The Pulse: Aug. 19, 2024

This week, Edmonton city council is set to discuss proposed changes to its procedures bylaw, an application to rezone a unique parcel of land downtown, and who it will appoint to various boards and committees.

There is a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 19 and a city council meeting scheduled for Aug. 20 and 21.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

• Councillors may have to appear on camera when participating virtually in meetings, should amendments to the council procedures bylaw be approved at a meeting on Aug. 20. Administration said while virtual participation allows councillors more flexibility, it can also make verifying confidentiality difficult and get in the way of residents being able to observe elected officials during public meetings. If council passes the bylaw, councillors will be required to appear on camera without a virtual background when speaking or asking questions. Another amendment would change the day administration releases reports linked to council's agenda to the public. Currently, the reports are released 10 days in advance of a meeting. Administration now recommends this to be changed to the Thursday before the meeting. The 10-day rule was introduced in 2021 to allow councillors and the public more time to review the documents. But administration said reports released on this timeline are often incomplete, and that information is added shortly before meetings. Administration said it will distribute reports in advance of the new timeline if it anticipates the report will generate significant public interest. It said it would do so using an agenda of an earlier meeting. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has started a letter-writing campaign to pressure council to refuse the proposed changes. The chamber said the change would make it harder for Edmontonians to stay informed, for the news media to report on city council, and for non-profit organizations to advocate effectively.
• F&F Holdings has applied to rezone a narrow parcel of land downtown located west of 109 Street between 99 Avenue and the alleyway south of Jasper Avenue. The current zoning allows for buildings on the property to be as tall as 20 metres, or about four storeys. The applicant wants to increase the maximum height on the parcel north of 100 Avenue to 70 metres, or about 20 storeys, and the maximum height south of 100 Avenue to 50 metres, or about 15 storeys. These heights are the same as those allowed on the lots across 109 Street. Some nearby residents oppose the rezoning. They said buildings this tall will reduce privacy, views, and sunlight, and that more density will increase traffic congestion. Council is scheduled to debate the rezoning at a public hearing on Aug. 19.
• Council will meet in private to discuss new appointments to the City of Edmonton Youth Council, Fort Edmonton Management Company, Alberta Municipalities, Edmonton Police Commission, and Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

• The City of Edmonton is considering transit fare hikes next year to address a $13-million budget shortfall caused by inflation and increased demand for low-income transit passes. Proposed changes include more than doubling the monthly fare cap for seniors to $78 and raising adult cash fares by 75 cents to $4.25 per trip. City council's executive committee is set to discuss the proposed increases during its Aug. 28 meeting.
• Edmonton city council is hesitant about the proposed relocation of a Camrose casino to south Edmonton, citing concerns over increased traffic, required infrastructure upgrades, insufficient time for public consultation, and potential social issues related to gambling addiction. While city administration supports the project for its economic benefits, including additional tax revenue, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and other council members raised concerns about the social impacts the casino could have on the city. It's the second time the casino has applied to relocate to Edmonton. Council has requested administration draft a letter to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), which it will review on Aug. 20. The public can submit feedback to the AGLC until Aug. 21.
• More than 6,500 runners participated in the 2024 Servus Edmonton Marathon on Aug. 18, making it the largest event in its 33-year history. Kenyan-born David Mutai won the men's marathon, while local and international participants competed for Boston Marathon qualifications and more than $10,000 in prize money. The marathon raised more than $30,000 for charities.
• Construction on the Valley Line West LRT project uncovered an old streetcar track from 1913 at 142 Street and 102 Avenue. "This is really significant to us because we feel like we're building history as well," said Jonathan Cox with Marigold Infrastructure Partners, which is constructing the LRT. Artifacts, including seven rail spikes from the track, were donated to the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, which expects to put them on display in the future.
• Edmonton-based physician John O'Connor is campaigning against the use of the insecticide rotenone in Edmonton's lakes to control invasive goldfish. O'Connor and other residents argue that rotenone poses significant health risks, while EPCOR says it is not harmful to humans. O'Connor and other community members have gained support through their advocacy efforts highlighting what they call a lack of transparency and the potential for the chemical to be used in stormwater ponds across Edmonton.
• CBC news interviewed University of Alberta biologist Heather Proctor about crayfish, which have been found in Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River. Previously restricted to the Beaver River drainage, these freshwater creatures have spread due to both human activities and natural movement. While they are edible, Alberta regulations require them to be killed on-site if caught, and their presence raises ecological concerns due to their big appetites.
• Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch has launched a week-long "Walk Your Block" event starting at Eastwood Community League to encourage residents to actively participate in community safety by being visible, meeting neighbours, and reporting suspicious activity. The initiative aims to reduce crime and improve social order through increased community involvement.
• Veteran Edmonton journalist Cam Tait wrote a column reflecting on his 45-year career in media, beginning with his first byline at the Edmonton Journal in 1979. Over the years, Tait has covered a variety of stories and beats. Now at the Edmonton Sun, Tait plans to dedicate his future columns to helping those in need.
• The Edmonton Elks secured their third consecutive victory with a 47-22 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 17. The win marks a major turnaround for the Elks, who started the season with seven straight losses but have now gone 3-2 under interim head coach Jarious Jackson. It was the team's first three-game win streak since 2019.
• The Edmonton Oilers have acquired Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick, the team announced Aug. 18. The team also announced that it has acquired defenceman Ty Emberson from San Jose in exchange for defenceman Cody Ceci and a 2025 third-round draft pick.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Library Lunchtime Concerts starting at 12:15pm at the Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Open Studio Week at Sweet Carousel (until Aug. 24)
• Book Clubs of EPL: The Henna Artist starting at 2pm at the Edmonton Public Library (Idylwylde)
• CITI Open House starting at 5pm online
• Messed Up Monday starting at 6pm at Pub 1905
• Until Aug. 25: Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Aug. 24: Reunion Pawty at Terwillegar Dog Park
• Aug. 28: Coffee with the Chamber at Fort Edmonton Park
• Aug. 31: FitFest for Brain Care at Borden Park

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