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!

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Kyle Marshall

• LinkedIn
• Edmonton man wins second place on Jeopardy!

Sam Papuha

• LinkedIn
• Edmontonian Sam Papuha competes on Jeopardy

Emil Tiedemann

• LinkedIn
• Emil's books

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!

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.

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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 snow in Edmonton
• PSA: 'Catch air' and plan your experience to the Style Experience FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup

Turnstiles and safety

• Transit Safety: When is the City Going to get Serious? — Tim Cartmell
• Police superintendent backs idea to add turnstiles to Edmonton LRT system
• More than 500 violent crimes reported inside Edmonton transit centres this year: police data
• Oct. 25: Safety on Edmonton transit improving, city council hears

LRT news

• Valley Line LRT begins increasing frequency
• Gantry crane builds Edmonton LRT differently
• Stolen car hits Valley Line LRT in southeast Edmonton, driver flees scene

Regional isolation

• Strathcona County votes to cut itself from Edmonton Global

Edmonton police

• Police watchdog to investigate after man fatally shot in downtown Edmonton
• Woman killed in confrontation with Edmonton police
• 88 cops in Edmonton and Calgary have left their jobs while under investigation since 2012
• Edmonton police reprimand three officers for separate off-duty drunk driving incidents
• Gun-related incidents prompt lockdowns at Edmonton malls

Valley Zoo

• Edmonton considering off-loading partial control of Valley Zoo to third party

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!

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

• 'Hostile work environment': Former staff accuse Edmonton city councillor of bullying amid high office turnover
• Audio recording of Edmonton councillor Rice's argument with staff reveals turmoil in office
• Keith Gerein: Edmonton Coun. Jennifer Rice has no one to blame but herself for her failures in office
• Edmonton mayor 'deeply concerned' about bullying allegations against councillor Rice
• 'Toxic and abusive': Former staffers accuse Jennifer Rice of bullying while Edmonton councillor dodges questions

Warehouse Park

• Project aims to entice families, spur development

Bill C-18

• Federal government reaches deal with Google on Online News Act
• Mack's interview with Jessica Ng on CBC Edmonton

Connor McDavid

• Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid named one of NHL's stars of the week

El Niño

• No-snow November: El Niño could mean a warm and dry winter for Edmonton

This episode was sponsored by the University of Alberta Sustainability Council, the School of Urban and Regional Planning, the Edmonton Metro Region Board, the City of Edmonton, Coun. Ashley Salvador, and Coun. Michael Janz. Strong Towns is coming to Edmonton for a Dec. 13 event and Dec. 14 workshop. This is a unique opportunity to take part in a growing dialogue on sustainable, economically resilient urban development in Edmonton. Keynote by Strong Towns founder Charles Marohn. Tickets are $30 for Dec. 13 and $22 for Dec. 14. (You can go to one or both.) Speaking Municipally listeners can get 50% off with the offer code TAPROOT, while supplies last.

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!

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 debate
• 7% tax hike on table as Edmonton city council begins 2024 budget debate
• Edmonton businesses urge council to focus on core services: '7% is too taxing'

Photo radar

• Alberta banning 'cash cow' photo radar on Edmonton and Calgary ring roads
• News Release: Protecting drivers from photo radar fishing holes
• Automated Traffic Enforcement — City of Edmonton

Valley Line Southeast LRT

• Worker injuries, safety orders reveal human impact of Edmonton LRT project
• Unscheduled delays

Electric buses

• Edmonton's fleet of electric buses failing amid manufacturer's bankruptcy proceedings

Encampments

• 'It's just not safe': Edmonton police chief says encampments shouldn't be tolerated
• Police chief calls for coordinated Edmonton effort to shut down encampments after deadly fires

Police commission

• Third provincial appointee — Edmonton Police Commission

Winter patios

• News Release: Grant offers a warm welcome to winter patios

LRT closures

• News Release: Upcoming LRT station closures due to planned work

Drug shortages

• Edmonton pharmacies facing shortages of common drugs: 'It's frightening'

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!

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.

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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 for park stairs

Traffic safety

• Can a Canadian city be a model for Dallas when it comes to road safety?

Photo radar

• Alberta considering whether to end photo radar freeze

Community leagues

• Allard forms community league, Blatchford wishes it could

Budget chicken

• Troy's thread
• Keith Gerein: What happens if Edmonton's council defeats its own budget? Let's hope we don't find out

No tree for you

• Edmonton Downtown Business Association Kicks Off the Holiday Season on 104 Street

Plastic ban

• The Federal Court just overturned Ottawa's single-use plastic ban

Uber Tasks

• Uber bringing Tasks pilot to Edmonton

This episode was sponsored by the Edmonton Community Foundation, which together with the Edmonton Social Planning Council has released Vital Signs. This year's report focuses on food security, how it has changed over the last 10 years, and where we are today. You can see the latest report at ecfoundation.org/vitalsigns.

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!

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 Edmonton's new managing editor

Valley Line Southeast LRT

• Valley Line Southeast LRT opening Nov. 4
• Citizens assemble to celebrate Valley Line Southeast LRT opening

Other

• Arc card adoption reaches 63%
• Using CRL to fund office conversions seen as a gamble

This episode was sponsored by the Edmonton Community Foundation, which together with the Edmonton Social Planning Council has released Vital Signs. This year's report focuses on food security, how it has changed over the last 10 years, and where we are today. You can see the latest report at ecfoundation.org/vitalsigns.

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!

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 residential conversions

Police funding

• Capital Budget Adjustments

Event attraction

• Motion discussing event funding boost gets unanimous support from committee at Edmonton City Hall

Blatchford update

• StreetSide Developments coming to Blatchford
• Executive committee update

Private tech project

• Edmonton eyes $8 million for undisclosed technology in 2024 budget
• Keith Gerein: Big tax hike signals the kickoff to Edmonton's next municipal election

Top 40

• Top 40 Under 40 2023

Alberta insurance

• Good drivers to benefit from auto insurance changes

Latta Bridge

• PSA: Latta Bridge reopens on schedule, on budget and in time for the NHL Heritage Classic

Hangar 14

• Just listed: Edmonton puts Hangar 14, home of the Alberta Aviation Museum, up for sale

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!

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

Zoning Bylaw Renewal

• News Release: Edmonton has a new rulebook for development for the first time in 60 years
• Edmonton's proposed zoning bylaw passes at city council
• 27 subsequent motions (PDF)

Climate concern

• News Release: Climate change top-of-mind for Edmontonians

Office conversions

• Urban planning committee for Oct. 31
• Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program pausing application intake
• Office Space — 99 Percent Invisible, Episode 551

Hydrogen buses

• News Release: The Edmonton Metropolitan Region drives forward on hydrogen innovation

Edmonton effect

• 1st snowfall of season means delays, collisions on Edmonton-area roads

Pride tape

• NHL backtracks on Pride Tape ban, will allow players to represent social causes

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!

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 council hears pros, cons of proposed Edmonton zoning bylaw changes from residents
• Edmonton zoning public hearing gets heated as opponents speak
• Edmonton's zoning bylaw falls short on climate action, affordable housing, opponents tell council

Bike lanes

• A moment in history: Oct. 18, 1973

The Mindbender

• Here's what's left of West Edmonton Mall's Mindbender

Pension plan

• Trudeau attacks pitch to take Alberta out of CPP in open letter to Danielle Smith

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 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 suggests reinjecting $5M to snow and ice budget to improve access to transit

Rally for the Road

• City funds website to help Stony Plain Road businesses amidst Valley Line West LRT construction
• Rally for the Road

Valley Line LRT

• TransEd's tweet
• Train testing complete on Edmonton's Valley Line LRT route

Voting block

• Data shows six councillors form dominant Edmonton City Council voting block

Tennis courts

• Saville Tennis Centre opens in Edmonton with year-round courts

Falling concrete

• Concrete cladding falls off downtown Edmonton building, city enacts emergency closures

Mask directive

• AHS adopts enhanced masking directive for acute care sites

Oilers loss

• GAME RECAP: Canucks 8, Oilers 1

This episode was sponsored by Coun. Michael Janz, the University of Alberta, and MADE (that's Media Architecture Design Edmonton). Curbing Traffic: An Evening with Chris Bruntlett takes place on Oct. 19 in Edmonton, with a discussion about what other places have done to build cycling cities. Tickets are $15 each, but you can get in for $5 by using the offer code TAPROOT, while supplies last.

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!