Spring 2024 Newsletter
Hello Ward Karhiio!
The last few months at City Hall have been busy, with tough challenges and many difficult policy conversations. From a serious security incident in January, to a housing emergency in -30 degree weather, to updating our Public Space bylaw to be safe and equitable for all. Throughout this time, I continue to appreciate how Edmontonians are civically engaged, stepping up to share their perspectives, and looking out for each other.
A few recent big items at City Council:
We ratified the terms of a new collective agreement with CSU 52 members. It is a fair deal that balances maintaining the high quality public services Edmontonians expect, while investing in City employees and their exceptional work.
We are hiring a new City Manager. I will be ingrained in this process as 1 of 4 Councillors along with the Mayor on the City Manager Recruitment Committee. My priorities are finding someone who can help us advance our City Plan goals, strengthen our public services, and build bridges between local government and Edmontonians.
We declared a housing and houselessness emergency in YEG among a rising need for safe and affordable shelter and housing. Recently, the City received $175-million from the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund to increase our housing supply. This is in addition to the $126-million allocated in the City budget for affordable and supportive housing. I recognize that we still have quite a ways to go with the Affordable Housing Strategy indicating that 1 in 8 households in Edmonton are in core housing need. I hear from many of you about housing, and will continue to work with my colleagues in our advocacy efforts with the right levels of government.
At the time of printing, Council has finalized the property tax increase for 2024 at 8.9%. It’s a drastic increase, a result of chronic below-inflation tax policy and the Province increasingly downloading responsibilities to cities. We are trying to course correct, restore funding to snow removal, transit, and other core services that Edmontonians rely on day in and day out. You can read my full thoughts on the Spring Supplemental Operating Budget Adjustment, along with a deep dive into the factors leading to this increase and your FAQs in my latest blog here.
City Hall is now open again to the public. Having this building, a symbol of local democracy, re-open has felt like closing a chapter on the last few difficult months. I welcome a new beginning with Spring here, and look forward to meeting more of you out in the community as things warm up!
- Keren
Community-Based Budgeting Spring Update
Since the Fall, we have seen numerous Community-Based Budgeting projects being launched by residents, students, and community leaders in Ward Karhiio. What do all of these people have in common? They want to spark a positive change in the community, and strengthen connections among neighbours in the places we live, work and play. Starting with just an idea, they are creating positive change at the local level, and directly engaging in democratic decision-making. Here are a few highlights from this year’s CBB projects so you can see the amazing work underway in the ward:
Hoops and Hotdogs: The concept for this idea, initiated by the team at Sakaw Gardens, was simple. Bring together youth and adults in the neighbourhood for a game of basketball and a meal to help deter mischief. This project not only connected people through food and sports, but also led to youth learning and participating in the local community garden.
Elder and Youth Gatherings: Over dinner, this project brought together Indigenous youth in Mill Woods and elders to connect, learn and create art. Each participant designed a tile , which will be harmonized into a larger mural by Métis artist Krista Leddy, one of our own from Ward Karhiio.
Seeds of Change: Working with Greenview school and the Urban Forestry team, this project includes tree planting this Spring, and a program for students to learn about environmental and climate sustainability from other young people.
Thank you to our partners Edmonton Public Library and Beta City YEG for their support, and stay tuned because the final CBB projects will be rolling out in Ward Karhiio this summer!
Interested in learning more about Community-Based Budgeting? Check out our project webpage: kerentang.ca/CBB.
Join me for a Community Conversation
Come out and join me and the Ward Karhiio team for a coffee and conversation from 11AM-1PM on the following dates:
May 11, 2024 at Koffee Cafe (6120 29 Ave NW)
June 22, 2024 at Mill Woods Sports Park by the pond (2730 66 Street NW)
July 27,2024 at Ellerslie Crossing Park (319 83 Street SW)
August 24, 2024 at Jackie Parker Park (4540 50 Street NW) - look out for our tent!
September 21, 2024 at Koffee Cafe (6120 28 Ave NW)
Share your voice on District Planning
Edmonton has over 300+ neighbourhoods, and the City Plan, our guiding vision for Edmonton, groups collections of neighbourhoods into geographic districts so that residents can meet most of their daily needs by walking, rolling or taking a transit trip close to their homes.
District Planning is a tool to illustrate how each part of the city will change and densify as Edmonton grows - supporting more housing, businesses, amenities and transportation options as we welcome new residents. The outcome: a streamlined plan for each area of the city to guide development, and future amenities and infrastructure that you can look to. In Ward Karhiio, we have 3 districts: Ellerslie, Mill Woods and Meadows, and Southeast.
City Council will be considering the proposed District Policy and 15 district plans, as well as the existing geographic plans proposed to be retired, at a statutory City Council Public Hearing from May 28-30, 2024. You can learn more at edmonton.ca/DistrictPlans, and review all relevant documents. I encourage you to sign up to speak, or submit written comments if you have feedback for me on District Planning.
I will also be hosting an online Community Conversation with the District Planning team on May 9th from 12:00-1:00PM. Ask your questions then and join me live at facebook.com/kerentangyeg or check out the recording on my blog after.
Summer in the City
There is a lot happening in Edmonton this summer - check out some of the great recreation activities and events coming up!
The outdoor pool season begins with Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool tentatively opening on Saturday, May 18, followed by Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool opening on May 25, Oliver Outdoor Pool on June 1 and Borden Natural Swimming Pool on June 8. On July 1, Mill Creek Outdoor Pool will also reopen this year after being closed to the public for a four year rehabilitation project. The outdoor pool season is expected to run through to the September long weekend, weather permitting.
The City’s 75 spray parks are planned to open at the beginning of June (weather permitting). Check edmonton.ca/SprayParks for operating hours and maintenance closures when making plans to visit a spray park.
The Summer Youth Pass is back, providing discounted access for kids ages 2-17 to all City Rec Centres between June and September. The pass is $35 per month and includes access to outdoor pools.
Green Shacks, the City’s drop-in playground program, will be launching July 2nd in 242 neighbourhoods and parks. A list of sites and program times will be available by visiting move.learn.play. Activities and games are geared towards kids between 6-12 years of age, but younger children are also welcome if they are accompanied by a caregiver.
Mill Woods Canada Day celebration is one of the largest (and in my opinion, most fun!) in Edmonton. Their team is looking for volunteers to help on-site July 1, 2024 - get involved and learn more at www.seedmonton.ca/canada-day-2024.
City News and Updates
Big Bin Events in Ward Karhiio
The 2024 Big Bin Event and Free Eco Station schedule is now up. These are great opportunities to drop off items that are too large for curbside collection at no charge, and keep our City clean. Visit edmonton.ca/bigbinevents for more info - in Ward Karhiio we have a few big bin events this summer:
May 4-5 at the Ellerslie Facility (2415 - 101 Street SW)
September 21-22 at the Mill Woods Town Centre (2331 66 Street NW)
Keep an eye out for events hosted by your local community leagues
New EPark Payment System Launching
Starting April 29, 2024, the City of Edmonton will be launching a new mobile payment system for EPark to enhance your parking experience. This system is powered by HotSpot Parking, and will be available for service in Edmonton starting May 15, 2024. More information about these upcoming changes can be found at edmonton.ca/epark.
Please note, the City is helping MyEPark customers with large funds or shared accounts to transition smoothly to the new HotSpot mobile payment system before HotSpot provides the parking app to Edmontonians. This process will take place from April 29 to May 15, 2024.
Spring Sweep is underway
Each year, the City of Edmonton clears debris and dust off of roads and pathways to make them cleaner and safer for all. While crews are active in a neighbourhood, a parking ban is in effect. Make sure to watch for signage around the neighbourhood, and I encourage you to sign up for parking ban notifications at my.edmonton.ca so you don’t miss it. This year, Spring Sweep will be happening in Edmonton until the beginning of June!
Did you know that pets over the age of 6 months require a pet license?
Not only is a pet license an important part of responsible pet ownership, your pet license also includes a pet tag and a free ride home for your companion if they are ever lost or in need. Visit edmonton.ca/licenseyourpet to learn more about getting a pet license.
Edmonton Transit Service Spring Updates
ETS adjusts their services and schedules five times per year to better serve riders as travel patterns shift. Spring Service changes will begin on Sunday, April 28 - you can learn more at edmonton.ca/servicechanges.
The new Valley Line South East LRT has now been open for 6 months! If you have feedback on this connection between Mill Woods and Downtown, let me know at keren.tang@edmonton.ca.
City Compost Giveaway
Looking for compost to support your garden this year? The City runs a self-serve compost giveaway program at Ambleside and Kennedale Eco Station - just bring your own container. Learn more at edmonton.ca/CompostGiveaway.
Business Friendly Edmonton Resources
Are you opening or operating a business? Check out Business Friendly Edmonton, a team at the City offering one-on-one business support on permits and licensing, grants, webinars and more to business owners of all sizes and stages. Check out edmonton.ca/SupportBusiness to learn more about their team and access resources.
Property Tax Notices are coming in May
Edmonton property owners can expect to see their 2024 property tax notices mailed out at the end of May - for paperless subscribers, it’ll be posted on myproperty.edmonton.ca. Your notice will include Municipal taxes, which help pay for civic services like police, fire rescue, public transit, libraries, road maintenance and more, along with Education taxes which go directly to the Government of Alberta. The payment deadline is June 30, 2024 (if you are not enrolled in the monthly payment plan). For more information on property taxes, call 311 or visit edmonton.ca/taxes.
