The Pulse: June 24, 2024

This week, councillors will continue to hear from the public about the proposed district policy, discuss an update on Blatchford utilities, and learn about city auditor recommendations.

There is a utility committee meeting scheduled for June 24 and an audit committee meeting scheduled for June 25. The public hearing for district planning is scheduled to continue on June 25. There is a special council meeting scheduled on June 28 and a city manager recruitment committee meeting scheduled on June 28.

Here are key items on the agenda:

• The public hearing for the district policy and 15 district plans continues on June 25. The policy and associated plans are to guide development as the city's population grows to two million. When the hearing left off on June 3, some councillors signalled they didn't fully support the policy, citing uncertainty and a lack of trust between council and the public.
• City administration says the Blatchford renewable energy utility requires a cash infusion of $69 million to be financially sustainable over the long term. This funding is needed by 2028, when the city expects the utility to expand significantly. The proposed cash infusion is scheduled to be discussed at a utility committee meeting on June 24. It requires council approval. An accompanying report said the utility has not experienced any interruptions or concerns over its first five years. City staff expect the utility to be connected to 114 accounts by the end of 2024, and 413 by the end of 2027.
• The city auditor found the City of Edmonton does not effectively provide equitable access to recreation programming to all residents. The auditor recommends the city engage with the public to identify barriers and programming needs, and create a plan to align efforts. Council's audit committee is scheduled to discuss this on June 25.
• Administration said it is on target to meet the revised due dates for 12 recommendations from the city auditor that it has not completed. Fifty recommendations are currently outstanding; three have been completed since the last audit committee meeting in April. Half of the recommendations due so far in 2024 have been completed on time. Council's audit committee is scheduled to review the recommendations at a meeting on June 25.
• Administration has proposed changes to the waste services fiscal policy to redefine how the department measures financial sustainability. The updates to financial indicators would realign the policy to the current economic and regulatory environment, according to a report to be presented at a utility committee meeting scheduled for June 24. The changes require council approval.
• Council is scheduled to receive a private update about efforts to recruit a new city manager on June 28. Council is also scheduled to hold a private strategic planning session on June 28.

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

Photo: Edmonton city council is scheduled to discuss utilities, audits, and district plans. (Mack Male)

• The Edmonton Oilers are set to face the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final after overcoming a 0-3 series deficit. Edmonton's recent surge was led by Connor McDavid's performances and solid goaltending from Stuart Skinner. Thousands of fans have been packing Rogers Place and the Moss Pit plaza, creating an electric atmosphere downtown. The Oilers, who haven't won the Cup since 1990, aim to end Canada's championship drought dating back to the Montreal Canadiens' 1993 victory.
• With the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup playoff run putting Edmonton in the international spotlight, the New York Times published an interview with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi focused on challenges in the city's downtown. While the area around Rogers Place has developed a lively bar and restaurant scene, the rest of downtown struggles with vacant storefronts and office space, along with high numbers of people experiencing homelessness. In the interview, Sohi called on the provincial and federal governments to provide more resources to address the underlying problems contributing to homelessness and poverty.
• Boston Pizza has promised to give away 30,000 free pizzas on parade day if the Edmonton Oilers win the Stanley Cup Final. Fans will be able to pick up their free 10-inch pies at the Boston Pizza location in Ice District, and a spokesperson said the company will also give away free pizzas in "other markets that have rallied behind the Oilers."
• Developers are opposing a recommendation from the City of Edmonton to stop any planning and development on the city's outskirts until 2029, arguing it could exacerbate the housing affordability crisis as the city's population continues to grow. The City's strategy aims to complete infrastructure and amenities in Edmonton's existing developing areas before expanding to newly annexed lands, to help reduce sprawl and support climate goals. City council will discuss the recommendation on July 3.
• Bear-spray attacks against people under 19 are increasing, according to data from the Edmonton Police Service. In response, the City of Edmonton is considering a bylaw that would restrict its sale to people under 18. The bylaw would also require businesses to have a license to sell it, and record all transactions. City council is expected to vote on the bylaw in July.
• The shareholders, board, and management of Edmonton Global released a joint statement saying they have reviewed and approved key recommendations from a working group formed six months ago in response to concerns raised by municipal shareholders. Late last year, several municipalities voted to leave the regional economic development organization. The recommendations, gathered from various stakeholders, aim to improve funding, governance, and strategy as the organization marks five years of operations, the statement said.
• Postmedia published a feature on Big Lake in northwest Edmonton, which spans 1,357 hectares and is a crucial wetland and bird habitat within Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park. The lake supports a diverse range of wildlife, including at-risk bird species and various mammals, and serves as an artistic inspiration for photographer and artist Memory Roth.
• Moxies has opened its flagship location in South Edmonton Common, which is its fourth restaurant in the city. The company plans to open 15 to 18 new locations across North America over the next three years, with one-third in Canada and the rest in the U.S. The company will also spend the next two years renovating existing locations to match its new design aesthetic.
• Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi won a decisive first-ballot victory to become the new leader of the Alberta NDP, taking over from Rachel Notley. Nenshi secured more than 86% of the vote to become the party's first leader from Calgary.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Edmonton Chapter of CPAs Charity Golf Tournament starting at 7am at The Ranch Golf & Country Club
• Indigenous Business Information Session starting at 1:30pm at the Queen Elizabeth II Building
• Open Stage at Fiddler's Roost starting at 5pm at the Norwood Legion
• Pop-Up Choir on the Square starting at 6pm at Churchill Square
• An Evening with Eckhart Tolle starting at 7pm at the Edmonton Convention Centre

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• July 4-7: Found Festival
• July 6: Edmonton Jerk Festival at Queen Mary Park Community League
• July 12-14: Thousand Faces Festival at the Alberta Avenue Community Centre

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.