Here are some of the items that will be considered this week:
- Council's urban planning committee will receive an update about opportunities for the city to participate in a new federal program that was established to create a network of national urban parks. According to the report, benefits could include access to federal funding, advancing Indigenous reconciliation, and increased access to nature, while drawbacks could include regulatory requirements and the loss of municipal autonomy in decision-making. Administration intends to proceed to the exploratory stage with Parks Canada and enter into a non-binding agreement to collaborate.
- The community and public services committee will review a report that would see the 2021 social development operating expenditure budget get a one-time increase of $1.4 million, to be disbursed to community safety and well-being initiatives. According to the request, which will need to be approved by council, this supports the Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force's 14th recommendation, by taking additional funding that would have gone to the Edmonton Police Service and using it to "refund the community."
- Administration is proposing that $14.9 million received by the city through the Rapid Housing Initiatives' Cities Stream be directed towards two non-market housing providers to "purchase and convert two hotels into self-contained apartment housing with on-site social supports."
- Executive committee will get an update on administration's plans to address the gaps in service delivery for people experiencing homelessness as a result of the pandemic, during the upcoming winter months. The committee will also receive an update on the city's bridge renewal process and work that is currently underway as well as upcoming in the next budget cycle.
- Funding for the construction of the Lewis Farms Facility and Park is not approved, so administration is recommending that the city proceed to preparing a phasing plan, which could be completed within the current approved budget. A council decision will be required if this is recommended by community and public services committee.
- The community and public services committee will also review the service agreement between the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Arts Council, as well as look at an evaluation of the EndPovertyEdmonton initiative.
Meetings are streamed live on city council's YouTube channel.
Photo: Edmonton's river valley is a potential location for a national urban park. (Mack Male/Flickr)