Week in Review - August 21/2015
August 21, 2015
This past week saw Executive Committee receive the first of several reports on how the City can improve the infill construction process. Administration submitted a report on the relationship between infill guidelines and those related to row housing, mature neighbourhood overlays and transit-oriented development. This report is only the first to come back as part of Council’s decision to address resident’s concerns related to infill development. In September, more information on how to improve infill construction practices and increasing communication between residents and developers on infill projects will be presented.
Infill remains a top priority for the City. The 2015 Annual Growth Report was eye-opening, showing Edmonton’s core with a high population loss in mature neighbourhoods. Families with children have consistently left the core for the outer edges of the City, leaving the centre of our municipality lacking growth. Infill is designed to address this issue. Kinks and concerns related to the infill construction processes are to be expected and Mayor Iveson is committed to addressing residents’ concerns related to this drive for increased growth in mature neighbourhoods.
The Executive Committee also reviewed and recommended the Energy Transition Strategy and Policy terms of references report to City Council for approval. This report accomplishes a major step towards establishing a model that will govern how we achieve an energy sustainable Edmonton, as it does three things: presents a draft policy on reaching energy sustainability, recommends a governance framework the City can use to reach this goal, and lays out the potential barriers the City may face in implementing this strategy. Make sure to watch for more on this as it is scheduled for presentation at Council on August 25.
On Thursday, the City Auditor released his report on the Metro LRT Line signalling system. The audit provides clarity on the issues surrounding the signalling system contract and the management of that project as it relates to the Metro LRT line. Mayor Iveson summed up his views on this report and the recommendations in a blog post after the audit was published. More discussion on this audit and its findings is set to take place at a special Audit Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, August 24.
Rounding out the week was a special recognition of the signing of Treaty No. 6. Edmonton lies in the heart of Treaty 6 territory and the annual event commemorates the signing of the Treaty between the Plains and Woodland Cree people and the Crown at Fort Carlton on August 23, 1876 and the subsequent adhesion on August 21, 1877 of nearby First Nations at Fort Edmonton. This was the third Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day and it was the first time the event also included the Premier. Mayor Iveson, Grand Chief Tony Alexis, other Treaty 6 Chiefs, City Councillors, members of the Legislative Assembly and the public all celebrated the contributions that Treaty No. 6 First Nations have made in Edmonton’s founding and their continued partnership with the City. There were many highlights to the morning celebration, including performances from the Small Boy Camp Drum Group, speeches from dignitaries, gift giving of artwork from local First Nations artists and the proclaiming of August 21, 2015 as “Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day” by the Mayor.
Premier Rachel Notley and the Mayor also spread the message that each of us in Alberta and the City of Edmonton are “Treaty People” and that we all have a part in creating a future of inclusion and reconciliation. We hope everyone takes time to reflect on this message as they go into the weekend and perhaps even take advantage of the ‘Treaty Weekend’ being hosted at Fort Edmonton Park from August 22-23. Thank you for reading this week’s post!
For More Information
Mayor Don Iveson
2nd Floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2R7
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