March 5th City Hall E-News:

REMINDER: Over 250 of our neighbours will be joining Transit Camp 2023. We need your RSVP by March 15th for our catering.
REGRET: to inform you that Hawrelak park is closing on Monday, March 13th.
CELEBRATE: International Women's Day with discussion and dinner Wednesday March 8th ($25/sponsored)
FRUSTRATIONS: the UCP provincial budget: Edmonton deserves a fair deal
ENGAGE: West 240 & Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy
SHOVEL: Learn more about the City's Snow and Ice Strategy (hat tip to Councillor Tang)
WARNING: Edmonton Police Brutality caught on video. Officer duty status "under review"

And as always... provocations from around the internet... and online links to the films from our Love in The Time of Fentanyl event!

City Hall News: February 19th, 2023

DEBRIEF: Event Recap: Love in the Time of Fentanyl
TWEET: Orphan Wells vs. Edmonton
ACTION: Noisy vehicle tickets proposed to increase this week
READ: Widening Whyte Ave Sidewalks and adding Bus Rapid Transit
READ: Update on tax subclassing (via Councillor Erin Rutherford)
EVENT: The Gathering Storm documentary screening
EVENT: Beautiful Minds, fundraiser for the CMHA
REMINDER RSVP: TransitCamp2023
Provocations from around the web...

February 12th City Hall E-News

ACTION: RSVP for Transit Camp 2023
READ: Mansion Tax / Progressive taxation options to be discussed Wednesday
WATCH: Homeless Edmontonians at greater risk of facing health challenges
READ: City of Edmonton restricts Hiring, Travel, spending on consultants
READ: Forty-Two Percent of Ontario Condos Are Used As Investment Properties (The Maple)

City Hall E-News Feb 5th

A healthy city is a happy city. How we care, or fail to care, for the most vulnerable among us directly impacts the healthcare available for the rest of us.

This week, one of the big agenda items is a conversation with Dr. Chris Sikora, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton. He's joining our Community Public Services Committee on Tuesday morning at 0930AM. I invite you to attend, speak, watch online, or submit questions you would like me to ask. REGISTER: https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=f0e0c375-a3fd-4f3c-a92f-1d63fc85517d&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

Some of the general topics I would like covered are:

What are the negative impacts of the housing system on the broader health care system? (e.g. emergency wait room times)
What are we doing to prevent medical discharge into homelessness?
How are deaths or injuries to those with no fixed address tracked? How are deaths reported?
How are amputations or other traumas tracked and reported to the public?
How are Emergency rooms coping? Including the Children's hospital?
How do young people under 18 get supported with health care needs?
How many folks in Edmonton have serious medical conditions that are in need but are houseless (diabetes, cancer, other)?
How are unhoused pregnancies supported?
How are burn treatments handled when someone can't be safely discharged for care?
What is the wait time for addiction recovery beds? How many recovery beds are available?
What is the plan for discharge after completing recovery treatment? Back onto the street or is there a bridge program?

Please let me know if you have other suggestions.

City Hall E-News February 5th, 2023

WATCH: "Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades" - New Film added to our Feb 16th event
READ: Are bigger and heavier vehicles a threat to public safety?
READ: Living Local with local recreation centres
ADOPT: A heritage chicken and receive eggs for a year
READ: Mansion Tax: Taxing the 4800 homes over $1,000,000 an extra $60/month would raise an additional $5.3Million
READ: "With the UCP's help, Edmonton's police chief is out to undermine the mayor"
CITY PROVOCATIONS from around the internet
You can read last week's newsletter here: michaeljanz.ca/updates

City Hall E-News: Jan 30th, with Question of the Week

We're starting out this week's City Hall E-News with a new segment, "Question of the week" - Just hit reply and tell me your thoughts...

Jan 23rd: Question of the Week: Recently the City of Edmonton enacted a parking ban to assist with the neighbourhood snow removal.

Did you sign up for text/email notifications in advance from the City of Edmonton, and if not, why? I'm curious!

How could this communication be better integrated? Hit reply, and let me know your thoughts!

City Hall E-News January 30th, 2023

TAKE ACTION: Edmonton Actions on Downtown and Transit Safety from Mayor Sohi
NEWS: SAFER STREETS: We're receiving new Safe Crossings in Ward papastew!
VIDEOS: CLEANER, GREENER COMMUNITIES—AND LESS TRAFFIC!
FOUR CITY OF EDMONTON SURVEYS: Changing neighbourhoods to meet changing needs:
RSVP for upcoming events
CITY PROVOCATIONS from around the internet

City Hall E-News - January 22nd

If you would like more targeted updates or join me in advocating on an issue, please sign up at www.michaeljanz.ca/takeaction

City Hall E-News January 22nd, 2023

RSVP: Love in the Time of Fentanyl - Community Conversation and film night
RSVP: Transit Camp 2023
ACTION: Snow Removal Update
READ: Provincial Government targets inclusionary zoning, restricting cities ability to require more affordable housing in new development projects
READ: City Council signed a sponsorship agreement with a national beverage sponsor (Coke-Cola) but I’m not allowed to tell you very much about it.
READ: Further steps towards a municipal lobbyist registry.
WATCH: Going wild for dog parks
Provocations from around the internet...

City Hall E-News January 15th

If you would like more targeted updates or join me in advocating on an issue, please sign up at www.michaeljanz.ca/takeaction

Seven Edmonton City Building Projects I'm excited for in 2023

There's a lot of positive energy in Edmonton at the moment.

Over the Council recess, I jotted down seven Edmonton projects that I'm excited for in 2023. Some big, some small. Some Public, some private. Some breaking ground, some cutting ribbons.

As a disclaimer, this is very much a personal list of projects that from neighbourhood conversations that I feel have been overlooked or underrated. I didn't have a particular matrix or scorecard, but decided to profile these projects because I think they represent incremental improvements. Each in their own way will have a positive impact on our community, economic, climate, culture, or urban planning goals as we continue to build an Edmonton for everyone!

As I listen to friends in Toronto, Vancouver, or other cities bemoan the high cost of living, housing, and the long commute times, I can't help but smile at the incredible quality of life we are able to provide. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be in 2023!

I invite you to share your own projects that get you excited!

Sole Source Agreements, Campaign Donations, and the need for a Lobbyist Registry

Next week, Edmonton City Council will be asked to approve a $26.5 Million Dollar sole source agreement for the Qualico Pedway. (https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/ledcor-26-5m-non-competitive-pedway-edmonton-contract).

One of my campaign commitments was strengthening the public interest, and I’ve petitioned about our need to create a lobbyist registry for municipal politics here: https://www.michaeljanz.ca/lobbyist_registry. I am working on a subsequent motion to this effect.

One of my favourite quotes attributed to Benjamin Franklin is “Sunshine is the greatest disinfectant.” My second favourite is by Lester Freeman in HBO's The Wire where he instructs the young police to “Follow the Money…”

Prior to the sole-source contract debate next week, I want to raise a few general questions I’ve been receiving from constituents about transparency at city hall: campaign donations and lobbyist transparency.

Host a joint block party with your City Councillor

This spring, summer, and fall we welcome the opportunity with you to host a block party. Reach out to our office and let's discuss how we can partner with you to help bring neighbours together and turn ideas into action!

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