Calgary, AB,
26
June
2013
|
15:03
America/Denver
Update on State of Local Emergency
The City of Calgary remains in a state of local emergency due to significant flooding.
Call 311 for flood-related calls only. Call 911 in case of emergency.
Safety reminder
Floodwaters carry disease and germs from raw sewage. Citizens who are working to clean houses and communities after a flood are encouraged to continue to follow the tips from Alberta Health Services.
Floodwaters carry disease and germs from raw sewage. Citizens who are working to clean houses and communities after a flood are encouraged to continue to follow the tips from Alberta Health Services.
Update on State of Local Emergency
Under the recommendation of the Director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) will be extended for seven days. The SOLE was declared at 10:16 a.m., June 20, 2013 and will remain effective through, Thursday, July 4, 2013.
The Community Support Centres, which we have previously communicated are open and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Flow rates
• Glenmore dam is currently at 60 CMS, which is pretty much normal for this time of year
• Bearspaw dam is flowing at 650 CMS and expected to hold for 24 hours
• The confluence where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet is at 700 CMS, which is about three times normal – and double what we had in 2005
• Glenmore dam is currently at 60 CMS, which is pretty much normal for this time of year
• Bearspaw dam is flowing at 650 CMS and expected to hold for 24 hours
• The confluence where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet is at 700 CMS, which is about three times normal – and double what we had in 2005
Getting Around
In the affected areas 85% of the road networks have been restored. Roads in the downtown core have all been swept at least once. Below are some of the newest road openings and updates on continued closures.
In the affected areas 85% of the road networks have been restored. Roads in the downtown core have all been swept at least once. Below are some of the newest road openings and updates on continued closures.
Openings:
• 5th Ave NE Flyover is open to traffic.
• 4th Ave NE Flyover is open to traffic.
• 25 Ave between Spiller Rd and Macleod Trail. Right westbound lane closed for road repair
• Northbound & Southbound MacLeod Trail was completely opened into the core as of 6:05 am. Transit only lanes are established Northbound & Southbound.
Traffic signals:
• 65 traffic signals have been restored in the downtown core since the crisis. There are 35 traffic signals still without power and they are in the process of being restored.
Bridges closed over the Bow River:
• Shouldice Bridge closed to public (restricted access - Transit Only)
• Centre Street Bridge: lower deck only closed (upper deck open).
• Langevin Bridge (Edmonton Trail) closed to public (restricted access – Transit Only)
• St. George’s Bridge (12 Street)
• Baines Bridge (Zoo Road) (restricted access)
• Shouldice Bridge closed to public (restricted access - Transit Only)
• Centre Street Bridge: lower deck only closed (upper deck open).
• Langevin Bridge (Edmonton Trail) closed to public (restricted access – Transit Only)
• St. George’s Bridge (12 Street)
• Baines Bridge (Zoo Road) (restricted access)
Bridges closed over the Elbow River:
• McDonald Bridge closed to public (restricted access - Transit only)
• 9 Ave SE Bridge closed to public (restricted access - Transit only)
• 25th Ave Bridge – major roadwork underway
• McDonald Bridge closed to public (restricted access - Transit only)
• 9 Ave SE Bridge closed to public (restricted access - Transit only)
• 25th Ave Bridge – major roadwork underway
Transit
• 44 LRT stations are currently open with only 7 remaining closed.
• 44 LRT stations are currently open with only 7 remaining closed.
Please continue to watch calgary.ca and calgarytransit.com for up-to-date information on roads and transit services.
Access for emergency and recovery response
We are reminding Calgarians to keep the streets clear for flood recovery work. Please limit local on-street parking during this time. We need to ensure access for vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, waste collection vehicles and large pumper trucks in all Calgary neighbourhoods. Calgarians are reminded that:
• City and Enmax crews require six metres (18ft) clearance on residential streets for pumper trucks, utility vehicles, emergency response and roving garbage truck access. Please limit local on-street parking during this time.
• Beginning today, The City will be using “courtesy towing” (no charge to the vehicle owner) to gain access to affected neighbourhoods to collect refuse, pump water and manage utilities where necessary.
• If your car is not where you left it, check around your neighbourhood. Contact the Calgary Parking Authority dispatch line at 403-537-7100, select option #2 if you are unable to locate it.
• If you are planning an organized community clean-up, consider a central staging area at a local park, school or community centre for volunteer parking and organization.
• If you are volunteering in a flood-affected community, plan to carpool, take transit where possible and/or find parking at a distance so you don’t clog the streets of affected homes.
• Area residents, please use your garage and driveway to park your vehicle where possible.
• Effective immediately rear lane parking restrictions relaxed in the flood impact areas to grant access to residents while maintaining clear roadways.
• Beginning today, The City will be using “courtesy towing” (no charge to the vehicle owner) to gain access to affected neighbourhoods to collect refuse, pump water and manage utilities where necessary.
• If your car is not where you left it, check around your neighbourhood. Contact the Calgary Parking Authority dispatch line at 403-537-7100, select option #2 if you are unable to locate it.
• If you are planning an organized community clean-up, consider a central staging area at a local park, school or community centre for volunteer parking and organization.
• If you are volunteering in a flood-affected community, plan to carpool, take transit where possible and/or find parking at a distance so you don’t clog the streets of affected homes.
• Area residents, please use your garage and driveway to park your vehicle where possible.
• Effective immediately rear lane parking restrictions relaxed in the flood impact areas to grant access to residents while maintaining clear roadways.
The Calgary Parking Authority is relaxing back alley parking restrictions temporarily to accommodate clean-up crews. Please ensure there is adequate room for emergency vehicles to get through back alleys.
For up-to-date information on Calgary transit service, please visit calgarytransit.com.
Property Taxes
Taxes and Use –
Property tax bills were mailed on May 24 and are still due June 28. Business and property taxes are used by The City to provide the level of service that Calgarians have come to expect: Transit; Roads; Parks; Recreation; Police and Fire.
Property tax bills were mailed on May 24 and are still due June 28. Business and property taxes are used by The City to provide the level of service that Calgarians have come to expect: Transit; Roads; Parks; Recreation; Police and Fire.
Many of these services are being employed in the ongoing flood response and recovery efforts; especially in terms of our front line emergency responders; evacuation response and communications.
Penalty –
Property and business owners who have unpaid balance on their taxes by the due date will be subject to a late fee of 7%. This penalty comes into effect on July 1, 2013.
Property and business owners who have unpaid balance on their taxes by the due date will be subject to a late fee of 7%. This penalty comes into effect on July 1, 2013.
Mayor Nenshi will seek Council’s approval to waive the penalty charge for late payment of residential property taxes until midnight on July 12, 2013. However, at this point the penalty for unpaid balances on taxes is still July 1, 2013.
Payment Options –
There are many ways to pay your property taxes, including at your bank or financial institution in person, online and through telebanking. The City of Calgary has four temporary Customer Service Counters:
There are many ways to pay your property taxes, including at your bank or financial institution in person, online and through telebanking. The City of Calgary has four temporary Customer Service Counters:
• Rose Kohn Arena, 502 Heritage DR SW
• Election and Information Services Office, 1103 55 Ave. NE
• Forest Lawn Community & Neighbourhood Services, 3810 17 Ave. SE
• Georgina Thompson Building, 51 Cornell Rd. NW
• Election and Information Services Office, 1103 55 Ave. NE
• Forest Lawn Community & Neighbourhood Services, 3810 17 Ave. SE
• Georgina Thompson Building, 51 Cornell Rd. NW
*Note all centres are open 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. except the Election office location open 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
You may use cash, cheques or debit at these Customer Service Centres to pay your property taxes. Credit cards are not be accepted for tax payments.
You may also send in your property tax via Canada Post, or apply online for the Tax Instalment Payment Plan, know as TIPP, at Calgary.ca.
Please visit www.Calgary.ca for current information.