St. Albert Minute: Aerial Apparatus, Advocacy Priorities, and a Franchise Fee Increase

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

This Week In St. Albert:

• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, the Standing Committee of the Whole will meet. The Committee will look to establish the Community Vision and Pillars of Sustainability. The document outlines the City's goals for the future and defines five pillars of sustainability: Social, Economic, Built Environment, Natural Environment, and Culture, which encompass aspects such as economic prosperity, community building, environmental protection, and cultural enrichment. These pillars are intended to guide decision-making and strategic planning in St. Albert to achieve its community vision.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, the Policing Committee will meet. The agenda includes a discussion about Committee team building, and Public Complaints Director succession planning.
  
  
• St. Albert is inviting residents to apply for volunteer positions on its Boards, Committees, and Commissions. There are positions available on the Community Services Advisory Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, and the Library Board, among several others. Applications are due on October 21st at 5:00 pm.

Last Week In St. Albert:

• Council considered an increase in the franchise fee on utility bills from 20.3% to 25% starting January 1st, 2025, which would raise approximately $750,000 in revenue. While some Council members, including Councillor Ken MacKay, criticized the arbitrary nature of the proposed rate, others argued it was a necessary adjustment to shift the financial burden from taxpayers to utility users, particularly for non-taxpaying buildings. Mayor Cathy Heron defended the proposal as a transparent measure to manage costs, emphasizing that the franchise fee is publicly regulated and identified on utility bills. Council passed the first reading of a bylaw for a new 10-year franchise agreement with ATCO, despite some opposition.
  
  
• Council set its advocacy priorities for the coming year, with two primary objectives: economic prosperity and community well-being. Specific priorities within economic prosperity include securing funding for the Lakeview Business District and advocating for strategic transportation investments. Community well-being priorities include advancing mixed market housing development, securing a more equitable gaming model for local charities, and advocating for the development of youth transitional housing.
  
  
• An additional $1 million was approved by Council to acquire a new aerial apparatus sometimes referred to as a “tower”, that is used to fight fires in tall buildings. The total budget for the item is now $3.496 million. Fire Services Chief Everett Cooke highlighted the urgency of the funding, noting that fire trucks can take up to 52 months to build and are often sold out within hours, meaning that a purchase must be made as soon as an apparatus becomes available. Council also approved doubling the budget for LED “recognition lights” outside St. Albert Place to $250,000, despite some opposition. These lights will be used to commemorate significant events and causes by illuminating the building in various colours. While some Councillors expressed concerns about the expense and advocated for alternative lighting systems, others, including Mayor Cathy Heron, supported the project as a meaningful investment for the community.

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