A former City of Edmonton employee is using his professional background to scrutinize decisions involving Edmonton’s utilities. Raf Tenderenda has launched a website and Facebook page called Edmonton Utility Watch to monitor behind-the-scenes utility issues that many people might overlook. The former drainage services employee spent more than a decade with the city and has developed a passion for pipes and power lines. His work focused on assessing, rehabilitating and designing sanitary and stormwater infrastructure. More recently, Tenderenda has been at the forefront of efforts surrounding repairs to a culvert carrying Horseshoe Creek beneath 137 Avenue in northwest Edmonton. He also serves as president of the Big Lake Community League, which represents the Starling, Trumpeter, Hawks Ridge and Kinglet Gardens neighbourhoods. He said that experience inspired him to create the online platforms and become more involved. “My vision is to be more present at the utility committee meetings,” said Tenderenda, who addressed the committee Monday at City Hall. One issue currently before councillors is a proposed increase to Epcor’s electricity distribution franchise fee, set to take effect Jan. 1. The increase would generate an additional $15 million annually for the city while adding about $1.20 per month to the average residential bill. Tenderenda said a report on the proposed increase noted that ratepayers were not consulted about raising the fee from 17.65 per cent to the maximum allowable 20 per cent. “I want people to follow so they can be kept up to date on things like what happened with the proposal to increase franchise fees to 20 per cent,” Tenderenda told CTV News Edmonton. “That way, there’s one stop where they can essentially just look at what’s happening.” Coun. Anne Stevenson welcomes the added public scrutiny. “I think public engagement is really important,” Stevenson, who represents Ward O-day’min, told reporters. “It’s true that there are particular barriers for getting public engagement for utility committee (matters.) It is quite boring. It’s very dull, but it truly does have a big impact on Edmontonians’ lives, so I welcome and appreciate any members of the community who have an expertise who can help do some of that plain language explaining and make sure that Edmontonians are aware of these important decisions that are being made.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson
