Calgarians Love Their Rivers - Update on the River Access Strategy | Feb 7, 2017

Calgarians want a healthy, vibrant and sustainable river culture and many are concerned about how they can get in, and out, of our rivers safely.

Last year, Gian-Carlo and Councillor Shane Keating put forward a Notice of Motion requesting that a policy report and implementation plan to address river access be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2017. 

On February 1, 2017, Administration presented their report to the Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services (CPS). The Calgary River Access Strategy recommends several significant short-term moves to access our rivers is a more meaningful way.

These recommendations include:

• Create more drift boat access (these are essential for the fishing community)

• Create more formalized access for people carrying their boats into the rivers (i.e. kayaks, rafts, etc.)

• Look to improve economic opportunities and access along the rivers. 

Both the public and CPS demonstrated support for the River Access Strategy. Next it will go to Council for final approval. 

Black History Month in Calgary | Feb 3, 2017

Black history is Alberta's history. We, as a province, are extremely lucky to have a rich diversity of people who have brought their energy, ambitions, and passions to Alberta. Happy Black History Month!

The World Needs More Canada (& Calgary) | Feb 1, 2017

Calgarians have been divided around the idea of hosting another Olympic Games. On the one hand, those who oppose Calgary putting forward a bid for 2026 believe that the Olympics have become a deeply corrupt organization that costs a tremendous amount of money with little return for the hosting city. On the other hand, many reflect on the success of the 1988 Winter Games and the spirit of volunteerism and pride that showcased our incredible city in this stunning part of the world. 

On January 23 at a Regular Meeting of Council, City of Calgary Administration presented an update on the work of the Olympic Bid Exploration Committee. This issue will be coming back to Council in June 2017 with Administration's recommendations on the outcome of the Olympic Bid Committee's work. It is at that point that Council will be making a decision as to whether they should pursue the Olympic bid or not. 

Though the concerns expressed by many Calgarians around putting forward a bid to host the 2026 Winter Games are compelling, we also have an opportunity to prove to the world what good government, an amazing business community and an incredible natural environment can do for the Olympics. At the end of the day, the Olympics need Calgary more than Calgary needs the Olympics. 

Improving Calgary's Worst Intersection - 25th Ave & Macleod Tr S | Feb 1, 2017

For years we have heard from our Ward 9 neighbours, especially those in Erlton and Ramsay, about their dissatisfaction when crossing MacLeod Trail at 25th Ave South. Long waits for both cars and pedestrians coupled with delayed crossings when an LRT is approaching has caused this hair-pulling, blood-boiling frustration for those travelling from east to west. 

With emerging best practices in transit-oriented development (TOD) dominating Calgary's urban planning ethos, focusing on neighbourhood life and creating a condition where mixed-use developments can thrive at this intersection is vital. 

There were plans 'on the books' to update this intersection, though those plans were out-dated and, basically, unbuildable. As a result, Council decided to omit the old plans and, in principle, introduce new plans that would  promote walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods around the Erlton LRT station. 

Right now these plan are unfunded and only in their infancy. Deep engagement with the affected communities is needed and, though, a lot of work was done to get us here, a lot more work has to come to get us to where we want to be. 

We encourage all our Ward 9 neighbours, especially those in Erlton, to reach out to our office and share your thoughts on how we can make the intersection of MacLeod Trail and 25th Ave into a vibrant (and functional) part of our inner-city. 

12th Street Bridge Closure - Update | Jan 30, 2017

Your Team Ward 9 knows that our neighbours in Inglewood and Ramsay have been tremendously patient with all the construction in and around their communities over the last year, particularly the Zoo Flood Mitigation project and the 12 Street SE Bridge Replacement project.  We are extremely grateful to all of you for your continued patience and understanding. 

We have been working with the 12 Street SE Bridge Replacement project team over the last year to keep the original bridge open for as along as possible. The intent was that it would be used as a pedestrian bridge so that Inglewoodians and Ramsayites could continue to access the other side of the Bow river and Zoo Island. 

Unfortunately,  your Team Ward 9 recently found of that the existing 12 Street SE Bridge will have to be closed as a result of its deteriorating state.  What we know right now is that the original bridge will be removed as early as Spring 2017. We will be continuing to update our neighbours in Inglewood and Ramsay as we learn more about the timelines and impact on our communities. 

Want to know more about the removal of the existing 12 Street SE bridge? Check out the FAQs.

Tax Update - How We're Helping Our Business Community | January 26, 2017

On January 23, 2017, City Council decided to endorse the Municipal Non-Residential Phased Tax Program,  which will dramatically help ease the tax burden for Calgary businesses  during this economic downturn. 

This program has been given $45 million in funding to limit the increase in municipal non-residential property taxes to 5% in 2017. This means that any business facing an increase in the municipal portion of their non-residential property tax will not have to pay an increase of  more than 5%. Property taxes will be finalized later in the year, after the Government of Alberta approves its budget and the 2017 provincial property tax requisition in the spring. 

There is no application process required for this program. It is a one-year program and will not affect the provincial portion of non-residential property taxes or the business tax. 

Did you know?

• Ward 9 is the second largest economic engine outside of the downtown core. As a result of the downturn in the economy, many of the Ward 9 businesses have been picking up the 'tax slack' created by the lower downtown office vacancy. 

• During the Mid-Cycle Adjustments,  Council approved a $183 million in benefits to help Calgarians. This included: 

  • $73 million in tax relief 

  • $66 million in user fess/utility rate freezes 

  • $9 million in targeted initiatives

  • $35 million in lower revenue (absorbed) 

• Through Mid-Cycle Adjustments, Council also approved $42 million in capital investment to help spur economic growth and diversification, maximize investments to create jobs, build and maintain needed municipal infrastructure, and attract and retain people, business and investment to Calgary. 

Property tax bills will be mailed in May and are due June 30, 2017. 

GC on 2017 Property Tax Assessments

On January 5th, 2017 the City of Calgary mailed out over half a million property tax assessments. For many business owners in Calgary, particularly those outside of the downtown core, they are seeing increases in both the assessed value of their property and their taxes. 

Ward 9 is the largest economic engine outside of the downtown. This year, Ward 9 businesses have been struck with a triple-whammy:

1. The downturn in the economy

2. Falling property values in the downtown core which has led in increased values in areas outside of the downtown

3. Consolidation of the business tax into the non-residential property tax

City Council has set aside $15 million to help businesses in Calgary deal with this impact and will be reviewing the best way to do this in the coming weeks. 

If you are a business owner and concerned about the value your property has been assessed at you can appeal your assessment during the Customer Review Period which runs from January 5 to March 6, 2017.  Please call Assessment at 403-268-8888 between 8:00am and 4:30pm. 

Community Representation Framework Task Force | Nov 10, 2016

Great Neighbourhoods are more than just the people that live there. They are also the businesses and institutions, like churches, schools, and social agencies, that operate there. Finding a way to integrate and create dialogue among these groups is critical. 

Community associations are one way that we can begin to do this work, however, we need to move to a 'next generation' community association model that brings residents, business, and institutions together to talk about where they have come from, where they are currently, and where they want to go. 

The Community Representation Framework Task Force involves a variety of community groups, including community association members, the Federation of Calgary Communities, private developers, city administration, and members of City Council, to talk about the future of communities. The goal of the Task Force is to develop a decision-making framework or governance model on community building.

This will bring us one step closer to fulfilling Gian-Carlo's second goal of his Great Neighbourhoods platform and developing a next generation community association model. 

Lest We Forget | November 10, 2016

Remembrance Day is a time for us to reflect on the service of countless men and women who came before us, securing both our freedom and the privileges we as Canadians enjoy today.

Gian-Carlo spends Remembrance Day at CP Rail in Ogden Shops remembering the sacrifice of so many Calgarians.

Zoo Flood Mitigation Project - Pile Driving Concerns | May 6, 2016

Team Ward 9 has heard from many concerned residents about the noise and vibrations coming from the Zoo Flood Mitigation Project as they pile drive steel sheets into the ground. Gian-Carlo outlines the project and discusses the conversations he is having with the Senior Management Team to see how to help our neighbours in Inglewood.