Today was a busy day at County Hall with an In Camera meeting early in the day and a brief public Council Meeting from 3pm to 6 pm.
Since the expected live stream webcast has not yet been implemented, I thought residents might like a report on today’s meeting.
Train Whistles
Neighbourhoods in several urban and rural wards are kept up at night by train whistles. Council unanimously supported a motion to direct administration to bring back criteria for and establish a policy to minimize train whistles and mitigate the negative effects on our residential areas.
Family & Community Services recommend $125,000 in Social Service Grants
Council approved FCSS expenditure to support eight local groups in their efforts to offer support and improve the quality of life of our residents. Groups included: Big Brothers & Sisters, Robin Hood, Strathcona Shelter Society, Saffron Strathcona Sexual Assault Centre, Overacting Imaginations Youth Theatre, Hearts and Hooves, Linking Generations and Parents Empowering Parents.
A further $100,000 had been allocated in Partnership Funding to: Strathcona Youth Justice, Strathcona Mediation Society, as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Strathcona County.
Discussion Since 2009 Draws to a Close
Extensive discussion occurred around the SIGN REGULATION BYLAW as Councillors sought to adjust three specific areas in an effort to respond fairly to local business and Chamber requests without having a negative impact on residents.
Proposed regulations now include a 365 day permit for Inflatable Signs. I am still concerned about inflatable sign locations and made a motion requiring administration to bring forward information that will show which commercial areas will be able to have large inflatables and how close they will be allowed to residential dwellings.
Other changes include a little more flexibility for the time period and numbers of portable signs allowed on a frontage. Third party advertising will be allowed to provide latitude for both business and non-profits.
Now that the changes are made, there will be a public hearing at 7 pm on Tuesday February 8th. Please contact the Planning Department to obtain a copy of the regulations which Council will vote on February 8th. Come out and express your opinions that evening at 7 pm before the vote.
A report from Transportation was heard on the two snow clearings done back to back as a result of the worst storms in this region in the past twenty years. The second P4 in as many weeks will start, weather permitting Sunday or Monday. Latest road information.
Good news on the economic development front. Council approved the creation of a ten person Advisory Committee that will provide guidance on the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy. One Council person will be on the Advisory Board. Mr Todd Banks, Executive Director of the Chamber will represent Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce. An additional eight public members will be chosen in the next few months. Contact Legislation & Legal Services for more information at
1500 students benefit from the 3rd Annual Young Speakers Invitational
Organizer of the Annual Young Speakers Invitational Speech Tournament, Brentwood School’s teacher Jordan Smith, requested and obtained a total of $9,000 in PRIORITY FUNDS from Council. This Speakers Invitational promotes critical thinking and oral communication skills with grades 4, 5 and 6 from 15 schools being represented. Ward 2 Priority Funds project recipients
At 5 pm in Public presentations, a couple from Heritage Hills brought forward the downside of A bylaw that actually prohibits private individuals from using various vehicles to plow snow in their neighbourhood. They spoke eloquently about their experiences in trying to assist neighbours by clearing their cul de sac only to be approached by bylaw and told they should not have cleared the snow and now had to remove the snow piles!
The evening ended with a sobering message from SAFE PLACE, the Strathcona County Shelter who are trying to replace the crumbling facility that has sheltered 318 women and 415 children in the last fiscal year alone. In this same time period another 1,365 people in need were turned away- stark numbers that identify the need and capacity issue facing our municipality today. The Shelter continues to provide services and support to women and children who are fleeing abusive situations. Currently the Shelter is waiting on word from the provincial government to see if their request for building funding will be successful.
Please contact me at any time with your comments. If you would like to be added to my residents e-mail bulletin list, send your e-mail address to carr@strathcona.ab.ca or contact CouncillorCarr on TWITTER
I thought that the railways had the right of way, and that there was little the local communities could do to minimize their impact other than ask politely?
ReplyDeleteFor example, if you get stuck at a train crossing in Edmonton during rush hour, there is almost NOTHING the City of Edmonton can do to prevent that situation - that is totally in the domain of the railway.
What would a "train whistle" policy do exactly?
Hello Tom,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your interest and question. You are right in that generally trains come under federal jurisdiction - with municipalities and the province having next to no say at all. The Feds do not even direct rail companies to communicate with municipalities. They do not need municipal permits to develop or expand rail lines.
Trains certainly have the right of way. However in this case, we are referring to a regulation that exists to create a 'no whistle zone'. If a municipality can 'bullet proof' a crossing - ie create maximum safety by installing flashing lights, bells, gates and guide fencing - we may be able to be allocated a 'no whistle' zone. This will mitigate some of the noise disturbance for nearby residences.
There are about 4 or 5 areas in the County that we see as possibly benefiting from our research into establishing policy and criterea.