City council meets on April 19, with a continuation on April 20. There is also a public hearing on April 20. Here are some of the key items on the agenda this week.
- Council will review recommendations from the community and public services committee for the problem property initiative, which aims to address properties that create chronic issues in the communities they're in. The first recommendation is that the fire rescue services branch operating budget be increased by up to $850,000 from Edmonton police funds that are currently being held, to extend the community property safety team pilot for 18 months. The committee would also like to see the operating budget for the community standards and neighbourhoods branch increased by $915,000 from the same funds to improve dedicated resources for problem properties.
- Urban planning committee is recommending that council give administration the green light to begin preparing district plans and a district general policy in alignment with its move toward ensuring Edmontonians can meet their needs within a 15-minute walk, bicycle ride, or transit trip from home.
- Following a motion by Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, the community and public services committee recommended to council that it direct administration to work with stakeholders to develop recommendations to reduce drug poisoning injuries and deaths in the city, as well as to decriminalize "simple personal possession, safe supply, safe consumption sites, treatment, and supportive housing."
Here are some of the other notable agenda items:
- If council votes to approve recommendations from executive committee on sustainable funding and service growth for Edmonton's mass transit system, administration will conduct further research into options like dedicated transit funding, community revitalization levies, real estate opportunities, and parking fees.
- Council will be asked to approve adjustments to the previously approved 2022 operating budget, as well as for the city manager to use $8 million in COVID-19 funds this year to address emerging pandemic needs.
- The City of Edmonton's social development branch could get a $880,000 boost to fund a request from Edmonton women's shelters.
- Councillors plan to move several motions at this council meeting. Coun. Erin Rutherford has indicated that she will move three of them: asking administration to prepare an unfunded capital profile for the 2023-2026 budget deliberations on the acquisition of land for the Metro-line Northwest LRT Blatchford to Castledowns extension; requesting that administration prepare a report recommending amendments to the community league operating grant and community league infrastructure program to improve application processes and distribution of funds; and also that administration prepare an unfunded service package for the same grant and program ahead of budget meetings this fall.
- Janz will also request that the mayor write a letter to the chair of EPCOR's board requesting an executive compensation policy and salary cap that is no higher than the City of Edmonton's equivalent positions, as well as a compensation cap for the board of directors. Finally, Coun. Andrew Knack is asking that administration produce an unfunded capital profile to "advance the planning, design, and delivery of semi-exclusive routes B1 and B2 from the City Plan Mass Transit Network" for consideration during deliberations about the next budget cycle.
- Councillors will receive reports on Terwillegar Drive transit lane alignment and the Glenora traffic safety analysis.
- The city council public hearing will cover rezoning land for residential development in Glenridding Ravine, an amendment to the northwest industrial area outline plan, and more.
Meetings are streamed live on city council's YouTube channel.
Correction: This item has been updated to reflect that it was Mayor Amarjeet Sohi rather than Coun. Michael Janz who made the motion regarding reducing drug poisoning deaths and decriminalizing simple possession.