City Council on the agenda – October 28

The Monday, October 28 Organizational Meeting and Regular City Council Meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. with approximately 30 minutes in a closed meeting before moving to open.

The Organizational Meeting is expected to conclude before lunch break, and the Regular City Council meeting will begin at 1 p.m. (subject to change).

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING:

2024 – 2025 Citizen Representative Appointments to Committees, Quasi-Judicial Boards and External Boards and Societies:

• For 2024, twenty-nine (29) vacancies were identified for the City’s Council Committees, Quasi-Judicial Boards, external Boards and Societies. Recruitment for citizens members began in August 2024.
• At Monday’s meeting, City Council will officially appoint representatives to Committees, Quasi Judicial Boards and External Boards and Societies.
• Committees, Quasi Judicial Boards and External Boards and Societies include: Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee, Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, Municipal Planning Commission, Public Art Commission, Red Deer Library Board, Red Deer Tribunals, Red Deer & District Family and Community Support Services Board, Red Deer Regional Airport Authority Board, River Bend Golf and Recreation Society Board, Mayor’s Recognition Awards Committee, and Central Alberta Economic Partnership.

Other items on Organizational Meeting agenda:

• Council will also consider Red Deer Downtown Business Association Board of Director Appointments, Council member appointments to committees, Council calendar meeting dates and Deputy Mayor appointments.

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING:

Capital Budget

• Administration will bring forward a recommendation to delay consideration of the 2025 Capital Budget from October 28 to November 18.
• It's important the Capital Budget reflects our financial situation to allow administration to give its best recommendation and for Council to make informed decisions. Administration is currently reviewing The City’s financial position, particularly focusing on two key funding areas: the Capital Projects Reserve (CPR) and our long-term debt.
• The evaluation of our outstanding projects prior to 2024, funded by both debt and reserve, require further investigation to fully inform our current financial position. Delaying consideration of the Capital budget to November 18 will provide the time needed to firm up our position forecast.

Vehicle for Hire bylaw:

• The Vehicle for Hire Bylaw was before Council on May 27, 2024, for consideration of changes to bylaw, including the cap on taxi plates and model age of vehicles. During the process, there were amendments adopted, which after implementing, require some further amendments to provide clarity and meet the original intent of Council.
• The proposed changes were shared with the industry to ensure continued communication and transparency regarding changes associated with this bylaw. 
• Administration recommends City Council proceed with all three readings of the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw.