Speaking Municipally

This week, Mack and Stephanie speak with Coun. Andrew Knack about his decision not to seek re-election in next year's municipal election. They also discuss the city's $34 million budget shortfall. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andrew Knack @andrewknack Andrew Knack on LinkedIn The Toughest Decision I've Ever Made — Andrew Knack Budget City of Edmonton projecting $34M deficit for en...

This week, the province has all but banned photo radar in Alberta. Plus, we have more problems with composting, and cars driving into trains. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission Edmonton city council to weigh police commission request to remove council positions from board Photo radar Not so fast: Edmonton non-profit, city councillor push back on proposed plan to restri...

Council decided to stick with a smaller, previously-approved increase to transit fares, instead of asking for a big increase. We also discuss council procedures, BRT, shelter standards and locations, and the city's approach to major projects. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fringe wrap Edmonton Fringe $72K short of fundraising goal as festival draws to a close MHCare Medical Donates...

We interrupt your Fringe-ing to discuss proposed compensation for businesses along Stony Plain Road, a big budget shortfall and potential tax hike, transit fare increases, and the new owner of the Edmonton Elks. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Stony Plain rejection City council rejects grant program for Stony Plain Road businesses struggling through LRT work Scheduled LRT work comple...

We're back from our summer break! Council is also back, even though they still managed to make some headlines over the summer. We encourage you to check out the Fringe, debate the former Royal Alberta Museum, and consider potential changes to council procedures. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fringe Edmonton Fringe facing $200K shortfall ahead of festival kickoff next week Jennifer...

This week, council wraps for the summer, but not before kicking the can on their code of conduct. Plus, it's easier to eat food from a truck and harder to get bear spray from a store. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Code of conduct 'Transparency is very, very important': Council rejects code of conduct updates Proposed bylaw would keep misdeeds by Edmonton city councillors secret Cen...

Game seven wasn't meant to be. That means that this is a boring politics podcast again and not a sports podcast. This week we discuss district plans, solar rebates, Warehouse Park, and the Edmonton Bike Park. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Game 7 downtown Oilers fall short of history as Panthers win Game 7 to capture 1st Stanley Cup title Edmonton businesses close early to let staff...

The Oilers are now two wins from the Stanley Cup. Plus, council is (kinda) talking about substantial completion, non-residential taxes, and compensation for disruption from major construction. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Substantial completion Urban Planning Committee: June 18, 2024 2023: Suburban sprawl costs Edmonton taxpayers more than infill: City report Non-residential taxes...

This week we discuss an updated capital budget, and a new train. Plus, the police commission declines to show up to a council meeting in this, the city of champions. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission City councillors call relationship with Edmonton police commissioners 'unhealthy' and 'frustrating' Sean Amato's tweet thread Capital budget Edmonton council approves inc...

Boyle Street has had the permit for its site revoked…again. Plus, the police have declined a public audit, and we'll talk about Sohi's polling numbers. Is it really that time already? Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guest: Jack Farrell @_jack_farrell Jack Farrell at St. Albert Gazette Boyle Street / CPTED Boyle Street denied permit to build south Edmonton overdose prevention site Per...

A conversation at the summer institute of the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative about what Edmonton can and should do to contribute to the alleviation of the housing crisis. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Joshua Evans, associate professor of human geography at the University of Alberta and director of the Affordable Housing Solutions Lab Eric Rice , a writer and researc...

We're joined by Christel Kjenner, director of the housing action team at the City of Edmonton, to get an overview of what the city is doing about the housing crisis. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Christel Kjenner Christel Kjenner on LinkedIn November 2021: The future of affordable housing according to our Christel ball (Episode 154) Housing at the city Affordable Housing Strategy H...

There's a new task force on housing and homelessness. Plus, everything is a district, recreation centres will soon be sponsored, and we discuss police accountability. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Housing task force Edmonton mayor names 16-member task force to tackle housing and homelessness State of the City Clean energy retrofit Edmonton finalizes clean energy retrofit loans prog...

Summer is here, and it comes with the sale of a riverboat, scooters, and summer streets. Plus, council writes a very sternly worded letter to the province. It'll work this time, they promise! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Tim Querengesser Tim's work LinkedIn profile @TimQuerengesser Edmonton Riverboat Meet the new owners of the Edmonton Riverboat Summer streets and scooters PSA: Su...

We speak with Eddie Robar, the interim city manager at the City of Edmonton, about what he plans to do for the time he'll be in the role. Since recording this episode, the Alberta government reversed its decision to cut its share of funding for low-income transit passes in Edmonton and Calgary following public backlash and discussions with the cities’ mayors. Here are the relevant links for this e...

The spring budget adjustment has been finalized, and the final tax increase council arrived at was quite a bit higher than expected. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Spring SOBA On the agenda: Potential tax increases, Windsor Park rezoning, supportive housing News Release: City Council finalizes 2024 spring budget adjustments Edmonton sets 8.9 per cent property tax hike for 2024 Edmon...

A new draft district policy has been released. Plus, Edmonton has added 100,000 people in the past two years, and some councillors are questioning if we can handle that growth. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andre Corbould Former Edmonton City Manager Joins Danchilla Consulting District Policy News Release: City releases final draft of the District Policy and plans; offers informati...

Administration has recommended an 8.7% tax increase for 2024 citing increasing cost pressures. And no, cutting bike lane funding won't fix that. Plus, we dig into transit oriented development, the nighttime economy, and bike lane infractions on 102 Avenue. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Spring budget adjustments April 11, 2024: City releases proposed spring operating budget adjustme...

Katz gets the parking lots of his dreams. Plus, we discuss city manager recruitment and Mayor Sohi’s response to the province's gracious offer to help stabilize the City of Edmonton’s finances. Here are the relevant links for this episode: City manager Eddie Robar named interim City of Edmonton manager while permanent replacement sought Adam Laughlin's post Sohi's letter Edmonton mayor asks Premie...

We dive into city manager Andre Corbould's resignation and why it will matter. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andre Corbould Andre Corbould is out as Edmonton's city manager Edmonton city hall's top bureaucrat is gone — how did we get here? David Staples: Province considers move to 'audit and stabilize' the City of Edmonton, say government officials Coun. Erin Rutherford response Na...

Coun. Sarah Hamilton found herself in hot water for speaking at a UCP fundraiser instead of attending a council meeting. We talk with Jeremy Appel of The Orchard who broke the story. Here are the relevant links for this episode: CSU52 update Union for Edmonton city, library workers unveils salary increases in tentative deal CJHR update Advocacy group to pay City of Edmonton more than $11K in costs...

We discuss the strike that was averted at the last minute, council compensation, an update on the ICE District parking lots. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Media landscape Sprouts of Hope in a Gloomy Media Landscape — The New York Times Strike avoided City and Civic Services Union 52 reach a tentative agreement Tentative deal reached with City of Edmonton, workers' union says Tim Ca...

We dig into the provincial budget and how it affects Edmonton. Plus, the Katz Group wants an extension for its gravel parking lots, and critics question the effectiveness of the homeless reception centre. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Provincial budget Budget 2024: Alberta commits funding towards Edmonton's LRT projects, increased police presence, shelters Alberta hitting pause on...

This week, we discuss City Plan measurements, the National Urban Park initiative, a looming CSU52 vote on the city's "best and final" offer, and the implications of ending EndPovertyEdmonton. Correction: We incorrectly stated that outgoing EndPovertyEdmonton executive director Erick Ambtman is a current member of the Edmonton Police Commission. In fact, his last meeting as a commissioner was on No...