Speaking Municipally

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
• Action Plan (PDF)
• New nine-step plan aims to improve pedestrian experience in downtown Edmonton
• Episode 62

Other

• Edmonton proposes bylaw changes banning panhandling, megaphones and more
• Edmonton takes another step to rename central neighbourhood Wîhkwêntôwin, remove Oliver moniker

Rapid fire

• Alta. government unveils drought advisory committee to prepare for dry season
• Oilers winning streak dies one win from history. So what?
• Pause on renewables projects to lift at month's end as planned

This episode is brought to you by Strathcona County which has launched Select Strathcona, a new investment attraction website helping site selectors, developers, investors, and businesses looking to expand — making it easier to get the right information to make the next, best investment decision.

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!

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!

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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

• City cancels meetings after attack at city hall
• News Release: City makes safe and steady progress on City Hall restoration
• Damage in Edmonton city hall attack estimated at $100K, meetings canceled next week

Water ban

• Tim Cartmell's post
• Mandatory ban on non-essential water use for Edmonton and Capital Region is anticipated to continue until mid-day Sunday, February 4
• Edmonton councillor has questions for EPCOR about equipment failure, water ban
• Ban on non-essential water use in Edmonton region expected to last until Sunday, Epcor says
• Ban on non-essential water use in Edmonton area due to pump failure at water plant

Danielle Smith

• Alberta premier says legislation on gender policies for children, youth coming this fall

Rapid fire

• MP Blake Desjarlais reel
• Flair Airlines owes $67 million in unpaid taxes as CRA opens door to seize carrier's property
• 'Never been done before': Edmonton man driving around the world in 17 months

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!

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 in Edmonton City Hall shooting: police
• City Hall shooter charged
• Police charge man after attack on Edmonton city hall
• Stories of bravery emerging after Edmonton City Hall shooting
• Grade 1 students from Edmonton public school on field trip at city hall when shooting occurred

Single-Use Items

• Edmonton to increase fee for paper and reusable bags
• On the agenda: Bag fees, flood mitigation, travel budget

Wîhkwêntôwin

• Oliver no more: Edmonton neighbourhood adopts new Cree name

City Market

• Edmonton Downtown Farmers' Market forced to move amid high utility costs, low foot traffic
• "Critical financial situation": Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market board recommends shutdown
• 'Shocking' closure of Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market sparks new collective seeking kitchen space

Edmonton Unlimited

• Catherine Warren ousted from Edmonton Unlimited

Adam Laughlin

• Top bureaucrat exodus continues in Edmonton with fifth deputy city manager departure in one year
• Episode 128: The former big cheese on inteGRATED infrastructure

Edmonton Oilers

• Will the Oilers' streak pay off with a Stanley Cup? What history says

Fossil first

• 72-million-year-old sturgeon discovered in Edmonton is a fossil first

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!

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
• Edmonton's emergency motion: Minister McIver
• Edmonton city council's homeless emergency declaration slammed by Alberta government
• Edmonton encampments: Deputy Premier Ellis
• Amarjeet Sohi: Calling a Special Council Meeting to Declare a Housing and Houselessness Emergency
• Tim Cartmell: What's Next for Housing and Encampments?

Lawsuit dismissed

• Edmonton declares homelessness emergency, while judge scraps lawsuit against city's dismantling of encampments
• Judge dismisses lawsuit against city over clearing of homeless encampments
• Alberta court kills Edmonton homeless encampment lawsuit
• Coalition for Justice and Human Rights statement
• Edmonton looks to stop homeless encampment lawsuit before injunction request is heard
• Original email sent by Edmonton Police

Encampment clearing

• After standoff, Edmonton police move in to clear out final 'high risk' homeless encampment
• Several people arrested as police sweep 8th encampment in central Edmonton
• 'Greatly concerned': Court defers decision over Edmonton encampment removals to later in the week
• Dozens of weapons seized in encampment removals: Edmonton police share graphic images
• 'And they're back': Edmonton encampment removals continue, critics question supports

Shelter situation

• The numbers and realities of Edmonton's shelter system
• Why some homeless Edmontonians choose to camp outside the inner city

Police commission

• News Release: City of Edmonton appoints Ben Henderson as a new member of the police commission
• News Release: The Commission welcomes Coun. Wright
• Police commission meeting fuelled with outbursts and encampment talk

Rachel Notley

• Rachel Notley to step down as Alberta NDP leader

Edmonton Oilers

• GAME RECAP: Oilers 4, Leafs 2

12-ton Art

• Local business owner enlists friends on 12-ton artwork honouring Albertans

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. 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 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.

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 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.

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 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!