The City’s Materials Management branch invites Edmonton’s small business owners and managers to learn more about selling to the City.

Date:  Wednesday May 30, 2012
Time:  1:30pm and 6:30pm
Location:  City Hall, Heritage Room

Date:  Monday June 4, 2012
Time:  1:30pm and 6:30pm
Location:  City Hall, Heritage Room

This informative, 2-hour session will give small business owners and managers details about how the City buys products and services including the tender process, the City’s Sustainable Purchasing Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct.

All sessions are free to attend. Advance registration is required as space is limited.

To register call 780-944-5704 or email smallbusiness@edmonton.ca.

“I am inspired by these individuals and organizations who are building a more inclusive city where all Edmontonians can participate fully and share their gifts with the community,” said Mayor Mandel. “My congratulations and thanks to all the award recipients and nominees.”
 
Eight individuals, organizations and businesses that have provided opportunities and safe environments for Edmontonians with disabilities were awarded in 4 categories.

The categories and recipients include:

Outstanding Service

• Michelle Hordal for creating the Alberta AdaptAbilities Association, a not-for-profit charity that provides unique programming that helps youth with disabilities adapt to every day experiences.
• Anna Der for being the driving force behind the Seniors Assisted Transportation Society, a volunteer based non-profit organization that helps seniors access crucial transportation services that allow them to lead independent lives.
• Velvet Martin for advocating for the rights of children, youth, vulnerable persons and seniors in her community. Following the death of her daughter, Velvet’s dedication has turned tragedy into a legacy of hope for families of children with developmental conditions.
• The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital for a legacy of providing comprehensive rehabilitation services, for more than 50 years, to people with disabilities, helping them re-enter society with greater independence and skills.

Universal Design in Architecture

• Personal Residence of Terry Tenove
  Accessibility Architect: Ron Wickman

For the use of accessible architecture to transform Terry Tenove’s apartment into a barrier-free living space and example of how design can enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

Employers

Paid Employment

Michael Elder – Canadian Safeway Ltd. for championing equal opportunity work environments and offering individuals with mental health concerns positive and equal work opportunities. Canadian Safeway Ltd. offers equal benefits to all employees, including education funding.

Volunteer Position

• Cougar Paint and Collision Ltd. for providing valuable, hands-on mechanic and automotive detailing experience to young people with disabilities for more than 5 years. Volunteers at Cougar Paint & Collision learn that passion and hard work lead to self-confidence.

Ewen Nelson Award for Self-Advocacy

• Kenneth P. Thomas for his frequent involvement in public events and with many disability organizations. Ken is passionate about building a more accessible Edmonton and his optimistic view on life has inspired many other people with disabilities.

The City of Edmonton Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities selected this year’s recipients from 17 nominees.
 

“This is something we bring up regularly – if you smoke, use an ashtray,” said the fire marshal. “If you don’t have a metal or glass ashtray, use a coffee tin with some sand or water in it. It’s that simple.”

A recent apartment fire has also prompted Fire Rescue to remind citizens that charcoal and other solid fuel BBQs are not permitted in City parks or on balconies of apartments, condos and other multi-unit buildings.

The use of fireworks and open burning are both regulated activities that require a permit from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

The largest of its kind in Canada, the Edmonton Front Yards in Bloom program honours residents who are making the city more attractive and contributing to the livability and vibrancy of our communities.

Help highlight the front yards that are making Edmonton beautiful. Nominations are being accepted in 3 categories – natural, edible or just plain pretty – until June 28, 2012, via:   

• Online at www.frontyardsinbloom.ca
• E-mail to front.yards@edmonton.ca
• Phone 311
• Fax 780-423-2883, with Attention: Front Yards in Bloom

Volunteers will visit each nominated yard to deliver a certificate, and sign or decal. The top yards are then chosen to receive awards, with winners announced during the Edmonton in Bloom Awards on August 9, 2012 at City Hall. This year Edmonton will also host the national and provincial Communities in Bloom Awards on October 13, 2012.

Edmonton’s Front Yard in Bloom program is a partnership between the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Horticultural Society and the Civic Union of Postal Workers with support from the Realtors Association of Edmonton.

Learn more about the program and submit your nomination at www.frontyardsinbloom.ca.

“We want to thank the public for complying with the ban since it took effect on May 11, 2012,” said Deputy Chief of Public Safety Russell Croome. “We understand that many people had plans for their long weekend that this ban may impact. However, safety must be our number one priority.”

During the fire ban, the City has emphasized compliance over enforcement. However, anyone who breaks a fire ban may be subject to fines or charges if the activity causes a safety issue. This may also include covering costs for emergency services.

What is open burning?

Open burning refers to the use of fire to burn organic materials like wood or grass in non-residential areas. Open burning is never permitted in residential areas, where only backyard fire pits are allowed. The City does not allow the burning of garbage or synthetic materials like car tires under any circumstance.

How does the City measure fire hazard?

In 2012, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services began using a tool called the Fire Weather Index System to measure and forecast fire hazard conditions in Edmonton. Fire officials around the world most commonly use this system for rural or forested areas. Fire Rescue has adapted it to the unique wildland-urban interfaces throughout the City of Edmonton and in the North Saskatchewan river valley. The Fire Weather Index System is based on weather data and takes into account everything from temperature and wind conditions to relative humidity and moisture levels in the ground.

“We mail the property tax bills every year at this time,” says Rod Risling, Manager of the Assessment and Taxation Branch. “Property owners should watch for their annual tax bill so they can be sure to pay it on time or switch to the monthly payment plan before the deadline.”

The deadline for paying taxes on all properties is June 30, 2012, except for property owners who are on the monthly payment plan.

Tax bills can be paid at most financial institutions, by telephone, internet banking, in person or by mail. Property owners can submit a request to enroll in the monthly payment plan, with equal monthly installments made through automatic bank transactions.

Those who do not receive their City of Edmonton Property Tax Notice by June 1, 2012 should contact the City information line at 311 or by email to taxinquiry@edmonton.ca. Failure to receive a tax notice is not sufficient reason for late payment or non-payment; penalties will be applied after June 30, 2012.

Property taxes include provincial education tax

Taxes on residential and non-residential properties cover 54% of the cost of City operations. The remainder is funded by grants, fines, user fees, permits and investment returns.

The City also collects the education tax on behalf of the Province of Alberta. The education tax is roughly 35% of each residential property tax bill. The City will collect a total of $1.4 billion in property taxes this year, of which $392 million is provincial education tax.

The municipal portion of each tax bill pays for civic services such as police, fire rescue, public transit, pothole repair, snow clearing, recreation programs and parks.

The total amount of each tax bill is based on each property’s assessed value as of July 1, 2011. Property owners received their 2012 assessment notice in January 2012. 

“By paying property taxes, property owners contribute to Edmonton’s financial stability and our high standard of living in Edmonton,” says Risling.

City Council was presented with a new set of designs for the downtown arena and related facilities, including the winter garden and community rink. Public consultation on these designs will begin May 22, 2012. Edmontonians can provide feedback online, in person and by contacting 311 and requesting a package be mailed to them. Go to www.edmonton.ca/downtownarena for full details.

Plan for City Centre Redevelopment project approved

Council approved the Area Redevelopment Plan for the City Centre Redevelopment project. This provides clear direction to move ahead with redevelopment of the site and achieve Council’s vision of building a world-class, sustainable community.

City Council greenlights emergency vehicle pilot

Edmonton Fire Recue Services and Traffic Operations received the go ahead to pilot a GPS-based technology designed to improve public safety and response times for emergency crews. The technology, called a traffic light pre-emption system, automatically triggers green lights at intersections as emergency vehicles approach, giving them the right of way. Work on the system will begin during the summer of 2012.

Edmonton’s new Historian Laureate named

The City of Edmonton introduced its new Historian Laureate, Shirley Lowe. The role of Historian Laureate is to promote Edmonton’s heritage through research, writing and public appearances. Lowe is the City of Edmonton’s second Historian Laureate, succeeding Ken Tingley.

The City of Edmonton has named Shirley Lowe as its new Historian Laureate.

“Edmonton has a great story as a city and it’s important for people to know about it,” said Lowe. “It’s a tremendous honour to be selected as Historian Laureate and to be given the trust and responsibility to tell Edmonton’s story.”

Lowe has been active in Edmonton’s heritage community for years, bringing history out of the lecture halls into more informal settings, including walking tours and the Historic Edmonton Week Festival which she helped found.

Lowe, a life-long Edmontonian, has worked with the City of Edmonton in achieving designation for Old Strathcona as an Alberta Historic Area. She has served on numerous historical boards in Edmonton and co-authored several local history books.

“This is very exciting for the City of Edmonton,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “Identifying and preserving our heritage is extremely important to our city. Shirley Lowe has a passion and commitment to bringing Edmonton’s history to life and I look forward to seeing her in the role of Historian Laureate. I know she will do Edmonton proud.”

Edmonton is the only municipality in Canada with a Historian Laureate.

The role of Historian Laureate is to promote Edmonton’s heritage through research, writing and public appearances. Lowe is the City of Edmonton’s second Historian Laureate, succeeding Ken Tingley.

As Historian Laureate, Lowe plans to continue the work she’s done in gathering stories of the changes in some of Edmonton’s older neigbourhoods such as Oliver, Westmount, Glenora and Inglewood.  

Lowe will join Edmonton’s Poet Laureate, Anna Marie Sewell, in marking important civic occasions. She will work closely with the Edmonton Historical Board and Edmonton Heritage Council which administer the Historian Laureate program.

“This upswing in employment, particularly in the high-paying, full-time sectors of oil and gas, manufacturing and construction, means the greater Edmonton area can be optimistic about our economic outlook, as we look forward to a boost in retail, housing and personal services over the remainder of the year,” said John Rose, Chief Economist for the City of Edmonton.

Rose also noted that Edmonton CMA’s service sector was less buoyant, with net job losses in professional services, education and health care. As well there was a shift from full-time to part-time jobs in several service sectors between March and April.

“One month’s numbers don’t necessarily signal a return to the remarkable job growth Edmonton experienced in 2011,” Rose cautions, “and at a provincial level, although 10,000 job were added between March and April, Alberta’s drop in unemployment to 4.9% could signal a labour market potentially moving towards a shortage of key skills and more experienced workers, making it more difficult for employers to attract and retain qualified staff.”

At the national level, 58,000 new jobs gained in April were offset by a significant increase in the number of people looking for work, with the result that the national unemployment rate moved up slightly to 7.3%. Excellent gains in manufacturing, resources and agriculture more than made up for a loss of over 30,000 public sector jobs between March and April.

“Fire bans are about promoting awareness of the fire risk in Edmonton and preventing fires caused by regulated activities,” said Deputy Chief of Public Safety Russell Croome. “We want to work with citizens and visitors to protect life and property in Edmonton.”

Chief Croome said all residents should practice fire safety and fire prevention regardless of whether or not a fire ban applies to their activities.

“The fact is human carelessness is the number one cause of fires. We all need to practice fire safety and prevention. When it comes to outdoor fires, this means complying with bylaws and the conditions of permits related to fire pits, open burning and fireworks, as well as using an ashtray if you smoke.”

During the fire ban, the City will emphasize compliance over enforcement. However, anyone who breaks a fire ban may be subject to fines or charges if the activity causes a safety issue. This may also include covering costs for emergency services.

Fire officials have been monitoring weather conditions closely since the start of the wildland fire season. Despite recent precipitation, conditions remain dry and windy in Edmonton. Available weather data indicates this trend will continue.

What is open burning?

Open burning refers to the use of fire to burn organic materials like wood or grass in non-residential areas. Open burning is never permitted in residential areas, where only backyard fire pits are allowed. The City does not allow the burning of garbage or synthetic materials like car tires under any circumstance.

How does the City measure fire hazard?

In 2012, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services began using a tool called the Fire Weather Index System to measure and forecast fire hazard conditions in Edmonton. Fire officials around the world most commonly use this system for rural or forested areas. The City of Edmonton has adapted it to the unique wildland-urban interface throughout the City of Edmonton and in the North Saskatchewan river valley.

The Fire Weather Index System is based on weather data and takes into account everything from temperature and wind conditions to relative humidity and moisture levels in the ground.