WARD 1 REPORT COMMUNITY and MUNICIPAL NEWS June 2019

Councillor Ward Sutherland WARD 1 REPORT COMMUNITY AND MUNICIPAL NEWS June 2019

GET PREPARED FOR FLOOD SEASON

WARD 1 HIGHLIGHTS

Preparing for flood season...... 4 Public art at Shane Homes YMCA ...... 10 Proposed Bowness flood barrier ...... 6 Dale Hodges Park update ...... 12 12 Mile Coulee ...... 8 Q&A Ward 1 ...... 14

Meet the Ward 1 team!

Ward's team: (left to right) Ralph Smith, Chief of Staff; Councillor Ward Sutherland; Christine Louie, Communications/Research Analyst; and Tomi Neilson, Executive Assistant.

Flood Readiness Campaign 2019

Welcome to June!

Ward Sutherland

Disaster Alley on May 4th was a success this year, but it was only the beginning of Calgary’s Flood Readiness Campaign. In Calgary, May 15 – July 15 is when we are most likely to experience flooding because that is when we receive the most rainfall and accumulated mountain snow starts to melt.

Where do Calgarians come in? Your most important role during these months is to understand, prepare, and stay informed. Although floods directly impact Calgarians who live, work, commute, or recreate in the City Centre or along the Bow and Elbow rivers, it’s important for everyone to be aware of flood risk and how to prepare for flood conditions.

Floods can happen quickly with little warning, so it’s important to listen to alerts and evacuate when necessary so everyone including you, your loved ones, and emergency responders stay safe.

Visit Calgary.ca/floodinfo for up to date information. Here, you can also find The City’s interactive River Flooding story map and the Flood Readiness Guide.

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Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps tours Alberta oil project

Ward Sutherland

I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Lisa Helps for taking the time to visit Alberta’s sustainable energy industry. I would also like to thank Councillor Jeff Davison for representing The City's education efforts and Canada Action founder Cody Battershill for all his hard work.

Our next step was to advocate and educate at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities meetings in Quebec City. I'm thrilled to report that the Quebec mayor and councillors were supportive and pro energy. Calgary city councillors passed out over 2,000 t-shirts and set up future tours with eastern Canadian councillors. I was pleased to see Mayor Helps at the FCM explaining that the Internet does not offer accurate information about the Canadian energy sector.

We still have a long way to go but we won’t give up on advocating for future of Canadian oilsands. We will continue to work at telling our story based on facts. Help us keep the conversation going. Tell your out-of-province friends about Alberta’s innovative energy sector.

3 Preparing for flood season

City of Calgary - Flood Season

Every spring, as mountain the city centre or along • Snowmelt from the snow accumulates and the Bow and Elbow mountains can cause high then melts, and rain Rivers. River flooding is river flows, but snowmelt storms start, we know most likely to occur alone does not cause our that river flooding is top- between mid-May and rivers to flood. The of-mind for Calgarians. It mid-July. snowpack in the is our priority at the City mountains has been of Calgary to monitor, We actively monitor river, average to below average manage and reduce flood weather and snowpack this year. risk, and to ensure conditions to prepare for citizens understand their potential flooding. It is • The City and Province risk and have the important to note that: continuously monitor for resources available to conditions that can prepare. • Heavy rainfall in our develop into flood events. mountains and foothills River flooding impacts all has the biggest influence We cannot stop river Calgarians who live, work, on river flood risk. floods from happening, commute or recreate in but we can reduce their impact. 4 WARD 1 REPORT

Since 2013, The City, in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, has committed more than $300 million towards projects that will reduce our risk of river flood damage. We continue to strengthen our understanding of the flow of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, how rivers change, city on the Bow and Elbow You can prepare yourself flood modelling, Rivers. and loved ones by forecasting, preparedness listening to alerts and the and response. 2. Keeping floodwater out media, and evacuating of the most vulnerable when requested. Your The City’s three-part Flood communities through the cooperation ensures Resilience Plan, approved construction of local flood everyone stays safe, by Council in 2017, is barriers. including our emergency based on extensive responders. technical studies and 3. Reducing the risk of public engagement. The property damage by On your property, follow City’s goal is to protect our implementing updates to regulations if you are in a city from a flood at least as development regulations flood zone. Consider big as the one we and by encouraging building practices that experienced in 2013. The citizens to take actions to decrease the likelihood three parts of this plan, prevent damage to their of damage during the working together, will help properties. next flood. us meet that goal and will include: Everyone has a role, and Visit Calgary.ca/floodinfo we must all understand, for more information, to 1. Capturing more prepare and stay informed explore our new floodwater before it gets about river flooding. interactive River Flooding to Calgary via new Floods happen quickly and story map, sign up for our reservoirs, built by the with little warning. We e-newsletter and walking Province, and through the must be ready to respond tours, and download our operation of existing quickly in a flood Flood Readiness Guide. reservoirs upstream of the situation. 5 team to discuss their ideas and provide Project Update input before further work on the alignment and barrier concepts gets Reprinted from The City of Calgary underway.

The proposed flood barriers in Bowness These meetings will wrap-up in early are one piece of a multi-pronged June. To close the loop on this first approach that will help protect the entire stage of engagement and to be community from overland flooding – transparent about the information ensuring the places and spaces that help gathered, individual What we Heard define the community are safe. summaries will be sent to each

riverfront property owner. When you Work on this project is complex and receive this report, please review it and we’re committed to working with the let us know if any changes or additions community to develop a solution that are needed. We will use these works for residents and aligns with our summaries as we develop the barrier overall plan to reduce the impacts from options and will share with you how future river floods. your input was incorporated into the

design. Over the last six months we’ve been

gathering feedback during one-on-one site visits with riverfront residents. We Listening to the community have also begun the following studies to help inform the design of the barrier. Be sure to drop by our booth at the Bowness Stampede Breakfast on July 6 - Groundwater study (currently and the Tour de Bowness Street underway) Festival on August 5. Members of the - Geotechnical investigations (currently project team will be on hand to explain underway) where we are in the process and to - Biophysical impact assessment answer your questions. You can also (starting this April) email us at [email protected]. - Stormwater management study - Flood modelling Preparing for flood season

Barrier option discussion with As we begin to approach flood season riverfront residents in Calgary, please remember that river flooding can occur at any time, but

Calgary is most at risk from May 15 to Thank you to all the riverfront residents July 15. Flooding can happen quickly who met one-on-one with the project 6 WARD 1 REPORT

and with little warning because of the short, steep distance the rivers travel from the mountains to our city.

To better understand your flood risk, and learn about the things you can do to ensure you’re prepared, visit calgary.ca/ floodinfo today.

Mitigating impact on the environment – Wildlife study starts later this spring

Throughout the last year, we have heard from Bowness residents what the riverbank area means to them. environment and recommend ways to Understandably, residents want to know limit disruption. what impacts a barrier could have on the trees, wildlife and fish in the area. We know members of the community Balancing the need for effective flood have conducted a tree survey along mitigation for our city while taking into the river. Once alignment options are consideration the natural environment in confirmed, the project team will do a riverfront communities is an important more detailed count of all the trees factor in this – and all – flood mitigation and plant life affected on each projects. riverfront property, so that we have a full understanding of the impact. Starting in May and continuing While many of the observations can throughout the summer, independent be made on public property, we will biologists will visit the area to observe contact property owners if access is and note the wildlife. This includes: needed.

- Plant and tree species that are native We’d like your input. If you have to the area; and photos of wildlife in the Bowness area - Animals, birds, fish and amphibians. please submit these pictures online through engage.calgary.ca/bowness- The purpose of this study is to get an flood-barrierprojectso they can be overall assessment of how the proposed considered as part of the assessment. barrier would impact the natural 7

12 Mile Coulee Park Updates

12 Mile Coulee Park Slope Stability Project

In March 2019, Calgary Parks held an This project will stabilize the slope on information session regarding the the west side of the coulee which has two projects that The City will be previously failed due to heavy rain working on in 12 Mile Coulee Park and erosion. In the short-term, there during 2019. These two projects are will be a combination of soil The Regional Pathway Connection stabilization techniques including and The Slope Stability Project. biotechnical and bioengineering. In the long-term, the introduction of a These project align with the core mixture of woody and non-woody values of the council-approved 12 vegetation will make the slope strong Mile Coulee Natural Environment enough to future erosion. Park Management Plan which is meant to direct the protection, The start of construction was April development, and maintenance of 2019, and it is expected to be the park. In case you missed the completed in June 2019. information session, here are summaries of the projects.

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Regional Pathway Connection

This project is meant to extend the regional pathway to better connect 12 Mile Coulee Park to surrounding communities. The 1.5km pathway will be paved 2.5m wide.

Note: the off-leash area adjacent to proposed pathway and the designated trail will be closed as needed for short periods during project construction. Please use caution when entering and leaving this area.

The start of construction was April 2019, and it is expected to be completed sometime in July 2019.

9 Convergence at the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge

Public artwork: Convergence (formerly known as "Ascend"). Convergence

The public artwork formerly titled “Ascend” has a new name. There were almost 700 entries by over 300 individuals as part of the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge public art naming contest. After much deliberation, the artists, Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, selected the name Convergence.

The artists said that “the name works on different levels and is open to interpretation: a convergence of wildlife, plants, and other prairie forces; a convergence of the halves of the sculpture as you move around it; and a convergence of people at the recreation centre. It also has a sense of strength about it.”

Artist Talk

On June 13th at 7:00pm, learn more about the inspiration and process behind the art. Laura and Tom will be holding an Artist Talk in the BMO Theatre at the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge. They are the artist team that designed both public art sculptures, Convergence and Flock, at the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge.

10 WARD 1 REPORT Homeowner Water Guide

Homeowner Water Guide

If you are not already aware, The City of Calgary launched the Homeowner Water Guide series on Calgary.ca/waterguide. These guides are meant to educate Calgarians on all aspects of indoor and outdoor water use on their property. Topics range from seasonal ‘how-to’ checklists to checking the toilets and faucets for leaks. There are also helpful links to the existing Yardsmart series and the Rain Barrel program.

The City encourages everyone to take a look at the series and share these guides with friends and family. Even the smallest changes made to your routine can greatly improve your water bill, and the environment.

For any questions regarding the Homeowner Water Guides, please contact 3-1-1.

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Dale Hodges Park

The Nautilus Pond: This circular pond acts as the forebay for the stormwater quality management system. The pond will remove larger sediment from the stormwater.

Dale Hodges Park is the site of the serving member of council and he took former Klippert gravel pit. The City an active role in protecting and creating acquired the land to restore the Calgary’s green spaces while in office. ecological integrity of the area, while at the same time enhancing the Work has been done to improve the recreational and educational value of health of the park through the east side of Bowmont Park. naturalization. Native plant species were planted to enhance the sensitive Dale Hodges Park includes stormwater grassland habitat and improve this wetlands, wildlife habitat, trails for important wildlife corridor. cycling and walking, and lookout points across the scenic River Valley. This Through public and stakeholder project is a unique collaboration engagement, the City learned that between the City’s Parks, Water citizens did not want to see vehicle Resources and Public Art departments. access in the lower portion of the park. The park’s design includes a realigned regional pathway, bridges and Dale Hodges Park is an on-leash park. boardwalks. Citizens are directed to the adjacent Bowmont Park if they would like to Formerly known as East Bowmont Park, take their dog off-leash. Please respect the park is being dedicated to Dale this area and abide by on-leash bylaws. Hodges in recognition of his 30 years of As this is a natural area, we ask park service and his many contributions to users to stick to the designated the city. Mr. Hodges is Calgary’s longest pathways to help protect and preserve the land. 12 Polishing Marsh & Wet Meadow: Together, the polishing marsh and wet meadow will provide enhanced treatment of the stormwater by removing very fine particles of sediment that would not typically be removed by the Nautilus Pond. These areas will provide valuable marsh and wet meadow habitats for a variety of species.

Stormwater Treatment Journey Public Art: From Concept to Creation

Stormwater washes through our Participating as members of the communities from homes, yards and infrastructure design team, City of streets, collecting dirt, gravel and other Calgary WATERSHED+ lead artist team pollutants along the way. Stormwater Sans façon led the project design, treatment helps remove sediment, working alongside the engineers, fertilizer, pesticides and other landscape architects and consultants to pollutants as well as protecting our create a unique and engaging space for communities from flooding. As part of Calgarians to enjoy. The City’s Stormwater Quality Retrofit Program, the park’s public art features The design not only highlights the natural address the presence of major and man made processes involved in stormwater pipes that once carried stormwater management, it also helps untreated stormwater into the Bow facilitate stormwater treatment, an River from neighbouring communities, important step in helping us protect the including Varsity and Silver Springs. Bow River.

Functional design elements treat the Embedding artists on the infrastructure stormwater, transforming the journey design team is an innovative approach to into a visual experience that highlights public art project management. The and enhances the movement of collaborative design team included stormwater throughout the park. members from WATERSHED+, AECOM, O2 The stormwater treatment system is Planning + Design and Source2Source. estimated to reduce the annual sediment loads to the Bow River from Development of the park is a partnership this area by 50 per cent, helping to between Water, Parks and Public Art. protect our river system. Funding for the entire space is shared by all these work areas. 13

Q&A: Ward 1 Office

Please note that The City of Calgary protocol requests that before a councillor becomes involved in a service request, the citizen must first go through 311, as 311 effectively records requests and serves as a permanent record for the City.

Dear Ward 1, will be green, blue and black carts on the streets Unbelievable. I received a while there will be text from Transit Calgary attempts to clean them regarding a political ad from the gravel as well. for the United The ad that was displayed Conservative Party. This is on Teletext is alignment I hope you find a way to so stupid. How can The with the Canadian Ad alert the crews about this City promote any political Standards. conflict. party? Calgary Transit does Cleaning Conflict New Low realize that they could improve by making it Dear Cleaning Conflict, Dear New Low, more clear that they do not endorse or support I checked the City’s Transit has an advertising any of the ads displayed. website regarding what contract with several Calgary Transit is looking happens if street cleaning vendors to sell the ad at immediate ways to falls on garbage space on its vehicles, better identify ads in the collection day and found stations, bus benches and text application to make the following solution: digital platforms. this distinction clear for Advertising revenue helps customers. If you have front street offset the costs of collection, place your operating the transit Dear Ward 1, blue, black and green system. carts on the sidewalk or I just realized that the grass boulevard next to Any ad that is displayed street cleaning days and the curb on collection on Calgary Transit the garbage and recycling day. Once street cleaning property must adhere to collection days are on the is complete, you can put Canadian Ad standards. same day for my your carts out as normal

community. Thus, there Continue on next page 14

WARD 1 REPORT

Chief of Staff - Ralph Smith

Ralph is responsible for the investigation and resolution of resident complaints, and for community issues and concerns. If you have contacted 311 about a situation and are still not satisfied with the resolution, contact Ralph at [email protected] with the Service Request number and a brief summary of what transpired. Alternately, you may call him at (403) 268-2430. on collection day. and it did not indicate a reason or the field that If you have any other was the fault. concerns, please contact 311 so that you can be How many others have such as their community put in touch with the right attempted to make similar and contact information. department. contact but have been The inquiry is then sent to foiled by this system? the ward office’s general email address, which is Bad Form then forwarded to the appropriate staff member.

Dear Bad Form, Our office has discussed putting all staff email Thank you for your email. addresses on Councillor I have contacted our Sutherland’s website. We website department to found having one form that ask them to look into this is sent to our general email matter immediately. Our address is the most website coordinator fixed efficient for record keeping the error that was and to ensure the inquiry Dear Ward 1, preventing users from does go to the correct submitting an email. individual. Why do you utilize a form for contacting the The City of Calgary We apologize for the councillor rather than a implemented the form for inconvenience you faced general email address contacting city council. and appreciate the time system? For efficiency purposes, you took to inform us of the form requires this issue. Thank you for The first time I tried using residents to fill out your suggestions to this form on The City’s necessary information, improve our website it would not send communications. 15 Contact Ward 1

MAILING ADDRESS Ward Sutherland Office of the Councillors PO Box 2100 Stn M Mail Email: [email protected] Code: 8001 Phone: (403) 268-2430 Calgary, AB T2P 2M5 Website: Calgary.ca/ward1