Airdrie Minute: Emissions Guidelines, Balzac Chamber, and the Public Art Policy

Airdrie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Airdrie politics

This Week In Airdrie:

• There will be a Community and Corporate Services Meeting tomorrow at 9:00 am. The agenda includes a report on the Public Art Policy Update. Administration is proposing to rescind the current Public Art Policy due to the absence of guiding principles and core values to aid Council in making investment decisions regarding public art. The proposed new policy aims to establish these guiding principles and introduce a "Made in Airdrie" Public Art Program. Under the new policy, the amount allocated for public art will remain at 1% of eligible projects.
  
  
• At 1:00 pm on Tuesday, the Community Infrastructure and Strategic Growth Committee will meet to discuss energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions guidelines for new municipal construction. The report notes that recent projects, including the new library, NE firehall, and SW recreation centre, were not budgeted for low GHG emissions. Currently, the City follows the NECB 2020 Tier 1 standard, Alberta's default for buildings, which does not qualify for additional funding from the Canadian Federation of Municipalities or the federal government for zero-emission buildings. While the City could adopt higher standards, doing so would increase building costs by 3-4%. No wonder taxes keep going up!
  
  
• More modular classrooms will be headed to Airdrie to help create more space in schools. Rocky View Schools announced the locations for 12 new modular classrooms and 12 relocations to address enrolment growth. Airdrie will receive five new modulars, with Ralph McCall getting two and Herons Crossing receiving one. Other schools benefiting include Rainbow Creek Elementary in Chestermere, Fireside School in Cochrane, and W.G. Murdoch in Crossfield. Some relocations will also go to Airdrie, with A.E. Bowers Elementary receiving two and Heloise Lorimer getting four. The timing for these moves depends on contractor availability.

Last Week In Airdrie:

• Rocky View County Council voted to assist businesses in Balzac with creating a local Chamber of Commerce, separating from the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, which currently covers the area. The County will provide meeting space and help connect the new chamber with relevant agencies. Council also plans to work with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce to adjust the Airdrie Chamber's boundaries. The Airdrie Chamber has expressed no intention of altering its boundaries, which complicates the process due to federal regulations. Despite past concerns about municipal involvement, the County believes it is within its rights to support local businesses in this effort.
  
  
• Council reviewed its 2024 mid-year update, highlighting progress in key areas like economic prosperity, transportation, and environmental protection. The City says it is focused on balancing its tax base, with major developments underway in East Points and new programs like the Downtown Incentive Program boosting local business. Infrastructure projects, including the 40th Avenue interchange and a rail underpass, aim to improve traffic flow and support growth. The City is also prioritizing advocacy efforts, addressing issues such as water, wastewater, and social well-being. Airdrie’s population is expected to increase by nearly 30% by 2028, reflecting rapid growth and development. How do you think Airdrie is doing?
  
  
• The Airdrie and District Community Foundation (ADCF) has achieved its 10-year goal of building a $1-million permanent fund three years ahead of schedule. As a registered charity, ADCF allows donors to contribute tax-deductible funds to support local causes, with only the interest from the fund distributed annually. The Foundation now expects to donate about $50,000 each year to local organizations. In May, they distributed $30,000 to various community groups during its annual event.