City of Airdrie council reviewed and supported the submission of three resolutions for consideration at the 2023 Alberta Municipalities (ABMunis) Convention, out of 25 submissions.
The first resolution is enhanced funding for rent assistance and temporary rent assistance benefits, which would have ABMunis advocate to the province to establish predictable, long-term rent assistance funding to meet the needs of all low-income Albertans.The resolution also increases awareness of rent assistance programs and simplifies the application process. See related story on Page 3.
The second resolution is provincial funding for growing municipalities, which would provide advocacy for the Government of Alberta to actively partner with municipalities absorbing the population growth required to support a vibrant, diverse and thriving provincial economy through the creation of a dedicated funding program to support the capital investment pressures of growth.
“Airdrie is the fastest growing City in all of Alberta and amongst the top 25 nationally,” said City of Airdrie administration to council. “High growth rates encouraged by the province’s Alberta is Calling campaign, require large infrastructure investments to ensure community viability.”
This resolution is a response to the government’s transition from the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) to the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) in 2024-25, which will result in a 37 per cent decrease in total dedicated capital funding to municipalities. This translates to a funding reduction in Airdrie of approximately $3 to 4 million.
The final resolution, the review of vehicle collision reporting damage threshold, would provide advocacy for the Government of Alberta to engage stakeholders and review the $2,000 collision reporting damage threshold to reflect current repair costs, while reducing red tape and administrative work for municipal police departments.
This resolution is a response to vehicle repair costs increasing substantially and requiring a damage sticker before repairs can begin.
Airdrie city council also supported seconding two resolutions, including; provincial lending rates to municipalities; and capital budget disclosures negatively impacting procurement processes.
Mayor Brown, Coun. Tina Petrow and Coun. Heather Spearman will be attending the 2023 ABMunis Convention and will be participating in the resolutions session on Sept. 28.
These members will have the opportunity to introduce the three supported resolutions and to speak in favour of the two resolutions seconded by Airdrie city council.
ABMunis advocates on behalf of its members to both the provincial and federal governments on key issues affecting municipalities in Alberta.
The annual resolution process allows municipalities to submit a resolution in the spring on a municipal issue, or opportunity that they deem important, outlining specific actions that need to be taken to resolve the priority matter.
Each resolution goes through extensive reviews, and once finalized are gathered in a Resolutions Book shared with all municipalities.
At the annual convention, Airdrie city council voting members can support any resolutions as presented, can propose an amendment, or can choose to speak to why they do not support a resolution.
