WEEKLY UPDATE - DEC 2

Welcome back to the weekly wrap up! City Hall is decked out for the holidays and looking beautiful.

Last week, we had some big discussions at Council committees.

At Community and Public Services, we discussed the City’s Immigration and Settlement policy updates. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the significant skills, talents, and culture that newcomers contribute to our city. An opportunity I highlighted was to find ways to support established Edmontonians looking to reach out and connect with newcomers. I know so many want to welcome new neighbours but may not know how. I look forward to more chances to build bridges and create connected communities.

At Urban Planning, we talked about how 102 Avenue is operating post-LRT opening. A study showed that there are a number of friction points that impact all modes of travel. We heard about improvements that will be made to enhance safety, including signaling and signage. I also ensured that City staff will be reviewing the designs of the yet-to-be-built portions of 102 Avenue. I think this will provide us with a great chance to proactively build a safer and more inclusive street as the Valley Line continues to grow west.

At Executive Committee, we reviewed a report that shows our capital projects, like fire halls and rec centres, are often more expensive than nearby communities. But it was hard to tease out what exactly was driving those higher costs and whether there’s a longer-term payout. For example, an energy efficient building is more expensive upfront but can save a lot on utility costs in the long run. Other specs might not have that same return on investment. I supported a motion to breakdown these costs so that we can rightsize our project requirements.

We also had a special Council meeting on Thursday to interview applicants to the Police Commission. I was deeply impressed by the passion and commitment of these Edmontonians, and their willingness to contribute to this important work.

That’s all for this week! We’re now in budget deliberations and I look forward to providing an update next week. Thanks as always for tuning in!