The Pulse: Nov. 29, 2021

Andrew Knack has become the current longest serving city councillor in Edmonton, and he's promising to use the knowledge and wisdom he's gained during his past two terms to boost the success of the eight newly elected councillors.

"I had long-term city councillors who wanted to help me bring my ideas forward, even if they were going to vote against (them)," the Ward Nakota Isga councillor told Speaking Municipally of his experience joining council for the first time in 2013.

"I want to try to return that favour and help out those who have their own ideas and their own vision... and make sure they can be as successful as possible."

One of those rookie councillors is Ward Anirniq's Erin Rutherford, who beat incumbent Bev Esslinger in northwest Edmonton.

Rutherford, who has 15 years of experience in public administration, told Taproot's municipal affairs podcast that she plans to address the bus network redesign, to ensure it is accessible and works for residents who rely on transit.

"It's about acknowledging what those imperfections are, and how do we take the system we have and make it work based on the feedback that all of us as council... have heard since the implementation of that bus network redesign."

Similarly, Knack said his priority over the next four years will be implementing the City Plan, including looking at how Edmonton invests in transit and active transportation.

"I think the City Plan was designed in a way that provides a very strong vision for the future of our city. And I want to spend the vast majority of my time implementing that plan," he said.

• Advocacy group Paths for People is calling for 102 Avenue downtown between 99 Street and 103 Street to be made pedestrian-only. Currently, the roadway is expected to re-open with one eastbound traffic lane after LRT construction wraps up. Coun. Anne Stevenson is supportive of the idea and plans to bring forward a motion to seek more information.
• The city estimates the cost of the 50 Street Widening and Railway Grade Separation project will be 41% over budget, up to $145 million from $103 million, due to a major design change requiring an overpass. According to Jason Meliefste, branch manager of infrastructure and delivery, the City of Edmonton has about 275 capital projects underway and the most recent review showed more than 96% were on budget.
• Early Saturday morning, the University of Alberta, Edmonton Police Service, and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services conducted a "planned and controlled" disposal of chemicals at Hawrelak Park. The peroxide-forming chemicals, used in biochemical research, were detonated in a parking lot in what an EPS spokesperson called "a routine exercise."
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Edmonton charities and non-profits are holding 50/50 raffles this holiday season to make up for fundraising shortfalls and challenges associated with hosting large, indoor gala events. According to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), nearly 25% of the licenses issued to charitable organizations since April 1 have been for 50/50 draws.
• With the Valley Line LRT expected to open in early 2022, CBC spoke to David Turnbull, the director of public art and conservation with the Edmonton Arts Council, about the line's public art. The project's $2.6 million art budget includes over 400 paintings commissioned from Métis artist David Garneau for the ceiling of Tawatinâ pedestrian bridge, as well as commissions for all 11 stops and one station.
• University of Alberta staff held a mock labour strike on Nov. 26, to demonstrate their frustration with ongoing bargaining negotiations. Over 1,000 people have been laid off from the U of A in the last year due to provincial funding cuts.
• The City of Edmonton has shared tips and guidelines for managing waste in the winter, such as pre-freezing organics to prevent them from freezing to carts. This will be the first winter with the new waste cart system, which began rolling out in March 2021.

Here are some of the items that will be considered this week:

• Council will look at adjustments to the 2022 operating budget and the 2022 capital budget (postponed from the Nov. 22 meeting). Notably, administration has recommended a number of adjustments to the 2019-2022 capital budget resulting in a net increase of $216.8 million. And council will get an update on the city's progress towards implementing a carbon budgeting and accounting framework for the 2023-2026 budget.
• The total projected financial impact of COVID-19 on the 2022 operating budget is $96.7 million, and administration is recommending a series of one-time funding strategies to offset that cost, including a special dividend of $10.3 million.
• Audit committee will look at the Office of the City Auditor's projects for 2022, its 2022-2025 strategic plan and operating budget request, the results of the Historic Resources Management Program audit, and more.

Meetings are streamed live on city council's YouTube channel.

Photo: A view of city council from within chambers (Flickr/Mack Male)

• The final panel in the Edmonton Housing Month Speaker Series on Nov. 30 is on client-led services, presented by Youth Empowerment and Support Services.
• The Stories of Stewardship event on Nov. 30 by the Vermilion River Watershed Alliance and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance will highlight wetland restoration projects by landowners in the Vermilion River watershed over the past five years.
• The Edmonton Public Library will host a talk about the potential repair to Indigenous-Canadian relations from University of Alberta professor Dwayne Donald on Dec. 1.
• Beloved holiday show Handel's Messiah — presented by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Richard Eaton Singers — will return to the Winspear Centre on Dec. 3 and 4.

Photo: Winter looks to be here to stay in Edmonton. (Filip Nowak/Instagram)