As a long time dog owner, this was a great event for passionate dog owners and dog lovers alike to set a new record of 1,500 people. There were 20 working dog organizations and 12 community partners. Working Dogs Day is a big part of the Off-Leash Ambassador Program and showcases the many ways these dogs are there for us in our day to day lives.
Working Dogs include:
The special program also features volunteers who promote awareness of and compliance with the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw and encourage positive pet interactions and safety in our off-leash parks. They do this through education and awareness, demonstrations, and, discussions led by the Ambassadors who act as community liaisons and positive role models in off-leash areas.
For more information please visit www.calgary.ca/offleash
IMG SOURCE=http://www.calgarycitynews.com/2016/09/working-dogs-day-getting-to-know-hero.html
]]>Charters will provide city councils and citizens with more authority over local decisions so we can build local solutions to the challenges and opportunities we face now and in the future.
Calgary’s and Edmonton’s City Charters will be developed through regulation under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and the MGA will continue to guide the majority of what Calgary and Edmonton do from day to day. The City Charters will focus on some key policy areas amended to address each city’s specific needs, align funding with responsibilities, and provide the flexibility to respond effectively to future challenges and opportunities.
You are invited to attend one of two public information sessions to find out more about Calgary’s proposed City Charter:
October 11, 2016
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Calgary Elks Lodge & Golf Club
Dining Room
2502 6 Street N.E.
October 12, 2016
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Carriage House Inn
Windsor Ballroom
9030 Macleod Trail S
To learn more about Calgary’s proposed City Charter, please visit Calgary.ca/CityCharter.
]]>This survey shows that the community thinks the police need more training and they should have body cams. Based on the high profile media events from the Heffernan case and during the Calgary Stampede for example, I would have to say that that is a reasonable point of view. I also think that the responses in this survey are fair with regard to ‘are police officers held accountable for misconducts’ and ‘ do the police conduct’ fair investigations. These will always be legitimate concerns as most people are unaware or can’t articulate the extraordinary disciplinary processes in place by the Calgary Police Service.
And as for the low confidence ratings, I think it speaks to the importance of the CPS to be in the forefront of emerging and high profile issues and incidents that occur in our community. This means being fully transparent and forthright in explaining such incidents as best as can be done when matters are under investigation. It is imperative that when ASIRT (Alberta Serious Incident Response Team) is called in that they have adequate provincial resources to investigate officer involved incidents in a very timely manner. We can’t wait two years for an incident to be investigated and have that pall hanging over those involved and the Chief of Police being unable to comment because of it.
So, all in all, I believe this survey is probably extremely valid given the circumstances of the last year. Bad stuff happens in policing communities all the time. We need to use this important data to move forward in a day and age where communications in all forms are constantly occurring in real time.
To view the Mainstreet poll, please click here.
IMG SOURCE=http://globalnews.ca/news/2968882/support-of-calgary-police-service-split-according-to-mainstreet-poll/
]]>Options for Sliding Scale Implementation
The Committee approved this report for information. Administration concluded that a potential funding shortfall in 2017 for the sliding fare schedule for Transit’s Low Income Monthly Pass would not require additional funding at this early stage. Given the unknowns around the program, uptake at the various levels of subsidy, and the lack of existing comparable data, Administration will monitor the program demand, review data as it become available, and will bring an update to Council in Q4 2017 as previously directed.
While Administration explored several options to fund the deepened subsidy discount directed by Council, the assessment concluded that the projected shortfall for 2017 did not require identification of funding sources at this stage.
Family and Community Support Services
The Committee approved the recommendation that Council approve the Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) funding recommendations of $3.24 million to 34 organizations in 2016 and $5.4 million to 29 organizations in 2017 in response to the recent Call for Funding Proposals (CFP) in May. The CFP received 190 proposals representing over $24 million in requests. Proposals were reviewed through a rigorous process, including stakeholder engagement, extensive communications efforts, input from external reviewers and guidance from subject matter experts.
Prince’s Island Park Management Advisory Committee
The committee approved the recommendation that Council disband the Prince’s Island Park Management Advisory Committee (PIPMAC). This committee of Council was struck in 1999 with the purpose of providing input into the Greater Prince’s Island Park Master Plan process. Administration concluded that PIPMAC is no longer necessary after engaging with current members, reviewing the PIPMAC Terms of Reference and meeting minutes, and noting other processes are in place to ensure committee members are informed on projects that may impact Prince’s Island Park. The committee agreed as the role and participation of PIPMAC members has waned over time, and the management practices for Prince’s Island Park have reached a level of maturity and stability.
Taxi and Limousine Advisory Committee
The committee approved unanimously the recommendation that Council approve the following:
1. Adopt the Taxi and Limousine Advisory Committee (TLAC) Terms of Reference Amendments
2. Receive for information:
TLAC recommended that the TLAC Terms of Reference be amended to include the Transportation Network Company (TNC) industry. As well, the updated Terms of Reference amendments align with the revised “Governance and Appointments of Boards, Commissions and Committees” policy. In support of the changing livery landscape, the Terms of Reference propose that TLAC change its name to Livery Transport Advisory Committee (LTAC). In 2017, TLAC will report its annual progress to Council and provide a status update on the implementation of bylaw 12M2016, which amended the Livery Transport Bylaw to allow for the Transportation of Network Companies (TNCs).
]]>On June 11th I held my Mobile Town Hall to help me get a better understanding of the needs of my constituents. The event gave me a forum to hear your concerns and your feedback helped to open my eyes to the needs of our Ward.
With the notion of a zero percent tax increase, services would have to be re-examined, adjusted, and possibly even cut. After speaking with my constituents, as well as my fellow Calgarians outside of Ward 13, I’m seeing more and more of an understanding that to see some sort of tax relief, it would mean a less strict quality of service target for City services. Although answers to which services citizens would lessen or cut altogether is a different story. That’s the million dollar question.
So can we afford to keep these satisfaction levels (tracked through citizen satisfaction surveys, specifically Ward 13), and do we need to? What happens if we just come down to 85 percent or 80 percent satisfaction in times when the economy is in the ditch? We don’t know where or when this downturn will resolve itself.
When City Council approved the Four-Year Budget in 2014, financially, it was a much more optimistic and different time. Our City’s economic outlook was prosperous. Much has changed and we need to change with them. In our current financial situation, City Council approved a vote to utilize the City’s Fiscal Stability Reserve Fund, to be used in times of need.
With the economic downturn felt in our City, we as your elected officials need to make decisions that help to not only sustain us but to ensure prosperity in the future, while also giving credit to Administration in finding efficiencies that have already saved our City tens of millions of dollars.
It all comes down to the essentials. What is really, really needed, as opposed to what would be nice to have? I want to hear from you on this, so I invite you to please email my office and let me continue to be your voice at City Council.
Useful property tax links:
IMG SOURCE=https://www.shutterstock.com/search?search_source=base_landing_page&language=en&searchterm=zero+percent&image_type=all
]]>