Don't know how much was spent on the year-old PA system in city hall, but that sure is some tax dollars hard at work.
Hard at work wrecking my hearing, that is.
Surprise shrieks of feedback have been happening since, well, since the system was installed as far as I can remember. But things have been getting steadily worse. Tonight, it seemed if anyone spoke even slightly louder than normal, they'd be greeted with howls from the speakers. It was clearly bothering some of the delegations and even warranted some very testy comments from Councillor Clipsham.
Apparently, the problem is "being looked into."
In other news, want to know how to really provoke council's ire? Suggest raising property taxes to avoid the necessity of a 25 cent transit fare increase.
That's what former mayoral candidate, Jim Elliott, did, and boy howdy, did they let him have it. Normally, when Elliott appears before council to promote his left-wing, radical socialist, hippy agenda, the response is a "seeing no questions, thank you, you may return to the gallery." Tonight there were questions. Questions aplenty.
Elliott's argument was essentially that while a 25 cent fare increase seems small, there was a 15 cent increase in August so the two should be considered together and a 40 cent increase over a calendar year is starting to look a little on the steep side. He suggested that any increase will have a negative impact on low income users of transit and that maybe further fare increases should wait until there are some demonstrable improvements to the transit system.
Under questioning, he suggested that a property tax increase would be preferable to a fare increase as it would spread the impact out farther.
Ignoring Elliott's point that the fare increase they should really be discussing is 40 cents over a year, Councillor Fougere argued that a 25 cent increase is very small and pointed out that the discounted transit passes for low income people are not increasing at all in price. He also wondered aloud if Elliott would rather transit users pay nothing to ride the bus. Elliot said, no, he'd just like to see their contribution to transit not increase at this time.
Councillor Hincks, who seemed very cranky at the suggestion of a tax increase, pointed out that Regina's transit rates, before this hike, is among the lowest in the country. Elliot argued that by keeping our transit fees lower than other cities we're giving ourselves a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting new residents. He didn't take the obvious dig that maybe our transit fees should be lower because our transit system isn't as good as other cities'.
Councillor Clipsham argued that the current ratio of user fees to city subsidization of transit is about right (one third paid for from fees, the rest from municipal coffers). He also asked the administration about the effect on ridership from last year's 15 cent price increase. According to the Director of Transit, David Onodera, ridership increased. This prompted Clipsham to suggest that Elliot's concerns that price hikes would drive people away were unfounded.
Once Elliott was allowed to return to his seat, I think he'd received more direct attention from city hall than during his entire run for mayor.
In the end, council voted unanimously that fares should go up.
Everything else on the agenda also passed unanimously. That includes the Transit Investment Plan and its attendant action plan.
The one exception was a motion made by Councillor Clipsham during discussion of the fare increase. He requested that administration, as part of their comprehensive review of parking, look into the feasibility and desirability of linking transit fares to downtown parking fees. Only councillors Fougere and Findura voted against this.
Oh yeah... A tip to anyone considering appearing as a delegate before council: If you're planning to say something critical of what council is doing -- especially if it has something to do with things like transit, programs for low income people or housing -- be prepared for this question: "Have you brought your concerns to the provincial government?"
Now, to be fair, the point council's making is that some of the stuff that people want to complain to them about is in part, or even wholly, a provincial concern. Still, the question is a great diversion tactic that can throw someone unused to council proceedings right off their game. (I should know. They hit me with a version of this the one time I appeared before council.)
Showing posts with label City Hall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City Hall. Show all posts
2.22.2010
This Week at City Hall: Transit Plan Part Two, Utilities Budget and Heritage Awards
Monday, February 22
City Council (5:30 pm): Council will be considering the Transit Investment Plan and the transit fare increase. Former mayoral candidate, Jim Elliott, will be speaking before council in favour of the former and in opposition to the latter.
Also, the water and sewer utility budget will be brought forward so that council can review it and then at their March 8 meeting decide whether or not it should be approved. If it does, it recommends a 8.9 per cent utility rate increase.
Council will also be deciding on whether or not it should pursue funding for a new, environmentally friendlier garbage truck and whether they should use debt incurred for the Global Transportation Hub for capital projects. They will also be reviewing the 2010 Regina Municipal Heritage Award recipients.
Tuesday, February 23
Community Services Advisory Committee (5:30 pm): Receiving a presentation on the Transit Investment Plan.
Wednesday, February 24
Regina Planning Commission (4:00 pm): Considering a recommendation to close an unused laneway and incorporate it into a piece of adjacent city property which would then be sold to the Regina Public School Board to facilitate the redevelopment of the Arcola School site. Also, considering an amendment to the Official Community Plan to reflect the addition to the city of land annexed for the Global Transportation Hub. The new territory will be called the West Industrial Lands.
2.17.2010
Transit Plan Heading to Council
Just came back from the Community and Protection Services Committee meeting at which the Transit Investment Plan was discussed. In short, it's recommendations were passed unanimously by the committee so it will be going on to council with their endorsement.
This was another of those big idea meetings that attracted a big turnout from the community. Five delegations spoke before the committee, four of which were there to laud the report and the transit department for putting it together. The last delegation was also generally favourable of it but had issues with the placement of the downtown transit hub and how it would affect parking. (Always, the bloody parking.)
Also discussed at this meeting was the proposed transit fare increase. It too passed unanimously and will go forward to council for final approval.
Here, there was one delegation who spoke against the hike. Her points were interesting: The last increase came last summer so this is two increases over a year and there hasn't been a similar boost to welfare or the minimum wage. The fare increase, then, hits low income families disproportionately hard. The administration pointed out, though, that Regina's service is still among the most affordable in the country and the fare increase is needed to subsidize the transit improvements people are clamouring for.
Sooooo.... I guess the elephant in the room is that nifty transit plan isn't going to get very far if the transit department and council can't come up with other ways to fund it. Fare hikes can't do it all. The report makes mention of seeking out other funding options -- presumably through the federal and provincial governments -- but it remains to be seen if they'll find them.
2.16.2010
Six In The AM: The Transit Investment Plan Edition
The Transit Investment Plan was released on Friday to virtually no fanfare. It’s a comprehensive document that outlines a series of recommendations on how to make Regina’s transit system function better. And like the Downtown Neighbourhood Plan, it seems to say all the right things: Make transit a priority. Increase ridership. Improve pedestrian and cycling networks. Integrate with the Downtown Plan. Make transit more user friendly. Expand service. Speed service up.
Want a taste of what to expect from its 260 pages? Here are six standout recommendations to whet you’re appetite....
1. MORE DIRECT ROUTES: The route network has been redesigned according to something they’ve dubbed the Top Down Plan. Basically, the plan keeps the downtown as the hub for transit -- most major routes will be stopping at a spot just north of the main library -- but the routes will meander less and not penetrate quite so far into the suburbs. To service those areas, there will be a series of short buses that run shorter shuttle loops. In theory, while people may have to transfer a little more often, overall transit and wait times will shrink.
2. HOLIDAY SERVICE: These new schedules will finally provide long-overdue holiday and Sunday service. Yay! No more sitting around on Family Day doing nothing because the buses aren’t running.
3. MAKE TRANSIT COMPETITIVE: There are a few ideas on how to make transit more attractive to more people. Things like, an overall parking management strategy that could lead to higher parking prices downtown -- oh, I can almost hear the hue and cry already. (Here’s hoping someone will do the same at the UofR.) Also, dedicated bus lanes will be added to major streets to improve transit speed and reliability. And, the Transit Department will take another stab at getting a UPass for post secondary students and consider things like making transit passes available to businesses and communities.
4. MORE BUSES: Our current fleet is looking pretty old and many aren’t fully accessible. The plan recommends purchasing up to 12 buses every year.
5. GET THE WORD OUT: A transit marketing manager will be hired to expand awareness of RTS’s improved service. Customer information will be improved through things like a more interactive website and GPS on buses that’ll allow for live updates about how the buses are running. You’ll be able send a text to RTS and find out when exactly your bus will arrive. Nifty.
6. SERVICE TO THE AIRPORT: About bloody time.
There’s more of course. Lots more. Smart cards. Annual fare increases. Heated shelters. Oh, and a note about how supervisory positions will be made union-exempt to reduce conflicts of interest. I imagine there’ll be more than a few RTS employees who’re none too happy about that one.
Still, from my cursory read, it looks like a plan that’s headed in the right direction. It will go before the Community and Protective Services Committee tomorrow at 4pm. If you want to show up to show your support or to offer a critique, you can attend the meeting and have your say. If it gets through there, it’ll presumably go before council at their next meeting (which will be, I believe, February 22).
The plan can be download on the city's website. And if you want to discuss it in an open, friendly, online forum, there’s a comment button below.
2.15.2010
This Week at City Hall: Transit Review, Debt Shuffle and a Bus Fare Increase
Tuesday, February 16
Public Works Committee (4 pm): Looking at the installation of water meters in new buildings. Presently, water meters aren't installed until after a building is built and during construction a flat rate is applied for water use. Under the system being proposed, meters would be installed when construction begins and builders would be charged for the water they actually use.
Wednesday, February 17
Executive Committee (11:45 am): Apparently, in the past, when railway land has come up for sale, the city hasn't had a plan on how or when or if to purchase it for expansion of city services or to make available for housing or roads or what have you. Currently, there doesn't seem to be any railway land that'll imminently become available, but if Executive Committee accepts a recommendation coming forward this week, they will incorporate a railway land purchasing strategy into the Official Community Play.
They will also be looking at shuffling around some of their debt. The city currently has $42 million in debentures it took out to cover the cost of providing water and sewage services to the Global Transportation Hub. Turns out, they didn't need that cash as the cost of providing that service was cheaper than expected ($20-something million instead of $40-something million) and the provincial and federal governments paid for it. Instead of paying off the $42 million, Executive Committee is considering using the money for other capital projects. If they do this, they'll avoid paying a penalty for paying off their debt early. Plus, they're going to have to take out debentures to cover the capital projects anyway, so using these debentures saves them the trouble of getting new ones.
Also on the agenda, are some technical stuff about the Recreation Infrastructure Canada Fund Contribution Agreement (specifically, approvals are needed so the city clerk and mayor can negotiate and administer the federal government's $750,000 contribution), a request $135,413 to cover updates to the Regina Police Service radio system and a $122,500 contract for off-site storage of municipal documents.
Community and Protective Services Committee (4 pm): The transit review is finally here! Although they're officially calling it the Transit Investment Plan. So, Community and Protective Services Committee will be having a gander at this. It's kind of a big deal and at 260 pages, probably warrants a post of its own.
Also on their agenda are an increase in transit and paratransit fees. Expect to see the cost of riding the bus go up to $2.50 for an adult. The committee will also look at a report on the Campus Express service which shows transit usage by students is up since its introduction -- now if we could just get all the little anarchists and Ayn Rand fanboys to kick in for a universal UPass system the route might become sustainable. Did I just suggest our city's post-secondary student body is overrun with anarchists and Ayn Rand fanboys? Yes I did. But that's okay because I'll bet you dollars for donuts nary a one will read this far into this incredibly long, incredibly dull city hall update. It's Reading Week and they're all off getting drunk and syphillitic in Florida while I'm freezing my ass off here.
Yes, it's a particularly bitter Monday.
The committee will also be looking at increases in the greens fees at city owned golf courses. The city owns six golf courses.... that blows my mind a little. Why does the city own six golf courses? Is that a usual thing for a city to own?
As usual, blah blah blah, blah blah blah, the city website.
2.10.2010
Yes, that's the mayor of Regina
... fourth from the left. Wonder if his mother's proud of him. (Leader-Post)
EDIT: photo removed due to potential copyright conflicts
2.08.2010
This Week at City Hall: Green Garbage Trucks and the Taxes We Owe
Tuesday, February 9
Finance and Adminstration Committee (12:15 pm): The city's looking into buying a green garbage truck. To do this, Finance Committee will be considering a staff recommendation to enter negotiations with the province towards a cost sharing agreement under the Go Green Fund. The truck they have their eye on uses a Hydraulic Launch Assist technology to capture kinetic energy in braking. No, I do not understand what that means nor how it works. Colour me an ignorant twerp. All I know is the administration claims it could lead to 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. A good thing. But if they buy the truck, it would only be a pilot project and they'd be monitoring it to see how it performs in -30° weather. The truck would cost $400,000 and if the province likes the idea, the Go Green Fund would contribute $300,000 and the city the rest.
Meanwhile, tsk tsk Regina, according to a report Finance Committee will be looking at, it seems your tax bill is $5,739,399 in arrears this year. That's $401,0151 more than in 2009. You know we're not getting the extra cash the province promised us? That $5 million would come in pretty handy right about now. I'm just saying....
Reports and agendas can be downloaded on the city website.
1.18.2010
Council Wrapup: Extending Councillor Terms and Some Early Budget Items
Tonight's council meeting was a pretty low-key affair. Nothing contentious on the agenda -- at least, not among councillors.
The one item that did raise a few eyebrows among some prairie dog folk (last night, while we were waiting to see Collapse at the RPL) was Councillor Clipsham's motion that council contact the provincial Minister of Muncipal Affairs and inform him that Regina's council favors changing the Local Government Act so that urban councils will be elected to four-year terms instead of three.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Fougere and passed unanimously. There was no debate, rather, Councillors Clipsham, Fougere, Murray, Bryce and Browne spoke in favour of it.
The rationale on offer was that three years goes by pretty quickly, and because of the complexity and longer-term nature of the projects that a council shepherds through, an extra year will help them get things accomplished. Councillor Murray pointed to the two month gap around election time where things slow down dramatically. And Bryce suggested four year terms would be more cost effective. Browne noted that longer terms may improve the quality of candidates that come forward as when someone takes a position on council they may have to give something else up for only a one-term guarantee of extra employment -- the extra year may make council work more interesting for some potential councillors.
Councillor Browne then brought forward a follow-up motion (seconded by Clipsham) which was passed. It amended the original motion such that council will be asking that any change in term lengths will take effect as of the next election in 2012.
Personally, if council terms are extended, I'd be surprised if anyone in Regina will much care, let alone notice. (If you think I'm full of crap, there is a comment button at the bottom of this post.) But a couple things Councillor Browne brought up made me take notice. First, he pointed out that around elections a lot of general public consultation takes place and this is valuable. Cutting down on the frequency of this sort of consultation will be a loss to the system.
On the other hand, one of his reasons for supporting the motion was that the work of council matters and extending its term will help council get that work done and done well.
True. Maybe. But the thing is, I'm a total election junkie, and as old fashioned as it makes me sound, I think participating in elections -- often and with enthusiasm -- also matters. I recognize that upending the system to hold elections is inconvenient and disrupts the continuity of projects. But at the same time, a) that's why you hire competent city staff and b) governments aren't supposed to run efficiently. Comparing them to corporations is unfair (and ignores the fact that the idea corporations run efficiently is a complete myth). Trying to get everyone involved in governance is an inherently inefficient proposition. But we accept it because that's what's fair. And because tyranny sucks.
Still, we're not talking here about an unprecedented length of time to hold elected office. So maybe anyone getting their knickers in a knot over this is a little overreacty. And, judging by the hilariously low voter turnout numbers in our last municipal election (let alone, provincial and federal), it's clear I'm in a tiny minority as far as enjoying election time is concerned. So, I guess democracy is in effect speaking: Bring on the four year council terms!
Also on the council agenda was a collection of capital budget items that need approval now before the whole city budget is debated later this year. Discussion here focussed on money for the new Housing Incentives Policy, the relocation of the transit hub and the purchase of new buses.
I was left a little perplexed at one point with regard to the housing incentives money as Director of City Planning, Bob Bjerke, remarked that they didn't anticipate a big increase in the amount of uptake on our affordable housing encouragment scheme. Council, I think, was heartened by this as it meant city coffers wouldn't be overly taxed by housing. (Once again, it was repeated that housing is NOT part of the city's mandate. Ahhh. I never get tired of hearing that.)
B-b-b-but! Housing is in crisis! Both the province and the feds have essentially told us they're broke!. And! I thought the whole point of this policy was to encourage a big increase in the number of affordable housing starts in the city! Am I just confused on all this? (grumble grumble)
As for the transit hub relocation, that's being done to accommodate the WOW project. No longer will the stretch north of Victoria Park be our eastbound transit hub. Instead, I was surprised to discover, that will be moved to the stretch of 12th north of the central library and city hall. Apparently, the library board has been contacted on this and they are seeing about incorporating the new transit hub into their redesign.
And, as for the new bus purchases, seems these are NOT meant to replace the buses that we lost last week when 13 were removed from service after failing inspection. The two being bought with these funds are just part of the usual updating of the transit system. According to city staff, we can expect a report by the end of the week regarding the loss of those 13 buses. But staff did assure council that no service has been lost as a result of this situation.
Everything else on the agenda passed unanimously and with minimal discussion.
The meeting, by the way, was kicked off with a speech by the Mayor congratulating Councillor O'Donnell and the Olympic Host Committee for bringing the Torch to Regina.
The one item that did raise a few eyebrows among some prairie dog folk (last night, while we were waiting to see Collapse at the RPL) was Councillor Clipsham's motion that council contact the provincial Minister of Muncipal Affairs and inform him that Regina's council favors changing the Local Government Act so that urban councils will be elected to four-year terms instead of three.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Fougere and passed unanimously. There was no debate, rather, Councillors Clipsham, Fougere, Murray, Bryce and Browne spoke in favour of it.
The rationale on offer was that three years goes by pretty quickly, and because of the complexity and longer-term nature of the projects that a council shepherds through, an extra year will help them get things accomplished. Councillor Murray pointed to the two month gap around election time where things slow down dramatically. And Bryce suggested four year terms would be more cost effective. Browne noted that longer terms may improve the quality of candidates that come forward as when someone takes a position on council they may have to give something else up for only a one-term guarantee of extra employment -- the extra year may make council work more interesting for some potential councillors.
Councillor Browne then brought forward a follow-up motion (seconded by Clipsham) which was passed. It amended the original motion such that council will be asking that any change in term lengths will take effect as of the next election in 2012.
Personally, if council terms are extended, I'd be surprised if anyone in Regina will much care, let alone notice. (If you think I'm full of crap, there is a comment button at the bottom of this post.) But a couple things Councillor Browne brought up made me take notice. First, he pointed out that around elections a lot of general public consultation takes place and this is valuable. Cutting down on the frequency of this sort of consultation will be a loss to the system.
On the other hand, one of his reasons for supporting the motion was that the work of council matters and extending its term will help council get that work done and done well.
True. Maybe. But the thing is, I'm a total election junkie, and as old fashioned as it makes me sound, I think participating in elections -- often and with enthusiasm -- also matters. I recognize that upending the system to hold elections is inconvenient and disrupts the continuity of projects. But at the same time, a) that's why you hire competent city staff and b) governments aren't supposed to run efficiently. Comparing them to corporations is unfair (and ignores the fact that the idea corporations run efficiently is a complete myth). Trying to get everyone involved in governance is an inherently inefficient proposition. But we accept it because that's what's fair. And because tyranny sucks.
Still, we're not talking here about an unprecedented length of time to hold elected office. So maybe anyone getting their knickers in a knot over this is a little overreacty. And, judging by the hilariously low voter turnout numbers in our last municipal election (let alone, provincial and federal), it's clear I'm in a tiny minority as far as enjoying election time is concerned. So, I guess democracy is in effect speaking: Bring on the four year council terms!
Also on the council agenda was a collection of capital budget items that need approval now before the whole city budget is debated later this year. Discussion here focussed on money for the new Housing Incentives Policy, the relocation of the transit hub and the purchase of new buses.
I was left a little perplexed at one point with regard to the housing incentives money as Director of City Planning, Bob Bjerke, remarked that they didn't anticipate a big increase in the amount of uptake on our affordable housing encouragment scheme. Council, I think, was heartened by this as it meant city coffers wouldn't be overly taxed by housing. (Once again, it was repeated that housing is NOT part of the city's mandate. Ahhh. I never get tired of hearing that.)
B-b-b-but! Housing is in crisis! Both the province and the feds have essentially told us they're broke!. And! I thought the whole point of this policy was to encourage a big increase in the number of affordable housing starts in the city! Am I just confused on all this? (grumble grumble)
As for the transit hub relocation, that's being done to accommodate the WOW project. No longer will the stretch north of Victoria Park be our eastbound transit hub. Instead, I was surprised to discover, that will be moved to the stretch of 12th north of the central library and city hall. Apparently, the library board has been contacted on this and they are seeing about incorporating the new transit hub into their redesign.
And, as for the new bus purchases, seems these are NOT meant to replace the buses that we lost last week when 13 were removed from service after failing inspection. The two being bought with these funds are just part of the usual updating of the transit system. According to city staff, we can expect a report by the end of the week regarding the loss of those 13 buses. But staff did assure council that no service has been lost as a result of this situation.
Everything else on the agenda passed unanimously and with minimal discussion.
The meeting, by the way, was kicked off with a speech by the Mayor congratulating Councillor O'Donnell and the Olympic Host Committee for bringing the Torch to Regina.
1.17.2010
This Week at City Hall
Monday, January 17
Crime Prevention Committee (12:15 pm): Considering the November 2009 crime statistics, the Crime Prevention Week and Crime Prevention Awards and setting meeting times for 2010.
City Council (5:00 pm): First meeting of 2010! Excited? Well, you would be if you'd read this week's agenda. Boy howdy, what a way to kick off the year! Shuffling the city's boundaries! Preparing for capital expenditures! Suggestions of budgetary hijinks to come! Hydrogen from garbage! Let's get to it, shall we?
This week, council will be considering the operating budget for the Regina Police Service and $25,000 in funding allotted to the Transit Fare Assistance Program.
Also, council will be looking to expand the city's boundaries by absorbing a portion of the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, for which said rural municipality will be compensated for lost tax money to the tune of a whopping $9,450. No, there are no zeroes missing on that number. Or at least I assume there isn't as it's written that way twice in the report. Man, if I'd known annexing land was this cheap I could've got this on my line of credit.
Council will also be passing recommended changes to the Local Government Election Act. Among the changes are provisions to allow for alternative voting methods such as on-line voting, a requirement that voters have to provide identification before being issued a ballot and provisions so that special polls (such those at hospitals or personal care facilities) can be held on days other than election day.
Looks like the Youth Advisory Council will be getting its name changed to the Youth Advisory Committee and its numbers shrunk to 12 so that it can reach quorum at meetings. (Formerly, it had 40-some members and that proved unworkable.)
Council will also be considering canceling its contract with the Solar Hydrogen Energy Corporation (SHEC). We ran a news brief about this in the latest print p-dog; but, even briefer: SHEC had an agreement with the city to buy methane off-gassing from our landfill and it would turn that into hydrogen. Then the economy went to crap and it's apparently not a viable project at present so they want to back out. Have to say I'm not entirely surprised. I'm pretty skeptical of this hydrogen economy thing. And when someone comes a-knocking saying they can spin my straw -- or garbage as the case may be -- into gold, I'm inclined to ask "what's the catch, Rumpelstiltskin?"
Council is also looking at the capital projects for which it will have to give advance approval. This gives a good pre-budget glimpse at city priorities for the year so this item probably warrants a whole blog post of its own.
Finally, Councillor Clipsham is bringing a motion forward to extend council terms to four years as opposed to three.
Tuesday, January 19
Community Services Advisory Committee (5:30 pm): Considering a report from an attendee to the Canadian Urban Transit Association conference in 2009 and setting meeting times for 2010.
As always, complete agendas and reports can be downloaded from the city's website.
Crime Prevention Committee (12:15 pm): Considering the November 2009 crime statistics, the Crime Prevention Week and Crime Prevention Awards and setting meeting times for 2010.
City Council (5:00 pm): First meeting of 2010! Excited? Well, you would be if you'd read this week's agenda. Boy howdy, what a way to kick off the year! Shuffling the city's boundaries! Preparing for capital expenditures! Suggestions of budgetary hijinks to come! Hydrogen from garbage! Let's get to it, shall we?
This week, council will be considering the operating budget for the Regina Police Service and $25,000 in funding allotted to the Transit Fare Assistance Program.
Also, council will be looking to expand the city's boundaries by absorbing a portion of the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, for which said rural municipality will be compensated for lost tax money to the tune of a whopping $9,450. No, there are no zeroes missing on that number. Or at least I assume there isn't as it's written that way twice in the report. Man, if I'd known annexing land was this cheap I could've got this on my line of credit.
Council will also be passing recommended changes to the Local Government Election Act. Among the changes are provisions to allow for alternative voting methods such as on-line voting, a requirement that voters have to provide identification before being issued a ballot and provisions so that special polls (such those at hospitals or personal care facilities) can be held on days other than election day.
Looks like the Youth Advisory Council will be getting its name changed to the Youth Advisory Committee and its numbers shrunk to 12 so that it can reach quorum at meetings. (Formerly, it had 40-some members and that proved unworkable.)
Council will also be considering canceling its contract with the Solar Hydrogen Energy Corporation (SHEC). We ran a news brief about this in the latest print p-dog; but, even briefer: SHEC had an agreement with the city to buy methane off-gassing from our landfill and it would turn that into hydrogen. Then the economy went to crap and it's apparently not a viable project at present so they want to back out. Have to say I'm not entirely surprised. I'm pretty skeptical of this hydrogen economy thing. And when someone comes a-knocking saying they can spin my straw -- or garbage as the case may be -- into gold, I'm inclined to ask "what's the catch, Rumpelstiltskin?"
Council is also looking at the capital projects for which it will have to give advance approval. This gives a good pre-budget glimpse at city priorities for the year so this item probably warrants a whole blog post of its own.
Finally, Councillor Clipsham is bringing a motion forward to extend council terms to four years as opposed to three.
Tuesday, January 19
Community Services Advisory Committee (5:30 pm): Considering a report from an attendee to the Canadian Urban Transit Association conference in 2009 and setting meeting times for 2010.
As always, complete agendas and reports can be downloaded from the city's website.
1.12.2010
This Week At City Hall
So much for my new year's resolution of blogging more often on city hall. Can't even get this weekly update thing done in a timely fashion. Two meetings have already gone by for the week. Fortunately, agendas are still on the thin side as most committees are hammering out when they'll be meeting over the course of the year. Anyway, without further ado, here's what's happening downtown....
Monday, January 11
Municipal Heritage Advisory: Setting meeting dates for 2010.
Tuesday, January 12
Finance and Administration (12:15 pm): Setting meeting dates for the year and appointing elected officials to administrative boards.
Public Works (4 pm): Setting meeting dates for 2010 and considering the annual infrastructure investment strategy.
Wednesday, January 13
Executive Committee (11:45 pm): Reviewing outstanding items and considering advance approvals for capital projects.
Community and Protective Services (4 pm): Setting 2010 meeting dates and considering the funding request for the transit fare assistance program and revised Sunday transit schedule.
As always, you can download complete agendas and reports on the city's website.
Monday, January 11
Municipal Heritage Advisory: Setting meeting dates for 2010.
Tuesday, January 12
Finance and Administration (12:15 pm): Setting meeting dates for the year and appointing elected officials to administrative boards.
Public Works (4 pm): Setting meeting dates for 2010 and considering the annual infrastructure investment strategy.
Wednesday, January 13
Executive Committee (11:45 pm): Reviewing outstanding items and considering advance approvals for capital projects.
Community and Protective Services (4 pm): Setting 2010 meeting dates and considering the funding request for the transit fare assistance program and revised Sunday transit schedule.
As always, you can download complete agendas and reports on the city's website.
1.03.2010
This Week at City Hall
Wednesday, January 6
Regina Planning Commission (4 pm): Considering meeting dates and times for 2010.
Thursday, January 7
Environment Advisory Committee (5 pm): Considering a suggestion to investigate PlascoEnergy's Waste-to-Energy system as an option for Regina's Waste Plan. Also considering sending committee members to a conference and to participate in a workshop; and, considering a request from the Canadian Cancer Society to address the committee on the hazards of using pesticides for cosmetic reasons.
Complete agendas and reports can be found on the city's website.
Regina Planning Commission (4 pm): Considering meeting dates and times for 2010.
Thursday, January 7
Environment Advisory Committee (5 pm): Considering a suggestion to investigate PlascoEnergy's Waste-to-Energy system as an option for Regina's Waste Plan. Also considering sending committee members to a conference and to participate in a workshop; and, considering a request from the Canadian Cancer Society to address the committee on the hazards of using pesticides for cosmetic reasons.
Complete agendas and reports can be found on the city's website.
12.30.2009
Last Week At City Hall: Tag Day Bylaw and Leadership on Climate Change
So top among my goals for 2010 is more city hall blogging. Already, I've let some important stuff slide over the last week, what with all the holiday festivities and catching up with family and friends. The socializing is finally winding down some (although, in an hour, I'm off to see Avatar in IMax 3-D with an old high-school chum) so I thought I'd try some municipal news catch up.
Way back at their December 21 meeting, council voted to repeal the controversial Tag Day Bylaw. For the time being, it's my understanding that this should make life easier for Regina's panhandlers. Whether or not that will continue depends on a report staff has been directed to prepare. It will consider various options on how to regulate panhandling.
Also passed at this meeting, was a request from the mayor to have staff look into how to change the Official Community Plan so that optimizing solar orientation of new lots will be a requirement and not merely a guideline. (Also, near the top of my goals for 2010 is to write fewer run-on sentences like that one. Too rushed right now to go fix it, though.) This is an overdue suggestion but welcome nonetheless. As Harbour Landing has shown, voluntary environmental guidelines aren't working as well as hoped. And, as we reported in the prairie dog lo so many months ago, (I plan to use the word "lo" a whole lot more) properly orienting lots is important as it can save homeowners upwards of 15 per cent on their energy bills. And you don't get a second chance to take advantage of solar orientation as the way we lay out our streets today will likely be the way they look hundreds or even thousands of years from now.
Way back at their December 21 meeting, council voted to repeal the controversial Tag Day Bylaw. For the time being, it's my understanding that this should make life easier for Regina's panhandlers. Whether or not that will continue depends on a report staff has been directed to prepare. It will consider various options on how to regulate panhandling.
Also passed at this meeting, was a request from the mayor to have staff look into how to change the Official Community Plan so that optimizing solar orientation of new lots will be a requirement and not merely a guideline. (Also, near the top of my goals for 2010 is to write fewer run-on sentences like that one. Too rushed right now to go fix it, though.) This is an overdue suggestion but welcome nonetheless. As Harbour Landing has shown, voluntary environmental guidelines aren't working as well as hoped. And, as we reported in the prairie dog lo so many months ago, (I plan to use the word "lo" a whole lot more) properly orienting lots is important as it can save homeowners upwards of 15 per cent on their energy bills. And you don't get a second chance to take advantage of solar orientation as the way we lay out our streets today will likely be the way they look hundreds or even thousands of years from now.
12.21.2009
This Week at City Hall
Monday, December 21
City Council (5:30 pm): It's a long agenda but a few items stand out. Chief among those, executive committee has recommended that the city's Tag Day bylaw be repealed and a report be prepared on how better to regulate panhandling in the city.
Council will also be considering a $190,000 expenditure to accomodate the 2011 Ford World Men's Curling Championship in Regina. The City Housing Incentives policy will be looked at, and the way it grandfathers projects covered by older incentive plans will be examined. Administration is recommending approval for a plan to reduce the cost of disposal of Auto Shredder Residue at the landfill to nothing during summer months (that's just on the first 30 tonnes a day delivered, mind). Also to be looked at is the annual community investment allocation (just over $4 million this year); an eastward expansion of the Wascana Centre Authority jurisdiction; a cost sharing agreement with the RCMP for the 11th Avenue bridge reconstruction; the 2010 Local Improvement Program; and a request to go ahead with a development in Harbour Landing that would be higher density than originally planned.
As this is the last council meeting of 2009, various boards and bodies will be putting forward their board memberships for the new year. This includes all the committees that councillors will be sitting on. Here's a breakdown of who'll be on the committees that get a lot of attention on this blog:
City Council (5:30 pm): It's a long agenda but a few items stand out. Chief among those, executive committee has recommended that the city's Tag Day bylaw be repealed and a report be prepared on how better to regulate panhandling in the city.
Council will also be considering a $190,000 expenditure to accomodate the 2011 Ford World Men's Curling Championship in Regina. The City Housing Incentives policy will be looked at, and the way it grandfathers projects covered by older incentive plans will be examined. Administration is recommending approval for a plan to reduce the cost of disposal of Auto Shredder Residue at the landfill to nothing during summer months (that's just on the first 30 tonnes a day delivered, mind). Also to be looked at is the annual community investment allocation (just over $4 million this year); an eastward expansion of the Wascana Centre Authority jurisdiction; a cost sharing agreement with the RCMP for the 11th Avenue bridge reconstruction; the 2010 Local Improvement Program; and a request to go ahead with a development in Harbour Landing that would be higher density than originally planned.
As this is the last council meeting of 2009, various boards and bodies will be putting forward their board memberships for the new year. This includes all the committees that councillors will be sitting on. Here's a breakdown of who'll be on the committees that get a lot of attention on this blog:
- Community and Protective Services Committee: Findura, Hutchinson, Murray, O'Donnell, Szarka.
- Finance and Administration Committee: Browne, Bryce, Fougere, Hincks, Murray.
- Public Works Committee: Browne, Bryce, Clipsham, Findura, Hutchinson.
- Regina Planning Commission: Fougere, O'Donnell, Szarka.
12.17.2009
Regina Vacancy Rate Drops
You read that right. According to CMHC's October 2009 survey of the nation's rental market (released yesterday), the average vacancy rate in Regina is now a whopping 0.6 per cent.
0.6 per cent.
We are tied with Quebec City for the lowest vacancy rate in the country.
You will remember from our June coverage, CMHC reported that vacancies in Regina had reached 0.7 per cent in April, up from 0.5 per cent over October of 2008. CMHC predicted at the time that vacancy rates would continue to slowly climb.
They didn't.
You may also remember that back in the summer, developers who were hoping to speed along their condo conversions pointed to CMHC's somewhat rosy outlook for the rental market and argued that there is nothing more to worry about as the market is headed in the right direction.
It isn't.
We've been waiting on the provincial and the federal government for over a year now to do something about the appalling housing situation in this city. Well, the province's purse strings just cinched up tight. And housing is going to be the last thing on the minds of Harper's scandal plagued Conservatives.
It's looking like we're on our own here.
And 22 people were recently turfed from their homes in an office building and tasked with finding a place to live this winter. Expect to see more people living in hastily-converted and not-up-to-fire-code office buildings and other inappropriate structures. That's what happens when your vacancy rate essentially zero.
I'll write more on this when I've had time to go over the report in detail.
0.6 per cent.
We are tied with Quebec City for the lowest vacancy rate in the country.
You will remember from our June coverage, CMHC reported that vacancies in Regina had reached 0.7 per cent in April, up from 0.5 per cent over October of 2008. CMHC predicted at the time that vacancy rates would continue to slowly climb.
They didn't.
You may also remember that back in the summer, developers who were hoping to speed along their condo conversions pointed to CMHC's somewhat rosy outlook for the rental market and argued that there is nothing more to worry about as the market is headed in the right direction.
It isn't.
We've been waiting on the provincial and the federal government for over a year now to do something about the appalling housing situation in this city. Well, the province's purse strings just cinched up tight. And housing is going to be the last thing on the minds of Harper's scandal plagued Conservatives.
It's looking like we're on our own here.
And 22 people were recently turfed from their homes in an office building and tasked with finding a place to live this winter. Expect to see more people living in hastily-converted and not-up-to-fire-code office buildings and other inappropriate structures. That's what happens when your vacancy rate essentially zero.
I'll write more on this when I've had time to go over the report in detail.
11.23.2009
This Week At City Hall
Monday, November 23
City Council (5:30 pm): Hot on the heels of the Rider's big finals win, Chris Szarka will be making his first appearance as a city councillor tonight. As will John Findura who didn't play in yesterday's game, but who was out for the recreation infrastructure funding announcement two weeks ago, so I got to shake his hand and chat with him a bit and he seems a nice guy, so you should come out to council to see him too.
Ahem.
Aaaaanyway, big items on tonight's agenda include rec infrastructure funding, an airport tax exemption bylaw, and the city manager's contract. That last item -- which includes an approximately $49,000 raise for city manager Glen Davies -- might raise some eyebrows. (L-P has it covered here.) Be interesting to see how discussion develops.
The complete agenda can be downloaded on the city's website.
City Council (5:30 pm): Hot on the heels of the Rider's big finals win, Chris Szarka will be making his first appearance as a city councillor tonight. As will John Findura who didn't play in yesterday's game, but who was out for the recreation infrastructure funding announcement two weeks ago, so I got to shake his hand and chat with him a bit and he seems a nice guy, so you should come out to council to see him too.
Ahem.
Aaaaanyway, big items on tonight's agenda include rec infrastructure funding, an airport tax exemption bylaw, and the city manager's contract. That last item -- which includes an approximately $49,000 raise for city manager Glen Davies -- might raise some eyebrows. (L-P has it covered here.) Be interesting to see how discussion develops.
The complete agenda can be downloaded on the city's website.
11.17.2009
Waste Plan Open Houses
Tomorrow evening, the city will begin it's next round of consultations for it's Waste Plan Regina. You'll be getting a chance to review the three options for improving our waste management system. If you're one of those folk who think the way the city handles garbage could be improved (like, say, by incorporating curbside recycling) it's pretty important to attend one of these meetings and make your feelings heard.
From what I've heard, councillors, consultants and city staff are pretty confident that at the end of this process, we will be getting curbside recycling. I hope they're right but I have to say I'm dubious. I'm worried the cheapskates who're always chanting "hold the line on property taxes" will rule the day and we'll wind up, once again, with no recycling program to speak of.
If you can't make it out to one of the Waste Plan open houses, you can at least fill out the questionnaire on the city's website. If you do want to make it to an open house here's the list of dates, times and locations.
From what I've heard, councillors, consultants and city staff are pretty confident that at the end of this process, we will be getting curbside recycling. I hope they're right but I have to say I'm dubious. I'm worried the cheapskates who're always chanting "hold the line on property taxes" will rule the day and we'll wind up, once again, with no recycling program to speak of.
If you can't make it out to one of the Waste Plan open houses, you can at least fill out the questionnaire on the city's website. If you do want to make it to an open house here's the list of dates, times and locations.
Wednesday, November 18: South Leisure Centre , Gymnasium, 170 Sunset Drive , 5:30-8 pmIf you want more detail on what's being considered waste-plan-wise, you can read a summary on the city's website.
Tuesday, November 24: City Hall, 3 to 6pm
Thursday, November 26: Glencairn Neighbourhood Recreation Centre , Large Meeting Room , 2626 Dewdney Avenue E, 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, December 2 : Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, Multipurpose Room , 2900 - 13th Avenue , 5:30-8pm
Wednesday, December 9 : North West Leisure Centrem 1127 Arnason Street , 5:30-8pm
This Week at City Hall
Wednesday, November 18
Executive Committee (11:45 am): Considering at the Servicing Agreement Fee rate for 2010. SAFs are the fees charged to developers to cover the cost of providing and maintaining municipal infrastructure (sewer, roads and the like) into new subdivisions. For 2010, developers can expect to pay $227,289 per hectare if the new rate is approved.
The committee is also considering the Recreation Infrastructure Canada Fund Contribution Agreement -- by passing this (assuming I'm reading this right) the city will officially be committing $1,000,000 to Douglas Park improvements... the provincial and federal governments have already committed $750,000 each to this project.
The committee is also looking at some proposed changes in language to the Appointment and Authorization of City Officials Bylaw so that it will accurately reflect the administration's new organizational structure.
And finally, the committee is considering the Harbour Landing Borrowing Bylaw -- this will codify the infrastructure "debt" the city owes to Dundee Development. As it was explained to me, Dundee has already begun construction of infrastructure in the Harbour Landing subdivision. Normally, they'd pay servicing feed to the city to have those installed but now, instead of paying servicing fees, the value of the infrastructure they've built will be deducted from the servicing fees they should have been paying.
Executive Committee (11:45 am): Considering at the Servicing Agreement Fee rate for 2010. SAFs are the fees charged to developers to cover the cost of providing and maintaining municipal infrastructure (sewer, roads and the like) into new subdivisions. For 2010, developers can expect to pay $227,289 per hectare if the new rate is approved.
The committee is also considering the Recreation Infrastructure Canada Fund Contribution Agreement -- by passing this (assuming I'm reading this right) the city will officially be committing $1,000,000 to Douglas Park improvements... the provincial and federal governments have already committed $750,000 each to this project.
The committee is also looking at some proposed changes in language to the Appointment and Authorization of City Officials Bylaw so that it will accurately reflect the administration's new organizational structure.
And finally, the committee is considering the Harbour Landing Borrowing Bylaw -- this will codify the infrastructure "debt" the city owes to Dundee Development. As it was explained to me, Dundee has already begun construction of infrastructure in the Harbour Landing subdivision. Normally, they'd pay servicing feed to the city to have those installed but now, instead of paying servicing fees, the value of the infrastructure they've built will be deducted from the servicing fees they should have been paying.
11.13.2009
Funding Coming for Regina's Recreation Infrastructure
Went to a press conference at the YMCA today. It was organized to announce infrastructure funding for recreation infrastructure in Regina. Money will be coming from the federal government to the tune of $1,523,666 with a matching amount coming from the provincial government.
Projects to be seeing some of this cash include the downtown YMCA which will have it's reception area and men's locker room rebuilt; improvements to the Broad Street pedestrian bridge and trail; upgrades to the accessible playground at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre and to Candy Cane Park; the installation of artificial turf, lighting and a multi-purpose support facility for Leibel Field.
Additional funds for these projects will be coming from the City of Regina ($3,000,000 for Leibel Field), the Wascana Centre Authority ($563,668 split between the Broad Street pedestrian improvements and the parks) and the YMCA ($666,754 for their facility improvements).
The total amount of infrastructure funding coming from all sources is $5,777,754.
Making the announcement were MP Andrew Scheer, MLA Bill Hutchinson and Regina mayor Pat Fiacco.
It's hard to find something grumpy and critical to say about the announcement. (Not that I feel obliged to say something grumpy every time the Conservatives fork out some cash.) Regina's rec infrastructure is in serious need of support and I think I can safely say I'm a fan of money going into making the city more walkable and more accessible. Mind you, it would be nice to see some of the cash coming from the Conservative's Economic Action Plan eventually make its way towards Regina's similarly under-funded arts infrastructure. Or -- and this is an even bigger priority -- some support for our crumbling rental housing market would also be welcome.
Beyond that, all in all, a good news event for Regina.
On a personal note, I brought my daughter along to the Y to witness all this. It was her first press conference. I don't think she enjoyed it very much.
Projects to be seeing some of this cash include the downtown YMCA which will have it's reception area and men's locker room rebuilt; improvements to the Broad Street pedestrian bridge and trail; upgrades to the accessible playground at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre and to Candy Cane Park; the installation of artificial turf, lighting and a multi-purpose support facility for Leibel Field.
Additional funds for these projects will be coming from the City of Regina ($3,000,000 for Leibel Field), the Wascana Centre Authority ($563,668 split between the Broad Street pedestrian improvements and the parks) and the YMCA ($666,754 for their facility improvements).
The total amount of infrastructure funding coming from all sources is $5,777,754.
Making the announcement were MP Andrew Scheer, MLA Bill Hutchinson and Regina mayor Pat Fiacco.
It's hard to find something grumpy and critical to say about the announcement. (Not that I feel obliged to say something grumpy every time the Conservatives fork out some cash.) Regina's rec infrastructure is in serious need of support and I think I can safely say I'm a fan of money going into making the city more walkable and more accessible. Mind you, it would be nice to see some of the cash coming from the Conservative's Economic Action Plan eventually make its way towards Regina's similarly under-funded arts infrastructure. Or -- and this is an even bigger priority -- some support for our crumbling rental housing market would also be welcome.
Beyond that, all in all, a good news event for Regina.
On a personal note, I brought my daughter along to the Y to witness all this. It was her first press conference. I don't think she enjoyed it very much.
11.08.2009
Voter Turnout Numbers
On Friday, city hall released the voter turnout numbers broken down by ward. Here they are, cut and pasted onto our blog for your reading pleasure.
(That was not, for the record, a shot at Councillor Szarka, who at least bothered to run for election. Nor at Ward 10 voters, who at least bothered to vote. Or rather, not a shot at the 30 per cent of them who bothered to vote.)
Compared with the 2006 election, voter turnout dropped in all wards, on average by 12 per cent, with the biggest plunge coming in Ward 1 with a 15 per cent decline and the smallest in Ward 6 where turnout only dropped by eight per cent.
Ward 1. . . . . 28.59%So I'm reading through this and the first thing I find myself thinking is, "Wow, look at Ward 10. 31 per cent voter turnout. Not bad." And then, I'm like, wait a second... 31 per cent voter turnout is bad. It's very bad. The only reason it doesn't look so bad is because you have wards like mine, Ward 3, that can only muster a paltry 22 per cent. Seems all you have to do to get one in three people out to vote is get a Roughrider to put on a show.
Ward 2. . . . . 30.89%
Ward 3. . . . . 22.37%
Ward 4. . . . . 25.44%
Ward 5. . . . . 21.17%
Ward 6. . . . . 13.98%
Ward 7. . . . . 21.80%
Ward 8. . . . . 21.22%
Ward 9. . . . . 22.82%
Ward 10. . . . 31.46%
Overall. . . . 24.97% (based on mayoral race)
(That was not, for the record, a shot at Councillor Szarka, who at least bothered to run for election. Nor at Ward 10 voters, who at least bothered to vote. Or rather, not a shot at the 30 per cent of them who bothered to vote.)
Compared with the 2006 election, voter turnout dropped in all wards, on average by 12 per cent, with the biggest plunge coming in Ward 1 with a 15 per cent decline and the smallest in Ward 6 where turnout only dropped by eight per cent.
This Week at City Hall
Monday, November 9
City Council (7:00 pm): The new council will be sworn in and the deputy mayor schedule will be set for 2009-2012. Deputy mayor schedule? What's that, you ask? Apparently, the position of deputy mayor rotates through council alphabetically, with each councillor taking turns in two month stretches. The deputy mayor's duties include attending community events and chairing council meetings in the mayor's absence, and also chairing the Executive Committee and reading bylaws at council meetings.
City Council (7:00 pm): The new council will be sworn in and the deputy mayor schedule will be set for 2009-2012. Deputy mayor schedule? What's that, you ask? Apparently, the position of deputy mayor rotates through council alphabetically, with each councillor taking turns in two month stretches. The deputy mayor's duties include attending community events and chairing council meetings in the mayor's absence, and also chairing the Executive Committee and reading bylaws at council meetings.
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