Edmonton city council returns this week to discuss transit fares, shelter standards, and the sale of a lot to an affordable housing provider.
There is an urban planning committee meeting scheduled on Aug. 27 and an executive committee meeting scheduled on Aug. 28.
Here are key items on this week's agenda:
- Administration proposes to increase Edmonton Transit Service fares to help cover a funding gap in the Ride Transit program, which provides subsidized transit passes to low-income riders. A report scheduled to be presented to council's executive committee on Aug. 28 outlines the proposed changes. Cash fares are proposed to increase to $4.25 per trip, while Arc card fares could increase to $3.50, and the adult monthly fare cap could increase to $120. Youth and senior monthly fare caps could be increased to equal 65% of the standard adult fare policy, which would double the current monthly cap for seniors. City administration said the proposed increases would generate about $8 million in extra revenue in both 2025 and 2026. If council approves the increases, however, there would still be a revenue shortfall of $10 million. Administration said it will include the proposed fare hikes in the fall supplemental budget adjustment, when councillors will vote on the increase. If council approves it, the proposed increase will come into effect in February. City staff also created an action plan for two further options to bridge transit's revenue shortfall. Pending council approval, the city will find a vendor to manage a proposed online storefront to sell transit merch, and introduce a $1.50 surcharge in 2025 for larger Commonwealth Stadium events (such as concerts). The merch store and ticket surcharge are expected to generate $15,000 and $44,000 annually, respectively.
- City staff have created a new guide that, pending council approval, would replace the existing standards for homeless shelters. The document serves as a guide, as the City of Edmonton does not fund or regulate emergency shelters. The new approach encourages shelters to determine what kind of shelter they would like to be, who they should serve, what outcomes they hope to achieve, and where in the city they should be located. The guide also introduces a section that highlights the day-to-day operations and programming that each shelter should strive towards. The new guide is set to be discussed at an urban planning committee meeting on Aug. 27. A related change to the zoning bylaw will be included in the discussion. Administration recommends removing the floor area limit for shelters to provide greater flexibility for shelter operators.
- Administration proposes to sell a lot in Parkdale to Jasper Place Wellness Centre (JPWC) for $1 so JPWC can develop about 24 supportive housing units. To help make the project viable, administration also recommends the city provide JPWC with $900,000 through a grant from the Housing Accelerator Fund. The proposed affordable housing project is two 12-unit buildings with shared facilities, similar to JPWC's other "Healing House" properties. Council's executive committee must approve the sale of a city property below market value, which it could do at a meeting scheduled on Aug. 28. The report accompanying the sale agreement said JPWC is working with local philanthropists to develop another 20 buildings, and intends to use the Parkdale site as a proof of concept.
- The city has created two potential bus rapid transit route alignments. One could connect Castle Downs with Century Park, through downtown; the other could connect Bonnie Doon to West Edmonton Mall via Whyte Avenue. Administration will next complete detailed planning and more accurately assess costs to implement the routes. It said the routes will include dedicated transit lanes for 75% of the alignment and transit priority at every intersection. Council's urban planning committee is scheduled to discuss the proposed routes at a meeting on Aug. 27.
Meetings stream live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.
Photo: Council's executive committee is scheduled to discuss potentially increasing transit fares. (Mack Male/Flickr)