Edmonton Minute: Parking Lots, BIA Expansion, and a Remote Police Commissioner

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

This Week In Edmonton:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week, due to the Christmas break. The Agenda Review Committee will resume on January 7th, 2025, and a return to regularly scheduled meetings will resume the week of January 20th.
  
  
• The City is activating its extreme weather protocols in response to the expected return of cold temperatures. The City's response is triggered when temperatures reach -20°C with wind chill for at least three consecutive nights, accompanied by an Environment Canada extreme cold alert. Open City facilities, including recreation centers and libraries, will be available for those seeking shelter from the cold, and residents are encouraged to assist vulnerable individuals by directing them to shelters. The extreme weather response will last until Friday, December 20th, with the possibility of an extension depending on weather conditions. The City also urges residents to call 211 if they see anyone sheltering outside.
  
  
• Candy Cane Lane is celebrating its 55th year of holiday lights along seven blocks in west Edmonton. The event, which has expanded over the years, continues to attract visitors of all ages, bringing festive cheer to the community. Homeowners decorate their properties with elaborate displays, and the event also supports Edmonton's Food Bank, with over 600,000 kilograms of food donated since 1993. New this year are QR codes that allow people to donate money online. The lights will remain on through New Year's Day.

Last Week In Edmonton:

• John McDougall, the Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission, said he is moving to Portugal but will continue overseeing the City's police force remotely. Despite his relocation, McDougall plans to stay on as a Commissioner until 2026, citing his long history with Edmonton and the Commission. While some critics find his remote governance unusual, McDougall believes he can remain effective, maintaining connections and receiving information digitally. Critics, including Ward papastew Councillor Michael Janz, argue that a local representative should be in charge. McDougall has stated that he won't collect honorariums for his role while abroad.
  
  
• Council passed a bylaw aimed at improving the safety and appearance of around 120 illegal outdoor parking lots in the downtown core and central neighbourhoods. Property owners will need to obtain development permits and implement upgrades like landscaping, drainage, lighting, and accessible features to continue operating their lots. While some business owners see the bylaw as a necessary step to improve the city's aesthetics, others fear it may lead to vacant lots and worsen the city's parking shortage. The bylaw received mixed reactions, with critics arguing that the changes could have unintended consequences for landowners and also fail to address the root causes of underdevelopment.
  
  
• Council voted to expand the Alberta Avenue Business Improvement Area. The proponents of the expansion tout it as a win for the businesses in the area, as it will mean the City will now be providing additional financial support for things like grants, street cleaning, and snow removal services to businesses on 114 Avenue. The proponents, the BIA, and even the news article covering the expansion failed to mention that this would be funded by charging all the businesses in the area higher fees - including any businesses that didn't want to join the BIA. A great deal for the businesses in the area that have connections at City Hall and can get themselves awarded grants. Not such a great deal for the rest of the businesses being forced to pay for it!

-----

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.