The Pulse: Dec. 8, 2020

City council has approved the Edmonton City Plan, which is intended to guide Edmonton's growth to a population of two million people.

It took just a few minutes for council to give its final approval of the plan on the morning of Dec. 7. Charter Bylaw 20000 passed third reading 12-1 with Coun. Mike Nickel as the lone vote against.

"The City Plan brings forward a vision for Edmonton that will allow it to become a healthy, urban, climate-resilient city that supports a prosperous region," Mayor Don Iveson said in a news release. "It ensures that as our city grows, we’re building a fiscally and environmentally viable future for generations of Edmontonians to come."

On Tuesday, Dec. 1 the new Innovate Edmonton named Catherine Warren as its first CEO, completing an executive search that began in August.

Following the announcement, Warren asked Edmonton's innovation community about the three things it needs most right now. Nearly 50 messages were posted to an Edmonton Startup Slack channel in response, which led to the creation of a Stormboard for the community to further brainstorm goals and priorities. 

The board talks about mentorship, investment, developing a local and global presence, talent retention, and more. 

Two new local initiatives have launched to highlight some of the caffeinated and culinary pillars of our community.

CoffeePass is the brainchild of Edmontonian Eric Remagni, who was inspired to create the program after an eight-month international adventure.

“I began working on building the program in May of this year, and it has really been spurred forward by the challenges the pandemic has created,” he told Taproot. “Now more than ever, our cafes need the support of coffee lovers to help them make it through the pandemic.”

The pass, priced at $35 (plus tax and shipping), entitles the holder to 22 coffees, one at each of the 22 cafe partners. Participating businesses include more established cafes Little Brick and Doughnut Party and newer additions to the scene such as The Dapper Beaver and ch. cafeteria.

As we enjoy what seems like a pretty warm December so far, you might be wondering, "How unusual is this?" Edmonton Weather Nerdery has an answer, having charted 20 years of Edmonton highs for December. The pink days are warm; the blue days are cold.

On average, we have about 10 days with highs above 0°C in December, writes Chris Nelson. Some years have more than 15 above-freezing days, such as 2002 through 2006, 2011, and 2017. Here's a look at just the warmer-than-O°C days over the past 20 years.

As for lows in December, it's been relatively rare to avoid dipping below -20°C in December, although last year was such a year. "[A]bout half of the time December will hit -25°C, and about half of the time we will escape it."

This chart comes from Edmonton Weather Nerdery, a blog that crunches historical weather data from the Edmonton Blatchford weather station. Follow @yegwxnerdery.

• Mayor Don Iveson has called a special council meeting for Dec. 8 to discuss what the city can do to curb the spread of COVID-19. "The city will consider closing or curbing non-essential activities, including businesses," reports CBC News. Alberta is scheduled to receive 3,900 doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine next week.
• Edmontonian Ashley Antonio spoke to CBC News about her experience as a COVID-19 long-hauler, experiencing 257 days of symptoms.
• The provincial government is moving towards reflective license plates, meaning Albertans will no longer have to update the expiration stickers on their plates in the new year. "Drivers will still need to renew their vehicle registration and will need hold a valid registration certificate," reports the Edmonton Journal.
• Outdoor rinks in the city are struggling to stay open during the pandemic, with 60-70 of 120 community league rinks open.
• City council has approved the new ward boundaries with a 10-3 vote. The new boundaries will take effect for the municipal election next year.