St Albert Real Estate Report
October 12th, 2011
Bill Holtby Fired By City Council, Mixed Reactions
There is mixed reaction over the firing of Bill Holtby from his ten year post as chief administrative officer. City council let him go this past Tuesday. Lorie Garritty, a former councillor, noted that Holtby was a key factor in St Albert experiencing an immense amount of growth during his tenure. On his watch several projects were completed, including the expansion of Ray Gibbons Drive, Servus Credit Union Place, Riel Recreation Park and the Enjoy Centre.
Holtby did take the bulk of the criticism for these somewhat controversial undertakings, but understood that the blame travels up. Garritty noted that the advice Holtby gave council was usually on target, even if that advice was not what those on the city boards wanted to hear. Holtby took over the position back when Richard Plain was mayor. The former mayor praised the former administrative officer’s accomplishments. Both Garritty and Plain were surprised at Holtby’s firing.
But Ivan Mayer had a difference of opinion and was pleased that Holtby got the axe. Mayer believed that Holtby was hindering development by blocking attempts to acquire land for industrial use. Holtby also opposed an attempt by Triple Five Corporation to put in services on land owned north of St. Albert. Council approved the services anyway. Mayer suspects that the firing was the direct result of Holtby’s role in the firing of Larry Horncastle, the former travel and business director. Horncastle was well liked in the business community which ultimately influenced the city to act.
St Albert Homes Report
July 19th, 2011
St Albert to Use Hybrid Census in 2012
St Albert considered using a full online census for the city’s count next year, but decided to keep using the combination online/door to door system that it employs now. The first time it was used, last year, they got a near 40 percent response. Mayor Nolan Crouse was interested in switching from the hybrid system to full online, but the city administration thought the response numbers wouldn’t be high enough to please the government of Alberta.
City fathers looked into other cities that use online census and found the average response rate is 50 percent. The government requires a 99 percent response rate. Last year St Albert used the online census for two weeks, and sent census takers door to door to those that did not respond. The mayor wants to extend that online window to four or five weeks when time comes around to do the 2012 census. Seeing the numbers Crouse agreed that 100 percent online census taking was not practical, at least not for now.
The advantage of online census is that people can fill out the form anytime in the privacy of their home, rather than being interviewed. But the census takers help the city get the most accurate count possible.
St Albert Property Report
May 12th, 2011
Hemingway Centre May Get Upgrade for RCMP Move-In
The old police headquarters in Hemingway Centre has been empty for ten years. St Albert’s city council is considering authorizing $2 million to renovate the building so the RCMP detachment could move in. They have presently outgrown their current location and are looking for space to act as a satellite office. The initial idea was to buy office space in the Campbell Business Park, but the city council decided to look into the renovations instead.
If approved the refit will be done in 2012 and will be large enough to be useful for between three to five years from the time the RCMP move in. Coun Roger Lemieux, who presented the motion, believes this will solve the short term space needs of the RCMP and at the same time put an aging, underused building to use. At the end of those three to five years the city and the police will have a better idea of what is needed long term.
Nolan Crouse, the Mayor is not in favor of the renovation, citing that various groups that currently use the space believe the office building is fine the way it is. Spending that type of cash would be a waste. He had support from both Couns Len Brako and Cathy Heron. The latter noted that the police needed the space now, not two years from now.
But Couns Wes Broadhead, Cam McKay and Malcolm Parker were in favor of the renovations. The building, if spruced up, could be a valuable long-term asset. The vote was 4 to 3 in favour of putting the motion up for consideration for the 2012 budget. It must meet final approval at the next council meeting.
St Albert Real Estate Report
May 3rd, 2011
St Albert Council Hold off on Habitat for Humanity Grant
The administration in St Albert had recommended that Habitat for Humanity be granted a $515,000 grant towards their project at Aurora Place. But, city council is sitting on the funding pending input from community groups. At the same time council added funding for items such as rent subsidies and basement suite conversions. The latter would take about half of the $930,000 provincial grant.
The grant to Habitat for Humanity was heavily criticized by David McGreer, chairman of the St Albert Housing Society. McGreer doesn’t believe granting that money would increase the city’s stock of affordable housing, since the 30 unit Aurora Place project was already in the works. Bill Holtby, city manager, advised that contributing the funds would help Habitat get the project completed sooner.
The Housing Society was also critical about the contribution to the basement suites. This allows $10,000 for suite owners to bring their units up to code, and $15,000 to people wanting to create new suites. McGreer advises that this only creates housing at market rates, not affordable ones.
Part of the irritation may come from the fact that the Housing Society had been trying to get its own affordable housing project, Big Lake Pointe, off the ground. The 96 units are located on land in North Ridge, purchased by the city for $2.3 million. It was denied a provincial grant. The Sturgeon Foundation was also unable to come up with funding, and with that, the city put the $660,000 earmarked for Big Lake Pointe into other projects. If funding cannot be found, the city would retain the land. Meanwhile both the Housing Society and the Sturgeon Foundation are re-applying for provincial grants.
St Albert Homes Report
April 19th, 2011
Speed Dating Finds Place in Politics
The St Albert Library hosted a meeting between the candidates running in the upcoming election and the public and it took an unusual format. Rather than the usual speeches and questions, the roughly 45 people that showed up were separated into four groups. Each group had ten minutes of face time with each of the candidates. Then quick as a bunny, they jumped to the next candidate. Group candidate speed dating, at your service. The subjects discussed were varied and not surprising.
Brian LaBelle, who is running on the NDP ticket, fielded questions about the oilsands, particularly about oil subsidies. He stressed that those subsidies were coming out of taxpayer money and going into the oil company pockets. No extra jobs are being created. LaBelle would rather see the money going toward research for renewable energy, which would provide jobs in a new industry. The subject of the shortage of doctors came up. LaBelle wants to attract doctors back to Canada, perhaps by forgiving student loans.
Brent Rathgeber, Conservative, was asked about Canada’s role in Afghanistan. This candidate advised that Canada will be switching to a behind the front line training mission starting in July. It is not as dangerous as being on the front lines. Peter Johnson from the Green party was asked about legalizing marijuana. Johnson’s response is that the war on drugs isn’t working, so legalize the substance so it can be taxed and regulated.
Liberal Kevin Taron wants to see more interaction between representatives and the public and his party wants to set up an online Question Period. Also asked was what would happen if Canada ended up with a minority government again. Conservative Rathgeber advised there would either be a Conservative majority with Harper at the head, or a coalition of the rest of parliament with Ignatieff leading.
St Albert Property Report
April 2nd, 2011
MLA Sherman Engages Senior Audience on Health Care
Speaking to large group of senior citizens, Raj Sherman delivered a “prescription” for Alberta’s troubled healthcare system. Sherman, an Independent MLA, spoke March 29 at a meeting held by Seniors United Now (SUN). In his message, he advised that family doctoring, preventive medicine and investing in older citizens are easy fixes to today’s healthcare problems.
Sherman is an emergency room doctor who was ejected by the Tory caucus last year for his vocal critiques of how the government currently deals with healthcare. He told the SUN group he wanted to disregard politics in his talk with them, but wanted to present evidence. However, he poked at the Ed Stelmach administration a number of times during his comments.
Having worked in urban emergency room facilities for 18 years, Sherman compared ER problems to the issues that face the public in general. He said that conditions such as lack of health insurance, illiteracy, homelessness, addiction and domestic violence are making emergency rooms congested. Although younger people make up a large portion of ER patients, senior citizens often have specific and urgent health needs, he mentioned.
Sherman said that home care is a significant remedy for many of the challenges that seniors face. He added that investments should be made in other areas, including rehab, palliative care and sub-acute care. He predicted that better healthcare in these fields would reduce the number of people waiting in emergency rooms.
The MLA generated controversy in his contention that hundreds of Canadians died while awaiting treatment in the ER, and that a cover-up ensued. Upon learning of Sherman’s comments, the Health Quality Council of Alberta has been asked by the government to have an independent study conducted regarding the allegations.
St Albert Real Estate Report
March 23rd, 2011
Parcel of Fort McMurray Airport Land Up For Lease
Fort McMurray’s small, crowded airport is getting a much needed facelift. Actually that facelift is an entirely new airport with three jet-ways, eight gates and a terminal costing some $198 million. The Fort McMurray Airport Authority discovered it had some 46 acres left over so it is opening it up for lease for a 40 year term.
The land borders the Airport Industrial Park to the west and the air-side fence sits on its northern end. Range Road 83 brings up the east. The federal government used to own the property but it has already been turned over to the airport authority. Since it is part of the land previously allotted for airport development, the acreage is already properly zoned. Ken Williamson from the Colliers International real estate firm says this is a rare bit of land in the Fort McMurray area.
The land will be leased in total, either to a developer or a major tenant that wants to sublease out smaller parts. Because of the location, rather out of the way and with little through traffic, it would be more suitable for warehouses, small manufacturing outlets or service companies. The deadline for interested parties to submit a letter of interest is March 31st.
St Albert Homes Report
February 28th, 2011
Schools and Ray Gibbon Drive Project Hard Hit by New Budget
The provincial budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year allowed a $257 million increase for schools. Since 4.4 percent of that went to contracted teacher’s salaries, the Alberta School Board Association is concerned with the cutting of certain projects. Jacquie Hansen, the organization’s president noted that the worst cut would go to the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement. This program would take a $40 million hit and would hinder some programs that deal with literacy, math and technology. The cuts could also lead to staff cuts.
Also off the table are any new schools being built in the coming year, other than those already approved by the province. The population is growing, and with that comes an increase in the number of children needing an education. Currently some classes are being held in church basements or other empty spaces.
No money was included in the budget for Ray Gibbon Drive. St Albert was looking for $43 million to finish the final stage of this project. Mayor Nolan Crouse will bring it up at the next council meeting and then approaching the provincial minister for the funds. The province owes the city for building the first two stages, with only about a third of the bill being paid.
St Albert Property Report
February 18th, 2011
St. Albert’s Council Releases Its Priority To-Do List
St. Albert’s City Council sat down and put together its priority wish list. It is a five page document and covers such items as economic development, council governance, environmental issues, infrastructure, social, health and safety land use planning and the celebration of the city’s 150th anniversary.
Under economic development issues, the intent is to attract more businesses and visitors to St. Albert. This includes the building of a light industrial park and continued work on the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan. This leads into the land use issue, where council wants to study how to use the available undeveloped areas. They also want to eliminate the phrase “smart growth” from any development policies. The intent is to combine high density areas with low density ones.
Health and safety includes a concerted effort to attract a physician to the area. Under the social priorities heading are the creation of recreational venues throughout the city, with easy access to all residents. Social and cultural organizations will also be explored.
Also on the list is the finishing of the third stage of Ray Gibbon Drive as well as the second stage of Riel Park. The creation of Lois Hole Centennial Park, the environmental protection of the Sturgeon River and installing an air quality monitor are also priorities.
St Albert Real Estate Report
January 10th, 2011
St. Albert Says No Thanks to Guinness, Yes to Old Fashioned Family Picnic
St. Albert was in the hunt for a Guinness World Record but things just got a little too expensive. The town was aiming to break the record for the world’s largest picnic by gathering 25,000 people along the banks of the Sturgeon River on August 28th 2011. The record holders are in Lisbon, Portugal which managed to gather 22,232 people on June 20th 2009. The picnic, which will still go ahead as part of St. Albert’s 150th Anniversary celebration, will now be much smaller.
The problem came about when the Rendezvous 2011 committee discovered that the record number was that 22,232 rather than the 8,000 listed on the Guinness website, after the licensing fee was sent. Another issue was a change in rules after the fee was paid. The committee had received an information packet and even though the rules were a bit sketchy, it looked doable. But, once again, after the fees were paid, another set of instruction came out outlining the roping off of the area and the required number of overseers, not connected with the celebration that had to be involved in the counting and verification process. Lisbon had hired their observers. St. Albert did not have room for that in the celebration budget.
The record attempt was scrapped. The picnic will now be a fun family celebration without all the rules, restrictions and headaches of trying to claim a world record. The planning committee has to try to get back the $8,000 it already sent for a license that allowed use of the Guinness brand name. The request letter has been sent but so far no reply.
St Albert Homes Report
December 16th, 2010
New Deputy Commander in Afghanistan is St. Albert Resident
Brigadier General Andre Corbould has just taken over a very big job in Afghanistan. The American Gen. James L. Terry, commander of that country’s 10th Mountain Division wanted a Canadian leader to fill the roll of the Regional Command South’s deputy commander. He asked if Corbould was interested. Turns out he was.
The St. Albert resident was a squadron commander with the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment from 1996 until 1999. After a four year assignment elsewhere, he returned in 2003 to command the same regiment. In 2003 Corbould was deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, helping the Foreign Affairs office put the Canadian embassy to rights. The second stint was in 2006 as part of the Combined Forces. This current assignment is tour number three.
Originally Corbould was from Bella Coola in British Columbia. His family ran a fishing resort in that northern B.C. town. St. Albert, which he now considers home, appeals to his family’s outdoor loving nature. The various parks and nature trails get frequent use from the entire family. His sons are already mini-entrepreneurs, delivering the Gazette to the neighbourhoods. St. Albert is also very multicultural and welcoming of the military and Corbould is very appreciative that the town stands by the troops.
The St Albert Property Report
November 29th, 2010
Alberta Looking at a $5 Billion Provincial Deficit
Alberta’s deficit is set to reach the $5 billion mark, thanks to an expected increase from the 2010/2011 budget. The government will have to continue drawing money from the sustainability fund to cover expenses. Ted Morton, the Finance Minister announced the situation this past Monday while reviewing an update of this year’s second quarter numbers.
Morton cites several reasons for the deficit, including the high Canadian dollar, falling natural gas prices, an iffy stock market and the slow economic recovery in the United States. Baring any more surprises, Morton thinks Alberta will be out of the red by the 2012/2013 budget year.
Even though Alberta’s economy has slowed, it is in better shape than most of Canada’s other provinces. Globally, the economy is in turmoil, and since Alberta has primarily an export economy, what happens in other countries affects the province’s economic viability.
The expected revenue for 2010/2011 is expected to reach $34.1 billion, which is $127 million higher than what is in the budget. Land lease sales, corporate taxes and federal transfers helped boost that figure. But that total doesn’t make up for lower personal tax revenue, less investment income and increased drilling costs. Morton believes that Alberta is in good enough financial shape to get through the uncertain times. He is also against turning the annual deficit into a long-term debt, something that was done in the 1980s and 1990s. Cost cutting is the smart way to go.
The St Albert Real Estate Report
November 18th, 2010
Improvements to Workplace Safety Slow and Steady
The Alberta government and the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) both released recent workplace safety initiatives, showing that while their goals may be the same, their paths to get there are not.
The government’s initiatives included adding eight workplace health and safety investigators, a new program to analyze occupational diseases and a new method for family input into workplace health and safety prosecutions.
AFL’s plan requested mandatory health and safety committees at worksites and businesses, fines for safety violations, more occupational health and safety officers and more resources for prosecutions. The requested committees would include regular meetings of employees and employers to discuss safety concerns.
AFL President Gil McGowan said the regulations are important to establish before the economy rebounds and workers flood in during the next boom.
Employment and Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk said the government is looking at similar proposals in a roundtable discussion. Lukaszuk said without input from employers, safety associations and labour unions, enforcing any rules would be a struggle.
While McGowan is happy with the actions Lukaszuk has taken, McGowan said the new investigators aren’t enough. Lukaszuk said he was happy to have AFL’s outline, but will continue working with different groups to brainstorm changes to the system that will work for all parties.
The St Albert Homes Report
November 4th, 2010
Second Term Mayor Nolan Crouse Looks At Affordable Housing Issue
Nolan Crouse is wondering if the need for affordable housing in St. Albert has been exaggerated. As he begins his second mayoral term, that was one of the topics broached at an editorial board meeting. The other hot topics were spending and better communication between citizens and government representatives, on all levels.
The question of the homeless issue arose from the fact that only ten families have applied for housing at the North Ridge affordable housing project, being built by Habitat for Humanity. The Chateau Mission Court, an affordable senior complex, also only has a waiting list with ten people. The Rosedale Senior Complex was populated by people outside of St. Albert city limits.
The city has already committed to the Big Lake Pointe project and has purchased land to the tune of $2.3 million. The St. Albert Affordable Housing Society is planning on building a 96 unit low income apartment complex, and has already applied for provincial money on their end. Another possible project is 70 Arlington. The question is whether the spending on such developments is warranted.
One way for St. Albert to bring in some much needed money to fund these and other projects is to increase the commercial and industrial development. These types of tenants, say an industrial park, typically bring in more tax dollars than residential areas. Two projects that are currently on the table for 2011 are Avenir and St. Albert Sports City, developments that combine residential, recreational and environmentally friendly businesses. Whether they get off the table or not has yet to be determined.
The St Albert Property Report
October 19th, 2010
Citizens Look to Griesbach for Answers
With the debate over what to do with Edmonton’s 216-hectare airport land, many are looking at the refurbished Griesbach military base for answers.
The 251-hectare plot of land, west of 97 Street and north of 137 Avenue, has turned from an aging, and potentially dangerous, base to a new suburb in Edmonton’s core. Private builders and Strategic Acquisitions for Canada Lands recycled 110,000 tonnes of concrete, retrofitted or rebuilt original married quarters, preserved mature trees and redrew road alignments. They even cleaned away PCBs, asbestos, diesel and oil.
Now, the site boasts senior residences, townhouses, low rise apartment buildings, duplexes, single family homes, even a manmade lake. Homes range from $300,000 to $1 million. Canada Lands, the Crown corporation responsible, said the goal for Griesbach was to develop a European-style subdivision where people could walk to grocery stores and schools, and get to know their neighbours.
About 5,400 people call the subdivision home and produce $1.6 million in taxes; an estimated 14,000 people could call Griesbach home. Edmonton Public Schools and Alberta are rebuilding a K-9 school campus that will accommodate 650 students.
For many, Griesbach is a model of success, but it still gives Edmontonians much to think about regarding the potential redevelopment of City Centre airport into another subdivision. There are issues of costs, market room and space projections—the plan estimates 30,000 residents could call the redevelopment home—and the question of what residents want is forefront in many minds.
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