Speaking Municipally

Edmonton is going to have to pay much more for elections, but we can't say why without risking a $787 million settlement. Plus, we've got some news about district planning.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Property tax

• Sohi launches campaign to ask province for more municipal support
• Edmonton, other municipalities ask province to pay its property taxes
• Fair Compensation Project

Election costs

• On the agenda: Bill 20, district planning, 124 Street highrise
• The Alberta government banned electronic vote tabulators. Municipalities want it to reconsider

District plans

• News Release: District Policy and plans approved for next milestone in City's planning modernization
• New district policy, plans including 15-minute cities concept OK'd by Edmonton city council

Old Strathcona

• Whyte Avenue and Old Strathcona plans: less parking, more parks

New towers

• Mill Woods Town Centre: New grocery store, rental towers built in 2025
• Edmonton city council approves rezoning proposal for 31-storey tower on Jasper Avenue

From the Taproot newsroom

• Pedestrian-only Rice Howard Way continues into fall
• NongBu is closed but continues to shape city's food scene
• Tree expert sees ways to avoid nightmare on elm-lined streets

Rapid fire

• Alberta government drops idea of expanding liquor sales to grocers, convenience stores
• Canadian Finals Rodeo kicks off with surprise Downtown Edmonton cattle drive
• Earth's General Store closes despite crowdfunding effort to save the business

Discover Our Climate Quest, a Canadian exhibition packed with fun, interactive activities for all ages. Explore carbon capture pinball, solar panels in action, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, and much more. Level up your climate science knowledge and get inspired for our sustainable future! Opening Oct. 5 at TELUS World of Science - Edmonton! Learn more

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!

This week, we discuss the new Edmonton sign, a new poll about the mayor and city council, new crashes into the LRT, and a new report on Canada's municipalities. Plus, updates on ChargeStop, homelessness, and the 2021 mayoral race.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

ChargeStop

• ChargeStop builds Canada's first dedicated EV station in Strathcona

Edmonton sign

• News Release: How do you spell colour, light and sparkle? E-D-M-O-N-T-O-N!
• Troy's tweet
• Michelle Sound's post
• Michelle Sound
• Crystal Lee Clark

Council poll

• Only 1 in 4 Edmontonians think Sohi, city councillors should be re-elected: CityNews poll
• Troy's Reddit comment

2021 election update

• 3 mayoral candidates sanctioned for overspending in 2021 Edmonton election

Homelessness

• Number of people living unhoused in Edmonton up 47% in 2024: Data

Senate report

• Challenges and Opportunities for Canadian Municipalities | Senator Paula Simons
• Paula's LinkedIn post

Neighbourhood planning

• Opinion: Citywide plans diminish diversity of Edmonton neighbourhoods

LRT crashes

• Two crashes involving Edmonton's Valley Line LRT in two days
• Edmonton LRT train involved in crash after vehicle drives onto tracks: ETS

From the Taproot newsroom

• Developers urge Edmonton to follow B.C. on single-egress buildings
• Why one shop owner traded a storefront for a shipping container
• Support to address hoarding in Edmonton is running out

Rapid fire

• Most non-homeowners in Edmonton feel buying own home is out of reach: CityNews poll
• Why American food chains are choosing Edmonton

This episode is brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider (and title sponsor of Taproot's Regional Roundup). Park Power offers electricity, natural gas, and internet to homes, businesses, and farms throughout Alberta. Learn more at parkpower.ca.

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!

Council has decided to keep their representatives on the police commission, at least for now. Plus, we talk LRT station fare gates, EVs, bike lanes, and more.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Police commission

• Edmonton won't remove city councillors from police commission, for now
• Alberta hiring CEO for 'massive' new agency to investigate complaints against police

Fare gates

• Edmonton eyes two-year LRT fare gates pilot for Churchill and Belvedere stations
• On the agenda: Transit fare gates, affordable housing, tax forgiveness

Financial disclosures

• 'Relevant': Edmonton to make city council's financial disclosures public

ChargeStop

• Snacks, seating and super-fast charging: What to expect at Edmonton's new EV-only service station

Bike lanes and index

• An Edmonton bike lane crumbles 1 month after construction
• How the Edmonton police bike index reunites owners with stolen wheels

From the Taproot newsroom

• IDEA's new leader targets barriers that can limit housing
• Docuseries explores Edmonton communities through food
• As community leagues prepare to celebrate, more people are volunteering

Rapid fire

• Fort Saskatchewan mayor apologizes for comments about killing feral cats
• Gondek urges premier to find 'most cost-effective solution' as province reviews Green Line LRT
• News Release: New Northbound overpass on 50 Street opens to traffic, marking key project milestone

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!

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 end of 2024
• News Release: Statement on Q2 2024 Financial Update

From the Taproot newsroom

• Vancouver and Toronto companies relocating to Edmonton region
• Elev and Five Oaks launch student housing project called The Hive
• RUNWITHIT Synthetics secures $3.5M investment to put its tools into more hands
• Tech Roundup: Sept. 10, 2024

Rapid fire

• Edmonton Police Service begins rollout of body-worn cameras
• McDavid on living in Edmonton
• 'Female rage': Edmonton woman sparks airplane 'manspreading' debate

This episode was brought to you by Life Sciences Week, celebrating Alberta's thriving life sciences sector from Sept. 23 to 27. Explore cutting-edge research, network with industry leaders, and witness groundbreaking innovations. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or investor, there's something for everyone. Taproot is proud to be a media sponsor of Life Sciences Week.

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!

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 restrict photo radar

Valley Line LRT

• 15 collisions between vehicles and trains on Edmonton's Valley Line since opening: city

Paquette's plan

• Edmonton councillor reveals his money plan to avoid more cuts or tax hikes

Waste collection

• 'It's frustrating': Edmonton councillors say organics processing plan need more details
• On the agenda: Compost capacity, new risks, city manager

From the Taproot newsroom

• Panel suggests Edmonton struggles to promote itself
• Leduc residential construction 'going like gangbusters'
• CarePros growth spurs new company and product launch
• Events Roundup: Sept. 5, 2024

Rapid fire

• Volunteer snake wranglers have hands full protecting at-risk reptiles from Edmonton roads
• News Release: First appearance of Dutch Elm Disease in Edmonton
• Alberta Legislature security personnel able to carry guns as of Sunday

This episode was brought to you by Life Sciences Week, celebrating Alberta's thriving life sciences sector from Sept. 23 to 27. Explore cutting-edge research, network with industry leaders, and witness groundbreaking innovations. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or investor, there's something for everyone. Taproot is proud to be a media sponsor of Life Sciences Week.

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!

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 $58,000 to Support Fringe

Council procedures

• Minutes for the item at the Aug. 20, 2024 city council meeting

Transit costs

• Edmonton to fill $10M gap in revenue to keep low-income transit program
• Edmonton transit may double monthly costs for seniors in 2025 with steep hikes for ARC and cash fares
• Edmonton mayor wants Alberta government's help to keep low-income transit program afloat

BRT

• Q&A: Could bus rapid transit improve Edmonton's transit system?

Project management

• No New Projects Without A New Management Approach — Tim Cartmell
• Minutes for the item at the Aug. 20, 2024 city council meeting
• Project Management Audit (March 2022) — Andrew Knack

Shelter standards

• Opinion: Full picture needed on encampment debate
• On the agenda: Transit fare increase, shelter standards, affordable housing
• Edmonton councillors say heavy industrial areas not suitable for homeless shelters
• Where should new shelters go in Edmonton?

630 CHED

• Corus Entertainment's 630 CHED moving up the AM dial
• Corus Entertainment 'aggressively' cutting costs, laying off more employees as revenue slumps

From the Taproot newsroom

• Taproot launches an Events Roundup
• Alberta oil to become carbon fibre in new Edmonton facility
• Edmonton is a city filled with stones, bones, and ancient history
• Events promote women and girls to throw TDs or drop in

Rapid fire

• Alberta premier reveals plans to transfer hospitals away from AHS
• PSA: Police commission member recruitment underway
• Here's how Edmonton's commute time stacks up against other Canadian spots

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!

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 complete on Stony Plain Road, but road to stay closed

Budget shortfall

• Edmonton budget shortfall risks bigger property tax hike in 2025, city warns

Transit fares

• Edmonton planning to hike transit fares next year to make up for $13M budget shortfall

Edmonton Elks

• New Edmonton Elks owner says classic 'EE' logo to drive the team's branding
• New Edmonton Elks owner says classic 'Double E' logo to drive the team's branding

Jennifer Rice

• Court order stops misconduct sanction hearing for Edmonton Coun. Jennifer Rice until judicial review

Tim Cartmell

• Edmonton councillor wants project management overhaul, claiming delays and 'wasted dollars'

From the Taproot newsroom

• How a bison head helped change the Pioneers Cabin into the Bison Lodge
• Edmonton Global's listening tour will lead to change: Bruce

Rapid fire

• Take a Risk: It's the Most Fringe Thing You Can Do
• Back to light: The historic Western Cycle neon sign is up in Edmonton again
• Tony Caterina's comment on Facebook

This episode is brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider (and title sponsor of Taproot's Regional Roundup). Park Power offers electricity, natural gas, and internet to homes, businesses, and farms throughout Alberta. Learn more at parkpower.ca.

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!

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 Rice

• Edmonton Coun. Jennifer Rice seeks court orders to toss misconduct investigation and stop sanction hearing

Allard benches

• South Edmonton community frustrated after benches, crossing bridge removed from park

Royal Alberta Museum

• 'Belongs to every single Albertan': Prominent Edmontonians speak out against RAM demolition
• Andrew Knack's post

Rec Centre branding

• News Release: Booster Juice sponsors Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre in 10-year facility naming agreement

E-scooter boundaries

• Vendors expanding riding zones for shared e-scooters and e-bikes
• Expanded e-scooter zones in Edmonton will lead to 'a more connected city': officials
• Whyte Avenue now exclusion zone for shared e-scooters and e-bikes

Council procedures

• July 4 executive committee meeting
• City Council meeting agenda: Aug. 20, 2024
• Important Changes to City Council's Agendas: Why You Should Be Concerned - Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

From the Taproot newsroom

• Why do Edmonton businesses love kei cars?
• How arts organizations are working to attract younger audiences
• Wildfire hackathon targets misinformation as Jasper fire underlines need

Rapid fire

• Well folks, that's a fest: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss close out Edmonton Folk Music Festival
• Fort Road reopens following years of construction, business owners eager to recover
• Just a handful of Canadian cities will be subject to the Costco membership crackdown — for now

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!

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

Centennial Plaza

• News Release: New Centennial Plaza to add colour and vibrancy in the heart of downtown

Vision Zero

• Boy, 3, dies in crosswalk after being hit by truck in southwest Edmonton
• Police investigating fatal pedestrian collision in southwest Edmonton
• GoFundMe for Edmonton boy killed after pickup truck hits family
• Police sound alarm after deadly month on Edmonton roads

Food trucks

• PSA: City streamlines permitting for mobile food vendors
• 2012: The Past, Present, and Future of Food Truck Bylaws & Guidelines in Edmonton

Bear spray

• Edmonton bear spray bylaw aims to curb misuse with new point-of-sale measures
• Edmonton changes bylaw to regulate bear spray sales after rise in assaults
• Bear-spray incidents on the rise in Edmonton

From the Taproot newsroom

• Edmonton Opera innovates and collaborates to keep costs low
• Applied Pharma facility could open local doors while bridging national gap
• Group brings co-op model to downtown investment to build change
• Taproot Edmonton roundups

Rapid fire

• Legal Aid Alberta says province terminated its contract

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!