St. Albert Minute: Issue 62

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

📅 This Week In St. Albert: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 1:00 pm, there will be a meeting of City Council. The agenda includes both the 10 Year Municipal “Replace, Maintain, Repair” Capital Plan and Utility Plan. The 10-Year Municipal RMR Capital Plan outlines nearly $360 million in projected replacement, maintenance, and renewal spending from 2026 to 2035. The largest investments are in Public Operations, including over $165 million for transit bus replacement and facility repairs. Planning and Engineering also sees substantial funding, with more than $125 million allocated to roads, trails, sidewalks, and bridges. Community and Recreation Services is budgeted for about $30 million, focused on facility lifecycles like Servus Place, parks, and aquatics. Emergency Services will receive roughly $6 million for equipment replacement. General Government spending, including IT and energy efficiency upgrades, totals approximately $9.4 million. Annual spending peaks in 2027 at nearly $48 million and then stabilizes around $30-35 million per year. A significant portion of this funding comes from lifecycle reserves.
  
  
• On Tuesday, at 2:00 pm, there will be a public hearing to gather feedback on a Land Use Bylaw that would enable residential development in the Cherot neighbourhood. The proposal would rezone 7.65 hectares of land at 50 City Annex West from Future Urban Development to three residential designations: Laned-Lot Residential, Front-Back Residential, and Small-Lot Residential. The rezoning would allow for a mix of single-detached, semi-detached, duplex, and townhouse dwellings. No concerns were raised during the circulation of the application to agencies and nearby residents. A public hearing has been advertised and will precede Council’s decision. If approved, the change will support future subdivision and residential development consistent with the City’s growth strategy.
  
  
• Councillor Hughes will propose a Notice of Motion directing City staff to develop engineering standards and maintenance levels for all City-owned gravel parking lots in St. Albert. There are currently 16 such lots serving municipal facilities, but no formal specifications or asset management plans exist for them. The Administration supports the motion and recommends funding of $65,000 from the Stabilization Reserve to conduct inventory collection, condition assessments, and develop service level standards and maintenance strategies. The intent is to align gravel lot standards with best practices in asset management, ensuring sustainable upkeep and improved clarity in service expectations. The recommendation also proposes combining this work with a similar project underway for gravel road structures to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
  
  
• St. Albert has received its second national award in just three months for its outstanding Emergency Management program. The City was recently honoured with the 2025 Willis Award for Innovation from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA), following its earlier recognition from Public Safety Canada. The program was praised for its innovative and collaborative tools that enhance emergency response and preparedness. Key initiatives include “Know Your Zone,” an ArcGIS-powered evacuation map; the Rapid Damage Assessment Tool, which uses data to prioritize disaster response; and the Everbridge Mass Communication System, which delivers real-time alerts to residents during crises. These tools were developed to improve efficiency and coordination during emergencies, making St. Albert a leader in municipal emergency management. Mayor Cathy Heron emphasized the importance of these systems in protecting residents and supporting emergency responders. Out of 54 national submissions, St. Albert’s approach stood out, and a formal award presentation is planned for the June 3rd Council meeting.
  
  
• Construction has begun on a new 114-unit apartment complex on the former site of Citadel Mews West in St. Albert, which was destroyed by fire in May 2021. The new building is expected to be completed by summer 2026 and will serve residents aged 55 and older. Unlike the previous assisted-living facility, the new complex will operate as a standard rental, moving away from the life lease model. That model had left many residents waiting on large reimbursements. Developer 3M Property Developments is using non-combustible materials and plans to install solar panels to meet CMHC energy efficiency incentives. The roof and mechanical systems will also be upgraded. A rental inquiry line is expected to launch soon. Despite minor design changes, the project keeps the original architect, aiming to maintain some continuity with the former facility. Demolition of the damaged building was completed earlier this spring.
  
  
• St. Albert Public Schools will need to find a new site for its recently approved K-9 school in Cherot after City Council voted unanimously against changing a 25-acre parcel’s designation from “high school” to “school.” The land was initially chosen following the school’s approval in March under the province’s School Construction Accelerator Plan. Councillors expressed concern that redesignating the site would trigger a lengthy approval process, including a public hearing and potential delays past the October election. An alternative 10-acre site in south Cherot is under consideration and could be ready quickly, according to a City checklist. Superintendent Krimsen Sumners expressed disappointment but said the board respects Council’s decision. Chair John Allen stressed the need for a west-end location and urged the City to clear the way for reapplying. The school board will now decide whether to pursue the south Cherot or Riverside location for the new school.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Who is your favourite St. Albert City Councillor - and why?

Is it because of their voting record, how they engage with the community, or something else?

Take a moment to reply and share your thoughts with us.

Your feedback helps us understand which Councillors are truly representing the interests and values of St. Albert residents.

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!