A community information session on the proposed new permanent shelter in Regina’s Heritage area took place Tuesday, right on the eve of going to council for potential final approval.
Property owners and adjacent businesses were invited to the meeting, which took place at the Mitakuyé Owâs’ā Centre located not far from the proposed shelter location on 1600 Halifax Street.
Administration had been directed by Executive Committee the previous week to consult with community members prior to the matter coming back to council on Sept. 25. Administration was also directed to consult with stakeholders and affected businessses about developing a neighbourhood maintenance compensation program, to support businesses within a 250 metre radius.
“I can tell you the city administration, out team is here to hear the concerns of the community about the proposed location of the emergency shelter,” said Audra Young, Director Indigenous Relations and Community Development for the City of Regina, to reporters at the information session.
“We’re also here to provide some information and some understanding around this pathway that has resulted in us coming here today.”
As for notice of the information session, Young said the City sent out invitations to businesses and occupants within a 250 metre radius on Friday.
This is the latest attempt by the City to find a location for a permanent emergency shelter after a proposed location at 1420 and 1440 Albert Street was voted down in June.
The previous proposal drew concerns from the surrounding area about an increase in crime and vandalism and decreased property values. But the new proposal for the current Eagles Club building on Halifax St. has encountered similar obstacles and pushback.
Close to a dozen businesses and community members from the neighbourhood appeared at Executive Committee last week to voice concerns about the shelter location, and in particular about a lack of proper notice. Several of those individuals were in attendance at the information session Tuesday.
For Wednesday’s council meeting, even more delegations have registered to speak. At least 17 delegations have registered, including those both for and against the proposed shelter. Written communications have been filed by five more individuals.
The council meeting at City Hall Wednesday begins at 1 p.m. and it promises to be a long one, so much so that it seems unlikely that all of the council business on the agenda will be dealt with in a single meeting. The agenda packet to councillors is over a thousand pages long, and the list of scheduled delegations is also lengthy.
In addition to the permanent shelter proposal is a tabled motion on establishing respectful communications towards the City Manager and city staff; a recommendation on the issue of nuisance and underutilized properties; the Flag and Proclamation Protocol; the Regina Exhibition Association Ltd. appointment of directors as well as their latest request for $4 million; a reconsideration of the motion adopted on July 9 respecting renewal of the Central Library; and a motion on Senior Men’s Hockey ice time at Brandt Centre of which several delegations are scheduled to speak. There are also a number of other items, including 12 bylaws to be voted on as well.
