June 2023 Newsletter

Hello Ward 14!

June is one of the rainiest months, so I am going to share some notes about how to prepare your house for heavy rain. June is a growing season too, so I will talk about where you can find farm stands around the City. I will also mention storm drains briefly (again), the TIPP program, rideshare, and the residential parking permit program.

Preparing your property for heavy rain

Along with warm weather, Calgary summers can also bring heavy rains. Here are five tips to help you prepare:

1. Clean out eavestroughs and downspouts. Repair any damaged parts.
2. Extend downspouts away from yours and your neighbours’ homes. Direct them onto your garden or grassy area so the water can soak into the ground.
3. If you have a swale on your property, remove yard debris to ensure water flow.
4. If you have a sump pump, check to make sure it’s working.
5. Ensure any storm drains near your house are clear and free of debris.

During a heavy rainfall, if driving can’t be avoided, use caution

• If possible, wait until the rain has slowed or stopped to continue your journey.
• Avoid roadway underpasses, drainage ditches, low lying areas and areas where water collects – they can unexpectedly flood or overflow.
• Do not try to drive through deep water on a roadway. You can’t see potential risks or conditions that might be submerged and unsafe.

Support our farmers, connect with neighbours, and enjoy great food

The City of Calgary has partnered with local and regional farmers and distributors to operate farm stands at over 25 community hubs and train stations around Calgary. This year they have added seven new locations, helping provide fresh and healthy food to more Calgarians. Market days and times vary by location. To find a farm stand near you, see the schedule, and learn more about the program visit calgary.ca/localfood.

When to report pooled water on streets

During intense rainfalls, storm drains can be temporarily overwhelmed, and it may take time for water to drain. If you see water pooling around storm drains and it hasn’t drained within 90 minutes, take a photo and submit it on the 311 app or online request at calgary.ca/stormdrains. Pictures help City crews respond on a priority basis. If immediate safety is a concern or water is entering a building, contact 311 immediately.

TIPP Tax Payment Plan

Property Taxes are due by June 30 to avoid late payment penalties. The City’s Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) is the most popular payment method. You pay the same amount as your annual property tax levy, but instead of one large lump sum payment in June, you pay smaller monthly instalments. This makes budgeting easier, and you reduce the risk of late payment penalties. Signing up for TIPP is easy and you don’t need to re-apply each year. There is no filing fee or initial payment required. Plan enrolment must be completed by the due date shown on your bill to avoid a late payment penalty.

To request your TIPP agreement, go to calgary.ca/TIPP or call 311. If calling from outside Calgary dial 403-268-2489 to request your agreement. If you’re already on TIPP, you can visit calgary.ca/TIPP to learn how your monthly TIPP instalments are calculated and adjusted.

Rideshare Safety

The City of Calgary works closely with the rideshare industry and the Calgary Stampede to ensure Calgarians get home safely. However, passengers should do a few important checks before they get into any vehicle, both during Stampede and throughout the year.

When booking a rideshare, the app provides passengers with a photo of the driver, the licence plate number, the make and model of the vehicle and real-time GPS tracking. Double-checking these details for the driver and the car will safeguard riders against getting into a vehicle with a potentially unsafe, unlicensed driver. When street-hailing a taxi, passengers should ensure that the driver and vehicle are both licensed. A taxi plate verifies these on the car's rear bumper, and the driver’s ID must be posted in a visible location. Passengers are also reminded to take note of the taxi number, company, and colour of the vehicle.

For more information on regulations and safety tips, visit calgary.ca/taxi. If you have any concerns or are approached by a driver soliciting business, please report the incident to 311 for investigation. If your safety is threatened, call 911 immediately.

Residential Parking Permit Program

There are important policy changes to the Residential Parking Permit (RPP) Program that were approved by Council in January 2021 following two years of engagement with Calgarians. The revised program aims to increase street use efficiency and fairness, support businesses, and be better positioned for long-term sustainability.

As part of these changes, permit eligibility is now based on building type and a new fee structure for parking permits is being introduced later this year. On-street parking is public space managed by The City of Calgary for all Calgarians. Permits allow residents the option to park on-street and close to their residence in areas near major parking generators where parking demand is high such as hospitals, schools, and LRT stations. Parking permit fees have been introduced to cover the cost of this service from those who use it.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE, if you live in a Residential Parking Zone you only need a parking permit if your block has RPP restrictions (‘except by permit’ signs) or if you want to overstay in time-restricted zones (ex. two-hour parking signs). If RPP restrictions are no longer needed on your block, requests for modifying restrictions signs can be made by calling 311 or filling out a 311 online request. To learn what parking permit your address is eligible for and to view the new fee structure, please visit calgary.ca/RPP. Information on when the new fee structure will be implemented will be shared when available.

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Feel free to contact me any time. The best way to contact me is by visiting calgary.ca/contactward14 or calling (403) 268-1653.

-Councillor Peter Demong