Lewis Farms rec centre, west LRT first targets in Edmonton city budget debate

Deliberations aimed at reducing Edmonton's city budget Wednesday were marked bycontentious motions that could see the $321-million Lewis Farms Recreation Centre get put on hold.

Coun. Sarah Hamilton suggested the move as council debated projects in the proposed supplemental 2019-22 capital budget.

"I say that this isn't an end, this is a pause," Hamilton said.

She said she recognizes the importance of the recreation facility to thousands of people in the west end.

"This at least allows the vision to stay on the table," she said, adding she believes the city will recover from the economic downturn in the near future.

"In the short term, we need to signal that we heard the calls for restraint, and I think that there are projects that are a higher priority that are more important to growth that we need to focus on as a city."

A year ago, in December 2018, council approved the capital, operating and utility budgets for 2019-22. All three budgets receive regular adjustments every spring and fall.

The city is currently dealing with nearly $185 million less in infrastructure funding because of cuts from the province.

Council is also expected to debate the police budget on Wednesday and then the operating budget which includes whether to keep a 2.6 per cent property tax increase approved last year.

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The Lewis Farms rec centre in Coun. Andrew Knack's Ward 1 was going to be funded mostly through tax-supported debt.

Hamilton noted that residents and businesses wouldn't see much change in their property taxes by shelving the rec centrebut noted the debt load is affected.

Also Wednesday, Coun. Tim Cartmellsuggestedfunding for the Valley Line West LRTbe put on hold while administration prepares a report comparingthe cost of LRT and bus rapid transit (BRT) along the route.

Cartmell said he's convinced the city should consider BRT more seriously.

"I think that the evidence is compelling," he said. "I think we've seen other cities, notably Ottawa, that have raised their ridership by using a bus approach. This is an enhanced bus approach."

Cartmell emphasized that BRT is not just "buses in bus lanes," but a system with a dedicated alignment, dedicated lanes for busesand stylized vehicles that look like LRT cars.

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Several councillors said it's time to move on with the LRT.

Coun. Scott McKeen said businesses tell himthe city needs to be more consistent, also noting many companies have invested along the routebetween downtown and Lewis Farms and planning to build.

I think we've seen other cities, notably Ottawa, that have raised their ridership by using a bus approach. This is an enhanced bus approach-Tim Cartmell, city councillor

"End this debate and get on with a procurement for West LRT," McKeen urged council.

Knack saida majority of residents in his ward support the project, which he says should have been builtdecades ago.

The city has done plenty of additional analysis on other mass transit options to the west end, he noted.

"Even though we have revisited this decision time and time and time and time and time again," Knack said. "Every time we have, we've had new excellent information that I think has helped reinforce why we need to move forward with this project."

Adam Laughlin, acting deputy manager of finance and corporate services, said the city recommends sticking with the LRT andthat BRT could cost taxpayers more over 35 years.

In April, council approved nearly $450 million for the 14-kilometre Valley Line West.

Federal and provincial grants make up the rest of the $2.7billion project.

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City administration has also recommended deferring smaller projects, including upgrades to Columbia Avenue 105th Avenue in McKeen's downtown Ward 6.

McKeen is asking his colleagues to support his move to maintain $16 million to keep the project going.

@natashariebe