Weekly Update - May 13th, 2022

Despite the date, I'm feeling lucky to be reflecting back on another productive week!

Our approach to snow and ice was a hot topic and I'm pleased with the direction we've given for staff to consider new service level options that would make better use of our existing equipment and see enhanced standards in our active transportation network.

Encampments was another significant discussion and one that I've detailed out in a blog post.

We had an important preliminary conversation about the upcoming 4 year budget cycle. With significant inflationary pressures, it's clear there are going to be some hard conversations come fall deliberations. But I also think the tight fiscal constraints can help focus us on aligning our budgets with our priorities - a tough but potentially transformative process.

Public hearing saw two rezonings in O-day'min to support one new small scale apartment building in Central MacDougall and the adaptive reuse of an industrial building in Prince Rupert. I'm grateful to all the community members who attended to share their perspectives.

This week was also an opportunity to get out and about, with a great talk from Amarjeet Sohi at the Mayor's Luncheon, a tour of City Hall with the wonderful City Hall School, and a visit out to Morinville to meet with our regional partners.

I'm looking forward to Family Bike day tomorrow. Bike-minded families are meeting up between 11am-1pm at the City Art Centre to discuss families and bikes. I hope to see you there!

Next week is going to be a big one for community safety and well being with a proposed new strategy being discussed on Monday (https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...), and delving into the approach to the police funding formula on Wednesday (https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...). I look forward to the robust conversation ahead and am hopeful we can chart a more holistic approach to community safety and well-being moving forward.

Enjoy the weekend and happy Friday!