Airdrie Minute: Garbage Collection, Accessory Suites, and Budget Deliberations Begin

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

This Week In Airdrie:

• There are no meetings at City Hall today as it is Remembrance Day. The Airdrie Royal Canadian Legion will host its Remembrance Day ceremony at Genesis Place today. The ceremony will start at 10:00 am - doors open at 9:00 am. After the Genesis Place event, a brief additional ceremony will take place at the City Cenotaph.
  
  
• On Tuesday, at 9:00 am, there will be a meeting of the Community Safety and Social Services Standing Committee. The Committee will be presented with an annual overview of Municipal Enforcement’s departmental priorities and operations, as well as an overview of the Airdrie Family and Community Support Services program and an update on preparations for the 2026-2028 Funding Cycle.
  
  
• There will be a meeting of City Council on Wednesday at 9:00 am and again on Friday at 9:00 am, to discuss the 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets as well as the User Fees and Charges Bylaw for 2025.

Last Week In Airdrie:

• Council has approved the introduction of an automated black cart garbage collection program, set to begin in 2026. The new program will provide each household with a standardized 120-litre black cart, aiming to streamline waste collection and address issues like pests and litter. Weekly garbage collection will be implemented, and the automated system is expected to reduce worker injuries. The program will increase household costs by $8 to $22 per year, though a 2023 survey showed 75% interest despite the minor cost increase. Further details on the rollout will be provided in the coming months.
  
  
• Council has paused a decision on allowing accessory suites city-wide. There was debate over whether neighbours should be notified of suite developments, with some Councillors advocating for more transparency. Public input has been mixed, with some supporting the changes to reduce red tape and improve housing availability, while others raised concerns about infrastructure strain and safety. The issue will be revisited in the new year.
  
  
• Airdrie Meals on Wheels (AMOW) received its largest-ever donation of $100,000 from the Cal Wenzel Family Foundation. The funds will be used to provide affordable meals for seniors and homebound individuals in need. AMOW, which was selected after submitting an application, was stunned by the magnitude of the gift as it was ten times larger than any donation they had received before. AMOW has also made key changes this year, including a new food supplier and efforts to recruit volunteers as they prepare for an increase in demand during the winter months.