June 2022 Newsletter

Hello Ward 14!

I don’t know about you, but I am seriously looking forward to enjoying the vibrant, active summer that has been put on hold for a few years now (he says as he knocks on wood). I want to start this column with a quick correction of something that you might have read in my April column. In it I stated that our “pre-sweeping” of city streets before our full street sweeping campaign saves the city on wastewater treatment. What I meant to say is that is saves money on storm water management, which makes much more sense. Pre-sweeping means less material enters storm drains, and that means less maintenance for the system long term, and less need to send crews out for blockages.

Watershed Areas

Calgary is fortunate to have two rivers and a network of smaller creeks and streams flowing across our city. From supporting clean drinking water and flood resiliency to contributing to biodiversity, they are a defining aspect of our daily lives and a unique characteristic of our city. The Healthy Rivers Story Map allows you to connect with and learn about Calgary’s watersheds, rivers, and riparian areas, and explore actions you can take to protect the health of our rivers. Visit the Healthy Rivers Story Map at https://maps.calgary.ca/HealthyRivers.

To view more City of Calgary maps, please visit the Map Gallery at https://maps.calgary.ca/. 

Seniors’ Week

June 6 to 12 is Seniors’ Week and it’s a great opportunity to show appreciation for older adults and the many contributions they make to our communities through volunteerism, assisting charities and by supporting family members and friends. Seniors’ Week has been recognized since 1986 to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions seniors make to enhancing the quality of life in Alberta.

This year’s theme is ‘Move & Groove - finding inspiration that moves you.’ It aims to inspire Calgarians to find joy through dance, music, and different cultural experiences. A variety of free events will be held in-person, with some online options as well. Events include music and dance performances, drop-in fitness classes, nature walks, cultural celebrations, presentations and more. Participating Seniors’ Week partners include Studio Bell National Music Centre, the Calgary Zoo, Telus Spark, the THIRD ACTion Film Festival and various senior serving organizations.

Visit calgary.ca/seniorsweek for a complete list of activities taking place during Seniors’ Week, as well as the Government of Alberta’s website to learn more about the events planned throughout the province in recognition of older adults.

Bike Index

Bike Index is a free, online registration service for bicycles, but did you know that they have teamed up with the Calgary Police Service to help return stolen bikes?

An important step in returning stolen bikes is that officers require owners to supply them with their bike’s serial number, which unfortunately can escape some owners. By registering a bike with Bike Index, owners are provided easily accessible documentation, including their bike’s serial number, which can be looked up by police and help with the return of their stolen bike.

It is important to note that Bike Index does not replace the need for citizens to report their stolen property to the CPS, however it is an added method to report and recover stolen bikes.

In addition to registering their bike with Bike Index, owners can pick up a Bike Index sticker at local CPS district offices, as well as participating bike shops in Calgary, to connect their bike with their registered user account. As a bonus, Bike Index reports that the stickers also act as a deterrent to thieves.

For more details on the CPS’s partnership with Bike Index and how to register your bike, visit calgary.ca and search ‘Bike Index’, or click here. If you still have questions about using Bike Index, click here and check out their website.

Pay your property tax in installments

The City’s Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) is the most popular way that Calgarians pay their taxes. You pay the same amount as your annual property tax levy, but instead of one lump sum payment in June, you pay smaller monthly instalments. Signing up for TIPP is easy and you don’t need to re-apply each year. There is no filing fee or initial payment required.

Plan enrolment must be completed by the due date shown on your bill to avoid a late payment penalty. To request your TIPP agreement, go to calgary.ca/TIPP or call 311. If calling from outside Calgary dial 403-268-2489 to request your agreement. If you’re already on TIPP, you can visit calgary.ca/TIPP to learn how your monthly TIPP instalments are calculated and adjusted.

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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.

-Councillor Peter Demong