Speaking Municipally

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Oilers Out

• Shock and disbelief as Edmonton Oilers suffer early playoff exit
• Wayne Gretzky takes US TV analyst job after stepping down from Oilers

EPSB Cuts

• Edmonton Public Schools expects to cut 431 full-time positions hired for COVID-19 pandemic, majority teachers

Police Association

• Edmonton Police Association says controversial thin blue line flag a show of solidarity

Guest: Jason Meliefste

• Branch Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, City of Edmonton
• LinkedIn

Groat Road Bridge

• Groat Road Bridges and Road Renewal Project
• Nov. 2020: Groat Road Bridge reopening to four lanes of traffic Sunday following $48-million rehabilitation project
• Twitter thread on project history
• Speaking Municipally Episode 6

1% for Art

• Public Art Policy Suite
• C458C: Percent for Art Policy

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. In case you missed it, Episode 92 was all about a new board game called Exploring Wahkohtowin. We also talked about Natural Light Edmonton which provides "custom-designed, luxury sunrooms, balcony enclosures, decks, patio covers, and gemstone lights."

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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Playoffs Underway

• 'It's SO on!': Edmonton, Winnipeg mayors make playoff bet

In-Person Learning

• Alberta expects K-12 classroom learning to resume next week after temporary online shift amid third wave of COVID-19

Project TENSOR

• Edmonton police launch Project Tensor for second summer, aiming to curb noise and speeding

Sohi Announces

• Sohi – An Edmonton For All Of Us
• Amarjeet Sohi, former city councillor and federal cabinet minister, joins Edmonton mayoral race
• Andrew Knack's tweet

Vision Zero

• Vision Zero 2020 Annual Report
• News Release: Five years of Vision Zero: Improving safety on Edmonton's streets
• City tweet re: Street Labs
• City tweet re: 40 km/h

WEM Pedestrian Bridge

• Replacement West Edmonton Mall pedestrian bridge over 170 Street to cost $8M, city slated to pay half
• City planning $8M replacement for West Edmonton Mall pedestrian bridge
• Andrew Knack's tweet

Upzoning for City Plan

• Rezoning applications propose increased density in Windsor Park and Westmount

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

This week we highlighted the SHIFT Podcast by Alberta Innovates which showcases the work being done in the province's innovation ecosystem. The latest episode features Craig Milne, CEO of Copperstone Technologies, a company that offers robots as a service to mining companies. We also talked about The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. Episode 95 features a conversation with Kristine Archibald, executive director of the River Valley Alliance (RVA).

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:

EE Football Team

• EE Football Team records significant financial loss in 2020

Transit Complaints

• ETS incident reports are up nearly 500 per cent and that's helpful: councillor

Drive-Thru

• United Sport and Cycle launches Edmonton Oilers playoff drive-thru store
• Episode 73: Moving forward with the regional transit recALMONDation

Guest: Stephen Mandel

• Wikipedia
• Chancellor at Concordia University of Edmonton

Edmonton Coliseum

• Episode 106: Not every surprise is Mandelicious
• Former Edmonton mayor, sports groups advocate to repurpose Coliseum
• Former Edmonton mayor pitches new sports venue for Coliseum
• Northlands Coliseum can't be repurposed, city says in Exhibition Lands implementation plan targeting short-term demolition
• Sport excellence venue pitched for Edmonton's Expo Centre

Other Mandel Stuff

• July 2009: Edmonton City Centre Airport Decision: Phased Closure
• Sept. 2010: Boxes, and more boxes, as far as the eye can see
• April 2015: Northlands Arena Strategy Committee Final Report Released

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

This week we highlighted Natural Light Edmonton, which "provides custom-designed, luxury sunrooms, balcony enclosures, decks, patio covers, and gemstone lights." We also talked about Pandemic University's upcoming masterclass called Writing is Your Nature, which runs May 11-25. The free class was "designed to sharpen your non-fiction writing through the lens of ecology and conservation."

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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Big Bin Events

• PSA: Free Big Bin Events are back

Mosquito Control

• Edmonton helicopter program to control mosquito population reinstated for 2021 season

Best. Summer. Ever.

• News Release: New COVID-19 restrictions to stop the spike

Guest: Adam Laughlin

• LinkedIn
• Adam Laughlin, P. Eng, DCM, father, feminist

Interim City Manager

• Dec. 13, 2019: Adam Laughlin named Interim City Manager
• Nov. 20, 2020: Senior civil servant with long military career hired as Edmonton's new city manager

2021 Construction

• News Release: City construction contributes to 13,000 jobs
• City of Edmonton anticipates $400M gap in provincial infrastructure funding
• Delayed Valley Line Southeast LRT tracking toward late 2021 opening as part of city's $1-billion 2021 construction season

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

This week we highlighted Pandemic University's upcoming masterclass called Writing is Your Nature, which runs May 11-25. The free class was "designed to sharpen your non-fiction writing through the lens of ecology and conservation." 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." A recent episode featured Garth Warner, president and CEO of Servus Credit Union.

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:

Vaccine Battle

• Mayor Nenshi's tweet
• Open Data Visualization

Zoo Booze

• Beer, wine, Prosecco can now be consumed at Edmonton Valley Zoo

E-Videos

• Edmonton Public Library sees demand soar for online books, classes and videos during pandemic

Guest: Karen Unland

• @karenunland
• LinkedIn

People's Agenda

• People's Agenda
• Another progress report on the People’s Agenda

Branded Posts

• Misleading or helpful: Should city councillors use branded graphics on social media?

Photo Radar

• Leduc scraps photo radar city-wide

Temporary Shelters

• Edmonton approves funding to support daytime services for the homeless
• Councillors vote against proposed daytime shelter for downtown Edmonton

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

This week we highlighted Pandemic University's upcoming masterclass called Writing is Your Nature, which runs May 11-25. The free class was "designed to sharpen your non-fiction writing through the lens of ecology and conservation." We also talked about The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. Episode 93 features master gardener and beekeeper Dustin Bajer.

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:

Bedding Plants

• Local greenhouse owners warn public of bedding plant shortage this summer
• News Release: City highlights importance of parks and open spaces

West Ed

• West Edmonton Mall blueprint for successful shopping centres, experts say

Financial Literacy

• News Release: Making money matter to Alberta students

Fare Freeze

• Edmonton city council freezes transit cash fare at $3.50 until February, forgoes planned 25-cent increase
• News Release: Transit activists and advocates celebrate win after Council freezes fares following community petition – Free Transit Edmonton
• Troy's tweet
• Previously: Executive committee endorses transit cash fare raise, electronic fare discount

Shelter Visits

• 'Unscheduled study visits:' Edmonton mayor furious with police for touring councillors through convention centre homeless shelter
• Two Edmonton councillors criticize Iveson's concerns with police-led tours through convention centre homeless shelter, call for apology
• Mike Nickel's tweet

Regional Collaboration

• Edmonton-area municipalities will co-invest to attract business to the region

Heritage River

• City council endorses heritage nomination for North Saskatchewan River

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

This week we highlighted Book Women, a podcast about editing, publishing, and writing Indigenous stories hosted by three Métis librarians representing nations from across the homeland. We also talked about Pandemic University's upcoming masterclass called Writing is Your Nature, which runs May 11-25.

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:

Hydrogen HUB

• Edmonton Region Hydrogen HUB | Building our clean energy future

Folk Festival

• Edmonton Folk Fest cancels 2021 festival with 'variants and vaccine rollout still uncertain'

Bill 10

• Alberta bill removes mandatory vaccinations, repeals Bill 10 powers

Regional Transit

• Regional transit commission hires its first CEO

Transit Fares

• Executive committee endorses transit cash fare raise, electronic fare discount
• Chart: Edmonton transit ridership fell 44.3% YoY in 2020
• Free Transit Edmonton statement

BNR Motion

• April 13 City Council meeting
• On Demand Service Map

Police Union

• Task force report into policing, community safety decried as 'insulting and demeaning'

TEC Edmonton

• TEC Edmonton to shut down at end of June
• U of A, City of Edmonton expanding innovation partnership

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 Shift, a podcast from Alberta Innovates now in its second season. The podcast "showcases the work being done in the province’s innovation ecosystem in everything from health to clean energy." The latest episode is all about hemp, described as "a global miracle crop."

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 inf

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GraceLife Church

• 'Physically closed': Alberta health officials shut down GraceLife Church west of Edmonton

Moe Banga

• Edmonton councillor Moe Banga seeking re-election this fall

Winter Tires

• Has the winter tire season gotten longer?
• Calgary roads have ‘way fewer’ potholes this year thanks to a mild winter

CSWB Task Force

• Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force
• Report and recommendations: Safer For All
• Council approves recommended police reforms, puts funding decisions on hold
• Mack's Twitter thread
• Mack's follow-up tweet
• Mike Nickel's tweet

Photo Radar

• Council reduces funds to traffic safety programs by $2.6M over two years

Bus Network Redesign

• Edmonton city councillor wants to put brakes on new bus network
• Big changes for Edmonton commuters as city launches transit redesign
• City of Edmonton: Bus Network Redesign

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

This week we highlighted Shift, a podcast from Alberta Innovates now in its second season. The podcast "showcases the work being done in the province’s innovation ecosystem in everything from health to clean energy." We also talked about YourForest, a podcast "for those who cannot live without the joys and wonders of all wild things."

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:

Forever our President

• A Sad Message from President Addie

Old Plans

• No longer needed: Edmonton looks to repeal nearly 80 community development plans

Coyote Intervention

• 'I don’t feel scared anymore': Volunteers armed with tennis balls part of coyote intervention program

New Curriculum

• Alberta unveils new draft elementary school curriculum with focus on common cache of knowledge

Guest: Ben Henderson

• Website
• @ben_hen

Ben's announcement

• Councillor Ben Henderson confirms he will not be running for reelection in October

From the interview

• March 2014: Edmonton aspires to eliminate poverty within a generation
• Feb. 2016: Improving The Way We Engage in Edmonton
• June 2020: Edmonton backpedals on e-bike rebate program
• Feb. 2021: Edmonton city council approves first step for gondola across North Saskatchewan River

Task Force Report

• Negligence, outdated policies called out in task force's report on Edmonton policing
• Mack's Twitter thread

Climate Strategy

• ‘Boldest to date’ plan on climate change action to be considered

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. 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:

Safeway Jasper

• Safeway to open new location on Jasper Avenue

Rodeo Discrimination

• Anti-racist motion stalled by rodeo discussion in Alberta legislature

Pastor Released

• After 35 days in custody, controversial Edmonton pastor is released from jail

Transit Safety

• Transit advisory board recommends changes to get people using transit again safely
• Edmonton hopes to draw back transit riders during pandemic

Bus Network

• PSA - Trip planning now available for new bus routes
• Reddit thread
• @MakingLaurie's tweet

Business Licenses

• Edmonton considering more COVID-19 financial relief for entrepreneurs
• Edmonton plans to slash business licence, vehicle-for-hire fees by 50 per cent in 2021

E-Scooter Rules

• New e-scooter rules could be coming to Edmonton

Waste RE-Solutions

• Dormancy process for 2492369 Canada Corporation (aka Waste RE-solutions Edmonton)
• Our waste management brilliance: taking it to the world

Phone Books

• Reddit thread

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 91, hosted by Taproot’s own Emily Rendell-Watson, introduces us to three Edmontonians to explore how COVID-19 has impacted each of us differently. We also talked about Career Essentials, a podcast from NAIT that "offers real-world advice and insight into different careers and career paths."

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!