Speaking Municipally

Recorded on the Valley Line Southeast LRT! We're joined by ETS branch manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, councillors Anne Stevenson and Ashley Salvador, new Taproot Edmonton managing editor Tim Querengesser, and several others. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Carrie Hotton-MacDonald Anne Stevenson Ashley Salvador Mike Kunicki Tim Querengesser New managing editor Meet Taproot Edm...

A proposal to use Downtown CRL funding for office to residential conversions could delay other important projects, and we dig into recent updates on Blatchford. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Downtown pedestrianization New pedestrian plan to promote engagement in the Downtown core Downtown Pedestrianization Plan (PDF) Office conversions Edmonton may use renewal funds for office to r...

The Valley Line Southeast LRT will begin passenger service on Nov. 4, and there's going to be a party. Plus, we discuss the more than two dozen subsequent motions made following approval of the new zoning bylaw. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Valley Line Southeast LRT News Release: Valley Line Southeast LRT opening November 4 Edmonton's Valley Line Southeast LRT set to open Nov. 4 Z...

Taproot's new reporter, Stephanie Swensrude, joins the show. We discuss transit for youth, downtown retail, and of course, the Zoning Bylaw Renewal. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Stephanie Swensrude Stephanie Swensrude LinkedIn Youth transit Fare Policy Amendment — Children Under 12 Downtown retail Grants attract three indie retailers to downtown Edmonton Zoning Bylaw Renewal City...

This week, we cover transit improvements for youth and winter, more funding for snow and ice clearing, the latest on the Valley Line LRT, and tennis vs. pickleball. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Transit stuff Edmonton transit needs to be safer and more reliable for youth: survey Edmonton spent $350K to replace 1600 busted bus shelter panels last year Snow clearing Edmonton mayor su...

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues has endorsed a position in support of the Zoning Bylaw Renewal. Executive director Laura Cunningham-Shpeley joins us to discuss how the EFCL came to that position and what it means for community leagues across the city. Here are the relevant links for this episode: EFCL Laura Cunningham-Shpeley on LinkedIn Edmonton Sun 20 Questions: EFCL's Laura Cunning...

We've got details about how Boyle Street will operate for the next year, prior to their new space opening. Plus, the police perception survey found that 57% of Edmontonians are satisfied with the Edmonton Police Service and feel they’re doing a good job. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Blatchford station City council mulls keeping Blatchford LRT station closed until neighbourhood fil...

This week, council heard about the vast majority of parking lots downtown being unpermitted.  And, true to form, they decided to do something about it later! Plus, we get the scoop on Edmonton Design Week. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Edmonton Design Week Edmonton Design Week 2023 Email us your answers to the trivia questions before our next episode to be entered to win a pass to...

The province and EPS held a press conference to issue a new ban on crime. That'll fix it. Plus, Boyle Street will be out of its location on Sept. 30, and the city will be short just over $70M this year. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Boyle Street Boyle Street to alter services ahead of Edmonton Oilers-led development Boyle Street Community Services to leave location near Rogers Plac...

The 170 Street pedestrian bridge to West Edmonton Mall is done, and allegedly the Valley Line LRT will be done soon too. Plus, the northeast river valley park will open later this month. Here are the relevant links for this episode: 170 Street Pedestrian Bridge News Release: New pedestrian bridge connects people, places and communities Speaking Municipally Trailer Valley Line LRT Sept. 7, 2023: NE...

The Coalition for Justice and Human Rights is taking legal action to stop the city's clearing of encampments. Plus, we discuss gaps in transit service, the new Edge Fund, development along 99 Street, and the cost of urban sprawl. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Transit gaps Edmonton considers developing transit services for youth and community On the agenda: Police funding formula, H...

City council has approved an updated funding formula for the police budget. We break down what happened and what it means. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Funding formula Mack's tweet thread Final vote results Mayor Amarjeet Sohi: My Thoughts on the Police Funding Formula Coun. Andrew Knack: Edmonton Police Funding Formula (August 2023) Edmonton Police Commission: EPS funding formula...

Taproot co-founders Karen Unland and Mack Male break down the impact of the Online News Act, being blocked on Facebook, and how the company is planning to grow. Plus, we geek out over the use of programming tools for editorial work. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Taproot We're blocked on Meta's platforms Taproot Edmonton is taking a summer break LION names Taproot a finalist for res...

In the summer season closer, Troy and Mack speak with Livia Balone, the director of Zoning Bylaw Renewal at the City of Edmonton. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fear mongering EPS may be spreading fear with remarks about violence downtown: criminologist Law citation Law society issues citation to another former Alberta justice minister Smoke show Summer of smoke among the worst on r...

Troy and Mack are Repeating Municipally Episode 33 , an episode from 2019 featuring then-planner Anne Stevenson talking about the Zoning Bylaw Renewal project, lending some important context to the upcoming discussion about Zoning Bylaw Renewal which will be going to public hearing in October. ★ Support this podcast ★

The police let us know that the city is very, very dangerous and said not to go outside. But the reason has nothing to do with the smoke, and we're still not quite sure how seriously the city is taking this climate change business. Here are the relevant links for this episode: We're going striking Hollywood actors and writers strike after 'disgusting' studios turn down deal Triplets 1st set of tri...

Irfan Chaudhry joins to help us understand the state of anti-racism work in Edmonton following the end of the city's anti-racism advisory committee. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Threads Threads by Instagram Instagram's Threads: all the updates on the new Twitter competitor Body-worn cameras News Release: Police body worn camera trial to begin next week Green Shack Shows This free...

Corroded cables likely means another Valley Line delay, the city goes into overtime, and the city manager announces the latest reorg. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Bill C-18 When will Canadian news disappear from Google, Facebook? What the Bill C-18 rift means for you A Massive Own-Goal for the Government: Google to Stop News Links in Canada Due to Bill C-18 Farmers market 'We're g...

Urban planning committee hears from more than 70 speakers about the zoning bylaw renewal. We recap what went down and talk to David Berry, one of the speakers. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Property taxes PSA: 2023 property taxes due June 30 Solar rebates News Release: Edmontonians Jump on Change Homes for Climate Solar Program David Berry David Berry's website Opinion: Zoning chan...

Ok, fine, we're going to talk about the election. But you CAN'T make us like it. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Sheriffs extended Edmonton police, sheriff partnership extended to end of year Flair complaints Flair tops Canadian airlines with average number of complaints per 100 flights: CTA EPL Jeopardy Edmonton librarian takes second place in Jeopardy! debut Provincial election Thi...

Edmonton has a surprise new bigger-than-Hawrelak, as-of-yet-unnamed river valley park. Plus, the Capital Line LRT extension gets its scope trimmed, and new patio rules come into effect. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Lyft arrives Lyft expands ride-booking service to Edmonton, Calgary Air quality Edmonton air quality stalls May long weekend plans for businesses, families Downtown Spa...

It's cat week in Edmonton! Plus, additional funding for day shelter spaces, more turnover at the City of Edmonton, and new provincial additions to the paw-lice commission. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Extreme weather PSA: Extreme weather response activated Dog parks PSA: City announces sites for Pop-up Dog Parks Cat Fest Edmonton International Cat Festival Save The Dates: Edmonton...

Edmonton Unlimited CEO Catherine Warren joins us — more than a hundred episodes after her first appearance — for an update on Edmonton's innovation sector. Plus, the City of Edmonton solar rebate launches. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Grants audit Audit: Edmonton spends hundreds of millions on grants and subsidies without tracking results Oilers fingers Edmonton Oilers fan reporte...

We catch up with Chris Buyze, the outgoing president of the Downtown Edmonton Community League. Plus, airtime for airports. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Coronation PSA: Edmonton recognizes the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III Fire bans Edmonton weather: Record-setting heat to start May Fire Bans — City of Edmonton Chappelle complaints Southwest Edmonton neighbourhood lea...

Calgary is now the favourite child of the UCP, with arena funding. Plus, the Edmonton Police Service announces that violent crime is up, and we take a closer look at what that might mean. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Oilers paint Ferrell rocks face paint while cheering on Kings in Game 3 An Oilers fan trolled Kings fan Will Ferrell by copying his elaborate face paint NHL's tweet G...