By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Bike park opposition, COVID concerns from hospitality industry, other Council highlights

Jan 26, 2021 | 5:30 AM

Opposition to Crystal Lake bike park

Council heard from a delegation opposed to a new bike skills park in the Crystal Park area.

Work to remove caragana has already started, something the delegation says people in the area describe as “devastation.” They are worried about how close it is to the water and its impact on the wildlife in the area, more noise that would also bother wildlife, and how close the park is to a busy road.

They are also worried about the possibility of increased crime. They also say there has not been enough consultation with those affected.

The delegation asked for a city to review this project and see if this is the right location, or at least to have an environmental assessment completed.

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The city says environmental assessments have been done, consultation was done with Alberta Environment and Parks, and that the caragana will be replaced by berry shrubs and trees would be planted as a noise barrier.

The city says the caraganas are an invasive species and a threat to native plants. A motion from Councillor Clyde Blackburn to halt work on the project, put the vegetation back, and look for a different site was defeated on a tie vote. The project must be completed this year, or the city will lose some funding.

Mayor Jackie Clayton apologized to the people that are opposed but maintains this will be a good addition to that part of the city. Blackburn called it a hasty decision made for the want of money.

Concerns voiced by hospitality sector

Council heard from a delegation from the hospitality industry, who was wondering what the reopening plan will be when COVID restrictions are lifted.

The delegate says a lot of jobs are in limbo and that many are losing hope and faith in the systems in place. They add some have said if there is no plan to reopen in the next month, some places will re-open anyway and risk the fines rather than another day of lost revenue. He

The delegate added the industry wants to keep people safe, but also wants officials to have a plan in place. They add people are putting their house up as security for their businesses and are at risk of losing both.

They added more than half of the businesses checked in one survey have seen revenues drop 70 to 90 per cent, even with wage subsidies and being open for take out.

The delegate adds council can help by either advocating for a system that allows more customers for businesses that will not put any more strain on the health system, or provide help like tax breaks and wage subsidies need to be given a second look.

Stick and puck gets go-ahead at some neighbourhood rinks

Council has approved allowing stick and puck and public skating at low board neighbourhood rinks. Nets would be no bigger than a foot high, two feet deep, and six feet wide. Volunteers could still ask that their rink be skating only.

The city would provide one pond hockey net per rink on request. The Montrose and Community Knowledge Campus ovals, and the Muskoseepi Park pond, would remain skating only.

First reading given on borrowing bylaw for downtown rehab

Council gave first reading to a bylaw that would allow it to borrow $14 million for Phase 4 of the Downtown Rehabilitation and Streetscape Project. This would see underground and above-ground work done on 100 Avenue between 98 and 100 Streets. More discussion will be held at a future meeting.

Inclusion Grande Prairie delegation

Council heard from a delegation from Inclusion Grande Prairie saying that after a lot of lobbying, it now has “an avenue” to establish a family resource centre for people with disabilities.

This would help families to access different kinds of support. That would include information and advice, along with help from staff. A full-time coordinator would be hired, and volunteers would help run the facility.

Council has agreed to have the Mayor write a letter in support of this idea.

AUMA ballot resolution defeated

Council has voted against supporting a resolution to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association from the City of St. Albert and the Town of Okotoks on the use of special ballots for October’s municipal election.

Right now, only election workers, people with disabilities who can’t make it to a voting station, or people who are away are eligible to get what are commonly called mail-in ballots. The communities are asking that these criteria be lifted and that any eligible voter who wants such a ballot get one as a way of stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Kensington lands zoning change

Council approved bylaw changes that would change the zoning for part of the proposed Kensington neighbourhood on the west side of the city.

It would change the designation to allow low-density condominiums rather than a mobile home park. This area would have single, semi-detached homes.

The Kensington neighbourhood will be located west of 116 Street and south of the railway tracks.