Edmonton Notes for May 5, 2019

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Council approved the municipal tax rate for 2019, resulting in a 2.6% increase. The numbers include security for the Exhibition Lands, enforcement of the Animal Protection Act, a small increase for Startup Edmonton to retain student talent, and an investment in the downtown district energy system.
• Council approved the City’s $517 million contribution to the Valley Line West LRT and Metro Line Northwest on Tuesday. “Both projects now have funding support from all three levels of government, with the provincial and federal commitments at roughly 40 per cent each and the city kicking in the remaining 20 per cent.”
• Police chief Dale McFee delivered a long-awaited apology to the LGBTQ2+ community on Friday. “To the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirit community — both across the public and within our service — on behalf of the Edmonton Police Service, I am sorry and we are sorry,” said McFee. EPS has launched a LGBTQ2S+ Consultation and Reconciliation Portal. You can watch the apology on Facebook.
• FC Edmonton won its debut game in the Canadian Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Valour FC. Their first home game will take place on Sunday against Pacific FC.
• The proposed land swap in Oliver from Abbey Lane Homes was rejected 10-3 at public hearing last week. “Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen said that he didn’t feel the green space was being properly valued through the proposed swap.”
• A new 58-storey slim tower proposed for the small park in front of the Hotel Macdonald is also being cooly received. It has yet to go to public hearing.
• Did you know that Edmonton has a paper straw manufacturer? Royal Paper Industries Ltd. says it is producing 1.5 million straws per day!
• The intersection at 101 Street and 102 Avenue will be closed from May 10 to June 7 for construction of the Valley Line LRT.
• From Ciara Farmer in The Gateway: Hostile design should have no place in Edmonton.
• The City’s Big Bin Events will run from May 4 to September 22 to let residents recycle or dispose of large household items. “Last year 11,723 customers attended the events, disposing of 1,262 tonnes of large waste items and 549 tonnes of recyclable items.”
• Kaetlyn Osmond has announced her retirement from figure skating. “Leaving competition is terrifying, but I am excited to see what else life has to offer,” she said.
• I love this: Edmontonian Doug Hoyer had a very small cameo in Avengers: Endgame. “It was the hardest acting I’ve ever had to do, just staring at nothing and looking impressed.”
• Troy and I discussed speed reduction plans and central towers on the latest episode of Speaking Municipally.
• Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, Music, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.
• Premier Jason Kenney and his cabinet were sworn in at Government House on April 30. Here are the deputy ministers and other senior officials. The first order of business, as promised, would give Alberta “powers to restrict the export of natural gas, crude oil and refined fuels across its borders to ensure maximum value of these resources for Albertans and to help manage the lack of pipeline capacity.”

Premier Jason Kenney and Cabinet Swearing-In Ceremony, photo by Government of Alberta

Upcoming Events

• Mayor Don Iveson will deliver his 2019 State of the City Address on Wednesday at lunchtime at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• Green Drinks: YEG Festivals takes place on Wednesday evening at Yellowhead Brewery.
• The Edmonton Real Estate Forum takes place on Thursday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• 124 Grand Market kicks off its 2019 season on Thursday evening at 108 Avenue and 124 Street.
• The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is hosting a tour of the historic McKay Avenue School on Thursday evening.
• Royal Bison’s spring Art & Craft Fair runs Friday to Sunday at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.
• The Edmonton Rock & Gem Show runs Friday to Sunday at the Alberta Aviation Museum.
• Dinner with Canada’s Top Chefs takes place on Saturday evening at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• The City is hosting Get Ready in the Park 2019 on Saturday at Hawrelak Park.
• The Edmonton Bike Swap takes place Saturday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• FC Edmonton hosts Pacific FC at Clarke Field on Sunday afternoon.
• Culina is hosting a Ukrainian Pop Up Dinner on Sunday evening at The Foundry Room inside The Oliver Exchange.
• Save the date: Nerd Nite Edmonton’s 50th show is coming up on May 28.

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