HIGHLIGHTS:

• 100th Anniversary Project to be voted on at AGM
• Solar Energy Projects
  
• Supplier Marketplace
• Leagues Alive Conference & Trade Show
  
• Board Development                     & much more

28 of the 52 Community Leagues that submitted applications for the Community League Infrastructure Program(CLIP) grant received funds for 2011.  Increased funding will be available for 2012.

In response to numerous complaints about cell tower developments, several city councillors made an inquiry about potential changes to the community consultation process and the criteria used to decide whether or not to support a tower proposal.

 EFCL had two rather large increases to the request we put forward annually for Leagues and both of them were approved on Friday December 9 at 4:50pm..

Reduced Parking Requirements for Seniors Housing and other supportive housing projects is being considered by the City.

More Dollars Sought for Infrastructure and Training

While news releases and web updates will still be used to inform residents about what is taking place in regards to parking bans and residential service, an number of new tools have been put in place that will get the information to citizens even more quickly and efficiently.

Rink board advertising is now permitted under the following conditions. . .

After many requests by EFCL to make family friendly infill housing a priority, the Executive Committee of Council finally directed City Administration to review the definition of family-oriented housing and to report on options to promoting family friendly infill housing.   

The EFCL supports the development of City guidelines to direct the type of development that can occur in neighbourhoods near transit stations over the next 30 years.  The EFCL has submitted a position statement to the City with the following recommendations . . .

Following a couple of workshops with Leagues this summer, EFCL prepared a comprehensive report to the inter-governmental and citizen Community Sustainability Task Force.

In 2012, City Council will be considering new bylaw regulations for non-medical massage parlours, or rather, Body Rub Centres

Report a Grow op - Grow ops are a danger to your neighbourhood. If you spot a grow op, report it immediately to Crime Stoppers at: 1.800.222.8477     Read more for tips for Landlords

Transportation Services has changed its guidelines and procedures dealing with temporary portable signs placed on road rights-of-way

The sun was shining and representatives from The Sun, Global TV, and City TV were there to record for posterity the fun world's largest croquet game featuring EFCL President David Dodge, Mayor Mandel, and Don Iveson.

New regulations for four storey apartments and six storey apartments have recently been approved by City Council.   Many of these rules can be used to benefit your neighbourhood.

The city is considering reducing the minimum lot width from 39 feet (12 m) to 25 feet (7.62 m) so that a standard house lot can be subdivided to allow the building of two single family homes.

The $5000 prize money provided by CO2RE went to winners Grovenor and runner up Southwood.

Representatives from the Office of Environment will be there to talk about energy and climate change. There will be discussion about community action – what we can do at the community level, and what the best ways are to raise awareness and spread the word.

This year, once again, at the January 22, 2011 Trade Show people came to share information and it was accomplished with style and fun.  News photo: Canadian Recreation Solutions jump up for leagues!  Photos courtesy of David Dodge, EFCL Vice President

Capital City Clean Up has started a new program that can help leagues respond to problems with Graffiti. New for 2010, the Community Mural Matching Grant Program offers up to $2,000 to support non-profit community agencies that develop murals in Edmonton neighbourhoods. 

Edmonton’s 154 community leagues will soon see a significant boost in their funding, thanks to the decision reached by Edmonton City Council earlier this week. 

Edmonton’s 154 community leagues will soon see a significant boost in their funding, thanks to the decision reached by Edmonton City Council earlier this week.

Council is meeting tomorrow at 9:30 am to give the go ahead for developers to commence neighbourhood structure planning.  EFCL sends cautionary note to council . . .

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues and its planning committee have worked diligently on assessing the nature of Family Friendly Housing.  We would like an opportunity to make a presentation to City Council on the subject of mature neighborhoods and their ability to retain and attract families with children.

 EFCL Vice President David Dodge has accepted an invitation from the City of Edmonton to sit on its renewable energy task force.

Edmonton City Council has instructed its administration to include a new capital funding program and a significant increase in operating dollars for community leagues in the 2011 and 2012 draft city budgets.

New projects in Edmonton will help keep at-risk youth off the streets by using schools as community hubs to increase accessibility of services and providing ways for youth to participate in sport and creative opportunities. In addition, a new restorative justice project will help at-risk youth to take responsibility for their actions and learn to make positive contributions to their communities.

Introducing a New City of Edmonton Great Neighbourhoods Event Calendar – advertise your event online – find out how

Are you concerned about Edmonton’s environment? Share your thoughts on how to make our city more environmentally sustainable by taking part in The Way We Green.

City council’s Community Services has recommended that the city create a $1.5 million/year capital construction/renovation fund for community leagues. 

City Council is considering a definition of commercial vehicles to be added to the zoning bylaw in order to improve enforcement of the existing bylaw which restricts commercial vehicles on residential lots. This may be both good news and bad news for some neighbourhoods.  

The EFCL has decided to file for membership in REA CH Edmonton, a new organization that is designed to coordinate crime-prevention initiatives in Edmonton. The organization’s first meeting was on June 22 at Santa Maria Goretti hall.

 The consultation process well underway by the City’s environment department has brought to light key issues effecting the well being of our city. “It has become quite clear with this process that the overwhelming majority of people involved in the planning of our City’s future agree that lifestyle changes are inevitable,” says Valerie Pachal, EFCL representative in the consultation process.

 The City of Edmonton has been asked to create a discount package for leagues that want to cover the admission fee for their members at any indoor pool, during public swim times.

 Residents were told that traffic speeds were falling in these neighborhoods, although one chart showed that only 24% of the motorists were travelling 40 km/hour of less.  A number of residents were frustrated to hear that the enforcement phase of the program had yet to begin. They felt the program objectives could not be met until this happened.

Leagues can easily run this neighbourhood enhancement and community member recognition program which has a lot of long term benefits to the community.

Citizen input required for enhancing trails and routes for walkers, cyclists, skiers, skaters and horse riders.

If you are aware of any missing curb ramps or sidewalk links that pose accessibility issues or would benefit your community as a whole ...

Celebrate Bike Month with the City of Edmonton and enjoy free pedal powered events throughout June. Cycling is an active transportation option that helps reduce traffic congestion, conserve Edmonton's road infrastructure, and protect the environment.

The City of Edmonton is excited to launch the new Continuous Monthly Membership Program to our Community League Wellness members. This program is now available (as of May 1, 2010) to all Community League members that have a current membership card.

Success at City Hall –EFCL and the Light Efficient Community Coalition will be working with the City on a new artificial lighting policy to reduce energy consumption and light pollution while enhancing safety.   The concerns expressed by various Community Leagues played a part in this new direction.

New higher density Urban Character Row Housing Zone is being proposed by the City.    Shape the regulations for this zone by giving your feedback.     The proposal and your input will be reviewed at the May 19^th City Council Executive Committee meeting, and the final draft of the proposed Zone will go to a public hearing in the fall, likely September 12^th. 

Connections 2010 --Shaping the Future of Where We Live. Together.  The City of Edmonton, led by the Office of Great Neighbourhoods, is hosting three Connections 2010 events in April 2010 to inform Edmontonians of the many current and upcoming City projects, programs and services happening in their neighbourhoods and build stronger connections between residents and City staff.

The Edmonton Police Service strives to achieve the highest standard of professionalism, from management to service delivery. To meet international requirements, the EPS has voluntarily invited independent assessors from across North America to scrutinize all aspects of the services that we provide.  The assessors that will review our services represent the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). In 1988, Edmonton became the first police servicein Canada to achieve international CALEA accreditation.  We encourage  you to read more about this April 26 forum

Community Leagues interested in finding long term tenants or a partner to share the cost of building a new hall are invited to a city-sponsored workshop on April 7.   Called “Meeting Spaces,” the workshop is scheduled for 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. at the Old Timers’ Cabin (9430-99 Street).

 The City of Edmonton, led by the Office of Great Neighbourhoods, is hosting three Connections 2010 events in April 2010 to inform Edmontonians of the many current and upcoming City projects, programs and services happening in their neighbourhoods and build stronger connections between residents and City staff.

The City has brought all the facility booking staff into one Facility Booking Unit. This includes staff that book the major facility groupings in and around our Multi-Purpose Recreation Centers (Arenas, Pools, Fieldhouses/Flexi-halls, Gymnasiums, and Sportsfields) together with the staff who manage the rentals/bookings in our Attractions (ex. Fort Edmonton, Muttart Conservatory, Valley Zoo)

Do you Qualify to Issue Tax Receipts for Donations Through the City of Edmonton?

Please note that Edmonton City Council recently approved a two-year extension to the standard license agreement most community leagues have signed with the City of Edmonton.

It’s a question every driver asks themselves at some point — how do you drive around a traffic circle?

Host a Jim Dier's Community Engagement Workshop in your community.  Find out how . . .

The shouts echoed throughout the city last week for Jim Diers, author and former Director of the City of Seattle's Department of Neighbourhoods, and his enthusiastic presentation about how to make your community vision a reality. Jim was brought to town by the City of Edmonton in an effort to kickstart the new initiatives being brought forward this year through the City of Edmonton. Participants were given an opportunity to hear from Jim firsthand about some of the successes he has encountered as he described how the solution to community revitalization isn't just throwing money at the problems, but people; people are the solution

The City of Edmonton wants you to invite friends, neighbours or members of your service organization to your home, a coffee shop or any comfortable gathering place and talk about how people services can help make Edmonton one of Canada’s most livable cities

Front Yards in Bloom and Community Leagues a Winning Combination.

The City of Edmonton once again invites residents and neighbourhood leaders to its Planning Academy – a series of courses in land use planning, transportation planning and urban design.

City council’s transportation and Public Works Committee is reviewing the idea of reducing speed limits on residential roads and has asked the city administration to consult the public. EFCL has been asked for its input by the city’s traffic safety branch.

The City of Edmonton is working with Boyle Street Community League, the YMCA and the Inner City Youth Development Association (ICYDA) on a major redevelopment of the community league hall and park site at 104 Avenue and 95 Street.

Do you remember the homes which fell down the river bank? Have you ever tried to visit a ravine area and couldn’t get past the row of houses? Hopefully these problems are a thing of the past in new development areas. The City is once again attempting to create a Top of Bank (TOB) policy which would regulate developments at the top of river and ravine valley banks.

The City is considering lowering the speed limit on our community’s roads. Historically EFCL supported lowering the speed limit and is working with Traffic Safety on the issue

The first of 10 video shorts that will highlight the Local Motion demonstration project and the journey of one neighbourhood - Parkallen is now available for viewing online.

As a step in this direction, the City of Edmonton is launching a new "learn and serve" program for Edmontonians who are interested in learning more about ecology and naturalization in our city, and being involved in the stewardship of local natural areas.

We need your perspective and insight into a 10 Year Plan on Community Safety. We need your thoughtful feedback to create an actionable plan that will result in a city where all Edmontonians feel and are safe and where citizens, organizations and government work together to create a connected, caring community.

The EFCL is looking forward to the creation of a new tripartite license agreement that governs the way community leagues are able to use city land and the facilities the leagues have constructed.

Now is the time for your community to test the Residential Infill Guidelines for Mature Neighbourhoods. Your feedback is needed before the Guidelines go to City Council for approval as early as June 2009

The goal of the City’s Municipal Development Plan is to achieve higher density housing in Edmonton, primarily through infill developments in Mature Neighbourhoods, Downtown and at premium transit locations.   Rezoning for multi-unit housing will occur in every Mature Neighbourhood, but few communities will get a new Neighbourhood Redevelopment Plan

EFCL , and ultimately City Council, needs feedback from Community Leagues on two of the most significant documents for Edmonton’s future – a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Bylaw 15100  and new Transportation System Bylaw 15101

 Last year’s launch of Graffiti Wipe Outs was such a hit that Capital City Clean Up’s Graffiti Management Program (GMP) hopes to help even more non-profit groups “clean up” this year.

Safe Edmonton wants you to nominate your good neighbor to be recognized at a celebration.

On February 2^nd, Edmonton City Council passed Bylaw 15036 which relaxes rules governing secondary suites, and allows garage and garden suites which you may want to keep a close watch on.

Edmonton City Council has postponed a decision on the relaxation of rules governing secondary suites, partially in response to concerns raised by the EFCL.

The articles are in our news, or you can view them in a pdf newsletter format.  Enjoy news on everything from budget, to infrastructure, to treasurer training, to spring flowers. . .

Are you a senior who is fearful of the onset of winter because you don’t know how you’re going to manage once the snow hits? Keeping walks free from snow is also important to help prevent falls.

It is with great excitement that the City of Edmonton is taking the first steps towards creating a unique EcoMobility project in June of 2009.  We are looking for your help in getting the word out.   The City of Edmonton is looking for one community  to co-host the EcoMobility pilot project in June of 2009, as part of the ICLEI World Congress (Local Governments For Sustainability) in Edmonton.