St. Albert council has called a special meeting Monday at noon to discuss further measures in response to COVID-19.
The agenda for Monday's meeting includes extending the closure and cancellation of facilities and events to May 31, deferring or cancelling some 2020 capital projects, measures to assist utility customers and taxpayers, suspending transit fares until May 31 and increasing its COVID-19 response funding.
On utility bills, city staff are suggesting the city continue to bill monthly for March, April and May but not charge penalties for people who can't pay.
On transit, city staff are suggesting eliminating ridership fares until May 31. An agenda report on the city's website notes there wouldn't be a significant loss in revenue since current ridership has dropped to about 80 per cent of normal.
On property taxes, city staff are suggesting councillors pass a special bylaw cancelling tax penalties that would have come into effect April 1 and July 1 for properties in arrears. Staff are also suggesting the 2020 property tax payment deadline be extended until September 30 instead of June 30.
As for COVID-19 response funding, councillors agreed last week to allocate $1 million toward the city's response. City staff are asking for an additional $400,000. As of March 18/19, the city had spent approximately $235,000 related to the response.
Staff are also recommending council defer 49 capital projects, estimated in value at $37 million.
Zoom meeting
Monday's council meeting will have councillors patch in via Zoom, and will be streamed on YouTube.
However, the city is allowing the public into St. Albert Place starting at 11:45 a.m. in order to access the public gallery in council chambers. They will have sanitizing and social distancing protocols in place, and residents will be required to leave promptly at the end of the meeting.
Immediate Temporary Change to Noise Bylaw
The city is issuing a bylaw exemption for delivery of essential services to operate outside current daytime hours (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Deliveries can now be made 24 hours a day so essential services and stores can remain stocked.
Other changes
The RCMP is modifying its front counter services at Maloney Place by restricting access in public spaces.
In order to prioritize essential policing services, and reduce unnecessary personal contact, citizens are asked to call 780-458-7700 to speak directly with an RCMP employee.- If assistance can be provided over the phone, an employee or officer will do so.
- If a request requires personal contact with an officer, an employee will meet with you shortly.
- For the safety of all, you may be asked to wear a mask while in the detachment.
- If you need officer assistance, and believe you may be ill, please let us know when you make the call so our officers can be prepared ahead of time.
- Don't be alarmed if you see employees wearing extra protection.
- Fingerprinting for Criminal Record Checks will only be done in exceptional circumstances. Non-urgent fingerprinting and Criminal Record Checks will be available at a later date.
The RCMP Operational Communications Centres are open and fully functioning for emergency calls. Please only dial 911 in an emergency.
Bag tags
Effective immediately, the City of St. Albert is waiving the need for bag tags for the Extra Garbage Bag Tag program until further notice.
- For extra garbage, residents must use black or green garbage bags weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) with a maximum size of 76 cm x 86 cm (30 in x 34 in).
- All items must fit inside the garbage bag – no large items, construction or demolition materials will be accepted.
- A limit of two garbage bags can be dropped off per day, per household, to the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot.
- Please keep any extra garbage program tags for future use. No refunds will be issued for purchased tags.
