City council is scheduled to meet on May 9, with a continuation on May 11. There is also a city council public hearing on May 10. Here are some of the key items on the agenda this week:
- City council will vote on a recommendation from the community and public services committee that administration provide a report on budget considerations to support ways to improve current snow and ice control as well as introduce new methods to improve service. Those new strategies include increasing the parking ban and sidewalk enforcement, clearing sidewalks for all seniors within 24 hours of a snow event, introducing a courtesy tow during parking bans, and more. Administration could also be asked to provide the amounts spent on contracted work for the last five winter seasons and the lifespan of current snow and ice control equipment.
- Executive committee is recommending that council approach the property owner of the former St. Andrews School field site in Inglewood to negotiate the sale with funds from the city's municipal reserve accounts, which is in line with open space goals from Big City Moves in the City Plan. The purchase is seen as a way to expand Edmonton's green network, enhance existing open space, and achieve multiple outcomes associated with housing, recreation, and climate resilience.
- A report on the current homelessness and encampment situation in the city and how administration plans to address it was pushed directly from community and public services committee to council without any specific recommendation. Councillors will hear about actions including expanded day shelter services and hours of operation at Bissell Centre, additional drug poisoning response teams in downtown and Chinatown, and increased access to public washrooms throughout Edmonton.
Here are some of the other notable agenda items:
- Council will hear about the current state of licensing short-term and long-term rentals following an inquiry about measures to license all rentals and increase tenants' access to that information.
- Coun. Tim Cartmell plans to introduce a motion to have administration provide a report on the progress of land development at Blatchford, which would include a summary of all costs, the original project schedule, options to speed up the process, and more.
- A verbal report on capital operating budget priorities, funding, and tax tolerance will help to provide context on the city's capital and operating investment outlook. Councillors will also get an overview of the operating budget and highlights of capital funding challenges.
- Council will be asked to approve a memorandum of understanding with Bigstone Cree Nation to support the implementation of the urban reserve strategy and develop a mutually beneficial relationship between both entities.
- Community and public services committee recommends that council approve a request from the Edmonton Arts Council for grants and investments for 170 organizations this year, across three streams. The total amount recommended is about $9.5 million, and this shift is part of the implementation of the Connections & Exchanges plan.
- This week's city council public hearing will consider more than 10 bylaws, including an amendment to the Yellowhead Corridor Area Structure Plan, a proposal to rezone land for residential use in the Secord neighbourhood, and an amendment to the 109 Street Corridor Area Redevelopment Plan.
- Multiple bylaws will also be considered at city council, including a motion to designate the Canada Permanent Building as a municipal historic resource, as well as amending several bylaws to increase borrowing authority for the City of Edmonton to complete the undertaking, construction, and financing of some community revitalization levy projects.
Meetings are streamed live on city council's YouTube channel.
Photo credit: The City Room at City Hall Mack Male/Flickr