About 30 community association representatives engaged in lively facilitated discussion on urban planning topics at the Federation's General Meeting on September 24. Representatives from the Mayor's Office and Land Use Planning & Policy were there to hear CA reps discuss the community association role in planning, and how the City can best engage communities, particularly in the implementation challenges of "Plan It Calgary". There was excellent dialogue and many suggestions for improving both City and community processes related to planning. CA reps indicated that they have several roles in planning i) they provide The City advice and feedback regarding development, ii) they may interpret, raise awareness and educate community members about Plan It Calgary at the community level, and iii) act as community stewards. Some of the other major themes that arose from the meeting included the need for greater collaboration between CAs, The City and developers - a "3-legged stool" approach. It was also apparent that some CAs felt they were receiving mixed messages from the City, thought the planning process was not sufficiently transparent, and therefore there was some lack of trust in City processes. CAs also considered how to improve their own operations, and suggested ways of improving their operations such as communication tools (e.g. social media, surveys), better inter-CA communications to share experiences and successes, and other enhanced resources. Many of the concerns and ideas raised echo and reinforce other discussions Federation planners and community members have been having with the City and development industry reps related to ongoing efforts to improve planning processes.

A report was prepared by the meeting facilitator with the aim of summarising the general themes and issues that were discussed at the meeting. Please go to this link, to read the entire report with a cover letter from the Federation of Calgary Communities. If you would like to see the raw data collected during the meeting or if you have any questions or comments, please contact either Bob van Wegen or myself.

Sincerely,

Natasha Kuzmak
Urban Planner + Engagement Facilitator
Federation of Calgary Communities
301, 1609 14th Street SW
Calgary, AB T3C 1E4
T (403) 244-4111, ext 210 F (403) 244-4129
E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Attendance:
Errol Stewart, President
Mike Wilhelm, LRT
Jeremy Coates, West rep.
Lois Wellwood, Development
Phil Michaud, Hall
Beth Tingle, Berms
Jane Beddoe, Director
Mike Rawlings, Vice President
Sonja Chycoski, resident
Wendi Stewart, Secretary
Wayne Lassaline, resident
Phil Ivers, Treasurer
John van Hemert, Development
Thomas Smekal, Website

Minutes: Errol meeting called to order 6:30. Motion to pass the minutes from last meeting, Mike W. Seconded Mike R., passed.

Hall: Phil M.concern over dog trainer renting hall, Lawoof, discussion, agreed. Charge of $150. We should have the hall professionally cleaned, all agreed.

Financials: Phil I. emailed to everyone. $3000 of Berm money has been spent. Audit ?nished today, draft will be presented next meeting, and ?nal form at AGM in June. Audit will need a budget from every committee by year end March 31st.

Website: Thomas there is a need for someone to check current events, and some creativity in the presentation, Beth volunteered, send items to her. We will review website at next meeting.

Stockton Park/Berm: Beth the dirt is available, Graham will donate services, could start within 2 weeks.

Bylaws: Mike R. draft has been emailed out, work to be done to update the bylaws from the 50?s, such as de?ning committees, boundaries, memberships, voting rights, please email comments. Will be presented at AGM.

Winterfestival: Mike W. Cassis Bistro would like to host and run this year?s festival, discussed.

Development Committee: Lois, meeting to be held Nov. 23 at 7pm to discuss Jack Doborski proposed development at 1421,1401,1407 28th St. We are here to facilitate a discussion. Will be announced on website and in the community.

Community Safety Committee: Karen emailed info, we might not be selected for FCC initiative. We will continue with our annual community clean-up.

MCF: Mike W. masterplan will be ready for Dec., expect to see housing for 600 seniors and 150 market houses to be sold off, construction as early as next fall.

Traf?c: Thomas, our traf?c plan was not well received by the city. They plan on two speed bumps and a traf?c circle for 14th Ave. discussion.

West LRT: Mike W.still in meetings with city. Sound wall on north side is proceeding.

Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.

Next meeting is the on Dec.13. Please join us for some Christmas Cheer after the meeting.

Some of you may have noticed new SNOW ROUTE signs on some residential streets.

Follow this link to find useful information regarding the City's Snow and Ice Removal - and parking bans during this time. This site will enable you to find out when a snow event has been declared or lifted. It is in your best interest to check the map you will find following the link or simply click the Snow Route Sign above. Some streets may not be marked at every access point. Here is a quick list of affected streets in our community (list changes are beyond our control, so please check the map); 12 Avenue, 33 Street, 29 Street, 26 Street, 24 Street, 23 Street, 22 Street, Sunset Avenue, Sovereign Crescent. You can sign up for automatic email alerts if you live on one of the affected streets and park on the street. Snow events are city wide, so at times they will be in effect without much snow on your street, but you may be ticketed and towed nevertheless.

During snow ban, please call 311 with your concerns or comments.  If a ban creates further issues, Roads has to be aware and can only find this information through a 311 Status Report.

Many of your questions may be answered in this FAQ.