Speaking Municipally

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...

This week, OP12 returned and council appears to be a bit more bearish on the idea. Plus, we learn more about the bike routes being built in 2024, and there are six rezonings testing the limits of the new zoning bylaw. Here are the relevant links for this episode: NASH Stephanie's post with fellow presenters Stephanie's post about getting your first job in journalism OP12 Report offers council serv...

The draft Public Spaces Bylaw goes to council amid plenty of opposition. We talk with Omar Yaqub of IFSSA and Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow about the potential impact of the bylaw on marginalized communities. Plus, the Katz Group is suing Boyle Street over a $5 million donation. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Omar Yaqub of IFSSA | Islamic Family & Social Services Assoc...

The downtown pedestrianization report finally went through committee, so we talk with Jason Syvixay and Stephen Raitz, two of the shepherds that guided it through. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Jason Syvixay UDI-Edmonton Metro Stephen Raitz Paths for People Pedestrianization UDI's LinkedIn post Stephen's interview on 630 CHED Paths for People: Downtown pedestrianization Acti...

Valley Line users were left out in the cold when doors didn't function and heat wouldn’t turn on. Plus, EPCOR really leads the OP12 savings charge by cutting off everyone’s water! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Valley Line shelters Valley Line shelters give riders cold shoulder OP12 reallocations Report offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goals City Hall update Cit...

An emergency management committee meeting was punctuated with an actual emergency at City Hall. Plus, several things are on the way out: the downtown farmers market, the name "Oliver", and Adam Laughlin. Here are the relevant links for this episode: City Hall Incident 'Heavily armed' man arrested after shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown in Edmonton city hall 'Heavily armed' suspect acted alone i...

City council has declared a housing and houselessness emergency, and a judge has thrown out a lawsuit against the city's dismantling of encampments. We dig into the debate and look back at a month of encampment clearing and shelter space counting. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Emergency declared Edmonton councillors approve Sohi's 'housing and houselessness emergency' declaration E...

This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Edmonton's two actual Jeopardy contestants and the author of The Ultimate Edmonton Trivia Book square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Kyle Marshall LinkedIn Edmonton man wins second place on Jeopardy! Sam Papuha LinkedIn Edmontonian Sam Papuha competes on Jeopardy Emil Tiedemann LinkedIn Emil's...

Amid several high-profile instances of transit violence, the discussion around turnstiles is being recycled. Plus, the Valley Line Southeast LRT doubles its frequency — at least sometimes. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Snow savings City of Edmonton saves $5 million due to scant snow-and-ice removal work on roads Winter businesses grappling with unseasonably warm weather, lack of sn...

The federal government has reached a deal with Google to pay Canadian media companies. We'll see if Taproot makes the cut. Meanwhile, city council makes a cut to the proposed budget adjustment increase. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget News Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustments Edmonton city council approves 6.6% property tax hike for 2024 Jennifer Rice 'Hostil...

Budget deliberations are underway at city council, and the province has all but banned photo radar. Plus, we get a new police commissioner who looks a lot like an old police commissioner. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget On the agenda: Budget adjustments and rezonings Hold me in abeyance: Your guide to budget terms and processes Edmonton city council kicks off 2024 budget debat...

Reporters in Dallas, Texas have described Edmonton as the Land of Oz thanks to our scramble crosswalks. Plus, we discuss snow clearing on stairs, new community leagues, and budget chicken. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Media on transit Group asks Edmonton to rescind policy banning reporters from transit Clearing stairs Blizzard of confusion blows over Edmonton's snow removal plans...

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...