Weekly Round-up (Feb. 14 - 18, 2022)

Lots of rich discussions and items moving forward from committee meetings to next week’s packed Council meeting.

Lots of rich discussions and items moving forward from committee meetings to next week’s packed Council meeting. These weekly round-ups are intended to highlight what is being discussed and decided at Council and provide an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts. Many of the reports right now are setting the stage for the next 4 year budget, which will be determined in November/December. Lots of opportunities for discussion - thanks for sharing your thoughts and reaching out!

ANTI-RACISM STRATEGY

On Monday, a presentation was given at the Community and Public Services Committee on a proposed Anti-Racism Strategy.

The 3 key concepts of the strategy are an 1) Independent Anti-Racism Body, 2) High-Level Anti-Racism Organization in City Administration, and 3) Core Operational and Capacity Building Grant Funding.

The next steps will be to develop an implementation plan with further engagement from affected communities and more detail and structure on the how of this strategy.

This is an important and needed step to support building an Edmonton which addresses hate-based violence. This strategy works to acheive this through system changes at all levels fostering anti-racist initiatves so all feel safe.

MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

This week’s Urban Planning Committee topics focused on mobility and how we move around the City. Obviously, a big win was getting the Metro Line Northwest LRT back on track! All reports presented were for information, however, Councillor Salvador did put a motion forward for administration to provide a report on options for completion of the bike network in Edmonton by 2026. This report will come back to the Committee in Fall of 2022.

The Mobility Network report identified 8 top project locations with the #1 being 97 Street from 137 Ave - 153 Ave to support better transit, active modes, and goods movement. ETS also presented on many of the needed capital investments to support ETS transit growth.

All these reports will help inform recommendations for the 2023 - 2026 budget discussion.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: GRANTS & TAX EXEMPTIONS

This week at the Executive Committee we reviewed grant funding proposals for several affordable housing providers throughout the City. One proposal is situated in Ward Anirniq for rehabilitating 300 existing units at Matheson’s Seniors residence in the Woodcroft neighbourhood - where I was pleased to see the grant funding approved!

Several of the items debated related to tax exemptions for affordable housing were requisitioned for discussion next week at City Council.

As we head into the Family Day long weekend, I hope you enjoy spending time with family and friends. During these times, gatherings with community and connecting with loved ones are so important. The noise injunction is still in place and I encourage all to gather in ways that don't promote hate, harassment, or disruptive noise in our city neighbourhoods.