Let's Talk 2012 - Thank you, Red Deer!

Thank you for attending Let's Talk on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall, and for reading this blog. We are incredibly lucky to have such passionate and committed residents.
If you have any questions or comments that were not answered at Let's Talk, please email letstalk@reddeer.ca to keep the conversation going.

It's your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let's Talk, Red Deer.

Look for information on Let's Talk 2013 to be released in early 2013. Until then, stay connected with your City by 'liking' us at www.facebook.com/thecityofreddeer or 'following' us at @cityofreddeer on Twitter.

Let's Talk 2012 - IT Services

Today is the day of Let's Talk, so join us at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The last department showcased in this blog is the Information Technology Services (ITS) department, which designs, develops and maintains our computer and telecommunications networks. A core service at The City, without ITS, we would not have http://www.reddeer.ca/, look n book, or Web Map.


What is Web Map you say? Well, come on down to Let's Talk today to learn about our Web Map program. Need to know your assessed value? Forgot your garbage day pick up? Interested in what transit routes run by your house? Web Map has these answers and more. Our ITS staff will be on hand to show you how to use the Web Map program at Let's Talk, so stop by to learn how to navigate this program.

It's your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let's Talk with ITS on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Land & Economic Development



Building permits are booming in Red Deer for 2012 - Let's Talk residential development
with Land & Economic Development on Saturday, April 21 at Parkland Mall 

 Land & Economic Development is one of the final participating departments in tomorrow’s big event and we think the phrase “you complete me” from Jerry Mcguire helps describe this department in two ways.

1)     As The City, we are not complete without all our departments. Land & Economic Development is one of our smaller departments; however, their impact on the organization, the city, and Central Alberta is huge.

2)     As a department, the Land side and Economic Development side complete each other. Economic Development works with Land to promote City land ready for development - whether for industrial, commercial or residential use. New industrial land attracts new business and allows local businesses room to expand. As new jobs are created, new residents move to the area and drive the need for more residential space. It’s an ongoing cycle, which is good news for our local economy.

Exciting times lie ahead for our Land & Economic Development department. Not only are industrial lots in the Queens Business Park selling like hot cakes, but today we announced that lots for our latest residential development, Garden Heights, are available for sale via a lot draw on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

Find them hanging out with the rest of the Planning Services division for your chance at a Lego® set.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Land & Economic Development on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Emergency Management Program

Be prepared, not scared at Let's Talk with the
Emergency Management Program

If an emergency were to strike, would you be prepared?

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but emergencies can occur anywhere, often without warning. During an emergency, you should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

Join the Emergency Management Program at Let’s Talk to learn how you can increase your personal and family preparedness. Handy tip sheets, information on the four pillars of emergency management, and FREE swag will help you get started to create your own emergency plan and 72 hour emergency kit. Plus, learn about the upcoming national Emergency Preparedness Week and our Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday, May 12. Stop by to ensure you are prepared, not scared!

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Emergency Management on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Archives

Get connected at Let's Talk

As the official record holders, and we’re not talking the Guinness Book of World Records, Archives collects and preserves the documentary and photographic history of Central Alberta.


Connect with them at Let’s Talk to learn how you may connect your present to the past. You may check out a small sample of their collection, which includes over 1,000 linear metres of textual records, over 100,000 photographs, 7,000 maps, plans and drawings with inclusive dates from 1850 to the present.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Red Deer and District Archives on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Social Planning

It sounds like the name of a party planning company, but Social Planning is actually the department responsible for:

• Supporting strong organizations;
• Building community;
• Social research; and
• Connecting with government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Let's Talk and play Jeopardy to discuss
social issues in our community

Join them for Let’s Talk on Saturday, April 21, as they host an engaging game of Jeopardy regarding social issues in our community (sans Alex Trebek). Their SMART board trivia game features the following categories: In Your Neighbourhood, What's Working, By the Numbers, The P Words, and Getting Involved. In traditional Jeopardy style, contestants will be presented with a clue in the form of an answer and will be asked to phrase their response in question form.  No need to fret - you'll have a choice of four responses to choose from.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Social Planning on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Engineering Services

This blog gives you a sneak peek at the behind the scenes of Let’s Talk, and today we discuss the department that is always working behind the scenes. Before Public Works can maintain a road, before EL & P can install a traffic light, and before Environmental Services can distribute water, Engineering Services works hard behind the scenes planning, designing, and constructing these services.  

Let's Talk bike lanes on April 21

Stop by the Engineering booth to discuss three exciting projects in the works

1. Gaetz Avenue Vision - We asked you for ideas on how to make Gaetz Avenue a unique and vibrant street, and now we want to know if we got it right. Give us your feedback and tell us if the vision makes Gaetz Avenue better for anyone who goes on Gaetz.
2. Bike lanes – Popping up all over Red Deer are our designated bike lanes. Test your knowledge of road signs and pavement markings for your chance at a free bike helmet.
3. Ross St. Experiment – Remember when we turned Ross Street into an outdoor café last year? Well, stop by to see what fun and exciting events we have in the works for this summer.  

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Engineering Services on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Environmental Services (Part 2)




Let's Talk recycling

An old English proverb states “Waste not, want not”, so join Environmental Services at Let’s Talk to learn about reducing and recycling your household waste.

First, our annual yard waste pick up began on Monday, April 9, which allows for tree trimmings and grass clippings to be recycled by The City of Red Deer and given a new life. Just place your yard waste in identifiable containers using the yard waste stickers and set out with your garbage on your regular collection day. Stop by Let’s Talk to learn how we recycle your yard waste and pick up your orange yard waste sticker.

A new initiative from The City is composting. Interested in starting to compost? We want to help you get started. Just chat with our staff about signing up for our Composting at Home program. The first 300 interested Red Deer residents will receive all the training and tools needed to start composting. Make sure to sign up while you are at the mall to get started.

Plus, stop by to learn what materials can go in your blue box, tips on reducing waste from your home and how to safely dispose of household hazardous waste.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Environmental Services on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Environmental Services (Part 1)

Get in the know about the
H2O in your home at Let's Talk

As we are fans of alliteration, we are going to break up the Environmental Services department into two blogs over the weekend: water and waste.

Today, Let’s Talk about a priceless liquid resource – water. From maintaining hydrants, water mains, water valves and water meters to drawing the water from the Red Deer river, Environmental Services is responsible for all things related to H2O. They ensure a high stand of water quality, so you can quench your thirst knowing that the water provided is safe.

Staff from both the Water Treatment Plant and the Wastewater Treatment plant will be on hand to help you understand not only how the water gets from the Red Deer River to your house, but how it makes its way back to the river. Let’s Talk about the water treatment process, future upgrades to our facilities and water quality.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Environmental Services on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - GDAP

Let's Talk about the Railyards concept plan (pictured above) -
plus, help us name this district

Arguably the most exciting acronym you will stumble upon at Let’s Talk is GDAP, which is why we have a whole booth dedicated to it! Technically, GDAP stands for the Greater Downtown Action Plan; however, this plan is so much more than that. The GDAP is a game changer for downtown Red Deer. It is a long term vision for the downtown core, creating synergies between three districts for Red Deerians to work, live and play.

Everyone knows a good downtown when they see one. You often find yourself coming back from vacation talking about a really cool street or reminiscing about a certain neighbourhood that you spent all day getting lost in. Our downtown is in the process of a major revitalization, as outlined by the GDAP, and you are encouraged to learn more at Let’s Talk.

Stop by the GDAP booth to learn about the exciting developments currently in the works for the downtown, including:

• the new giant street patio we are creating downtown this summer;
• the downtown farmer's market moving to Gaetz Avenue on Wednesdays;
• unique and exciting music and events on during the day and after work in the downtown;
• the development of Riverlands - a new riverfront area that will focus on a market, public spaces and an enhanced river walk; and
• the planning process for Railyards - a complementary district to Riverlands in the heart of downtown.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with GDAP on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Planning

Don't leave them hanging tough -
Let's Talk about upcoming
public engagement opportunities with Planning

The new kids on the block, the Planning department has proven they’ve got the right stuff to assist with Red Deer’s continued growth and planning strategies since joining The City in the final months of 2010.

The masters of acronyms, they are currently working on ARPs, MASPs, and NASPs, which will shape the way future development in Red Deer occurs. Current plans of note are the Timber Ridge NASP, Railyards ARP, amendments to the East Hill MASP and development of a MASP for the area north of Highway 11A. 

Learn all about these acronyms, plans and upcoming public engagement opportunities by stopping by the Planning Services booth, which they will be sharing with Inspections & Licensing and Land & Economic development. While you are there, make sure to suggest a name for the Railyards district and enter to win a Lego© prize.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Planning on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - RCMP

Red Deer City RCMP. No, it is not the latest TV law enforcement spin off. Although, on TV tonight alone you can find Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.  

The Red Deer City RCMP is the municipal police service, which works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to keep our streets safe.

Stop by Let’s Talk on Saturday, April 21, to talk with members of the RCMP and City of Red Deer Municipal Enforcement Unit, and volunteers from the Victim Services Unit (VSU) and the Crime Prevention Advisory Committee. Learn about crime prevention initiatives in your neighbourhood, when you should call 9-1-1, and how you can become a police officer.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with the RCMP on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Human Resources

At The City of Red Deer, our employees are the cornerstone to our organization. We offer our employees the balance, growth and opportunity they desire in a progressive and dynamic workplace.

Looking for a career change? Summer employment? Stop by the Human Resources booth to chat with our reps about current employment opportunities, the application process and the benefits of working with The City of Red Deer.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Human Resources on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Public Works (Part 2)

As we continue the discussion of the two “seasons” of Red Deer, today we are discussing the construction “season” side of Public Works.



Construction "season" is 
just around the corner



365 days a year our Public Works department is busy working to ensure our roads are safe by performing the maintenance necessary dependent on the season. During construction season, we are responsible for:


•  Spring clean up
•  Street sweeping
• Lane maintenance
• Bridge maintenance 
• Sidewalk construction and repair
• Street painting
• Street paving

Join us at Let’s Talk to learn about how we maintain your roads, manufacture street signs and maintain parking meters. Plus, did you know you can get updates of  current local road closures and traffic disruptions by visiting www.reddeer.ca/roadclosures?



Over the past two blogs we only scratched the surface of the duties of the Public Works Roads section. Public Works also manages an Equipment Fleet section and is responsible for building maintenance, so make sure to stop by their booth to learn more about the services they offer Red Deer.



It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Public Works on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.



Let's Talk 2012 - Public Works (Part 1)

Let's Talk snow removal with Public Works

It has been said that Red Deer has two seasons: winter and construction. In honour of this statement, we are going to discuss the Public Works department over two days in these two “seasons”.

First up is winter, which is hopefully over now (knock on wood). During the winter, Public Works will work 24/7 to make sure our roads are safe. However, the question on everyone’s mind during a snow fall is – “where are all the snow plows?” So stop by the Public Works booth on Saturday, April 21, to talk to them about the program they use that tells you exactly where the snow plows are and how we are able to use this program to effectively manage our fleet when the snow flies. From what happens when you report an unsafe road condition to the breakdown of the salt/sand mixture used on the roads, Public Works will be on hand to help answer these questions.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Public Works on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let’s Talk 2012 – Transit



Learn how Transit can get you
 wherever life takes you at Let's Talk

Wherever life takes you, Red Deer Transit gets you to school, work, and play.

With over 13,000 passenger boardings per day, and over 3 million per year, Transit is a positive economic, environmental and social force in Red Deer. Everyone in Red Deer benefits from public transit, even if you never board a bus.

At Let’s Talk, talk to bus operators and staff about our routes, upcoming service changes and our increasingly green fleet. Pick up a Ride Guide to help map out your journey and learn about how the Red Deer Transit Action Bus offers transportation services to citizens of Red Deer who cannot use regular transportation.

If you are looking to take Transit to see us on Saturday, April 21, routes 8 and 11 will get you to Parkland Mall from Sorensen Station.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Transit on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk - Inspections & Licensing

Inspections & Licensing's Toys for Tickets
program has collected over 3,000 toys
for the Red Deer Christmas Bureau.

If City departments were people, Inspections & Licensing would be Sheldon Cooper from TV’s The Big Bang Theory. Practical and cautious, if they had a zodiac sign it would be Taurus.

A few of the responsibilities of this diverse department include inspecting the construction of buildings, issuing special events permits, running the popular Toys for Tickets program, and managing animal control and dog licenses. In essence, Inspections & Licensing helps make sure things are done right and in a safe manner throughout Red Deer.   

At Let’s Talk, they will be sharing a booth with the rest of the Planning Services division departments. Stop by to chat with staff, build a mini community with Lego© and enter to win a Lego© set to take home.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Inspections & Licensing on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Emergency Services

Visit the south west parking lot for a tour of an ambulance

Did you know that the majority of all fires start in the home? With that in mind, get the 4-1-1 on home sprinkler systems, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors from our Emergency Services department at Let’s Talk.

Members from our Emergency Services department will be on hand to share fire safety and prevention tips to help protect you and your family. Tour an ambulance and learn about defibrillators and heart monitors with our Firemedics. Talk to a dispatcher to find out what happens when you call 9-1-1. And everyone’s favorite mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog will be on hand, so don’t forget your camera.

With so much information to share, Emergency Services will have two booths at Let’s Talk. One booth inside the mall and one in the south west parking, weather permitting, where emergency vehicles will be on display.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with Emergency Services on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - Recreation, Parks & Culture

We don’t monkey around when it comes to summer camps, but we do have a summer camp called “Monkeying Around” and we’ll be doing just that with the Recreation, Parks and Culture (RPC) department at Let’s Talk.

"Monkey Around" with us this summer



Stop by the RPC booth between 10 a.m. and noon or 1 and 3 p.m. to try out a variety of summer camp activities. Whether you’re young, or just young at heart, you can channel your inner Nugent Hopkings in a mini stick game or get your Van Gogh on in our craft centre. Plus, mascots Buckles and Buddy will make a special appearance from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Summer camps are just one service that RPC offer Red Deerians. If you want more information on our park system, public art collection, or recreation facilities – this is the booth for you.

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with RPC on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.



Let's Talk 2012 - Electric Light & Power department

As we enlighten Red Deerians on the many City departments participating in Let’s Talk, it seems fitting that the next department showcased is Electric Light & Power (EL&P).

In a nutshell, EL& P can be summarized by the lyrics from "You’re the one that I want” featured in Grease - 'Cause the power you're supplyin',it's electrifyin'! However, that is not all they do. Our EL&P department plans, builds, operates and maintains our electric transmission and distribution facilities. We do not generate electricity, but we deliver power to every customer in our service area - and we do it very well. Not to brag, but we are consistently ranked as one of the top municipal electricity suppliers in Canada.



EL & P's power grid display -
try your hand at balancing
 consumer needs with the energy supply

Empowering Red Deerians since 1926, EL&P’s display at Let’s Talk will challenge you to balance a power grid – making sure you are meeting residents’ power requirements and not overloading the system by using too much energy from various energy sources. Trust us - it is harder than it looks.

After you successfully balance the power grid, talk to us about how we are doing our part for the environment. Under our contract with a green power supplier, The City is increasing its green power usage to 25 per cent of The City’s electricity requirements by 2013. And our traffic lights are green too. Since 2008, all traffic lights in the city have been converted to LED lights. LED lights are not only good for the environment, but their low energy consumption results in other green savings to taxpayers – to the tune of more than $174,000 annually.

Speaking of tune, bet you still have “You’re the one that I want” in your head, don’t you?

It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with EL &P on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012 - City Council and Corporate Leadership Team

Let’s Talk started in 1998, with the Mayor and City Councillors meeting residents at Parkland Mall over coffee and good conversation. Since then, Let’s Talk has expanded to an event which features over 30 City departments, agencies and committees, but at its core it is still our elected officials meeting with their residents over coffee and good conversation.

After 14 years, the City Council booth is still the biggest draw at Let’s Talk. Why? Because Let’s Talk provides you with the opportunity to engage with your elected officials to talk about the issues that matter to you. Love the G.H. Dawe Community Centre? Curious about what is happening on little Gaetz? Whatever you want to discuss with your City Council, you can discuss at Let’s Talk. Always accessible to their public, various members of our City Council will be on hand from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Parkland Mall on Saturday, April 21. Joining Mayor Morris Flewwelling and the eight City Councillors are members of the Corporate Leadership Team who represent the senior management at The City of Red Deer.

It isn’t just called Let’s Talk, it’s truly about talking. It’s your home, your neighbourhood, your city. Let’s Talk with your City Council on Saturday, April 21, at Parkland Mall from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Let's Talk 2012

It's coming! On Saturday, April 21, the City of Red Deer is hosting Let's Talk 2012 at Parkland Mall.

Some refer to Let's Talk as the public engagement opportunity of the year, others call it fun and educational, and the rest just think of it as a chance to meet the Mayor. Whatever you want to call it, over 30 City departments, agencies and committees will be on hand to answer your questions and shed some light on City projects, programs and services.

It's your home, your neighbourhood, your city. So, let's talk, Red Deer! Whether your reasons are for education, or strictly for fun, we hope to see you at Let's Talk 2012 on Saturday, April 21, from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Parkland Mall.

This page is your sneak peek into what you can expect at Let's Talk 2012, so check us out daily until April 21, when you can come check us out at Let's Talk.