Edmonton Minute: Bike Grant, Ineffective Fines, and Council Goes Stampeding

Edmonton Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Edmonton politics

This Week In Edmonton:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings scheduled for this week. Normal business will resume on August 12th, with a couple of Agenda Review Committee meetings between now and then.
  
  
• Big fines might not be reducing excessive vehicle noise. Despite the City raising fines for noisy vehicles to $1,000, with repeat offenders facing even steeper penalties, residents are still reporting significant disturbances. Councillor Michael Janz noted that the problem persists, especially during hot weather when open windows amplify the noise. Edmonton Police have issued 343 noise tickets this year, but Janz believes automated noise enforcement, used in cities like New York and Paris, could be a better solution.
  
  
• KDays runs from July 19th to 28th featuring a unique food competition with 24 vendors offering a variety of creative dishes. Attendees can vote for their favourite items, and local judges will award prizes for the best savory dish, sweet dish, beverage, and a people’s choice award. Notable food options include pickled cotton candy, pickle poutine, and sour candy soft serve.

Last Week In Edmonton:

• Given that the Calgary Stampede is currently taking place, Edmonton City Council’s expenses for attending the event in the past have been scrutinized. In 2023, five Councillors and the Mayor expensed nearly $15,900 for the trip, compared to $9,265 in 2022. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and some Councillors justified the costs by emphasizing the importance of building relationships with provincial government members. However, discrepancies in hotel expenses among Councillors, with some opting for luxury accommodations, sparked debate. We haven't seen the bill for this year’s trip, but we’ll let you know when that information is available
  
  
• The former Army & Navy store on Whyte Avenue has sold for around $2 million. Now, it’s set to be transformed into smaller retail units to attract diverse local businesses. This approach aligns with the trend of innovative space utilization in Old Strathcona, such as Station Park's shipping container-sized stores. The building's 30,000 square feet, including a 15,000 square foot basement, offers potential for various uses. The new owners aim to preserve the building's historical character while revitalizing the area. The redevelopment is part of a broader plan to enhance Old Strathcona with wider sidewalks and new parks.
  
  
• The City of Edmonton awarded the School Bike Parking Grant to nine schools across both the Edmonton Catholic School District and Edmonton Public School Board. Schools receiving the grant include Athlone, Balwin, JJ Bowlen Catholic Junior High, Lillian Osborne High, Lorelei, M.E. LaZerte High, Spruce Avenue, St. Benedict Catholic Elementary, and St. Lucy Catholic Elementary. The grant, ranging from $500 to $15,000 per school and totaling $75,000, aims to increase secure bike parking, encouraging active transportation for students. This initiative aligns with The City Plan’s goal for 50% of trips to be made by transit or active transportation.

-----

Donate:

Common Sense Edmonton doesn't accept any government funding and never will. We think you should be free to choose, for yourself, which organizations to support. If you're in a position to contribute financially, you can make a donation here.

-----

Share:

If you're not in a position to donate, we understand, but if you appreciate our work, you can help by spreading our message. Please email this post to your friends, share it on Facebook or Twitter, and help make sure every Edmontonian knows what's really going on at City Hall.