News and Views, by Anne Burke

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1 News and Views, by Anne Burke Fluorescent Signs and Speed Bumps for School Zones There was a discussion between the City General Manager and Council about possibly replacing the signs on playgrounds areas and cross walks with bright green and yellow reflective fluorescent signs. A Councillor asked "Has there been any progress?" Currently, more than one community is in need of those new signs. Furthermore, is it possible to place speed bumps in front of school zones, in order to help slow down drivers near crosswalks? The General Manager, City Transportation, reported that the Transportation Association of Canada has approved new fluorescent reflective materials as the national pilot standard. He stated that City staff are attempting to balance the introduction of the new materials in school zone signs and not to waste public money. The new fluorescent reflective materials will be bought and introduced over time but the department will also be using the approved materials that the City currently has. About speed bumps in front of schools, the General Manager explained that typically streets in front- and around- schools are collector roads, so the City must be careful about installing speed bumps. This is part of a larger review of The City s 10-year-old Traffic Calming Policy, a project on which City staff are currently working. He concluded by stating that Administration is working to update the Policy to determine what was- and was not- effective and a report to Council will be provided soon. Timeline on the Construction of the West Ring Road Construction of the SW Ring Road has started. The City has been studying downstream impacts of the project on communities in the area since When will the West Ring Road be announced, since it will impact the transportation grid in the SW quadrant, in 5 years, when the SW Ring Road is completed. A City Councillor asked "Is there an estimated announcement date for when construction of the West Ring Road must start to avoid serious safety and transportation network challenges?" The General Manager, of Transportation, confirmed that there are capacity issues on Sarcee Trail and City planners have forecasted that it will worsen once the SW Ring Road opens. It was first thought that the West Ring Road will be announced about a year after the SW Ring Road. However, the Provincial Government is reconsidering that proposal and there is no longer any idea of when a decision might be made. The General Manager said that he does not expect an indication of a timeline until the spring of 2017.

2 School Site Safety Review Since 2013, the City reviewed plans for 33 new school sites. A steering committee was formed with representatives from City departments, school boards, the provincial government, and Calgary Police Service. Some programs included Community Traffic Calming, Traffic Safety, and coordinating Planning Applications during the development review process. In addition to receiving a report for information, the Council Committee on Transportation and Transit made recommendations. City staff will: 1. continue working through existing programs to help with school traffic safety concerns; 2. host briefing sessions for City planning staff involved in the review of new school sites and for industry developers interested in the report findings; and 3. make available a toolkit for schools and community associations to use in addressing various traffic safety reviews at schools, no later than mid The proposals will be sent to City Council. NW Truck Route Changes There was a Council notice of motion to establish restrictions on Shaganappi Trail that would prohibit truck traffic on weekends, from Friday at 6:00PM until Monday at 6:00 AM. Industry members of the Truck Route Committee opposed the changes. City planners prepared a report on 2016 traffic volume, incident/accident data, and a sound level study for Shaganappi Trail NW, between 144 Ave. NW and Stoney Trail. The Council Committee on Transportation and Transit recommended that: 1. Council receive this Report for information; 2. City staff will carry out an in-house safety review of this section of Shaganappi Trail, and make any changes there can be within existing resources; and 3. The affected location in the community of Sherwood, where traffic noise levels are above the recommended level, will be submitted as a candidate for the Noise Barrier Retrofit Program for a future sound wall. The three proposals were forwarded to City Council.

3 Seniors Report Update A report to the Council Committee on Community Services was an update on the seniors age-friendly strategy (which is on schedule) and evaluation of outcomes is underway. The 6 key areas are: Access to information and services Community support and health Housing Participation and inclusion Prevention and response to elder abuse Transportation and mobility. Future updates are expected for mid-2017 and the end of the year. There is also a plan to conduct a telephone survey in January 2017 and again in For more information go to: www calgary.ca/agefriendly. The Committee recommended that Council ask City staff to report back through the Council Committee on Transportation and Transit, about Calgary Transit s Review of seniors fares in mid-2018, and undertake further engagement with seniors. Meanwhile, Calgary Transit again extends free ridership as a courtesy to all veterans and serving members of the Canadian Forces on Remembrance Day. We invite all of our RCA members to a FUN and FREE Kids Halloween Party! Date: Saturday, October 29th Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Cost: FREE to all current membership holders This event is geared for little ghosts and goblins aged 2-10 years old. We will have Halloween games, crafts and a special treat! Dressing up is strongly encouraged! In order for this event to run smoothly we are also looking for VOLUNTEERS to help run games, crafts and with clean-up! The time commitment would be from 12:30-4:00. (This is a great opportunity for the Teens in your house to get involved with our community!) If you have any questions about the event or can volunteer, please reply to this or call our office at ! Kimberley Kelly Director of Events

4 Event Planning Committee Meeting Thursday, September 29th 7:00 p.m. Boardroom at Ranchlands Community Association We are looking for community members to be a part of a committee to help bring great events for all ages to our community! The agenda for the 1st meeting will be: 1. Event brainstorming for the 2017 year 2. Planning and ideas for upcoming 2016 events which include Oktoberfest, Kids Halloween Party and Kids Christmas Party If you are interested in being a part of this committee, please ranchlandscommunity@outlook.com to RSVP Kimberley Kelly Events Director On Sunday, November 13, 2016, the Ranchlands Mosque will welcome Calgarians for the Our House is Your House event. The Islamic Association of NW Calgary will provide multicultural food from around the world during the event that will encourage healthy dialogue and allow non- Muslims an opportunity to experience the religious activities that occur within Islamic Centres. On Saturday morning, October 15, 2016, one of the organization s members discovered the exterior of the mosque, located at Ranchlands Plaza in the 7700 block of Ranchview Drive NW, had been vandalized. In an attempt to deter future incidents, the group has installed security cameras outside the Ranchlands facility. For video go to CTV News: There is also a press release which follows from

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6 Please explore our mapping program to learn more about your neighbourhood and to become an active participant in keeping Calgary safe. And remember to inform police about any suspicious activity occurring in your community. You can actively participate in solving crime in your city by contacting police at the numbers listed below: Crime Stoppers: Calgary Police Service: Emergencies: 911

7 Community Study A City Council initiative asks: Why are Community Association (CA) sites three to four acres in size but vacant for so many years? Are CA sites still viable, when Residents Associations (RAs) are in the same community? Why not amalgamate them? If there are multiple RAs in one community, would amalgamation be more difficult? Are RAs legally entitled to be on designated CA sites and/or public lands? Should CA facilities be shared with other public facilities or uses (for example, fire halls, daycares, medical services) rather than as stand alone, single-function buildings? Should CAs or RAs have an official voice in City decisions related to planning and development? The history of CAs and RAs will provide a basis for an evaluation of what the City of Calgary has provided by policy or done in practice. Their respective roles in community-building will be studied, especially a comparison made between new and established communities. A review of the current state will include but not be limited to an assessment of what has been accomplished, as well as what was provided to the organizations, in terms of facility, land, environmental impacts. A decision will be made about which should have input about planning and development; whether both deserve an official voice and, if so, what is required to best represent Calgary s communities on issues related to land, facilities, and recreation. The roles and responsibilities of these organizations in relation to the City and the residents of Calgary communities will be defined and address any gaps in service. A scan of best practices in other jurisdictions, with lessons learned, and principles will be part of the framework for research. Community programming and service delivery may be integrated with other city facilities. A governance model for implementation will be proposed. A report to the Council Committee on Community and Protective Services is due by June 01, 2016, with the Terms of Reference for a steering committee, an

8 engagement plan, work plan, and timeline. The City, industry, Federation of Calgary Communities, RAs, and the University of Calgary are the stakeholder groups. Most of the 10% Municipal Reserve dedication, as part of the subdivision process, is for local park needs, joint use (City and Schools), and for community association halls. To ensure public access to open space lands the City acquires such lands also through direct purchase. New Task Force on Community A community representation framework is underway. A task force to ensure complete communities will offer advice to City Council on how organized community groups offer input on community building through all stages of a community, whether new or established. There will be discussion among Council members, delegates from stakeholder groups, such as community associations, homeowners or resident associations, and the University of Calgary. City staff from community services and planning & development will keep the minutes and report to the task force Chair. The advisory task force of 13 members appointed at the October 2016 organizational Council meeting will report through the Council Committee on Community and Protective Services. There is a Code of Conduct but generally discussions at the bi-monthly meetings are not confidential. The mandate of the task force is 2 years, after which it will be dissolved. The draft terms of reference follow.

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13 There are some new City Charters on their way for Calgary and Edmonton. Go to: and

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