Speaking Municipally Taproot Edmonton

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 ConsultingDistrict Policy
News Release: City releases final draft of the District Policy and plans; offers information sessionsPopulation growth
Edmonton's population is booming and one city councillor wonders if we're readySigns of strain amid Alberta's population boomOpinion: How to build a better Edmonton in 2024Blatchford
Pace of building at Blatchford a concern for some on Edmonton city councilProgress on Blatchford development lacks clarity and targets, City of Edmonton audit report showsAudit reveals gaps in governance structure of Edmonton's climate goal delivery teamEdmonton Unlimited
Edmonton Unlimited hires new CEO from within city ecosystemRice Howard Way
Does Edmonton need a downtown entertainment district?Downtown Entertainment District | Engaged EdmontonRapid fire
Alberta's wildfire season has begun. Here's how its 500 new firefighters are preparing for itEdmonton transit union files 'bad faith' bargaining complaint with Alberta regulatorCKUA: Address To The CommunityUpcoming events
April 24: YEG Destination TechApril 24: The Climate Crisis is a Health CrisisApril 25: Machine Learning, Cults, and BirdsMay 2: YEG Startup Community AwardsSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!


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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 adjustmentsFeb. 29, 2024: Statement on 2023 Financial ResultsNov. 28, 2023: City Council confirms fall budget adjustmentsOct. 26, 2023: City releases fall budget adjustmentsPIA Statement on Taxes and Payments Owed to the City of EdmontonCouncillor Michael Janz: If the UCP reversed reductions, your property tax could be 7% lowerApril 23 City Council meeting agendaTOD analysis
As Ottawa pushes for density near transit, research shows Edmonton has challengesBike lane infractions
Bad driving or poor design? A downtown Edmonton intersection is a case studyNighttime economy
City plan looks to build dynamic, thriving nighttime economy in EdmontonExecutive committee reportCity of Edmonton invests up to $5 million to infuse new activity and vibrancy into the downtown coreHudson's patio
Edmonton pub's popular Whyte Ave patio stuck in 'nightmare' bureaucratic limboRapid fire
'I have a problem with all of it': Service Alberta minister sets sights on jumbo jugs of vodkaOSFM parking lot postHundreds watch eclipse at Edmonton observatoryThis episode was brought to you by the Edmonton Community Foundation which presents Estate Administration Week from April 15 to 19. With information sessions led by volunteer lawyers, the week will empower you to know what to do when you find yourself named the executor of a loved one's estate. The week culminates with a rousing game of Jeopardy! (Estate Administration Edition), led by estate lawyers Michael Simons and Allison Barkwell on April 19. All of the session are free — even Jeopardy!
Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!


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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 soughtAdam Laughlin's postSohi's letter
Edmonton mayor asks Premier Danielle Smith to restore municipal fundingMayor Sohi's letter'On standby to help': Alberta Premier Danielle Smith concerned with turmoil at Edmonton city hallDanielle Smith says province 'ready to assist' with Edmonton's fiscal challenges as city manager exitsDavid Staples: Province considers move to 'audit and stabilize' the City of Edmonton, say government officialsApril 1st, 2024 - Councillor Michael JanzParking lots
Edmonton city council grants extension to agreement for surface parking lots near arenaAgenda item April 02, 2024EPark
News Release: New EPark mobile payment system easier, quicker and more convenientEdmonton switches parking payments to HotSpot from EParkReddit post: PSA: Cash out your MyEPark balanceCapital Line
News Release: City names preferred bidder for Capital Line South LRT constructionConstruction Notice - Demolition of former NAIT LRT StationPublic art
Edmonton's public art strategy moves past 1% solutionRapid fire
Lots of new animals are heading for your city, study suggestsCity of Edmonton and CSU 52 ratify new Collective AgreementOilers fan known as 'McMullet' drives 8 hours to watch every gameSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!


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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 managerEdmonton 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 officialsCoun. Erin Rutherford responseNavigation centre numbers
Alberta claiming success with Edmonton navigation support centre, plans to expand to CalgaryHomeless people in Edmonton are dying at 8 times the rate as pre-pandemicRachel Notley says the permanent housing number is 5Glenora heritage
City halts project to protect Glenora's character and starts city-wide strategy83 Avenue pedestrianization
City recommends removing cars on 83 Avenue near farmers' marketOld Strathcona Public Realm StrategyResidential parking permit zones
Edmonton removing 15 residential parking permit zonesRapid fire
Treasurer who stole $160k from Edmonton preschool given 18 months in jailCity halts project to protect Glenora's character and starts city-wide strategySpringtime skunk invasion stinky but short-lived in EdmontonSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!


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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 dealCJHR update
Advocacy group to pay City of Edmonton more than $11K in costs after failed encampment lawsuitGuest: Jeremy Appel
The Orchard@JeremyAppel1025Kenneyism: Jason Kenney's Pursuit of PowerHamilton's absence
Edmonton city councillor Sarah Hamilton skipped out on council meeting to headline UCP fundraiserSarah Hamilton's statementEdmonton city councillor Hamilton's involvement in UCP fundraiser questionedCouncil Code of ConductMichael Janz endorsement of Sarah HoffmanKeith Gerein: What's behind Alberta's push into municipal parties?Day shelter funding
Bissell Centre likely to close day shelter space after city funding dries upBoyle Street to take over CHEW Project operationsRapid fire
PSA: City Hall re-opens to the publicJust add Nenshi, and it's a whole different Alberta NDP racePSA: City celebrates Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation DaySpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!


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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 TimesStrike avoided
City and Civic Services Union 52 reach a tentative agreementTentative deal reached with City of Edmonton, workers' union saysTim Cartmell's tweetCity council's statementCSU52's tweetTroy's Tik Tok video / Reddit postJoint letter to city council (PDF)Alberta public sector workers want big raises to match inflationStrike by city workers could mean big overtime bill as Edmonton police pressed into 911 serviceCouncil compensation
Edmonton city council gets automatic 2.4% raise in 2024, mayor makes more than Alberta's premierParking lots
City Council Public Hearing - March 11, 2024Rapid fire
News Release: City of Edmonton adds Commonwealth Recreation Centre to its growing number of solar installations'Dangerous' cave found in Edmonton's river valley was purposely dug out for shelter: policeMeet Rocky the Ram, the legislature's mascotSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!


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