Public Engagement Process for Business Planning Announced

The City of Calgary wants citizen input on how to spend tax dollars to run the city, and will be providing various means for Calgarians to provide feedback and take part in discussions about what matters to them.

The project, a public engagement process for the upcoming budget cycle will be discussed at an upcoming Council meeting on Monday, February 7, 2011.

“Today we have moved one step closer to transforming the way we do our business at The City of Calgary,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi.  “Council is committed to including as many Calgarians as possible in helping us better understand their needs and priorities so that we can make the right decisions today for the Calgary we want for our children and our grandchildren well into the future.”

The project, which will launch on 2011 February 11, and will provide a final report in June, will be led by Dialogue Partners Inc. a consulting firm headquartered in Ottawa with extensive experience in implementing large scale public engagement projects.

 “Budgets are a reflection of values, priorities and needs, and a tool to deliver services that are important to staff, Council and citizens,” said Stephani Roy McCallum, Managing Director at Dialogue Partners.

The cost for the engagement and communications program that will inform the 2012-14 business planning and budget cycle will be under $1 million.

This public and internal engagement process will continue the journey towards achieving the 100-year vision articulated in imagineCALGARY and other long-term strategies such as the Calgary Transportation Plan and the Municipal Development Plan.  The input received through the process will inform business planning and budgeting for the next three to ten years and will help The City understand what must be done to attain our vision for a sustainable future.

Calgary AfterSchool Program Launches Video Contest for Youth

The City’s Calgary AfterSchool program is running a video contest to help raise awareness of its youth programs.

“In this day and age a lot of people have access to video cameras or can take video on their phones,” says Zorian Klymochko, a community development worker for Calgary AfterSchool. “We thought this would be a creative way to get children and youth more involved in the Calgary AfterSchool framework and bring awareness to the great activities for them across Calgary.”

Participants need to make an original movie showing what Calgary AfterSchool means to them, and then upload it to YouTube.

Everyone is encouraged to enter the contest, even those who aren’t currently taking part in a Calgary AfterSchool program.

The contest has three rounds for entry with deadlines on Feb. 16, Apr. 15, and June 10. The top five entries from each round will be invited to participate in a final video viewing at Cardel Place Theatre at the end of June where the grand prize winner will be announced.

Prizes include:

• 4th generation iPod Touch 36GB
• Chinook Centre/Market Mall gift cards
• Calgary Flames tickets
• Calgary Hitmen tickets
• Calgary Roughnecks tickets
• Ski/snowboard day pass for Canada Olympic Park

The Calgary AfterSchool program offers Calgary youth positive, structured activities during to help build stronger and safer communities. Research shows that children and youth who are provided with safe and stimulating environments between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are at significantly less risk of getting involved in negative activites like crime, joining a gang, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and obtainng poor grades.

To find more information about the video contest, please visit calgary.ca/afterschool.

Home Energy Savings Day a Success

The Home Energy Savings Day pilot project was an overwhelming success with over 90 per cent of the kits sold.

According to The City's Environmental & Safety Management Team, thousands of Calgarians turned out to learn more about how they could reduce their energy use.

If you were unable to attend Rona last Saturday, the remaining kits are available for purchase at participating RONA locations while supplies last.

As part of the project, ENMAX is offering Calgarians a chance to win a high efficiency furnace, high efficiency appliance package OR an on-demand hot water heater. To enter the contest, visit ENMAX.com/HomeEnergySavings for more details.

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• Home Energy Savings Kit Available - Save Money and Energy

New Park in the Beltline - Idea Gathering Session

The City of Calgary Parks is developing a new park in the Beltline area adjacent to the former Dr. Carl Safran School. The new park is located on 12 Ave. and 9 St. S.W. and was once the school yard of the Dr. Carl Safran School.

The City would like feedback from Calgarians about possible uses for this new park. A drop-in public open house is being held to share information and ideas.


Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Times: noon - 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Best Western, 1330 8 St. S.W.

Can't attend? No problem. An online questionnaire will be available on this site from February 9 to 28 where you can send in your comments.

Results from the open houses and online questionnaire will be posted in March and will also be available at the second public open house.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/parks

Pet of the Week - Boots

Here is our adoptable Pet of the Week, Boots. Boots is an energetic Labrador-cross looking for a happy, healthy home.






For more information please visit calgary.ca/animalservices

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Pet of the Week - Rosie
• Pet of the Week - Hank
• Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation
• Pet of the Week - Sophia
• Pet of the Week - Corky
• Pet of the Week - Peanut
• Pet of the Week - Fantasma
• Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates
• Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information
• Feline Frenzy at Animal Services
• Pet of the Week - Scrappy
• Pet of the Week - Emmett

Wrapping Up Chinatown 100

On Friday, Jan. 21, nine Chinatown Centenary Community Champions were “white hatted” for their leadership and special contributions to the development of Calgary’s Chinatown and the success of the Chinatown Centenary Celebrations.

“The centenary celebrations have been a success of community and government partnership, “said Jason Luan, The City of Calgary community lead for the Chinatown Centenary Celebrations. “This centenary has built cultural understanding and created lasting legacies that will contribute to Calgary being an inclusive and vibrant community.”

The nine champions recognized are:

Mr. Ralph Klein, former Premier of Alberta
Mr. Al Duerr, former Mayor of Calgary
Mr. Kok Wah Chang, President, Alberta Chinese Community Congress
Mr. Lyn Chow, President, Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association
Mr. Raymond Lee, honourable retired Citizenship Judge
Mr. Jake Louie, Chairman, Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre and Co-Chair of the Chinatown Centenary Celebrations Advisory Committee
Mr. Feng Li, Consul, The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary
Mr. Victor Mah, Honorary Chairman, Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
Mr. Ricky Man, President, Chinese Freemason of Calgary

Over 115 community partners hosted celebrations for Chinatown 100. The Year of the Tiger offered more than 60 events and programs that were enjoyed by more than 100,000 Calgarians. These opportunities offered Calgarians a chance to learn more about the vibrant Chinese culture, the history of Calgary’s Chinatown, and the significant contributions by the Calgary Chinese community to our city in the past 100 years.

The centenary celebrations that started last February for Chinatown 100 in the Year of the Tiger have now come to an end as the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre prepares a weekend carnival to welcome the Year of the Rabbit in the coming weeks.

For more information about Chinatown 100, please visit calgary.ca/chinatown100. To find out more about the Year of the Rabbit carnival event, please visit the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre at www.culturalcentre.ca.

Calgarians can Walk on Water, in Walk on Water Balls

If you’ve ever dreamt about walking on water, your dreams have come true at Calgary leisure centres because you can now take a stroll inside a Walk on Water (WOW) ball.

The two-metre, transparent plastic balls are available for free on a first-come, first-serve basis at both Village Square and Southland Leisure Centres.

“It’s a little between walking on water and being in a hamster ball - It’s the best 5 minute workout I’ve ever had,” said Ben, a leisure centre lifeguard.

Tracy Luther, a communicator with Recreation, says the balls are safe, but would like to remind parents that if a child is under the age of seven, he or she must be accompanied by an adult swimming in the water alongside them.

“A person steps inside of the balls and we inflate them with air and seal them, which allows him or her to walk on the surface of the pool,” saidTracy Luther, a communicator with Recreation.

For more information, please visit calgary.ca/leisurecentres

Calgary Heritage Authority recognizes Three Heritage Sites

Three new locations in Calgary have become historically significant sites today, as the Calgary Heritage Authority presented plaques to at today's Council Meeting.

The plaques are presented biennially to sites of historical significance to Calgary’s development. Evaluations are based on the significance of the architecture, history and context of the sites.

“The plaque program not only allows us to recognize and celebrate the unique, historical character of places throughout Calgary, but it also allows us to share the stories of places so Calgarians can establish stronger connections with their communities and the city,” said Scott Jolliffe, Chairman of the Calgary Heritage Authority.

The three sites that received plaques are:

Bridgeland-Riverside Vacant Lot Garden
Located between 6 Street and 7A Street N.E.
In 1914 The City formed the Vacant Lots Garden Club as a way to put undeveloped lots to good use and beautify Calgary. The Bridgeland-Riverside Vacant Lots Garden is the last remaining original Vacant Lot garden. This site symbolizes the gardening heritage of this community and is an important part of Calgary’s community gardening history. Its preservation as a City Park in 2008 helped revive interest in community gardening.

Old North Trail
Spiller Road S.E.
Spiller Road was once part of an ancient trail used by Aboriginal peoples in Alberta for thousands of years. The trail, referred to as Old North Trail, led to an important ford at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. When the North West Mounted Police built Fort Brisebois ( Fort Calgary) in 1875, a section of the Old North Trail became Macleod Trail, the main supply route between Fort Calgary, Fort Macleod and Fort Benton further south in Montana.

Mission Bridge
4 Street S.W. and Elbow River
In 1885 Father Albert Lacombe suggested that a bridge in this location would save farmers of the southwest from having to make the longer trip to cross the river at Inglewood. Completed in 1915, the Mission Bridge was the first concrete bridge built in Alberta and helped connect the communities of Mission, Roxboro and Rideau Park. The bridge structure that is in place today is the third bridge on this site.

For more information about the heritage planning and the Calgary Heritage Authority,
visit www.calgary.ca/heritage

***Ramsay School (which still exists in Ramsay) in the background of the Old North Trail 1925 - and a view of the Bridgleand-Riverside Vacant Lot Garden

Fourth Street S.W. LRT Station Reopening

The City of Calgary is happy to announce the reopening of the Fourth Street S.W. LRT Station. The reopening provides Calgarians with another state-of-the-art CTrain facility.


In addition to an open design concept and improvements to the sidewalk, lighting and street furnishings, the Fourth Street station has some other unique and important elements.

There is a plus 15 walkway that connects the station to the building across the street. It is also home to a new electrical sub-station which provides three times more power to the 7 Avenue CTrain line, making it possible to run future four car trains through the downtown core.

“This new station gives people on the LRT system a very positive impression when they come downtown—arriving at a brand new, clean station...” said Gordon Stewart, Director of Transportation Infrastructure. “and, It will allow for future growth when we go to four car trains which will provide more service access for Calgarians.”

Transportation Infrastructure is the City business unit given the responsibility to refurbish the 7 Avenue LRT station platforms and both the federal and provincial governments have contributed significant funding to this project. The focus of the 7 Avenue Refurbishment program now shifts to the reconstruction/refurbishment of the LRT stations on the far west and east ends of downtown.

The construction program is expected to be complete by late 2012. You can access more information about the 7th Ave Refurbishment project here.

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts

• (Timelapse Video) 4 St S.W. CTrain Station set to open
• Downtown CTrain stations close
• Calgary's Downtown CTrain Station in LEGO and Howie Mande
• City Hall CTrain Station to close for refurbishment
• Third Street S.W. CTrain station opens for business
• Folk Musicians Entertain on the CTrain
• Whitehorn CTrain Station upgrade to begin

Home Energy Savings Kit Available - Save Money and Energy

On January 22 Calgarians will have the chance to pick up a great deal on a Home Energy Savings Kit and learn simple ways to save energy and money around their homes.

The kits will be on sale at RONA locations, while supplies last, across Calgary for one day only and while supplies last. Calgarians can also bring in their utility bills for free advice on how to reduce household energy consumption even further.

“The City aims to walk the talk when it comes to reducing energy use,” says Linda Harvey, team lead for Environmental and Safety Management. “We are proud of the actions we take to reduce energy consumption, both as a corporation and in the community.”

Each kit costs $39.99 (valued at $250) and contains:

• A programmable thermostat OR 2 programmable power bars
• Low flow shower head
• LED night light
• Outlet insulators
• 8 Compact fluorescent light bulbs
• $40 off furnace service with ENMAX Energy homeservices
• $50 off duct cleaning with ENMAX Energy homeservices
• $100 off an initial home energy assessment with ATCO Energy Sense
• When all components of the kit are installed, an average household could save up to $150 to $175 per year

Twenty percent of our energy use happens at home, making our homes a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Saving energy around the home helps save money and protects the environment.

What: Home Energy Savings Kit Sale
Date: Saturday, January 22, 2011
Time: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: 5 RONA Calgary locations:

• 9630 Macleod Trail
• 90 Crowfoot Way N.W.
• 12330 Symons Valley Road N.W.
• 2665 – 32nd Street N.E.
• 300 Stewart Green S.W.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/saveenergy

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• Home Energy Savings Day a Success

Public Art 101 - Webinar Series

The City of Calgary Public Art Program invites artists, community members and design professionals to join us for a six-part webinar series entitled Public Art 101.

This opportunity, being presented in partnership with the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network, is a means to facilitate the creative process and provide a professional development opportunity to artists interested in pursuing a practice in public art.

The two-hour webinars are being offered free of charge and will take place on Tuesday evenings at The City of Calgary Water Centre (625 25 Ave. S.E.). Free parking is available on site.

Seating is limited so register today by contacting Dawn Ford at Dawn.Ford@calgary.ca or 403-476-4319.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/publicart

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4 St S.W. CTrain Station set to open Jan. 21

The City of Calgary is proud to announce the re-opening of the 4 St. CTrain Station in downtown Calgary. On Jan. 21, from 7:30a.m.-8:30 a.m. join City and Council dignitaries to celebrate the completion of this highly anticipated station.

This station was constructed as part of the 7 Avenue LRT Refurbishment project. The purpose of this project is to upgrade Calgary’s downtown CTrain stations to accommodate future four-car trains and revitalize the 7 Avenue Transit Corridor.

We encourage Calgarians using the new station  to send a tweet with your thoughts about the station.  Please use the #4ststation hashtag.

Related Posts

• Downtown CTrain stations close
• Calgary's Downtown CTrain Station in LEGO and Howie Mande
• City Hall CTrain Station to close for refurbishment
• Third Street S.W. CTrain station opens for business
• Folk Musicians Entertain on the CTrain
• Whitehorn CTrain Station upgrade to begin

Pet of the Week - Rosie

Here is our adoptable Pet of the Week, Rosie. Rosie is a rambunctious, energetic Labrador-cross looking for a happy, healthy home.



For more information please visit calgary.ca/animalservices

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Pet of the Week - Hank
• Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation
• Pet of the Week - Sophia
• Pet of the Week - Corky
• Pet of the Week - Peanut
• Pet of the Week - Fantasma
• Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates
• Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information
• Feline Frenzy at Animal Services
• Pet of the Week - Scrappy
• Pet of the Week - Emmett

New banners installed on the seven gateways bridges to Calgary’s downtown

Seven bridges in and around the city’s core will be splashed with new colours over the next couple weeks, as a new series of banners is installed.  The series will showcase the work of Canadian artist, Dianne Bos and celebrates the theme of “place”.

The new banners are part of the Down town Banner Program that began in 2008.  Banners are now replaced biannually with a new look and story to welcome people to the downtown.
The banner program is funded through the Downtown Improvement Fund and managed by The City of Calgary’s Land Use Planning & Policy.

“The goal is to provide a unique opportunity for local artists to display their work, while at the same time create inviting places for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in and around the centre city,” says David Down, Coordinator, Urban Design and Heritage at The City.  “It is amazing how banners can transform bridges into dynamic structures and alter the urban landscape”.

For this series of banner images, Bos used black and white film and a medium format camera to create overlapping sequential images of the Alberta landscape. These were later converted to vibrant colours using digital techniques.

New banners have already been installed on the Macdonald and Inglewood bridges.  The remaining bridges will have banners installed over the next few weeks.  These bridges include 14 Street Bridge, Louise Bridge (10 Street), Centre Street Bridge, Langevin Bridge (Edmonton Trail) and the Zoo Bridge.

For more information on the bridge banner program and to view the banners please visit: www.calgary.ca/bridgebanners.

Public consultation: River Park, Sandy Beach, Britannia Slopes

The City of Calgary Parks is launching a second phase of public consultation this month aimed at managing the heavy use of a popular regional park and protecting it for future generations to enjoy.

The public consultation will help The City of Calgary develop a management plan for River Park, Sandy Beach and Britannia Slopes. All Calgarians are invited to provide input.

These three adjacent public spaces form a large, popular southwest regional park located just north of the Glenmore Dam and along the Elbow River. Environmental concerns, aging amenities, parking problems and issues between user groups led to citizen requests for a management plan in the regional park.

An introduction meeting on the project will be held on two nights this month (both meetings will have the same content and agenda):

• Wednesday, Jan. 19, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the North Glenmore Park Community Association (2231 Longridge Drive S.W.)
• Thursday, Jan. 27, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the South Calgary Community Association (3130 - 16 Street S.W.)

The introduction meeting will provide interested citizens with overviews of the first phase of the 2009 stakeholder and public consultation process and the proposed 2011 public consultation process.

The proposed public consultation process for 2011 will focus on specific topics of interest (identified by the public) and work on finding solutions to problems in the regional park. Moderated online discussions are planned, as are facilitated public meetings over the coming months.

By the spring of 2011, The City of Calgary Parks will draft park management plan. Once completed, that draft plan will be posted at www.calgary.ca/riverpark for public review and comment. From there, an updated draft plan will be presented to Council’s Community & Protective Services committee before July 2011.

To keep updated on this project over the coming months, please visit www.calgary.ca/riverpark.

Civic Census Takers Required

Interested in doing a job that counts? The City of Calgary needs Census Takers to visit all homes in assigned areas beginning April 1

If you would like to be a part of the team that collects valuable information used in many aspects of City planning and service delivery, apply in person at The City of Calgary, Election and Information Services office at 1103 55th Avenue NE beginning January 17 to February 4, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. For more information, call 403-476-4100 (Option 3).

Applicants will be required to complete a short written assessment test that takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.  

In order to apply to be a Census Taker you must be: 

• 18 years of age or over.
• able to walk in seasonable weather conditions.
• available to attend a two hour daytime training session in March.
• available to attend a ½ hour check-in and material review appointment in April. 

Assigned census areas vary in size, but are generally between 400 to 600 dwellings.  Census Takers set their own schedule to complete their assigned area and may be required to work in the evenings and on weekends when most people are at home.  In general, the data collection takes about three weeks.

For more information on Calgary’s annual census, visit www.calgary.ca/census

How it Works: Christmas Tree Recycling Program

The City's Christmas Tree pick-up is still going full-bore and Calgarians will be please to know that come Spring, they'll be able to reuse their trees in their gardens . . . as mulch.

“We start planning about three or four months in advance,” says Lindsay Lofthouse, waste diversion specialist with The City. “Once the program starts, we’re in constant communication with our collectors and foremen to make sure things are going smoothly and trees aren’t being missed.”

Waste & Recycling Services employees began picking up Christmas trees from designated depots on Dec. 27 and residences on Jan. 8. Some employees are dedicated to the task during the program, while others take on weekend shifts to make sure all trees are collected.

“Our collectors and foremen adjust their schedules to accommodate the pick-ups,” says Lindsay. “I think residents really appreciate the extra time put toward picking up door-to-door.”

After the trees are collected, they’re dropped off at one of Calgary’s three landfills and stockpiled until the end of the program. At the end of the January, the trees are mulched and the recycling begins.

“The mulch is used in parks, green spaces, and throughout the landfills,” says Lindsay.

Residents can also pick up mulch at the East Calgary Landfill for gardening and landscaping free of charge.

You still have until Jan. 18 to drop your tree off at a designated depot. To find a Christmas tree depot near you, visit Calgary.ca/waste.

Last year, The City’s annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program collected 33,000 trees.

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Tree Recycling About to Pick Up

Calgary Firefighter Nominated for Award for Saving Drowning Man's Life while Off-Duty

A City of Calgary firefighter is being rewarded for saving the life of a man who nearly drown while swimming in an Osoyoos, British Columbia, lake this summer.

Mathew Smith, who was vacationing at the time, is being recognized by the BC and Yukon Lifesaving Society for the role he played reviving a 39-year-old Mexican migrant worker, who swallowed too much water while swimming after work on June, 21, 2010.

Mathew was at his campsite when he said he heard a commotion coming from the shore. Grabbing his life-saving equipment, hey ran from his resort to the lake.

“I always have a first aid kit with me,” said Smith, “It’s a habit from years working for B.C. Ambulance.”

Smith ran to Osoyoos Lake’s shore, as two bystanders pulled the unconscious man, Bardomiano Hernandez, from the water. Immediately, Smith began to administer CPR, utilizing his years of life-saving training and revived the man before the ambulance arrived.

The Osoyoos Times reported that Hernandez, a father of three, said his rescuers are “great people” who have provided him with a “great opportunity for change” to plans on becoming a better person with his second lease on life.

As for the award, Smith said first aid comes naturally to him, although admittedly saving someone as a member of the public does feel different than doing it while on duty.

“The biggest reward is knowing that the guy is OK and he can go home to his wife and kids,” said Smith, who has been with the Calgary Fire Department since 2009. “I don’t think I deserve an award, I’m living my dream job – I did something I’m trained for. The ordinary people who swam out and rescued the guy are the real heroes.”

In addition to Smith, the Osoyoos RCMP credited Burnaby's David Ehrhardt and Melanie Sullivan, from Osoyoos, with saving the man’s life.

Smith said he hasn’t been able to speak to the other rescuers or Hernandez, although he does hope that one day in the future they can cross paths again, only under better circumstances.

The award ceremony is on March 12, 2011 in Vancouver.

***Photo of Smith and Hernandez by Paul Everest of the Osoyoos Times

***Smith receives Letter of Recognition from Fire Chief Bruce Burrell

Calgary Transit Looking for Love - Valentine’s Day Contest

Found love on Calgary Transit? Know someone who did? Think you have the best Calgary Transit love story and want to share it?

In celebration of the many customers who have found love while using transit, Calgary Transit is launching a fun contest in time for Valentine’s Day.

Send your best love story to CT-Contests@calgary.ca before February 10 for a chance to win a free adult monthly transit pass and a Valentine’s treat!

Alderman Druh Farrell has will judge the submissions and select the winner, which will be announced on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

Submissions should be no longer than 500 words. Please include your name*, phone number, email address and twitter username.

Happy Valentine’s tweeting!


*Note: You agree that your name and story may be published.

Pet of the Week - Hank

Here is our Pet of the Week, Hank the dog. Hank is a loving and playful labrador cross that is looking for a happy, healthy home. Hank is a calm dog, and his hobbies include eating. He needs someone who can take him for long walks because he needs exercise (his motivation to run is food).

For more information please visit calgary.ca/animalservices

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation
• Pet of the Week - Sophia
• Pet of the Week - Corky
• Pet of the Week - Peanut
• Pet of the Week - Fantasma
• Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates
• Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information
• Feline Frenzy at Animal Services
• Pet of the Week - Scrappy
• Pet of the Week - Emmett

10 avenue and 14 street S.W. Water Utility Repairs

UPDATE:

Jan 31, 2011
Phase 2 is underway

Phase 1 of this project, the lining of the sanitary main, is now complete.  The temporary sanitary bypass line has been removed from 10 Avenue S.W. and the rehabilitation of the road surface at 12 and 15 St will be completed soon.  Regular traffic patterns will resume in this area.

‬Construction work has begun on the water systems located at 10 Avenue and 14 Street S.W.  Completion is expected by mid February, weather permitting.  The required excavation area for this repair is substantial, and as a result, this intersection at 14 street and 10 avenue S.W. remains closed. Water Services does not anticipate water service disruptions during these repairs.

For more information on this project, please visit Calgary.ca/waterprojects


January 12. 2011
14 Street at 10 Avenue S.W. will be closed to all traffic beginning Saturday, Jan. 15 through until mid-February to allow for major water and sanitary utility upgrades.

To ensure the continuing integrity of the sanitary pipe along 10 Avenue (between 12 and 15 Streets S.W.), the pipe will be reinforced with a liner across from 14 Street to 13 Street S.W.

In order to carry out this process and maintain sanitary service to nearby businesses, Water Services must install a temporary bypass sanitary line and pump stations. This line will be located above ground and run down the middle of 10 Avenue S.W., crossing over 14 Street, and in turn requiring the full closure.

Repair work will follow on the water main located at 10 Avenue and 14 Street S.W. for a period of approximately three to four weeks, weather permitting.

The required excavation area for this repair is substantial, and as a result, the intersection will be closed. Water Services does not anticipate water or sanitary service disruptions during these repairs.

Alternate routes include Crowchild Trail and 11 Street S.W.

Traffic engineers will be adjusting signal timings and adding additional turning lanes out of the downtown core to reduce delays.

Pedestrian information:

Pedestrians travelling southbound on 14 Street will be directed to use the sidewalk on the west side of 14 Street to Westbound 10 Avenue to Southbound 15 Street to eastbound 11 Avenue and those travelling northbound will be directed to use westbound 11 Avenue to northbound 15 Street to eastbound 10 Avenue to sidewalk on the west side of northbound 14 Street bypass the closure.

Cyclists will be directed to use the same detour route but obviously cyclists are to use the roadway and not the sidewalk.

For information about the project please visit calgary.ca/water.

Detours and Stop Closures for Calgary Transit can be found here.

Call for artists

The City of Calgary is calling on local artists to submit proposals to display their art at the Boards of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) Annual Meeting in Calgary on March 26, 2011.

The IDB supports efforts by Latin America and Caribbean countries to reduce poverty and inequality. Since 1959 the bank has aimed to create development in a sustainable, climate-friendly way. It is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean and has a strong commitment to achieving measurable results, transparency and accountability. IDB is like regular banks but it also provides grants, technical assistance and does research. IDB’s shareholders are 48 member countries, including 26 Latin American and Caribbean borrowing members that have a majority ownership of the IDB.

In late March or early April of each year, the Boards of Governors of the IDB and the IIC hold their Annual Meeting in one of the bank's member countries. This gathering is a forum for discussion among the institutions’ governors. In 2011, the Annual Meeting will take place in Calgary from March 25 -28.

If you are interested in presenting your work, follow the application process available in this PDF and determine if you qualify. The competition closes Tuesday, January 25, 2011. Selected participants will be notified Monday, February 7, 2011 and the installation date is Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Related Articles:

• Calgary City News Blog: New Art in Chinatown Banners
• City unveils iPhone apps for public art and recreation passes
• River of Light begins on the Bow
• Celebrating the Bow River Through Art
• Beverly Pepper's Sentinels at Ralph Klein Park

City Hall Flags at Half-Mast to commemorate Jack Leslie, former Mayor of Calgary

To honour Jack Leslie, former Mayor of Calgary, flags at Historic City Hall will be flown at half-mast on Sunday, January 9 from sunrise to sunset.

Mr. Leslie was elected as Mayor of Calgary in 1965, the first native Calgarian to be elected to this position. During Mayor Leslie's term major low-cost housing schemes were undertaken in several areas of the city including urban renewal efforts; the Palliser Square project was completed and the transformation of Prince's Island into one of Calgary's beauty spots was begun. He also assisted in making Deerfoot Trail a safer road by implementing plans for proper intersections.

Calgary Joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation

The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services together with the Calgary Humane Society and MEOW Foundation are joining a Canada-wide initiative to declare 2011 the Year of the Cat.

The focus of the Year of the Cat is to increase Canadians’ perceptions of the value of cats and in doing so, address the issue of cat overpopulation across Canada.

“We are excited about participating in this collaborative initiative because we know that education is instrumental in changing people’s beliefs regarding cats,” said Bill Bruce, Director of The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services.  “The number of unwanted and abandoned cats entering shelters and rescue organizations is increasing every year. Citizens can help us stop this growing crisis.”

Joint resources and promotional materials developed for the Year of the Cat will help Canadian communities present a powerful and unified message about the importance of responsible cat ownership.

2011 awareness campaigns and initiatives planned for Calgary focus on the importance of cat licensing and permanent identification in reuniting lost cats with their owners. Licensing helps reduce the number of cats that sit unclaimed in shelters and that ultimately may be euthanized. The focus will also be on the importance of spay and neuter surgery to help reduce the overall number unwanted cats.
 
“This year long initiative is really about responsible pet ownership and valuing cats,” said Patricia Cameron, the Executive Director of the Calgary Humane Society. “Cats deserve the same respect and care that people give their canine companions.”

“We are looking forward to working with Animal & Bylaw Services and the Calgary Humane Society to educate Calgarians about the plight of unwanted cats in our city,” said Debbie Nelson, Executive Director of MEOW Foundation. “We want Calgary to be a compassionate community where all cats are cared for and humanely treated.”

Pet of the Week - Sophia

Here is our Pet of the Week, Sophia the dog. Sophia is a loving and playful cross that is looking for a happy, healthy home.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/animalservices

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Pet of the Week - Corky
• Pet of the Week - Peanut
• Pet of the Week - Fantasma
• Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates
• Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information
• Feline Frenzy at Animal Services
• Pet of the Week - Scrappy
• Pet of the Week - Emmett

2011 Assessment Notices are Mailed and the Assessment Customer Review Period Begins

Today, The City of Calgary mailed approximately 472,500 Property and Business  2011 Assessment Notices  and commenced the Assessment 2011 Customer Review Period, which runs from January 4 to March 7, 2011.

The 2011 Property Assessment values are based on a July 1, 2010 market valuation date and December 31, 2010 physical condition date as legislated by the Province of Alberta through the Municipal Government Act (MGA).  The 2011 Business Assessment values are based on the July 1, 2010 typical net annual rental value of business premises.

The assessed values, which are used as the basis for determining property and business taxes, are prepared annually by The City of Calgary.

“Preparing assessments on an annual basis ensures property and business owners’ assessments maintain currency with changing market conditions and experience more stability in year to year property and business tax levels,” says Stuart Dalgleish, Calgary’s City Assessor.  “The market establishes the value of properties and businesses in Calgary; we simply measure that market value as of July the 1st each year prior to the taxation year.”

The 2011 Customer Review Period provides customers with the opportunity to review and ensure the accuracy of their 2011 Assessment and learn more about Calgary’s assessment system. A variety of tools and resources, beyond the information provided on the Assessment Notices, are available at calgary.ca/assessment to help customers conduct an in-depth review of their assessment.

“This year, online users may notice a new look and feel to Assessment’s popular Property Search area under Assessment Search on calgary.ca/assessment.  The City replaced its previous assessment data search application with a new application with upgraded GIS maps and tools. The new application has enhancements and new security measures. Users will still be able to access the same property assessment information they have grown accustom to reviewing while experiencing improvements in the maps and tools used. The maps provide a richer look and feel and the new search capabilities allow flexible navigation - getting customers to where they want to go easier than before,” says Dalgleish.

If customers still have questions after reviewing their assessment, they can call the Assessment business unit at 403-268-2888 during the 2011 Customer Review Period to have their inquiries answered over the phone or, if necessary, to book an appointment with an assessor.

The City of Calgary 2011 Property and Business Assessment Rolls Key Findings

2011 Property Assessment Roll:

• Based on the market value of property as of July 01, 2010.
• Total number of accounts on the 2011 Property Assessment Roll is 447,000.
• Total value of the 2011 Property Assessment Roll is $231 billion.
• As a result of the 2011 Assessment, the typical residential property assessment change is 8% between 2010 and 2011.
• This year, approximately 93% of residential properties’ revenue neutral taxes will be within plus or minus 10% of last year’s taxes.
• 45% or just under ½ of residential properties will see a revenue neutral tax decrease due to the 2011 assessment.
• 55% or just over ½ of residential properties will see a revenue neutral tax increase due to the 2011 assessment.
• 2011 median single residential assessment (excluding condominiums) is $410,000 compared to $374,000 in 2010. 
• 2011 median residential condominium assessment is $250,000 compared to $233,000 in 2010. 
• As a result of the 2011 assessment, the typical non-residential property assessment change is -8% between 2010 and 2011.
• This year, approximately 44% of non-residential properties’ revenue neutral taxes will be within plus or minus 10% of last year’s taxes.
• 32% or just under ⅓ of non-residential properties will see a revenue neutral tax decrease.
• 68% or just over ⅔ of non-residential properties will see a revenue neutral tax increase.
• Any changes to the real estate market after 2010 July 01 will be reflected in values prepared for the 2012 Property Assessment Roll.

2011 Business Assessment Roll:

• Based on the typical net annual rental value of business premises as of July 01, 2010.
• Total number of accounts on the 2011 Business Assessment Roll is 25,530.  
• Total value of the 2011 Business Assessment Roll is $2.7 billion.
• As a result of the 2011 assessment, the typical business assessment change is -14% between 2010 and 2011.
• This year, approximately 34% of businesses’ revenue neutral taxes will be within plus or minus 10% of last year’s taxes.
• 30% of businesses will see a revenue neutral tax decrease.
• 70% of businesses will see a revenue neutral tax increase
• Any changes to the typical net annual rental market after 2010 July 01 will be reflected in values prepared for the 2012 Business Assessment Roll. 

For key dates and Assessment activities, please visit calgary.ca/assessment

Sirens for Life Blood Donor Challenge Starts Today

Calgary and Edmonton are facing off again, but this time it’s a friendly competition to save lives.

Sirens for Life is a Blood Donor Challenge involving the Calgary Police Service, Fire Department, The City of Calgary’s Public Safety Communications, Emergency Medical Services and Alberta Health Services. It will run until the end of the month and the city that brings in the most blood donations in January wins.

Edmonton won the challenge last year by less than a 2.5% margin, so Calgary’s emergency services are encouraging the public’s support to help them save lives and reclaim the Sirens for Life title.

“We’re committed to the blood donation cause and we feel honoured to be able to give back to the community in this way,” says Steve Dongworth, Public Safety Communications Chief Superintendent. “Police, Fire, EMS and PSC see the need for blood first hand every day on the job so we know how important it is to help ensure a strong blood supply for Canadians.”

The goal of the Sirens for Life blood drive is to help Canadian Blood Services collect more than 6,000 blood donations this January in the Calgary area.

Blood is used every day to treat trauma patients such as motor vehicle collision victims, patients with bleeding disorders, individuals undergoing surgery, transplant recipients, cancer patients, individuals with severe burns and many others.

“We support this challenge every year because we want to lead by example and show Calgary and area residents how important it is to become a regular blood donor,” says Nina Vaughan, Deputy Chief Superintendent with Public Safety Communications.

If you’ve ever thought of becoming a donor or haven’t given blood in a while please book a donation appointment today. Call 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236 6283) for more information or to book your donation appointment. Information is also available online at blood.ca.