city council

A black oscillating sprinkler is watering a green lawn.

City-wide water metering in the works for Revelstoke

February 26, 2024 by Melissa Jameson

City of Revelstoke is introducing city-wide water metering in an effort to reduce water use.

The city says it is regularly asked to act in a more environmentally friendly way. Water meters are a step towards this, and also provide a more equitable method of paying based on use.

At its regular meeting on February 13, 2024 Revelstoke city council approved a recommendation from the public infrastructure committee for staff prepare a report on implementing a city wide water metering program.

The city’s director of engineering Steve Black said recommendation for the metering program came due to water restrictions put in place last year. Water meters were identified in the city’s 2022 Water Master Plan as being useful for “reducing water consumption as well as providing environmental benefit.”

Revelstoke remains under year-round watering restrictions.

Councillors sit in a row behind the rounded wooden desks in city hall.

City falls short of Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction target

January 13, 2024 by Christena Lawrie

At the city council meeting this week, councilors were presented with the 2022 Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory, which revealed that the City fell short of the 2022 GHG emissions reduction target.

The City made the goal to reduce emissions by 15 per cent from 2018 in 2022. Corporate GHG emissions totalled 22,079 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022, representing an 8 per cent reduction.

Three members of environmental organization 350 Kingston took the podium to speak to the report, explaining some of the ways in which Kingston is lacking, urging the City to set higher goals and take the necessary steps.

“The City’s failure to reach its 15 per cent emissions reductions target is extremely worrying,” said Gavin Hutchison with 350 Kingston, “We’ve all seen the dangerous, even deadly effects of the increasing climate crisis.”

Council discussed the report: councilors were eager to seek ways to reduce the City’s emissions, take stock of what is working, and reach beyond the numbers presented.

The Alberta Legislature from the front, a tree sits in the photo too. The Alberta flag waves on top of the building. Weather is partly cloudy.

Alberta government dismisses Chestermere city officials

December 6, 2023 by Ryan Hunt

The Alberta government has fired Chestermere’s mayor, half of city council, and all city CAOs after alleged improper and irregular governance of the city dating back to 2022.

Former Mayor Jeff Colvin, Coun. Mel Foat, Coun. Blaine Funk, Coun. Stephen Hanley and the three CAOs were sent a notice of dismissal by Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver on Monday morning, saying their termination was effective immediately.

After concerns from residents about how city council was being managed, the Minister of Municipal Affairs ordered a municipal inspection in May 2022. After the independent investigation wrapped up in September 2022, the provincial government found that the City of Chestermere “was being managed in an irregular, improper and improvident manner.” An official administrator, Douglas Lagore, was appointed to supervise the municipality and its council. The official report can be read here.

On March 15, 2023, the minister issued 12 binding directives, requiring the City to take action to address key areas of concern. According to the provincial government, the City failed to do so, and an issue of concern was sent to all seven council members, as well as all three CAOs, on Oct. 18, 2023. After not seeing much change, according to Minister McIver, the notices of termination were sent on Dec. 4.

Douglas Lagore and an interim CAO are in place to oversee Chestermere’s governance and operations. An independent accounting firm will undertake a financial review of the City of Chestermere, and a byelection will be held in 2024 to fill the rest of city council. The remaining councilors, Coun. Shannon Dean, Coun. Sandy Johal-Watt, and Coun. Ritesh Narayan will hold their positions but will have no role in the governance of the city until the byelection is complete.

City-wide water metering in the works for Revelstoke

City falls short of Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction target

Alberta government dismisses Chestermere city officials

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