The Pulse: Dec. 9, 2024

This week, council will discuss a program to regulate downtown surface parking lots, financial updates for the capital and operating budgets, and a new plan for redevelopment in the river valley.

There is a public hearing scheduled on Dec. 9, a council meeting scheduled on Dec. 10 and 11, and a utility committee meeting scheduled on Dec. 13.

Here are key items on this week's agenda:

• Council is scheduled to debate a program that would regulate surface parking lots in the core at a public hearing on Dec. 9. Administration has identified about 120 surface parking lots in the core, noting many are operating without a development permit and have no current pathway to obtaining one because previous city policies essentially ban that possibility. Administration has proposed a new use in the zoning bylaw to allow for a temporary surface parking lot — as long as the lots are improved with paving or upgraded gravel, trees and shrubs, lighting, and accessible parking spots. Parking lot operators would have 18 months to apply for a development permit and another 18 months to complete improvements. Both residents and lot operators criticized administration's proposed maximum permit duration of seven years for gravel lots and 10 years for paved lots. Residents and community organizations said seven to 10 years was too long and didn't feel temporary, suggesting a permit max of three to five years. Operators, on the other hand, said the permit was too short to make the proposed improvements financially viable, especially if they are required to pave, and suggested permits run up to 20 years or even be made permanent. If council approves the program, operators can apply for the temporary permit as of January.
• Administration projects it will spend about $2 billion on capital projects this year, which is higher than in previous years, because major projects are progressing further into construction. Between 2019 and 2023, the city spent an average of about $1.29 billion annually on capital projects, according to an update on the capital budget that will be presented to council on Dec. 10. Administration also projects a $19.4-million operating budget deficit by the end of 2024, equivalent to about 0.6% of the overall expense budget. This is due in part to lower revenue from transit fares, increased contract work, and higher costs for maintenance, parts, materials, fuel, and personnel. The financial stabilization reserve is projected to be at about $58.8 million at the end of the year, below the minimum balance of $133.8 million.
• Development will not be permitted in most of Edmonton's river valley, should council approve a new North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan. Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed plan on Dec. 10. The plan identifies the land use for most of the river valley as open space, meaning parks, recreation, and spaces for gathering and ceremony would be permitted, and other potential uses would not be.

• Edmonton continues to lead the province in opioid-related deaths, with 364 recorded from January to August 2024, which was nearly half of the province's 814 fatalities during the same period. However, opioid-related deaths in Edmonton dropped year-over-year from 77 in August 2023 to 52 in August 2024. The province says it is "cautiously optimistic" about the decline in deaths as it continues to expand addiction treatment programs and facilities.
• ABC Head Start Society is urgently seeking an affordable, turnkey space in west Edmonton to replace its current site, along with two additional locations on the city's north side. The organization says without new locations, more than 200 early learning spaces for vulnerable children will be at risk for the 2025-26 program year. The charity, which provides early learning and family support services, says it is open to "creative solutions," including sharing space with other nonprofits.
• Edmonton's unemployment rate is the second highest among major Canadian cities, at 8.3%, according to new data from Statistics Canada. Alberta's unemployment rate rose to 7.5% in November despite adding 24,000 new jobs. Economists attribute the rising unemployment rate to the influx of new job seekers in the province rather than job losses.
• Coun. Erin Rutherford appeared on the 99% Invisible podcast to discuss the "15-Minute City" concept, a planning approach that aims to make urban areas more walkable and accessible by ensuring essentials are within a 15-minute reach. While the concept has faced backlash and become the subject of conspiracy theories, cities like Edmonton have adopted it in their planning efforts to create more sustainable communities.
• Edmonton city councillor and police commissioner Anne Stevenson wrote an op-ed for Postmedia discussing the challenges of police governance, arguing for structural changes to the Edmonton Police Commission to enhance oversight. Stevenson suggested increasing staff support to handle critical roles, which would allow commissioners to focus on governing the commission itself. "A robust, professionalized commission will not only address long-standing challenges, but also build a stronger foundation for transparent, accountable, and effective police oversight in the future," she wrote.
• An event called Help-Portrait provided free professional photos to people and families at the Stanley A. Milner Library on Dec. 7. Photographers, make-up artists, and hairstylists volunteered their time to help those who might not otherwise be able to afford professional photos. There's "nothing more rewarding" than when people see their printed portrait, said organizer Railene Hooper.
• Explore Edmonton congratulated the Edmonton-area winners of the Canadian Tourism Awards, including Strathcona County's Bar OA, which won the Culinary Tourism Award, and Sierra Stewart of Rig Hand Distillery, who was named a Trailblazer of the Year. The National Gathering of Elders in Edmonton also earned the Business Event of the Year Award. Explore Edmonton congratulated the winners in an online post.
• The Edmonton Police Service has charged two people with first-degree murder in the death of Harshandeep Singh, a security guard who was found unresponsive after a gunshot was reported at a downtown Edmonton apartment building. Singh, 20, later died in the hospital. Police said they released the victim's name for an "investigative purpose and in an effort to alleviate public safety concerns" related to his death.
• Edmonton's housing market experienced a seasonal slowdown in November as sales dropped more than 20% from October, a new report from the REALTORS Association of Edmonton shows. Despite this, sales were higher than the previous year, which industry experts say is straining the housing supply and could lead to prices increasing by up to 15% in 2025.
• Edmonton-based Canadian Western Bank has postponed the release of its fourth-quarter earnings due to a legal claim against its subsidiary, CWB Maxium Financial. The $18-million claim, which includes allegations of unethical conduct by a Maxium sales agent, prompted an investigation, but is not expected to impact CWB's financial results, the bank said. Despite speculation, CWB said the delay is not related to its pending acquisition by National Bank of Canada, which is expected to close in early 2025.
• The Edmonton Oilers are gaining momentum after a slow start to the season, winning five of their six last games. "There are some really good signs and now it is on us to keep pushing and not be satisfied with the little bit of success that we have had," said defenceman Darnell Nurse after the team defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-2 in their second straight win.
• The Edmonton Elks signed quarterback Tre Ford to a three-year contract extension through the 2027 season. Ford, 26, was drafted by the Elks in 2022 and has shown potential with his performance, despite the team's struggles this past season. The extension likely signals the end of McLeod Bethel-Thompson's tenure with the Elks, as Ford is set to lead the team as starting quarterback under new head coach Mark Kilam.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Alberta Network for Health Information eXchange starting at 5:30pm at Arcadia Brewing Co.
• Messed Up Monday starting at 6pm at Pub 1905
• Hallelujah Chorus - Pop-up Choir starting at 7pm at St Albert Catholic High School
• Candlelight Christmas starting at 7:30pm at Muttart Conservatory
• A Sky Full Of Stars starting at 7:30pm at All Saints Anglican Cathedral

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Dec. 22: The Little Match Girl Passion at All Saints Anglican Cathedral
• Dec. 29: High Tea at Butternut Tree
• Jan. 22: Level Up with Dr. Shawna Pandya at MacEwan University

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