THIS WEEK IN EDMONTON
- This morning, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Community and Public Services Committee. The Committee will discuss the City Centre Optimization Pilot Project, along with the Assisted Snow Clearing Pilot Program. Administration will also present a response to Councillor Cartmell’s request to detail all social agencies helping homeless individuals in the Boyle Street, McCauley, and Central McDougall neighbourhoods. Councillor Cartmell requested that the report include what services each agency offers, how many clients they serve, and the amount of financial support they receive from the City. As it turns out, there are 17 organizations, 10 of which are funded by the City to the tune of $3.3 million annually, in addition to one-time funding of more than $10 million in both 2022 and 2023.
- On Tuesday, at 8:30 am, there will be an Agenda Review Committee meeting followed by an Urban Planning Committee meeting at 9:30 am. At the latter meeting, the Committee will consider the Zoning Bylaw 2024-2025 Work Plan, Collaborative Highway 2 Roadway Beautification, and a suite of omnibus amendments to Business Licence Bylaw. One of the proposed amendments is to change the wording of “Exotic Entertainment” to “Erotic Entertainment” in order to advance the City’s Anti-Racism Strategy. Apparently, the word exotic “has racist undertones and does not reflect language currently being used in the industry”.
- The Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday at 9:30 am. The Committee will consider the Nighttime Economy Strategy, an Edmonton Sport and Cultural Attraction Plan Update, and Destination Marketing and Attraction Activities by City-Funded Entities. Finally, on Friday, there will be a Special Meeting of City Council at 11:00 am to discuss a City Auditor recruitment update. Much of this meeting will be held in-camera.
1