TAMRMS#: B06
8.1
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COVID-19 Recovery Task Force Final Report
Presented by: Trevor Duley, Manager, Government Relations
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force Final Report attached to the agenda report dated August 30, 2021 be received as information.
That the CAO be directed to include the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force Final Report on the agenda of the 2022 Council Strategic Planning Session to inform the development of Council priorities and the Council Strategic Plan for 2022-2025.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
Since presenting their Interim Report to Council in December 2021, over the past several months, the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, a 10-member advisory committee to Council, has been working to complete their Final Report. The Task Force's intent is to present the Final Report to Council for information at the August 30th Council Meeting.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #7: Community Recovery Post COVID-19
Facilitate the Recovery Task Force to develop the City’s Recovery Conceptual Plan, and to provide recommendations to Council on the ways the City can assist residents, community partners and businesses to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Council Bylaw 24/2020 St. Albert COVID-19 Recovery Task Force Bylaw
On December 21, 2020 Council passed the following motion:
(AR-20-379)
That the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force’s Interim Report attached to the December 21, 2020 agenda report be received as information.
On April 20, 2020 Council passed the following motion:
(AR 20-134)
That Council approve the COVID-19 Recovery Concept Plan set out in the report dated April 20, 2020 entitled "St. Albert COVID-19 Recovery Concept Plan" with the yellow highlighted amendments as proposed by Administration.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In May 2020, Council approved, as part of its comprehensive Recovery Conceptual Plan, the formation of the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force. Over the past 16 months, Task Force members have met regularly to explore ideas and generate strategies aimed at assisting residents, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in recovering from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic.
The Task Force consulted with subject matter experts, community leaders and City staff to learn more about the impacts of the pandemic, while gaining insight into how the City could best respond to the crisis. This information was presented as an Interim Report to Council in December 2020.
The Task Force was formed to act as an advisory board to Council on how best to recover from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on community members and businesses. As a result, it has comprised a series of recommendations which have been actioned to date to provide near-term relief, and help to expedite transitioning from response to recovery:
• Use of development bonds as a form of security from developers to reduce red-tape
• Approving Bylaw 30/2020, which supported the streamlined process for set up of minor patios and sidewalk retail on City-owned lands
• Advocacy to the Province for COVID-19 testing sites within St. Albert, which was established in November 2020
• Council added a 7th Strategic Priority, “Community Recovery Post COVID-19” to the Strategic Plan in 2021
• In April 2021, Council also approved the Business Resiliency Program to support local COVID-19 relief efforts by helping businesses develop or improve their marketing and digital presence
• The Task Force was a vocal proponent of amenities like the freezeway and driveway firepits, recently made permanent by City Council
• The Task Force consistently called on eligible St. Albertans to receive their vaccines as quickly as possible
Within the Task Force’s Interim Report, several recommendations were aligned with City initiatives already underway. These have been reported on quarterly through 2021.
The Task Force has spent 2021 engaging community stakeholders on their Interim Report, and has reflected this feedback within their Final Report, being presented to Council at this time for information. The intent would be that the Final Report can be utilized by Council as an input into 2022 strategic planning, given the importance of post-pandemic recovery.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
The COVID-19 Recovery Task Force is a ten-member Council advisory committee with three representatives from Council, and seven St. Albert residents. The Task Force solicited feedback in the creation of their Interim Report from the public on the City's "Cultivate the Conversation" online platform in the Fall of 2020. As well, the Task Force held engagement sessions with the business community, local non-profits and other Council Committees through Winter/Spring 2021, to discuss the Interim Report and look for additional suggestions. The feedback received was reflected throughout the Final Report and summarized in the "What We Heard Report" attached to the Final Report, and available on the City’s website.
Following every meeting of the Task Force, a media release was distributed.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
None at this time.
Legal / Risk:
In accordance with Bylaw 24/2020, the St. Albert COVID Recovery Task Force will cease to exist on December 31, 2021, unless either shortened or extended by resolution of Council.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
N/A
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Report Date: August 30, 2021
Author(s): Karrina Jung
Department: Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble