On the agenda: Community and transit safety, encampments and housing, and more

This week, city council will hold its final full meeting before the summer break, on July 4, with a continuation scheduled for July 5.

A discussion about the funding formula for the Edmonton Police Service is being postponed for the third time, until Aug. 22. It was originally requested last year when city council decided to approve the funding formula for 2023 only, and was scheduled for March 14 before being postponed to June 13 and then July 4.

Here are some of the key items on the agenda:

• The Community Safety and Well-Being Strategy, approved by city council in May 2022, is now in the implementation phase with an evaluation framework under development to measure "achievement of outcomes, system shifts, and the impact of continuous learning on efforts." Administration says that community partners will help determine how to allocate the remaining community safety and well-being funds, including $1.86 million in ongoing funding in each of 2023 and 2024, and $4.35 million in ongoing funding in each of 2025 and 2026. A list of recommended priority initiatives will be presented at the fall supplemental operating budget adjustment.
• In the latest update on the Transit Safety Plan and the Downtown Core, administration says emergency shelters remain at or near capacity despite the warmer weather, with 1,317 people unhoused or using shelters. The report also says there has been a 61% increase in encampment complaints compared to the same time last year, and that "prompt reoccupation of locations cleared of encampments continues to be a challenge in the downtown core."
• An update on the implementation of the Edmonton Transit System Safety Plan outlines 14 opportunities for further enhancing safety and security, including collaborating with community partners to activate transit spaces, adding in-person customer support at transit stations, and redesigning bus shelters.

Here are some of the other new agenda items:

• Administration recommends applying for a $40,000 grant through the FireSmart program to develop a Wildfire Hazard and Risk Assessment for the Whitemud District. The assessment could be a starting point for a citywide wildfire risk strategy.
• An update on the Rapid Housing Initiative will be discussed.
• Coun. Erin Rutherford is expected to request a report outlining the creation of a 2SLGBTQ+ community advisory committee and a 2SLGBTIAQ+ Action Plan to help address rising hate and create safe and inclusive public spaces.
• Several borrowing bylaws will be considered, including:
  • $316 million for the New Transit Bus Garage project
  • $43.82 million for the Terwillegar Drive Expressway Upgrade - Alternate Staging project
  • $25 million for the Valley Zoo Animal Enclosure Renewal and Enhancement project
• Several minor updates to the 2023 council and committee calendar, including the addition of a special city manager and city auditor performance evaluation committee meeting on Dec. 1, will be considered.
• Council will also discuss several items in private, including:
  • An update on the 2030 Commonwealth Games bid
  • A contractual update for the Valley Line
  • The final report of the Office of the Councillors Budget Review Task Force
  • 2023 appointment recommendations for the City of Edmonton Youth Council
  • An update from the Edmonton Downtown Business Association
  • Membership reports for the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority, Edmonton Police Commission, and Audit Committee Public Members

Meetings are streamed live on YouTube on the Chamber channel and River Valley Room channel.