Don Kochan – Division 2
RVC Division 2 news items for your information:
Range Road 31/ Springbank Road Intersection – In 2021, the County commissioned an In-Service-Safety- Review of the intersection of Springbank Road & Range Road 31 by Watt Consulting Group. The review of collision data indicated that: speed and driver inattention resulted in right angle collisions that are higher severity than average collisions; the percentage of high severity collisions is nearly double of that observed in Rocky View County as a whole; and the percentage of right-angle collisions is four-times of that observed in Rocky View County as a whole. It was recommended that interim measures be taken to improve safety (including conversion to a 4-way-stop, reducing the speed limit to 60km/h, transverse pavement markings on Springbank Road, illumination) and a roundabout be implemented in the future. Administration has since converted the intersection to a 4-way-stop, reduced the speed, and painted transverse markings. While these measures do provide some safety improvement, a roundabout is much more effective at preventing severe right-angle collisions. Considering the observed driver behavior and frequency of right-angle collisions, Administration has recommended implementing the consultant recommendations to implement a roundabout and the project has been approved in the 2024 Capital Plan.
The completed project will address the known safety issue and supports road network requirements by delivering a higher level of service at the intersection.
Utility Review – Council retained the services of a consultant on January 9, 2024, to review the financial status of the County’s water, wastewater and storm drainage utilities. The review will focus on the current financial status together with a go forward strategy to achieve Council’s objectives of having its utility functions based on a full cost recovery basis within the next three years. The goal is to balance the need for sufficient revenue to cover costs while ensuring that water and wastewater services remain affordable and accessible to the utility’s customers. Effective management, transparent accounting practices, and regular review of costs and revenues are essential for maintaining a sustainable full cost recovery model. Council requested that the consultant prepare a report based on the assessment of the current situation and the planned 5-year capital and operating plans providing the following information:
- a current full and complete financial and technical assessment of the Water, Wastewater and Storm Drainage Systems in order to achieve Council’s objective of full cost recovery in three years.
- a review of the planned utility capital and operating plans for the next 5 years and
- options for structuring the utility function.
The report is intended to guide Council towards implementing utility functions that are financially self-sufficient and to provide a detailed roadmap for improving the financial and operational management of the County’s utility services. It will outline the steps necessary to achieve full cost recovery, ensuring that the utilities are sustainable, equitable, and capable of meeting the future needs of the community. The recommendations are intended to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in utility management. Once the report is available more information will be provided.
Customer Satisfaction Survey – A 2024 Citizen Satisfaction Survey was conducted between February and March, aiming to gauge public sentiment regarding the quality of life and services provided by Rocky View County. The survey reached 1,307 residents through a combination of online and telephone methodologies, ensuring a representative cross-section of our community’s views.
Key Findings:
- Quality of Life and Planning Policy: A robust 88% of residents rate their quality of life as good or very good, a slight increase from previous surveys, underscoring the success of ongoing community focused initiatives. However, there is growing unease about overdevelopment and urban sprawl, with residents expressing a need for balanced growth that preserves the county’s rural character. Planning policy emerged as an area of significant concern for residents.
- Communication and Public Engagement: While there have been improvements in communication, there remains a strong call for more robust engagement practices. This reflects a desire among residents for greater involvement in decision-making processes.
- Service Satisfaction: 61% of residents are satisfied with the services provided by the County. Satisfaction with County services such as road maintenance and traffic enforcement show room for improvement, signaling a need for focused service enhancement strategies.
- Comparisons to Alberta Benchmarks: Rocky View County exceeds Alberta benchmarks in several critical areas, including quality of life and overall quality of programs and services. The County falls below benchmarks in bylaw enforcement, planning, fire services, and perceived value for taxation.
Don Kochan – Deputy Reeve
Division 2 Councillor
kochandiv2@gmail.com
