Fall 2024 Newsletter
Hello Neighbour,
I hope that back to school season went smoothly for your families, your garden harvests have been bountiful, and that you’ve been able to gather with loved ones. As we enter our 4th year of this term, I reflect on the many accomplishments and investments made. And despite numerous emerging issues, my office is proud to have maintained our commitment to the “Community, Economy, Climate” platform that I was elected on. In particular, we’ve advanced on:
Community: Supporting community resources for equity and public safety through the Anti-Racism Strategy, Truth and Reconciliation Response Plan, the Violence Prevention Action Plan, and the Building Safer Communities Fund.
Economy: Re-energizing the Edmonton Research Park and investing in industrial growth, ensuring housing affordability and accessibility through key land use decisions like the Zoning Bylaw Renewal, District Planning, and Substantial Completion policy, and providing support to small businesses.
Climate: Coming out of a devastating wildfire season, action on climate remains critical. We maintain momentum on Energy Transition and Climate Resilience, our 25-Year Waste Strategy, and advocacy for a national climate fund for cities.
At a local level, many investments in Ward Karhiio are underway. Whether it’s flood mitigation, Safe Mobility and Towards 40 projects for safer streets, neighbourhood renewal, improvements to recreation spaces like the Mill Woods Rec Centre and Michael’s Park, or bridge rehabilitation on 50th Street, these initiatives will have long-term positive impacts. Even small-scale investments our office has made in local leaders through Community-Based Budgeting, with projects like the Mill Woods Pride Walkway, Cans for Kids YEG, and the Guide to Ward Karhiio, have led to permanent installations or resources.
As the summer comes to a close, I’ve enjoyed meeting many of you at farmer’s markets, in parks and at your homes. I appreciate your generosity in opening your doors, and I hope to see you around the neighbourhood!
Fall 2024 Budget Adjustment
As part of our budget cycle, we have a budget adjustment this fall. My focus is investing in our core City services, which saw pandemic-time cuts that have been further exacerbated by inflationary pressure and population growth. Spending on core services must be efficient, balancing delivering the services people rely on (which are also our largest budget items like transit, policing, fire services, parks and roads) and keeping property taxes manageable. What is important to you?
Learn more about the City budget and the upcoming Fall Budget Adjustment at www.edmonton.ca/budget.
On September 10, the City updated Council on the June 30, 2024 capital and operating financial updates. You can read the reports and watch the full meeting here.
Connect with Keren
We will continue this year with a variety of engagement opportunities/ways of connecting like Facebook Lives, coffee meet-ups, and joining community gatherings. If you have a community gathering in Ward Karhiio that you would like our team to attend, reach out at keren.tang@edmonton.ca.
Come out and meet the Ward Karhiio team on the following dates:
September 21 from 11AM-1PM at Koffee Cafe (6120 28 Ave NW)
September 22 from 9AM-12PM at the Mill Woods Big Bin Event (2331 66 Street NW)
January 18, 2025 from 11AM-1PM at Koffee Cafe (6120 28 Ave NW)
Join me for a Facebook Live:
On October 3 from 6PM-7PM, Councillor Andrew Knack and I will be talking about how provincial legislation is changing the landscape for municipalities, funding, and even the election. Tune in at: www.facebook.com/kerentangyeg.
Sign up for my monthly e-newsletter at kerentang.ca/newsletter to be updated on other opportunities to connect.
What we’re hearing in Ward Karhiio
Did you know Ward Karhiio has over 94,000 residents, 38,000 households and counting?
The Ward Karhiio team has been busy this summer, supporting hundreds of neighbours each month with their City-related questions. Interested in what your neighbours are asking about? The most popular topics that residents bring to our attention are:
Turf and Tree Maintenance
Traffic Signal Lights Adjustments
Overflowing Waste Bins
Naturalized Areas
Road/Sidewalk Maintenance
Encampments
A reminder that the fastest way to get many of these concerns resolved is by reaching out to 311. If you don’t see improvements after reporting:
Reach out to our office and share your 311 reference number.
We'll follow up on your behalf and share information.
Celebrate Community League Day
Community League Day is happening this year on September 21st across Edmonton. It’s a great chance to meet your local Community League (with 8 located in Ward Karhiio), learn more about its programming and priorities, and sign up or renew your membership. Community Leagues are volunteer-powered, and I have seen how they create positive change at the local level and strengthen relationships among residents. You can learn more about Community Leagues, and find your local league at eflc.org.
Community League Day events in Ward Karhiio on September 21:
Woodvale Community League Day celebration at École Greenview School (5904 38 Ave NW) from 1:00PM-4:00PM.
Horizon and Ellerslie Community Leagues Ultimate Frisbee Game at Ellerslie Crossing Park (319 83 St SW) from 2:00PM-4:00PM.
Millhurst Community League Day and 45th Anniversary at the Millhurst Community League (5811 19a Ave NW) from 11:00AM-2:00PM.
Knottwood Community League Day at the Knottwood Community Centre (449 Knottwood Rd West, NW) from 11:30AM - 2:30PM.
Leefield Community League Movie Night (featuring Inside Out 2) at dusk. Bring your chairs and blankets to Leefield Hall (7910 36 Ave).
(On September 20) North Millbourne Community League Movie Night (featuring Garfield) at the North Millbourne Community League Hall (980 Millbourne Rd E NW) from 8:00PM-11:00PM.
What's new at the Mill Woods Library Branch?
The Mill Woods branch of the Edmonton Public Library is a welcoming gem in Ward Karhiio, with amazing programming, free access to computers, and a team of knowledgeable staff. Check out some of their new features!
Unleash your creative spirit! The new gallery space welcomes community artists to showcase their work. Let's foster a vibrant artistic community together. To submit a request to exhibit visit www.epl.ca/capital-city-art.
Join 1 2 3 Sing With Me / 1 2 3 Chante avec moi, Wednesdays at 11:30 AM. This storytime introduces French to little ones (0-3) with music, stories, rhymes, and movement to spark language skills (Register at www.epl.ca/classes).
Big Bin Event in Ward Karhiio
The Ward Karhiio team will be joining the upcoming Big Bin Event at the Mill Woods Town Centre! These events are great opportunities to drop off items that are too large for curbside collection at no charge like furniture, mattresses, appliances, eletronics, tires and yard waste.
Date: September 21 - 22, 2024 (our team will be there on Sept 22 from 9AM-12PM)
Time: 9AM-5PM
Location: Mill Woods Town Centre (2331 66 Street NW)
You can visit edmonton.ca/bigbinevents for more info and dates for other big bins happening in Edmonton.
Please note: Big Bin Events do not accept items for reuse. Give your items a second life by bringing them to the Reuse Centre or a donation centre.
The final free Eco Station event for 2024 will also be taking place on September 28 and 29. Drop offs at all four Eco Stations will be free, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Let’s help to keep Edmonton clean and green!
Towards 40 is coming to the ward!
The Towards 40 program is looking to engage with people who walk, bike, roll or drive in the Walker and Charlesworth neighbourhoods between September 18 and October 4. As part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative, the Towards 40 program uses adaptable measures that encourage speed compliance and safer behaviours to create safe streets for all.
This September, the program is launching in two new project areas:
Watt Common, from 50 Street to Ellerslie Road
54 Street / 4 Avenue, from Ellerslie Road to 50 Street
Share your lived experience travelling on these roads and suggestions for improvements. For more info, visit edmonton.ca/Towards40Projects.
Switch to Arc today!
Our new Arc system is now available for all transit users, including seniors, students and ride transit pass holders. Arc is easy and convenient. Just tap on and tap off while travelling on a bus or LRT. No more loose change or paper transfers. With Arc, only pay for transit when and how you use it. Learn more at myArc.ca.
Our team, in partnership with ETS, has been hosting conversations this year on topics like transit safety, On-Demand transit, and transit for seniors. We want to hear from you - do you have questions, suggestions or feedback about transit in Ward Karhiio? Reach out to me at keren.tang@edmonton.ca.
Check out our two Arc Resource Guides created by the Ward Karhiio team:
Reminders for the Snowy Season
As we head into winter, keep in mind a few important reminders!
Parking Ban Notifications
When heavy snow falls, the City declares a parking ban to help our crews to clean the roads quickly and safely. These parking bans can be declared with 8 hours notice. I recommend signing up for the City’s Parking Ban Notification tool which will text or email you when crews will be in your area this winter. Sign up at edmonton.ca/SafeTravels.
Clearing sidewalks
A reminder that residents and property owners are responsible for ensuring that sidewalks on and beside their properties are maintained all winter, to keep walking safe and accessible for everyone.
Community Sandbox Program
The sandbox program is returning to provide free, dry sand at designated locations to use on sidewalks. There are 100 public sandbox locations - find them at edmonton.ca/communitysandboxes.
Neighbourhood Renewal Updates in Ward Karhiio
Meyokumin Neighbourhood Renewal
The first year of a planned three years of construction is underway with alley renewal and anticipated to be completed in late fall. The contractor is ahead of schedule in Meyokumin, and will be performing some concrete work on the front streets in the south west portion of the neighbourhood. Visit edmonton.ca/BuildingMeyokumin for more information.
Hillview Neighbourhood Renewal
Since November 2022, the City has gathered community feedback through the different project stages. The draft design is being refined into the final design based on additional City program and policy review, technical requirements and public input. The Project Team will share the final design and the What We Decided Report, as well as provide community members the opportunity to submit questions in September on the project’s website at edmonton.ca/BuildingHillview.
Meyonohk Neighbourhood Renewal
The Project Team has reviewed the feedback that the community shared about Meyonohk during the Building a Project Vision Together and Exploring Opportunities public engagement stages. The Project Team will be sharing design options based on community feedback starting in September, as part of the Exploring Options and Tradeoffs stage.
Visit edmonton.ca/BuildingMeyonohk to review the design options, complete the online survey and see details about the in-person public engagement event in your community.
Requesting a Bike Rack
Edmonton’s Bike Plan identifies the need to expand and improve bike parking so that cycling is more convenient. The City installs and maintains bike parking on public property, like sidewalks, in parks and City recreation centres.
Do you have a location for a new bike rack in mind? Visit edmonton.ca/BikeParking, and check out their new form to request a City-owned and maintained bike rack.
Dutch Elm Disease in Edmonton
Dutch elm disease has been confirmed in Edmonton in the Killarney and Yellowhead Corridor East neighbourhoods. This disease is a threat to our urban forest and a coordinated response is underway to stop the spread of the disease.
Dutch elm disease is a deadly disease caused by a fungus (Ophiostoma ulmi) that can affect any elm tree. Since its introduction from Europe about 1930, it has destroyed millions of American elm trees across North America. The City has developed an action plan for responding and containing the spread of the disease.
What residents can do to help
Containing the spread of Dutch elm disease takes a community effort. There are three ways residents can help stop the spread of the disease.
1 . Do not bring firewood from another jurisdiction.
Beetles that carry Dutch elm disease are most likely to be brought to Edmonton in firewood, so remember to always “burn it where you buy it.”
2. Remove bark beetle habitat.
Prune elm trees between October and March to remove dead, dying and diseased branches.
Provincial law and municipal bylaw require Elm tree owners to prune dead and dying branches from October through March.
Pruning can attract the beetles which spread the disease. Alberta has a pruning ban on elm trees from April 1 to September 30.
All elm wood must be disposed of immediately by burning, burying, chipping or disposal at an Eco Station or waste management site.
Do not combine elm wood with food scraps or other collected waste.
3. If you see signs of Dutch elm disease, call 311.
Signs of Dutch elm disease:
From the latter half of June to the middle of July, the leaves on one or more branches may wilt, droop and curl. The leaves then turn brown and usually remain on the tree.
If the tree is infected later in the summer, the leaves will droop, turn yellow and drop prematurely.
Brown staining in the sapwood that can be seen by removing the bark of infected twigs.
Beetle emergence holes, the size of the diameter of a pencil lead, and/or sawdust on the bark, indicate burrowing beetles.
Check out the Guide to Ward Karhiio
An exciting Community-Based Budgeting project has just launched - the Guide to Ward Karhiio from the youth-led Step Up Anti-Racist Association. This guide details many different landmarks, parks and recreation spaces, faith based organizations, small businesses and more located in our amazing corner of the SouthEast. The Step Up team went out to do on-the-ground research, walking to different gems in the area and building relationships with community leaders and businesses.
Step up is also active in their leadership in a lot of initiatives including anti-racism - head to their website to learn more and get involved.
You can find the Guide to Ward Karhiio at stepupaa.org/guide-to-ward-karhiio/.
