City Council: recap (April 15, 2024)

The following decisions were made at today’s Council meeting:

Drought Mitigation (report for information)

• Council received an update from Utility Services on the state of drought in Alberta, how The City is preparing and the Government of Alberta water sharing agreements.
• More information .

Vehicle for Hire Bylaw (First Reading)

• City Council gave first reading to proposed changes to the vehicle for hire bylaw at their regular meeting today.
• There is no statutory public hearing required for the bylaw adoption. Second and third readings are scheduled for the next regular Council meeting on April 29.
• Feedback from members of the public must be received by Friday, April 19 at 4:30 p.m. and can be sent by email to Legislative Services, LegislativeServices@RedDeer.ca.
• More information .

Urban Chicken Bylaw (Second and Third Readings)

• City Council approved proposed amendments to Red Deer’s Chicken Bylaw at today’s regular meeting. The proposed amendments include:
  • removal of the cap on the total number of licenses in the city, which currently sits at 102 (based on the population) and has a waitlist of 140;
  • increased fee for Chicken Licences from $27 to $36.15 per licence; and
  • addition of a schedule for fines and penalties to ensure the proper tools are in place to address nuisance concerns if needed, though there have been few complaints regarding urban chickens.
• One licence is permitted per household and the limit of four hens per licence will remain in place.  
• More information . 

Alberta Municipalities (Resolutions)

• Council approved three proposed Alberta Municipalities policy resolutions, which will be for consideration by the Alberta Municipalities. Resolutions that are adopted assist to inform and direct Alberta Municipalities advocacy efforts.
• The three resolutions are to address Federal Funding for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Clean Diesel Busses, a Provincial Emergency Shelter Strategy, and Permanent Supportive Housing Capital and Operational Funding.
• More information .

Business Improvement Area – Tax Rate Bylaw (Three Readings)

• City Council approved the Business Improvement Area (BIA) tax rate bylaw, which funds the Downtown Business Association (DBA), at their regular meeting today. Following the approval of the 2024 DBA operating budget, City Council is required to pass a BIA tax rate bylaw. The bylaw reflects decisions made during budget deliberations and is the final step allowing The City to collect the approved funds on behalf of the DBA.
• Approximately one third of taxable businesses, taxed at the minimum tax rate set by the DBA board, will see a five per cent increase, or $10.09. The remaining businesses will have an average increase of 0.66 per cent, which, for a BIA taxpayer with an assessment value of $32,100, equates to an increase of $4. The increase to the minimum tax levy was proposed by the DBA board as part of their 2024 budget and was approved by Council on December 4, 2023.
• BIA tax notices will be mailed May 22, 2024, and taxes are due June 28, 2024. Outstanding balances will be subject to penalties in accordance with the tax penalty bylaw.
• More information . 

Tax Rate Bylaw (Three Readings)

• City Council approved the annual property tax rate bylaw at their regular meeting today.
• The City’s budget was set by City Council in January with a 6.15 per cent municipal tax increase. When combined with the 2024 requisitions the average total tax increase is 5.29 per cent for each residential, non-residential and multi-family properties.
• Tax notices will be mailed May 22, 2024. The deadline for payment of 2024 taxes is Friday, June 28. Unpaid taxes are subject to a seven per cent penalty on July 1.
• More information .

Land Use Bylaw / Zoning (Second & Third Readings) 

• Red Deer City Council heard from members of the public during the Zoning Bylaw Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was adjourned and administration will bring more information and recommendations for next steps for City Council at the next Council Meeting on April 29. The public will not have an opportunity to speak on this item during the meeting. 
• The proposed updated Zoning Bylaw can be viewed online at engage.reddeer.ca.

Land Use Bylaw – 6006 63A Street (Second & Third Readings)

• Council approved second and third reading of a Land Use bylaw amendment to rezone 6006 63A Street from R1 to R2, amending the land to R2 residential (medium density).