Fall 2024 Newsletter

Greetings Ward 14!

Council is back to meeting, as we enter the home stretch of 2024. It is a busy time, and I am sure there will be lots to talk about in the coming months. Since there was no newsletter for September, this one will be extra packed. Here we go…

Council Meeting Vote Dashboard

Did you know there is a place to find the results of all Council votes and how your Councillor voted?

Well, there is. It is called the Council Meeting Vote Dashboard. You can find it by clicking right HERE.

Homeowner Water Guide Fall Checklist

Wondering how to prepare your home for winter? The Homeowner Water Guide Fall Checklist is a great place to start. You’ll find reminders and tips like:

• Check your toilets, taps, humidifier, hot water heater, water softener and other water using devices for leaks.
• Turn off your outdoor water supply and winterize your irrigation system to avoid winter leaks.
• Check the Watering 101 Guides to find out when to stop watering plants, shrubs, trees, and lawns.
• Leave plant debris in plant beds over winter to provide habitat for pollinators.

When it comes to residential and household leaks, toilets, faucets and outdoor irrigation are the most common culprits. Our library of Homeowner Water Guides offers step-by-step guidance to identify and repair leaks in our homes, ideas to improve water efficiency and tips to prepare yards for winter.

To find everything you need, including the Fall Checklist, visit calgary.ca/waterguide.

Fire Prevention Week: Are Your Smoke Alarms Ready to Save Lives?

Fire Prevention Week is coming on October 6 and this year the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is focusing on one of the most vital tools in home fire safety: working smoke alarms. The CFD is urging everyone to make sure their smoke alarms are up to the task of protecting their homes and loved ones.

Smoke alarms are more than just devices; they’re lifesavers. Statistics show that the risk of dying in a home fire is reduced by over 50 per cent when working smoke alarms are present. Despite this, many tragic home fire deaths occur in residences without smoke alarms or with alarms that aren’t functioning. That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!

Here’s what you can do right now to ensure your smoke alarms are ready:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Make sure your smoke alarms meet the needs of everyone in your household, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button.
• If your smoke alarms are 10 years old or don’t respond when tested, it’s time to replace them.

Take a few minutes to check your smoke alarms. A small effort today can save lives tomorrow.

October’s traffic safety focus is Pedestrian Safety

Most pedestrian collisions happen when we’re rushing to get to work, school, an activity or home. Weather conditions and daylight changes in the fall make it harder for people to see.

When driving or cycling, be ready in case pedestrians make unexpected moves.

• Never pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.
• Pay attention to pedestrians when turning.
• Watch for children. Drive cautiously through areas where children could be walking or playing.
• Be patient – especially with seniors or pedestrians with disabilities who need time to cross the road.

For Pedestrians, don’t assume drivers see you. When waiting to cross a road, make sure cars have come to a stop before proceeding. Make eye contact and wave.

• Don’t walk distracted. Keep your head up.
• Walk on sidewalks. If there’s no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• When walking to train stations, look both ways when crossing the tracks and obey traffic signals.
• Use point, pause, proceed to let drivers know you’re entering a crosswalk.

It’s important to teach children how to safely cross the street. Practice safe crossing skills to help them learn how to navigate our streets safely.

• Remind kids not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.
• Help kids to identify and understand car turn signals and back up lights and to be alert for cars turning or backing up.
• Teach kids to put phones, headphones, and devices down when crossing the street.

Home & Small Business Webinars

The City’s live and recorded webinars cover everything you need to know about home renovation requirements, small business best practices, building secondary and backyard suites and more.

For home renovation DIYers, they walk you through topics like building permit types and how to apply, safety code requirements, land use bylaws and tips on how to hire a contractor and prepare for inspections.

Whether you’re a small business owner or thinking about starting one, join as they share best practices for both commercial and home-based businesses and show you how to apply for a business licence and register your business.

If you’re thinking about expanding the capabilities of your property, the webinars outline the steps to develop a secondary or basement suite, covering processes like how to apply for permits, register your suite, legalize a new or existing suite and discuss programs like the Secondary Suite Incentive Program.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/webinars.

City of Calgary launches Secondary Suite Incentive Program

The City of Calgary is introducing the Secondary Suite Incentive Program, an initiative aimed at encouraging safe and accessible housing for Calgarians.

The Secondary Suite Incentive Program is a component of Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy. It provides a qualifying homeowner up to $10,000 to cover a portion of construction costs to develop and register a safe secondary suite.

The incentive applies to suites built within the main dwelling, not for backyard or detached suites. Applications are limited to one per person and you must own the property through the entire process. Qualifying homeowners with an active building permit can apply for the following:

• Egress windows
• Hardwired and interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Protected exiting
• Smoke-tight barriers
• Split heat/separate air

Additional funding is available for accessibility and energy efficiency.

The Secondary Suite Incentive Program is open for applications. Learn more about the program or apply at calgary.ca/suite-incentive.

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Feel free to contact me any time. The best way to contact me is by visiting calgary.ca/contactward14 or calling (403) 268-1653.

Sincerely,

Councillor Peter Demong