January 2024 Newsletter
Hello Ward 14!
Happy New Year to all of you! We are now in the second half of this Council term, and I want to take a moment to thank all of you who take the time to read my online column. I try to fill it with information that you will find useful. I am also happy to hear any suggestions you may have to make it more interesting.
Calgary’s Housing Strategy – Continued...
Rather than giving you the next edition of “How to use the City of Calgary website” as originally promised, I am going to go off book to bring you some recent and pertinent information in this valuable space.
Calgary’s Housing Strategy was approved in principle in 2023, but there are still elements that need to be completed. Since this was understandably a very hot topic when it began, I want to make sure that the people of Ward 14 are on top of what is going on.
I am sure interest will ramp up as we move closer to decision points in the spring. For now, information on the project, including opportunities to provide input, can be found at calgary.ca/rezoningforhousing. Have a look, provide input where you can, and stay tuned for more.
Online map shows Calgary’s snow and ice road conditions
Winter is in full force, which means a potential for snowfall in the city. The Snow and Ice Road Conditions map shows the process of snow clearing operations, locations of snowplows, priority routes and visuals of road conditions from traffic camera images. This map is found at https://maps.calgary.ca/RoadConditions/.
To view more City of Calgary maps, please visit the Map Gallery at https://mapgallery.calgary.ca/.
Explore Calgary parks this winter
Winter makes it possible to enjoy Calgary parks differently than during any other season. Many cold-weather park activities are also free with minimal equipment needed. Only in winter can you skate on outdoor rinks, marvel at beautifully lit ice trails, play Crokicurl and ride an ice bike in our parks. You can plan an afternoon at your local community park snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. For easier skiing, you can visit a park or golf course that has groomed cross-country trails. You can take a walk through a park on a sunny winter day, where you are sure to see birds and other wildlife. You can also pre-book an outdoor firepit at a park and have a winter picnic with friends.
For more ideas about how to stay active during cooler temperatures at city parks, visit https://www.calgary.ca/events/winter-city/activities.html.
Assessment Notices
The property assessment Customer Review Period is here. It is an annual thing. This means that property owners will have received their notices in the mail showing this year’s assessed value for their property. The value provides the basis for finding what portion of the City’s property tax levy you will pay.
For that reason, it is important to double-check your assessed value and the details used to produce it. The assessment department does a great job following all the legislation and professional standards that govern their work, but if they have incorrect information about your property, they can’t assess your property correctly.
Check the details you receive in your assessment notice. If you see something you think is incorrect, or just have questions, please reach out to the assessment department. You can still formally contest your assessment if you still do not agree.
The Customer Review Period runs from Jan. 3 to March 11. You can contact Assessment at 403.268.2888 weekdays from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with your questions and concerns. The City also offers online resources and tools at calgary.ca/assessment and Assessment Search.
Go Paperless contest – more prizes, less clutter
If you make the change to receive a paperless assessment notice (eNotice) you can then enter for a chance to win one of four Visa gift cards valued at $250 each. After you sign-up for eNotice, you will receive an email with the contest entry link. Just complete the form and you are entered. The contest is open to new and existing eNotice subscribers.
There is no purchase necessary. The contest begins Jan. 3, and ends March 31. Your odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received during the contest period. To win, a potential winner must correctly answer a skill-testing question and sign a declaration and release form. The contest is open to Alberta residents over the age of majority and subject to the full contest rules available online at calgary.ca/gopaperless.
Submit a nomination for the 30th Annual Calgary Awards by Jan. 31
Do you know a neighbour, colleague, community leader, local group or company that makes Calgary an incredible place to live, work and play? Then consider nominating them for a Calgary Award.
For thirty incredible years the Calgary Awards have recognized outstanding individuals and organizations whose exceptional achievements and contributions make life better for Calgarians.
Award categories include:
- The Community Achievement Awards:
- Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement
- Calgarian of the Year (previously Citizen of the Year)
- Arts
- Community Advocate – Individual
- Community Advocate – Organization
- Commerce – under review
- Education
- Heritage
- Youth
- The Award for Accessibility
- The Environmental Achievement Award
- The International Achievement Award
The nomination process is easy – follow the steps outlined at calgary.ca/calgaryawards and submit your nomination by Jan. 31.
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Watch our previously recorded webinars
Are you looking to renovate your basement or open a business in Calgary? If so then you should watch our growing library of recorded webinars on calgary.ca/webinar. Webinars are hosted through Microsoft Teams.
If you have attended one of our webinars, you should also let us know how we did by completing our survey. Your feedback will help shape future webinars and all answers will be anonymous!
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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
Categories: Newsletter