St. Albert Minute: Roundabout Planters, EV Superchargers, and a Naming Policy Motion

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

This Week In St. Albert:

• There will be a meeting of City Council on Tuesday at 1:00 pm. Council will give Second and Third Reading to the Transit Garage Expansion Borrowing Bylaw, discuss the updated City of St. Albert Council Strategic Plan, and hold a 2:00 pm Public Hearing to address several proposed zoning amendments. Councillor Killick will propose a motion to increase the base budget by $10,000 for additional planters at the Tache roundabout.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 6:30 pm, there will be a meeting of the Youth Advisory Committee. The Committee will hear updates from the Council Representative and Staff Liaison, receive a grant update, and have a round table discussion.
  
  
• The Internal Auditor and Internal Audit Steering Committee will meet at 1:00 pm on Friday. The Committee will discuss a Procurement Audit Implementation Update, a Cyber Security Audit Implementation Workplan Update, and a Review of the Risk Register.

Last Week In St. Albert:

• Councillor Shelley Biermanski has introduced a motion to suspend St. Albert's Municipal Naming policy until a full review is conducted. Biermanski criticized the current process, specifically the requirement of 50 names on an application for renaming, calling it unfair and lacking transparency. She argued that the policy is flawed as it allows anonymity for those proposing name changes, while those opposing renaming must publicly reveal their identities. Biermanski is advocating for the policy to be revised to ensure better community support and involvement in renaming decisions. The motion will be debated at the May 6th Council meeting.
  
  
• It was announced that St. Albert Centre will install a Tesla Supercharger station later this year, bringing high-speed EV charging to the city. The mall will feature 12 Superchargers and six conventional chargers near the Bellerose Drive entrance. Once operational, it will be one of three Supercharger locations in the Edmonton region, alongside Currents of Windermere and Southgate Centre. These Level 3 chargers can add approximately 400 km of range in about 45 minutes, offering convenience for long-distance travellers and boosting local commerce.
  
  
• Shoppers expressed sadness this week as the Hudson’s Bay outlet at St. Albert Centre announced its closure, marking the end of an era for many loyal customers. The nationwide liquidation began on March 24th, and the St. Albert store will officially close by June 30th. Customers recalled fond memories of shopping at the store, with some noting its significance as part of Canada’s identity. Despite the nostalgia, the store's condition had declined in recent years, with some shoppers criticizing its disorganized appearance and high prices. There are hopes that the space will be repurposed for housing or other community-oriented amenities in the future.

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