By Alessia Proietti

April 28 and Sept. 15

The “rebirth” of Agency Day in Red Deer

Feb 28, 2022 | 11:30 PM

Agency Day is getting a renaissance and coming back to Red Deer.

Red Deer city council approved at Monday’s meeting the return of Agency Day, a meeting for invited community agencies to present an overview and update on their activities to council and the public.

“What we can expect to see now from the agencies is really more strategic planning. This is their opportunity to actually appear in front of the public, not just council,” said Mayor Ken Johnston.

“I think Agency Day is going to get a rebirth, frankly, from what used to occur in the past because this is in the setting of an open council meeting.”

Some of the agencies invited on past occasions include the Downtown Business Association, Tourism Red Deer, River Bend Golf & Rec Society, Waskasoo Environmental, and more.

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Beginning in 2014 and held once a year, it had been cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic. Previously not a formal meeting of council, a revised format has been recommended for 2022.

The initial format proposed suggested agency presentations last 10 minutes, with the same amount allocated for questioning by three members of council, allowing for around five agencies to speak.

Councillor Dianne Wyntjes suggested increasing the allotted time to 30 minutes for presentations to allow opportunity for more detailed information to be given.

Councillor Victor Doerksen believed agencies should only be given 10 minutes for their presentations as done in venture forums. However, 30 minutes could be allotted per agency overall, including question period.

“The whole point was: if you can’t make your point in 10 minutes, you don’t have a very good point,” he said.

In an 8-1 vote, council approved the allocation of up to 30 minutes given to each agency for presentations and questions, allowing them to determine how to utilize that time. Council members will be assigned in a systematic order for questioning to ensure equal chance to speak.

Councillor Lawrence Lee was the only member to oppose the amendment, stating the inconsistent timing of “up to” 30 minutes would cause disorganization and increasing waiting time in between presentations if agencies do not take up the full time allotted. He also suggested Agency Day could be spread throughout the week so more agencies can be heard.

Councillor Vesna Higham, however, disagreed, stating that council members could find things to do in between agency presentations if the situation were to occur.

Agency Day has also been expanded to twice per year; in the spring and fall.

The scheduled dates are April 28 and Sept. 15 from 1 – 4:30 p.m.