Attachment1
Corporate Wins
Summer-Fall 2006
Corporate Wins areCity achievements that demonstrate ongoing commitment to providing value to Edmontonresidents. Included are examples of innovations, cost savings, service improvements, partnerships, and external recognition.
This report is also available on the City’s Web site: or call (780) 496-8196.
Goal: Services to people
Quality, best value services that contribute to Edmonton’s safety, security, well being and enjoyment
New fitness program fights youth obesity
In 2006, the City of Edmonton piloted Fit to Play, a non-judgemental health and fitness program for youth (ages 9 to 13) who have weight management challenges, or other concerns about body image or self-confidence. The program introduces youth to the world of physical activity through participation in games and sports. Guest presenters provide youth and their families with valuable tips on how to integrate fun, healthy lifestyles into their daily routines. The pilot program was a success, highly-recommended by participants and their parents. Fit to Play is now being offered at City facilities. The program is also available for Leisure Access Program participants.
Brigitte Cormier, Community Services, 496-2901
Word processing now at all libraries
Word processing is now available in all library branchesafter a successful pilot project in five branches. The word processing stations enable customers with limited access to computers to create resumes and type up school assignments. Customers can also save their work in a variety of formats to take with them or send by e-mail.
PatriciaNelson, Edmonton Public Library, 496-7077
Plowing program completed ahead of schedule
After the city decided to plow residential streets, over and above the service outlined in the City’s Snow Plowing and Snow Removal Policy, the plowing was completed in only 10 days instead of the expected 14.
Positive response from the hired equipment call out and the efforts of city crews contributed to the effort.
The 2006-2007 winter season began with significant snowfalls in October through early December. In addition to the above normal snowfall the city also experienced extreme temperature fluctuations from almost -40°C to above zero.
BarryBelcourt, Transportation.496-4688
Seniors rec centre expands to meet growing demands
North Edmonton seniors have more recreation options available to them with the opening of a new 9,500 sq. ft. (883 sq. m.) addition at the Northgate Lions Senior Citizens Recreation Centre in August 2006.
The growing older adult population can enjoy enhanced “senior-friendly” programming in the areas of fitness, health and wellness, educational pursuits, computer skill development and creative arts.
The new addition was made possible through over $1.5 million in funding from the City of Edmonton, the Government of Alberta Centennial Legacies Grant, the Community Facility Enhancement Grant, the Northgate Senior Citizens Association, the Northgate Lions Club and numerous individual donors.
WendyZelt, Community Services, 496-7366
Back by popular demand—TeenGamersPalace
The Library, in partnership with Child Friendly Edmonton, transformed several branches into Teen Gamers Palaces for an evening of fun, free food and great games for young people between 12 and 17 years of age. Now in its second year, the initiative was expanded from two branches to five. The evenings took place in October, November and December and provided teens at Mill Woods, Woodcroft, Abbottsfield, Stanley A. Milner and Idylwylde branches with a safe place to go and have some fun.
KathleenPine, Edmonton Public Library, 496-7040
EdmontonCityHallSchool ‘passes grade’
Edmonton City Hall School launched to positive acclaim in November 2006. Two schools and a total of 51 students, 26 parents and three teachers attended the week-long, site-based educational experience for students from grades three to 12. Participants received presentations from 19 City staff, City Councillors and the Mayor. The program was well received and evaluations completed by the school staff and students showed an overwhelmingly positive response. The most appreciated sessions included Transit Training, Inside Information for ID cards (City’s service centre for internal services), visits with the Mayor and Councillors, the interactive tour of City Hall and sessions with COE staff.
CityHallSchool helps students gain an understanding of municipal government and the City of Edmonton as an operational corporation. It is an effective method for developing the citizens of the future.
City Council approved on-going support for the City Hall School Program, which accommodates up to 20 classes each school year, in December 2006.
GarySmith, Corporate Services, 944-7826
City Hall promotes diversity in faith
Edmonton’s City Hall now features a showcase of the religious symbols of many of the CapitalCity’s diverse faith communities, which changes throughout the year to highlight different faiths. The Celebration of Our Faiths program makesEdmonton a more welcoming community by increasing our understanding and respect for each other.
BettyLoree, Corporate Services, 496-8217
Student field trips now more accessible
The EdmontonTransitClassPass, a discounted field trip program introduced in September 2006, makes field trips more affordable for elementary schools. The round trip cost is $1 per person for students, teachers and chaperones. Schools apply for the ClassPass through the Community Support Program. In 2006, 11 trips with 261 students happened through the program. The pass includes service on ETS during off peak hours (9 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays).
Sonja Martens, Transportation, (495.5798)
Child Friendly Edmonton launches report on children and youth
The Report on Edmonton’s Children and Youth, released on November 20, 2006, provides information on infant and child health, safety and freedom from family violence, school readiness and education, social and community issues, childcare, youth health and safety, youth sexual health, youth health-related behaviours, youth social and community issues, youth education and youth leisure. It is a comprehensive look at the current situation for children and youth in Edmonton, from infant mortality rates to educational achievements and emergency room visits to library use.
The report is a partnership between Success By 6® Edmonton and the Child Friendly Edmonton, a City Council Special Initiative. Both programs have mandates to bring together the resources needed to provide opportunities to the young people of Edmonton. The resources combined in this partnership allow better planning of programs and services to benefit our children and youth.
ElvieDe Benedetto, Community Services,
Cardiac arrest responders available city wide
A total of 700 City staff are trained and ready to use Automated External Defibrillators (AED), which are now located at 44 community services sites (pools, leisure centres and golf courses) across the city as part of the Heart-Safe initiative.
In 2005, Edmonton EMS partnered with Capital Health and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, N.W.T. and Nunavut to create Edmonton Heart-Safe, a praogram dedicated to reducing the number of deaths from sudden cardiac arrest in the City of Edmonton.
NikkiBooth, Community Services, 496-3600
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Affordable housing deal could show the way
A partnership between the City and a developer serves as a modelfor affordable housing in future major residential developments.
The City of Edmonton and the developer of the Village at Athlone (750 housing units) have partnered to meet City Council’s objective to include five per cent affordable housing in all new major developments. This objective is part of Council’s Cornerstones Plan – Edmonton’s Plan for Affordable Housing 2006-2011.
The January 2007 agreement enables the City to purchase five per cent of the units in each phase of the Athlone development at 15 per cent below list price, or receive a cash-in-lieu payment equivalent to the developer’s contribution for affordable housing.
DarylKreuzer, Asset Management and Public Works, 496-6027
Strathcona library branch reopens
The Strathcona Branch Library reopened after undergoing a major restoration and expansion.The 13,700-square-foot heritage building almost doubled in size and is now wheelchair and stroller accessible. The branch, Edmonton’s first library, opened in 1913. The restoration and expansion respected the fact that the library is a registered municipal and provincial historical resource. The additional space allows for a bright, cheerful children’s area, a teen area (Rotary Teen Zone) and a large program room (Crystal Glass Community Meeting Room). Over two hundred people attended the official reopening ceremony on October 3.
Contact: Adrienne Canty, Edmonton Public Library, 496-7067
Employee census completed
The City of Edmonton conducted its first-ever Employee Census in fall 2006 as part of the Diversity and Inclusion strategy. The purposes of the census include establishing a benchmark for the City in improving the diversity of its workforceto broadly reflect the community; and obtaining the perspectives of City employees in improving processes, policies, plans, practices and programs to meet the needs of the diverse communities the City serves. Thirty-five per cent of City employees responded.
WadeKing, Corporate Services,496-3170
E-mail address:
Edmonton first in country to formalize Aboriginal relationships
The City of Edmonton and Aboriginal community members and leaders recently celebrated the creation of a principle-based relationship agreement – the Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord. The Accord is the first of its kind in Canada.
The Accord reflects the City’s objectives of working with Aboriginal communities to:
- Develop stronger relationships
- Improve hiring and retention of Aboriginal people in the City of Edmonton’s workforce
- Provide City-mandated services that better meet Aboriginal people’s needs.
One of the ways the Accord will be implemented will involve regular meetings of the City’s Senior Management Team with members of the Aboriginal community engaged in projects, programs or services with the City. Learning will be focused on gaining insights from past work and expanding mutual successes to other areas of the relationship and work together.
MikeKroening, Corporate Services, 496-1525
CPR training out to the community
Edmonton Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has launched a new public education initiative that will provide free Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training to new Canadians and community groups across the city. The one-hour course, which will be taught by paramedics and clinical educators from the EMS Program Development area, will also teach participants how to recognize a cardiac arrest and when to call paramedics for help.
NikkiBooth, Community Services, 496-3600
Library reaches out to low-income, teens, and Transit riders
Edmonton Public Library joined forces with the City’s Recreation Facility Services to improve low-income residents’ access to library services. Coupons for free adult library cards are now included with information provided to Leisure Access Program participants. The coupons provide a stress-free and easy way for low-income adults to obtain a free library card.
Contact: SherrylPetterson, Edmonton Public Library, 496-7046
Teen radio promo a success for Library
The Library partnered with The Bounce radio in September in a promotion aimed at raising its profile with teens — the Back to Cool contest - directing young Edmonton listeners to enter on the Library website at With more than 500 entries in a two-week period, the contest was a resounding success. Five separate winners each won a pair of hot concert tickets, plus a party for their school featuring DJs and pizza. EPL was at each party, giving away library promotions and interacting with students. More than 2,500 students in total attended the five parties.
Contact: JuliaNecheff, Edmonton Public Library, 496-7056
Library, Transit partner on literacy program
The Library once again partnered with Edmonton Transit in a literacy initiative to reward adult readers. The Get Caught Reading partnership “catches” adult readers on ETS buses and the LRT and at transit centres, and rewards them with books, prizes and a variety of coupons and gift certificates. The initiative kicked off in mid-October and will continue to run the third Wednesday of each month until June. A “Get Caught Reading” website has also been developed to promote the initiative, provide news about upcoming EPL events and ETS news. In addition, viewers can enter contests, obtain book reviews and great links to reading materials.
Contact: SherrylPetterson, Edmonton Public Library, 496-7046
Goal: Planned growth
A well-planned urban environment
Edmonton’s heritage program leading edge
The City of Edmonton’s Historic Resource Management Program received the Municipal Heritage Conservation Award 2005 from the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation. Over the past two decades, the program has evolved into a comprehensive approach to identifying, protecting and managing Edmonton’s historical resources. The register now contains over 460 resources with 65 of those designated as Municipal Historic Resources. On the leading edge of preservation, the program is expanding its Register of Historic Resources to include Modern Architecture and is creating awareness and appreciation of these more recent structures. This broad program, which incorporates both planning and practical incentives, serves as a model for municipal governments throughout the province. Since the start of the program in 1988, more than 7.6 million dollars have been provided for conservation work.
KulbirSingh, Planning and Development,496-6110
Planning Academy celebrates first grads
The City of Edmonton’s PlanningAcademy program recognized its first 30 graduates in a ceremony at a meeting of City Council’s Executive Committee on Nov. 8, 2006. The Planning and Development Department initiated the public education program to help citizens become more aware of the planning process and participate in it more effectively. The program’s initial course, Land Use Planning: The Big Picture, was first offered in November 2005 and since then two more core land use planning courses have been offered as well as a transportation elective. In 2007, a fifth course will be added on Urban Design.
The courses are facilitated by skilled professionals and are gaining recognition and praise from the public. This program serves as a model for other municipalities to educate citizens, improve communication between stakeholders and ultimately contribute to a more healthy and successful planning process.
ErikBackstrom, Planning and development, 496-6055
Goal: Economic development
A dynamic, best-value business environment
Credit agency ups City ratings
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services revised its outlook on the City of Edmonton in September 2006, to positive from stable, based on the City’s strong liquidity support, standout economic performances and robust financial performances. The rationale supporting the rating was:
- The City maintains strong cash and investment holdings.
- The local economy has produced exceptional results. 2005 saw the City establish new all-time records for building permits and housing starts.
- Edmonton’s outstanding debt has been fairly stable for most of this decade. The City’s debt burden is currently quite low in comparison with that of international and domestic peers.
Dominion Bond Rating Service’s February 2006 Credit Rating Report stated one of the City’s strengths as “Consistently good fiscal management and results.”
ErnieMulyk, Corporate Services, 496-5304
City strategy aims to attract more workers
The City of Edmonton is working to address existing and future labour shortages and improve services to a wide range of people in the community by taking a strategic approach to the economic, social and cultural integration of newcomers to the city. Development of an Immigration and Settlement Policy Framework has other orders of government and community stakeholders viewing Edmonton as a leader in this emerging area of municipal practice.
Alberta’s population grew by over 90,000 new residents (second highest in the country) between January and September 2006. Of those 90,000, nearly 40,000 (many of whom are also newcomers to Canada) now call Edmonton home.
JohnReilly, Corporate Services, 496-8887
Goal: Infrastructure and physical environment
Prudent stewardship of environment, infrastructure and technology
New scoreboards donated for amateur sports fields
The Edmonton Eskimo Alumni Association, longtime community partners with the City of Edmonton, donated new outdoor scoreboards for the sports fields at CoronationPark, JohnnyBrightPark and the Joe Clarke Athletic Grounds in October 2006. The Alumni fundraised $75,000 for the state-of-the-art scoreboards, which will be used extensively for amateur sports such as football, soccer, and track and field.
JulieStormer, Community Services, 496-4920
Stakeholder input yields unique design for 105 Avenue
Extensive stakeholder engagement resulted in a unique design treatment for 105 Avenue. The entire road right-of-way prioritizes travel by pedestrians, cyclists and skaters, while managing vehicular access along the 2.6 km mixed-use corridor.
With the support of area stakeholders, the Transportation Department’s 105 Avenue Corridor Preliminary Design Study was unanimously approved by City Council Nov. 14, 2006. Implementation of the recommendations will fulfill an important component of the City’s vision for the Downtown North Edge.
ClaireStock, Transportation, 496-2407
Alternative paving product proves its worth
Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) tests by the City’s Streets Engineering Branch show this alternative paving material offers superior performance in terms of rutting resistance, fatigue endurance and durability, leading to an extended service life.
Increased traffic volumes cause more pushing and shoving of asphalt (instability rutting) at signalized intersections and high volume roadways such as Yellowhead Trail, Whitemud Drive and 170 Street.
Starting in 1999 the Streets Engineering Branch began looking into the use of alternate asphalt mixes to solve the problem of rutting. As of 2006, the branch had constructed nine trial sections using SMA. Its performance proved so superior to conventional mixes that the City will continue to use it in the rehabilitation of high traffic volume roadways and intersections. Its use further demonstrates the City’s on-going commitment to its citizens to provide a safe and efficient transportation system.