REGINA — There are three major items on the Nov. 19 city council meeting.
Homelessness and well-being:
The city could approve its role in addressing community safety and well-being.
Last week, executive committee discussed utilizing funds from the dissolution of Community and Social Impact Regina Inc. for several items, including:
- Engagement & administration co-ordinator ($100,000) — One full-time staff member.
- Data, evaluation, research advisor ($140,000) — One full-time staff member.
- Community engagement ($85,000) — This includes honourariums and meeting expenses.
- Social development funding ($500,000) — Continuing work as part of the Community & Safety Well-being plan (CSWB). These include facilitation of well-being tables to increase coordination among service providers, and fund and administer community investment grants in social development.
- Contribution to reaching home community entity ($30,000) — The city plans to partner with Namerind Housing Corporation on this.
- Street and encampment outreach initiative ($800,000) — This includes supporting the Regina Street Team (RST), who would either be transitioned into a non-profit group or as part of the city, as part of approval of the motion.
Council could also invest additional money into addressing homelessness, per approval during budget deliberations.
Manufactured homes:
Regina could soon allow manufactured homes in any part of the city.
The city’s planning commission has recommended council amend zoning bylaws to change manufactured homes from only being allowed on Residential Manufactured Home Zone (RMH) sites, which currently only includes an area of Glen Elm and Argyle Park.
The report notes manufactured homes have advantages, including mobility, affordability and new development areas.
On the flip side, disadvantages include assessed value, financial barriers and site cost, according to the report.
Tax tools:
Council will decide whether to pursue having two new tax tools as part of the city’s Tax and Assessment System (TAS).
Council debated adding a base tax and a minimum tax to its software on Nov. 5.
Many councillors didn’t support either tax tool, including Coun. David Froh (Ward 3), who said many property owners in Regina would see a tax increase from a base tax.
Ward 4 Coun. Mark Burton, who presented the motion, said this isn’t about deciding the city’s tax collection, but rather adding new tools to its disposal.
If approved, both tax tools would be available come the next taxation cycle in 2029.
