Ward 2 Town Hall Minutes

Earlier this month, we hosted a Ward 2 Town Hall, bringing residents together to discuss key local issues like traffic safety, snow removal, taxes, and community development. It was a great opportunity to connect, hear your concerns, and work together toward solutions that make our neighborhoods stronger. Read on for a summary of the meeting and what was discussed.

Ward 2 Town Hall Minutes

Date: November 7, 2024
Location: Ranchlands Community Association Hall
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Attendees:

• Councillor Jennifer Wyness and staff
• City Representatives:
  •  Jim Fraser, NW District Manager, Calgary Mobility department
  • Chris Jacyk, Finance Manager, Corporate Budget Office, Calgary Finance department
  • Les Tocher, Acting Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, Corporate Financial and Planning Services department
• Ward 2 Residents

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Councillor Jennifer Wyness and staff, who welcomed attendees and provided an overview of the evening’s agenda.

2. Discussion Topics: Open Floor for Questions

Attendees participated in a Q&A session, raising additional concerns and seeking clarification on topics discussed.

2.1 Traffic

• Concerns raised about traffic flow and congestion in various areas.
• Concerns raised about speeding and pedestrian safety in residential areas.
• Discussion of measures to enhance road safety, particularly at busy intersections. This included traffic calming measures, including better crosswalk signage in busy areas, snow clearance measures.

2.2 Snow Removal

• Residents expressed concerns regarding clearing timelines in residential areas, efficiency of contractors.
• Reviewed the City’s snow removal prioritization plan.
• Encouraged use of the 311 service to report trouble spots, problem with service providers (residents encouraged to provide as much detail as possible to help City staff ID date, time, issue with contractors).

2.3 311 Services

• Residents provided feedback on the effectiveness of the 311 service, including issues with accessibility on app and phone, intuitiveness of interface and responsiveness of 311 office.
• Highlighted features of the 311 app and emphasized its role in reporting issues like potholes, garbage collection, streetlight outages, snow removal, and other seasonal and specific issues that require a ticket and follow-up.

2.4 Water Break

• Recent water break incident discussed, including response times and repair processes.
• Reviewed ongoing infrastructure investments aimed at minimizing future disruptions, including independent review of City’s response.

2.5 Taxes and Budget 2025

• Discussed property taxes and the alignment of the upcoming Budget 2025 with community priorities.
• Residents shared input on the City’s financial planning and its focus on infrastructure and services. Residents expressed desire for City to focus on core necessities, cut taxes and keep cost of living low.

2.6 Rezoning

• Discussed rezoning vote from spring, clarified impact on Ward 2 and heard feedback from residents.
• Explained how community feedback influences rezoning decisions and ongoing development projects.

3. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned around 8:30 with closing remarks from Councillor Wyness, who thanked residents for their input and encouraged continued engagement.

Follow-Up Actions:

• Assess and address specific traffic safety concerns in residential areas.
• Continue to communicate updates on snow removal and road projects.
• Share relevant information on Budget 2025 progress and rezoning developments.

For further questions or feedback, please contact the Ward 2 team at ward2@calgary.ca. Subscribe to our newsletter here or bookmark our webpage for updates on future town halls.