Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Snow complaints

• Edmonton 311 snow on walk complaints soaring, already exceed last winter's total

FC Edmonton

• Former Oilers executive Jeff Harrop appointed president of FC Edmonton

Disillusioned Albertans

• Majority of Albertans disillusioned with federal government

Municipal vaccine passport

• News Release: Alberta takes steps to safely return to normal
• City of Edmonton explores its own COVID-19 proof of vaccination program
• Politicians, experts speak out against premier's suggested restriction on municipal COVID rules

Expenditure budget

• City council meeting on Feb. 9

Police commission

• Erin Rutherford's post
• Edmonton Police Commission Bylaw C14040
• City council meeting

Police property damage

• Here's what happens when Edmonton police cause property damage

Less talking

• Council Services Committee on Feb. 8

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. Episode 113 looks at how the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is working to conserve and protect Alberta's natural environment. We also talked about Park Power, "your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta. Offering Internet, Electricity, and Natural Gas with low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities."

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Bloom

• AI dreams, airport innovations, and a departing founder catch Bloom's attention

HEPA filters

• Edmonton Public Schools plans to put HEPA filters in all classrooms

PureFibre X

• TELUS brings Canada's fastest Internet speeds to Edmonton

Park drinking

• Alcohol in city parks needs more study, Edmonton councillors say
• Health advocates call on Edmonton council to cut off alcohol in parks pilot program

Facial recognition

• Edmonton police using facial recognition software to search 'mugshot database'
• EPS is using facial recognition technology to identify suspects in criminal cases
• News Release: EPS implements NEC facial recognition solution to further investigations
• Facial Recognition (edmontonpolice.ca)
• Interim Report: Facial Recognition Technology in Canada
• Arizona DOT Operating Budget Requests
• Edmonton police unveil details on use of facial recognition technology
• Calgary police says it won't use social media in its AI technology
• OPS tested facial recognition software, but doesn't use it

Sohi / Kenney

• 'Too soon and too fast:' Mayor Sohi urging province to keep COVID-19 measures in place
• Edmonton has 'bare minimum needs' from province's budget: Sohi

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted Edmonton Public Schools, which is hosting virtual open houses for the 2022-23 school year. We also talked about the Boys and Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area, also known as BGCBigs. There's currently a need for mentors in many BGCBigs programs as well as virtual tutors who can support young people as they transition back to school.

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Bloom

• Bloom opens with a look at what's popping in innovation

Excessive noise

• Edmonton councillor calling for clampdown on excessive vehicle noise

Traffic court

• Alberta government pausing plan to change how people can fight traffic tickets

Children's hospital

• Stollery Children's Hospital beds in Edmonton to be used for adult emergency overflow

Station Lands

• City of Edmonton to build $26M pedway as part of private multi-tower project
• Mack's tweet with the vote
• Mack's tweet on public engagement
• Mack's tweet on affordable housing
• Council agenda item

Orange Hub

• Edmonton city council agrees to build $14M parking lot at Orange Hub
• City aims for Edmontonians to 'live more locally' with 15-minute districts
• Troy's RIP City Plan tweet
• Council agenda item

Police audit

• Council privately quashes recommended audit of Edmonton policing and use of city funding

Innovation hub

• Innovate Edmonton to move into new home on Jasper Avenue this fall

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted Edmonton Public Schools, which is hosting virtual open houses for the 2022-23 school year. We also talked about the Boys and Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area, also known as BGCBigs. There's currently a need for mentors in many BGCBigs programs as well as virtual tutors who can support young people as they transition back to school.

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Driver shortages

• 'They're not filling all those bus seats:' Edmonton transit union says some bus trips being missed due to increase in driver absences amid rising COVID-19 spread
• PSA - ETS adjusts service in response to workforce shortages

Safe crossings

• PSA - 48 new safe crossings confirmed for 2022

Assessment notices

• News release: Edmontonians encouraged to watch their mailboxes for 2022 property assessment notices

Stevenson's memo

• Station Lands briefing memo
• Notice of motion at Executive Committee
• Qualico looking for $37M in CRL funding to move Station Lands forward

Police damage

• City of Edmonton won't compensate restaurant owners after police damaged building
• 'We can't close': Edmonton businesses fight to stay afloat during peak of fifth wave
• Edmonton restaurant frustrated with city policies after business damaged during police arrest: 'It's the principle'
• Avnish Nanda on Twitter

Madu and McFee

• Alberta justice minister fined for distracted driving, called police chief about ticket
• Jason Kenney's tweet thread
• Suspended Alberta justice minister says he called police chief to check he wasn't being profiled
• 'A slap in the face': Edmonton police leader upset with Madu; Kenney not answering questions

Bus network redesign

• Interim report on BNR
• On-demand transit seems to be catching on
• City of Edmonton provides 1st interim report reviewing bus network redesign - Edmonton
• Lengthy walking distance complaints roll in on Edmonton's new bus routes, no changes recommended in first update to council

Snow clearing

• Tim Cartmell: Snow Clearing: Is it Time to Start from Scratch?
• PSA - City of Edmonton trials windrow pick up in Griesbach

Councillor introductions

• Tim Cartmell, pihêsiwin
• Jennifer Rice, Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted Park Power, " your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta offering Internet, Electricity, and Natural Gas with low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities." We also talked about Edmonton Public Schools, which is hosting virtual open houses for the 2022-23 school year.

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!

Guest hosts

• Councillor Andrew Knack - @AndrewKnack
• Councillor Keren Tang - @kerentangyeg

War on cars

• City of Edmonton apologizes for concrete bike lane barriers in Garneau
• Freezing rain in Edmonton area leads to treacherous highway conditions, multiple collisions

Power outage

• Power Outage Map
• Power restored for 45K EPCOR south Edmonton customers

Animal care

• Local rescues strained as Edmonton Animal Care & Control pauses intake of healthy animals

Budget

• Edmonton Police Service budget increase for 2022 cut to $1M, capital budget finalized
• Budget and Finances at the City of Edmonton

Carbon budget

• Countdown to 2050: Explaining Edmonton's carbon budget

Snow and ice

• Edmonton crews ready to catch up on snow clearing after 3-week deep freeze
• 'A big inconvenience': Residents in southeast Edmonton neighbourhood frustrated with windrows left behind
• Winter Roads at the City of Edmonton

Transportation

• Lengthy walking distance complaints roll in on Edmonton's new bus routes, no changes recommended in first update to council
• PSA: ETS adjusts service in response to workforce shortages
• Valley Line Southeast LRT
• Arc Smart Fare

Police funding

• Edmonton Police Service Funding Formula
• Police funding a contentious issue as council prepares to make decisions on 2022 budget

Councillor Introduction

• Karen Principe, tastawiyiniwak

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted the Alberta Association of Optometrists which represents almost 800 Doctors of Optometry in over eighty communities across the province. Remember, Alberta Health coverage is available towards your urgent eyecare appointment. We also talked about BGCBigs Edmonton. There's a need for mentors to support more than 600 young people waiting for a mentor in their lives.

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Budget 2022

• News Release: City Council confirms 2022 budget
• Edmonton Police Service budget increase for 2022 cut to $1M, capital budget finalized
• Edmonton city council sets 1.91 per cent tax levy increase for next year in approving $3.1-billion 2022 operating budget
• Mack's budget tweets
• Budget documents

Police Budget

• EPS promising to 'protect the jobs' of officers after 2022 budget increase is slashed
• EPS Funding Formula
• July 2020 motion
• Fall 2020 SOBA
• Coun. Aaron Paquette's subsequent motion

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta. You can reach out for a no obligation comparison by emailing [email protected] and if you decide to switch, it's easy. We also talked about The Future Of, a podcast from ATB Financial that recently launched its third season.

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Don Iveson (Edmonton)

• Wikipedia
• @doniveson
• LinkedIn

Tara Veer (Red Deer)

• Wikipedia
• @TaraVeer
• LinkedIn

Naheed Nenshi (Calgary)

• Wikipedia
• @nenshi
• LinkedIn

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted the Alberta Association of Optometrists, which represents almost 800 Doctors of Optometry in over eighty communities across the province. They want to remind Albertans to call their optometrist first for urgent eye care when they need it. We also talked about The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. Episode 109 explores the effects of intersectionality on making ends meet in Edmonton.

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Oilers value

• Edmonton Oilers now worth more than a billion dollars, Calgary Flames $680M: Forbes

Reservation deposit

• RGE RD first in Edmonton to require deposits for reservations

Outdoor rinks

• PSA - City opening outdoor rinks for the season

Police budget

• 'Edmonton has a crime problem': Edmonton Police chief says police budget cuts could affect community safety
• 'We've taken too many hits:' Edmonton police advocating against further budget cuts to maintain current service levels
• Edmonton Police Service tweet
• Mack's tweet
• Another tweet from Mack

Bike lanes

• Concrete barriers in bike lanes in Garneau, Edmonton cause confusion
• Budget 2021: We need action on active transportation - Michael Janz

Traffic safety

• News Release: Female pedestrian succumbs to injuries after being struck by SUV on Jasper Avenue
• Charges laid after woman hit in crosswalk by ETS bus in downtown Edmonton

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted the Edmonton Community Foundation, "which acts as a bridge between donors and charities to create a strong, vibrant community for generations to come." We also talked about Rümi, part of the ATCO family. The service can help you "know what's easily fixable with a little D-I-Y, or when you might need to call in some professional help."

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Tax survey

• Hold the line on taxes, 4 in 10 Edmonton residents tell city in online survey

Omicron variant

• First case of omicron COVID-19 variant confirmed in Alberta, Hinshaw says

Winter waste

• City of Edmonton hopes to avoid winter waste issues with new cart system

LRT delayed (again)

• Opening of Edmonton's $1.8B Valley Line southeast LRT delayed a third time to summer 2022
• Troy's tweet
• Valley Line Southeast LRT artworks on track to wow commuters

Hawrelak Park

• Planned three-year closure of Edmonton's Hawrelak Park starting in 2023 leaves popular festivals in limbo
• Michael Janz's tweet
• U of A chemicals destroyed by EPS in controlled detonations at Hawrelak Park

Photo radar

• Alberta government says onus will be on municipalities to prove photo radar improves traffic safety
• Alberta extends freeze on new photo radar locations, aims to reduce 'cash cow' factor
• Rachel Notley's tweet
• Don Iveson's tweet

Bike lanes

• Drivers parking on new bike lane in Garneau neighbourhood
• Paths For People wants part of Edmonton's 102 Avenue to be car-free, a city councillor moves it forward

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we highlighted Park Power, "your friendly, local utilities provider in Alberta. Offering Internet, Electricity, and Natural Gas with low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities." We also talked about The Future Of, a podcast hosted by ATB's chief economist Todd Hirsch that "connects with leaders who share their unique insight to help you navigate into the future."

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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Elks clean house

• 'Significant on and off-field problems': Edmonton Elks fire president, general manager and head coach

Animal cruelty unit

• With Canada's first animal cruelty unit, Edmonton police aim to curtail other criminal behaviour

Cannabis over EPL

• Edmonton Public Library loses appeals to shut down cannabis stores

Family homeless shelters

• Edmonton needs a shelter for homeless families, outreach worker says

Greenfield land

• Tweet thread from Michael Janz
• Troy's tweet

Anti-racism initiatives

• City of Edmonton awards nearly $215K to 16 community anti-racism initiatives in first instalment of grant program
• Uncovering deeper layers: Art projects funded to confront racism across the city

Budget

• Calgarians to face nearly 4% tax hike as council approves 2022 budget

Councillor introductions

• Andrew Knack
• Erin Rutherford

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network: locally grown, community supported.

This week we talked about ATB Financial. ATB has a history of doing what's right for its clients, especially when times are tough—because ATB was Built to help Albertans. We also highlighted The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation which explores the impact of passionate people who are working to make Edmonton a strong, vibrant city to live in.

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!