By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

CITY GIVES COVID-19 UPDATE

City of Red Deer offering deferral on utilities, free parking downtown

Mar 19, 2020 | 7:13 PM

The City of Red Deer is introducing new economic measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residential, farm, and small commercial customers can now defer payments for water, sewer and waste utility bills for the next 90 days. No penalties will be applied.

“The City of Red Deer is aware that for many of our residents, the COVID-19 situation is causing them financial stress,” says Karen Mann, director of emergency management. “As a number of measures are being unrolled by the federal and provincial governments, there may still be a period of time where residents are unable to make their utility payments to the City on time. So to reduce stress, and to provide temporary relief, the City is offering a 90-day deferral.”

Residents who wish to defer, but have automatic payments, will need to call 403-342-8111 to arrange deferrals. The City will also work with each person who takes advantage of this to create a payment plan that works for them at the end of the 90 days.

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Mayor Tara Veer noted there have also been discussions about deferral of property tax payments, though a decision on that will take longer.

Meantime, parking downtown will also be free, until further notice. This includes metered parking and daily lots, as well as parking on 52 Avenue next to the hospital

“We would like people to stay home and isolate, however we recognize there are people in our community, whether they’re working for the municipality or own a small business that is still operating, they’re attending counselling services, or whatever it may be, they are coming and going from downtown, or from the hospital,” says Tara Shand, Public Information Officer. “At this time we have suspended those fees recognizing that people have enough on their plate and we don’t want to add any undue stress to them right now. It’s a very small thing that hopefully minimizes that stress.”

Additionally, the City has made significant progress in addressing the need for more shelter space.

A new temporary space is opening Friday at Cannery Row (4946 53 Avenue), with costs that will be covered by the Government of Alberta. Emergency municipal zoning will remain in place for a period of six months, in alignment with the City’s state of local emergency.

Cannery Row will be used as an overnight and daytime warming centre.The current warming centre will continue to serve as the queuing space for the Overdose Prevention Site (OPS). Detox will remain in the current Safe Harbour space.

A map shows the proximity of a new temporary shelter at 4946 53 Avenue from Safe Harbour, where the permanent warming centre is located. (Google Maps)

“As we continue to navigate through this situation, we are committed to maintaining essential services for Red Deerians, and ensuring all members of our community are being taken care of,” says City Manager Allan Seabrooke. “We are monitoring the situation daily and will continue to make decisions that best suit the needs of the community, while protecting citizens.”

Furthermore, the City is refocusing its traffic enforcement (photo radar) to more high risk areas, such as playgrounds and park spaces. This is in an effort to ensure Red Deerians can safely utilize the parks system as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on.

A new announcement regarding transit operations is expected in the coming days.

Citizens are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations of Alberta Health Services. For the latest information on COVID-19 visit alberta.ca/covid19, and the latest on how City services are impacted visit reddeer.ca/covid19.

Please call the Call Centre, open 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. with questions at 403-342-8111.