Week in Review - October 30, 2015
October 30, 2015
On Monday, Mayor Iveson did a couple of media interviews to talk about the halfway mark in his term. The Mayor sat down for an extensive interview with The Edmonton Journal Editorial Board where he talked about the future of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Later that day, the Mayor did an interview with Dinner Television where he talked about the EndPovertyStrategy and some of his achievements in the first half of this term.
Monday also had the Mayor at Edmonton Emergency Relief Services (EERS) in our downtown core to help launch the Blanket Alberta in Warmth Campaign, where EERS and all Edmonton Fire Stations will be accepting blankets in order to support those who need them during this upcoming winter season. The collection of blankets is slated to go on until November 9.
Tuesday, it was Affordable Housing Day at Executive Committee as committee members received three major reports related to how Edmonton moves forward on expanding housing options in our city. The Mayor made some extensive comments on affordable housing that was captured in a Facebook post published this past week. One of the most important reports dealt with the Edmonton’s Affordable Housing Strategy, a ten-year strategy that will guide our city’s involvement in providing affordable housing. A lot of progress has been made on this file so far, with more than 3,000 affordable housing units created since 2006. However, there is more work that needs to be done as 20% of Edmonton households currently do not have their needs met through private rental or ownership housing.
City Hall is no stranger to foreign dignitaries stopping by and speaking with the Mayor on issues of mutual interest. On Wednesday, the Consul General of Italy based in Vancouver, Massimiliano Iacchini, dropped in to discuss innovation and trade with Mayor Iveson.
At Thursday’s Utility Committee meeting there was a review of Administration's proposed 2016-2018 budget for Drainage Services and Waste Management. The proposed rate increases for these two publicly-operated utilities amounts to an extra $3.31 per month for the typical ratepayer. The reasons for the proposed increases for Waste Management will go a long way in paying for some much-needed environmental upgrades, such as: the full operation of the Kennedale Eco Station, support for the Waste to Biofuels Facility (getting us closer to our 90% diversion target) and the construction and operation of the Anaerobic Digestion Facility that will increase the processing of organics.
On Thursday the Mayor was the recipient of one of the first 2015 poppies in Edmonton. Members of the Legion Poppy Fund came to City Hall and held a private “poppy pinning” with the Mayor. In return, the Mayor provided a proclamation that declared October 27 to November 11 as the official “Poppy Fund Campaign.”
Edmontonians received their first glimpse of the City Administration’s proposed 2016-2018 Budget on Friday. The budget includes a proposed 4.9% property tax increase every year for the next three years in order to fund many of the operating commitments City Council has made - including investments in neighbourhood renewal, LRT expansion, new fire stations and recreational centres. The budget will be presented to City Council on November 3rd where deliberations will begin on how to ensure the best bang for Edmontonians’ bucks.
And that wraps up this week at City Hall. Don’t forget to be both safe and aware this weekend as young Trick-or-Treaters make their way through your neighbourhood in search of sugary delights. From the Mayor’s Office, have a safe and fun Halloween!
For More Information
Mayor Don Iveson
2nd Floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2R7
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