Mayor Greg Krischke called the July 13 Leduc city council meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
The agenda was accepted with amendments and second reading of Bylaw 899-2015 was withdrawn until it meets the advertised requirements for approving a bylaw.
A public hearing was held for Bylaw 898-2015 regarding the redistricting of the Robinson Stage 5 subdivision. Ryan Smith represented the developer and answered questions raised by council. No one presented any objections to the bylaw.
Mr. Kevin Johnson presented the progress that Norquest College has made in establishing programs for Leduc residents. Current plans will see a limited program starting this fall with the help of Black Gold Regional School Board and Leduc Composite High School with a long-term goal of establishing a standalone facility. Norquest College is known for developing partnerships with communities to ensure their resident’s educational needs are understood and met.
Mayor Krischke and the council were pleased hearing the progress of bring Norquest College programs to Leduc. Mayor Krischke stated it was important to provide opportunities that can enhance learning avenues for youth, work force and for immigrants new to Leduc.
The city received an update from Enforcement Services that covered the various services by the department. The report begins by informing council that the department, for the first time in a long time, is fully staffed. The service is part of a team that serves Leduc, which includes the RCMP, the Alberta Solicitor General Office, and the Minister of Public Safety. The report showed how each of Leduc’s subdivisions are being looked after on a monthly basis for bylaw infractions and weed control. The report indicated the success of the RID-911 program and gave the council the statistics on traffic violations and the commercial vehicle inspection carried out in June. The inspection saw only eight vehicles pass and 39 charges being laid of the 145 vehicles inspected.
Currently the service is working with AMA developing various programs including home alarms. Many residents may not be aware that a fine of $500 can be laid on false alarms.
City council remarked that since the department has been fully staffed that enforcement officers have become more visible including the weekends and this is a positive development.
The Community Development and Culture Department presented a request by the Beaverbrook Communities for funds to proceed with the plans for an outdoor rink in the Robinson neighbourhood. The request was to increase the capital budget by transferring from the 2017 Capital Budget Parks Development Outdoor Rinks budget $200,000 with a corresponding increase to the capital funding to capture the revenue.
During the spring the Beaverbrook Communities had approached city administration with a proposal to develop a community outdoor rink, which would provide the city with a third permanent facility. The total cost of the facility estimated budget is over $481,500 and once built it would be managed by Beaverbrook Communities with plans to be completed by this fall.
City council approved the request unanimously.
Council then received the 2014 City of Leduc Annual Report for information.
Council approved second reading to Bylaw 898-2015 - redistricting Robinson Stage 5, third reading to Bylaw 891-205 – redistricting of Blackstone Stage 1A, and first reading to Bylaw 900-200 – redistricting Blackstone Stage 2A.
After receiving updates from council members and information items Mayor Krischke adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.