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Tuesday, June 21, 2011 www.metronews.ca News worth sharing. See pullout in today’s paper
Roads dept. needs a redesign: Report Cost estimates, timelines consistently miscalculated Project management office recently created Some recommended changes already underway: City manager Simon Farbrother Capital budget process different starting this year: CFO Lorna Rosen SHELLEY WILLIAMSON/METRO
Councillors want a city department reworked in light of a report criticizing the road-design and construction branch for poor cost estimates and overly optimistic timelines. The report, discussed by the audit committee yesterday, states “large or sensitive projects are initiated without council’s complete understanding.” “When I read this, I feel a little bit sick thinking that we were, in a sense, deceiving the citizens of Edmonton with respect to the projects we undertake,” said Coun. Jane Batty. The report cites the Quesnell Bridge as an example, with late design changes, major budget adjustments and delays. The latest reported price tag of about $160 million will likely be $6 million more by the time construction wraps up in August, said city auditor David Wiun. “It seems big projects, we have trouble with,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. But Wiun also noted that some smaller projects are placed together in a composite budget, which is not ideal when it comes to changing cost or scope. “I can name a dozen (projects) where they came back and
asked for more money,” said Coun. Tony Caterina. “You’re already started, so of course you have to approve it.” Several recommendations were made in the report, including ensuring a clear description of scope and funding for each project. But the changes could take four years. “That’s not good enough,” said Coun. Karen Leibovici. “We have a lot of capital projects coming forward, spending hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Feds force the issue Feds introduce back-to-work bill Postal workers cry foul {page 4}
Cat burglar Prolific prowler Dusty steals 100s of items {page 12}
Girl forced to wear bomb vest
HEATHER MCINTYRE
Long time coming The report states that the city auditor has “been making recommendations to improve project management for 18 years.”
Grade 3 student kidnapped by Pakistani militants: Police {page 8}
Coun. Karen Leibovici said the issue has probably come to light now because of the number of large capital projects undertaken in the last five or six years. The committee voted to receive a report in September on the structure and impact of how the project management office, established in 2010, works.
Canada Post
Put your best footie forward The Quesnell Bridge is among projects criticized by the city auditor for costing more than was originally budgeted.
Two single girls want to treat two single guys to an FC Edmonton double date {page 6}