This week, community and public services committee meets on Feb. 27, urban planning committee meets on Feb. 28 (though there was nothing on the agenda as of Feb. 26), and executive committee meets on March 1. There are also two meetings scheduled for March 3: a council services committee meeting in the morning, and a code of conduct subcommittee meeting in the afternoon.
Here are some of the key items on the agenda:
- The city's draft Rapid Housing Initiative Investment Plan would see 351 new units of supportive and affordable housing created using $72.6 million in federal funding and $37.3 million in new city funding. Edmonton is expected to receive about $12.5 million for the third round program in the "Major Cities Stream" and plans to apply for another $60.1 million in the "Projects Stream."
- No significant incidents were reported during the expanded pilot that allowed alcohol to be consumed across 18 parks from May to October 2022. Public opinion research suggests that 80% of Edmontonians agree drinking should be allowed in parks. With the pilot now complete, alcohol consumption in parks will no longer be allowed unless council directs administration to implement a similar program for 2023 and beyond.
- The existing agreement between the city and the Edmonton Elks for the use of Commonwealth Stadium expires on March 31. A new five-year agreement, covering a base licence fee, advertising, concession, and ticket surcharge revenue, could net the City of Edmonton about $5 million. The Elks have requested a licence fee waiver for 2023 and 2024 "in consideration of the team's post pandemic recovery strategies and financial position of the football team."
A pilot program allowed the consumption of alcohol at one of 124 picnic sites across 18 parks from May 1 to Oct. 10, 2022. (City of Edmonton/Twitter)
Here are some of the other new agenda items:
- Two city-owned properties in Boyle Street could be sold at below-market value to enable two affordable housing projects to move forward. The Koerman Block at 96 Street NW and 102A Avenue NW would have at least 75 units, while the number of affordable housing units at the other site at Rowland Road and 95 Street NW will depend on the proposals received.
- Administration is seeking approval to reallocate $600,000 in previously approved funds to support increased costs for the pipeline mitigation work being completed by Trans Mountain Pipelines for the Valley Line West LRT project.
- An environmental impact assessment completed for the MacKinnon Ravine Pedestrian Bridge replacement project concludes that any negative impacts are "anticipated to be limited and not significant." The previous bridge was removed in February 2022 due to safety concerns. Construction on the replacement is expected to begin this summer.
- Administration has suggested a number of schedules and clauses that might be revised in Bylaw 18483, which describes council's code of conduct.
- Most of council's 2023 budget for travel has already been allocated, with $69,195 out of the total $73,002 budget spoken for, but now there's another $18,175 in new requests that must be considered.
Meetings are streamed live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.