Week in Review - March 18, 2016
March 18, 2016
Tuesday morning had Mayor Iveson up and early to meet with leaders of Edmonton’s post-secondary institutions. The breakfast conversation focused on how this powerful collection of universities, colleges and polytechnics can work together in giving Edmonton a competitive edge in attracting and keeping the world’s brightest here in our city.
City Council this week was chock-full of important discussions that ranged from the future of Northlands to what utility model will help make the Blatchford development the greenest community in the world.
On Tuesday, Northlands presented its Vision 2020 proposals. Among a total redevelopment of the Northlands site and repurposing of Rexall Place, the proposal included a request to forgive Northlands’ debts with the City (i.e. costs associated with building the EXPO Centre). The Mayor recognizes that the opening of the new downtown arena this fall, and with other partners considering their venue options, now is the right time to consider what the next chapter of Northlands entails. More information is needed before City Council can move forward on an aspect of this ambitious plan - which is why Council passed a motion that tasks administration with assessing the plan’s viability and looking at various financial scenarios.
Council then moved to examining how to best to make the Blatchford development Canada’s most sustainable community. Questions on the District Energy Sharing System concentrated on partnering with other orders of government, the utility model to be used and providing certainty to builders who will ultimately build in the neighbourhood. Council directed that project be delayed for a year in order to answer some of these important questions, including how to work with EPCOR on setting up a new utility model. Mayor Iveson posted on his personal blog what this means for the project as a whole.
Wednesday saw the announcement of the Edmonton’s new City Manager: Linda Cochrane. Ms. Cochrane served as Acting City Manager since the fall of 2015 and was hired following an international search. In an email to all City of Edmonton staff, Mayor Iveson commented on the significance of such a wide search: “It is a reflection of the quality of Linda’s tremendous service and inspiring leadership that she was considered best amongst this class of impressive candidates.”
On Thursday, City Administration released a report that estimates the cost of new ‘greenfield’ developments over a 50-year term, with an estimated $1.4 billion shortfall in revenue required to pay for the full life-cycle costs of the services and infrastructure these communities require. This information will help start a new conversation on how we grow our city in a financially sustainable way. Mayor Iveson posted about how he hopes to have a debate that doesn’t polarize Edmontonians, but instead becomes an open and objective conversation on how we pay for growth in Edmonton. The Mayor’s substantive thoughts on this subject were uploaded to his blog, entitled ‘Calculating the real costs of our Growth.’
Some surprising, yet good news came out on Thursday as well: ‘Successful bid for Edmonton Valley Line LRT $500 million less than expected.’ Executive Committee will discuss Administration’s recommendation on Tuesday to reduce the tax levy associated with this bid that has come well under budget.
Next week, discussions on growth in new neighbourhoods and the Valley Line LRT tax levy will be on the agenda for Executive Committee. Mayor Iveson will also be at the University of Alberta on Thursday to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing northern housing.
That ends the Mayor’s Office recap for this week. From us, have a sunny and wonderful weekend.
For More Information
Mayor Don Iveson
2nd Floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2R7
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