The City of Edmonton continues restoration work at City Hall, which will inform a conditions-based reopening following last week’s security incident. City Hall has remained closed indefinitely since the shooting last week. A security review is currently underway.
“During the last week, there have been no interruptions to core services, and the City continues to make governance and executive decisions. Early work to reopen City Hall includes supporting staff and conducting building restoration.
The City has psychological support programs for staff and their family members and has brought in trauma-informed counsellors for impacted councillors’ staff and City employees.
“A violent crime in our workplace is a traumatic incident, and we all respond in different ways,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “We are giving people the time and space and supports they need, while ensuring Edmontonians continue to receive the core services they expect.”
Front-line services remain largely uninterrupted. “The vast majority of City staff continued to work last week, and they will continue to provide the transit, traffic, waste, business supports, recreation and other programs Edmontonians rely on,” said City Manager Andre Corbould.
The City’s Executive Leadership Team is meeting virtually and will continue to make decisions about managing the corporation.
Arrangements are underway for virtual Council Committee meetings to resume the week of February 5. Council continued to meet through the pandemic, and systems to support virtual meetings and public hearings are in place. “Our regional partners have been very helpful, and we are discussing arrangements for loaning us procedural experts to support elected officials’ decision-making until regular operations resume,” continued Corbould.
Restoration work within the building is well underway. Glass panels have been replaced by temporary barriers to ensure safe hallways and stairways. Many walls, floors, carpets and doorways have been repaired.
Additional steps will be taken following the results of a security review. “This safe and steady approach means decisions are made when conditions about staff and building safety are met, not according to specific timelines,” said Corbould”.
