Speaking Municipally

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Tawatinâ Bridge

• Delayed Valley Line LRT pedestrian bridge across the river not expected to open before snow hits

Guest: Martin Dugas

• LinkedIn
• RiverWatch Institute Alberta

River Links

• Science Data | RiverWatch
• Safety Overview | RiverWatch
• Touch the Water
• River Valley Alliance

River Stuff

• River levels set to rise with release at Bighorn Dam
• Edmonton city councillor says local water could be at risk for coal mine contamination in the future
• City council endorses heritage nomination for North Saskatchewan River
• Which local trails are open? An overview of closures ahead of the long weekend
• Sturgeon make a comeback in North Saskatchewan River
• Dam Complicated
• The View from the River: Paddling the North Saskatchewan with Edmonton Canoe

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

This week we highlighted The Brief, an Alberta Better podcast series, presented by the Business Council of Alberta that "explores the big challenges we face as Albertans." We also talked about SHIFT by Alberta Innovates, a podcast that showcases the work being done in the province's innovation ecosystem by interviewing "the researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses that are shifting our perspective about innovation in the province."

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!

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UAlberta Website

• Welcome to our new University of Alberta website!

Mayoral Debate

• Candidates come out swinging in first Edmonton mayoral forum, economic recovery and Downtown vibrancy top of mind

Planning Awards

• Edmonton wins planning awards for open option parking and City Plan

Guest: Mariah Samji

• Executive Director, Infill Development in Edmonton Association
• LinkedIn
• Top Barriers to Infill Development

CoE Infill

• Infill Roadmap
• City Plan
• Edmonton Exhibition Lands
• Blatchford

Infill Coverage

• Infill fills a need, but at a cost
• Seven actions from Edmonton's infill roadmap completed in 2020
• 'It has to work for everyone': Edmontonians call for more inclusive city planning
• Rezoning applications propose increased density in Windsor Park and Westmount
• Edmonton wins planning awards for open option parking and City Plan
• Edmonton second in nation for single-family home starts

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

This week we highlighted SHIFT by Alberta Innovates, a podcast that showcases the work being done in the province's innovation ecosystem. A recent episode features Jana Rieger from True Angle Medical discussing creativity, research and being an entrepreneur. We also talked about the Edmonton Community Foundation which acts as a bridge between donors and charities to create a strong, vibrant community for generations to come.

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!

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Hi Jagmeet

• NDP Leader Singh talks jobs, support for workers and health care during Edmonton pitstop

LRT Testing

• LRT trains begin testing on Edmonton's Valley Line Southeast

Oilers Schedule

• Edmonton Oilers announce team's 2021 pre-season schedule, including games against Flames, Kraken

Guest: Dustin Bajer

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Shrubscriber
• Forest City Plants
• 2019: The Case of the Capilano Apricots

Tree Love

• Root for Trees
• Public Tree Bylaw proposed to help protect Edmonton's urban forest
• Watch out for that tree: Idylwylde residents push back against City of Edmonton planting project in pocket park
• Emily Riddle's tweet
• The City Plan (see page 159)
• Emerald ash borer
• Tree open data
• 2017: How green is my city beyond the valley?

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

This week we highlighted Rümi, the newest member of the ATCO family. Rümi partners with local Alberta businesses and "carefully selected vendors" to "help deliver homeowner happiness." Services are currently available in Calgary and Edmonton. We also talked about the Alberta Association of Optometrists which works to provide "world class eye care for every Albertan." The organization represents almost 800 Doctors of Optometry in over eighty communities across the province.

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!

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No Herbicides

• Spray no more: City of Edmonton asking residents not to use herbicides reacity parks to combat outbreak of weeds

Bridge Appreciation

• Seniors group shows appreciation for 170 Street pedestrian overpass replacement project

Re/Max Turf

• Re/Max Field in Edmonton, Alberta, nothing to envy to the new Globe Life Field in Texas

Summer Break

• City council heads into summer break following several contentious decisions

Transit Loitering

• Loitering tickets will no longer be handed out at Edmonton transit facilities

Funicular Troubles

• Extreme temperatures close Edmonton's 100 Street Funicular
• City of Edmonton tweet
• The Great Heatwave of 2021
• June 2021 Review
• 2017: Edmonton launches $24-million river valley funicular
• 2016: Edmonton river valley funicular on time and on budget

Population Growth

• Chart of the week: Edmonton's future population growth

Drone Delivery

• Drone delivery service set to take off at Edmonton airport

Speed Limits

• News Release: 40 km/h default speed limit coming to Edmonton August 6 to make our streets safer
• 40 km/h speed limit for residential, downtown Edmonton roads comes into effect Aug. 6
• Hit the brakes: Edmonton's 40 km/h default speed limit starts Aug. 6
• Interactive Speed Map
• Estimated Time of Arrival Tool

Election Rundown

• Scott Johnston's tweet
• Municipal election rundown: July 15, 2021

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

This week we talked about AlbertaBETTER, a podcast by the Business Council of Alberta that "is on a journey to understand what it takes to create a good life here in Alberta and how we, as Albertans, businesses, and governments, can shape our society so everyone prospers." We also talked about SHIFT by Alberta Innovates, a podcast that "showcases the work being done in the province's innovation ecosystem -- everything from health to clean energy."

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!

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Transit Updates

• PSA - ETS adjusts bus service based on rider feedback

Waste Collection

• Edmonton working to fix issues with new waste collection program after thousands of homes missed

Kingsway Mall

• Courtney Theriault's tweet

Sanction Hearing

• Councillor Mike Nickel to face third sanction hearing in the past year
• Edmonton city councillor escapes public censure for breaking code of conduct
• Mack's tweet
• Troy's tweet
• Another Troy tweet
• Nickel's response

Reimagine Services

• City of Edmonton taking a swing at privatizing golf course operations, council approves moving ahead on 16 recommended 'reimagine' actions
• No fees for parking at city facilities, Edmonton councillors decide

Airport Support

• Regional organizations raise $14.9M to help EIA attract flights

High-Speed Rail

• Race to build high-speed Calgary-Edmonton rail on with second pitch

Fringe Festival

• Join Us for Together We Fringe: A Fringe Theatre Event

Election Rundown

• Municipal election rundown: July 8, 2021
• Troy's tweet

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

This week we talked about the Alberta Association of Optometrists which represents almost 800 Doctors of Optometry in over eighty communities across the province. Alberta Health coverage is available towards your urgent eyecare appointment! We also gave a Pod Power shoutout to Overdue Finds, a podcast from the Edmonton Public Library featuring conversations about books, movies, music, pop culture and other great things happening 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:

Virtual Reality

• New virtual reality attraction to launch at West Edmonton Mall this summer

Sink Hole

• Troy's tweet

Urban Hens

• Chart of the week: Edmonton's urban hens program

Heat Wave

• Troy's tweet
• Lack of shaded, cool spaces a concern as Edmonton's vulnerable deal with heat wave
• Water restrictions in effect for Edmonton-area communities, southeast Edmonton
• Edmonton ties record for longest streak of above 30 C days; other records continue to fall
• Edmonton weather nerdery: June 2021 Review
• Carrie Hotton-MacDonald's tweet
• Cheryll Watson's tweet

Masks Off

• City of Edmonton recreation centres reopening for drop-in use, masks no longer required for visitors as COVID-19 restrictions ease July 1
• Mack's tweet thread
• Face-Covering Restrictions: Moving Forward - Tim Cartmell - Councillor
• Troy's tweet
• Another tweet from Troy
• City's new equity toolkit is first of its kind in Canada
• Edmonton's mandatory mask rule to end July 1 following split 7-6 city council vote, masks required indoors for staff at most city facilities until Aug. 1

Canada Day

• Edmontonians asked to reflect on legacy of residential schools
• Region moves forward with Canada Day celebrations, despite calls to cancel the holiday
• Truth and reconciliation in Edmonton: Where we're at and what you can do

Hyperloop

• Canadian hyperloop company says ultra-high-speed travel between Calgary and Edmonton is feasible

Election Rundown

• Municipal election rundown: July 1, 2021

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 Rümi, the newest member of the ATCO family, which partners with local Alberta businesses and carefully selected vendors to help deliver homeowner happiness. Currently available in Calgary, Edmonton, and their surrounding areas.

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!

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eSports Millionaire

• Alberta eSports player's team earns $1 million in South Korea tournament

Canada Day

• Edmonton to host Canada Day fireworks, St. Albert cancels display

Lime on Uber

• Edmonton becomes first Canadian city to use Uber for booking Lime scooter rides

Masks Bylaw

• News Release: Alberta hits 70% threshold, triggering full reopening on July 1
• Alberta doctors nervous about Stage 3 of reopening, pointing to more transmissible Delta variant
• Coming up at council: June 21-25, 2021
• Calgary's mask bylaw will stay in place until at least July 5
• Edmonton's mandatory mask bylaw may outlive the provincial rule
• Mack's tweet thread

Paid Parking

• Changes to city services could save nearly $16M over five years
• 'It's so wrong': Opposition to city administration's cost savings plan mounts ahead of presentation to council
• Petition · Stop the City of Edmonton from implementing parking fees for city parks and attractions
• Aaron Paquette's 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. Episode 98 features an interview with Shane Scott who has created an endowment fund to support LGBTQ2S+ students as they pursue post-secondary education. 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:

Fire Stations

• Edmonton considers charging developers for fire stations in new communities

Green Space

• Edmonton residents win dispute with city over improvements to green space

Rebranding Grandin

• Grandin Fish 'n' Chips rebrands, drops Grandin name

Guest: Puneeta McBryan

• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Vibrancy Strategy

• Vibrancy strategy aims to support the recovery of Downtown Edmonton
• Puneeta's Twitter thread
• Edmonton's worsening opioid crisis prompts renewed calls for action
• Puneeta's tweet about the opioid crisis

Station Lands

• Qualico looking for $37M in CRL funding to move Station Lands forward
• Mack's Twitter thread

Election Rundown

• Municipal election rundown: June 17
• Coun. Mike Nickel should face censure and reprimand, integrity commissioner finds

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

This week we talked about the SHIFT Podcast from Alberta Innovates. The podcast showcases the work being done in the province's innovation ecosystem. The June 15th episode discussed how to lay the legal foundation when starting a business with guest Paul Barbeau. 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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Re/Max Field

• Edmonton's baseball stadium is getting its long-awaited glow up

Stalled Stampede

• Dropping demand for first doses could stall Alberta's reopening plans, Kenney says

Mosquito Traps

• Chart of the week: Fighting the bite

Renaming Grandin

• Edmonton city council votes to rename Grandin LRT station, cover mural of bishop
• Orange goes up over Grandin mural at Edmonton LRT station
• 'Co-creation' process launched to find new name for Edmonton's Oliver community

Arc Smart Fare

• News Release: Arc Card unveiled; Smart Fare machines turned on for pilot testing
• Arc (formerly Smart Fare)
• Tap on, tap off: Edmonton region to pilot Arc smart fare transit payment this summer
• June 25, 2019: Smart fare machines finally installed on select Edmonton buses

Flight Attraction

• City of Edmonton commits almost $10M to help airport attract flights
• 'Vitally important' regional air travel network expanding as B.C. airline announces new and reinstated flights
• Council approves almost $10 million to help Edmonton International Airport over three years

Capital Budget

• City of Edmonton recommends $65.5M capital budget increase

News Media

• Here's something city council can do right now to support local journalism – Taproot Publishing
• How New York City Is Saving Its Local News Outlets

Election Rundown

• Municipal election rundown: June 10, 2021

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

This week we talked about Rümi, the newest member of the ATCO family. With services available in Calgary and Edmonton, Rümi partners with local Alberta businesses to help deliver homeowner happiness. We also highlighted Is This For Real?, a podcast about various facets of Black life in Edmonton. The first season, Breaking the Blue Wall, is hosted by Oumar Salifou and centres around policing issues 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:

The Title

• Edmonton's football team will now be known as the Elks

Spray Parks

• Edmonton opens 30 spray parks during heat wave
• Cuts to Edmonton's weed control budget could be reversed in June

Jets Bet

• Don Iveson pays the piper and fulfils his end of a bet with Winnipeg mayor

Agriculture Plan

• Future of farming: New plan for Edmonton region aims to grow food — and the economy

Walterdale Bridge Art

• City, arts council reviewing lack of clarity around Percent for Art program
• Walterdale Bridge Replacement FAQ - Feb. 2013
• Ken Lum: The Buffalo and the Buffalo Fur Trader
• EAC tweet in 2018

Renaming Grandin

• Edmonton joins movement to mourn residential school deaths
• Edmontonians call for name change to Grandin LRT station, removal of mural depicting residential school system
• Don Iveson's tweet
• Aaron Paquette's tweet

Public Trees

• Public Tree Bylaw proposed to help protect Edmonton's urban forest
• Edmonton to revisit proposed tree permit for construction projects after pushback from utility companies, infill groups

Election Signs

• Cheryll Watson's sign
• Municipal election rundown: June 3

Regional Active Transit

• 'Not just for cities': EMRB task force recommends more active transit across the region

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

This week we highlighted Edmonton Community Foundation which produces The Well Endowed Podcast and "acts as a bridge between donors and charities to create a strong, vibrant community for generations to come." We also talked about ATB which "has a history of doing what's right for its clients, especially when times are tough—because ATB was Built to help 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!