Tag: City

Posted on by

City launches appreciation events for Accessible Transit customers

City launches appreciation events for Accessible Transit customers

Photo: Shaun Penner

By Shane Clausing

Community

Mar 2, 2022 | 5:08 PM

The City of Grande Prairie has launched an Accessible Transit appreciation event for riders.

The event will provide users with a free round-trip, museum entry and a guided tour of the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

The bus will pick up attendees from their homes and take them to the facility for a one-hour guided tour which will start every Saturday and Sunday from March 12 until April 3 at 2 p.m.

Once the tour is complete, participants will have extra time to explore the museum until 4 p.m. before the bus drops them back off at their homes.

Posted on by

City of Regina bracing for another major snow event

City of Regina bracing for another major snow event


The City of Regina has 50 pieces of snow clearing equipment prepared to roll out during a storm expected at the end of this week.


Tyler Bien, the manager of roadways seasonal operations for the city, said crews will first focus on keeping major roads drivable by applying ice control and removing snow.


“That cycle continues throughout the storm throughout its completion. Once the storm is complete, we will enter into a systematic plow if we receive more than five centimetres of snow,” Bien said. “That’s when we systematically plow the city streets, categories one to four, until completion.”


CTV Meteorologist Bradlyn Oakes said 10-20 centimetres of snow could move into the city between Thursday and Friday.


“If we get to that top end, we could see more than our average amount of March snowfall just in this one system. Typically in March we see 18.8 centimetres of snow,” Oakes said.


So far this winter, Bien said crews have had to deal with more snow than average. He said in a normal year the city receives about 60 centimetres of snow. This year there’s been about 70 centimetres so far.


“We’ve experienced more wind events also,” he said. “So not only accumulations, but the snow blowing into the city on the perimeters or around any open areas.”


This means the city has paid more for clearing efforts. Bien said so far this winter, the city has spent $8.1 million.


“[In] previous years we haven’t spent as much, granted we have received double or triple the amount of snow than we have in the last couple of years,” Bien said.


Although it might be a headache for some people shovelling, members of the agriculture industry are welcoming the added precipitation.


The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) said farmers are “cautiously optimistic” about what the next few months might look like.


“The snow accumulation we have this winter, particularly in the east side of the province, is lending a lot of optimism in the farming industry that going into spring seeding we’ll have adequate moisture,” Bill Prybylski, the vice president of APAS, said.


Prybylski said conditions have been abnormally dry over the last few springs due to lack of winter precipitation. He said subsoil moisture has been dwindling as a result.


While snow is a good start, he said rainfall will be crucial throughout the warmer months.


“It’s going to depend what happens between now and seeding time,” he said. “We’re going to need some good, timely rains throughout the summer to continue that growth.”

Posted on by

Calendar Month View | City of Grand Forks, ND

AGENDA

Grand Forks Events Center Commission

Wednesday February 23, 2022 |12:00 PM

Ballroom 1/ Conference Line

 

____Jay Kleven ____Russell Kraft ____Clare Albrecht ____Pat McLean ____Matt Walkowiak ____Ken Vein ____Jarrod Spoor ____ Bill Chaves ____Julie Rygg

 

1) Call to Order

2) Roll Call

3) Consent Agenda

a. Approval of the January 26, 2021 Minutes

4) January 2022 Financials

5) 2022 Capital Review

6) Networking Project – Marco Bid

7) 2021 Annual Report

8) 2021 Economic Impact Report

9) Management Reports

a. Executive Report
b. Finance
c. Operations
d. Food and Beverage
e. Partnerships
f. Marketing
g. Conference Sales
h. Event Management

10) Committee Reports

a. Finance & Renovation
b. Visit Greater Grand Forks – Julie Rygg
c. UND – Bill Chaves

11) Other

12) Adjournment

 NOTE: Members of the Alerus Center Commission may participate in the Committee meeting and any possible executive session which may constitute a quorum of the Commission as well as the Committee.

Alerus Center Mission Statement
The mission of the Alerus Center is to provide premier entertainment and events that stimulate
economic impact and improve the quality of life for Grand Forks area citizens.

Upcoming Meeting Dates

Commission Meetings
March 23, 2022
April 27, 2022
May 25, 2022

F & R Committee
March 9, 2022
April 13, 2022
May 11, 2022

Posted on by

Get to know the Major Events Management Act – Hamilton City Council

Get to know the Major Events Management Act - Hamilton City Council

With all the major events coming to Kirikiriroa over the next couple of years, it’s very important that all businesses and organisations in the area have a good understanding of New Zealand’s Major Events Management Act (MEMA) 2007. To make sure you understand what this act is all about, we have a handy guide with all you need to know below, including the do’s and don’ts for any businesses and organisations affected.     

Getting Kirikiriroa Cricket World Cup Ready

On this page we have some information around the MEMA as well as specific info about the Women’s Cricket World Cup including how to refer to the event in any posts you may put up, and a map of the “Clean Zone” of the event – the area where no unauthorised advertising can take place surrounding venues except by an existing business honestly carrying out its ordinary activities.   

It’s important to be well-acquainted with MEMA and the “Clean Zone” as if your business is found to be non-compliant or in breach of the act, the Council will have to enforce regulatory powers which could result in a fine. 

Posted on by

Snowstorm prompts City of Ottawa to declare ‘significant weather event’

Close sticky video

A snowstorm that started Thursday afternoon prompted the City of Ottawa to declare a “significant weather event.”

On-street parking will be banned Friday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. as crews clean up from the anticipated heavy snowfall. Anyone with an on-street monthly parking permit is exempted from the ban, but the city is encouraging motorists to find off-street parking options to help plow operators.

The city makes OC Transpo park-and-ride lots and some recreation centres available for parking during on-street parking bans.

Environment Canada predicted as much as 30 centimetres of snow could fall by Friday morning. The city said it could take longer than usual to clear roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. The downtown occupation could also impact snow clearing in that area.

Public transit will be heavily impacted on Friday and in the coming days because of the snowstorm and the downtown occupation, which is coming under stronger police enforcement.

OC Transpo warned transit customers that a limited number of articulated buses would be deployed to routes, with the agency relying heavily on double-decker buses and 40-foot buses for service. Buses will run on reduced schedules across the city.

The articulated buses have had a difficult time operating in deep snow, as illustrated during a blizzard last month, when 48 centimetres of snow fell on Ottawa in one day.

OC Transpo is also closing the LRT line between Pimisi and Hurdman stations for an unspecified period of time starting Friday morning. Trains will still run between Tunney’s Pasture and Pimisi stations, and between Hurdman and Blair stations. Downtown LRT stations will be closed.

jwilling@postmedia.com

twitter.com/JonathanWilling

Posted on by

Significant Weather Event declared | City of Ottawa

Environment Canada has identified hazardous weather for Friday, February 18. As a result, the City of Ottawa has declared a Significant Weather Event. The Roads and Parking Services team will be out maintaining the City’s sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network, but will take longer than usual to restore them to regular conditions.

A daytime winter weather parking ban will be in effect tomorrow from 10 am to 7 pm.

During a winter weather parking ban, parking is prohibited on city streets so crews can plow easily and effectively. Vehicles parked on the street during a ban may be ticketed and towed. Though on-street monthly parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction when they are parked in residential parking permit zones, we encourage those who can to find off-street parking options to avoid getting snowed-in.

Available parking

During winter weather parking bans, residents will have access to select OC Transpo park and rides as well as certain recreation centres. Visit ottawa.ca/winter for more information about which City facilities are available during winter weather parking bans.

OC Transpo cancellations and delays

Due to anticipated weather conditions, OC Transpo is advising customers of possible extensive cancellations that would result in significant delays to tomorrow’s bus service. Customers are advised to give themselves plenty of extra time when planning their commute and to exercise patience.

Stay up to date on the latest transit information by visiting octranspo.com/alerts, calling 613-560-5000 or following OC Transpo’s Twitter accounts.

Please exercise caution when using City sidewalks, roads and the winter cycling network.

The fluid situation around the ongoing demonstration will result in operating constraints that will make it difficult to accessing areas near the Parliamentary precinct. The City intends to keep focus on pedestrian and emergency access routes through the area, clearing and treating sidewalks and facilitating the safe movement of emergency vehicles, where possible. Residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel in the area.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to receive updates or subscribe to our electronic email alerts. If you subscribe to e-Alerts, you will receive notification if a winter weather parking ban is put in place and lifted. There is no charge for this service, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today at ottawa.ca.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Posted on by

Patagonia, North Face, REI and others say they’ll boycott Outdoor Retailer if it heads back to Salt Lake City

Patagonia, North Face, REI and others say they’ll boycott Outdoor Retailer if it heads back to Salt Lake City

Over two dozen outdoor industry companies, including heavyweights like Patagonia, REI, North Face and Kelty, signed a letter released Monday promising to boycott the popular Outdoor Retailer shows if the biannual events return to Salt Lake City.

The letter was posted by The Conservation Alliance, a group dedicated to land conservation efforts that counts over 270 companies among its membership. The website posting urges Emerald X, the owner of the Outdoor Retailer events, to stay out of Utah over member objections to the long-running position taken by state leaders in opposing federal land protections.

“We’ve joined together in stating that we will not support or attend a trade show event in Utah so long as its elected officials continue attacks on national monuments and public lands protections,” the letter reads. “Industry leaders are expressing their support for the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition and its longstanding efforts to protect the homeland of the Tribes and Pueblos with cultural ties to the Bears Ears landscape, as well as the overwhelming majority of the outdoor industry and the American public.

“Despite widespread industry objections, Emerald has demonstrated a continued interest in moving the Outdoor Retailer trade show to Utah, a state that leads the fight against designated national monuments and public lands.”

Salt Lake City is competing with other locales, including the current Outdoor Retailer host city of Denver, to secure the new contract for shows beginning in 2023. Salt Lake City hosted the events for 20 years before losing out to Denver in 2017 amid swirling controversy over land use issues. The shows generate tens of millions of dollars in economic activity for the host communities.

In the Conservation Alliance statement, REI executive vice president and chief customer officer Ben Steele noted that Utah leaders continue to attack federal designation efforts.

“In 2017, REI Co-op strongly supported the decision to move the outdoor industry trade show out of Utah when the state’s leadership refused to protect duly designated national monuments and natural treasures,” Steele said. “Although those protections have since been restored by President Biden, Utah’s leaders are again aiming to undermine those monuments and their protections. As a result, REI will not participate in any OR trade show in the state — nor will we send members of our merchandising or other co-op teams — so long as Utah persists in attacking our public lands and the laws that protect them.”

Utah’s capital city lost its contract to Denver in 2017 as then-President Donald Trump’s announced plans to reduce several areas of federally protected land riled the environmental community, outdoor enthusiasts, and companies that specialize in outdoor products and services. At the center of the controversy was Trump’s declared intention to erase the 1.35 million-acre Bears Ears National Monument, created by President Barack Obama in a 2016 proclamation issued just before he left office.

Utah state legislators and then-Gov. Gary Herbert threw their weight behind the Trump plan by passing a resolution in the 2017 legislative session, declaring “strong opposition to the Bears Ears National Monument designation” and urging Trump to undo his predecessor’s executive order.

The move by Utah leaders drew immediate and widespread ire, including from Patagonia, one of the world’s largest outdoor-focused companies that was founded by legendary climber, gear innovator and conservationist Yvon Chouinard. The company weighed in again in the Conservation Alliance statement, reiterating its commitment to supporting states whose elected officials support public lands protections.

“For decades, Patagonia has worked in solidarity with Indigenous communities, local activists, outdoor athletes and businesses in Utah,” said Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert. “We love the state and its spectacular cultural and natural landscapes. We were thrilled when President Biden restored the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments this past October, and we will oppose any effort to undermine their protection. Our position on the location of the Outdoor Retailer trade show remains clear and unchanged: The show belongs in a state whose top officials value and seek to protect public lands.”

Following Biden’s decision to undo Trump’s reductions in Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox along with GOP state legislative leaders and all six members of Utah’s congressional delegation stated their opposition to reinstating the protections. And, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes has said he intends to file legal action against the Biden land protection changes.

While the land use controversies continue, Denver has faced its own challenges since taking over Outdoor Retailer hosting duties.

Denver’s debut show in January 2018 was a blockbuster and remains the biggest Outdoor Retailer event ever held. Before running into restrictions precipitated by COVID-19 in 2020, the twice-yearly events were regularly drawing more than 20,000 participants and generating in excess of $50 million per show in economic activity for its host city.

But some retailers say the costs associated with exhibiting at the Denver-hosted shows have been significantly higher than they were in Utah and, with the current contract coming to a close in 2022, it may be time to reconsider Salt Lake City.

Tom Adams was director of Utah’s Office of Outdoor Recreation when the storm over federal land designations erupted in 2017. Now, he’s chief operating officer for the American operations of French climbing and work-at-heights gear company Petzl.

In a Deseret News story last September, Adams said Petzl has been a longtime exhibitor at the Outdoor Retailer events but didn’t follow the show to Denver. The decision, he said, wasn’t born out of any kind of protest stance but was simply a matter of assessing costs. A new booth, Adams said, can run from $250,000 to $1 million, and the rates for renting the space at the events “are quite high for trade shows.”

He also noted the task of getting to the actual outdoors from the exhibition space in Denver was a much bigger, and time-consuming, challenge than it was in Salt Lake City.

“I don’t know how many times, on a weekday during the Salt Lake City shows, I’d take an account out for an afternoon of ice climbing, rock climbing or making a few backcountry runs,” Adams said. “That’s just not happening in Denver.”

Bill Harmon, general manager of Utah-based portable power specialists Goal Zero, said last September that his company has exhibited once at Outdoor Retailer since the show moved to Denver but has chosen to mostly skip it due to cost and return-on-investment considerations.

“It’s so expensive to go now,” Harmon said. “The hotel rooms are materially more expensive in Denver versus here. The booth storage costs there are much more than in Salt Lake City. And the setup costs, with the union requirements, are so much more.”

Harmon also bemoaned Denver’s location, describing it as a “mountains-adjacent city, unlike Salt Lake that is actually a mountain city.”

“I can’t overstate the access issues,” Harmon said. “We’ve got a half-dozen world-class ski resorts 25 minutes away. And, if you want, you have time to get up and go for a mountain bike ride and be back before the show even starts.

“In Denver, you can plan on spending half the day driving or on shuttles to do the same things.”

Emerald X is expected to announce the new Outdoor Retailer host city soon, and Outdoor Retailer senior vice president and show director Marisa Nicholson said her company has been evaluating all issues and options ahead of striking a new contract.

“Outdoor Retailer and Emerald remain committed to supporting the outdoor and winter sports industries through hosting gatherings that both meet business needs and foster the spirit of our community,” Nicholson said in a statement. “We have been in ongoing conversations with many across our industry and are taking all input and perspectives into consideration, including responses from recent surveys — we appreciate the passion and respect everyone’s point of view.

“As we continue the process of evaluating all possible and realistic options, we remain thoughtful in our deliberations. Our goal is to host a vibrant event that not only reflects today’s new normal, but also presents an engaging event that draws more people into this community in ways that are authentic and affordable. No decisions around future dates or location have been decided at this time, and we look forward to sharing our thoughts in the coming days.”