The following decisions were made at today’s City Council meeting.
Budget 2024
- Today, administration officially handed over the proposed amended 2024 operating and capital budgets to City Council during a regular Council meeting.
- City Council will debate the budget January 23 until 26.
- More information is available at www.reddeer.ca/budget.
- A more detailed news release is posted to www.reddeer.ca/news.
Consideration of Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses
- City Council directed administration to bring forward a report on encampments within Red Deer's publicly owned lands prior to Quarter 3 of 2024. This report will include outcomes and analysis of possible service level changes. The report should consider but not be limited to:
- Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
- Preventing establishment of encampments.
- Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
- Developing recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
- How much money The City has spent on encampment cleanup over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
- Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
- A progress report on the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C - Urban Encampment Response.
- The notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Lawrence Lee and read on December 18, 2023.
- See below Backgrounder for full resolution passed by Council.
Land Use Bylaw amendment - East Hill MASP and Lancaster/Vanier NASP
- City Council passed second and third reading of four bylaw amendments following a public hearing at today’s City Council meeting.
- The amendments include:
- East Hill Major Area Structure Plan (Bylaw 3499/A-2023),
- Lancaster / Vanier East Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (Bylaw 3217/B-2023),
- Road Closure (Bylaw 3700/2023); and,
- Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 3357/K-2023).
- This approval enables the closure of a ±2.23 hectare portion of road, the amendment of two statutory plans, and rezoning the area to allow for a mix of residential and open space uses.
- end -
January 8, 2024
Backgrounder
The following resolution is related to the Notice of Motion Re: Urban Encampment Responses submitted by Councillor Lawrence Lee and read today at City Council’s regular meeting.
Notice of Motion Re: Urban Encampment Responses
Whereas The City of Red Deer is responsible for the health and safety of citizens and staff accessing public lands, trails, and parks; and
Whereas The City is responsible for the ecological protection of the natural areas located within our community; and
Whereas encampments are not safe environments for people to live; and
Whereas encampments do not provide a safe environment for the public to use trails parks and public spaces; and
Whereas The City respects and supports our community’s vulnerable populations and has shelter and housing supports in place as alternatives to individuals sleeping rough;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of The City of Red Deer directs Administration bring forward a report on encampments within Red Deer's publicly owned lands prior to Q3 2024. This report would include outcomes and analysis of possible service level changes. The report should consider but not be limited to:
- Reducing the time to dismantle encampments
- Preventing establishment of encampments
- Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity
- Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter
- How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past 5 years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
- Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed
- That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C - Urban Encampment Response
For more information, contact:
Community & Public Relations
The City of Red Deer