Speaking Municipally

We follow up on what 102 Avenue looks like with cars on it. Plus, updates on Buffalo art, the Alberta budget, drinking in parks, a police commission investigation, downtown police deployments, and the noise bylaw. Phew!

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Emergency alerts

• 'Glitch' inundates Albertans with emergency alert tests, Smith blames feds

Dining weeks

• Greater Mill Woods Dining Week spotlights southeast eateries
• Downtown Dining Week

Pavement protection

• March 1 Executive Committee Meeting (see protocol items)
• ISSA Award for Excellence in Pavement Preservation

102 Avenue

• Podcast examines meaning of flip-flop on pedestrian corridor

#FreeTheBuffalo

• Media Statement: Walterdale Bridge public art update
• Edmonton apologizes to Canadian artist after suggesting artwork was pro-colonist
• Speaking Municipally: Episode 132

Budget 2023

• Alberta Budget 2023
• Alberta budget 2023: What's in it for Edmonton?
• Alberta government promises $125M to new MacEwan School of Business in Tuesday's budget
• Budget falls short on infrastructure deficit, municipalities say
• Alberta creates fiscal accountability plan to require balanced budgets

Alcohol in parks

• Alcohol in Edmonton parks allowed on permanent basis
• 'We get along fine': Edmonton's booze sites in public parks here to stay

Police stuff

• Third-party probe clears Coun. Stevenson after ex-police commission colleague's complaint
• EPS Chief McFee says police 'prepared to lead' efforts to address Downtown crime, disorder
• Edmonton police rezoning downtown beat boundaries

Noise bylaw

• Edmonton city council approves $1,000 fine for excessive vehicle noise

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

This week we 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. 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!

Council votes to open 102 Avenue to vehicle traffic before (after?) the one-year pilot even got underway. But don't worry, the pedway is doing fine.

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Hawrelak Park

• Last Edmonton festival wraps up ahead of 3-year Hawrelak Park closure

TransEd testing

• TransEd testing 'emergency scenario' along Valley Line LRT Thursday

Tipping

• Canadians think tipping is 'getting out of control,' new poll suggest

102 Avenue

• On the agenda: Core services, 102 Avenue, and a $31M pedway
• Edmonton will reopen 102nd Avenue to traffic after city council votes down bylaw
• Public Hearing on Feb. 21
• Section of 102 Avenue in downtown Edmonton will remain open to vehicles

103A Avenue Pedway

• No debate: Edmonton council approves $4.5M more for pedway, finalizes separated waste pick up for apartments

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

This week we 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. 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!

Edmonton's administration drops a bombshell: apparently the city's relationship with the province is strained. Plus we dig into sandboxes, the screen industry, and buses down the middle of Whyte Ave.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Bare-chested swimming

• No top, no problem: All patrons allowed to be bare-chested at City of Edmonton pools

Sohi and Smith

• Edmonton mayor to have first meeting with Danielle Smith, five months after premier sworn in

Jordan Peterson

• Controversial author Jordan B. Peterson is coming to Rogers Place

Risk management

• Report suggests state of intergovernmental relations poses risk to City of Edmonton
• Lauren Boothby's thread

Energy audits

• Edmonton homeowners invited to apply for net-zero retrofit program
• Towards Net Zero Renovations | Change for Climate

Sandbox program

• City seeks input on sandbox program for ice control
• 2017: Edmonton community sandboxes fast-tracked to next week

Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy

• Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS)
• City of Edmonton plans to widen sidewalks, add dedicated bus lane along Whyte Avenue
• OSPRS StoryMap

Screen industries

• ESIO seeks impact instead of returns from rejigged investment fund
• Arts Roundup: Feb. 16, 2023

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

This week we talked about 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. We also 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.

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 wastes a lot of time hearing about spicy things, but the Mansion Tax may be just a little too spicy for the city lawyers.

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Taproot event survey

• Should Taproot build an event calendar?

Chili pepper

• Comedian chomps chili pepper at Edmonton public hearing while arguing climate change is 'not a huge issue'

Winter Bike to Work Day

• Celebrate winter cycling on International Winter Bike to Work Day

15-minute communities

• Online conspiracy theories about Edmonton's '15-minute city' plan: 'Absolute nonsense'
• City aims for Edmontonians to 'live more locally' with 15-minute districts

102 Avenue NW

• Bylaw 20345: To close a portion of road, Downtown
• Idea to turn 102 Avenue over to pedestrians has long pedigree

Homelessness and health

• Homeless in Edmonton face health challenges, but stable housing can help: report

Pepper spray

• EPS, Edmonton city staff working to tighten bylaws on pepper and bear sprays
• Edmonton eyes tougher regulations on bear spray sales following rise in incidents

Mansion tax

• No solid foundation for Edmonton to adopt mansion tax, report suggests

Jobber

• Jobber closes $100 million USD Series D amid strong demand for home services

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

This week we talked about 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. Episode 140 looks at how Edmonton's Food Bank, the very first food bank to open in Canada, goes beyond food to support community members. We also shared a clip from Edmonton Public Schools about open houses now underway across the district.

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 provincial government solves downtown safety — all it took was 12 rent-a-cops! Plus, the AI landscape in Edmonton does not look quite so grim.

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Kenney and Hinshaw

• Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney lands new gig at Calgary law firm
• Dr. Deena Hinshaw, ousted from Alberta, moves to job with B.C. public health leaders

Grammys gift bags

• Skincare line founded in Edmonton to be included in Grammy gift bags

Mindbender

• West Edmonton Mall closes Mindbender indoor roller-coaster

Safe crossings

• PSA: New safe crossings projects confirmed for 2023
• Safe Crossings Dashboard

Sheriffs in town

• News Release: Province deploys sheriffs to downtown Edmonton
• Sheriffs deployed to Downtown Edmonton in latest effort to improve safety: UCP, police
• Aaron Paquette: Making transit safer in Edmonton takes a co-ordinated approach
• Jo-Anne Wright's statement
• Tim Cartmell's statement
• Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen: Downtown Crime is Climbing. What's the Fix?
• Amarjeet Sohi: Edmonton's Actions on Downtown and Transit Safety

Budget motions

• On the agenda: Budget motions, ward boundaries, and waste services
• City Council Meeting Minutes for Jan. 31

Artificial intelligence

• Amii funds 20 new research chairs in AI at U of A
• AI pioneer eyes new Alberta-based venture after parting ways with Google's DeepMind

Ritchie health hub

• Fiery meeting held over proposed health hub in Edmonton's Ritchie neighbourhood

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

This week we talked about 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. We also 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.

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:

LRT safety

• City of Edmonton reiterates message on Valley Line LRT: 'If you see tracks, expect a train'

Chinatown Dining Week

• EdmontonChinatown.ca
• 2023 Menu

Postmedia cuts

• Postmedia moving 12 Alberta papers to digital-only, announces sale of Calgary Herald building
• Postmedia shakes up its editorial leadership at western newspapers

Downtown changes

• Enterprise Square renewal heralds Edmonton's downtown revitalization
• Alphabet to close Edmonton office of AI subsidiary DeepMind

Provincial budget

• Edmonton calls for 'equitable treatment' with Calgary in 2023 provincial budget
• Sohi asks province for roughly $2B in cash including $185M for Commonwealth Stadium upgrades

OP12

• Council budget agenda item
• Jan 25, 2023 - City Council - Non-Regular (Intergovernmental)
• Edmonton city council looks to trim fat in 2023-2026 budget

Winter shelter

• Edmonton emergency shelter partially opens, mayor calls delay "unacceptable"
• News Release: Temporary emergency shelter opens its doors
• New emergency shelter spaces approved as deaths mount

Strathcona ARP

• Concerns about west Ritchie Boyle Street hub dominate zoning hearing

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

This week we talked about fellow APN member Quantum Kickflip, a a "Slugblaster actual play podcast" produced by local sketch comedy group The Debutantes. We also highlighted STORYHIVE which is celebrating its 10th anniversary by funding 80 short documentaries on local stories. Send in your pitch by Feb. 28.

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:

Snowplow names

• News Release: Name a Plow contest winners announced
• City official 'hearing a lot' from Edmontonians about snowy residential roads, says help coming soon - Edmonton

Collectible thefts

• Edmonton hobby stores hit by rash of break-ins targeting trading cards

Legislature grounds

• Redesigning Alberta's Legislature Grounds

Janice Johnston

• CBC News journalist Janice Johnston dies at 62

103A Avenue Pedway

• $26M single-sourced pedway project east of downtown Edmonton faces council vote
• Janz calls for Edmonton lobbyist registry in light of pitched no-bid $26.5 million pedway deal
• On the agenda: Coronation funding, pedway construction, climate reviews

Off-leash dog parks

• Edmonton may add 30 temporary off-leash dog parks this spring
• Off-leash dog parks set to pop up around Edmonton this spring in $300K pilot

Substantial completion standard

• New standard could help shift Edmonton's growth pattern

Valley Line LRT

• More cracks on concrete LRT beam in Edmonton are not a structural concern: TransEd

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

This week we 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. We also highlighted fellow APN member Three Kitchens, a podcast about home cooking.

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:

Michael Janz (papastew)

• Councillor profile
• @michaeljanz

Ashley Salvador (Métis)

• Councillor profile
• @AshleyASalvador

Anne Stevenson (O-day'min)

• Councillor profile
• @edmonton_anne

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

This week we 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. We also highlighted Alberta Blue Cross, which offers group benefit plans that enable employees to manage their own health, dental, life and disability coverage online.

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:

Title

• Sohi hot mic 'drunken sailor' remark caught during debate

Budget

• News release: City Council approves 2023-2026 Budget
• 'Gruelling' budget process ends with tax increase of 4.96% in 2023
• Edmonton passes 5% tax increases; Cartmell calls it 'very dangerous' for affordability
• Budget deliberations continue following $100M for Edmonton Bike Plan

Task force

• News release: Cabinet task force to tackle Edmonton social issues
• Homeward Trust CEO hopeful about new community response task force
• Tim Cartmell's tweet
• Sarah Hamilton's tweet

Budget files

• High Level Line tweet
• Police IT tweet
• End gets closer for Northlands Coliseum after council approves $35M for demolition
• Cathy Heron tweet

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

This week we talked about 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. We also highlighted Alberta Blue Cross, which offers group benefit plans that enable employees to manage their own health, dental, life and disability coverage online.

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:

Peace officers

• Edmonton lacks performance targets for municipal enforcement, auditor finds

Children's medication

• Alberta plans to import five million bottles of children's medication

ICE District

• Edmonton Ice District announces fan park featuring three outdoor rinks

Police deficit

• Council approves private repayment strategy for Edmonton Police Service deficit

Climate change

• Edmonton city council, administration at odds over climate projects in proposed budget
• Climate Justice Edmonton tweet
• Troy's tweet

Capital budget

• Budget agenda
• Troy's tweet
• Another Troy tweet
• Councillor says Terwillegar Drive expansion 'at risk' with talk of budget changes
• Edmonton's proposed capital budget leaves critical measures unfunded, police say
• What happened to Edmonton police's promised dash cameras?
• Andrew Knack's tweet
• Edmonton's mayor pitches transit, bike lanes, Chinatown funds in budget
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's tweet

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

This week we 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. 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!