City council voted to keep seniors’ fees at Genesis Place at the current rate, July 4.
On March 7, council directed staff to review the drop-in fee for seniors at the facility. Staff determined that in 2010, Airdrie’s fees of $6.50 are “in the middle of the road” compared to other similar facilities in Calgary.
“In the past five years in Airdrie, the fees for senior drop-in rates have only gone up by $1.25,” said Brook Swanson, customer service team leader with the City.
“Our rate is 37 per cent of the adult rate and that is above average compared to other facilities in Alberta. The average is about 30 per cent.”
According to Swanson, City administration sets fees based on market comparisons of similar facilities and programs across Alberta, inflation that impact operating costs such as utilities and operating recovery performance.
Seniors who cannot afford the rate may be eligible for a further 50 per cent discount.
“I’m wondering if 50 per cent is the lowest we can go,” said Alderman Allan Hunter.
“If people on a fixed income can’t even afford that, is there any way to get access for them? We are helping out the middle of the pack but that’s not who I am concerned with. It’s a matter of health and fitness. We shouldn’t exclude people because they can’t afford $3.25.”
Greg Lockert, manager of Genesis Place, said there is no program that helps those people in Airdrie but help is available through the Calgary Health Region’s Living Well Program.
“Where do we draw the line?” asked Alderman Glenda Alexander.
“There are families who can’t afford this either. It’s not just seniors and veterans that can’t afford that. There are lots of people. There is a sufficient amount of funding and programs available for them. I don’t think we need to look at fees again at this time.”
Council also passed a motion to create a veterans’ rate for Genesis Place, at the same price as a seniors’ drop-in rate.
“This is a positive way of honouring our veterans,” said Swanson.
Hunter voted against the veterans’ rate, saying they should get to use the facility for free.
“I support a veterans’ rate of 100 per cent discount,” he said.
“Let’s walk the walk. If they are willing to take a bullet for us, this is small stuff.”
The discount will be available to all veterans who can provide a Veteran Health Identification Card or other identification stating veteran status. The veterans’ rate is only applicable for the veteran on a drop-in basis, not a family, monthly or annual pass.
City council voted down a motion to make it optional for developers to build fences on property lines that back onto each other.
Citing arguments between neighbours and unsightly or dangerous fencing, council voted down the staff suggestion in the technical standards review.
“This was tabled last meeting for a reason,” said Alderman Ron Chapman.
“I do not support this. It’s going to be a nightmare. I don’t believe fences will be built the way they need to be if they are not inspected.”
Staff recommended the change because of the time and effort it takes employees to inspect the developer-built fences, which are not a City asset.
Alderman Murray Buchanan agreed with Chapman.
“I have a concern with looking at a community and seeing a mish-mash of fences. It reduces the friction with neighbours when there is a consistent fence. I think this is something that should be left the way it is.”
Council approved three other technical standard changes including an increase in the minimum pavement structure that would allow for the use of recyclable materials and higher quality aggregate, mandatory use of water meters by developers and deflection testing – cutting down the testing of sewer pipe from two inspections to one.
Council approved the use of $150,000 from the developer cash-in-lieu account for the design and construction of a pathway and ditch improvements on 8th Street north of Veterans Boulevard.
“The pathway and ditch improvements are being requested to accommodate the level of development and homeowner occupancy within the multi-family site adjacent to the west side of 8th Street,” said Bob Neale, team leader of engineering services.
“The results of the improvements will provide access to pedestrians and correct existing drainage issues at the interface of the north end of the City and Rocky View County lands.”
Buchanan said he was in favour of the project because the money is coming from the builders’ reserve.
“If we want to be a pedestrian-friendly community and lower our footprint, this is something we should support,” he said.
Mayor Peter Brown agreed.
“It looks fantastic over there as it is and this will make it even better,” he said.
