Coming up at council: May 17-21, 2021

Coming up at council: May 17-21, 2021

· The Pulse
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Last week, city council's executive committee recommended changes to the governance of the city's Sanitary Servicing Strategy Fund (SSSF). If approved, the changes would mean that future decisions that could impact development charges and utility rates, as well as any material changes to the approved trunk network funded by the SSSF, would require council approval. It also means the decision to re-route the South Edmonton Sanitary Sewer trunk line to the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant is on hold, reports CBC News.

"This will allow for much more robust public engagement and ultimately more political oversight over something that was previously handled a little bit more behind closed doors," said Mayor Don Iveson.

Here are some of the notable agenda items coming before city council this week:

  • Council will consider recommendations from the utility committee to approve the Waste Reduction Roadmap and to approve EPCOR's new performance-based rates for water, wastewater, and drainage service.
  • Bylaw 19665 will authorize the City of Edmonton to borrow $14.44 million to purchase new electric buses under the Zero Emissions Buses program.
  • Proposed amendments to the Tax Penalty, Interest, and Monthly Payment Bylaw would, for applications to the city's monthly payment plan made between April 21 and Dec. 31, 2021, reflect council's decision to waive the 2% administration fee normally payable on past due installments, at an estimated cost of between $200,000 and $400,000.

Meetings are streamed live on city council's YouTube channel.

Photo of the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant courtesy of ISA Edmonton.