The Pulse: July 2, 2024

On the agenda: Residential parking program, 99 Street development, homelessness funding

July 2, 2024
By Stephanie Swensrude

This week, councillors will have their last week of meetings before the summer break. They are scheduled to discuss the residential parking program, services for those who are homeless, and a rezoning on 99 Street.

There is a public hearing scheduled on July 2 and a city council meeting scheduled on July 3 with a continuation on July 4.

Here are key items on the agenda:

City council is scheduled to debate hitting pause on the updated residential parking program after critical feedback from residents. City administration had planned to phase out 15 of 19 residential permit parking zones, where parking is reserved for residents who live near major attractions, such as Rogers Place and Commonwealth Stadium. In the remaining four zones, permits that were previously free would now cost $120 per year, and the zones would be smaller. At a meeting on June 18, council's urban planning committee recommended that council pause these changes so that the city can further engage with residents.
Pending city council approval at a meeting on July 3, administration may begin creating an exit strategy for all city-funded services, programs, and infrastructure related to housing, shelters, mental health, and addictions that are under the province's jurisdiction. Council's community and public service recommended council to provide this directive during its meeting on June 17.
Pangman Development Corporation has applied to rezone an empty lot in Strathcona at 8904 99 Street NW, the former site of the Wild Earth Cafe and Bakery and the Wild Earth Foods grocery store. The rezoning would allow for an eight-storey building with the option to include commercial bays at ground level. The current zoning allows for a 10-storey building with mandatory commercial bays on the ground floor. Several area residents oppose the rezoning due to the proposed shift from mandatory street-side commercial. The site has sat fallow since 2017, when the cafe, grocery store (which dated back 85 years), and other amenities were closed and eventually demolished to make way for a proposed 31-storey luxury tower from Bateman Properties. That project is now scratched.

Headlines: July 2, 2024

July 2, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim

Edmonton's recreation facilities and programs lack effective planning and equitable distribution, according to a new audit report. The report found the City of Edmonton has not been adequately reaching out to the broader public or using demographic data to identify gaps and barriers in programming and access. In response, the City plans to gather more public feedback and create a strategy to improve equity in resource allocation, with a new policy expected by 2026.
Edmonton's Green Shacks program offers children aged six to 12, and younger kids with guardians, free summer activities like games, sports, and crafts beginning July 2 until Aug. 22. The program runs weekdays with varying hours at locations around the city, and activities will be posted weekly on-site.
WestJet has reached an agreement with its aircraft mechanics to end a strike that disrupted travel plans for tens of thousands over the Canada Day weekend. Despite the agreement, the airline warned that flight disruptions will persist as planes are returned to service. Travellers are advised to check their flight statuses. About 680 members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association employed by the airline walked off the job on June 28 after federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan issued a binding arbitration order. The union, which has secured a tentative five-year deal including pay raises and benefits, directed its members to resume work immediately pending a vote on the agreement.
A three-year-old boy died after he was hit by a Ford F150 truck at a marked crosswalk near Allard Road and Allard Boulevard SW in Edmonton on June 27. The boy was walking with his mother and sister, who both sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Police said neither speed nor alcohol are believed to be factors in the incident.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating after an Edmonton Police Service officer fatally shot a 28-year-old man in northeast Edmonton on June 29. The shooting happened in the Fraser neighbourhood, where officers were responding to a report of an impaired driver whose vehicle had rolled over. Police located the driver and shot him during a confrontation. He was taken to the hospital but died from his injuries.
Edmonton's new residential parking permit program, which included a $120 annual fee in some neighbourhoods, has been paused following resident complaints and pushback. Initially set to start on June 1, the program aimed to manage high on-street parking demand, but faced criticism for its rushed implementation and extended permit hours. City council's urban planning committee recommended a pause in June, and the program is expected to be discussed at an upcoming council meeting.
Leder Investments Ltd. has purchased the historic Army and Navy building on Whyte Avenue for more than $2 million, after it had been vacant since closing in 2020 due to the pandemic. The building, a cornerstone of Edmonton's retail landscape since 1928, is expected to be revitalized and potentially open by next summer.
Downtown Edmonton is revitalizing post-pandemic with new retail stores, dining options, and community spaces, highlighted by the success of the ICE District during the NHL playoffs, according to some business leaders. Vibrancy projects, flexible bylaws, and pedestrian-friendly corridors are helping to increase foot traffic, said Heather Thomson with the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. However, challenges remain with empty office spaces and underutilized areas, although efforts to convert office towers to residences and support new retailers show promise for sustained growth and vibrancy.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi appeared on Alberta Primetime to discuss a variety of topics affecting the city, including the positive impact of the Edmonton Oilers' playoff run on the city's economy, which generated nearly $200 million in economic activity. Sohi also emphasized the ongoing challenges of homelessness and the need for more affordable housing, highlighting the financial pressures on Edmonton because of what he says is insufficient provincial funding and support.
A fire hydrant that appeared in an unusual and potentially dangerous spot because of road construction on 97 Street and 58 Avenue has been temporarily relocated by EPCOR to a safer area after a local resident raised concerns about its placement. The company said the hydrant will be permanently installed once construction is completed.
University of Alberta computing science student Kowen Woo is one of 20 recipients of the 2024 RBC Future Launch Indigenous Youth Scholarship, which provides $10,000 annually for up to four years. Woo's achievement highlights both his academic excellence and community involvement, including his participation in the UR2PhD program and volunteer work with First Peoples' House.
The Edmonton Oilers announced a series of key signings over the weekend, including forward Viktor Arvidsson on a two-year, $4 million contract, defenceman Josh Brown on a three-year, $1 million deal, and veteran forward Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract after he was bought out by the Buffalo Sabres. Forward Mattias Janmark was re-signed to a three-year, $4.35 million deal, and the team also re-signed winger Connor Brown, veteran forward Corey Perry, and several other players, while adding goalie Collin Delia to their roster. The Oilers also placed goaltender Jack Campbell on waivers for a contract buyout.

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Podcasters shine light on city's solar rebate

July 2, 2024
By Colin Gallant

The City of Edmonton's decision to launch a revised version of its residential solar rebate program is a surprise that offers some promise, the hosts of Episode 270 of Speaking Municipally said.

"The city has told us that this program was not coming back," co-host Troy Pavlek said about the four-year initiative that exhausted its funds in 2022.

But, well, it's back, though in a modified form. The new rebate program is now for multi-unit properties with "four or more permitted units or dwellings," the city's webpage reads. The previous version was for residential properties irrespective of units. Applications open on July 2 for the $1.3 million pot. Projects must be completed and reported on by Dec. 16.

Pavlek, who installed solar panels on his home with help from the last incarnation of the project, thinks this timeline favours those who are already prepared. "I think this is going to look a lot like the last rebate program, where only people who already have this in the pipeline are able to benefit," he said.

The City of Edmonton ostensibly replaced the last version of the program with its Clean Energy Improvement Program, which was piloted for two years and should become permanent this year. Administered by Alberta Municipalities, it's a low-interest loan option that a recipient repays through their property taxes.

Fellow host Mack Male looked at the rise of solar implementation and made reference to other fast-moving advancements in energy transition — specifically Capital Power divestment from coal that happened years ahead of schedule.

"(Solar) far surpassed each and every possible projection that had been made over the last 25 years," Male said in reference to reporting by The Economist, which made the same point. "It's really incredible how much solar has grown, both in terms of installed capacity and how much it has dropped in terms of price."

Hear more about this, how the city might be pandering to conspiracy theorists, why mountain bikers might not love a new project built just for them, if a new green space downtown can become Edmonton's approximation of Central Park, and an update from the Taproot newsroom by managing editor Tim Querengesser on the June 28 episode of Taproot's civic affairs podcast.