[15:49] Sorry, I didn't know I wasn't live. I thought we were all on. Should I start over? You're fine. Okay. So we've got Councillor Tweetle, Councillor, why don't you have a move that we move you into closed session and all those in favor?

[16:05] Thank you very much. We'll move into closed and I do think we'll be an hour and a half to two hours.

[16:12] And I've been proven wrong before.

[2:02:44] I think I have them over here.

[2:02:52] Okay, good afternoon, council and welcome to members of the public who have joined us for our agenda today. I feel like we're a little echoey in here. It's a little bit hard to get used to, among other things, our physical placements. So bear with us just because we're in a new space for today. I want to just run through a few safety procedures. If you need assistance during the meeting, please speak with a member of ledge services team who's here.

[2:03:18] Maybe I'll just ask a ledge services to raise hands so you kind of see where they're at.

[2:03:22] The room I think over here in the corner behind to my left, your right.

[2:03:26] Watchrooms are located on this floor to the right from the gyms entrance.

[2:03:31] And first aid kits are available on this floor.

[2:03:34] An automated external defibrillator is located on the fourth floor.

[2:03:38] A little bit of a sprint to get there.

[2:03:41] And then if we do need to evacuate, please go through the Northeastern stairwell or the gyms main doors

[2:03:47] to where the West exit.

[2:03:48] Do not use elevators or see to the master point in the pavilion on the west side of the building.

[2:03:53] And if someone cannot use stairs or needs assistance to staff members, we'll remain with

[2:03:58] you until emergency services arrives.

[2:04:01] In the event of severe weather, the city clerk will direct everyone to the level of two stairwell.

[2:04:06] We'll huddle there.

[2:04:09] Thank you.

[2:04:14] We'll back to my beginning page here.

[2:04:17] I will entertain points of interest now Council does anyone have anything and we'll have to indicate by

[2:04:26] have not logged in right now so if you have a speaking point please raise your hand from anybody

[2:04:33] Councillor Goodwin.

[2:04:37] Thank you Mayor and thanks everybody.

[2:04:40] It was a fantastic weekend at the air show.

[2:04:44] I got a chance and I know other people are going to be able to share stories because it was such an incredible opportunity to showcase

[2:04:50] what city of Red Deer, the Red Deer Regional Airport and the region of Red Deer has to offer

[2:04:57] and really demonstrate family, friendly, fun all the way around, incredible entertainment and really quite thrilling stunts.

[2:05:08] And I was really impressed and I think that overall it went off quite well.

[2:05:13] So I'm looking forward to hearing some of the reports of successes from the business perspective as well.

[2:05:21] That's all. Thank you. I'm going to go to Councilor Cron.

[2:05:25] So it's deputy mayor. I got to do quite a few pancake breakfasts.

[2:05:29] I understand in the community there was 28.

[2:05:31] So I managed to make it to 15. I felt pretty proud of that.

[2:05:34] I haven't had pancake sense.

[2:05:37] But and just to be able to be a part of Western days and the incredible show and the great amount of work that goes into that.

[2:05:44] I understand our partners at Western Parker here today.

[2:05:46] And so congratulations to them on putting on a pretty incredible event.

[2:05:50] The other exciting piece that I got to do is Deputy Mayor's on Saturday, I got to open

[2:05:54] praise in the park at Bauer Ponds, which a number of churches come together to sing worship

[2:05:58] ponds and fill Bauer Ponds with praise, and so that was pretty special to be able to do

[2:06:03] as well.

[2:06:05] Thank you very much.

[2:06:06] I'm looking for hands if you'd like to add two points of interest.

[2:06:12] Seeing any, I'll just add one.

[2:06:13] I don't think I've had a chance to tell Council about this at all yesterday I had the opportunity

[2:06:19] to go to RDP and have lunch with a group of about 50 students who were invited to participate

[2:06:26] in a program called Shad. And it's an actual four-week program where students who are in either

[2:06:33] going into grade 11 or going into grade 12 get to come and participate in some programming,

[2:06:39] live and read your four a month, essentially, most of them were from Ontario, Quebec,

[2:06:46] Other provinces other than Alberta, and this is the first time that a polytechnic has participated in the Shad program, and so usually it's a university, full fledged university where students are headed to.

[2:07:01] Just a wonderful opportunity to hear students talk about our community and about their experience and their love for the polytechnic and the things that they learned about that space while they're here.

[2:07:11] So a number of RDP faculty participated for the four-week program, and so just really interesting

[2:07:18] opportunity to see that.

[2:07:21] I didn't know that that occurred, so students are participating based on application and

[2:07:27] interviews, so it's a program they apply.

[2:07:34] Thank you very much, Mayor Jeffries. Just a bit of memory being in this particular location. This is the school that I went to for grades one to six and some good memories here. I also had a chance to work as an educational system here too. So that was great as well.

[2:07:51] I sure appreciate all that happened during Westerner days, bringing our community together.

[2:07:57] I also want to just acknowledge and recognize the opportunity that we had as the Westerner

[2:08:02] Board to meet with the Premier in regards to some of the priorities that we have for Westerner

[2:08:07] Park, as well as Minister Boy Chanko's responsible for tourism, and that was also a good visit

[2:08:14] in regards to it. I also want to just highlight to the yesterday we had the opportunity to go to

[2:08:20] last or recovery, a really important facility in our community and really for across the province

[2:08:27] and providing addiction support for many people. I know I have been there before, but I

[2:08:31] know my colleagues who were there for the first time were really impressed and the important

[2:08:35] work that they are doing about that as well. And also had an opportunity to go to mustard seed

[2:08:41] and what was most exciting about that is the transitional housing that they've been able to put

[2:08:46] the place working with the community and providing the services that many of those are needing

[2:08:52] and it was just a positive and very exciting project that they've done and thank them very

[2:08:56] much for that important work. Thank you. Thank you. Any other members of Council Councillor Curtis,

[2:09:02] please? Bottom of your mic, you'll find your on switch. It might be live already.

[2:09:13] I think you just

[2:09:18] that was attended by some of Council, that wasn't mentioned as the RDP Syntak expansion.

[2:09:24] And that's going to be an incredible opportunity for RDP and our city when it comes to showcasing

[2:09:30] some incredible talents. So I just wanted to mention that event as well.

[2:09:36] Thank you very much, Council. For your points of interest and for being out and about in the

[2:09:40] community and certainly lots of excitement between the Westerner days and the air show for

[2:09:45] on some pretty big events for our community. Now we'll move counsel to the consent agenda

[2:09:54] before you items 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of a mover

[2:10:04] at sea hands.

[2:10:07] Else they're white.

[2:10:13] She's trying to move her in second. Do we separate now, Mayor?

[2:10:16] Yes, you can separate now. I would like you to I'd like to sever the

[2:10:20] size mayor's caucus summit coming in right here please. Okay, so that's the second.

[2:10:26] Well, let's on our agenda. Okay. And Councillor Cron. I'd like to sever item 4.3.

[2:10:32] Thank you.

[2:10:34] I do in 4.3 have been severed. Anything else, Council? That leaves confirmation of the

[2:10:41] July 14 Council meeting minutes. Any questions, comments on that? All those in favor?

[2:10:51] I'm sorry. I'm seeing all hands. So that's everyone. Thank you. Oh, there's the vote's coming up now.

[2:10:58] I'm a favor. Thanks, Councilor Wanches. We know you can't get logged in.

[2:11:03] So I'll go first to the mid-sized city mayors caucus and it's been severed by Councilor Wanches.

[2:11:09] You have a question or something on that. Just a comment, Mayor.

[2:11:12] It's coming to our city in September 16 to 18.

[2:11:15] and we often compete with other cities to be able to have this in red deer.

[2:11:19] And then one of you, if you can just speak to reports,

[2:11:22] speaks about speaking about priorities as municipalities,

[2:11:27] the regional benefits.

[2:11:28] If you can speak to your participation on this forum

[2:11:31] and the value of it coming to our city.

[2:11:33] Thank you.

[2:11:34] Definitely need to share the spotlight.

[2:11:39] If you will with members of staff who've been participating in the planning meetings,

[2:11:44] Jill Haines and Rachel has stepped in city managers been in on a few as and I have as well.

[2:11:51] Lots of work I think Shirley's participated for us as well. Lots of work trying to put together a program that will showcase red deer in a very great way.

[2:12:00] Happens to coincide with the premier's caucus which happens in the in Fort McMurray.

[2:12:06] So we're trying to work out the agenda in the best way possible.

[2:12:09] will be able to have a number of representatives including Minister Williams here as part of the agenda.

[2:12:17] The whole idea is to wear and when we can, we'll showcase red deer and some of the

[2:12:22] special things that we've got happening here and some of the new developments as well as

[2:12:26] have an opportunity on subsessions. I know there'll be a panel on affordability. I believe there's

[2:12:30] to be a panel on municipal crown corporations, few other sessions, and we will be having dinner

[2:12:39] at Heritage Ranch one evening for delegates as well.

[2:12:45] So lots to offer, lots of opportunities to network and learn about Red Deer.

[2:12:52] Showcase some of the things we've got going on here.

[2:12:56] Thank you.

[2:12:57] Thank you.

[2:12:58] And thanks for severing that.

[2:13:01] Councillor Cron, you have severed the transportation

[2:13:05] highway improvements.

[2:13:07] Yeah, recognizing that.

[2:13:08] This has been quite a big discussion

[2:13:10] in our community, and that there is

[2:13:11] a presentation from administration.

[2:13:13] I do have a motion to put forward around this

[2:13:14] and give some direction to administration.

[2:13:18] Thank you.

[2:13:18] I guess we'll go to that,

[2:13:22] so I can get that brought up.

[2:13:24] And I'm just like, I can introduce it.

[2:13:26] Thank you.

[2:13:26] We'll pull that up.

[2:13:30] How's sir, brispoir?

[2:13:32] Do you have a second?

[2:13:34] Seconding?

[2:13:34] Thank you.

[2:13:39] How's Sir Kron when you're set when it's ready?

[2:13:41] You just go ahead.

[2:13:42] Yeah, I'll speak to him as on the screen.

[2:13:53] That's on the

[2:13:59] screen.

[2:13:59] OK.

[2:14:01] So it's a four-part motion, but it's

[2:14:03] they're kind of encapsulated a bunch of different pieces in here

[2:14:05] that just to recognize that the expansion and the widening

[2:14:09] and the four lanes of the QVD.

[2:14:10] I think people might be having trouble hearing you,

[2:14:12] so I don't know what.

[2:14:13] I mean, I can see myself echoing.

[2:14:15] Yeah, I know you're echoing, but I'm watching people

[2:14:17] on the audience, straining to hear you.

[2:14:19] So I'm not sure if it's getting closer to your mic.

[2:14:21] All right.

[2:14:23] So I'm trying to, wow, that's really echoing.

[2:14:26] OK.

[2:14:28] I'm recognizing that we've had lots of discussions

[2:14:30] for over a year with the Ministry of Transportation

[2:14:33] economic corridors that they've done multiple public presentations,

[2:14:37] which have been essentially unchanged in the last two

[2:14:40] last year, that they've done them,

[2:14:42] that this is a priority for the government.

[2:14:44] This is something that they want to do.

[2:14:46] And every time they do a public presentation,

[2:14:48] I get calls from people that are really concerned about the safety.

[2:14:51] Really recognizing that this is the most dangerous section.

[2:14:55] I have no people that live in Sylvan Lake and work in red deer that will drive through the city.

[2:15:00] In wintertime, that this curve around the eastern park is really dangerous. And that this is something

[2:15:05] that the government wants to do. There's a challenge here that the eastern park is a really

[2:15:09] special park for us. I was there last week and it was a couple of years ago that I've actually

[2:15:14] seen a white moose in the eastern park. This is one of my favorite spots in red deer. Recognizing

[2:15:20] this is a really valuable piece for our community. Our community values are parks in our trails

[2:15:25] so much. But this is the piece that the province is moving on this. So my motion is trying to balance

[2:15:31] safety and the environmental peace and really specifically wanting administration that if this project

[2:15:38] does go forward to work with administration around the restoration of lost trees and wetlands and

[2:15:44] wildlife corridors and other pieces of those environmental thing which the province has talked about

[2:15:51] maintaining a bunch of that and doing those things as well, but also giving administration the

[2:15:56] recognition that we need to go and negotiate this out.

[2:16:00] That expropriation is possible, but we need to go look for what adequate reasonable fair

[2:16:05] compensation for Parkland for really, really special Parkland in our community is and

[2:16:11] wanting to put that forward and wanting to find a way to do this and that adding some pieces

[2:16:16] to bring this back on September 1st, that administration wants clear negotiating mandate as we set them up,

[2:16:24] and then to have the mayor have a meeting with the Minister of Transportation Economic

[2:16:28] Corridor. It was the next month to find a way to see what that looks like, the mayor

[2:16:33] to minister, and to start that conversation in a good way.

[2:16:38] Thank you, Councillor Cron, Councillor Brisbane, as the seconder did you want to speak to

[2:16:41] this at this point, or didn't have any questions, but I could offer comments now if you

[2:16:46] if you want that at the end. Let's see if there's any questions and I'm recognizing that there is a

[2:16:51] report in our agenda and there may be some questions. Council has regarding that.

[2:16:56] Anyone have questions on the report as presented? Councillor Whiteress?

[2:17:01] Thank you, Mayor. In June, the provincial government to organize the public session in our community.

[2:17:07] And I'm just wondering if we'll have any further conversations with them from their

[2:17:11] learnings and or the question one of the questions that was at the session was raised was about

[2:17:15] Indigenous consultation and anything that we can learn from that as well prior to us making

[2:17:21] any specific decisions or directions. Thank you. Seeing City Manager moved toward her

[2:17:28] mic the buttons right by your thumb. I think you're on actually your life. Can you hear me? Thank you.

[2:17:38] So when it comes to the sessions that were held, we have not received a what we heard report from the province as to summarizing what they learned from that consultation.

[2:17:52] In regards to the indigenous consultation, our administration has been preparing a list of indigenous contacts to be able to provide to the province and encourage that that consultation happened.

[2:18:12] So I look at this as next steps for our city in terms of, for me, it's the question to negotiate or not to negotiate.

[2:18:20] And I'm just wondering if city manager can review what land rights we have, what land rights the provincial government has in terms of next steps.

[2:18:30] Thank you.

[2:18:31] Thank you for the question and through the mayor. We tried to detail some of this in page 19 of your agenda today.

[2:18:39] And that is in regards to that third bullet where it speaks about expropriation.

[2:18:44] Expropriation is a tool that the province, as well as municipalities, have in order to be able to build roads and infrastructure within the province.

[2:18:54] And it's a very technical process that ends when or begins when we have two parties that try to negotiate and they can't come to as type of settlement.

[2:19:06] What then happens under expropriation and in this case, it would be the province that would file an expropriation application.

[2:19:14] That is then heard by a tribunal.

[2:19:17] There are expropriation principles that are covered in the act and it becomes a very objective process.

[2:19:24] And what they often do is they, it takes a lot of time.

[2:19:29] And at the end of the day, they try to come to some middle ground compromise.

[2:19:34] But oftentimes, based on experience, it doesn't feel like a win-win.

[2:19:39] and that by finding the middle ground, often both parties feel in a loose loose, but the

[2:19:45] province does have that right. If we choose not to negotiate to expropriate these lands.

[2:19:53] Thank you, City Manager. From our past experience of red your history, is it advisable to go

[2:19:59] through expropriation or is it best that we be at the table in terms of our direction and where

[2:20:04] want to go. Thank you for the question. It is always our last choice to do an

[2:20:10] expropriation process because often what happens is the parties end up in a poor

[2:20:18] relationship and it takes a lot of time as well as it doesn't consider some of the

[2:20:25] other factors that often we like to have an negotiation. In my experience

[2:20:33] We often get a judgment from the tribunal and that judgment can go in our favor or often times

[2:20:42] it doesn't.

[2:20:43] But it's much better to negotiate rather than have lose your decision-making and your influence

[2:20:49] and give that up to a tribunal.

[2:20:52] Thank you very much.

[2:20:53] And then my final question is just citizens are still sending emails and correspondence

[2:20:58] to us as as as as consult, but I'm wondering is there still openness from the province to receive

[2:21:04] comments from our citizens?

[2:21:08] So, thank you for the question.

[2:21:10] This is a government of Alberta project.

[2:21:12] I know sometimes it's perceived that it is a city project, but this is funded and it is led by the

[2:21:21] And so if comments want to be provided, I would encourage to send them into the province.

[2:21:29] We have been receiving many comments and I see in the resolution that there is a meeting

[2:21:38] the mayor may be asked to have and those are things that the mayor could share as part

[2:21:42] of that meeting, but I'll let the mayor speak to that.

[2:21:45] Thank you.

[2:21:45] Those are my questions here.

[2:21:49] Thank you.

[2:21:51] Councillor.

[2:21:51] Thank you, Mayor Jeffries. My question is just in terms of time frames. Is there

[2:21:57] confidence that we will be able to meet a range of meeting with Minister before September

[2:22:01] 1st meeting, and if that isn't able to be arranged, how do we move forward on this resolution?

[2:22:09] It's a really good question. We know that it's August or soon to be, and maybe difficult to nail

[2:22:15] down and I suppose we intentionally could sort that out this week, we'll have make our best

[2:22:23] effort. And I don't know if we want to consider a fallback plan if that's not possible,

[2:22:28] Recognizing our first media

[2:22:30] I think back in September 1, I think.

[2:22:33] My second question was to administration speaking to that September 1, agenda, assuming that it's going to be a lengthy break that agenda will likely be fairly full.

[2:22:41] I'm just wondering if it makes sense to add in point 3 to make it not so timestamp for September 1, maybe give us a little more grace and say by the end of September, which gives us some ability to maneuver with that.

[2:22:54] Because I think that meeting with the minister could really reveal a lot of things as to how we move forward and a lot of information that will be helpful on how we come to a bit of decision point.

[2:23:07] Looks like that's a possibility.

[2:23:10] I would agree.

[2:23:11] I think it could be difficult to nail it down prior to the end of August, so.

[2:23:16] Let's see.

[2:23:18] How's it, Cron?

[2:23:20] The intent was to be able to move forward on this quicker rather than later, but if

[2:23:25] if Calts will want ceases by the end of September for both of us to item, I think we can do that.

[2:23:31] I think we could move forward on the first, you know, the soonest date we can get.

[2:23:36] This would give us flexibility to go a little longer otherwise, as you say, we're in a bit of a

[2:23:40] dead end.

[2:23:41] Yeah, I think it's important we have a decision point by October for sure, but I also don't

[2:23:45] us to try and jump the gun and for something through, especially in August, it's very difficult

[2:23:50] to set up meetings, set up timeframes. And so it's not really, it's not pushing it down the road

[2:23:55] a whole lot in terms of we want to get this sort of out in September and move forward in a good

[2:24:00] way. So it's just giving a little more grace period. I appreciate that, recognizing we have three

[2:24:04] meetings in September as well. So I think that's fine. Thank you for that. Do you have anything else

[2:24:10] I don't know if it makes sense to just propose an amendment to change the wording in point three to added.

[2:24:18] Instead of having an added September 1st Council meeting to add it to a future agenda before October 1st.

[2:24:26] I don't know if that's wording that City Clerk can work with or if that makes sense.

[2:24:33] Yes, consider friendly.

[2:24:34] And so you're friendly.

[2:24:36] Indie by the end of queue.

[2:24:37] Whatever queue we're into.

[2:24:39] That's cleaner.

[2:24:40] End of September.

[2:24:41] End of September.

[2:24:42] Yeah.

[2:24:43] Yeah.

[2:24:43] That works.

[2:24:44] Thank you.

[2:24:46] Councillor Tweedle.

[2:24:49] Thank you.

[2:24:49] Just a question for administration.

[2:24:51] If Council were to direct administration to pursue negotiation, what that would look like

[2:24:56] as far as who would be negotiating with who within our city to the government.

[2:25:03] So through the mayor.

[2:25:04] I believe that first step in the negotiation would be what is listed, I think, in point number four or five,

[2:25:11] where the mayor is to meet with the minister. And then the details of that negotiation would be between

[2:25:18] administration to administration. The negotiation mandate will be set by council. So if we are

[2:25:27] without outside of that mandate, or we need a different mandate, then we would be coming back to council.

[2:25:33] As well, when it comes to land and how the process goes with it, there may be additional

[2:25:41] requirements under the MGA that we need to have in front of council.

[2:25:47] And so this really starts, which could be a long process and have many different steps

[2:25:55] depending on how it proceeds.

[2:26:00] You're a good councilor tweedle.

[2:26:01] Thank you.

[2:26:02] Anybody else on this side?

[2:26:04] I'm related to Councillor Tweedle's question. I'm curious about our bargaining position.

[2:26:13] And obviously a conversation between myself and the minister would be a starting point.

[2:26:18] And then a conversation with council in a future workshop, closed session.

[2:26:23] I guess if I'm a member of the public I'm feeling where's my opportunity in that recognizing we have heard quite a bit from the public through the provinces process and we're looking for their what they heard report.

[2:26:38] Can you speak to that at all.

[2:26:41] Where would the public come back into the fold if you will.

[2:26:47] So through the mayor, we have been receiving a number of letters and comments from our citizens on this issue.

[2:26:57] And so council and administration are always listening and hearing those comments.

[2:27:02] So as we proceed through the negotiation, know that administration has heard them and council.

[2:27:09] When it comes to the MGA, if we are to go through this process to transfer or dispose of land, we are required to advertise that.

[2:27:24] And to be able to, there are some terms of the MGA under that as well.

[2:27:30] If we are to do the final title and survey plan reviews and there's any affected reserve

[2:27:39] land as defined in the MGA, we may be required to have a public hearing at that point.

[2:27:45] And that's where the public would be able to be part of that process.

[2:27:50] Okay.

[2:27:50] Thank you.

[2:27:51] I do have a couple of other questions related to the report and wondering about a few

[2:27:57] pieces. I'm not sure what year it was. May have been tied to the city's Centennial in 2013

[2:28:04] that we did upgrades and a significant amount of investment to Mask of a Tune Park.

[2:28:09] You have a dollar value of that. I'm looking at the numbers of the, you know, the assessment

[2:28:13] of the value of what the province is looking to take as far as highway development. And so

[2:28:20] I'm wondering if we've considered that if we have that number available, or I guess for sure

[2:28:25] should we have that number when we come back to council at the future date?

[2:28:32] Sound to coming from everywhere.

[2:28:36] Through you.

[2:28:37] You're okay.

[2:28:40] We have done a little bit of research on that.

[2:28:42] And it's in the annual report of 2013.

[2:28:47] I believe it was a budget of about 2.3 million.

[2:28:51] And I think actuals came out quite a bit less than that.

[2:28:54] But one point, between one point five and two, and so I can't actually confirm whether or not it was granted or fully city funded yet, but I could come back with that in March.

[2:29:06] In my mind, doesn't really matter if it was granted or city funded.

[2:29:10] It's an investment made in our park system and that should be reflected in whatever number we arrive at.

[2:29:16] The other piece I contemplated as I read through the report is

[2:29:22] thinking that if our negotiations end up in a position where the current proposed

[2:29:28] alignments holds true,

[2:29:33] I was wondering about the value of what would remain

[2:29:36] of our part, particularly the mask of a tune part, recognizing that it would

[2:29:42] have significant reduction in size. And so I think of it today and think of

[2:29:48] value today, and then I wonder about how well it functions as a part if it is shrunk, and

[2:29:57] the value of it, the value that it would be then to our...

[2:30:00] Our ask-soup park system at that point, and if we've reflected on that piece at this point or not.

[2:30:09] We've certainly reflected on the impacts to our tree canopy and of the water area and any of the walking paths and trails that were built as part of that renovation and any impacts that are physical.

[2:30:26] There's other things such as noise attenuation, should there be the highway closer to housing or that park or different things that you could consider afterwards.

[2:30:35] We haven't done the analysis on so we'll have some people look into functionality and how the community will impact or how the change will be felt once you're in this space for your September conversation.

[2:30:46] My last question, I think, is have you, as a administration, had any discussion with

[2:30:54] transportation departments, the engineering team on a suggestion that was made at one

[2:30:59] of the public sessions that the government held, with respect to the suggestion that

[2:31:06] it reducing this edespec at the back in the design guidelines, but I think it was suggested

[2:31:13] If we reduce it to 125 versus the proposed 130 kilometers speed spec, that we wouldn't have to take so much of the park.

[2:31:23] And so have you had conversations with their team on that possibility and the feasibility of that.

[2:31:31] So that was also a question that came up at the open house that was held at Festival Hall.

[2:31:38] And in our conversations with the province, they've been very much about building to the ideal design and to look to this horizon of that, you know, 25 years plus if they're making this large of an investment.

[2:31:56] As you go forward and if this resolution passes, I think that is a question you could ask, Mayor,

[2:32:05] at your meeting with the minister, and to get some of that clarification posted on their website,

[2:32:12] because you're getting questions as the city, but I think for your own information,

[2:32:17] it would be good to hear that directly from the province as well.

[2:32:21] Thank you.

[2:32:22] Any other questions?

[2:32:24] comments? I bring up that resolution. Again, perhaps,

[2:32:34] please. Also, do you have comments

[2:32:35] on this? Councillor Conda, do you want to leave?

[2:32:39] I'll close. Councillor Brisbane.

[2:32:42] Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate Councillor Cron, bringing this forward. I think that it offers

[2:32:49] the balance of what you realize of the importance of this park is. But at the same time,

[2:32:56] also realizing that we have to be pragmatic about how we approach this.

[2:33:01] This problem is going to move forward and we better be along with them or at least in front

[2:33:07] of them to be able to get the proper compensation that's required for the loss of this part

[2:33:15] of this park.

[2:33:16] So I appreciate the approach, and I'm also understand that it is summer and that some of

[2:33:27] to, you know, even if it's just a phone call or something like that within the next month would really get us in a good spot ahead of budget discussions.

[2:33:36] So, I will be voting in favor.

[2:33:40] Thank you. Next on our list is Councillor Weinchus, please.

[2:33:44] Thank you very much.

[2:33:46] I attended the June meeting as to some of my colleagues and the Mayor and certainly heard community concerns and needs.

[2:33:54] And for me, this resolution, and I guess for me, it's when do we get to the table, and when do we ensure that our interests are well represented?

[2:34:04] So, for me, I support the resolution and appreciate Councillor Cran's comments about the safety, the environment, remediation, restoration, and certainly recognizing the value of masculine part to our trail system, to our community.

[2:34:20] And at the same time, recognizing what many of us see as challenges of bridge maintenance that need to be addressed along with how the province proceeds.

[2:34:30] So I also concur with City Manager's comments about expropriation and having lived in red here for many years heard stories about individuals on the end of expropriation and it wasn't to their best interest.

[2:34:44] So being at the table for me is very important, rather than leaving it in the hands of a tribunal.

[2:34:50] So I also think the value of the indigenous conversations are important and that our council

[2:34:54] and the city decision makers as decision makers are kept abreast of those.

[2:34:59] I think it's important for our community relationship and look forward to what this motion

[2:35:04] may bring in the future and how we report to the public.

[2:35:07] Thank you.

[2:35:08] Thank you, Councillor Goodwin, please.

[2:35:11] Thank you, Mayor.

[2:35:12] I also support the pragmatism involved here.

[2:35:18] We're talking about a very sacred park in an area that people do love.

[2:35:25] There's no two ways about it.

[2:35:28] We're also talking about a 1950s highway in Bridge.

[2:35:33] There's the change is going to happen to those.

[2:35:36] So we really do need to get ahead of what does the community need out of a decision that's

[2:35:44] for lack of a better way of describing it being done to us and for positive reasons and for some reasons

[2:35:52] that they are ignoring what people are asking for and saying.

[2:35:57] So in my stance, I definitely support this, getting the negotiations out ahead, again the

[2:36:03] mean this is important. The budget, the provincial budget is coming. We need our asks to be strong

[2:36:11] and substantial, and I do appreciate the idea that the mayor will be trying to meet with the minister

[2:36:18] and there's a lot of good value that can come. Ultimately, I guess, you know, there's, there's

[2:36:27] people being hurt on this highway at very high rate compared to other stretches of highway.

[2:36:36] And the province is pushing that as their number one premise and ultimately we will be at

[2:36:45] the rim of them and we will lose if we push it and stand obstinate.

[2:36:49] So going forward with a collective voice, still hearing from the community, still hearing from council and using administration's expertise.

[2:37:03] To me, this is the way to go and I will be supporting it.

[2:37:07] Thank you, Councillor Barnes stable.

[2:37:10] Thank you, Mayor Jeffries.

[2:37:13] I'm just a point that we're here today, especially with remembering what we went through in the campaign and hearing from number of individuals.

[2:37:20] and we're still receiving emails from them today, asking us to push harder for mass-petune

[2:37:25] park and the naturalized areas and I was one of those ones that spoke in the campaign about.

[2:37:30] Being a voice for that. You know, it was made clear early on with the province. We had a meeting with them, I believe, in February of this year, early on in our term.

[2:37:41] And I remember posing the question to them, what are our options as council? Are there options to not go ahead of this? Are there options to change the direct way of the highway?

[2:37:49] And really the answer we got back was, no, this is kind of what we're doing.

[2:37:53] This is what we're moving forward with kind of being told to us versus with us.

[2:38:00] And that was one of my concerns I had going in, you know, we do have the option to stand and push back on this.

[2:38:07] But the reality is if we choose to go down that road, I think that there's a likelihood that this is going to happen.

[2:38:14] and you raise with the plan that's been put in place and then you get to go through

[2:38:18] expropriation and then at that point we would likely have the highway move forward and

[2:38:23] with the original plan and we would have nothing for it in return, whereas this now is an

[2:38:29] opportunity for us as council to say it's unfortunate that we're in this position and we have

[2:38:34] to figure what's the best move for for the community and understanding that there likely

[2:38:39] will be some some land loss to mask a tune but hopefully that can be gained in other areas

[2:38:43] across the city and other parkland.

[2:38:46] So as much to say as there is opportunity here,

[2:38:50] it's still a frustrating point to be in this place today,

[2:38:53] especially where we were in the campaign,

[2:38:55] less than a year ago,

[2:38:56] and having the conversations with the community.

[2:38:58] But I've received this presentation from the province

[2:39:01] probably four times now,

[2:39:03] because I was with the Red River Watershed Alliance as well.

[2:39:06] And the presentation has not changed.

[2:39:09] There hasn't been any consultation

[2:39:10] of we're willing to move this way or we're willing to do less.

[2:39:14] It's kind of the province has made up their mind and you don't like being told that this

[2:39:20] is being done to you versus with you.

[2:39:22] So this is an opportunity for us as a council to go on with the mindset of what can we do

[2:39:27] for the city, what can we do to for the community that is struggling with this loss of parkland.

[2:39:33] And so this is a different route that I know that many in the community probably won't agree

[2:39:37] with, but understanding where the promise is at and with their decision pretty much already made,

[2:39:41] at least there's an opportunity for us to come forward with some new options and hopefully

[2:39:47] it's something that will be resolved in the community as looking back 10, 15 years from now,

[2:39:52] that it was the right decision that the decision we went today. You can't ever know that until

[2:39:56] we go forward. So, with all that being said, I regret that I'll be supporting this based on

[2:40:02] where I was a number of months ago, but it is probably the best half forward.

[2:40:05] Thank you very much, Mayor.

[2:40:10] And I thank Councillor Cronford for bringing forward this motion.

[2:40:13] I think as we take a look at the challenges and the opportunities that are around this,

[2:40:17] we need a framework for being able to make the right decision.

[2:40:21] So gathering the information, seeing what alternatives are there,

[2:40:25] and then gating our community around that to the extent that we can

[2:40:29] is an important process for us to do this.

[2:40:32] So we realize there are people that have different perspectives across our community around

[2:40:37] this.

[2:40:38] It does provide some opportunities potentially for right here.

[2:40:41] And by having this in place, we can work together on that and when we're ready to make

[2:40:46] that decision, it will be well informed.

[2:40:49] Thank you.

[2:40:50] Thank you Councillor Curtis, please.

[2:40:59] Thank you, Mayor Jeffries.

[2:41:01] And I want to thank Councillor Cronford for bringing this motion forward.

[2:41:05] Recognizing the mask it's in park is a special place, so it's just there a couple weeks ago, and it really is it's unlike no other, and

[2:41:13] Redgear takes great pride in our parks.

[2:41:17] It was made clear during the provincial consultations that no matter what this project is going forward.

[2:41:24] I heard many of the provincial info and consultation session that the city needs to act as a landlord,

[2:41:29] And this resolution balances pragmatism, ensuring the socioeconomic value of this park,

[2:41:38] and that that's being considered and ensuring that the city is an environmental steward and advocates for our city.

[2:41:45] I look forward to hearing more about Mayor's conversation with the minister to determine the best steps for the city going forward.

[2:41:51] And I will be supporting this motion today. Thank you.

[2:41:55] Thank you, Councillor Curtis.

[2:41:58] Councillor Tweedle, please.

[2:42:00] Thank you, Mayor.

[2:42:01] Like, Councillor Burns, say, well, I am disappointed to be here.

[2:42:05] And looking back to the meeting we had in February with the government.

[2:42:09] Part of that presentation, I remember saying to them, because at that point, we were getting so much public feedback.

[2:42:13] We still get public feedback to say, like, has been alluded to that they pretty much say this is a done deal that you need to own that.

[2:42:22] I'm still waiting for that actual announcement come through the guess what this is what we've decided which I would appreciate if they did.

[2:42:33] To the public feedback that happened in June, I would hate to feel like that was just a checkbox.

[2:42:40] Because to me that's not sincere, public consultation or consultation at all.

[2:42:44] So we'll see if once the mayor meets with the transportation minister, if there's any, if he

[2:42:51] lives to any findings that were had throughout that process, I'm at a point where I don't want

[2:42:59] the city to be out of or away from the table as discussion continues. My biggest fear is down the road.

[2:43:07] We will have had a decision truly made for us without consultation. And when you think when we say

[2:43:13] ideas the city within a park or park system is so valuable and I do not want to get to the

[2:43:17] end of this, where a tribunal makes a decision that leaves us out of having any meaningful

[2:43:25] consultation for our citizens, for our city, for our parks. I will be supporting this and I

[2:43:33] appreciate the approach that Councillor Cron made because the agenda comes through with a couple

[2:43:38] different possible lease from admin.

[2:43:41] We either just enter into negotiations or we say no.

[2:43:44] And to me, there can be a yes and.

[2:43:47] And I appreciate how his motions

[2:43:49] said yes, you know, look into negotiations.

[2:43:51] But these are the things we're still standing for.

[2:43:54] We're not willing to just say go ahead with this project.

[2:43:57] So again, I'm disappointed to be here.

[2:43:59] I'm disappointed in how this was handled

[2:44:01] from a provincial level.

[2:44:03] But I will be supporting this.

[2:44:05] Thank you, Councillor Twill.

[2:44:08] I think that's all of you, except for me.

[2:44:10] Can I speak and then you can close?

[2:44:12] Do you want to go from now?

[2:44:13] You're the mayor, I'll go.

[2:44:14] You can close.

[2:44:14] This is proper.

[2:44:16] That's going to help you along.

[2:44:17] So I appreciate colleagues sport on this.

[2:44:19] This isn't easy.

[2:44:21] Ocean to make, too.

[2:44:22] And this is like.

[2:44:23] Meskipsy Park is still one of my favorite spots in right here.

[2:44:25] And I remember when we first moved here to figure out that there's a park without a parking

[2:44:30] lawn right here.

[2:44:31] Like how did they possibly ever put this together and make this and recognizing this is

[2:44:36] really special spot. But also, the bridge isn't really bad shape. Last night, everybody

[2:44:42] were paddleboarding down the river and got to look underneath that bridge. And I didn't

[2:44:46] know my phone to get pictures, but there is cracks and there is concrete patches underneath

[2:44:50] and it is, oh, we drive on it every day, but it's in rough shape. And this is something that

[2:44:55] or community our problems actually needs to not fall apart too.

[2:45:00] So, I've worked hard on this motion to balance the peace of the safety and the environment and why it didn't go negotiate and why to make sure that our team negotiates really hard.

[2:45:10] And then we find a way to get to a win-win. And I don't know that we know what that looks like yet, but I think we have to come to the table and give it our absolute best shot for the community and for what our city deserves.

[2:45:21] Thank you, Councillor Cron, just add a few points. For me, this is a spot where we're

[2:45:27] behind or between the pervert reel, rock and a hard place. It's not a position I really appreciate

[2:45:34] being in at all. When I look at the bridge, it's older than Councillor Brooman.

[2:45:45] I've

[2:45:45] a little bit, recognizing the need to do something. I do have it find a little bit frustrating.

[2:45:53] The position of the province has taken through this that there is no option that this is what's

[2:45:58] going to happen and kind of with us or without us. So I look forward to future conversations

[2:46:05] starting with the minister on where some of that can go. Yesterday, coincidentally, I drove from RDP up to

[2:46:14] therapeutic, sorry, recovery community on the north end by on the way to Black Falls. And on I took

[2:46:22] highway too. And as I crossed the river, got to the north side of the river. A young loose was

[2:46:30] trotting along the fence line heading north parallel to the highway. So definitely we know that there's

[2:46:40] life and nature is an important part of that area and you want safety for all and so right now

[2:46:48] certainly the situation is not safe not for some people and certainly not for the wildlife along

[2:46:54] that corridor that might be something we need to raise in our conversations.

[2:47:00] One of the public

[2:47:01] questions, if gentlemen approached me and said, you just need to not make a decision, just

[2:47:08] sit and wait. And I said, well, I don't know about that. I think the provinces indicated

[2:47:15] very strongly that they're going to go ahead and do what they want to do. And that if we

[2:47:21] just sit by and wait, we'll have no voice. So I hold, I believe that that's the case. And so

[2:47:30] do think we're probably best at least enter into the table and sit down and start some conversations

[2:47:36] around what it could look like. For me personally, I have not lost sight of the concept

[2:47:42] of the design changing to a standard of 125k versus 130 speed spec. I know that not all members

[2:47:50] of council perhaps support that or think it's likely to happen. It's maybe not a matter of

[2:48:00] their way on this. So I haven't given up on that conversation entirely and we'll see you perhaps

[2:48:10] in conversation where that might go and if it's a non-starter.

[2:48:16] As I think about the

[2:48:18] how this could roll out and I don't know for sure I think how important it is for us to

[2:48:23] think of the value of our park system to our community and the importance of the environmental pieces

[2:48:29] And what we could be potentially giving up, and depending on where we land in my mind, we should be in a position to negotiate

[2:48:42] Park for Park if that's what it comes to, and not giving up, not putting it into something else like, I don't know, waste water treatment

[2:48:54] Upgrade or something like that, it should stick within the park system and connected to our trail system for sure.

[2:49:01] And that it's a significant thing. In my mind, our mask-upatoon park is a significant asset in our community.

[2:49:11] And so we shouldn't just get a few hundred thousand dollars here or there to do upgrades on little pieces of park,

[2:49:16] but that it should be a visible tangible asset

[2:49:20] that's gained through any negotiation that might take place.

[2:49:25] So I'm definitely between that rock and a hard place

[2:49:29] but I think we do need to enter into the conversation

[2:49:31] or we're going to be left without an ask at the table

[2:49:35] and without an opportunity to change the conversation

[2:49:40] or the consideration because they've listened to public

[2:49:44] And they don't seem to be wanting to change, so unless we sit down, we won't know.

[2:49:51] So I will, with some hesitation, support the motion, thank Councillor Cron, for bringing it forward.

[2:49:58] And I'll hope for the best for good discussions with the Minister to kick us off and hope that some consideration can be given to the concerns our community has raised.

[2:50:11] And with that, not seeing any other.

[2:50:13] I'll call the question,

[2:50:18] and I know Councillor Wainches, I don't think you can vote on, can you?

[2:50:21] I can now. You can now, okay. I'll call the question, please vote.

[2:50:34] Council, that's the anonymous support for the motion.

[2:50:39] Thank you. Council, and thank you to the members of our public who've been here and recognizing may not be exactly where you wanted to see this land, but we'll help for better motion's going forward.

[2:50:53] And with that, we'll go, we'll skip down to

[2:51:05] the consent agenda with respect to the bylaws

[2:51:09] Council.

[2:51:10] I need to put it to the rate page.

[2:51:13] This is with respect to zoning bylaw 33570, 2026, and zoning bylaw amendment 33570, CC 2026.

[2:51:29] Now, sir, why just a procedure question, Mayor?

[2:51:32] Can we vote on them individually?

[2:51:34] Thank you.

[2:51:34] Yeah, we could do that, so essentially motion to separate the two we'll call a vote on each.

[2:51:41] So, consideration of zoning by-law amendment 3357-22026 and first reading on that piece.

[2:51:51] I need to move her in a seconder.

[2:51:57] Else there are tweedle counts there, Curtis.

[2:52:00] Any comments?

[2:52:02] That's okay.

[2:52:04] We'll call the question on that one.

[2:52:06] That's that into first reading, or seizure, the public hearing to follow, should it pass?

[2:52:37] It's all in favor, okay? Results. I'm going to show up for us right now, but I'm just, it's all in favor. So that one passes unanimously moving on. And then we'll go to zoning by law amendment 3357 CC 2026. And I'm looking for a mover and a seconder. Nice to spec, Councillor White, she's must have something to say on this.

[2:53:02] Councillor Brisba moves.

[2:53:08] Councillor Curtis is a seconder.

[2:53:14] Councillor White, just did you have?

[2:53:16] Yes, I just recall several conversations that when this Iowa was first put in place to protect the distance for schools for cannabis sites.

[2:53:25] So I still remember those and but I will look I will support first reading but I'm very curious in terms of what this means for our community and we'll look forward to the public hearing because I do have some concerns.

[2:53:42] Thank you.

[2:53:43] Thank you very much, Councillor.

[2:53:45] Councillor Barnes-Table.

[2:53:47] Thank you, Mayor Jeffers.

[2:53:48] Thank you, Councillor White-Shows, for severing this.

[2:53:50] I was going to sever it as well.

[2:53:51] I won't be supporting this.

[2:53:53] I know when we went through the zoning bylaw a few years ago, I put forward a motion to extend

[2:53:58] the radius from having these retail stores closer to schools, and that wasn't supported

[2:54:01] at the time.

[2:54:03] But I understand it's just first reading, but I have seen the comments that are in the

[2:54:07] package, as well as just where I stand.

[2:54:09] Individualness, I won't be supporting this at first reading.

[2:54:11] Thank you.

[2:54:12] There.

[2:54:13] Councilor Broomer, please.

[2:54:15] Thank you very much in the opportunity to vote on this and first reading.

[2:54:18] I will be opposed to the resolution.

[2:54:21] Thank you.

[2:54:22] Anyone else?

[2:54:25] Seeing none, I'll call the question on first reading.

[2:54:50] May the past 7-2 with Councillor Broomer and Councillor Bunstable voting again.

[2:54:57] It's okay.

[2:54:58] Thank you very much for the summary.

[2:54:59] appreciate that. So we'll see that back in the in the in the future in the fall, I guess that'll come by and now we'll move to item 6.1 and that is the Western or exposition association annual financial report.

[2:55:17] And go ahead city manager, please.

[2:55:19] Thank you, Mayor.

[2:55:21] We're on page 54 of your Council agenda package today.

[2:55:27] Back in January of 2025, Council passed a resolution that asks that an annual financial

[2:55:34] update on the Westerner Exhibition Association be brought forward to Council.

[2:55:39] So this is the second year that we're bringing this annual update to you.

[2:55:44] I'd like to welcome Shelley Flint, who is the Chief Executive Officer in our gallery today,

[2:55:52] as well as President Brad DuFrain of the Westerner Board that is also joined us today.

[2:55:59] I'd also like to acknowledge that we have two counselors that are on the board for the

[2:56:04] Westerner and that's Councillor Buruma and Councillor Brisbane, as well as I sit on the board

[2:56:10] as a city liaison, so I'm a non-voting member of the board and have some specific duties

[2:56:17] under our relationship framework agreement.

[2:56:20] The report in front of you today is for information, but I wanted to take the opportunity

[2:56:25] to thank the Westerner and particularly their board and staff for working hard to close that

[2:56:33] annual operating gap and to continue working with the city.

[2:56:39] Shelly does have a presentation as well as Sam Mugford, our chief financial officer, who

[2:56:46] will pass to next also has a presentation for you today with much more detail.

[2:56:51] The report in front of you is an information report.

[2:56:55] However, I wanted to add a resolution there that signals that work really needs to be done

[2:57:02] until March 31, of 2027.

[2:57:05] We have a lot to do and I wanted to formalize that in a resolution so that our public is aware that the

[2:57:12] Westerner and the city are working together and to provide that formal direction to administration.

[2:57:19] So with that Mr. Mugford, I invite you to the podium.

[2:57:27] It looks like you're from our angle. It looks like you're just behind the TV.

[2:57:34] Good afternoon, Mayor and Councillor.

[2:57:37] This report provides the annual financial updates on the Western Air Exhibition Association

[2:57:43] as directed by Council.

[2:57:45] We've got a few brief opening remarks at which point I will shall be Flint at the CEO

[2:57:50] of Westerner will provide a presentation on the impact the UAA has for our community.

[2:57:57] First off, I'd like to note just a minor error in my report in page 56.

[2:58:02] So I'm preparing my commentary. I'd taken a figure from WA's draft financial statements and error from the draft to the final version of statements.

[2:58:12] There's only got a week that had had passed, but to some of the expenses were reclassified from indirect to event expenses.

[2:58:19] Over all there's no difference in WA's bottom line, but it does slowly modify the subtitles in some of the commentary on the statement of operations.

[2:58:28] So, for the year ended March 3, 2021, 2020, sex revenues increased modestly from $2,6,012,6,000,000, from $2,033,000.

[2:58:38] Supported by the first fully-year, campground operations and growth in other revenue streams.

[2:58:44] Overall, expenses increased by $120,000,000, which resulted in an improvement on the deficiencies of revenue over expenses before other revenue line.

[2:58:56] from prior year of $165,000. Despite receiving less grant funding from the previous year,

[2:59:03] WAH achieved a small annual surplus of approximately $5,000. The liquidity also improved

[2:59:08] considerably within cash increasing to $3.8 billion and reliance on short-term borrowing

[2:59:13] reduced almost zero. These results demonstrate a continued operational discipline and

[2:59:19] improved financial management. That said, long-term financial sustainability will require

[2:59:25] continued revenue growth, prudent cost management, and careful oversight.

[2:59:30] The current relationship framework agreement expires from March 31, 2027, alongside

[2:59:36] WAA's three-year business plan.

[2:59:39] Administration is therefore recommending that Council direct to complete additional analysis

[2:59:44] and strategic assessment by the first quarter of 2027.

[2:59:48] This work will evaluate available options and provide Council with the information needed

[2:59:53] to make informed decisions while protecting the city's financial interests.

[2:59:58] The recommendation before Council.

[3:00:00] Our to receive the report for information and direct administration to complete that analysis for council's consideration, prior to the expiry of the current agreement.

[3:00:09] With that, I'll pass over to Shelley for her presentation after which council can direct any questions they have to her, and that administration will take any questions you have on our report and recommend it motion. Shelley?

[3:00:30] Well, come and thank you very much to both of you for being here.

[3:00:33] Appreciate it.

[3:00:39] You keep it.

[3:00:40] Happy?

[3:00:42] Yeah.

[3:00:43] Thank you very much and I'm here to do the presentation and he's here to answer any questions.

[3:00:51] All the tough ones.

[3:00:52] All the tough ones.

[3:00:53] And emotional support.

[3:00:54] That's right.

[3:00:56] So good afternoon, Mayor Jeffries, members of Council and administration.

[3:01:00] Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to share Westerner Parks 2025 to 2026 annual update.

[3:01:09] Over the past year, Westerner Park has continued to strengthen its role as Central Alberta's premier gathering place.

[3:01:17] Bringing people together through agriculture, entertainment, sport, business and community events,

[3:01:24] While creating meaningful economic and social impact for Reddier and Central Alberta,

[3:01:31] we have welcomed new events, strengthened partnerships, and invested in our facilities,

[3:01:38] and remain focused on being responsible stewards of this very important community asset.

[3:01:44] Today, we would like to share some of those highlights through the theme of this year's annual report, Community Built Impact Ribbon.

[3:01:53] Those four words are more than our annual report theme.

[3:01:58] They represent our commitment to building experiences

[3:02:01] that strengthen our community and deliver measurable value

[3:02:05] to red deer and central Alberta.

[3:02:08] So we want to start by taking a look at Westerner Park today.

[3:02:11] I'm going to give you another job that's going to be in the quicker.

[3:02:21] So before I share some of the highlights of the past year,

[3:02:24] I'd like to take a moment to provide a snapshot of Westerner Park today.

[3:02:27] While many people know us through our signature events, like Westerner days, we are so much

[3:02:34] more than a five-day fare. Westerner Park is a year-round destination where agriculture,

[3:02:40] business, entertainment, sport, and community come together. Each year, we welcome approximately

[3:02:48] 1.5 million visitors and host more than 1,000 events. Those events range from international

[3:02:55] agricultural trade shows and conferences to concerts, sporting events, fundraisers,

[3:03:01] meetings, celebrations, and community gatherings. Those activities generate an estimated

[3:03:07] $150 million in annual economic impact to our region. While supporting tourism, local businesses,

[3:03:17] employment and quality of life throughout Central Alberta. None of that would be possible

[3:03:22] without the people behind the scenes.

[3:03:25] Our team includes 66 full-time employees,

[3:03:28] 199 casual employees, and many dedicated volunteers,

[3:03:33] who work together to create memorable experiences

[3:03:35] for our guests, and support the organizations

[3:03:38] that call Westerner Park Home.

[3:03:41] Together, those numbers tell a story

[3:03:43] of an organization that is active every day of the year,

[3:03:47] creating opportunities for connection,

[3:03:49] economic growth and community impact.

[3:03:53] With that foundation in mind, I'd like to share some of the highlights from this past year.

[3:03:59] Strong communities are built through strong partnerships.

[3:04:02] And this past year, we were proud to welcome Marchant Crane as the naming rights partner

[3:04:07] for the Marchant Crane Centrium.

[3:04:10] This partnership represents far more than a name on a building.

[3:04:13] It reflects the local business investing in a community organization that has served central

[3:04:19] Alberta for more than 130 years. That investment strengthens Westerner part today,

[3:04:26] while helping ensure this important gathering place continues to serve our community for

[3:04:31] generations to come. Above all, it is a vote of confidence in Westerner part, our mission,

[3:04:37] and the future we're building together. Partnerships like this make everything we do possible.

[3:04:43] They help create the experiences, the traditions, and the memories that bring people together year after year.

[3:04:52] There is no better example of that than Westerner days.

[3:04:56] Westerner days remains the heart of who we are as an organization and one of Central Alberta's most cherished traditions.

[3:05:04] For five days in July, Westerner Park becomes the gathering place for our community,

[3:05:09] where generations come together to celebrate egg, entertainment, and traditions that connected

[3:05:15] families for more than 130 years. This year's fair brought together returning favorites, like

[3:05:21] egg venture, kid venture, the market, the junction, the North American pony check wake, and the

[3:05:27] cherry races while introducing new experiences like the May TV. Creating new opportunities to celebrate

[3:05:34] Indigenous culture and heritage and a meaningful and engaging way.

[3:05:40] We were also proud to welcome back share the fair, through the partnership with Ronald

[3:05:44] McDonald's, charities Alberta, ensuring even more families and importantly those that

[3:05:50] can't come to the fair have an important opportunity to experience the magic of Western

[3:05:56] days. At its heart, Westerner days is about making memories. Maybe it's the child's first ride

[3:06:03] on the midway. Maybe it's sharing a candy apple with your grandchild. Maybe it's watching

[3:06:09] the checkway and thunder around the track, singing along at a concert or discovering something

[3:06:15] new together. Those memories may seem small, but they become the stories that families tell,

[3:06:21] and the traditions they pass from one generation to the next.

[3:06:25] Behind every one of those moments is what community built truly means.

[3:06:31] Sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, entertainers, competitors, community organizations,

[3:06:37] and our staff all come together to create an experience that simply wouldn't be possible otherwise.

[3:06:44] While traditions that define Westerner days remain at its core, we continue to introduce

[3:06:49] new experiences that welcome new audiences while preserving everything our community has come to love.

[3:06:56] Because Westerner days is more than a fair, it's where communities come together,

[3:07:00] it's where traditions continue, and where lasting memories are made.

[3:07:08] One of our most exciting milestones this year was the launch of the inaugural Red Year Pro-Rodial.

[3:07:13] Well, Rodial has long been part of Alberta's identity. This event represented an opportunity

[3:07:19] for a Westerner Park to create something new that celebrates the Western heritage while

[3:07:24] strengthening our year-round programming. The response from competitors,

[3:07:30] Officers, volunteers, and spectators exceeded our expectations, and demonstrated that there is tremendous enthusiasm for professional rodeo in central Alberta.

[3:07:41] Beyond the excitement in the arena, the radio pro rodeo attracted visitors to our community, supported local businesses, and further strengthened our reputation as a destination for premier western events.

[3:07:53] Most importantly, it's show what can happen when strong community partners, dedicated volunteers, and incredible staff team come together around a shared vision.

[3:08:06] We are proud of what we accomplished in year one because it really demonstrates what's possible when the community comes together.

[3:08:13] That's exactly what community built looks like in action.

[3:08:19] While our longstanding events remain at the heart of Westerner Park, we're equally committed

[3:08:24] to creating new traditions that bring people together throughout the year.

[3:08:28] Skidjoring quickly established itself as a unique winter event, blending our Western

[3:08:33] hair, Western heritage with an outdoor adventure, as a free community event.

[3:08:39] It introduced new audiences to Westerner Park while showcasing our ability to create distinctive

[3:08:45] year-round experiences.

[3:08:47] from the athletes and the horses on the course to the food trucks, the local vendors,

[3:08:52] the families gathered along the sidelines. The day was filled with energy, excitement,

[3:08:57] and community spirit. We're also proud of the success of the inaugural Westerner rally

[3:09:03] cars and kids. And event that perfectly captured the community bill looks like in action.

[3:09:10] More than a showcase of incredible vehicles, it brought together car enthusiasts, volunteers,

[3:09:15] sponsors and community partners to create unforgettable experiences for young co-pilots and their

[3:09:22] families. Through the leadership of the Westerner Foundation and the support of our community,

[3:09:28] the rally became the beginning of a new tradition built on generosity and connection.

[3:09:34] Another exciting success was the ultimate holiday party. Now entering its third year,

[3:09:40] it quickly became a signature event for Westerner Park. Giving local businesses an

[3:09:45] organizations and opportunity to celebrate the season together while creating a festive

[3:09:50] tradition that continues to grow every year. Together these events demonstrate our commitment

[3:09:57] to innovation while staying true to who we are. They attract new audiences, they strengthen

[3:10:03] our community connections, and they ensure that Westerner Park remains a vibrant destination in

[3:10:08] every season.

[3:10:12] None of that, none of what I share today would be possible without the incredible

[3:10:16] people who generously give their time to Westerner Park. Just like Brad here. This year,

[3:10:24] 207 volunteers supported our events. They welcomed guests assisted behind the scenes and helped

[3:10:30] create the experiences so many people enjoy every year. Whether they're helping at Westerner days,

[3:10:37] the pro rodeo, aggregate, or one of our many other events our volunteers are often the first

[3:10:43] this first-mile, our guests see and the lasting impression that they take home.

[3:10:48] Their passion, dedication, and community spirit are woven into everything we do.

[3:10:54] When people invest their time, their energy, and their passion, into Westerner Park, the

[3:10:59] result, is impacted extends far beyond our gates.

[3:11:05] Impact comes in many forms, sometimes it's measured by economic activity, sometimes it's measured

[3:11:12] in opportunities created, and sometimes it's measured by the vibrancy of the community.

[3:11:18] Throughout the year, Western New Park Health bring that vibrancy to life through concerts,

[3:11:23] sporting events, family entertainment and community celebrations.

[3:11:27] For Marianna's trench to country throw down to monster truck spectacular and read your

[3:11:33] Rebels hockey, our facilities welcome thousands of guests seeking entertainment, excitement

[3:11:38] and experiences that enrich the life, their life, and central Alberta.

[3:11:44] These events do more than fill seats.

[3:11:47] They create opportunities for local business, they support tourism, they attract visitors

[3:11:52] to our region, and contribute to the energy and vitality of our community.

[3:11:57] They give people reasons to stay local, to reasons to visit, and reasons to invest in

[3:12:04] the place that we call home.

[3:12:06] That is impact.

[3:12:07] Not just in attendance numbers, but in creating a region where people want to live, work,

[3:12:13] race families, and build businesses.

[3:12:16] We're proud of the role that Westerner Park continues to play in making central Alberta

[3:12:20] of vibrant and thriving community.

[3:12:23] Community impact takes many forms.

[3:12:26] Vibrancy is one.

[3:12:28] Economic and industry impact is another, and nowhere is that more evident than in agriculture.

[3:12:34] While entertainment and community events contribute to the vibrancy of our community, agriculture

[3:12:39] remains the heart of Westerners impact. For more than four decades, Agritrate has connected

[3:12:46] producers, manufacturers, innovators, industry leaders, creating opportunities that extend beyond

[3:12:53] the three days of the show. This year, Agritrate reached new milestones. Featuring the largest

[3:12:59] outdoor exhibit space in our event's history. Sold out indoor and outdoor exhibits.

[3:13:05] And more than 500 exhibitors showcasing the latest in equipment, technology, and innovation

[3:13:11] shaping the future of egg. What continues to impress me most is the reach of this event.

[3:13:18] Visitors and exhibitors traveled to Westerner Park from Australia, China, Germany, Northern Ireland,

[3:13:25] Nigeria, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, the UK, the United States, and communities across Canada.

[3:13:34] So if you think about that for a minute, business and industry leaders from around the world

[3:13:39] came to Red Deer, Alberta, to build relationships, explore new technologies, and invest in the future

[3:13:46] of ag. That level of participation speaks not only to the reputation of ag retreat,

[3:13:52] but to the strength of Canadian agriculture and the important role that Central Alberta continues to play with it.

[3:14:00] The impact of agritrade expands beyond our grounds.

[3:14:03] It supports the economic activity, strengthens industry connections, encourages innovation,

[3:14:09] and helps ensure egg remains strong for future generations.

[3:14:13] That impact is a regional, national, and increasingly global scale.

[3:14:19] That level of impact doesn't happen without confidence from our partners, our community and those who choose to invest in Westerner Park's future.

[3:14:30] So one of the strongest indicators of impact is confidence.

[3:14:34] Confidence from our community, our partners and the organizations that choose to invest in Westerner Park.

[3:14:39] This past year we are grateful to receive support through provincial and federal funding programs,

[3:14:45] along with investments from community and industry partners who recognize the important role

[3:14:50] that Westerner Park plays in Central Alberta.

[3:14:54] Those investments help us improve our critical infrastructure and enhance the guest experience.

[3:15:00] Strengthen our ag mandate and ensure facilities continue to meet the needs of our growing community.

[3:15:06] For me, these investments represent confidence in our mission, our team and the future of Western

[3:15:13] Park. But investment is only part of the equation, equally important is how we steward those resources

[3:15:19] and generate the revenue needed to sustain our operations year after year.

[3:15:25] Westerner Park operates under one of the large under, operates under one of the highest cost recovery models among comparable exhibition associations in Canada.

[3:15:38] Today, 89% of our operating costs are covered through earned revenue, just 11% coming from provincial and federal government support.

[3:15:47] That means every event we host, every sponsorship we secure, and every business opportunity

[3:15:53] we create, helps to reduce our reliance on other funding, while maximizing the return

[3:15:59] on public investment.

[3:16:02] That reflects an organization that has worked hard to diversify its revenue streams and maximize

[3:16:08] every opportunity to generate its own income.

[3:16:11] But it also highlights an important reality, facilities like ours aren't simply event venues.

[3:16:18] There is essential infrastructure that generates economic activity, supports agriculture,

[3:16:24] strengthens tourism, and provides a gathering place for our region.

[3:16:29] Across Canada, facilities like ours rely on ongoing municipal, provincial, and federal investment,

[3:16:35] because of value they create, extends, bar beyond our own balance sheet. Our goal isn't

[3:16:42] simply to operate successfully. It's to ensure Westerner Park remains of vibrant asset in our

[3:16:48] community for generations to come. Our financial results help demonstrate both the strength of our

[3:16:54] operating model and the importance of continued investment. Our audited financial statements show an

[3:17:05] eventual and federal support we achieved in net contribution of 5,152.

[3:17:11] Those grants allowed us to address important capital priorities while continuing to manage

[3:17:17] expenses and generate the vast majority of our operating revenue ourselves.

[3:17:23] Looking ahead, one of our greatest opportunities is to establish a more sustainable approach

[3:17:28] to facility renewal, ensuring we can move beyond addressing immediate needs and continue

[3:17:34] protecting this important community asset for future generations.

[3:17:39] These results reinforce why a balanced funding model matters.

[3:17:44] Earned revenue marimanes the foundation of our operations.

[3:17:47] While government and partner investment helps us maintain and improve the community infrastructure

[3:17:52] we have been entrusted to operate.

[3:17:56] As we look ahead, our focus remains I'm building a stronger, more vibrant Westerner park that

[3:18:02] our community here round. We'll continue expanding our event portfolio by strengthening the

[3:18:08] experiences our community already knows and loves while introducing new opportunities to attract

[3:18:14] visitors throughout the year. That includes exciting events already on the horizon,

[3:18:20] such as Brian Adams. Did you know he's coming to town? The central Alberta Dream Drive,

[3:18:26] October Fest, Agra-Tradic Whitman Expo, the Festival of Trees, and our ultimate holiday party,

[3:18:32] We'll continue investing in our facilities and infrastructure, including projects that expand

[3:18:37] year-round capacity, improve the guest experience, and ensure Westerner Park is ready to meet the

[3:18:44] needs of a growing region. At the same time, we'll remain focused on financial sustainability

[3:18:50] by growing earned revenue, expanding sponsorship opportunities, and building partnerships that

[3:18:56] create long-term value. Every initiative we undertake is guided by the same

[3:19:02] goal. Ensuring Westerner Park continues to be the place where agriculture, business, entertainment

[3:19:08] and community come together to create lasting impact for Central Alberta.

[3:19:14] So today we've shared the story of Westerner Park that continues to evolve while remaining

[3:19:18] through to its purpose. We've highlighted the events that bring our community together,

[3:19:24] the agricultural traditions that define our region, the partnerships that make our work

[3:19:29] possible and the responsible stewardship that supports our long-term sustainability.

[3:19:35] We've also demonstrated the impact that Westerner Park has beyond our gates, creating

[3:19:40] economic activity, supporting local business, strengthening A and providing a place where

[3:19:45] our community comes together to celebrate, connect, and grow.

[3:19:50] We've shown that this impact is delivered while operating under one of the strongest costs

[3:19:55] recovery models among comparable exhibition organizations in Canada.

[3:20:00] This reflects our commitment in maximizing earned revenue, while being responsible stewards

[3:20:06] of public investment.

[3:20:08] As proud as we are, what we've accomplished, our focus is firmly on the future.

[3:20:12] With continued collaboration, strategic investment, and strong partnerships will continue building

[3:20:18] opportunities that benefit Central Alberta for generations to come.

[3:20:22] community-built impact driven. Those four words again more than a theme. They reflect who

[3:20:30] we are, why we exist, and the commitment we make to our community we serve every day.

[3:20:36] Thank you for your continued partnership and support, and Brad would be happy to take

[3:20:42] any questions.

[3:20:45] Thank you very much for the presentation. I really appreciate hearing a bit of an update. Council

[3:20:51] recognizing today is really about the financial update, even though we've just put a whole bunch

[3:20:56] of excitement on your plate with all of the good happening so that the Westerner try to

[3:21:01] keep your questions to the financial pieces if you can, unless there's a burning question you

[3:21:05] really need to ask with respect to all of the excitement. Shelley has just presented to us.

[3:21:13] Are there questions, Councillor Broomer?

[3:21:16] Thank you very much for the presentation and all the good work that's happened at Westerner

[3:21:20] I particularly appreciate some of the new opportunities.

[3:21:24] One of those that Westerner days was the May tea village,

[3:21:27] which I think was a really important addition to that.

[3:21:29] So thank you.

[3:21:31] In our report on page 71 of our agenda,

[3:21:36] it speaks to the major maintenance fund.

[3:21:38] And you've spoke a bit about some of those challenges

[3:21:41] in terms of having the financial ability to maintain our assets.

[3:21:46] Now, I wonder if you might dive a bit deeper

[3:21:49] to guard in regards to the importance of that fund, the need for more dollars for that and what kind

[3:21:56] of projects that supports.

[3:22:01] Okay, so the major maintenance fund is, you know, is for handling any of the major maintenance

[3:22:09] that might come up on the park. So this fund has been under value, it's less than the reserve

[3:22:16] fund should be. And so until we get the reserve fund back up to a value that we

[3:22:22] really should be, we have not been drawing on that fund. And we've been using all of

[3:22:27] our operating operations to do all.

[3:22:30] All of the maintenance on the park. So, where we can, we seek grants, we seek matching grants,

[3:22:34] we seek support for all of the major activities, major maintenance activities that we have on

[3:22:41] park. You know, one of the most recent ones you would have heard of is the ice plant. So, you know,

[3:22:48] centriums, a large building, and so you need ice. And so, our ice plant, just we had to redo our

[3:22:54] It's now located outside of the centrium and that's a $1.5 million investment.

[3:23:02] Thank you.

[3:23:03] Thank you.

[3:23:05] But, Councillor Goodwin, please.

[3:23:09] Thank you, Mayor.

[3:23:10] And thank you both for being here.

[3:23:13] There's a lot going on.

[3:23:15] Uh, financially.

[3:23:17] One of my biggest questions that popped up is

[3:23:20] Rent is somewhere in the order of 60% of the income.

[3:23:24] And the Rebels license for the centrium is coming due May 31st, 2027, what is the status and what happens if they don't renew?

[3:23:38] Well, we are beginning negotiations on the new contract with an intention to renew with the Rebels, so negotiations will be starting soon.

[3:23:52] And, and should they not renew, you know, they, they would require approval to move the teams somewhere else.

[3:24:00] They can't just decide that on their own.

[3:24:03] And then we would look at other options for renting the arena.

[3:24:08] Okay, thank you.

[3:24:10] I was just curious about a plan B that is a pretty big base of the pyramid there.

[3:24:18] So, also, when I'm going through the numbers, I notice, and I'm hoping you can help me reconcile.

[3:24:26] So, the indirect expense figures on page 56 say that indirect expenses are down,

[3:24:34] but the audited numbers on 65 show them up.

[3:24:40] Is that, like, no, 19 talks about reclassified comparatives, is that what happened there, or?

[3:24:50] I'm going to direct that over to Mr. Munkford.

[3:24:53] Yes, Mr. Munkford.

[3:24:53] Thank you.

[3:24:54] Through the mayor, Councillor Goodman, that.

[3:24:57] In my opening comments, I'd initially had two sets of statements over and I was preparing my report.

[3:25:03] One of them was the draft statements, which I'd gone to.

[3:25:05] that we raise all the committee on the 12th, subsequent to that when the final statements were

[3:25:13] approved, there was a reclassification between the lines of administrative marketing and

[3:25:20] arc maintenance under indirect expenses and event expenses.

[3:25:24] So that's why in our report, my comments were that some of the commentary, some of the numbers

[3:25:30] on page 56 have changed, and that's because I was always using the prior version of the

[3:25:37] statements. There's no impact on the bottom line, so at the end of the day, the excess revenue

[3:25:42] over expenses was unchanged, the deficiency of revenue over expenses before the revenue.

[3:25:48] None of those figures changed, nothing changed the balance sheet. It was a reclassification.

[3:25:52] So again, my apologies for the incorrect information in the report, the Audited Financial

[3:25:57] statements stand. I'm also had that this is a very common thing during the audit process.

[3:26:02] I know that similar to the city over time as we, you know, make changes to our

[3:26:10] classifications and direct for prior misclassifications and make it like that, you will see

[3:26:15] those changes happen over time. So in this case, both the 2026 and the 2025 figures were restated

[3:26:22] between their draft version.

[3:26:26] OK, thank you.

[3:26:28] That satisfies the question.

[3:26:29] I appreciate it.

[3:26:32] And I'll be cognizant of the ten minutes

[3:26:34] without the timer going here.

[3:26:38] So the repayment formula and the repayment is keyed to EBITDA.

[3:26:45] Has administration modeled whether the formula has written

[3:26:49] It's about, retirees the 18.6 million by 251.

[3:26:55] Like will that walk it down if we keep basing it on EBITDA,

[3:27:00] or are we going to have to redo that?

[3:27:06] By looking at Mr. Munford or City Manager, perhaps one should be live, I think.

[3:27:15] I can start and then pass it over to Mr. Mugford for the details.

[3:27:19] In the additional resolution that is asked for, you'll see that there is language in regards to review of the current loan agreements and repayment options.

[3:27:33] One of the pieces that we need to consider is there have had a relief for making payments until April 1st of 2027.

[3:27:46] And in doing that, there is also some connection as to the two separate loan agreements.

[3:27:54] And wanting to, as they look forward for a new three year business plan,

[3:27:59] make sure that we're working to help support the city as well as support the Westerner and their needs.

[3:28:05] So we've asked for a reviewed.

[3:28:08] When those agreements were put in place, we were at a different time in a different context at the Westerner.

[3:28:14] So, not sure which solutions are at this point, but just acknowledging that we need to have that conversation and look if there are another way to do that.

[3:28:26] Do I miss anything, Sam?

[3:28:30] No, I guess I would just add that from an audit perspective, we just cautious in terms of the terminology that we use around the status of the loan.

[3:28:43] So again, I'll direct you to the notes of our financial statements, that's where we have all the detail that we've got around this in terms of modeling and things like that, like that's, you know, further discussion.

[3:28:56] Okay, great. And I'll just keep it to one more. Back to as Councillor Brooma was asking about the major maintenance fund. One of the things that I noticed is that the fund grew by interest only.

[3:29:11] So, if no allocations were made, does the Note 6 provision requiring the Westerner annual budget

[3:29:19] to come to City Council for approval now apply?

[3:29:23] So, Note 6, I mean, I had marked where it was.

[3:29:42] Are you asking a question?

[3:29:44] Yeah, that was the question.

[3:29:45] Oh, sorry.

[3:29:46] You can't find it.

[3:29:47] I was just trying to find, Note 6, but I can't find it on my.

[3:29:51] I was anticipating you.

[3:29:53] And actually, I'm waiting.

[3:29:56] Sorry.

[3:29:56] So with the...

[3:29:57] Of any one relationship framework agreement.

[3:30:00] There are specific reporting requirements and approvals that council needs to make. One of the pieces around the capital plan is that they have to share their capital plan with the city.

[3:30:15] And I have to share that with Council and then if they deviate from that plan I also have to share it with you and if there's any purchases over a certain amount, I also need to

[3:30:28] have contact with Shelley and to analyze that as well.

[3:30:33] Okay, thank you very much. That's all for now.

[3:30:35] Thank you very much.

[3:30:37] Councillor White, just please.

[3:30:39] Thank you, Shelley and Brad for the report.

[3:30:40] Thank you to your board members to my colleague council reps who sit on it. Our city manager and staff

[3:30:46] It can be sometimes a heavy file in over the years. Thank you for your work and to the volunteers as well

[3:30:53] I appreciated the stat you talked about 11% support of through government funding and 89% through earned revenue

[3:30:59] And you just speak to the climate of egg societies in Alberta and maybe across Canada the competitiveness for

[3:31:07] or securing events and how we're uping our game for Westerner?

[3:31:13] Yeah, I mean, it is a challenge for

[3:31:17] ag societies across Alberta.

[3:31:19] Westerners are part of regional ag societies within Alberta.

[3:31:23] And a number of, you know,

[3:31:27] Lethbridge was used to be an ag society just onto its own.

[3:31:32] You see the financial implications of them not being able to achieve

[3:31:36] their abilities to repay their loans and

[3:31:40] separate out event management from an

[3:31:43] agsociety.

[3:31:44] And so you see that in some of the

[3:31:46] locations.

[3:31:47] It's also happened in Edmonton.

[3:31:49] And we also reflect on what has happened in

[3:31:52] reality and in Regina.

[3:31:54] So similarly, having difficulty when it becomes

[3:31:57] to trade show spaces.

[3:32:00] So trade shows do not typically pay enough

[3:32:04] in order to use the facilities, and so it provides an economic benefit to the region.

[3:32:12] It's not sufficient for supporting the agsociety.

[3:32:15] So, you know, we subsidize those by all of the other activities that we do.

[3:32:21] And you see that happening throughout Canada.

[3:32:24] There's only one, you know, really trade show event space in Canada.

[3:32:28] That is self sufficient when it's in Toronto.

[3:32:31] And, Shelley, can you speak to how our conversations were having with the provincial government

[3:32:37] in terms of recognized that?

[3:32:38] Well, obviously the city has recognized our support for Westerners and continue to do that.

[3:32:43] Where are we out with the provincial government conversations?

[3:32:48] Or what you know, what you don't know.

[3:32:52] Our conversation with the premier went well.

[3:32:55] She acknowledged that Westerners and there's a few other facilities that are different than a lot of the other

[3:33:00] societies and they're looking at that currently, but to no decision has been made.

[3:33:05] Thank you.

[3:33:06] And just, you talked about scheduling the ski journey event free.

[3:33:11] I want to congratulate you for that, because many citizens with these days are having

[3:33:15] a challenge with the affordability for events, so having free events like that, you're to

[3:33:20] be recognized for that.

[3:33:21] So thank you very much.

[3:33:23] My next question is just about sometimes often Council has delays or extensions to events

[3:33:29] or any issues, and I'm just curious in terms of our relationship framework agreement.

[3:33:34] How confident are you in terms of reaching an agreement between the city and the Westerner by March 3th,

[3:33:42] it's 2027?

[3:33:47] I'm not sure who should answer it.

[3:33:49] Where are you putting on the spot, Councilor Watchers?

[3:33:53] Well, we'd like to introduce those discussions with the city and it seems the city is amenable to, you know, also reaching that so we're hoping that we can get something done before the end of March.

[3:34:08] In the meantime we continue to run the park and create events that will help us be more financially sustainable.

[3:34:15] Thank you. I appreciate some of your creativity such as the renting of the camp ground and

[3:34:22] new revenue there. So good wishes on your creativity and opportunities that are available

[3:34:29] for both the city and for Western. Thank you, Councillor. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor

[3:34:34] wine. Just Councillor Brisbane, please.

[3:34:38] Thank you, Mayor. And thank you very much for the presentation.

[3:34:41] I'm on the Western board. So I have a little bit of insight into some of these. But you know,

[3:34:46] I've been on the western board for about long and this financial statement I think is quite

[3:34:51] a bit better than what we've seen in the past so it's in the black this time which is

[3:34:56] fantastic to be able to see that.

[3:34:58] So you start to talk about some of this but I was wondering if you could speak to some of

[3:35:02] the high level changes that you've made from an operations standpoint to be able to get the

[3:35:16] recovery plan. And that plan talked to introducing additional events, looking at the profitability

[3:35:23] of all of the events that we do run, reducing the staff count that we had and really scrutinizing

[3:35:31] every dollar of spend that we have. So, you know, by really tightening everything that we spend

[3:35:39] any pennies on, including, you know, I think it's time for new boardchairs, maybe, in the future,

[3:35:46] if anybody who sat in our board meeting knows that these are falling apart, you come early

[3:35:52] so that you can get a chair that's not going to fall off. But we have really, we've really worked

[3:35:57] to tighten any expenditure that we have and where we're staff, you know, left to go for other

[3:36:06] opportunities we really scrutinize, whether or not that's a backfill position, it's really

[3:36:11] got to be revenue generating. So it's doing everything, looking at the financials, to make

[3:36:16] that happen. And then also looking at opportunities with our community where community has

[3:36:21] identified that they'd be really interested in certain kinds of events, you know, like the

[3:36:26] radio, and then working with the community and all of our sponsors and the volunteer committee

[3:36:34] that we have for the rodeo to really try and get sponsorship, to support bringing those kinds of events

[3:36:40] to back to red deer. That, you know, on the scheduling, we know that red deer kind of like some

[3:36:45] wild things. So that seemed like a great wild event to bring to bear. So we, we work to bring that

[3:36:53] bring that forward. So there will be more, more to come. And another question, I think be more

[3:37:00] administration. So just curious on the resolution that you have in front of us. How does this

[3:37:06] work time to the strategic planning that we are currently underway with the Western Park?

[3:37:17] So through the mayor, I believe everything that's happening in regards to strategic planning will

[3:37:23] help also with the renewal of a three year financial plan or a business plan moving forward.

[3:37:30] As well as that also relates then to the loan agreements and the relationship framework agreement. So everything is coming together and March 31st is that date where we have all those things that are supposed to be up for renewal.

[3:37:47] And rather than looking at them individually, I do think this has to be done as a package looking at what's the future of that park.

[3:37:56] So, it's been wonderful to see the Westerner Board work with community stakeholders to come up with the four draft visions, and now it's a matter of putting some legs under building those draft visions out.

[3:38:13] So, but I guess specifically how is the city going to run this next part?

[3:38:25] than to the Xi Jinping and the feasibility plan that is underway with the Western Park.

[3:38:32] So when it comes to the resolution, it speaks to the review of the loan agreements and

[3:38:38] what needs to happen there.

[3:38:41] The other piece is around in the relationship framework agreement.

[3:38:44] We have some very specific roles that have been identified as to what council will need to

[3:38:50] do in building out the master plan and what that master plan must entail.

[3:38:55] So, Council is to set what the key elements of that master plan are, and that's very specific in there.

[3:39:02] So, there's more to come as we start down this process, but it is working together through that and getting some legs underneath it to make it happen.

[3:39:14] Thank you for the clarification.

[3:39:17] Thank you, Councillor Brian Stable.

[3:39:18] Thank you, Mayor Jeff, first thank you for your presentation today.

[3:39:22] I want to ask a question that's kind of probably what, uh, be on the minds of the general public in terms of the financial situation.

[3:39:31] Looking at your financials and understanding you've tightened really, you've done a great job tightening

[3:39:36] and you've also done a great job of increasing revenue and rentals and having really a successful year.

[3:39:42] but in all of that, and all the work that's put into it,

[3:39:46] there's still just a very modest profit at the end of the year.

[3:39:50] So looking at a path forward and understanding just some of the debt

[3:39:55] that's there as well.

[3:39:57] What's a sustainable path forward for the Westerner?

[3:40:00] What can the community expect on terms of that?

[3:40:02] I know that you're doing a lot of things to try and get us there.

[3:40:05] And I understand that, but even after doing all that,

[3:40:08] it was just a small profit.

[3:40:10] So is there other items that are in the plan?

[3:40:12] I know you're working through your strategic plan,

[3:40:15] but is it going to be completely reliant on grants moving forward?

[3:40:19] What's maybe your vision for the path forward?

[3:40:24] It's a great question.

[3:40:26] I, you know, showing her team are working very hard.

[3:40:29] Obviously, to make the park sustainable on its own and get the revenue,

[3:40:33] but realistically, with capital expenditures that we need for repairs and maintenance, et cetera,

[3:40:39] we want to build anything after the strategy plan is put together.

[3:40:43] and the new buildings for support or whatever they may be, we're going to need outside support.

[3:40:51] I mean, the money that they raise really is just to keep the operations going.

[3:40:57] And you talked about us being one of the top ones in Canada, in terms of an exhibition,

[3:41:04] spot that other communities work with.

[3:41:06] Is there anything that you've learned from kind of doing that research and working down the road?

[3:41:10] what they've been able to do financially, or are those other exhibition centers also heavily

[3:41:15] rely on grants and outside funding.

[3:41:18] I'm just kind of maybe giving you, trying to plug it, is there, is there some sort of outside

[3:41:22] the box solution, or is it pretty much what kind of set and stone with the path forward

[3:41:25] and things need to go, the bounces need to go the right way?

[3:41:30] I'd say there's two, two things.

[3:41:33] One is, as you look at other ag societies, they do receive a significant portion of their

[3:41:39] revenue as grant revenue, a much higher than what Westerner does.

[3:41:46] And we are relative to most of the other

[3:41:48] societies in Alberta, we are much bigger than a lot of them.

[3:41:53] But even, societies like the Calgary Stampede

[3:41:57] receives significant government support.

[3:42:02] As far as our future goes, the board is working

[3:42:06] on long-term strategic plan vision, looking towards our 150th anniversary in 14, 15 years.

[3:42:16] And so they are working on what are options for Western Park as we go forward, what are

[3:42:23] the different visions that might support a sustainable future?

[3:42:28] Yeah, so they're currently working on it.

[3:42:31] And then just one final question, and this has been bounced around with within our council,

[3:42:36] and I don't know what you'll be able to speak to it, but I know we have world juniors

[3:42:38] coming to the Westerner and understanding that those contracts, there's a lot of different

[3:42:43] places where as much as we'll see people in the seats there might not be as big of a revenue

[3:42:47] generator for the Westerner as maybe the public would expect because there's many different contracts

[3:42:52] where other entities see that revenue. So can you maybe just give a quick explanation as to what,

[3:42:59] Let's, if things were to go perfectly as planned and I know I don't want to say that because

[3:43:03] the last time we had it, it didn't.

[3:43:06] But what kind of revenue is that in your projections, is that going to be a big boon or

[3:43:11] is it just sort of, it will be a nice, it will be a nice boost to what's in the plan as

[3:43:17] well.

[3:43:20] I, you know, the big impact that you're going to see from world juniors will be felt within

[3:43:24] the community.

[3:43:26] You know, so hotels, you know, all of the restaurants out there, you know, even

[3:43:31] shopping when people are coming to town. So a lot of the impact you're going to see there, we

[3:43:37] will for sure we'll get rental revenue and we're for sure going to have expenses. So, you know,

[3:43:43] world, the world juniors doesn't bring their own group of washroom cleaners. All of that, all of

[3:43:49] those kinds of activities that all comes back onto the park. That's good. Yeah, that's good. It will be

[3:43:55] good. It'll be good for us and I think it'll increase the exposure of the Martian crane

[3:44:00] centrium because you'll be hearing it seeing it. So I think it'll increase the exposure. That will be good for

[3:44:07] red. You're just in and amongst itself and good for the park. You know, that's good to know. I think just from the

[3:44:12] public perspective they think of seeing all that coming forward that there's a big check coming to

[3:44:16] Westerner but I just want to get that clear that it's more the economic benefit to the community than it is to

[3:44:21] the actual ground. So I just wanted that verified as well. So those are my questions. Thank you.

[3:44:28] Councillor Tweetle, thanks for your patience.

[3:44:32] That's okay, I wasn't going anywhere.

[3:44:34] Thank you, Mayor.

[3:44:34] Thank you, too, for being here.

[3:44:35] I hope you've had a chance to get a breath or two since Western days ended.

[3:44:39] Councillor Brisbane ought to have most of where I wanted to go with this.

[3:44:42] But just I know it's in the report.

[3:44:44] There was, like, significant improvements both operational efficiencies by 11.4%

[3:44:50] and operating deficiency by 38.6%.

[3:44:52] And to use spoke already as some of those changes that might have brought that.

[3:44:55] If you feel confident moving forward with it, whether changes or learnings from the past.

[3:45:02] We're always looking at the events that we're running and what's working most effectively or what needs to be improved.

[3:45:10] So, every time we run an event, we're looking at how many people participated in the event, what our food and beverage sales might have been, what the set-up costs are, or how we can set it up a little bit differently in order to save some expense. So we're constantly learning.

[3:45:27] So, some of those learnings will have, again, next year, right?

[3:45:32] And also to you spoke with the significant impact for Redgear's community, right?

[3:45:36] That we see beyond Western or Park, the Profits.

[3:45:41] How much work or partnership do you have with Redgear Tourism to kind of coordinate those efforts

[3:45:45] and realize best opportunities for everyone involved?

[3:45:49] So we work very closely with Redgear Tourism and I am on the board of Redgear Tourism.

[3:45:55] So, yeah, we're trying to always trying to bring events to Redier in an economically viable way.

[3:46:04] Thank you.

[3:46:05] Thank you, Councillor Goodwin, please.

[3:46:07] Thank you.

[3:46:08] I do have quick couple of followups that have been prompted from some of the other questions.

[3:46:13] When I discuss the question about the rebels being the anchor,

[3:46:18] And then I also noticed that receivables were up by 16 percent, but growth, 68 percent are concentrated in three parties.

[3:46:29] And then when I go further down there where gate food, beverage and sponsorship all three are down, rental income and commissions are up.

[3:46:40] Is this conscious operational differentiation to go towards more of the landlord model than the producer model, or is this the way things are?

[3:46:58] And as you talked about your long-term plan, we'll try to pull things like that into balance.

[3:47:04] So, we continue to try to encourage our rental income rental income for us is the lowest risk

[3:47:13] kind of income that we can have.

[3:47:15] If there aren't enough rentals or if there is an is a gap in the entertainment space within

[3:47:21] Redger, then we look at what kind of event that we can put on.

[3:47:25] Our first preference is to have rental income and have someone else put on the events

[3:47:30] at the park, but where there's a gap, that's where we put on the events.

[3:47:35] Okay, so it is a conscious move from the gate, the food, the beverage, and sponsorships,

[3:47:42] then towards being more of the landlord.

[3:47:46] Yeah, yes, and also when there is a concert, you know, when there's a concert that comes,

[3:47:53] then you're going to see a big surge, and if you looked at our financial see a big surge

[3:47:58] in ticketing revenue, but you're also going to be seeing a big surge in expense because we have

[3:48:02] to pay for the entertainer. So, you know, a concert might, you'll see the big increase in

[3:48:08] tickets, but, you know, on the expense side, I might be paying 100,000 or more for that entertainer.

[3:48:15] Okay, that's great. That's good enough for me. Thank you very much. I guess you're good.

[3:48:21] Hey, Councillor Cron, please.

[3:48:25] This is good to see you again. I appreciate the report. I appreciate the progress that's been made and sort of tracking through our in the second year of the three year business plan.

[3:48:33] One of the pieces that you explained to us last year when you came was that you were running really thin on the HR side.

[3:48:38] And that that was going to be unsustainable. I didn't see that specifically addressed that report. So I'm wondering how the HR side is going for the park right now.

[3:48:46] Yeah. We do try to keep our vacancies as long as possible, but, you know, we still have some vacancies on the park.

[3:48:56] But our intention is to fill those roles.

[3:49:01] Yeah, we're just trying to be really tight and lean on all of our expense.

[3:49:07] Okay. Thank you.

[3:49:09] Thank you very much. I just have one question. I think it goes perhaps to City Manager.

[3:49:13] With respect to the work that's looked at in the resolution and approach motion, the loan

[3:49:22] agreements and possible repayment options, as well as the relationship framework agreement.

[3:49:29] Can you just speak to how that will come about?

[3:49:34] Is that in conversation with the Westerner?

[3:49:37] What will their participation be?

[3:49:39] Will it be with us and will it be together or will it be us driving the bus?

[3:49:45] I guess is what I'm getting to.

[3:49:47] Through the mayor when it comes to the loan agreements, we'll do our internal assessment as the

[3:49:52] holder of the loan and then we will have conversations with the Western or intent is to do

[3:49:59] what's best for city and Western if we can find a win-win in there.

[3:50:04] But we need to do some analysis and then reach out to the Shelley from admin to admin.

[3:50:14] When it comes to the relationship framework agreement,

[3:50:16] it's not mentioned in the resolution because we had a prior resolution

[3:50:20] where we extended the timeline and said we would come back by March 31, 2020.

[3:50:28] Thank you very much.

[3:50:31] Not seeing any other questions.

[3:50:32] Thank you both for being here and for your presentation and responding to all those questions.

[3:50:41] Council, we need a mover and a seconder.

[3:50:58] Councillor Curtis, Councillor Tweedell.

[3:51:00] Thank you very much.

[3:51:02] Comments, Council.

[3:51:06] I'm looking forward to that.

[3:51:08] I can't see you.

[3:51:09] Councillor White, please.

[3:51:11] I know my colleague, Councillor Bruma, often reminds us of this.

[3:51:15] And it also is germane to Councilor Barnes-Cable's comments about the $150 million impact that

[3:51:22] Westerner Park has.

[3:51:24] And I was a counselor at the table when the original loan agreement came.

[3:51:30] I was the council at the table when we extended the loan payment.

[3:51:35] So this is a heavy file and a very significant file for our city and our community.

[3:51:41] But I often think, as I think, back of why the Council of the Day made the decision to support

[3:51:47] Westerner arc, is because we need an event facility in our community.

[3:51:52] And what would our community look like if we didn't have it?

[3:51:56] And I appreciate this financial statement compared to previous the last one.

[3:52:02] And the ongoing work that administration and our colleague council reps will have in the coming

[3:52:08] month as we look to that important date.

[3:52:14] I think that Westerner Park, I heard today and here in the community and see it that they're trying very hard.

[3:52:21] And so how do we set ourselves up for success? Us is the city? Us is Westerner Park, so we have that.

[3:52:30] Community space, that is so valuable. Again, the important comment that Shelley talked about was the government funding.

[3:52:39] But there is more than one government in here. We have ourselves, we have the province and of course the federal government. So any roles that they can play in terms of supporting.

[3:52:50] The other point for me is the value of agratrade, agratrade began in red deer, and the importance

[3:52:57] of it continuing.

[3:52:59] And we think about food production in our world, and we bring it down nationally, locally,

[3:53:06] regionally in our province.

[3:53:08] We have a lot to be able to be proud of.

[3:53:10] And so for agratrade to bring forward those equipment, their showcasing, it is really something

[3:53:19] that red deer can be proud of. So I hope that that continues as well in terms of the future

[3:53:23] opportunities. And along with the point of that I made to Shelley and Brad about the value

[3:53:30] of affordability for a community, people want to be able to participate in events and I recognize

[3:53:36] what they have had during Western or Days in the philanthropy supports for kids to ride.

[3:53:42] If you think back, you know, when I was a farm kid in Central Alberta, I looked forward to

[3:53:47] to your fair. And I smile when Shelley's talked about the candy apple or the rides and the

[3:53:53] memories, because that's what we create at community events like Western or Park and the

[3:53:59] Red deer exhibition. So I accept the report and look forward to the conversations that

[3:54:05] we'll bring us forward and to other decisions. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Wangis. Go to

[3:54:10] Councillor Goodwin, please.

[3:54:12] Thank you very much.

[3:54:14] And I can't echo strongly enough the sentiments

[3:54:18] that the Westfender is so valuable,

[3:54:21] red deer and central Alberta.

[3:54:24] It's very promising to see the numbers improving.

[3:54:29] And as part of my analysis of the numbers,

[3:54:32] I always try to look at what are we dependent on

[3:54:35] and how are we growing in terms of being able to freely grow

[3:54:40] in the event of a big change.

[3:54:42] So I do appreciate that that's being talked about.

[3:54:47] Overall, it is a positive report,

[3:54:49] and it is, hopefully, we'll continue for a long, long time

[3:54:53] to be a mainstay here in Red Deer.

[3:54:56] So I will also support.

[3:54:59] Thank you, Councillor Burns, table, please.

[3:55:01] Thank you, Mayor Jeffery.

[3:55:02] As I've said this before,

[3:55:03] and other times we've talked about the Westerner,

[3:55:05] but if the Westerner didn't exist in Red Deer,

[3:55:08] I likely wouldn't be a red deerian because it was another main reason not the facility itself,

[3:55:14] but without that facility, I know I wouldn't have come into red deer in 2009, and I wouldn't

[3:55:18] want to come back because I would have never experienced what red deer was.

[3:55:23] So, you know, this has been a heavy financial file for a while, I'm very thankful for the work

[3:55:28] that's been done over the past year to get us into a place where it's positive for once

[3:55:33] in a long time, but there is a lot of heavy lifting left at the table.

[3:55:37] I'm looking forward to hearing what the strategic planning comes up with in the next number

[3:55:41] of months.

[3:55:43] And hopefully there's no sidewalks idea that can get us there.

[3:55:48] I know that across Canada, this is something that, you know, the conversation between

[3:55:54] an ag facility versus an exhibition hall and kind of we get into that difficult place where

[3:56:00] we're the funding probably should be in terms of grants.

[3:56:03] But we do rely heavily on the province and the federal government as well to keep us

[3:56:07] the city has done the heavy lifting for a while on this file and we're losing out of any

[3:56:13] strength to carry the weight anymore and so we hope for our government partners to come

[3:56:18] forward in a good way and also for the Westerners well to come up with some outside the box

[3:56:23] thoughts that that might guess over the hump as well. So looking forward to seeing that March 31st

[3:56:27] but obviously this is an entity within our city that is extremely valuable and I don't think

[3:56:32] the community would realize what red deer would look like without the Westerner. Those are my comments.

[3:56:38] Thank you.

[3:56:39] Councillor Brisbane, please.

[3:56:42] Thank you, Mayor.

[3:56:44] Yeah, echo what my colleagues have said so far.

[3:56:47] And I think that, you know, it's an exciting time for the Westerner right now.

[3:56:51] Going through the strategic plan.

[3:56:53] It's a very strong board in place.

[3:56:55] Shelley's leadership had demonstrated.

[3:56:57] You know, to be able to get this back on track financially.

[3:57:01] You know, there's just, there's a lot of upside here.

[3:57:03] and there's a lot of energy to in the community and seeing where we can get to and so

[3:57:10] it's in the right spot now but I think the potential for it to grow, there's some real

[3:57:16] momentum around that and everybody wants to see it succeed. So I'm hopeful for where we can go

[3:57:22] with this and look forward to and very sad to be part of the group that gets to be involved to

[3:57:27] with the strap plan and everything, everything else in that space. What really struck me though about

[3:57:33] presentation and something that we don't shouldn't forget about is the economic impact that

[3:57:38] this has to the community. And so what are we investing as a city to into making sure that

[3:57:44] that that then continues in that space? And so, you know, something to consider because it's,

[3:57:49] you know, as she said, doesn't really show up on their balance sheets, but it's, but it's massive

[3:57:54] to our community. Thank you, Councillor Burruma, please. Thank you very much,

[3:58:01] One of the great events Westerner Park had this year was the scheduling event and I remember when I was on site for that

[3:58:09] I thought oh, it's a lot of me

[3:58:12] And there were a lot of people that's scheduling, but it represents what Westerner Park is because on that very day we had a bull cell

[3:58:20] We had a life memorial for an individual

[3:58:22] We had a graduation or Canadian professional account certified for

[3:58:27] contents. We had an RV show that was on a reptile sale that was on. We had over 10,000 people

[3:58:34] at Westerner Park on a Saturday. Imagine a memories that are created by that. Imagine the impact

[3:58:41] that has when you have those individuals that are coming from around Central Alberta and coming

[3:58:47] to Westerner Park as that gathering cities that also the purchase is not that they make.

[3:58:52] I will say, and I've shared with Council, this is a heavy file. This is a challenging

[3:58:56] I'll give them the work that's involved in it, and I appreciate Councilor Wynton's mentioning.

[3:59:02] The tough times that this has been, but I do believe that we're on a positive course in regards to meeting the financial needs for that,

[3:59:10] and there's still a lot of work to do.

[3:59:12] The other thing that I was really impressed with over the last couple of years is the quality of board members that we have been able to recruit

[3:59:21] and excited to be part of that. Some of our new board members are bringing new perspectives

[3:59:27] to the way it's done. They have incredible skills that are helping us work and solve some of

[3:59:33] the challenges and the issues of Westerner part. So I'm grateful for that. I know that the

[3:59:38] citizens of Red Gear oftentimes are asking questions about Westerner Park from a city perspective

[3:59:45] and regards that financial. I think we're working very, very hard. I think the leadership that

[3:59:51] and the board members that are providing is paving a way for that.

[3:59:56] But I think you've also recognized this isn't incredibly-

[4:00:00] Challenging the street to be part of. And at the same time, we cannot forget the asset that it is for our community and the great things that helps create. Thank you.

[4:00:11] Thank you. Councillor Burema, Councillor Curtis.

[4:00:16] I might begin. There we go. So when I think of culture in our city, I do think of Westerner Park. It's a big player when it comes to culture in our city.

[4:00:25] I remember when I first moved to the city as a kid, I remember being okay with coming to Red Deer because we had our own hockey team, so

[4:00:33] and when I think of Red Deer that that's a Westerner park as an asset. That's how it is a heavy file.

[4:00:42] But I'm thankful for the work that has been done to ensure that the westerners in the black, the positive changes that have been made.

[4:00:50] I can tell Shelley's passion in about the park and what it can offer to our city.

[4:00:55] I also appreciate my colleagues work on this file, along with other board members who have

[4:00:59] come to the table with a vision for this asset in our community.

[4:01:03] There's so much potential when it comes to the park, and I look forward to the upwards

[4:01:06] trajectory for this community asset.

[4:01:11] Thank you, Councillor Curtis.

[4:01:13] Council, I'm not seeing anyone else, I think everybody's had a chance, but I'll just

[4:01:16] most of you have covered what I would say.

[4:01:18] I do appreciate the work of our colleagues, Councilor Bruma and Councillor Bruswell and the board as well as our city manager and really appreciate how

[4:01:28] Shelley Flint has brought a situation around and cut expenses and monitored very tightly.

[4:01:34] There are operations to try and bring us back around in a positive way and with that all stop and call the question.

[4:01:50] Council, please vote.

[4:02:06] You're in favor, Councilor Bruma is in favor.

[4:02:23] Thank you, Mayor. That passed. Well, I'm favour. Thank you. Appreciate that. Council.

[4:02:30] Much to the secret of Mr. Wright, who's our next presenter. We're going to take a break and then move to the public hearing at five.

[4:02:38] And then we'll come back for the housing homelessness integration committee, and I recognize you've been sitting waiting for quite some time.

[4:02:46] Sometimes we can't avoid these bumps in the agenda so appreciate that and we'll come back or we can be in at 5 o'clock.

[4:18:03] Okay, council, welcome back from recess. I appreciate a little bit of a break.

[4:18:12] Council, we have one public hearing tonight. It's for Kentwood, northeast, Kingsgate, neighborhood area structure plan, 3217b, 2026. And I'd like to welcome the public who've joined us for our public hearing. In accordance with our procedure by law, you're allowed up to five minutes to speak. You will be timed. A timer will display on the screen.

[4:18:34] to indicate your speaking time. The clerk will advise when your time is complete. At the

[4:18:39] outset of your comments, please state and spell your name for the public record. Councils

[4:18:45] here to listen and upon conclusion of your remarks, please remain at the podium or stay

[4:18:49] on the line in case of members of council. This is not your opportunity to ask questions

[4:18:56] of council. With regard to the proposed amendments, Councils required to focus on land use

[4:19:01] planning principles and factors related to the use of land. I ask that council and speakers limit their

[4:19:07] comments to those factors that are relevant to council's deliberations on the proposed

[4:19:11] violas.

[4:19:13] I now declare open a public hearing for Kentwood Northeast King's Gate Neighborhood

[4:19:17] Area Structure Plan 3217B-2026, readjusting the boundary to the north to include part of

[4:19:25] 0, 4, 0, 50, second avenue for increased increase of 1.35 hectares of land plus or minus, I guess that is 1.35 hectares when I read it and full it made more sense.

[4:19:43] I will now ask administration for their presentation. Welcome, Ms. Fizzam.

[4:19:47] Thank you for being here tonight.

[4:19:50] Go ahead.

[4:19:53] You guys can see the presentation?

[4:19:55] I think we have control of you.

[4:19:57] There you go.

[4:20:00] Good evening, Mayor and members of Council.

[4:20:03] Administration supports second and third reading of by law 327-3217B-2026.

[4:20:10] To readjust the boundary of the Kentwood Northeast Keyes Gate NAS to include an additional 1.35 hectares of land.

[4:20:20] In 2021, the city began detailed design work for the Highway 11820 project, including construction of an overpass.

[4:20:27] over the CPKC Railway line. As part of this work, additional right of way was required from

[4:20:33] lands adjacent to the project, such as 80-40-50 second avenue, to accommodate the overpass

[4:20:39] embankment. As such, the existing access from 80-40-52 avenue to highway 11A needs to be removed.

[4:20:47] So in the image, it's the access, it's the line at the top, and it gives access to the

[4:20:57] and physical access to the southern boundary to Kingston Drive because that thin strip of land

[4:21:02] identified in red on the image belongs to a different party. In discussions regarding the

[4:21:09] Highway 11A right of requirements, it was identified that the owner of that thin strip of land

[4:21:14] had an interest in completing a land swap with the owner of 804052 Avenue. The proposed exchange

[4:21:20] would provide the property with direct legal and physical access to Kingston Drive, while enabling

[4:21:26] the owner of the strip to develop residential lots of fronting Kingston Drive.

[4:21:30] Both landowners were agreeable to the proposed exchange, and this nascent amendment is the first step in allowing this process to occur.

[4:21:38] The city has made the adoption of this nascent amendment a condition of subdivision endorsement,

[4:21:43] which limits the city's exposure to access-related costs and the highway-11A access is ultimately removed.

[4:21:53] The proposed nascent amendment is consistent with the zoning and built form of the residential lands located

[4:21:58] immediately south of Kingston Drive. The amendment creates a cohesive and logical

[4:22:03] neighborhood edge by extending the existing residential pattern northward in

[4:22:07] a limited and site-specific manner. This amendment is limited in scale and are

[4:22:11] not anticipated and is not anticipated to alter the overall character or

[4:22:16] function of the Catwood neighborhood. Detail design considerations such as

[4:22:21] lot layout, grading, drainage, landscaping, servicing and access arrangements

[4:22:26] would be evaluated at the subdivision and development permit stage.

[4:22:32] From a policy perspective, the proposal is consistent with the MDP, objectives, which support efficient use of land and infrastructure, logical growth patterns and provision of housing opportunities within existing neighborhoods.

[4:22:46] The amendment would allow for future residential development while also facilitating the land swap between the two landowners.

[4:22:53] While this amendment itself doesn't authorize residential development, it establishes the planning framework necessary for future rezoning.

[4:23:01] The subject lands are currently designed, designated, future urban development zone A1, and this

[4:23:10] designation anticipated that there would eventually be urban development as the area

[4:23:15] matures.

[4:23:17] If the areas eventually re-zoned to our end, the subject lands would support the development

[4:23:23] of additional single-family homes within an established neighborhood.

[4:23:26] The provision of new single-family housing opportunities is consistent with current demands in

[4:23:31] red deer for single-family housing.

[4:23:34] In field development of this nature makes efficient use of existing municipal infrastructure

[4:23:39] and services, and it contributes to the city's broader housing objectives without requiring

[4:23:44] extension of new infrastructure to greenfield areas.

[4:23:48] If the amendment is not adopted, the related subdivision cannot be endorsed, and the conditional

[4:23:53] Lenswap intended to provide legal and physical access to 804052 Avenue may not proceed.

[4:24:00] In that event, the city would need to pursue another legally sufficient access solution

[4:24:05] before removing existing highway, the existing highway 11A access.

[4:24:10] And that could result in project delay, additional land acquisition or easement costs, compensation

[4:24:15] exposure or other access related costs.

[4:24:20] The proposed amendment was circulated to 86 landowners within 100 meters of the subject property.

[4:24:26] The concerns that were raised regarding parking, traffic, infrastructure capacity and drainage

[4:24:31] are not anticipated to result in significant impacts.

[4:24:35] Because the infrastructure that was put in place for Kentwood, for the Kentwood area,

[4:24:39] was originally designed to accommodate future growth to the north.

[4:24:44] The remainder of 80, 40, 50 second avenue is not included in this amendment.

[4:24:49] We did receive some concerns about the removal of tree trees and the protection of

[4:24:54] some wetlands, but as such, these would come at a later time when that portion of the land

[4:25:00] a NASP is developed for that portion of land or there's a future NASP amendment.

[4:25:07] So as such, administration supports NASP amendment 32, 17B to readjust the boundary of the

[4:25:12] that would name Kingsgate NASP to include an additional 1.35 hectares of land.

[4:25:20] Thank you.

[4:25:23] Thank you very much.

[4:25:24] Are there any other questions, Councillor Cronk, please?

[4:25:28] I appreciate the presentation.

[4:25:30] It wasn't clear when I worked through the package that this was about a landswap.

[4:25:33] So my questions were about the access and how there's a house there on Google Maps.

[4:25:37] How he was going to make it to.

[4:25:39] So I'm correct in assuming that that house will be accessed from the south rather than from the north.

[4:25:44] through the major members of Council that is correct, so there's only one access to the property at this time, which is directly from the property to Highway 11A, that would be eliminated, with the landswap, the access would come at a different point off of Kingston drive.

[4:26:00] But the access details would come later on at the subdivision and development stage. So exactly where it's going to be is going to come at a later date.

[4:26:09] Thank you.

[4:26:10] Councillor Curtis, please.

[4:26:14] Thank you, Mayor Jeffries, and thank you for the presentation.

[4:26:18] So I'm just curious, I'm not seeing any green space on this nest at all. Am I in correct

[4:26:24] in saying that?

[4:26:28] Just one second.

[4:26:33] We're going to get the map back.

[4:26:38] Through the many or two members of Council, and so the Kentwood neighborhood nest is already in

[4:26:44] place, and so we're not all we're adding if we were to have this amendment go through,

[4:26:49] is the strip of residential land to the north.

[4:26:53] So, yes.

[4:26:53] So, as I identified till the green area of the area,

[4:26:56] the area circled in green is what we would be adding.

[4:26:59] So, no, we're not adding any green space with this amendment.

[4:27:03] And all of the rest of campus is already an adopted NASP.

[4:27:07] So, is there a green space in this NASP though?

[4:27:10] There is okay.

[4:27:12] And, yeah, I was just wondering the force that the residents are commenting on

[4:27:15] is that part of that?

[4:27:16] Through the Mayor's members of Council, no, that's not part of that.

[4:27:20] So the green space that they're referencing is the remainder of 80, 40, 52 Avenue,

[4:27:26] which is to the north of that area identified in the green there.

[4:27:29] And that's not being dealt with today.

[4:27:32] That would, a NAS would come at a later date to deal with that parcel of wind.

[4:27:36] Yeah, I understand that that's not being, that's not part of the decision making today.

[4:27:40] I just want to ask the question based on some of the comments received from people within the area that were notified.

[4:27:46] So, and I just looking at the map, I didn't see any green space.

[4:27:50] So, I was wondering if that was something that is in the plans.

[4:27:54] City Manager?

[4:27:56] I'll just refer you to page 121, and you'll see there is plans to statistics, and it notes

[4:28:03] that there is 7.45 hectares of open space, and that's about 15 percent of the human

[4:28:15] have to let me know what NDA is on that table. What counsel is used to seeing is our newer

[4:28:25] area structure plans. This is one of our older area structure plans. And so the ability for

[4:28:31] graphic design and some of those things are sure evolved, where it was much easier to pop out

[4:28:37] in our newer ones, where the green spaces, than in our older ones. And NDA is net developer

[4:28:44] Okay, I appreciate that.

[4:28:45] The way I've seen, again, city manager,

[4:28:48] correct me if I'm wrong.

[4:28:50] But the little literal green on the map is typically

[4:28:52] the green space.

[4:28:53] And I understand that that is part of the decision today.

[4:28:57] So, again, that's why I'm asking.

[4:29:02] But thank you.

[4:29:03] That's all my questions.

[4:29:04] Thank you.

[4:29:06] Councillor White, just please.

[4:29:08] Thank you for the presentations.

[4:29:09] These themes.

[4:29:10] Were there any other access options,

[4:29:12] considered or reviewed prior to this application that's before us, this amendment.

[4:29:19] Through the management members of council, so no, that is the only access consideration

[4:29:23] we're looking at right now. If this amendment were to not go through, the city would be

[4:29:29] looking at potentially purchasing the red strip of land on the south side and then enabling

[4:29:36] an access at that time. But for right now, this is the only solution we've looked at.

[4:29:40] and then speak to me why that wasn't considered or presented to Council.

[4:29:46] As an option.

[4:29:53] Through the Mayor to members of Council, if you'll just give me a moment.

[4:29:55] Of course, for engineering too.

[4:30:07] Hi there. I'm Simone Thompson. I'm Russ Schwartz's stunt bubble for today.

[4:30:14] So, thank you.

[4:30:16] Hello, Simone.

[4:30:17] So, can you repeat the question?

[4:30:19] Well, I'm just curious if there are other options considered.

[4:30:23] Besides this access that was presented to council.

[4:30:27] The citizens talk about, and I'll go to my next question, some issues of concern.

[4:30:32] So, whether any other options considered rather than this one.

[4:30:34] I don't think there were a lot of options available to us.

[4:30:40] We tried to, because Highway 11A was twin, we tried to limit access onto those major

[4:30:46] roadways for safety reasons, of course.

[4:30:48] So the most logical place to have it, to have that second error, the access move to would

[4:30:54] be King, you know, the King's Gator.

[4:30:58] King's and Dries there.

[4:31:00] But there was other possibilities that could have been considered or this was the most

[4:31:04] be feasible. This is the most feasible. Thank you. I don't know if you'll answer this question or

[4:31:10] misspeasings. Some of the citizens letters talk about safety issues for citizens, the wildlife,

[4:31:18] receive traffic impacts, and runoff impacts. What type of mitigation initiatives will occur to

[4:31:26] manage those concerns that will might happen if this is passed this evening?

[4:31:32] Through the Mayor to Members of Council, so the existing infrastructure in place was designed with the anticipation that the Lancet and to the north, which are currently zoned a one future urban development, would be developed and so it does have the capacity to deal with additional housing at some point.

[4:31:50] That being said, those very specific details of the mitigation, what the drainage will look like, etc.

[4:31:57] Those will be, those will come at a later stage. So at the subdivision and development permit stage.

[4:32:03] Thank you for that. I'm curious about the runoff impacts because we're seeing more and more

[4:32:08] serious storms. And if you've been watching the end to news and the impacts of how we do our

[4:32:13] planning. So I just ask perhaps that that be considered if this is past this evening. Thank you.

[4:32:21] of service.

[4:32:25] Thank you, Mayor.

[4:32:26] I guess what's so confusing about this is that in the package, it was talking about, you know,

[4:32:33] twinning 11A and then also development and residential areas but we're not talking about any

[4:32:37] of that right now.

[4:32:38] We're just talking about that last swap for the potential for those two things to happen

[4:32:42] in the future.

[4:32:43] Is that correct?

[4:32:44] Through the mayor to members of Council.

[4:32:45] So yes, I try to provide that context to get the full picture of why we're doing this.

[4:32:50] But essentially right now, we're just adding land to the existing NAS to be able to give access to that landowner.

[4:32:58] But the reasoning is coming at a later stage.

[4:33:01] And so we're not adding housing at this time.

[4:33:03] We're just identifying where the housing will go once this part of the land is added to the Kentwood NAS.

[4:33:09] And then the twinning of the 11A whenever that might come.

[4:33:13] Is that going to be to equal on each side or with that go more into Kentwood or has that been decided at all yet?

[4:33:20] Through the Mayor to Members of Council, they would appear that that's not decided at this time.

[4:33:25] We don't have those details.

[4:33:27] Thank you.

[4:33:31] I'll call for questions, Council.

[4:33:34] Not seeing any.

[4:33:35] Thank you very much for your presentation.

[4:33:37] Appreciate you being here.

[4:33:41] I don't have a list of speakers tonight, but I'll do a call.

[4:33:44] Is there anyone present wishing to comment on the proposed Kent Wood King's Gate

[4:33:48] Neighborhood Area Structure Plan 3217B2026?

[4:33:56] Seeing none, I'll do a second call.

[4:33:58] Is there anyone wishing to speak to the neighborhood area structure plan amendment

[4:34:03] we have anyone online city clerk who's wanting to participate?

[4:34:07] Thank you man. There's no one online and one final call. Is there anyone present?

[4:34:15] Washing to comment on the proposed Kentwood Kingsgate neighborhood area structure plan 3217b 2026

[4:34:25] seeing none.

[4:34:27] I will now declare the public hearing for Kentwood, King's Gate,

[4:34:32] nor neighborhood area, structure plan 3217B-26,

[4:34:36] re-adjusting the boundary to the north to include part of 80, 40, 50 second avenue

[4:34:43] of the land closed. Council, we will now proceed to the proposed resolution.

[4:34:49] Can you please say close?

[4:34:52] I have now declared closed.

[4:34:54] I'm looking.

[4:34:56] Sorry.

[4:34:56] I thought I had said close.

[4:34:57] Might have mumbled.

[4:34:59] Council will now propose to the proceed to the proposed resolution.

[4:35:06] Good question.

[4:35:07] Student administration.

[4:35:08] Oh, yeah.

[4:35:09] Do you have questions?

[4:35:09] Sorry.

[4:35:10] Go ahead.

[4:35:10] I should have asked.

[4:35:13] Administration.

[4:35:14] I'm wondering if you can comment on the citizens letter on page 126.

[4:35:19] Specifically, they talk about a number of issues in their letter.

[4:35:23] But they speak on their conclusion.

[4:35:24] that given us a bunches, we're having a little bit of trouble hearing you.

[4:35:29] Thank you.

[4:35:31] I'm wondering if administration can just comment on age 126, specifically the citizens,

[4:35:38] including paragraph that speaks to traffic, parking, wetland balancing, highway, the adjacent

[4:35:46] highway expansion transition to a high density is entirely premature of this site.

[4:35:51] Can someone speak to that comment?

[4:35:54] I should have allowed.

[4:35:55] Is it premature and and and it goes to my previous question of other options being considered with recognition of some of the concerns raised.

[4:36:04] Thank you council.

[4:36:07] Sorry.

[4:36:09] Through the mayor to members of council.

[4:36:12] So as I've mentioned prior it was always anticipated that this would be developed.

[4:36:17] What I can comment on is that the RN district is not a high density district.

[4:36:24] it's a single family detached zone, which matches the existing

[4:36:31] residences that are on that are just south of Kingston Drive. So it would be

[4:36:37] potentially when we did the math, it would be potentially 48 more lots, more

[4:36:43] more houses and that's the absolute maximum. And so the existing infrastructure

[4:36:48] is able to sustain that and it is not high density.

[4:36:53] Thank you, Ms. B's Aimsing. Can you just speak to their concerns as well about, and was

[4:36:57] either concerns as well about the environmental impacts to the wildlife?

[4:37:05] Through the mayor to members of Council, the property that has the wildlife.

[4:37:10] So it is the property. It's 80-40-52 street, but a lot of the heavily-treated areas that they're

[4:37:20] the boundary that we're dealing with today.

[4:37:23] Thank you for that explanation.

[4:37:24] Thank you, Mayor.

[4:37:25] Thank you.

[4:37:27] Could we have the resolution up please?

[4:37:40] So, this has was moved at first reading by Councillor Tweedell and Councillor Fiswas, seconded. Councillor, is there further discussion for this comment?

[4:37:54] Councillor Curtis.

[4:38:00] So, I used to somebody else turning on my mic for me. So, I appreciate my colleagues, comment and questions about runoff, just looking at Minton and the amount of swarm water that they're dealing with there and their infrastructure can't keep up and I think that's something we need to consider.

[4:38:19] As a result of the north end, I think it's important that parks and green space is also prioritized on the north end.

[4:38:25] So I'm hoping that something that is considered in future plans.

[4:38:28] It, I appreciate knowing that those treat areas in that land is not part of this nest.

[4:38:34] But I just want to bring that forward.

[4:38:38] The land is already owned in the amendment.

[4:38:40] is to support the two parcels, Latin owners, future plans and wishes with the property and support

[4:38:45] future 20 on 5.11, which is critical to our city and as such I will be supporting the motion today.

[4:38:53] Thank you. Any other comments, Council?

[4:38:58] Seeing none, I would call the question.

[4:39:02] Second reading.

[4:39:09] There we go, Council. Please vote.

[4:39:22] That's unanimous. Council, thank you very much.

[4:39:23] and we'll go to a third reading, please.

[4:39:29] Any final comments, Council?

[4:39:32] Seeing none, I'll call the question.

[4:39:35] Please vote when you can.

[4:39:48] Thank you very much, Council.

[4:39:49] That's also unanimous.

[4:39:52] We should, I think, staff being here tonight.

[4:39:55] Thanks for your presentation and your support.

[4:39:58] And now, Council will move back to Item 6.2,

[4:40:02] which is the Housing and Homeless Integration Committee piece.

[4:40:08] And we've got a few changes in presentation presenters.

[4:40:14] Councillor Buroma, I understand you're going to do some speaking on behalf Chair Gordon Wright.

[4:40:20] And we've got Bobby Joe standard here for Macca.

[4:40:25] Thank you very much.

[4:40:26] The Housing and Homeless Integration Committee is bringing a motion to council to support some advocacy

[4:40:33] in regards to youth transitional housing.

[4:40:37] As we were taking a look at some of the funding that was going to housing needs within our community,

[4:40:47] we were advised that 12 units are units that serve 12 young people in transitional housing lost its funding from the province.

[4:40:58] And as a result of that, in essence, the operators of that, like man, youth homes needed to, basically, set these young people free.

[4:41:12] And I know as we were going through this issue, I had opportunities to talk to minister Nixon, who was the minister responsible at that time,

[4:41:20] And, you know, advocated for that, saying, what is it that we're able to do around that?

[4:41:26] Since then, Minister Nudor has taken over that particular file and there has been not to my understanding,

[4:41:34] there hasn't been advocacy on its since that change has happened.

[4:41:38] So what we're asking is that if Council would be able to formally take a look at some of the advocacy work around this.

[4:41:46] And no one we heard that information at our meeting.

[4:41:48] It was really heartbreaking.

[4:41:51] Here you have young people who are in transitional housing.

[4:41:55] Now we do have a youth shelter, but that's emergency housing for young people.

[4:42:00] Transitional housing is providing them the resources, the support for them to make it to the next step,

[4:42:07] for them to take care of what some of the challenges are that they're facing.

[4:42:11] They have support from professional help within that, and it was heartbreaking when we found out about that.

[4:42:18] And since that time there's been the best of mine all it's there's been no resolution to that and we do need to advocate for that that is one of those housing need

[4:42:31] is that we have and again the most vulnerable house on house individuals that we have within our community.

[4:42:38] So we're asking for counsel to up the advocacy on that and this needs to be a permanent decision.

[4:42:45] It can't go by the flow of funding cycles, it needs to be a clear need that's in our community that needs to be fulfilled with that.

[4:42:56] So, again, some initial advocacy has been done, but we would like the supportive council and the voice of council to support this advocacy.

[4:43:06] And I don't know if there's other comments that you would have missed out on it.

[4:43:15] Thank you so much. Through you may or two members of Council, it's important to prioritize

[4:43:23] the youth file in Redder because this is the only program that does support youth in transitional housing.

[4:43:32] The decision was made by the housing and homelessness integration committee to

[4:43:39] put towards a carry forward that was left over from the provincial government funding as well as some

[4:43:45] federal government funding to be able to support this particular program until March of

[4:43:51] 2027, but that it was only a stock debt measure, and that was done in consultation with

[4:43:58] our use serving agencies in Red Deers.

[4:44:02] So we are at a point that after March 2027, we do not have any housing for youth that is

[4:44:10] an emergency situation.

[4:44:13] Thank you very much, Councillor Vrima, back to you.

[4:44:15] If I can add to that as we start our advocacy around that, my understanding is they

[4:44:20] lost, they terminated the rent of the facility, furnishings, and all of the materials needed

[4:44:28] to house those individuals were also dispersed.

[4:44:33] And at this point, do we have any of that housing?

[4:44:36] I haven't heard of any updates from that.

[4:44:38] At this point, the program does have funding, not to the level that it did previously.

[4:44:45] So there's a lot of outreach that's happening through those workers.

[4:44:49] But I'm not sure if we have physical spaces right now.

[4:44:54] And that's the last I heard I would hope that there was some progress made on that.

[4:44:59] Thank you.

[4:45:00] This will be before I go further with questions or comments that you may have been asked for a mover and a seconder.

[4:45:06] Or not, Julie, to do it.

[4:45:08] Councillor Burroma, Councillor Burroma, I'm going to go to Councilor Tweedle.

[4:45:16] Councilor Burroma, I'm Councillor Tweedle,

[4:45:26] please. I don't know if we can change it. I have to live with it.

[4:45:30] And you change it too.

[4:45:34] That's not really matter too much I suppose.

[4:45:41] Thank you very much. Now we'll go to questions while we.

[4:45:45] I'll leave it at that. Councillor Whiteress, please.

[4:45:50] Thank you for the comments, Councillor and city administration, and certainly support this advocacy work.

[4:45:57] I'm just curious about community conversations, collaboration.

[4:46:04] We now have the Red Your Homeless Foundation and recognize that many, many challenges there as well.

[4:46:09] But what kind of community?

[4:46:14] that might support our advocacy in this endeavor for transitional housing.

[4:46:21] Thank you for the question through you, Mayor, to Councillor Wainches.

[4:46:25] We have been in conversation with the Redger Housing Homeless Foundation around this particular need,

[4:46:32] but we do have a particular program that is ready to go in the community other than the current service provider.

[4:46:41] Thank you, and then my second question is in terms of other mid-sized cities.

[4:46:44] it's often, you know, the larger city's Edmonton and Calgary, but we have youth from not only

[4:46:50] red deer, but the surrounding region as well, who come to our city. What kind of supports

[4:46:55] are being offered that we're aware of that, perhaps we didn't receive other mid-sized cities

[4:47:01] have for initiatives such as this.

[4:47:04] Thank you for the question. Three o'clock, Mayor, to Councillor Wynches. The change with the

[4:47:10] provincial government being the community entity for this particular funding means that we

[4:47:17] don't have the same access to who is receiving what contracts through the provincial government.

[4:47:24] So I wouldn't be able to comment on what is available in other communities right now.

[4:47:30] So basically we don't have, we're not privy to that information or we're not even aware

[4:47:35] of the gaps that are located in other mid-sized cities and communities.

[4:47:41] That is correct.

[4:47:41] The information that we would have would be by other municipalities, not necessarily straight

[4:47:47] from the GOA.

[4:47:48] Thank you.

[4:47:49] And with the change of process funding that the provincial government is now making those decisions,

[4:47:54] are they aware of our concerns in terms of our lack of information, our gaps, our ability

[4:48:00] to know what's happening in our community, to make appropriate decisions?

[4:48:05] Do they have an open mechanism that's available not only to our city, but other cities to be able to provide that information?

[4:48:13] Thank you for the question.

[4:48:14] Through you, Mayor, to Councillor White.

[4:48:16] There are a couple of different avenues of advocacy as well as information.

[4:48:22] So one in particular is Councillor Curtis and I attend the inner city forum on social policy.

[4:48:28] And so it is a topic of conversation around that particular table with other municipalities.

[4:48:33] and there is government representation. There is also an opportunity right now. Our

[4:48:40] municipality is having weekly meetings with the government of Alberta around housing

[4:48:46] and it's been made very clear that that is a gap in right to or right now.

[4:48:51] Thank you, and is that formalized in some way those discussions are those formalized to the minister

[4:48:56] so that they have them directly to in their office?

[4:48:59] Thank you for the question. I'm not sure what the communication happens from administration

[4:49:06] to their political realm, but I do know that it is certainly a priority for those that

[4:49:12] are on that call.

[4:49:13] Thank you very much. Thank you for this work, and Bri is forward.

[4:49:17] I do so. Councillor Burma, did you want to just-

[4:49:20] Just to supplement for that, and I appreciate the work of administration doing that, but that's

[4:49:25] part of the reason for the rationale of the motion coming, because on this is going to need

[4:49:31] to be also supported on the political level, I appreciate the work of the administration

[4:49:36] in terms of being that conduit across our community and understanding what the needs are,

[4:49:42] but it doesn't need political advocacy, and that's the need that we have today.

[4:49:48] Thank you, I'm going to go to Councilor Tweedle, please.

[4:49:52] My name is Morso Comments.

[4:49:54] I just realized.

[4:49:55] Do you have a few questions?

[4:49:56] Councilor Curtis.

[4:49:59] Questions?

[4:50:00] Questions?

[4:50:01] Go ahead.

[4:50:03] Thank you, Mayor Jeffery.

[4:50:04] So I appreciate the work being done on this file of the HHIC and this resolution being

[4:50:08] brought forward.

[4:50:09] I also appreciate Councilor Burema's comment regarding the use shelter.

[4:50:13] It's a shelter only up to 18 years of age.

[4:50:16] So I'm just wondering what this asks me from the Ministry of Social Services or what a fall under Ministry of Children and Services considering it's from my understanding surrounding youth and transition out of care.

[4:50:30] Thank you for the question.

[4:50:31] Through you may or to council.

[4:50:34] That is the moving target right now.

[4:50:37] We do know that ministries have changed.

[4:50:39] Our context right now is through Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.

[4:50:44] and that is where the housing profile on those particular contracts is currently.

[4:50:52] Okay, yeah, I'm just wondering if there's something I'm bringing to attention to in

[4:50:55] services considering it is you transitioning out of care and they reduce the age that

[4:51:00] they will support you think care. So let's just a thought that I have. I'm just wondering

[4:51:06] too, so 254,000 has been allocated to Arcadia from HHIC, so how long will this funding sustain

[4:51:12] the program for. Thank you for the question through your mayor to council. The funding is until March 31,

[4:51:21] 2027.

[4:51:26] Okay, thank you. And then I'm just wondering for this resolution if it should just state

[4:51:30] transitional housing. The reason I'm mentioning this is I understand Arcades of Sustainable

[4:51:36] or Arcades of Sustainability is a need, but my guess would be that transitional housing dollars

[4:51:41] for specific populations would come from separate ministries and our advocacy team can help navigate this so like yesterday was brought to our attention recovery housing and to Arcadia and Amethis so it's just a suggestion with the resolution but I just want to throw that out to my colleagues.

[4:52:01] Sorry Councillor can you just clarify what your suggestion was.

[4:52:04] If on the resolution is to just state transitional housing, not your transitional housing, just recognizing that we have needs for different populations, and it could come from different ministries.

[4:52:19] May take the emphasis off youth at this point, but we can consider that.

[4:52:27] Councillor Goodwin, please.

[4:52:29] Thank you.

[4:52:33] It's strange to me that in the modern society we have to be talking about things like this, the social impact is obviously huge.

[4:52:43] So do we when we talk about advocating for advocacy or supporting advocacy and it's sort

[4:52:53] of been alluded to but like to whom and what is the direct message that we're back.

[4:53:02] I would say with asking this resolution and advocacy strategy would be developed through

[4:53:07] the Office of Mayor and Council identifying and verifying which mysteries they belong to and what

[4:53:14] the needs are out there working with the service providers and then moving forward to government.

[4:53:19] And as I said, you know, we talked with Minister Nixon before that, sheets have shuffled

[4:53:25] on the deck. So I'm my understanding it is Minister Needworth now, but we'll also just need

[4:53:31] to check in with other ministries to see where that's best targeted. Okay, thank you.

[4:53:38] And this kind of popped in and this is probably something that people know very well,

[4:53:44] But how does this sequence with the AB Munis FCSS resolution?

[4:53:49] Is there any FCSS ties or a lot of heads shaking?

[4:53:55] Can somebody just sort of explain not to me, please?

[4:53:58] Just the difference why I understand?

[4:54:00] Thank you for the question through the mayor to Councillor Goodwin.

[4:54:04] FCSS funding in legislation is directed towards primary and secondary prevention.

[4:54:11] and the work that is being done in this particular space is considered intervention.

[4:54:18] Okay, that clarifies it.

[4:54:19] Thank you very much.

[4:54:21] That's all I have for questions.

[4:54:23] Councillor Bress.

[4:54:24] Oh, sorry.

[4:54:25] Supplemental to that.

[4:54:27] I would just like clarity from maybe Councillor Curtis, the motion that you had suggested was

[4:54:33] also seeing if FCSS would be able to do intervention work as well.

[4:54:38] Was that the nature of the resolution you were advocating for?

[4:54:41] the past resolution on FSS. Okay, we're getting our systems wired here.

[4:54:47] Um, so it was advocacy broadcast wires. Go ahead. Sorry, Mayor.

[4:54:51] Um, so it was advocacy for supplemental funding outside of FCSS for intervention

[4:54:57] based needs. So it's not taking over what FCSS is doing specifically.

[4:55:03] Um, it's secondary funding much like healthy aging Alberta where it would be

[4:55:08] to intervention based needs from a ministry outside of the ministry that has FCSS and that file right now given that file where FCSS rests or that ministry has a much smaller part of money.

[4:55:22] So this would be advocated to a different ministry.

[4:55:25] Okay, hopefully that answers the question.

[4:55:27] Question from Councillor Barnes-Dibble, I believe.

[4:55:30] Thank you, Mayor Jeffries. Sorry if I've missed this, but is there, do we know how many individuals use?

[4:55:37] Um, youth transitional housing in red, you right now, how many there are, is there a, is there a back log, is there current individuals that will now be struggling, um, without the funding. I just wanted to know there wasn't anything in the report about how many we have in their community. We often talk about that. So maybe just an opportunity.

[4:55:55] You bet. Thank you for the question through you, Mayor, to Council, Barn Stable. We do have the latest, um, cap numbers, so coordinated access. And so currently we have.

[4:56:06] Four individuals that are under 18 that are currently on the cap list and we have 23 individuals that are between the ages of 18 to 24.

[4:56:18] What is not reflected in those numbers is that we're not necessarily actively seeking youth to fill spots because we don't have the spots available.

[4:56:29] So that's the difference but those are the numbers that we have that are right now sitting waiting to be housed.

[4:56:36] And part of my ignorance, but I appreciate an understanding what does you, because I can picture

[4:56:42] what transitional housing looks like for adults, but youth, like 15 to 17, maybe paint

[4:56:49] a picture of what that actually looks like, because I have a difficulty seeing a 15-year-old

[4:56:55] employer growl trying to navigate their way through this, so can you maybe explain what this

[4:56:59] looks like?

[4:56:59] Thank you for the question through your marriage, Councilor Barn Stable.

[4:57:04] What the Arcadia program itself was for youth between 16 and 24 years old, and you are

[4:57:11] correct transitional housing for youth is quite a bit different than it is for adults.

[4:57:16] With youth transitional housing usually requires a longer period of time because they have

[4:57:23] to age out.

[4:57:23] So, anybody under the age of 18 still stays within the program, so they're not transitioned

[4:57:31] when they get to be 16 if they have skills.

[4:57:34] They remain within the program.

[4:57:36] So that's why it's a little bit different than transitional housing for adults themselves.

[4:57:42] Thank you, those are my questions.

[4:57:44] Thank you.

[4:57:44] Councillor Bermas, yours in response to your thoughts, sir.

[4:57:47] Thank you.

[4:57:47] My understanding at the time of the withdrawal funding for that is that there were 12

[4:57:53] to two residences, single family residences in communities, with six youth in each of those,

[4:58:01] and that with the closure of that, there were 12 residents at the time when that took place.

[4:58:07] So they basically ended up getting rid of the rental agreement that they had for that.

[4:58:14] So there were 12 youth that were used by services at the time that the funding was cut.

[4:58:20] And I'm not sure where they are today.

[4:58:22] Thanks for that clarification. I know it caused you great concern when it came about.

[4:58:27] Councillor Brisbane, please.

[4:58:31] I think I'm okay. Actually it was around the number of youth that we had, but Councillor

[4:58:35] Barnabas asked that question. I was curious, so too, just around the, because this is such a vulnerable population.

[4:58:44] This is really the chance to make a difference, or go down a different, different path.

[4:58:50] do we know where these youth are coming from like are they all read your youth or is there

[4:58:56] do you there any way of knowing that or you don't even from this province like do we have

[4:59:02] any indication of where these youth might be coming from?

[4:59:06] Thank you for the question through you mayor to Councillor Brisbane.

[4:59:10] The next step of our pit count will happen in October and that is when we can do the more

[4:59:16] in-depth survey, and we can ask those particular questions.

[4:59:20] We would have the information on their Spadot test,

[4:59:24] which is how we gauge a cutie for those individuals

[4:59:28] seeking a home.

[4:59:30] But what we know anecdotally is primarily the youth

[4:59:35] within the programs are from the Red Deer

[4:59:38] or Central Alberta area.

[4:59:40] That was my understanding too with

[4:59:45] the.

[4:59:45] Thank you, Councillor Tweedle, for your comments.

[4:59:48] I think are we good on questions council?

[4:59:51] We're on to comments.

[4:59:52] Thank you, council.

[4:59:53] Thank you, Mayor.

[4:59:55] And I also served with Councillor Burma on the committee.

[4:59:59] And I would echo.

[5:00:00] His thoughts that when we first found out about this, there was very strong feelings around the table in that room when we met.

[5:00:07] The only reason we were able to look forward to maybe helping these youth out now is because we were lucky enough to have that carry over funding.

[5:00:15] And I'd hate to think of where we would be right now if we didn't have that.

[5:00:18] I also serve on the fund adjudications of committee and I know when we met and have these discussions.

[5:00:26] It was important for us to mention advocacy in this piece.

[5:00:31] Councillor Burma mentioned that the provider before, once this funding was pulled, they got rid of assets.

[5:00:36] They sold furniture. They got rid of things. They cancelled leases.

[5:00:41] So this is starting from scratch again. So if we end up in the same place, we're not at least trying to be a voice.

[5:00:47] both in the spring or end up with kids that don't have places to go, but also to continually

[5:00:53] investing in something that may fall through, as far as maybe changing the wording.

[5:00:59] I would hate to see the word youth removed, and that just more generalized, because part

[5:01:05] of the direction of this was because this was the one and only option.

[5:01:09] For housing for this age group and transitional, so I'd like definitely the youth piece

[5:01:13] to remain a piece of that because without this,

[5:01:16] there's nothing else for this population.

[5:01:20] And Bobby Joe had spoken to it,

[5:01:22] but this is not just about a place for them to stay.

[5:01:25] This is like skills.

[5:01:27] This is building in these kids to try to prevent them

[5:01:30] from ending up homeless.

[5:01:31] So to me, this is such an important program

[5:01:34] and I believe strongly that this is something

[5:01:37] we should step behind to advocate for.

[5:01:41] Thank you, Councillor Cronk, please.

[5:01:44] Yeah, I want to thank the committee for reading this board and Julie for Councilor

[5:01:48] Bruma for his already advocacy work on this file too.

[5:01:51] As a parent and someone who was a foster parent for many years, recognizing that people

[5:01:55] then end up in youth transition housing is the hardest and the most difficult

[5:01:59] situation.

[5:02:01] So, happy to support the motion and advocacy in any way that I can.

[5:02:05] Thank you.

[5:02:06] Councillor Goodwin, please.

[5:02:08] Thank you, Mayor.

[5:02:09] And yes, thank you very much for bringing the attention to this.

[5:02:14] When I first heard about this, again, I can't state how appalling it is that as a society,

[5:02:24] there isn't a set platform or safe base for this population.

[5:02:29] for you. We often times in society reward pulling the people out of the river but we don't stop

[5:02:38] and go, well, how do they get into the river? Where do we stop them from getting in there? And

[5:02:44] advocacy on this line. And this is as much for the community as it is for us and administration.

[5:02:52] We really do have to generally advocate strongly to have good skill set building

[5:02:59] protective places for youth. So I will be supporting this and hopefully we can come up with

[5:03:08] something and multiple pathways of justifying where the funding needs to come from.

[5:03:15] Thank you, Councillor Curtis, please.

[5:03:21] Thank you, Mayor Jeffries. And again, I want to thank

[5:03:23] HHHIC for bringing this forward. And I do, I hear my colleagues' comments about removing youth

[5:03:30] and then that not be in the priority, ultimately I do feel transitional housing in our

[5:03:36] cities just critical generally. But that said, given not many of these youth are aging out of

[5:03:42] care and therefore children's services ministry should be responsible for these youth, especially

[5:03:48] given that they have lowered the age. So I would just encourage when it comes to advocacy that we

[5:04:00] of mentioned here to support you during these fundamental years.

[5:04:05] So you throw a vulnerable group and things like signing up for utilities and having

[5:04:11] credit and signing leases are not possible in most cases under the age of 18.

[5:04:17] I don't think many people consider those factors and then on top of that having all the

[5:04:22] items you need to move out and secure a place and have that stability and the life skills

[5:04:26] being able to pay bills. These are all things that our life skills that these youth need to

[5:04:33] build to be successful in community and often they don't come with those skills and are not

[5:04:38] scaffolded with those skills when they age out of care. So I do strongly support the motion and

[5:04:46] I do hope that it's successful. Thank you Councillor Curtis and I'll go to Councillor Brisbane please.

[5:04:54] Thank you, Mayor.

[5:04:56] Yes, echo the comments and thank you very much for bringing it forward in the

[5:04:59] solution for it.

[5:05:02] I guess the only thing I would add is just that because this is such a vulnerable

[5:05:05] population, we don't, time is of the essence, I guess, and when it comes to this.

[5:05:11] And so, you know, thinking too strategically about who else could partner and help be

[5:05:15] a voice in this.

[5:05:16] So United Way, your Boys and Girls Club Advocacy Center, you know, all these other spaces

[5:05:22] that could really help advocate for this in the right way would be key.

[5:05:28] Thank you very much, Councillor Brisbane.

[5:05:30] I appreciate that.

[5:05:31] Councillor Barnes, did it please?

[5:05:33] Thank you, Mayor Jeffries.

[5:05:35] Yes, it's struggling to read through and wrap my head around.

[5:05:42] This is going on in our community.

[5:05:43] This past week, every kid that I had in my other job was aged 14 to 17.

[5:05:50] So I'm just picturing those 10 kids, not having a home or anywhere to go.

[5:05:56] And then here in Council of Rumors say that there was in 12 individuals that we don't

[5:06:00] know where they're at today, that's really, it's hitting me my core, my heart, I'm hopeful

[5:06:07] that the advocacy can be strong in this and we can get the provincial government to change

[5:06:12] direction or just the funding to change direction, I should say, but I'm hopeful that those

[5:06:18] 12 individuals that didn't have a place that someone from the community stepped up, churches

[5:06:25] stepped up. This is something that I think regardless of whether the funding is there or not,

[5:06:31] we as a community need to step up for these kids and find a way I know there's a number of people

[5:06:35] that could do that so I'll hope that the funding is sorted out and we don't have to go down that road

[5:06:41] but it's hitting me in the core here today of just hearing this report and even just understanding

[5:06:48] what that transitional housing looks like. So obviously, we want to support advocacy efforts

[5:06:54] and hopefully there's successful.

[5:06:57] Thank you very much. Councillor Baruma.

[5:07:01] Thank you very much. First I would like to acknowledge Gordon Wright, who is the chair of

[5:07:05] H. H. I.C.E. was here earlier but had another commitment and he would have been a strong voice

[5:07:10] for that, and that really does speak collectively of all of the members that are on the HHIC

[5:07:16] Committee, not only are they committed to it, but many of them are working in that difficult

[5:07:21] and challenging field and doing some really good work.

[5:07:25] I do also want to echo that when fun to do the occasion.

[5:07:30] Was done by the committee for both province and federal that allowed a far more intelligent way, really, of being able to do that housing and taking a look at the resources.

[5:07:41] It's unfortunate that the provincial arm of that is not under the purview of the housing and homeless integration committee.

[5:07:49] I would hope that there's opportunities to continue working on that, and the more integrated

[5:07:54] the housing opportunities are and the funding for that, I think the better we're able to

[5:08:00] make a difference around that.

[5:08:02] Thank you very much for that.

[5:08:04] I appreciate all of the emphasis on those pieces that have come through the conversation

[5:08:10] And, or, you know, everyone recognizing this is serious stuff in our community, and we need

[5:08:19] to step up for sure.

[5:08:23] In meetings with our MLAs, we have had conversations around the changes with respect

[5:08:27] to the community-based organization or community entity, and the struggles that that is creating

[5:08:32] the gaps, even lack of oversight and understanding of who's doing what role clarity and

[5:08:38] who should be expecting to provide which service.

[5:08:43] I've made some notes on advocacy and

[5:08:46] Bree is at the back of the room, making a lot of notes I see.

[5:08:51] So I think there's room for conversation around the

[5:08:54] Mid-Size City Mayor's caucus table.

[5:08:56] Certainly we'll have conversations with CSG,

[5:08:59] Canadian Strategy Group.

[5:09:00] I also think we should add to our list on this one.

[5:09:04] Albert Aminis, Safe and Healthy Communities Committee,

[5:09:06] may be able to help on this front in addition to the work that's being done at HHIC and also

[5:09:12] at the Intercity Farm on Social Policy, continuing to speak not only for the needs of teens and youth

[5:09:19] in our community but also for that community-based role to be better defined and at least have

[5:09:26] communications so that we have an understanding of what's happening there. So I appreciate all of

[5:09:31] the comments of agencies or groups that may be able to help on the advocacy front. I think that's

[5:09:36] great strategy to include United Way and UTHQ and the list is fairly long will make a complete

[5:09:42] list and appreciate all of your input on that. Not seeing any other names in the queue, so

[5:09:50] we'll call the question. I want to thank our members, obviously, on HHIC as well as staff who support

[5:09:57] and chair Gordon Wright. I'll call the question council.

[5:10:02] Move by council room. We did get that sorted. Thank you very much.

[5:10:06] Little work in the background. Magic.

[5:10:13] Well, if you haven't already.

[5:10:17] I'm in favor.

[5:10:19] Thank you, council room.

[5:10:22] And that's unanimously supported.

[5:10:25] And thank you all very much.

[5:10:28] Council that brings to a close our work for today and once again thanks to all of staff

[5:10:33] who have worked and our audio team who's enabled to have been enabled today to happen

[5:10:39] and I recognize it's a bunch of change in a bunch of work that really didn't need but it will

[5:10:44] help us through and hopefully get us back to Council Chambers in short order so appreciate that

[5:10:50] and notice our motion during please Councilor Wienci,

[5:10:54] Wienches, and Councilor Con, please.

[5:10:58] All those in favor?

[5:10:59] Anybody want to stay?

[5:11:01] Thank you very much.

[5:11:02] Thanks so much so much.

[5:11:03] Thank you.

City Council Meeting

Transcript