Calgary Minute: Issue 321

Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics

📅 This Week In Calgary: 📅

• City Council has approved a significant increase to the salary range for the City’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), raising it to between $391,666 and $475,000 starting in 2025. This marks a nearly 48% increase on the low end and 36% on the high end compared to the 2019 - 2024 range. Although the adjustment was made behind closed doors in April, as is standard for personnel matters, critics are calling for greater transparency. Current CAO David Duckworth’s salary will not increase in 2025 but his 2024 total compensation reached $460,000 with benefits. Councillor Sonya Sharp plans to bring forward a motion demanding clearer public disclosure of compensation details and performance reviews. Mayor Jyoti Gondek defended the process, stating it follows standard disclosure practices and was informed by third-party recommendations comparing salaries across major Canadian cities. Gondek insisted that no information is being hidden and that the changes reflect the scope and scale of the CAO’s responsibilities. Duckworth has held the role since August 2019.
  
  
• Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the City’s priorities are being heard in Ottawa after meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson during the opening weekend of Stampede. Gondek says she discussed Calgary’s role as Canada’s economic engine, emphasizing support for the Prairie Economic Gateway, interprovincial trade, and Canada’s energy sector. The Mayor also raised concerns about federal proposals to cut municipal development fees, stressing Calgary needs a tailored solution to protect housing starts. She says the talks show Ottawa is listening and hopes this alignment will soon turn into concrete action for Calgary.
  
  
• A group of Richmond-Knob Hill residents is going to court to challenge Council on its decision to rezone the former Viscount Bennett High School site for a high-density housing project. The group, Neighbours for Richmond Knob Hill, claims the decision was procedurally flawed, citing a lack of current data such as updated traffic studies. The proposed development, scaled down from an initial 2,500 units to 1,200 - 1,500, would include multiple mid-rise buildings and three 16-storey towers. Despite changes, residents say their core concerns around traffic, infrastructure, and public engagement remain unaddressed. The legal challenge follows a trend of public frustration over land use decisions, including a failed legal attempt earlier this year to overturn Calgary’s blanket rezoning policy. Supporters of the project argue it will provide much-needed housing near transit and central amenities. A court hearing is set for July 23rd, while development permits for the project remain under review. 
  
  
• The City has delayed the start of the Stephen Avenue Revitalization Project, originally scheduled for July 14th, 2025, after local businesses threatened legal action over potential construction impacts. Business owners expressed concern that the project’s timeline would harm their operations, prompting the City to reconsider its plans. Officials are now exploring revised phasing options and a possible fall start date to reduce disruptions. The project includes major infrastructure upgrades, such as replacing a 1910-era water main and improving surface features and tree planting systems. Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong noted delaying construction may increase costs due to a compressed schedule, and the Calgary Downtown Association emphasized the necessity of the work for maintaining critical utilities. The delay follows a $27-million lawsuit from Marda Loop businesses over similar construction-related disruptions.
  
  
• Residents living near the Cowboys Music Festival site say public urination, not noise, is their top concern during the event. Many report daily incidents of people urinating on their building, including windows and entryways, with limited enforcement from police or bylaw officers. Some residents say they’ve raised the issue with officers nearby, only to be told they were working privately for the event’s organizers. City officials have acknowledged the problem and say they’re increasing patrols, but concerns persist about a lack of effective enforcement. While some residents enjoy the music, they say more portable toilets and better management are needed. The festival’s relocation to Cowboys Park has also introduced traffic and crowd control challenges, prompting nightly road closures and special signal timings. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The City of Calgary is considering a pilot program to make 17 Avenue SW between 4th and 8th car-free on summer weekends next year.

A recent survey showed support from residents and many local businesses for this idea.

What do you think about this proposal? Do you support car-free weekends on 17 Avenue?

Reply to this email and let us know your thoughts!

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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