The Pulse: Aug. 26, 2024

Edmonton city council returns this week to discuss transit fares, shelter standards, and the sale of a lot to an affordable housing provider.

There is an urban planning committee meeting scheduled on Aug. 27 and an executive committee meeting scheduled on Aug. 28.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

• Administration proposes to increase Edmonton Transit Service fares to help cover a funding gap in the Ride Transit program, which provides subsidized transit passes to low-income riders. A report scheduled to be presented to council's executive committee on Aug. 28 outlines the proposed changes. Cash fares are proposed to increase to $4.25 per trip, while Arc card fares could increase to $3.50, and the adult monthly fare cap could increase to $120. Youth and senior monthly fare caps could be increased to equal 65% of the standard adult fare policy, which would double the current monthly cap for seniors. City administration said the proposed increases would generate about $8 million in extra revenue in both 2025 and 2026. If council approves the increases, however, there would still be a revenue shortfall of $10 million. Administration said it will include the proposed fare hikes in the fall supplemental budget adjustment, when councillors will vote on the increase. If council approves it, the proposed increase will come into effect in February. City staff also created an action plan for two further options to bridge transit's revenue shortfall. Pending council approval, the city will find a vendor to manage a proposed online storefront to sell transit merch, and introduce a $1.50 surcharge in 2025 for larger Commonwealth Stadium events (such as concerts). The merch store and ticket surcharge are expected to generate $15,000 and $44,000 annually, respectively.
• City staff have created a new guide that, pending council approval, would replace the existing standards for homeless shelters. The document serves as a guide, as the City of Edmonton does not fund or regulate emergency shelters. The new approach encourages shelters to determine what kind of shelter they would like to be, who they should serve, what outcomes they hope to achieve, and where in the city they should be located. The guide also introduces a section that highlights the day-to-day operations and programming that each shelter should strive towards. The new guide is set to be discussed at an urban planning committee meeting on Aug. 27. A related change to the zoning bylaw will be included in the discussion. Administration recommends removing the floor area limit for shelters to provide greater flexibility for shelter operators.
• Administration proposes to sell a lot in Parkdale to Jasper Place Wellness Centre (JPWC) for $1 so JPWC can develop about 24 supportive housing units. To help make the project viable, administration also recommends the city provide JPWC with $900,000 through a grant from the Housing Accelerator Fund. The proposed affordable housing project is two 12-unit buildings with shared facilities, similar to JPWC's other "Healing House" properties. Council's executive committee must approve the sale of a city property below market value, which it could do at a meeting scheduled on Aug. 28. The report accompanying the sale agreement said JPWC is working with local philanthropists to develop another 20 buildings, and intends to use the Parkdale site as a proof of concept.
• The city has created two potential bus rapid transit route alignments. One could connect Castle Downs with Century Park, through downtown; the other could connect Bonnie Doon to West Edmonton Mall via Whyte Avenue. Administration will next complete detailed planning and more accurately assess costs to implement the routes. It said the routes will include dedicated transit lanes for 75% of the alignment and transit priority at every intersection. Council's urban planning committee is scheduled to discuss the proposed routes at a meeting on Aug. 27.

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

Photo: Council's executive committee is scheduled to discuss potentially increasing transit fares. (Mack Male/Flickr)

• Some microbiologists warn that the Borden Natural Swimming Pool filtration system is under strain due to high swimmer volumes. While the City of Edmonton says the pool's water quality is safe, experts suggest the City should enforce stricter daily testing to manage microbial growth and contamination risks, especially during peak use and high temperatures. The pool, which uses natural filtration methods, has faced closures and algae issues, prompting calls for more transparency and updated safety studies.
• E-scooter injuries in Alberta have surged by 21% over the past year, according to Alberta Health Services data, with significant increases among children and teens. Medical professionals warn that these injuries can be severe, sometimes requiring surgery or intensive care. Authorities and safety advocates urge riders to wear helmets and adhere to safety guidelines to mitigate risks, especially as dangerous practices like double-riding with children become more common. While the City of Edmonton recommends riders wear helmets on scooters, they are not mandatory.
• The 2024 Edmonton International Fringe Festival saw a successful turnout with 127,000 tickets sold, generating $1.3 million in artist payouts. However, organizers say the festival continues to face financial challenges, in part because of increased infrastructure costs and lingering impacts from the pandemic. The festival fell short of its $300,000 fundraising goal and organizers say it may need to scale back future events.
• Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee wrote an op-ed in Postmedia critical of recent coverage of homeless encampments. McFee argued that the opening of the provincial navigation and support centre in Edmonton early this year has increased the number of people accepting help, from less than 1% to nearly 35% in the first month of operations. He also disputed arguments that clearing encampments caused harm, writing that police interventions have helped people who needed medical attention for issues including frostbite.
• The Oskayak Police Academy, held from Aug. 12 to 23, brought together Indigenous high school students and Edmonton police officers. The initiative, a collaboration between the Edmonton Police Foundation, Bent Arrow Healing Society, and the Edmonton Native Healing Centre, aims to build trust between Indigenous communities and police. The academy concluded with a graduation ceremony for the 20 student participants.
• The City of Edmonton and Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations jointly held an event at city hall on Aug. 23 to commemorate Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and Alexander First Nation Chief George Arcand Jr. emphasized the significance of ongoing collaboration and respect between Edmonton and Indigenous communities.
• Edmonton woman Zahra Nader is documenting the realities experienced by women and 2SLGBTQ+ people under Taliban rule in Afghanistan through her women-led news outlet Zan Times. Operating from Edmonton, Nader and her team of Afghan journalists are working to bring these stories to light, emphasizing the global impact of the Taliban's actions. "I happen to be a journalist, so that's the tool I have to fight back and resist," Nader told CBC.
• Lisa Wojna spoke to Postmedia about her concerns with gaps and barriers in mental health and addictions treatment. Her daughter has been experiencing homelessness in Edmonton as she struggles with addiction and mental health challenges, said Wojna, who is critical of Leduc city council's decision to rescind emergency shelter resources. "There's all kinds of holes (and) all kinds of places people fall through the cracks," she said. "Our society is not stepping up to care for our people."
• Thieves have stolen cables from 12 electric vehicle charging stations in St. Albert, leaving just six of the city's 26 stations operational. Police are investigating the thefts, which are part of a broader trend of copper wire thefts across North America. The City of St. Albert says it will cost thousands of dollars to repair the stations and is discussing protective measures with ATCO.
• Metallica concerts at Commonwealth Stadium on Aug. 23 and 25 drew thousands of fans, including at least one who travelled to Edmonton from St. John's. The concerts created significant traffic and pedestrian congestion in the area, with road closures on Stadium Road on concert days.
• The City of Edmonton celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Front Yards in Bloom contest, recognizing top gardens across various categories including general yards, tiny yards, and public spaces. A full list of winners is available online.
• The Simply Supper Lemonade Stand Day returned to Edmonton on Aug. 25 to raise funds for the Stollery Children's Hospital Pediatric Diabetes Education Centre. More than 600 stands participated this year. The annual event has raised more than $2 million since it began.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Orchards Farmers' Market starting at 4:30pm at Orchards Drive SW
• Clothing Repair Clinic starting at 6pm at the Bellevue Community League
• Messed Up Monday starting at 6pm at Pub 1905
• Kaleido Family Arts Festival Volunteer Info Session and Supper starting at 6pm at St. Faith's Park

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Sept. 6: India Film Festival of Alberta at the Winspear Centre
• Sept. 11: Municipal Protection of Indigenous Heritage Sites online
• Sept. 15: Terry Fox Run at Kinsmen Park

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