St. Albert Minute: Issue 60

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

📅 This Week In St. Albert: 📅

• There will be a City Council meeting on Tuesday at 1:00 pm. Council will receive the City of St. Albert’s Q1 2025 Corporate Quarterly Report, which highlights steady financial management and progress on Council’s strategic priorities. The City forecasted a $1.5 million surplus for the first quarter, with $1 million remaining after budget adjustments. The surplus is mainly due to savings on RCMP contract costs, but lower than forecasted due to a one-time Low-Income Transit grant. Operating revenues and expenses are tracking closely with forecasts, with some positive variances such as higher ice rental revenue and reduced energy costs offsetting increased expenses in street lighting. Capital projects continue on schedule, with 90% of municipal projects underway or complete and spending in line with the $467.1 million budget. Utility operations also show stable finances, with revenues and expenses near projections and all 54 utility capital projects on budget. The City holds $264 million in cash and investments, earning $2.6 million in income, though liquidity is slightly below target due to seasonal outflows. Reserves stand at $218.65 million, with $85.2 million uncommitted for future needs. Key strategic initiatives, such as the Lakeview Business District project and affordable housing efforts, are advancing with secured or pending funding.
  
  
• The St. Albert RCMP will present their Municipal Policing Report for Q1 2025 to Council. The report highlights progress on community priorities, human resources, crime trends, and financials. Key policing actions included targeted operations on shoplifting, auto theft, and efforts to reduce solicitation of sexual services, resulting in multiple arrests. Mental health and vulnerable community initiatives focused on school patrols and public education, while domestic violence efforts involved collaboration with local support services and planned educational sessions on human trafficking and protection orders. Crime statistics showed a 14% decrease in total Criminal Code offences compared to Q1 2024, with notable declines in assaults and break-ins, though theft under $5,000 rose by 17%. The detachment is facing seven vacancies. Financially, the City’s share of RCMP costs for the fiscal year-to-date was approximately $14.3 million.
  
  
• Council has approved a $12.8 million borrowing bylaw to fund the expansion of Liggett Place, the City’s transit facility. The project will add 12 new parking lanes, an extra maintenance bay, and expanded storage. The goal is to support current and future transit growth, including more buses and staff. The original budget was $10.7 million, but it increased following contractor input and design updates. Transit director Tim Saunders said the upgrades are critical to maintaining service levels during peak periods. Six lanes will remain operational throughout construction to keep services running. Liggett Place has been over capacity since 2015, with rising kilometres driven increasing maintenance needs. Construction is set to begin later this year and finish by 2026.
  
  
• Council also approved amendments to the Riverside Area Structure Plan, including redistricting changes after public hearings in May. The revisions involve shifting high-density sites from the south to the north side of McKenney Avenue, reconfiguring several parks, and adding a new neighbourhood park in the southwest area. Residents’ main concerns during public engagement focused on density, traffic, and parking, with planners assuring that overall density remains unchanged and traffic impacts would be minimal. Measures such as no-parking signs on Redspur Drive were introduced to address parking worries. Some Councillors expressed concerns, particularly about density and the loss of a trail park, while developers emphasized benefits like new seniors housing and improved amenities. Officials highlighted that the plan supports walkability and community access while maintaining environmental respect.
  
  
• St. Albert is considering a bid to host the 2029 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games after deciding in December 2024 to drop its bid for the 2027 Alberta Seniors 55+ Summer Games due to significant format changes. The City has experience hosting multi-sport events, including past Alberta Summer and Winter Games and the 2012 Special Olympics National Games. Hosting the 2029 Special Olympics would involve around 1,300 delegates and require 400 to 500 volunteers, with estimated costs near $650,000. A bid for the 2028 Alberta Summer Games was also discussed but rejected due to its much higher cost of about $2.2 million and significant resource demands. The Council unanimously approved preparing the 2029 Special Olympics bid and committing up to $400,000 for planning and implementation if successful. Mayor Cathy Heron expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, recalling the excitement of past Special Olympics events held locally.
  
  
• Councillor Ken MacKay, a two-term St. Albert City Councillor first elected in 2017, is seeking re-election in the October 2025 municipal election. While his primary intention is to run again for Council, he has not entirely ruled out a Mayoral bid if circumstances significantly change. With a background as a former police officer and child advocate investigator, MacKay values his experience and connection to the community, where he has lived since 1989. He cited ongoing projects like the Lakeview Business District and community amenities as motivating factors for continuing in office. MacKay also highlighted issues such as affordable housing, servicing in the northeast, and uncertainties with provincial and RCMP contracts. Although he respects the current Council’s fiscal prudence and teamwork, he remains open to opportunities if he believes he could contribute more as Mayor. Currently, another Councillor, Wes Brodhead, has registered but not declared which position he seeks.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Common Sense St. Albert is gearing up for the upcoming municipal election. 

We plan to survey all of the candidates for Mayor and Council. What questions do you think we should ask? Hit reply to this email and let us know your top priorities!

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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