City of Red Deer
Masks now required in all City facilities in Red Deer. City council to vote on remaining public spaces next week.
From The City of Red Deer
City Council will consider third reading of mandatory Mask Bylaw next Monday
The decision to proceed with first and second reading of a mandatory mask bylaw came after approximately seven hours of debate.
As part of tonight’s council meeting, City Council also approved a bylaw requiring face coverings in all City facilities in Red Deer. The Face Coverings Bylaw in Civic Facilities takes effect immediately with employees and patrons inside any City building, where services are provided to the public, required to wear a face covering unless they are within an office or cubicle. The key exceptions are those with medical conditions, when eating/drinking, when doing heavy labour, to name a few.
In addition, City Council endorsed the following recommendations that state The City of Red Deer will:
- advocate to the Government of Alberta that COVID-19 related health restrictions be applied at the regional level, if not province wide, in order to ensure greater consistency between proximal municipalities whose citizens are likely to travel to and from such municipalities and interact regularly.
- advocate to the Government of Alberta to request more timely and responsive communications regarding COVID-19 related data and announcements to municipalities, namely The City of Red Deer, prior to information being shared with the public.
- update Red Deer City Council on current COVID-19 status in the city of Red Deer; actions being taken to curb community transmission; and, progress on targeted communications within the community.
- increase communications and engagement with Red Deer citizens, businesses and the community as a whole.
In addition to consideration of a mask bylaw, the resolutions endorsed by City Council today focus on enhanced advocacy and communication with the Province of Alberta as The City works to protect the health and safety of not only Red Deerians, but citizens across the province.
The proposed mask bylaw includes the mandating of mandatory masking in all public places in Red Deer. The draft bylaw does not apply to several groups including children under nine, those who are disabled, and anyone eating/drinking, or engaging in heavy labour or physical fitness activities.
It applies to passengers in public vehicles, like taxis or rides for hire, but not to drivers where there is a barrier installed in the vehicle. Businesses affected by the bylaw are required to display signage. In an amendment to the draft, Council resolved to limit the bylaw’s application to only those public places with a capacity of 15 or more patrons. The fine for not wearing a mask in a public place is $50.
“The resolutions endorsed by City Council today will trigger further provincial advocacy on enhanced communication, and regional/provincial approaches to COVID-19 restrictions. These measures will ensure continuity in our region and across the province as we municipally work to support citizens, businesses and our community as a whole while this pandemic continues to evolve and affect us all,” said City Manager Allan Seabrooke.
For more information about COVID
City of Red Deer
City negotiating with owner of property under consideration for new homeless shelter
The following information is provided as an update related to the potential location for a future permanent shelter in Red Deer.
As you are likely already aware, The City of Red Deer continues to work with the Province of Alberta to site and plan for the development of a purpose-built integrated shelter in our community. This important work has been underway for many years, and our community is understandably frustrated that a location has not yet been identified, despite City Council’s commitment and focused efforts.
RECENT MILESTONES:
- May 9, 2023: A site was approved by Red Deer City Council to recommend to the Province of Alberta.
- June 26, 2023: The Province provided formal support for the City Council recommended site.
- September 2023: A Letter of Intent was signed between The City of Red Deer and property owner. This enables The City to negotiate and work with the landowner to determine the viability of the potential site. The letter also requires that confidentiality of the potential location be upheld.
After receiving support from the Province, City administration began exploring the provincially-supported site in more detail; this exploration is very preliminary as we work with the landowner to determine potential viability. With it being in the early in this process, The City is not prepared to disclose the location to protect the land negotiation process, any rezoning processes that might arise, and associated confidentiality per its agreement with a private landowner.
Selecting a future shelter site has been a difficult process in that we, at times, have had limited ability to share information with our community because of the nuances related to provincial and municipal roles and responsibilities for this project, private versus public land availability and negotiation, and our desire to engage the community and be as transparent as possible as we seek to find the right place for a shelter in our city.
While we know there is no one site that will alleviate concerns for those in the vicinity of a shelter, The City is working closely with the province to ensure a purpose-built space that will not only look different from what we have now but will meet the needs of everyone in our community, including businesses, citizens, and shelter users. This is a Province of Alberta project; however, The City of Red Deer is deeply invested in this work as we recognize the impact and importance for our community.
While we are not able to share specific information about the site currently being explored, we want people to know there are many steps in the process to build and develop a shelter site, which includes rezoning. A rezoning will require a public hearing component, giving the community further opportunities to have input if the currently recommended site proceeds.
Last week, City Council met to discuss next steps as they continue to work with the Province to find the right site. We want residents and citizens to know we are listening. We hear their concerns, and we will continue to listen, adjust, and share information that ensures we site a shelter that meets the needs of everyone in our community.
HotSpot has launched in Red Deer! If you’re visiting our downtown for work, attending an event, or supporting a downtown business, you’ll use HotSpot to pay for your parking.
Three ways to pay!
HotSpot mobile app
A free download for iPhone and Android users, the HotSpot app is the easiest way to manage daily parking sessions and monthly permits.
Download HotSpot:
Fast tap signs
Located throughout the downtown parking areas, fast tap signs allow payment through the HotSpot website with a quick scan code. You don’t need a HotSpot account to use the fast tap signs.
Pay stations
If you prefer not to use an app or website, 21 new pay stations will be available throughout downtown and hospital zones. Pay stations offer several payment options, including coins, credit cards, Interac tap, Apple Pay and Google Pay. SmartCard parking cards will also be accepted at the pay stations, but are no longer able to be reloaded and are no longer being sold. Pay stations are expected to be up and running in early October. Until they arrive, customers are encouraged to use the app and fast tap signs to pay for parking.
Pay Station and Parking Zone Map (pdf)
HotSpot app features By using the HotSpot mobile app to manage your parking, you can:
- Pay for parking
- Extend parking sessions
- Avoid tickets with auto-alerts
- Refund unused time
- Manage your monthly parking permit
More information
Review The City of Red Deer Parking Management Strategy (pdf).
Questions about downtown parking may be directed to The City’s Inspections & Licensing department at 403-342-8185 or [email protected].
The City of Red Deer thanks the Government of Alberta for supporting the Parking Infrastructure Improvement Project through Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding.
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