Archives for August 2015

The recently released employment engagement survey results for the City of Edmonton showed more than half of City employees have little to no confidence in our senior management to deliver… [more]

Speaking to a senior business leader recently, we both came to the conclusion that we are in the worst economic recession of our professional lives. The wholesale departure and destruction… [more]

One of the primary services available to all citizens in Edmonton is public transit. With a budget over $358 million dollars and more than 2000 employees, if Edmonton Transit is… [more]

In recent weeks, several City administrative decisions have left many of us scratching our heads. First, there was the whole fiasco around the memorial benches. Deciding to charge past purchasers… [more]

I have received a great number of phone calls and emails from my constituents that are voicing their concerns over the lack of common sense the City has applied to… [more]

There comes a time where taxes and regulations get to a point where it just breaks your back. Conversations in Council often revolve around Urban Sprawl, but I’m more worried… [more]

I love the potential of bike lanes. With a capability of moving so many people per hour, how could we not want to embrace that? They work in other cities,… [more]

I am so thrilled to have been re-elected to serve the constituents of Ward 11! Thank you to everyone who supported. I am looking forward to working with you on… [more]

CONSTRUCTION NOTICE REF: G73180 Tweddle Place SMR Dear Homeowner & Valued ATCO Customer:   We are writing you on behalf of ATCO to inform you about the upcoming Steel Mains… [more]

Hello All, There are a few things going on in Ward 11 I’d like you to be aware of: The Redevelopment of Mill Woods Town Centre will be going to… [more]

Photo Credit “No way to run a railroad”: A phrase used to express one’s discontent with the lack of organization by the administrators of a project or venture. Quote Credit… [more]

“Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe.” Abraham Lincoln, 1861. 16th US President. (1)   Business Can’t Vote… …But, what if they could? What would… [more]

Please click the Link for the TransEd Valley Line Concept Renderings  

News release For immediate release New infrastructure projects in Edmonton combat heavy rains and flooding Project in Mill Woods will protect residents and their families from rainfall disasters Edmonton, Alberta,… [more]

On October 17, 2016 I presented to the  House of Commons Standing Committee on Canada Posts operations. I shared the thoughts below: I speak to you not only as a citizen… [more]

Memorandum October 21, 2016                                                Reference No.: 220920566-003 (ET) To:              Councillor Mike Nickel Edmonton City Councillor, Ward 11 From:          Andrew Gregory A/Director of Customer Service Development Subject:        Route 306 Fall Extension… [more]

When you look at the total budget for the City of Edmonton and visualize the portion each citizen is responsible for, property taxes do not make up the whole picture…. [more]

Trees and the Valley Line LRT TransEd approaches construction along the Valley Line LRT route with great care and regard for both the environment and the protective measures put in… [more]

  As many of us know Edmonton Northlands in its current state cannot survive. The race track, Rexall Place, the Expo center and all its other holdings are now at… [more]

August 9, 2016 Scope of Work The project scope includes: Installing approximately 3,390 m of new storm trunk sewer along the alignment (as shown on Attachment 1) and connecting existing… [more]

As Construction begins on the Valley Line LRT, I will do my best to give you as much information as possible. As a proactive measure, here is the information from… [more]

  One of the first lessons they teach you in Political Science 101 is that government is like a black box. We put things into the box, like tax dollars… [more]

On July 12, 2016 I made a motion regarding FOIP in City Council. Please click Here  to see the wording of my inquiry. See the Provincial FOIP Regulations as well.  

          Valley Line LRT Construction — Trail Closure Louise McKinney Riverfront Park and  Henrietta Muir Edwards Park EDMONTON, AB — June 14, 2016 – Construction is… [more]

Please see the update below regarding where Road Safety Improvements are scheduled for 2016. The Improvements to Ward 11 are in blue. Right turn cut-off modifications scheduled for 2016 Intersection… [more]

When I first took the job as City Councillor I was expecting a nice quiet term working with my old friends from my old neighborhood.  As usual in politics, the… [more]

The City of Edmonton has a herbicide ban in place to eliminate non-essential use of herbicides on city-owned land. However, there are exemptions that allow for their use. Herbicides may… [more]

Beginning next week ATCO Gas will be replacing Mains in the Argyll neighbourhood. ATCO Gas continuously replaces natural gas distribution facilities across the province to ensure and maintain a high level of safety, service… [more]

    VALLEY LINE BULLETIN UTILITY WORK ON 83 STREET AND 80 AVENUE Beginning on Monday, April 25, traffic will be restricted or reduced in areas near 83 Street and 80 Avenue…. [more]

Scope of Work Converting the existing double barrel sewer into a sanitary sewer line and install a new storm trunk to support the flood mitigation program for the Mill Woods… [more]

    Visit the new TransEd LRT Booth located in the Citadel Theatre to learn about the Valley Line LRT! Open Monday- Friday 9:00am-3:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am-4:00pm  E-mail: info@transedlrt.com Phone:… [more]

I have heard the concern regarding the closure of the Donnan Arena in King Edward Park. Below is an update provided by the department detailing the situation. “It has come… [more]

  A Lesson in Incompetence: Mill Woods Double Barrel Drainage Project This past Friday, City Council finally received answers to a very long standing issue. This issue has been a… [more]

VALLEY LINE BULLETIN PUBLIC ART SELECTION OPPORTUNITIES The Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) invites individual members of the communities adjacent to the Valley Line LRT to participate in public art selection for… [more]

ETS mid-winter bus service changes start Sunday Schedule changes improve six routes This Sunday, February 7, schedule changes for six bus routes take effect. ETS customers are encouraged to check… [more]

  Make sure you mark this day in history, as the price of a barrel of oil is worth about 4 heads of cauliflower. That is what my wife tells… [more]

As part of the Mill Woods Double Barrel project, a contractor will be measuring ground settlement along 23 Avenue on the two west bound lanes between 85 Street and 91… [more]

For information on how the City of Edmonton will be welcoming the refugees, please visit this link: COE Welcoming Refugees

As we continue to move through the municipal budget, I am reminded of the quote from Ovid who in 23 B.C. said “abundance has made me poor…”  These words ring… [more]

Police seek public’s assistance in locating personal robbery suspect believed to be targeting women For Immediate Release:24-Nov-2015 @ 1:54 PM MRU #:15R160 The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s… [more]

November 10, 2015 Scope of Work The project scope includes installing approximately 3,390 m of new storm trunk sewer along the alignment as shown on the Attachment 1, and connect… [more]

Join me on Tuesday, November 17th to discuss City issues in the Lee Ridge, Richfield, Tweedle Place, and Michaels Park Neigbhourhoods.

  I find that there are times in this job that make it difficult to keep perspective. For instance, it was frustrating to experience the numerous audits that have shown… [more]

Please view the attachment below for information regarding the Valley Line LRT. Valley Line Bulletin_ Houses to be moved-Updated_Dates

George Bernard Shaw once wrote: “If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it how to dance”. Given what happened at City Council, it… [more]

Traffic Disruption Notification Turn restriction, 23 Avenue and 85 Street Edmonton, September 23, 2015 – Starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 25, there will be only right turns allowed… [more]

Please follow the link for the details on Thursday, September 17th’s Public Information Session regarding the Mill Creek End of Pipe Treatment Project   Public Notice – Mill Creek End… [more]

    The Metro Line: More than Just a Train Wreck This picture first caught my eye back in the 1990’s; it was in the office of a major insurance… [more]

Scope of Work The project scope includes installing approximately 3,390 m of new storm trunk sewer along the alignment and connect existing sewers to the new trunk.  The four major… [more]

Join me tomorrow morning at the Scona Starbucks (10380 78 Avenue) for a Coffee!

If you live in Millwoods, you may have noticed that there has been an increase in detours and road construction in the Knottwood Road area. The most recent interruption should… [more]

“What Is Going Wrong with Edmonton’s Infill Housing?” Since the beginning of this City Council’s term the Mayor and several other members of Council have made infill housing one of… [more]

“Fear is the mind-killer.” -Frank Herbert Dune As The NDP slowly take over the reins of power in the province of Alberta there is a growing chorus of fear beginning… [more]

Front Yards in BloomEdmonton check out Councillor Mike Nickel and our latest video for the 2015 Edmonton “Front Yards in Bloom.” You can nominate a neighbour, friend, or family member… [more]

I will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting for the King Edward Park Neighbourhood tomorrow at Donnan School. Please come out to discuss any community based questions or concerns you may… [more]

I want to hear from you! If you live in the Ritchie, King Edward Park, Avonmore, Hazeldean, or Argyll areas join me Saturday, May 23rd at the Tim Horton’s in… [more]

I want to hear from you! If you live in the Milhurst, Leefield, Lakewood, North Milbourne, Woodvale, or Knotwood areas join me this Saturday at the Millwoods Tim Hortons (by… [more]

A straitjacket is defined as follows: strait·jack·et  (strāt’jak’ĕt) “A garment like device with long sleeves that can be secured to restrain a violently disturbed person.”(1) For those who are unfamiliar… [more]

I want to hear from you! If you live in the Ritche, Hazeldean, King Edward Park, Avonmore, or Argyll areas join me this Saturday at the Tim Horton’s in the… [more]

One of the shortcomings politicians tend to have is a belief in their own cleverness. In Greek mythology, King Sisyphus was known for his excessive pride and arrogance. This led… [more]

For your information below is a provincial news release announcing projects approved under the Alberta Community Resilience Program (ACRP).  The City submitted five projects (that met program eligibility) last fall… [more]

Update: A large portion of the previously closed Mill Woods Skate Park  reopened Friday afternoon. An initial assessment of the park occurred in the fall of 2014. The findings of… [more]

  Scope of Work The project scope includes installing approximately 3,390 m of new storm trunk sewer along the alignment as shown on the Attachment 1, and connect existing sewers… [more]

I want to hear from you! If you live in the Milhurst, Leefield, Lakewood, North Milbourne, Woodvale, or Knotwood areas join me this Saturday at the Millwoods Starbucks to chat… [more]

On Tuesday, March 24 I held a Town Hall meeting at Avonmore School. Here are some of the questions that were asked.   Valley Line LRT Why is 83rd Street… [more]

Crane in position to begin attaching girders today Over the weekend the City of Edmonton finalized its stabilization strategy to secure the buckled girders on the 102 Avenue Bridge Replacement… [more]

Edmonton Transit buses will replace all LRT service at times this weekend to allow for testing of the new signalling system. LRT service will be restored in time to take… [more]

Crane in place; City modifying parking bans The large support crane needed to stabilize the buckled girders on the 102 Avenue Bridge Replacement Project is now erected on site. The… [more]

    Pythia the oracle at Delphi, was said to be infallible[1]. Croesus, the king of Lydia, proclaimed Pythia to be the most accurate prophet, so he graced her with… [more]

Did someone drop a house on me? Oh…wait…that was just the snow drift falling off my roof onto my head. I have to say I am truly proud of Edmontonians… [more]

In Dante’s “Inferno”—the first part of his epic poem—fortune tellers are destined to travel through eternity with their heads on backwards, unable to see the road ahead as a repercussion… [more]

With the recent drop in Alberta’s economy, along with announcements of a 5.7% tax increase, and a recent City Council pay raise many Edmontonians are becoming frustrated. When we look… [more]

I think we can all get behind the idea of lower gasoline prices and if air fare and other transportation costs go down as a result, that has to a… [more]

Drainage construction all year around   For many of you who travel 23rd Avenue, you will have noticed (and are probably dismayed at)  the constant construction in and around the… [more]

Share your views on the City of Edmonton’s proposed 2015 Budgets. Edmontonians are invited to a Non-Statutory Public Hearing on the 2015 Operating Budget, the 2015-2018 Capital Budget, and the… [more]

City Council is heading into budget deliberations once again.  I like to think of it as annual warfare where two sides fight it out, and those sides are the WANTS… [more]

John Fry Park Pavilion Approved Budget: $4,250,000 Opening Date: Quarter 4, 2014 Status: Construction has been delayed due to material fabrication issues. Construction is 75% complete. Mill Woods Library, Seniors… [more]

Well as we head into Budget warfare… oops I mean deliberations, I thought I should share with you the questions I have submitted to the City of Edmonton Administration to… [more]

You may have heard in the media that I have (with the help of some wonderful sponsors: Crystal Glass Canada Ltd. ENMAX and Shipper Supply) taken over a room at… [more]

Construction Notice — Tweddle Place Living Wall Demonstration Project Project Overview The City of Edmonton will be installing a living wall demonstration project. The living wall is a visual and… [more]

Once again, the City of Edmonton is proud to host the annual Free Admission Day on Sunday, September 28 from 10 am to 6 pm. Free admission day is the… [more]

This year’s winner of Edmonton’s most beautiful front yard went to a homeowner in Delwood (7802-132A Ave) Second Place was 16020-110 Ave (Mayfield) Third Place 12216-136 Ave (Kensington) The Community… [more]

 The school zones will be installed on local and collector roadways around all schools with elementary grades. Mill Woods Road (including east and south potions) is designated as a collector roadway… [more]

FAQs re: School Zone Reinstatement Weren’t there already school zones in Edmonton? I’ve seen the signs. School zones have not been used in Edmonton since the 1970s. There were phased… [more]

RE: City of Edmonton’s Review of the Municipal Government Act   On behalf of the Urban Development Institute-Edmonton Region (UDI-ER), we would like to share our concerns with the City… [more]

John Fry Park Pavilion Approved Budget: $4,250,000 Opening Date:  Late summer 2014 Status: Construction is approximately 40% complete. A delay in material delivery has extended the construction date. Mill Woods… [more]

66 Street: 23 Avenue- Whitemud Drive 91 Street: Whitemud Drive – 63 Avenue 50 Street: 23 Avenue – 13 Avenue Wagner Road: 75 Street – 86 Street 91A Street: 41… [more]

Time: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Come to Mill Woods Park (66 St. & 23 Ave.) and join in on the free family activities including hay rides, a petting zoo, carnival games, bouncy… [more]

The difficulty in finding a balance between public expectations and operational reality in conducting meaningful, useful and relevant consultations about civic projects is displayed in stark detail in the City… [more]

Many of the planned projects are in the North Millbourne neighbourhoods of Tweddle Place, Michael’s Park, Lee Ridge and Richfield. A complete schedule of planning, in progress and completed flood mitigation… [more]

Richie Summer Community BBQ – Friday, June 20th 6-9pm Celebrate summer with some food, fun and friends! A great way to find out whats happening and be a part of… [more]

Nominations for the Front Yards in bloom opened May 20, 2014 The largest of its kind in Canada, Edmonton’s Front Yards in Bloom program honours residents who are making our… [more]

Welcome to the Edmonton In Bloom Photo Scavenger Hunt Contest! Here is the first Mystery Location. Think you know where this picture was taken? Want to enter the contest? Visit… [more]

Street Lights 50 Street: TUC – Whitemud Dr. 51 Avenue: 93 St. – 75St. 42 Avenue: 97 St. – 99St Active Modes (Pathways and Sidewalks) 28 Avenue: Parsons Rd. –… [more]

It began as a lofty vision: Transform the noisy, carbon-centric City Centre Airport into a green, eco-friendly, state-of-the-art community that will be an example for and the envy of the… [more]

“The auditors are here.” It’s a phrase that can strike fear into the heart of a manager, executive or a taxpayer. That’s because the auditor is charged with exposing the… [more]

When there is a lull in political discourse in the Capital region, or if some thorny issue arises that pits one municipality against another, then we hear the volume turned… [more]