New City Council is sworn in

The new Calgary City Council was sworn in on October 23, 2017. The Swearing-in Ceremony took place in the Municipal Building Atrium and the newly elected Council was led in by a bagpipe-led procession.

Fifteen members of council were sworn in, including four newcomers, Jyoti Gondek (Ward 3), George Chahal (Ward 5), Jeff Davison (Ward 6), and Jeromy Farkas (Ward 11). Following the ceremony, an official photo of the new Calgary Council was taken on the atrium steps. Mayor Nenshi addressed the public following the ceremony; you can watch the full address below.

Council sets 2018 indicative tax rate

Council has approved an indicative tax rate of 0 to 2% for 2018. This range of property tax rate increases will help City staff prepare options for adjustments to 2018 business plans and budgets for Council’s approval in November 2017.

Here are some common questions related to this topic:

What is an indicative tax rate?

The indicative rate is Council’s direction on the tax rate that will guide Administration’s preparation of adjustments to the 2018 business plans and budgets.

What indicative tax rate did Council set?

In order to keep the impacts to a manageable level, Council approved an indicative tax rate increase in the range of 0 to 2% for 2018. This amounts to a minimum reduction of 2.7% from the previously approved tax rate increase of 4.7% in 2018 and will result in a reduction to the operating budget of at least $43 million.

How does Council set indicative rates?

Council considers the financial implications of various tax rate options and impacts on citizens. This includes things like changes in the economy and population, inflation, and changes in financial forecasts and risks.

What’s next?

Now that the indicative tax rate has been set, Administration will spend the next few months working together to propose adjustments to programs and services that fit within the indicative tax rate increase. The rates and fees will be finalized by the new Council in late November.

Questions about the indicative tax rates set by City Council? Visit www.calgary.ca/CA/fs/Pages/Action-Plan/Indicative-Rates-And-Fees.aspx for more information.

City Council to review mandatory bylaw for building maintenance

What goes up shouldn’t come down.

In the last few years, there have been several incidents of materials and debris falling off tall buildings, particularly in the downtown core. City of Calgary investigations into these events revealed that there’s more to be done to prevent potentially hazardous situations and protect public safety. That’s why the proposed Building Maintenance Bylaw was developed and will be reviewed by City Council on June 20.

“It’s a rather unique bylaw in that it requires building owners and managers to be proactive in their building maintenance,” says Cliff de Jong, senior special projects officer at The City of Calgary.

“It’s about establishing a minimum maintenance requirement that really does not exist in many jurisdictions throughout North America. It puts Calgary at the leading edge.”

The bylaw is proposed to apply to buildings that are five storeys or higher and 10 years and older, which covers about 600 buildings in Calgary. It requires building owners to complete a visual assessment on exterior walls and roofs every five years and resolve issues that require attention. It is planned to be phased in starting in fall 2016 through January 2021.

“I think this is going to be groundbreaking for Calgary,” says Adrian Breitwieser, a building envelope specialist with Entuitive Consulting Engineers. Breitwieser was a part of the stakeholder working group that helped to develop the bylaw.

The Building Maintenance Bylaw stakeholder working group

“It’s going to become a template for other cities all over Canada. What I hope to see is that the buildings that are in poor condition, and those tend to be the owners that really don’t pay attention to their buildings enough, their condition is going to improve.”

Since early 2015, The City has been working on developing the bylaw with a team of stakeholders, including building owners and managers, engineers, architects, industry associations and affordable housing groups. The goal of the group was to find the right balance between safety obligations and preventative maintenance costs.

“We had to find a middle ground to advance our objective of public safety while aligning as much as possible with current industry practices,” says de Jong.

“The reaction we’ve had has changed over time. So when we initially started the consultation, stakeholders had concerns about the direction we were going.

The committee met frequently and discussed the issues of implementation, what the scope should be, what’s in, what’s out. At the end of the day, The City and our stakeholders are comfortable with the content and the approach we are taking to implement the bylaw.”

Gerry Baxter, the executive director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association, had concerns initially about the cost that the bylaw would place on the members of his association. Now, he’s satisfied that the bylaw will establish a minimum standard for building maintenance without being a burden for owners and managers.

“We all wanted to ensure that our buildings are safe; that nothing is going to fall off the building, where somebody passing by could be hurt. Nobody wants that,” said Baxter.

“The City did a great job of listening and they were able to incorporate a lot of that feedback into the final product. So we started with having concerns at the outset, many months ago, to a point now where we’re actually very pleased with what the bylaw looks like. And I think what we have now is a bylaw that’s going to be workable for everybody. This has been one of the best stakeholder consultations that I’ve been involved with.”

If the bylaw is approved by Council, City Administration will implement an education strategy to inform building owners of the bylaw requirements and develop tools to assist with compliance.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/buildingmaintenancebylaw.

Safe Transportation Options on the Way

That’s what The City is delivering because that’s what Calgarians told us they want. We are proposing new changes to our Livery Transport Bylaw that will create the opportunity for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber to legally operate in Calgary. 

The City and Uber had issued a joint agreement in December stating that we were working together to develop solutions for new transportation options that are safe and reliable for Calgarians. Today, Uber told Calgarians that our proposed bylaws are unworkable.

The City believes that the proposed bylaw changes are workable and fair for TNCs. Here’s why:

• We believe that all TNC drivers must undergo a Calgary Police Service (CPS) criminal history check. These criminal history checks are the most thorough background checks available and include vulnerable sector checks (e.g. checks for pardons for such things as sexual offences) as well as national police information. Current taxi drivers must undergo these checks to qualify for a license.

• We believe that all TNC vehicles should undergo a provincially-approved vehicle inspection every six months, a regulation that our taxi industry already complies with. These inspections are widely available throughout Calgary.

• We believe that all TNCs should be required to submit trip data, driver availability, and trip volumes. This allows us to ensure that quality customer service is attained. In fact, this is something our taxi industry already provides us. This data has assisted the police in different types of criminal investigations and is another way to monitor citizen safety. The trip data also helps The City make good evidence-based policy decisions.

• We believe that insurance is a very important part of this equation and we continue to inform drivers, passengers and the general public about risks involved in using private for-hire vehicle services. The Government of Alberta has issued an advisory notice on ride sharing services and the insurance risk they currently pose to drivers and the public, noting any third party involved in an accident in or with one of these vehicles may not have insurance.

• We believe the proposed licensing fee of $220 per driver, per year is reasonable to help with the operational cost of enforcement. In addition, other fees include a Calgary Police Services criminal history check of $30, a vulnerable sector check of $25 (only if finger prints are required) and a vehicle safety inspection fee ranging from $140 to $179. TNCs have the opportunity to subsidize these fees or pay for them outright to support their drivers.

These proposed bylaw changes will allow TNCs to operate in a fair and competitive market. They address citizen, driver and passenger safety and support accessibility, reliability, fairness, competition and customer service.

UPDATE:
Private-for-hire vehicles to operate in Calgary

Council paves the way for transportation network companies

The City is moving ahead with rule changes that will open the doors to more transportation choices for Calgarians and allow private for-hire vehicle services to operate here.

City Council has directed The City to craft new rules by mid-February that will allow Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber to offer private for-hire vehicle services.

In a report to Council today, Administration recommended a hybrid Open/Controlled entry system to regulate safety for both taxis and private for-hire vehicles and allow some flexibility in setting rates. This option will allow private for-hire vehicles to operate in Calgary if they fulfill the following requirements:

• Vehicles must be insured according to Government of Alberta regulations;
• Drivers must have a driver’s license that is deemed acceptable by the Province (for example, a class 4 license);
• Drivers must pass a rigorous background check.

Does that mean I can drive for Uber or hail a ride with an Uber driver?

Not yet. The City continues to advise drivers, passengers and the public about the risks involved in current operation of private for-hire vehicle services. The Government of Alberta issued an advisory notice about the insurance risks of ride-sharing services, noting any third party involved in an accident in or with one of these vehicles may not have adequate or appropriate insurance. Additional risks relate to the lack of oversight regarding vehicle inspections on private for-hire vehicles and the level of training and security checks drivers undergo.

Watch Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s Q&A on Council’s decision:


The City is seeking to temporarily put the brakes on drivers using the Uber mobile app who are in breach of the Livery Transport Bylaw. The City filed an application for an injunction to temporarily stop drivers from offering private for-hire vehicle services until safety, insurance and regulatory requirements are met. A hearing is scheduled in Court of Queen’s Bench November 20.

UPDATE:
Private-for-hire vehicles to operate in Calgary

City proposes options regarding transportation network companies

The Taxi and Limousine Advisory Committee (TLAC) today reviewed options that address transportation choices for Calgarians and recommended a path forward to create a regulatory environment for companies like Uber.

What happened today?

City Council had directed Administration to develop options allowing Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber to safely operate in Calgary.

Today, Administration provided TLAC with a number of options to help inform Council in its decision-making process. TLAC unanimously recommended Council proceed with a hybrid Open/Controlled entry system (option three) that would regulate safety for both taxis and private for-hire vehicles and would allow some flexibility in rate setting.

This option means that TNCs like Uber could operate if they meet a number of conditions, including having proper insurance on the vehicle, the driver having a driver's licence acceptable to the Province (for example, a class 4 licence) and passing a rigorous criminal background check.

These requirements are similar to those in many other jurisdictions where TNCs operate successfully.

Citizen safety and customer service are top priorities for The City. We want to ensure private for-hire vehicles that operate as part of a TNC are operating safely.

What happens next?

City Council will discuss these options including the recommended one on Monday, November 16. At that time, Council may make a recommendation to prepare a new bylaw to come back to Council in December.

Does that mean I can drive for Uber or be a passenger now?

Not yet.

The City continues to advise there are risks to drivers, passengers and the general public associated with private for-hire vehicle services. These risks relate to the level of vehicle inspections on private for-hire vehicles and the level of training and security checks the drivers undergo. The Government of Alberta has also issued an advisory notice on ride sharing services and the insurance risk they currently pose to Albertans, noting any third party involved in an accident in or with one of these vehicles may not have adequate or appropriate insurance.

How is The City enforcing the bylaw now?

The City has applied for a court injunction against people who have been driving for Uber. The City is taking this step to help ensure public safety and continue to inform people about risks involved in private for-hire vehicle services.

The City of Calgary enforces the Livery Transport Bylaw to ensure public safety, service quality and consumer protection. Learn more about livery transport services.

UPDATE:
Private-for-hire vehicles to operate in Calgary

New Council Chamber Visitor Screening

Visitors planning to attend Council meetings in Chamber will soon have to undergo security screening to get in.

“Keeping citizens, employees and Council members safe is our number one priority so we regularly review and assess security processes in municipal facilities,” says Owen Key, Chief Security Officer and Manager of Corporate Security. “We reviewed Council Chamber in 2014 and several improvements were identified to increase safety and security in that area.”

Starting September 14, there will be a new visitor screening process requiring everyone to pass through a metal detector or undergo screening using a hand-held wand and have their bags, backpacks and purses checked. The height of the glass partition between the public and Council seating areas has been raised by 35.5 cm and the number of guards in Council Chamber will be increased when Council is in session.



“Security measures are similar to what Calgarians experience when attending sporting events or concerts,” said Owen. “Standard screening should take 10-15 seconds per person, and while we don’t anticipate it will cause line-ups, on those days when there is a long agenda or public hearing, it’s best to arrive early to avoid any delays.”

The following items are prohibited inside Council Chamber:

• Food and beverages;
• Weapons, including mace or pepper spray;
• Illegal drugs or substances;
• Firearms and ammunition of any type;
• Explosives and flammable substances;
• Noisemakers; and
• Knives, blades, razors, edged or sharp objects and striking devices. A kirpan with a blade less than six (6) cm in length may be brought into Council Chamber. The kirpan must be identified by the carrier and it must remain sheathed while in Council Chamber.

Metal Detectors

• Metal detectors operate at a very low frequency of electromagnetic pulses, which are lower than levels in a cell phone or garage door opener. There is no exposure to radiation.
• Visitors do not have to remove shoes, belts or jackets to pass through the metal detector. They will be asked to empty pockets prior to passing through.
• Individuals with service animals must walk through the metal detector with the animal. If the alarm sounds, screeners will manually inspect the individual and the animal using a hand-held detection wand.
• Visitors should advise security staff if they have a medical implant that may set off the metal detector. Those visitors will require additional screening with a hand-held wand.
• Visitors in wheelchairs or strollers will undergo screening with a hand-held wand.

Find more information on how to get involved with City Council on calgary.ca.

Remembering Calgary’s Irish-born Councillors

Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held March 17 in honour of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

To celebrate, we’re taking a trip back in time to visit some famous City Council members. Their stories are fascinating: a man elected mayor eight times, the founder of Riley & McCormick, a woman elected into Council in 1936 for three consecutive terms, and an Alderman who landed himself in jail for his beliefs.

Read more about Calgary’s Irish-born Councillors below, information courtesy of The City's Corporate Record’s Archives.

Andrew Davison

Andrew Davison
City of Calgary Alderman, 1922 - 1926
City of Calgary Alderman, 1929
City of Calgary Mayor, 1930 - 1945

In 1921, Mr. Davison was elected to Calgary City Council as a Labour Alderman. After serving four terms as Alderman from 1922 to 1926 and in 1929, he was elected Mayor. He was re-elected Mayor another seven times, serving a total of sixteen years as the City's Chief Magistrate, a record unequalled before or since. During his term the ambitious and controversial Glenmore Dam water system was completed, as well as additions to the General Hospital. He is also credited with sound management of The City's finances during the Great Depression.

Eneas Edward McCormick

Eneas Edward McCormick
City of Calgary Alderman, 1925 - 1930

Does Mr. McCormick’s name sound familiar? It should. In 1902 he and W.J. Riley founded Riley & McCormick Limited. Over the 45 years that he was president of the company, he served on many boards. He rode in the first Stampede Parade in 1912 and was an associate director for the Stampede from 1913 – 1944. He also served as the ‘model’ for the Boer War Monument which still stands in Calgary’s Central Memorial Park. McCormick served three consecutive two-year term

s as an Alderman on City Council. For part of that time he was the Chairman of the Legislative Committee of Council.

Rosamond Elizabeth Owens Wilkinson

Rosamond Elizabeth Owens Wilkinson
City of Calgary Alderman, 1936 - 1943
City of Calgary Alderman, 1944 - 1951
City of Calgary Alderman, 1952 - 1955

After studying nursing in England, Rosamond Wilkinson immigrated to the United States to be with her brother. She met and married her husband and moved to Saskatchewan. In 1927, they moved to Calgary. In 1935, Mrs. Wilkinson elected to City Council. She was re-elected for continuous two-year terms through to 1955. Upon her retirement from Council, a civic banquet and public reception were held in her honour, which was highly unusual for civic politicians. She also served as a social credit MLA from 1944 to 1963.

Patrick Denis Lenihan

Patrick Denis Lenihan
City of Calgary Alderman, 1939 - 1940

Patrick Lenihan came to Canada in 1922 and worked at various jobs across the country before arriving in Calgary in 1931. In 1932 he spent a year in jail for union activities. A self-avowed Communist, he was elected to Council in 1938 for a two-year term. Alderman Lenihan was the only acknowledged Communist to ever hold office. In his capacity as Alderman, he welcomed King George VI and Queen Mary upon their arrival in Calgary during their Royal Tour in 1939. Controversial and politically outspoken, Mr. Lenihan was charged with sedition (the crime of saying, writing, or doing something that encourages people to disobey their government) during the 1930s, but was later acquitted. On June 11, 1940, he was arrested by the RCMP for his opposition to the war, and interned at a camp in Kananaskis until his release in 1942. After his release, Lenihan was worked with The City in Parks & Recreation Department. He became the President of the Civic Employees Union (CEU). He founded the NUPE (National Union of Public Employees) which was the predecessor of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees).

Calgary and Edmonton sign City Charter Framework Agreement with the Government of Alberta

The City of Calgary and City of Edmonton signed a Framework Agreement with the Government of Alberta yesterday, reinforcing their commitment to a new relationship that will be realized in City Charters specific to each of Alberta’s two largest cities.

With a Memorandum of Understanding already signed by the three parties in June 2012, the Framework Agreement signed yesterday is another constructive step toward creating specific legislation for Calgary and Edmonton that addresses the unique scale and scope of issues faced by the large cities.

The Framework Agreement confirms the intention and process needed to provide the cities with greater flexibility in some of their local decision-making, and enable them to improve their ability to respond to, and take action on, the local needs and expectations of citizens.

“This is a very positive first step in creating a new relationship between the province and our big cities, but we still have a lot of work to do. I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Iveson and the provincial government on this file,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

The Framework Agreement outlines an aggressive timeline for the work to unfold from this point forward, with the first phase in place by the spring of 2015.

Calgary welcomes new City Manager

Today, The City of Calgary was introduced to our new City Manager, Jeff Fielding.

“It was important we cast a wide net to find the best person to lead this organization. Council and I are very pleased to find such a qualified candidate in Jeff Fielding,” said Mayor Nenshi. “His public service experience, including a history working for The City of Calgary and his citizen-focused approach will serve The City of Calgary, and Calgarians, well.”

Fielding is a seasoned municipal administrator who's brought innovation and excellence to cities across Canada since beginning his career in municipal government in 1978. Currently, Fielding is the City Manager of the City of Burlington, and will begin his role with The City of Calgary on June 2. Prior to that, he was City Manager with the City of London for nearly eight years.

"I am excited and honoured to be chosen to lead an exceptional organization in a world-class city,” said Fielding. “I have always been drawn to Calgary because of its vibrancy but I was drawn to this role based on the direction The City is taking,” he added. “I’m looking forward to working with Administration to support the Mayor and Council. Together we’ll continue to deliver the daily services Calgarians need and prepare to meet their expectations for the future.”

Mayor Nenshi remembers former Calgary Alderman and mayoral candidate, Jon Lord

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says he was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Jon Lord.

The 57-year-old, former Calgary alderman and provincial MLA suffered a severe heart attack at his home Tuesday night.



"Jon was a community-builder in the truest sense of the word. His legacy—in Alberta, Calgary, and especially Marda Loop—cannot be overstated," the Mayor stated in a release. "Our city has lost a champion, and far too soon. He will be greatly missed."

Lord served as alderman for Ward 8 for two terms beginning in the mid-nineties.

He then moved to provincial politics where he served as MLA for Calgary-Currie from 2001-2004.

Have your say on Calgary's future

Action Plan 2015 – 2018 public engagement is happening until March 21! Board our Take Action bus or participate online to help shape Calgary’s future.

This weekend we will be at Market Mall, Beddington Towne Centre, Country Hills Library, Signal Hill, and Crowfoot Library. Visit the Action Plan website for details or to find an event near you.

www.calgary.ca/actionplan

2013 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results

The 2013 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results are in and 88 per cent of citizens are satisfied with the quality of life in Calgary, an increase of 10 per cent over the last three years.

Ninety-two per cent of citizens are proud to be Calgarians and report increased satisfaction
with City programs and services.

Calgarians are invited to participate in the #Heartyyc contest by posting on The City’s Twitter or Facebook page. Share why you love Calgary for a chance to win daily prizes from The City and our civic partners.

The complete survey findings and infographic are available on calgary.ca. 

New City Council is sworn in

The 37th Calgary City Council

The new Calgary City Council was sworn in on October 28, 2013. The Swearing-in Ceremony took place in Council Chambers and the newly elected Council was led in by a bagpipe-led procession.

Fifteen members of council were sworn in, including four newcomers, Ward Sutherland (Ward 1), Joe Magliocca (Ward 2), Sean Chu (Ward 4), and Evan Woolley (Ward 8). Following the ceremony, an official photo of the new Calgary Council was taken on the atrium steps. Mayor Nenshi addressed the public following the ceremony; you can watch the full address below:

Report to Calgarians: The 2013 General Election Advance Vote

Vote for your mayor, councillor and school board trustee during Calgary’s upcoming General Election on Monday, October 21st.

Eligible electors who are unable to make it to the polling stations that day can vote at any Advance Vote station from October 9th – 13th & 15th – 16th.

For more information on Advance Vote station locations, hours of operation and more, visit calgary.ca/election or download the mobile app YYC Vote '13.

Maintaining the vibrancy of Calgary’s downtown!

Calgary’s downtown area is home to a large ensemble of office towers, skyscrapers and heritage buildings that are constantly evolving.  But, until recently the process of doing development in the downtown had been governed by a set of 30-year-old land use rules. Recently, this changed when Council approved the new Downtown land use district or to be more accurate the CR20-C20/R20 District. Despite its somewhat awkward name, this district brings exciting new options to downtown developments.

Many large business owners desire tall skyscrapers with large office floor areas for their companies. Consequently, as the buildings grow larger and the downtown becomes even more active, The City strives to ensure the urban environment and public realm is improved as well. This is accomplished using an incentive density system. By providing public amenities, such as open spaces, public art and +15 bridges, a developer can obtain additional office floor area for a building. This has always been a key element of the old land use district.

However, with the new downtown land use district policy being approved a wide range of innovative items have been added to the menu.  First and foremost are incentives to promote residential development and an urban population. Residential buildings, family-size units, affordable housing and universally accessible units are promoted to Calgarians in an effort to enhance quality of life. As these developments are built, developers are rewarded with additional floor area if they provide space for uses such as daycares, supermarkets, fitness studios, schools and places of worship. Since visitors to the city add immensely to the local economy during, and after, normal business hours, significant incentives are now also provided for hotels.

Today, Calgarians have different expectations of urban environments then they did 30 years ago. That’s why incentive items have been introduced to promote green buildings, cycling facilities and more attractive transit stops.  Through new incentives, developers and architects are being encouraged to provide exceptional urban and architectural design to make the downtown a more walkable, memorable and appealing place.
The expectations and needs of developers, architects and landowners have changed too. That’s why one of the cornerstones of the project to create the new district was to include them in the conversation. Their input was used to ensure the new district works as well, or better, than the old district it is replacing.  The City planning team thanks all participants for their commitment to this project.

The new district goes into effect in June 2014. Although already approved by Council, time is required to allow ongoing developments to be completed before the new rules take over. New development proposals will, however, soon be using the new rules and incentives.

For more information, please visit www.calgary.ca/downtownbylaw

Nomination Day for the 2013 General Election

Monday, September 23 is Nomination Day. Candidates intending to run in this year’s general Election will file their completed nomination papers and deposit from 9 a.m. to noon with the Returning Officer in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Returning Officer, Barb Clifford says, “Nomination Day is always an exciting day; it officially kicks off the Election. Once candidates are confirmed, they hit the ground running and before you know it, voting stations are open and it’s Election Day.”
An unofficial list of candidates running in the 2013 election will be available on Calgary.ca/election after 2 p.m. on Nomination Day.

An official list will not be posted until after 2 p.m. on Sept. 24, as candidates have 24 hours to withdraw their names from the ballot.

Keep up with the latest 2013 election news by visiting calgary.ca/election and downloading the election mobile app YYC Vote.

Celebrating Community Heroes: Presentation of the Governor General’s Commendation for Outstanding Service

At a special public ceremony on Tuesday, September 17, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presented a commendation for outstanding service to the citizens of Calgary for their response to the 2013 floods.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi accepted the award on behalf of all Calgarians. Alberta country star Corb Lund performed at the event.

Report to Calgarians – 2013 General Election

The General Election takes place on Monday, October 21, 2013. If you’re an eligible elector and can’t make it to the voting station on the 21st, you may be qualified to use a Mail-in (Special) Ballot.

To find out the process and eligibility requirements for requesting a Mail-in (Special) Ballot, please download the election mobile app or visit calgary.ca/election.

City Matters: Request a Mail-in (Special) Ballot for the 2013 General Election

Calgary’s General Election takes place on Monday, October 21st. Eligible electors who are unable to vote during the Advance Vote, October 9 – 13 & 15 – 16, or on Election Day, may be eligible to request a Mail-in (Special) Ballot. Mail-in (Special) Ballots ensure all eligible electors are given the opportunity to cast their vote.

To find out who is able to apply and how, or for more information, visit calgary.ca/election.