DIDSBURY - Didsbury is returning to the national Communities in Bloom program for the first time since 2006.
Local organizer Kathy Gannon appeared before council as a delegation at the regular meeting on May 23 and updated council on the latest developments of the group. She said the town is entering the novice (non-judged) category at this year's nationwide program.
"There are lots of benefits from (being involved in) Communities in Bloom including increased civic pride and community involvement, year-round projects and continuous improvement for the entire community, decreased vandalism, economic development and increased property values - so residents, homeowners very much enjoy that," Gannon told council.
"Positive benefits are tourism, hospitality and the retail industry and that point specifically ties in with the Didsbury town strategy."
Gannon told the Gazette that the long-term goal is to increase momentum and eventually bring in more groups in the town for different projects.
"If we're talking about graffiti we want an anti-graffiti project so we bring in the businesses and law enforcement; if we're talking the floral display project then we bring in the supplier for Didsbury's flowers and baskets; for the heritage project we bring in the museum," she said.
"So we have this little core group of people (currently) as we have different projects, we'll bring in other experts in those areas."
Gannon said the novice category the town is entering is specifically made for kicking off the Communities in Bloom experience and getting your feet wet.
"You get an evaluation but you don't get judged," she said. "The evaluation we'll be going through in August is primarily for feedback. What are we doing right, where can we improve, what are some great ideas, who else can we get involved with. They offer us a workshop afterwards so we'll be attending that and are looking forward to that."
Gannon said that one of the criteria of entering the novice category is a commitment to return the following year in Communities in Bloom in a judged category.
"So right away this is a two-year project," she said. "So we're going to meet that commitment and to make it even more worthwhile we have decided this should be a five-year strategy which should provide us with the opportunity to include several long-term goals in our project, so this becomes more than simply hanging fancy baskets and putting out flower pots.
"It really becomes a community initiative with time to grow within the community and become at the top of people's minds when they come up with their boulevard gardens or planning their storefronts, they keep Communities in Bloom in mind."
Didsbury will be entering three categories: tidiness, heritage and conservation, and floral display.
"We picked those specifically because we already have so many programs that would fall into those categories," she said.
Gannon said people can help out by keeping their yards and lanes tidy.
"Ninety-five per cent of people here will do that anyway," she said. "But this offers an extra impetus, an extra push. The first way they can make an impact is with the boulevards and balconies initiative. I've already spoken at the museum (about it). There's going to be information at the Didsbury Garden Show (June 4) about the initiative. That's taking what you have in the backyard - this beautiful garden - I know we have hundreds, and taking that out to the front yard for everyone to see."
For more information and/or to get involved with Communities in Bloom check out their page on the Town of Didsbury's website under the Living Here section.
"By all means contact the town and let us know your ideas," said Gannon. "For long-term plans, do you want green spaces, urban forestry; short-term plans - do you know somewhere you would like to see a floral display. Let us know your ideas."
In other council news, council approved third and final reading of Bylaw 2017-07 "Rates, Fees and Fines" at the regular meeting on May 23. Administration noted that there were no significant changes of note.
The background information stated that administration annually reviews the rates, fees and fines bylaw for compliance and comparisons.
The town held a public hearing regarding Bylaw 2017-06, dealing with the land use redesignation of 19.06 acres of a property on 23rd Street from Light Industrial to Direct Control. Council later unanimously carried the bylaw. The owner is expected to apply for subdivision of the newly zoned lot.
According to the background information, the proposed plan for this property is to subdivide into three lots and sell two of the newly created lots.
Council received word through Didsbury FCSS that the Personal Empowerment and Employment Program (PEEP) was not successful in receiving funding from the federal government and will be finished at the end of this school year. As a result, the PEEP program does not require the funding ($6,739.92) through the FCSS 2017 community grant program. The money would have to be reallocated to another local program or it will be required to be returned to the provincial government.
Following a recommendation from administration, council voted to put that money towards the running of the senior supports services program.
The background information stated that the town had taken over the senior supports services program on April 1.
"Because the seniors' program had come to us after the 2017 budget process, we had not allocated funding specifically for seniors' programs," said Nicole Aasen, manager of community services, in the backgrounder. "If we were able to access these surplus funds then we would be able to ensure there will be no interruption in service."
Council voted to only attend the Didsbury parade on Aug. 18 and against attending any other parades in nearby communities.
With the Didsbury Community Block Party set for Friday, June 9 from 5:30 to 9 p.m., council has announced a number of road closures in downtown. The party will take place on Main Street once again between 18th Avenue and 20th Avenue.
"We will be adding a portion of 19th Avenue from the alleyway at JDs and the Didsbury Inn to Main Street (20th Street)," said Aasen. "A road closure will be required for this area from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This year's event will include a street dance, climbing wall, jumphouses and a variety of other activities."
