Here are some of the notable agenda items coming before city council this week:
- A proposed one-time COVID-19 Impact Operating Grant for The Orange Hub would make up to $180,000 available to support organizations within the hub that have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. At least four organizations have told the city they are in urgent financial need and another five have stated federal supports are not sufficient.
- Replacing the pedestrian bridge over 170 Street is projected to cost as much as $8 million, which would include contributions of up to $2 million each from Alberta Health Services and West Edmonton Mall. A funding request will be considered as part of the spring 2021 supplemental capital budget adjustment.
- In an update on Living Hope: A Community Plan to Prevent Suicide in Edmonton administration says implementation is "proceeding well" but will be extended to March 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council previously approved $422,900 for implementation activities.
- Administration recommends $10.37 million in grant funding for four proposed affordable housing developments that will result in 124 new units. The report suggests that the investment would leverage a total of $67.9 million in construction value.
- The city is looking to renew its agreement with Google for productivity and cloud platform services for $9.6 million over five years. The city has used Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) since 2013.
- Explore Edmonton has agreed to fund an exploration of the viability of adapting the Edmonton Expo Centre for use as a sport venue, and will provide $77,250 to retain the services of Incite Strategy Management for the project.
- The $1.14 million annual decrease to the weed control program approved by council last fall will result in reduced manual shrub maintenance and potentially increased use of herbicides.
Meetings are streamed live on city council's YouTube channel.
Photo of The Orange Hub courtesy of Arts Habitat Edmonton.