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ON THE AGENDA

Stephanie Swensrude

This week, council is scheduled to discuss travel budgets and expenses, and review several rezoning applications.

There is a utility committee meeting scheduled on May 5 and a non-regular city council meeting scheduled on May 6. There is a council services committee meeting scheduled on May 6 and a public hearing scheduled on May 7.

Here are key items on this week’s agenda:

Administration has prepared amendments to the councillor budget and expense policy. These clarify that councillors must disclose transportation, food and incidentals, accommodation, registration, and miscellaneous costs. The changes also add a line that travel expense costs are “expected to be reasonable, prudent, cost-effective, and defensible to an impartial observer.” Council services committee is set to review the changes at a meeting on May 6, after which council will vote at a future meeting.
YSR Ventures has applied to rezone a lot at 16222 92 Avenue NW to build a four-storey building. Administration supports the rezoning application because the lot is located on the edge of the neighbourhood, along a collector roadway, and a short walk from three schools and a leisure centre. Some residents oppose the rezoning, saying it will worsen parking and traffic congestion. Council is scheduled to debate the application at a public hearing on May 7.
A property owner in Highlands has applied to rezone a parcel to allow for a mixed-use development. The house at 11203 63 Street NW is a few blocks away from the existing Highlands commercial area. The rezoning would allow for residential, commercial, and/or community uses and a height of about 3.5 storeys. Council is set to review the application on May 7.
Administration proposes closing a block of 108 Avenue NW in McCauley to vehicle traffic to build a shared-use path and landscaping as part of the McCauley Neighbourhood Renewal project. Council is scheduled to vote on the closure at a public hearing on May 7.
The City of Edmonton has proposed rezoning a greenway to facilitate a future shared-use path through the southeast neighbourhoods of Greenview and Hillview. The path would be built on existing open space and connect 50 Street NW with Woodvale Road E NW. Council is scheduled to review the application at a public hearing on May 7.
Council’s utility committee is set to review the waste services 2025 supplement budget adjustment, which adds two new profiles for changes to facilities. Council approved upgrades to the water distribution system at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre in October and an expansion at the Coronation Eco Station in March. The projects will be funded from existing budget sources, so there is no rate increase expected. After the utility committee reviews the changes at a meeting on May 5, council will need to give final approval at a future meeting.
Council’s utility committee is set to discuss a funding opportunity for the Blatchford renewable energy utility at a private meeting on May 5.
Council services committee will receive a report explaining when it is appropriate to use the city crest. The symbol is not to be used in political or religious advertisement or election materials, the report said.
Council will receive a verbal report on Alberta Municipalities protocol and a private intergovernmental update at a non-regular council meeting on May 6.

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COMMON SENSE EDMONTON

On Tuesday, at 1:30 pm, the Council Services Committee will meet. The agenda includes a report regarding the appropriate use of Edmonton's official heraldic symbol, the City Crest (Coat of Arms), which was granted by the Governor General of Canada in 1996. A City Policy designates the City Clerk as the custodian of City Symbols. The City Crest is used on various official items, including the Edmonton Flag, the Mayor’s Chain of Office, Council letterhead, certificates, and event materials. To maintain consistency, the report specifies that Council members must use official templates for items like business cards, emails, and event briefings. The guidelines clarify that the City Crest is for official, ceremonial, and formal protocol purposes only and should not be used for personal, political, religious, or commercial purposes. It must not be modified or used in conjunction with other community branding or election materials.
The Council Services Committee will also discuss revisions to the Councillors' Budget and Expenses Policy to include updated cost guidelines for travel expenses, as per a motion passed on February 21st, 2025. The $5500 limit on postage for the annual ward mail-out has been removed, with costs now calculated based on the number of households in each ward and the Canada Post price per item. The proposed changes also add a clearer intent for travel expenses, stating that Councillors should not be financially advantaged or disadvantaged while conducting City business. Travel expenses are now expected to be reasonable, prudent, cost-effective, and defensible, with accommodations specified as single occupancy in standard rooms. Meals and incidentals will be allowed to be claimed with original receipts if per diems are not used, while travel disclosures now include more detailed categories such as transportation, food and incidentals, accommodation, miscellaneous expenses, and registration fees.
Council has approved a 5.7% increase in property taxes for 2025, with taxes due on June 30th. In response to the province's increased education tax, Council passed a motion to explore separating the provincial education tax collection from municipal property taxes. The motion, introduced by Councillor Michael Janz, passed 9-4, reflecting frustrations over municipalities being tasked with collecting the education tax on behalf of the Province, particularly as the provincial education tax increases. Mayor Sohi suggested that the Province should be responsible for collecting its own education taxes. Council hopes to bring this issue forward at Alberta Municipalities’ fall convention.
Councillor Tim Cartmell officially launched his mayoral campaign, pledging to address Edmonton's infrastructure challenges and restore trust in City leadership. As a current City Councillor and professional engineer, Cartmell emphasized the need for pragmatic solutions to bridge replacement, transit, and community development, with a focus on affordability and sustainability. He criticized the City's current spending practices and proposed a back-to-basics approach, aiming to prioritize essential services and engage more effectively with residents. Cartmell also proposed the formation of a blue-ribbon panel to review City finances and pledged a 100-day action plan for his first term, addressing public safety, cleanliness, and snow removal.
Speaking of mayoral candidates, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi announced he would not be running again. Sohi, on leave from his Mayoral duties to run in the federal election, lost his bid to return to Ottawa in Edmonton Southeast, where Conservative newcomer Jagsharan Singh Mahal secured 53.5% of the vote. Mahal's platform focused on affordability, crime, and small business support, resonating with voters in the newly created riding. Sohi said he had no regrets about his campaign.
In other federal election news, despite a national victory for the Liberals under Mark Carney, the party failed to gain ground in Edmonton, retaining only Edmonton Centre. Eleanor Olszewski, now the sole Liberal MP in Edmonton, won in Edmonton Centre after replacing Randy Boissonnault. The Conservatives dominated the region, taking seven of nine seats, while the NDP suffered heavy losses - losing Edmonton Griesbach and finishing third in Edmonton Centre. Billy Morin, a high-profile Conservative candidate, won decisively in the new riding of Edmonton Northwest.