Andrew Stevens Ward 3

You are invited to join Andrew Stevens Ward 3 City Councillor and the Heritage Community Association for a town-hall conversation about growth, development, gentrification and revitalization in Regina. The event will be held on September 28 @ 7 PM, at the Artful Dodger Cafe (1631 11th Avenue). We have put together a stellar panel of people who think and talk a lot about these topics. 

Recently I came across a Regina General Hospital parking study from 2007. There were many recommendations, some of which appear to have been implemented. With one exception: the parkade. At the time, the study indicating a parking shortfall of between 500 and 600 spaces. No amount of street parking configurations would make up for that deficit. And I don't believe my usual prescriptions - public transportation, cycling, car pooling, walking, etc. - would make a serious dent in this requirement. Especially considering the out-of-city clientele and lack of a provincial public transportation system getting people to the hospital.

This important motion on homelessness is being brought forward by the Mayor and will be debated at Council this month. It certainly has my support. Keep in mind that the working group/advisory board referenced in the motion isn't interested in another study on homelessness; instead, the focus is on building the plan and costing a strategy to eliminate ("functional zero") homelessness in Regina. It's the project I'm the most proud of being part of as a Councillor.

On July 31, City Council considered the Access Without Fear motion I co-authored with community groups. Here's what happened and next steps. 

At tomorrow's (July 5, 2017) Executive Committee meeting, Council members will be asked to provide a cash grant of $1,310,700 to REAL for renovations to the Brandt Centre in support of hosting the 2018 MasterCard Memorial Cup. Check out the details here.

I present the Access Without Fear City motion to Council this evening (June 26, 2017). The motion is the result of a collaboration with community members who have been working on this initiative since January, following President Trump's racist travel ban policies. I recommend that people read the motion instead of relying on media coverage.

In the May edition of the Regina and District’s Chamber of Commerce newsletter, ChamberLink, the Chamber’s CEO takes aim at a particular City Councillor who has questioned the current split between commercial and residential property taxes in our City. Residential ratepayers contribute about 63% of total tax revenue compared to non-residential (commercial) at 37%. After Saskatoon, this is one of the lowest ratios in Canada. As the Chamber CEO, John Hopkins, writes

Here are a few highlights related to the DRAFT 2016 Public Accounts, which were made public on May 5. The document will be reviewed at the May 9 Finance and Administration Meeting. 

Here's some information about the Travellers Building at 1833 Broad Street.