fluoride to 0.7 mg/L because of a dissenting member who wanted it removed entirely. The reduced levels adopted by Calgary have just recently been adopted across North America, which demonstrates that the science is still developing, and the safe levels are not fully understood.

Scientific American published an interesting

article in January 2008.

The Globe and Mail published articles both for and against fluoridation. The debate continues...

 

 

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This content represents the personal views and opinions of the Ward Alderman and should not be taken as a statement of policy of The City of Calgary. The inclusion of any external content does not imply endorsement by The City of Calgary.

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