Committee News in Brief - January 28, 2015

Council News in Brief - Pilot
SPC on Utilities and Corporate Services
January 28, 2015

Agenda Item 3.1
DRAINAGE, WASTEWATER, AND WATER UTILITY BYLAW AMENDMENTS, UCS2015-0078

The SPC on Utilities and Corporate Services received a report outlining proposed changes to the Drainage, Wastewater, and Water Utility bylaws following consultation with citizens, frontline staff, Animal & Bylaw Services, and Law. The amendments support operational efficiencies for a new compliance model, include required references for a reclaimed water agreement, and move the drainage service charge from the Wastewater to the Drainage bylaw. At an administrative level, the changes also simplify existing citizen expectations, clarify language related to billing, and provide improved response mechanisms for infractions that threaten the environment, infrastructure, and public safety.

In terms of efficiency, Water Resources and Water Services’ transition to a new compliance model results in enhanced authorities for frontline technical staff and reduces the need for follow-up site visits from an enforcement officer. At the administrative level, several of the proposed amendments incorporate recent plain language drafting and clarity improvements from the Wastewater Bylaw (2012) into the Drainage (2005) and Water Utility (2006) bylaws.

The Committee will recommend that Council approve the proposed Water, Wastewater and Drainage Bylaw Amendments.

Agenda Item 3.2
STATUS OF OUTSTANDING MOTIONS AND DIRECTIONS , UCS2015-0115

The SPC on Utilities and Corporate Services received a report outlining the outstanding motions and directions for the SPC on Utilities and Corporate Services as of 2014 September 30.

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Council News in Brief is an informal summary of highlights from Calgary City Council’s meetings. The City Clerk provides the complete and formal documentation of Council’s meetings.

Council News in Brief - January 26, 2015

Council News in Brief - Pilot
Regular Council Meeting
January 26, 2015

East Silverado Land Use Application – Resolution of Growth Management Issues (Item 7.1.1)

Council approved a follow-up report from administration that addresses previous issues identified with East Silverado’s Land Use application. The Growth Management Framework issues have now been resolved between the applicant, landowners and Administration. The necessary funds have been approved in the 2015-2018 Capital Budget.

Stephen Avenue Mall and Barclay Mall Maintenance (Item 7.1.2)

Council approved the annual Local Improvement Bylaws associated with enhanced maintenance for Stephen Avenue Mall and Barclay Mall. As important pedestrian corridors in Calgary’s city centre, improvements attract business, residents and tourism to the downtown and contribute to the Calgary economy overall. This program enables The City to improve the condition of street furniture and waste receptacles, and to provide a higher than normal level of maintenance including surface repairs, snow and ice control, street cleaning and street lighting.

Talisman Centre Flood Recovery Budget Increase (Item 7.1.3)

Council approved a $5 million increase to the 2013 Talisman Centre Flood Project due to higher than anticipated costs to repair the flood damage incurred at the Talisman Centre. All costs will be reimbursed through insurance coverage or the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP).

Action Plan Financing Bylaws (Item 8)

Council approved Capital Borrowing and Loan Bylaws associated with financing the City’s approved 2015-2018 Action Plan.

Transit Shelter Vandalism Report (Item 9.1)

Council received a report outlining actions being taken to reduce transit shelter vandalism. The current strategy consists of five key areas: prompt vandalism reporting and repair, public education, prevention, identification of and response to vandals and a focus on “high risk” locations. Council discussed additional options that could be further explored.

Clarification Requested Regarding Use of Alcohol During Work Hours and Expensing of Alcohol (Verbal)

Council received a verbal report regarding various Council perspectives on the debate at last week’s Priorities and Finance Committee (PFC) meeting. Per direction at last week’s meeting Administration will be returning to Council with policy amendments relating to alcohol expensing and substance use along with changes to the whistle-blower process.

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Council News in Brief is an informal summary of highlights from Calgary City Council’s meetings. The City Clerk provides the complete and formal documentation of Council’s meetings.

Media scrum: January 26, 2015

We're now sharing our "behind-the-scenes" look at Mayor Nenshi's regular scrums (informal news conferences where the politician walks into a group of news media). Above is the scrum that happened at noon today following a regular meeting of City Council. The topics included the issue of a Council alcohol policy and management salaries.

City of Calgary wins award for cutting red tape

Monique Nesset (left), Mayor Nenshi, and Guido Rodriguez receive the Golden Scissors honourable mention from Amber Ruddy of the CFIB

Today, Mayor Nenshi and The City of Calgary received a national honourable mention by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for cutting red tape. The Golden Scissors Award goes to a political figure in Canada who has done much to fight red tape over the past year.

The award was for the ongoing success of the Cut Red Tape project.

To learn more about the award and this year's winners, visit the CFIB.

Committee News in Brief - January 21

Council News in Brief - Pilot
SPC on Transit and Transportation
January 21, 2015

Transit Shelter Vandalism Report (Item 3.1)

Calgary Transit provided a report outlining actions being taken to reduce transit shelter vandalism, as requested by Council. The current strategy consists of five key areas: prompt vandalism reporting and repair, public education, prevention, identification of and response to vandals and a focus on “high risk” locations.

The Committee recieved the report for information and recommended that this be discussed as Urgent Business at the next Council meeting on January 26.

Shaganappi Trail Corridor Study (Item 3.2)

Transportation Planning presented findings of a study of the Shaganappi Trail corridor between north of 16 Avenue and Stoney Trail. The study looked at how best to accommodate all modes of transportation (walking, cycling, transit and driving), including High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, in a long-term vision for Shaganappi Trail.

The Committee approved the Shaganappi Trail Corridor Study with clerical amendments and directed Administration to investigate interim intersection improvements at Shaganappi Trail and Varsity Drive North and Shaganappi Trail and Valiant Drive North. As part of this, they also directed Administration to work with residents of the various Voyageur Drive segments and the Varsity Community Association on the renaming of Voyageur Drive.

Transportation Funding Mechanism Study – Deferral (Item 3.3)

The committee agreed to recommend that Council approve Administration’s request to defer the Transportation Funding Mechanisms Study Report to no later than the 2015 May 20 meeting of the SPC on Transportation and Transit.

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Council News in Brief is an informal summary of highlights from Calgary City Council’s meetings. The City Clerk provides the complete and formal documentation of Council’s meetings.

Column: City serious about cutting red tape

In my latest column for the Calgary Herald, I wrote about the success of our Cut Red Tape program. Here's what I had to say:

Back in 2010, when I was first running for mayor, I kept hearing stories of how The City was not as customer-friendly as it should be. From the restaurant who finally received their permit to operate a patio just in time for winter to the single mum operating a home-based massage therapy business finding herself subject to humiliating inspections and onerous annual fees, many felt the city was inhibiting rather than facilitating their success.

Since that time, we have been engaged in a massive program called Transforming Government to make the City administration more transparent and more accountable, and above all, to put the citizen at the centre of everything we do. Indeed, I often remind my City colleagues that we should be asking ourselves, multiple times a day, “how is what I am doing right now making it better for someone to live in Calgary?”

An important part of Transforming Government has been the Cut Red Tape program, which has been operating out of my office. It’s Red Tape Awareness Week in Canada, sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and as the program transitions out of my office to become a permanent part of City management, I thought it would be a good time to share some successes.

Since launching in 2011, and with a modest investment (not quite two staff members), we’ve launched over 40 formal and countless informal Cut Red Tape programs, and saved Calgarians at least $12.7 million dollars (including time and money).

Interestingly, many of these ideas came directly from my City colleagues. Phase one of the program consisted simply of asking City staff what ideas they had to cut red tape and improve customer service. They had nearly 300 ideas, from every department, and these ideas still form the core of the program.

Future phases included ideas from the business community, with the assistance of a Business Advisory Group, and from the general public. Some ideas were very easy to implement, while some took some work or a little bit of money to get them in place. Some examples include:

1. Making it easier for citizens to use the Animal Licensing website by removing redundant, inaccurate, and confusing information. Citizens save time and effort by having a more streamlined process for licensing their pet.
2. Making it easier for citizens to report graffiti on City of Calgary public spaces by streamlining the 311 reporting process and adding the service request to online forms and the 311 mobile app.
3. Making it easier for Calgary Housing clients to make the transition to their subsidized housing unit with no unexpected costs.
4. Making it more efficient for home designers and builders to submit plans for single houses and duplexes homes by creating easy-to-understand guidelines.
5. Making submitting and reviewing construction drawings faster and more efficient by allowing online submission of plans – saving time and money for the applicant but also allowing for many areas to review the submissions simultaneously.

There are many other examples – parents will appreciate a better system for signing up for recreation programs, allowing you to register your child for the next swimming level while you’re at the pool.

And yes, it’s much easier for a restaurant to open a patio now, and new rules make it simpler for legitimate massage therapists to conduct their business.

So, as we celebrate Red Tape Awareness Week, I want to thank all those who have made this program work: the small but mighty secretariat, the volunteers from the business community who helped on the advisory group, my Council colleagues, particularly Peter Demong, for their unwavering support, and particularly the thousands of my City colleagues for their innovation and their hard work.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi is a national finalist for the CFIB’s Golden Scissors Award for the Cut Red Tape program.

Committee News in Brief - January 20

Council News in Brief - Pilot
Priorities & Finance Committee Meeting
January 20, 2015

Policy Review and Best Practice - Use of Alcohol During Work Hours and Expensing of Alcohol (Item 3.1)
The City Auditor presented recommendations from her office on work undertken to address Notice of
Motion 2014-037 on alcohol policies related to members of Council. The report was focused on review and analysis specific to the Notice of Motion, in particular on the use of alcohol during work hours and expensing of alcohol.

The proposed recommendations include best practises based on a sample of public sector agencies and private sector companies. The intent of the recommendations is to strengthen The City’s policies related to alcohol use and expenses to further mitigate associated safety, financial, and reputational risks.

After extensive debate the Committee recommended that Council request Administration to amend policies to provide guidance on alcohol use as follows:

1. To not allow the expensing of alcohol for meals, incorporating the direction from NM2014-37, including travel meals, returning to Council as soon as possible.
2. Refine the policy for substance use for Members of Council to be similar to that for employees, with clarification as needed.
3. For recommendation #2 above, return to Council in conjunction with changes to the whistleblower process.

Status of Outstanding Motions and Directions, PFC2015-0124 (Item 3.2)
The Outstanding Motions and Directions report assists the Priorities and Finance Committee to proactively track and manage its work.

Today, the Committee approved the Outstanding Motions and Directions report and timelines identified in PFC2015-0124 with one change. The “Crosswalk in Roadway Lighting” was lost in Council 2015 January 13 and will be dropped from the next iteration of this report.

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Council News in Brief is an informal summary of highlights from Calgary City Council’s meetings. The City Clerk provides the complete and formal documentation of Council’s meetings.

Saving millions by cutting red tape

Cut Red Tape program saves The City and Calgarians millions of dollars and thousands of hours

Program transitioning into daily City operations

January 20, 2015: The latest update from The City of Calgary’s Cut Red Tape program shows that at least $12.7 million dollars have been cumulatively saved by The City and its customers through over 40 red tape solutions implemented across the corporation. Since the program was first launched in 2011, City employees, citizens, and the business community have worked together to discover and implement ways to make working with The City better, easier, and faster. The program has been managed by The Office of the Mayor and is transitioning to City administration.

“In an organization the size of The City of Calgary, red tape can happen, but it’s our responsibility to foster a culture of customer service that constantly looks for ways to cut back on red tape,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “I’m proud that my colleagues in all departments have succeeded in their efforts to make it even better for citizens and businesses to work with The City.”

When the program first launched, it asked City of Calgary employees to identify red tape in their daily jobs. After that, representatives from more than 13 business advocacy organizations advised on further ways to cut red tape. And in the third phase of the program, The City asked all Calgarians about red tape and the solutions they would recommend to cut it back.

“Rather than giving lip service to cutting red tape, we’re pleased to see The City of Calgary taking tangible, measureable actions in this area,” said Richard Truscott, Director of Provincial Affairs for Alberta, with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business—one of the Cut Red Tape partner organizations. “By helping The City to control red tape, we’ve helped entrepreneurs to stay focused on running their businesses rather than grappling with unnecessary municipal processes. There certainly is more red tape to cut, but we’re encouraged that this program is being integrated into how The City operates.”

More than 40 recommendations to cut red tape have been implemented (with more underway) throughout The City of Calgary. They can all be viewed online.

Five examples:

1. Made it easier for citizens to use the Animal Licensing website by removing redundant, inaccurate, and confusing information. Citizens save time and effort by having a more streamlined process for licensing their pet.
2. Made it easier for citizens to report graffiti on City of Calgary public spaces by streamlining the 311 reporting process and adding the service request to online forms and the 311 mobile app.
3. Made it easier for Calgary Housing clients to make the transition to their subsidized housing unit with no unexpected costs.
4. Made it more efficient for home designers and builders to submit plans for single houses and duplexes homes by creating easy-to-understand guidelines.
5. Made submitting and reviewing construction drawings faster and more efficient by implementing eConstruction: an online system that lets builders submit construction drawings electronically so many City departments can review the submissions simultaneously and cut down on the time a customer needs to spend submitting drawings in person.

The transition of the Cut Red Tape program into a permanent practice within The City of Calgary is currently underway and will be complete by the end of June 2015.

“Rather than be a special project, the Cut Red Tape program should be a part of the culture of The City of Calgary,” said City Manager Jeff Fielding. “We are committed to continually improving the organization to be as citizen-focused and efficient as possible, and that includes keeping red tape to a minimum.”

To learn more about the Cut Red Tape program, please visit www.CutRedTape.ca.

Council News in Brief - January 16

Council News in Brief - Pilot
Special Meeting of Council
January 16, 2015

Build Calgary Overview (item 4.1.1)
Build Calgary is a collaboration between multiple City business units and external stakeholders geared to prioritizing and meeting the demands of growth within the city. The Build Calgary concept was first introduced in October 2014 when the City was forecasting growth of between 25,000 and 40,000 people per year. Managing the City’s approach to growth in a coordinated way was cited as even more important today given Calgary’s current economic environment. The Administration provided Council with an overview of the program and a view into several key initiatives within it.

These include:

• Updating the Offsite Levy Bylaw which determines how infrastructure costs are shared for new development;
• The Legislative Framework which includes updates to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and the development of a Charter for the City of Calgary. These are two significant governing agreements that affect how The City of Calgary is funded and functions as an organization;
• The land supply process;
• Regional coordination with Calgary’s surrounding areas;
• Commercial, industrial and transit oriented development (TOD); and
• The financing implications of growth for the City of Calgary.

Today was the first of several Build Calgary strategy sessions expected this year. Council received the verbal report and directed that Administration only work on infrastructure included within the 2015-18 Action Plan until a new Offsite Levy Bylaw is in place – targeted for October 2015.

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Council News in Brief is an informal summary of highlights from Calgary City Council’s meetings. The City Clerk provides the complete and formal documentation of Council’s meetings.

Three Things for Calgary spreading to... Toronto?

In a case of imitation being the highest form of flattery, Mayor Nenshi was thrilled to be on CBC Toronto's Metro Morning radio show to talk about... Two Things for Toronto. It seems CBC Radio liked our Three Things for Calgary so much, they made their own version!

Mayor Nenshi called in to chat with host Matt Galloway to discuss how Three Things for Calgary got started and how Calgarians have taken up the challenge.

You can listen to the interview here.

So the next question is: What are your Three Things for Calgary?

Committee News in Brief - January 14

To help citizens better understand what happens in City Council meetings, The City of Calgary is piloting a project to objectively report the debates and decisions that are happening in Council and Committee meetings.

Committee News in Brief - Pilot
Planning and Urban Development
January 14, 2015

3.1 Designation of Turcotte (Caldwell) Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource
Administration’s recommendation that Council give three readings to the proposed bylaw to designate the Turcotte (Caldwell) Residence as a Municipal Historic Resource, was carried forward.

3.2 Follow-up Report to the 50 Avenue SW Area Redevelopment
Administration agreed to defer the follow-up report to the 50 Avenue SW Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) no later than July 2016 (originally August 2016). Carried motion to adjourn.

There are concerns of feasibility and development moving forward from the planning department. A feasibility study will be conducted and if nothing happens there will be follow-up. Lifting the growth overlay is subject to coming to the table; the ARP calls that the development in the area match the densities as indicated in the plan. A cost-benefit analysis will decide whether to re-open the ARP.

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Council News in Brief is an informal summary of highlights from Calgary City Council’s meetings. The City Clerk provides the complete and formal documentation of Council’s meetings.

Council News in Brief - January 12 and 13

To help citizens better understand what happens in City Council meetings, The City of Calgary is piloting a project to objectively report the debates and decisions that are happening in Council. Here is the first edition of that report.

Council News in Brief - Pilot
Combined Meeting of Council
January 12 and 13

Cycling Strategy Annual Report (item 5.5 consent agenda)
Council received the Cycling Strategy Annual Report for information which highlighted progress made towards safer streets for cycling, improved education and public access to a growing set of cycling data. Council directed administration to return through the Standing Policy Committee (SPC) on Transportation and Transit in December 2015 with an update.

Playground and School Zone Awareness Update (item 5.7 consent agenda)
Council received for information a Playground and School Zone Awareness Update indicating eight traffic control treatments were studied to measure their effectiveness. The study found that programs with personal presence are most effective, and that compliance increased in the control sites, which indicates that current education and awareness campaigns are effective.

Green Line Work Plan Detail (5.9 consent agenda)
Administration identified opportunities to expedite completion of Green Line infrastructure, which will improve the reliability and speed of transit service in Southeast Calgary. More opportunities may arise as work progresses through 2015, therefore Council approved Administration’s recommendation to report back in October 2015 with an update and schedule.

Michelle Krsek Memorial Award (item 5.11 consent agenda)
Council approved a one-time fund of $100,000 from the Planning, Development and Assessment’s (PDA) Development and Building Approvals (DBA) sustainment reserve in order to establish an ongoing scholarship in the name of Michelle Kresk, for SAIT’s Bachelor of Science in Construction Management Program. 3-year-old Michelle Krsek was killed when a piece of steel roofing material fell 22 stories from a downtown Calgary construction site. The tragic event allowed The City of Calgary to work with the Province to increase fine levels for violations of the Safety Code Act, raising the fine of initial offences under the Act from $15,000 to $100,000, and subsequent offences from $30,000 to $500,000. By reinvesting the revenue from these violations, SAIT aims to assist The City and the construction industry to achieve safe workplaces for both workers and the public.

Secondary Suites (items 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4)
Four secondary suites applications were reviewed and approved – one within each of the communities of Riverbend and Westgate and two in Canyon Meadows.

Other Land Use Items (7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.10)
Among the other land use items discussed, a land use amendment within Killarney / Glengarry was approved to accommodate a 29-unit condo building, and a land use re-designation was approved to accommodate an emergency response station (firehall) in Tuscany. Land use amendments were approved in both Rosscarrock and Hillhurst to allow for the development of 4 housing units on lots previously zoned for two. A 6-unit row house development application within Killarney was denied.

Centre City Cycle Track Pilot and Stephen Avenue Pilot Evaluation (item 9.3.1)
Council received an update on the cycle track pilot. They received the approved map and evaluation matrix for information and reduced the budget for the project. The opening of the pilot network is planned for this summer.

Truck Route Bylaw Update (item 9.3.2)
Council approved updates to the Truck Route Bylaw to add the following four new roads to Calgary’s truck route network:

• Shaganappi Trail (from Stoney Trail North to the North City Boundary)
• Metis Trail (from Stoney Trail North to the North City Boundary)
• 52 Street SE (from Stoney Trail South to Seton Boulevard)
• Seton Boulevard (from Deerfoot Trail to 52 Street SE)

North Central LRT Route Planning Study Recommendations (item 9.3.3)
Council approved the Centre Street alignment of the North Central LRT, North of 24th Avenue. A detailed discussion on the pros and cons of four options for the construction of the centre city portion is planned for the February 18th Transportation and Transit committee meeting. Options will include ground-level, above-ground and below-ground routes.

Crosswalk In Roadway Lighting (item 9.4)
Council decided against a pilot project to trial in-roadway lighting in two Calgary intersections.

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Council News in Brief is an informal summary of highlights from Calgary City Council’s meetings. The City Clerk provides the complete and formal documentation of Council’s meetings.

Mayor's Office meeting register: October - December 2014

Since Mayor Naheed Nenshi was first elected, he has published monthly lists of meetings he's taken in his office. This was a voluntary action in the absence of a formal policy. In July 2013, at his urging, Council agreed to publish quarterly lists of meetings held with members of the public (ie: not City of Calgary employees) in the offices of the mayor and councillors.

Click here to view a list of meetings with Mayor Nenshi.

Click here to view a list of meetings with Mayor Nenshi's staff.

The details of the new disclosure policy can be found in the Ethical Conduct Policy for Members of Council. Here is the specific quote related to disclosing meetings:

All visitors shall be encouraged to sign a form with appropriate language allowing release of their names as per Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation. Members of Council and their staff shall disclose a list of those external visitors to The City (excluding Media), with whom they have met in their offices quarterly.

Nominate your favourite Calgarians for a Calgary Award

Nominations for the 2014 Calgary Awards are now open!

The Calgary Awards began in 1994 to commemorate Calgary's 100th year as a city by acknowledging outstanding citizen achievements. For 20 years, this program has let us recognize the citizen contributions that make Calgary the great city that it is.

I am extremely proud to be the mayor of a city where so many remarkable individuals and organizations willingly give their time and effort to make Calgary better. Calgary is amazing because of its people--they make our city a dynamic, compassionate, and sustainable place to live.

We need your help to identify these awesome people in our community. Visit www.calgary.ca/CalgaryAwards and nominate a person or an organization that deserves to be honoured.

Nominations close on Feb 27.

- Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Mayor Nenshi's 2015 salary

As of January 1, 2015, Mayor Naheed Nenshi's total salary is $216,401.71. In 2014, his total salary was $208,459.41.

City Council salaries are annually increased or decreased based on average wage inflation or deflation in Alberta from the previous year. This ensures that neither the Mayor nor Councillors are involved in setting their own salaries.