Between a Regular Council Meeting and Public Hearing - Council made over 40 decisions this week alone - many were passing the recommendations from Council committees, like the Mass Transit Plan and Anti-Racism Strategy next steps, that I’ve previously highlighted.
This week was a packed week as we head into a recess next week. Between a Regular Council Meeting and Public Hearing - Council made over 40 decisions this week alone - many were passing the recommendations from Council committees, like the Mass Transit Plan and Anti-Racism Strategy next steps, that I’ve previously highlighted. Here are a few high profile decisions that came out of this week.
Transit Safety
This week Council was presented with a plan for a 3 year pilot that will involve coordination between the City of Edmonton, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, Edmonton Police Services to support and enhance safety for transit. The plan was supported unanimously by Council and will cost 3.9 million over 3 years. In looking at how we can better support transit safety, I put forward an additional motion to look at amending Bylaw 8353 the “Conduct of Transit Passengers,” which passed unanimously.
Here is the motion:
“That Administration provides a report with options for amendments to Bylaw 8353 Conduct of Transit Passengers, with the intent of increasing transit safety through reducing discretionary interpretations, and promoting fair and consistent enforcement of the bylaw.
The report will include:
-Options to expand and clarify Bylaw 8353 section 10 “Inappropriate Behaviours,”
-Create a more holistic purpose of the bylaw and definitions that will enhance transit safety,
-Propose alternatives for bylaw violations that do not involve fines and apply an equitable lens including a jurisdictional analysis of other municipal policies, bylaws, and procedures.
-Options for linking vulnerable populations with appropriate services in a human-centered manner”
Alcohol in Parks
The pilot is back on! This report came to Council from Committee with a recommendation for Admin to provide a more robust and equitable report on a permanent alcohol in parks at designated sights program. This was passed and then a subsequent motion was made to continue the pilot project for 2022, which also passed. I’ll share more details when they are available.
Provincial Budget
The Provincial budget was a disappointment for Edmonton and, frankly, municipalities in general. Check out my Tik Tok video as I outline the impacts this budget has on Edmonton and you.
