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Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07

May 2005 Front centre: Mayor Next row: Councillors Linda Sloan, Janice Melnychuk, Jane Batty, Michael Phair, Mike Nickel Back row: Councillors Ron Hayter, Ed Gibbons, Terry Cavanagh, Dave Thiele, Kim Krushell, Karen Leibovici, Bryan Anderson City Council

2 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 New deal Aboriginal community, health groups, community groups, business groups, arts Edmonton is leading the quest for a new deal groups. Joint investment of the extraordinary for Canadian cities. Cities that “work” need spirit possessed by these individual entities secure and steady funding in order to will bring innovative solutions to issues manage their own futures. Property taxes ranging from affordable housing to alone cannot cover the cost of cities’ new and infrastructure, neighbourhood revitalization expanding responsibilities. to transportation. Edmonton and Calgary have repeatedly And the partnership opportunities don’t stop urged the Government of Alberta to listen to at the civic borders. Edmonton’s future is the messages of the “big city agenda.” The linked to the future of our regional two centres contribute significantly toward neighbours and those to the north. the overall fortune of Alberta. They need to be at the table with the province in achieving its vision of a “vibrant and prosperous New image province ... where people are free to achieve their full potential.” Cities with “quality of place” — described as Look around The provincial government announced this desirable amenities, lifestyle and environment April a new infrastructure grant to meet the by noted economic expert Richard Florida — Your city is growing. The cranes are back on unique priorities of Alberta communities. The have a competitive advantage in the new the skyline and new businesses are starting up funding is certainly welcome, and proof that world marketplace. They attract the workers everywhere. the Government of Alberta is taking a business seeks, investment follows and the community overall prospers. Edmonton is building again, something we farsighted approach to municipal issues. haven’t witnessed since the early ’80s. The City sees this as a good start toward a Edmonton has what it takes to be a desirable destination for talent and business. Strong Edmonton City Council is stepping forward to new deal model that serves the interests of all communities. Theatre. First-class education. harness this new energy and build the kind of orders of government in Canada. Arts. Music. North America’s most spectacular city and quality of life you expect. river valley. People with passion. And if Edmontonians say they want to hear there New partners variety is the spice of life, this is one zesty are plans for the future of our community. place to live. Council has looked at the opportunities and Municipal government on its own cannot City Council wants Edmonton to be challenges growth brings and put bold execute “future-building” change. The City of recognized for its “quality of place” — now strategies in place to guarantee we are — and Edmonton needs to lead new partnership and into its successful second century as a remain — a capital city in all ways. opportunities among other important players capital city. City Council believes Edmonton needs three in the community: developers, builders, things: a new deal, new partners and a new schools and post-secondary institutions, the image.

May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 3 BuildingBuilding thethe CAPITALCAPITAL CITYCITY

Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005-07

Edmonton City Council has set its agenda for the 2005-07 term. The Mayor and Councillors will lead specific ventures with the goal of improving certain aspects of Edmonton’s future. Council’s work plan envisions a CAPITAL CITY: ... with vibrant neighbourhoods ... a safe environment ... a positive international reputation ... a good neighbour and partner ... a culturally rich and welcoming society ... a quality physical environment ... and responsible and responsive government

4 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Vibrant neighbourhoods

A city with strong, Affordable Housing Councillors Karen Leibovici, Michael Phair sustainable neighbourhoods ... Increased availability of affordable housing units with ■ Build on current success of the City’s Housing Strategy physically sound ... necessary support services, adequate funding and service to ensure adequate supply of affordable and with opportunity for all partnerships with other government supportive emergency, transitional and long-term citizens housing ■ Take action on Low Income and Special Needs Housing Strategy ■ Work with Vibrant Communities Edmonton, a multi- sector collaborative committed to Family Economic Success, a program for low-income working poor with an emphasis on affordable housing ■ Work with City-initiated trades training project, Women Building Futures, on proposal for a combined training facility and affordable housing development

Neighbourhood Revitalization Councillor Janice Melnychuk

Vibrant, diversely-populated communities ... with housing ■ Renew physical infrastructure in neighbourhoods choices for all ages and income levels ... reinvigorated through a sustained, multi-year program business areas and increased assessments in mature ■ Move forward with Smart Choices priorities: neighbourhoods neighbourhood revitalization, transit-oriented development (TOD), infill strategy, development incentives for infill and TOD

May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 5 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

■ Develop and implement a Walkable Edmonton Strategy to engage community ■ Examine ways the City and developers can provide elements that are important to the community at the front end of new development and redevelopment plans and projects by bringing recommendations relative to timing, costs and staging of neighbourhood or area structure plans (Important elements include trees and boulevards, parks, playgrounds, green spaces, sidewalks, snow removal, connectivity through walkways, parks, natural areas, policing and emergency services, transit service) ■ Provide and enhance alternative mobility modes important to citizen’s quality of life (Including sidewalk and street maintenance, linkages such as pathways, bike paths and routes, curb cuts to ensure mobility for an ageing population, easy, efficient transit, local, community buses) ■ Target efforts in high priority neighbourhoods with significant social, recreational, economic and environmental issues using a community building model ■ Implement Fort Road Master Plan ■ Implement Brownfields Redevelopment pilot program ■ Engage residents, shoppers, business and property owners in identifying strategies and actions to revitalize communities along 118 Ave. from Northlands to NAIT, focus on strengthening community economic development and improving infrastructure ■ Use the West Edmonton Mall and Old Strathcona Integrated service Teams to further address issues in these neighbourhoods

6 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Jasper East Mayor Stephen Mandel

An important piece of Edmonton’s downtown becomes as a ■ Establish a project team to prepare staged plans for vibrant, residential community, a character neighbourhood developing and implementing a new project in and showpiece for the city Jasper East, including a community consultation process

Safe community

Mayor’s Drug Strategy Councillor Janice Melnychuk

A collaborative community approach to the issue of drug ■ Participate in developing a comprehensive and and alcohol abuse for young people up to 24 years based coordinated drug strategy and implementation plan on a four pillar approach: prevention, treatment, harm with other community partners (AADAC, Health reduction and enforcement Canada, Alberta Learning, Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools, Edmonton Police A city where all citizens Service, City of Edmonton; citizen input planned) ... the young, the old, the at-risk ... feel safe and secure, and are confident in the preventative and Mayor’s Task Force on Traffic Safety Mayor Stephen Mandel, Councillor Dave Thiele responsive measures in place to deal with Reduced frequency and severity of traffic collisions on ■ Undertake improvements at the most congested health, emergency and Edmonton’s streets through an integrated strategy of intersections and undertake arterial road widening in other community issues engineering, enforcement and education congested areas ■ Work on traffic enforcement initiatives ■ Implement an Integrated Corridor Program in 2005 to address high collision corridors through coordinated engineering enforcement and education initiatives

May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 7 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

■ Improve on-scene traffic safety response by implementing Council-approved Emergency Medical Service and Fire Rescue service level targets ■ Develop a long-term integrated road safety plan that may include an Office of Traffic Safety to coordinate and champion Traffic Safety initiatives ■ Implement Safedmonton public education strategy ■ Coordinate Safer Cities initiative

Child Friendly City Councillors Kim Krushell, Michael Phair

The City’s services to the children of Edmonton are based on ■ Develop corporate children’s services framework , the international UNICEF supported “child friendly” ensuring services are provided in a child friendly secretariat that identifies key indicators of child friendly cities way, and children are given voice and included in decision making ■ Develop standards for Play Area Accessibility to ensure access for all ages and abilities

8 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Positive international reputation

A city widely known as City of Edmonton Promotion Mayor Stephen Mandel, Councillor Jane Batty a capital city ... culturally rich ... Edmonton holds a strong, positive image through ■ Build upon Centres of Excellence: the City’s capacity business friendly ... coordinated marketing strategies (Corporate to support economic development in the health, innovative and edgy ... Communications, EEDC, Edmonton Tourism, ERAA, others) education, energy, cultural, sports and government technologically, sectors economically, ■ Carry out a strategic communication plan to aesthetically creative help citizens understand the fiscal pressures facing the city ■ Build upon “sport tourism strengths:” facilities, experience hosting major events (such as World Masters Games), volunteer base and strong fan support ■ Promote Edmonton’s Capital City image ■ Carry out Council’s Vision for Social Well-being and Quality of Life; Integrate Visions for Social Well-Being and Economic Prosperity ■ Provide administrative support to Economic Development Edmonton’s Greater Edmonton Competitiveness Strategy ■ Manage preparation for and co-ordination of services for operation of the 2005 World Masters Games ■ Support the Centres of Excellence for Edmonton Waste Management and Wastewater Management ■ Hold annual free access day at civic facilities ■ Collaborate with province on Royal Visit, Alberta Centennial Celebrations

May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 9 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Edmonton Arts Mayor Stephen Mandel

Enhanced profile for Edmonton arts community through ■ Support the Edmonton Arts Council and its priorities partnership with the City of Edmonton and business plan ■ Support cultural events and arts festivals ■ Develop new arts and cultural facilities in selected high priority areas ■ Plan for maintenance and sustainability of major downtown arts facilities

A good neighbour and partner

A city that nurtures and Capital Health Councillor Jane Batty enjoys good relationships ... with other orders of Edmontonians benefit from a mutually beneficial, strong ■ Work in partnership with Capital Health and other government ... its working relationship with Capital Health Authority stakeholders to develop and implement programs regional neighbours ... designed to encourage citizens to make healthy the education sector ... lifestyle choices, e.g Active Edmonton Campaign, Northern Canada Federal HRDC, Health Canada, businesses, other community agencies ■ Ensure investments in civic facilities and public transit appropriately integrate with and support Capital Health Authority investments ■ Collaborate with partners to develop a plan for responding to a public health emergency

10 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

■ Partner with the Alberta Heart Institute, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Capital Health to improve public access defibrillation ■ Participate in a multi-center trial on the use of thrombolytics (clot busters) in the treatment of heart attack patients

Northern Strategy Mayor Stephen Mandel, Councillors Ed Gibbons, Ron Hayter

Edmonton establishes positive, effective and sustainable ■ Further develop the City’s capacity as a staging area relationships with our important neighbours to the north for energy and other development projects in the north (ND) ■ Undertake regular consultation with northern neighbours to identify and address mutual issues

Provincial MLA Relations Mayor Stephen Mandel, Councillor Jane Batty

Positive relationship between provincial MLAs and ■ Establish ongoing meetings with Capital Region MLAs Edmonton City Council to explore issues related to Edmonton ■ Promote new deal investment and partnership strategy for the City of Edmonton

University of Alberta Liaison Councillors Kim Krushell, Jane Batty

The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta enjoy a ■ Establish a round table with six to eight members mutually beneficial relationship and vision representing the U of A, U of A Board of Governors, City Council and City of Edmonton senior management to strategize and prioritize key initiatives and move them forward to reality, and to integrate a strategic and business planning process for a long-term shared vision ■ Partner with universities to develop leadership training opportunities May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 11 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

■ Participate in the Community University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth and Families, a collaborative alliance dedicated to reducing the gap between university research and practices in the community

Post-Secondary Issues Councillors Kim Krushell, Jane Batty

Recommendations on feasibility of a universal bus pass ■ Hold discussions and activities with post-secondary system for post-secondary students in the Edmonton region institutions to review requirements for implementing transit U-pass

■ Work with regional partners to enhance capabilities to respond to disaster situations ■ Partner with the Canadian Forces to provide emergency medical training

A culturally rich, welcoming community

A city with a wealth of Aboriginal Issues Mayor Stephen Mandel, Councillor Ron Hayter diverse cultures ... that respects its history and Edmonton is noted as a community that welcomes, ■ Develop a consistent, workable and transparent heritage ... that welcomes supports and embraces Aboriginal contribution toward Aboriginal policy through relationship-building, newcomers Edmonton’s culture and economy, past, present and creation and implementation of a principle-based future protocol or accord

12 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Immigration Councillors Terry Cavanagh, Michael Phair

Increased numbers of newcomers settle in our supportive ■ Identify actions that can increase immigration levels and receptive community to Edmonton ■ Provide or support programs that attract immigrants ■ Support effective integration of immigrants into the workforce ■ Facilitate an immigrant forum to discuss concerns about social and economic integration of immigrants and refugees ■ Collaborate with not-for-profit sector to develop a vibrant international marketplace in downtown Edmonton

Mayor’s Multicultural Council Mayor Stephen Mandel

Beneficial liaison among the City, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce and representatives of Edmonton’s cultural groups on trade and economic issues

May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 13 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Seniors Issues Councillor Linda Sloan

Enhanced services and opportunities to participate for a ■ Complete the Seniors initiative inquiry growing seniors population through improved knowledge ■ Plan to implement Seniors Friendly training for base, continuing liaison and partnerships with relevant City staff agencies ■ Undertake regular liaison with seniors and seniors’ organizations ■ Undertake regular seniors outreach for dialogue and discussion ■ Develop Blueprint for Action on Community Service’s services for seniors, with emphasis on seniors-at-risk ■ Provide support to Edmonton Seniors’ Coordinating Council ■ Expand Central Lions and Northgate Lions seniors centres

Making Edmonton Awesome for Youth! Councillor Kim Krushell

Young people consider Edmonton a good place to make ■ Support Edmonton Youth Council and use their their home knowledge in addressing issues facing youth

Youth Employment Initiatives Councillor Kim Krushell

Strategies to address barriers that prevent young people, ■ Respond to recommendations identified by the especially youth at risk, from gaining and maintaining Edmonton Youth Community Engagement employment in Edmonton Committee study through the work of two task forces, the Governance Committee and the Transportation Committee

■ Develop an access-to-recreation strategy for low- income Edmontonians

14 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Quality physical environment

Sports, Recreation Opportunities Councillor Bryan Anderson

Citizens enjoy improved access to sport and recreation ■ Undertake implementation of Recreation Facility opportunities through long-range plans for development, Master Plan, River Valley Trail System, Multi-use maintenance and sustainability of sports fields, facilities and Corridor Strategy, Urban Parks Management Plan amenities ■ Undertake a Public Space Strategy ■ Update Sportsfield Development Priorities and A city that values both Standards the built and natural environment ... with access to facilities and Industrial Land Strategy Mayor Stephen Mandel amenities ... room to grow businesses ... in a healthy, protected Edmonton is poised to capture the opportunities and meet ■ Implement the Industrial Land Strategy to ensure environment the challenges of the emerging economic environment in adequate land for economic growth the north, including strategies to accommodate the role of ■ Implement a program to develop Industrial Area a major manufacturing, labour and supply centre for the Structure Plans and a monitoring program north, and to manage the implications of this growth on city infrastructure and citizens

May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 15 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there

Responsible, responsive government

A city that is customer Customer Input Process for City Departments Councillors Karen Leibovici, Kim Krushell focused ... excels in efficiency and Citizen satisfaction increases as the City of Edmonton ■ Follow existing customer service targets for service effectiveness ... that embraces best practices in customer services throughout delivery embraces innovation and the corporation ■ creativity ... and is on the Complete employee training and improvements in leading edge of service delivery municipal excellence ■ Develop voice, data communications and mobile computing strategies and infrastructure ■ Implement decision-making processes that focus on service requirements and undertake business model changes, service changes or revenue enhancements ■ Use collaborative approaches (e.g interest based problem solving) as part of “the way the City does business” ■ Complete the Citizen Telephone Access Feasibility Study (311) ■ Develop corporate Public Participation Process Model

16 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005