Speaking Municipally

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Crematorium Rejected

• City council rejects proposed crematorium in central Edmonton

Parking Policy

• Cheryll Watson's tweet

Gargantuan Humanoid

• Why are there 'gargantuan humanoids' in downtown Edmonton?

Andrew Knack

• 2021 Campaign Announcement
• Six months left for aspiring candidates to register for Edmonton's 2021 municipal election
• Aaron Paquette's tweet

Financial Update

• City of Edmonton reports surplus of $40.2M in 2020 thanks to early pandemic budget adjustments

Housing Announcements

• Federal government to provide $24.8M for housing projects in Edmonton
• Edmonton city council calls for minimum standards at homeless shelters

Waste Carts

• News Release: Edmontonians begin to receive their new waste carts
• What you need to know as Edmonton begins rollout of new garbage cart system

Less Transparency

• News Release: Edmonton named North America’s Most Open City in 2020

E-scooters Return

• Lime scooters return to Edmonton on Wednesday
• Electric scooters return to Edmonton streets Wednesday for third season

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

This week we highlighted Overdue Finds from the Edmonton Public Library which features "conversations about books, movies, music, pop culture and other great things happening in Edmonton." We also talked about The Future Of, a podcast from ATB Financial that features "interviews with top community and business leaders from Alberta and around the world."

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:

Shared Streets

• Edmonton planning to bring back temporary shared streets in spring 2021 for physical distancing

Alberta Campsites

• High demand for campsites means Albertans might need to consider options

GraceLife Church

• Edmonton-area church charged for over-capacity services during COVID-19 pandemic

Guest: Carrie Hotton-MacDonald

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

ETS Branch Manager

• Carrie's announcement
• Navigating transit: New ETS branch manager plans to use her experiences to improve the department
• New bus stop signs to appear on Edmonton streets ahead of 2021 network launch
• Edmonton's transit smart fare system delayed again due to COVID-19 pandemic

Transit Reference

• Bus Network Redesign
• The City Plan
• Edmonton Bike Plan
• Climate Change Adaptation

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 the Career Essentials Podcast from NAIT which "offers real-world advice and insight into different careers and career paths. We feature the stories and experiences of NAIT alumni with lessons for everyone."

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:

Pokemon Payday

• Pokemon payday: Edmonton man sells Charizard card for $8K

Step 2

• With COVID-19 cases declining, Alberta eases into Step 2 of reopening plan

Official Sport

• Legislative committee mulls bill that would declare rodeo Alberta's official sport

GUESTS

• Cate Watt - Branch Manager, Assessment & Taxation
• Anton Szabo - Director, Integrated Business and Customer Solutions section within Assessment and Taxation
• Previously on Episode 84

CRLs

• Pending LRT Lines and City-wide Transit Routes Assessment Growth Options
• Edmonton unlikely to see new community revitalization levies in the near future

Property Taxes

• Land Use Density Options - Residential Subclasses Impact
• The City Plan
• The City of Edmonton spent $580M on consulting services from 2015-2019

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

This week we highlighted ATB Financial, which was "built to help Albertans as they try to rebuild, and find their new normal." We also talked about Park Power, a local utilities provider offering internet, electricity, and natural gas. "Park Power has low overhead, which in turn allows them to offer low, competitive rates."

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:

Metro Line

• Metro Line and system-wide LRT closures to affect Edmonton

Vaccine Portal

• Booking system strained, but Alberta starts vaccinating seniors in latest phase of COVID-19 response
• 'You saved my day': Edmonton man finds fix to vaccine portal glitch

Psychedelic Drugs

• Edmonton company to produce psychedelic drugs for clinical use

Gondola Proceeds

• Proposed Edmonton river valley gondola climbs to design stage after council approves framework

CRL Shortfall

• Belvedere CRL facing $11.9 million revenue shortfall

Housing Redevelopment Grant

• City of Edmonton launches $1.5-million grant program to convert problem properties into affordable housing
• Housing Redevelopment Grant

Contaminated Headwaters

• Edmonton city councillor says local water could be at risk for coal mine contamination in the future

Condemning Racism

• 1 arrested after Alberta legislature rallies
• After criticism, Premier Jason Kenney condemns racist elements at Edmonton torch rally
• Edmonton Police Service says senior spokesperson's social media posts promoting conspiracy theories do not reflect force's views

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

This week we highlighted Park Power, a local utilities provider offering internet, electricity, and natural gas. "Park Power has low overhead, which in turn allows them to offer low, competitive rates." We also talked about Career Essentials, a new podcast from techlifetoday.ca and NAIT that "offers real-world advice and insight into different careers and career paths" by featuring stories of NAIT alumni.

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:

Jane Goodall

• Jane Goodall reverses stance, says Lucy the elephant should stay in Edmonton

Feeding Wildlife

• Edmonton councillors endorse wildlife feeding restrictions on private and public property to reduce coyote interactions

GraceLife Church

• GraceLife pastor held in custody for refusing to comply with bail conditions

Urban Gondola

• Troy's Twitter thread
• Episode 99: The Gon-bananas-a plan
• Edmonton engineers, business leaders high on proposed river-valley gondola project
• A River Valley Gondola - Tourist Attraction or Blight on the Landscape? - Tim Cartmell
• From 2018: Gondola could be temporary fix for transit down Whyte Avenue, councillor suggests

Edmonton Police

• Edmonton mayor to request review after police eject group from LRT station
• Media Statement - City of Edmonton statement - LRT station incident
• Edmonton Police Twitter thread
• Policy C620 - Supporting Vulnerable People During Extreme Weather

Safe Passing Distance

• City committee endorses rules for passing cyclists on the road

School Boards

• An Announcement and a Call to Action | by Bridget Stirling

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

This week we highlighted Career Essentials, a new podcast from techlifetoday.ca and NAIT that "offers real-world advice and insight into different careers and career paths" by featuring stories of NAIT alumni. We also talked about Searching for Izena, "a special nine-part podcast series chronicling the wildly incomplete stories of female leadership at Edmonton City Hall over the last century."

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:

Team Names

• Edmonton Football Team calls on fans to vote on 7 possible names
• Board of Directors

Cracked Rail

• South Edmonton LRT rail cracks due to extreme cold as region reaches record low temperatures

Innovation Park

• Beaumont takes first steps towards building innovation business park

Guest: Sarah Hamilton

• Sarah's website
• @sjlhamilton

Social Media Policy

• City administration to draft new rules to guide councillors on social media blocking
• Edmonton city council rejects proposed social media policy
• Sarah Hamilton's Twitter thread

Cease and Desist

• Troy's Twitter thread

Transit Funding

• Edmonton responds to federal transit funding announcement
• Final LRV delivered
• French train maker Alstom now owns Bombardier's rail business

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

This week we gave a Pod Power shoutout to the What's the Tsismis? podcast from CJSR 88.5 FM, which provides "an inside look on Pilipinx identity in the diaspora." We also talked about ATB's podcast The Future Of, hosted by chief economist Todd Hirsch. The podcast explores "how our economy and communities can not only brace for change, but embrace the opportunity it creates."

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:

Cold Weather

• PSA - Extreme weather response activated

Coal Mining

• 'Dead letter': Kenney defends coal policy change in Rocky Mountains

Terror Orgs

• Proud Boys added to Canada’s list of terrorist groups

Michael Janz

• MichaelJanz.ca
• @MichaelJanz

Surplus Schools

• City endorses sale of surplus public school lands in Kiniski Gardens to private school
• Rethinking the JUA: Opportunities for strong school and strong communities - Trustee Michael Janz 2017

School Taxes

• Alberta school boards lobby to reinstate funding program for children with disabilities and delays
• Groundwork: How UCP cuts have dramatically changed early learning support for preschoolers
• Should education funding be placed on the municipal ballot?
• February 9, 2021 - Edmonton Public Schools

High Level Line

• City council to provide support but no money for High Level Line project

Troy's Posts

• Endorsing Ashley Salvador
• Cheryll Watson launches an uninspiring and unfocused campaign
• Bringing the noise

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

This week we highlighted Searching for Izena, "a special nine-part podcast series chronicling the wildly incomplete stories of female leadership at Edmonton City Hall over the last century." We also talked about The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. Episode 87 is the final installment in the Trailheads series which looks at the history of urban planning 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!

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Walterdale Bridge

• Walterdale Bridge still cost Edmonton $155M, even after contractor paid damages for delays

Kim Krushell

• Former Edmonton councillor Kim Krushell running for mayor in fall election

Mike Nickel

• Edmonton city councillor Mike Nickel running for mayor in 2021 election

Andre Corbould

• Edmonton ushers in new city manager
• Mayor formally introduces new city manager

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

This week we highlighted Searching for Izena, "a special nine-part podcast series chronicling the wildly incomplete stories of female leadership at Edmonton City Hall over the last century." 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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Julie Payette

• Read Julie Payette's full statement on her decision to resign as governor general

Snow Squall

• Damaging winds, snow squalls wreak havoc on the Prairies

Germ Killers

• 'Innovative germ-killing biotechnology' rolling out at select Edmonton transit stations

Andre Corbould

• Mayor formally introduces new city manager

Shisha Ban

• Edmonton reconsiders shisha smoking 6 months after ban

Infill Update

• Seven actions from Edmonton's infill roadmap completed in 2020
• Edmonton mature neighbourhood residents calling on the city to increase enforcement for damage caused by infill developments

Green and Walkable

• Green and Walkable Cost Share Agreement approved by council's executive committee

Election Update

• Amarjeet Sohi and Mike Nickel mull running to be Edmonton's mayor
• Scott McKeen won't seek third term as downtown city councillor
• Edmonton city councillor Tony Caterina to seek re-election

Taproot Updates

• Introducing The Pulse from Taproot Edmonton
• The Council Roundup is moving to The Pulse

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

This week we gave a Pod Power shout-out to Glass Bookshop Radio, the official podcast of Edmonton's Glass Bookshop. The podcast features interviews with writers, publishers, and readers. We also talked about BGCBigs, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area. They're looking for volunteers to be Big Brothers or Sisters.

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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Oilers Return

• Game Recap 1.0: Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks (1/13/2021)

Christmas Miracle

• Don Iveson's statement on travel

Jane Goodall

• Jane Goodall Asks Edmonton City Council to Transfer "Lucy the Lonely Elephant" from Harsh Winter to Tennessee Sanctuary

COVID-19

• City discusses who is next in line for COVID-19 vaccine
• Edmonton hands out nearly 100 mask bylaw fines over the holidays

Layoffs

• News Release: City issues permanent layoff notices as part of 2021 budget reductions
• City of Edmonton issues 60 permanent layoff notices in light of 2021 budget

Jobber

• Edmonton-based startup Jobber raises record US$60M

Energy Retrofits

• News Release: New energy efficiency program provides rebates to homeowners
• City of Edmonton offering rebates for green home improvements
• Edmonton launches three-year rebate program for residential energy-efficient upgrades to reduce carbon emissions

Waste Carts

• News Release: New waste carts coming soon to Edmonton

Metro Line

• Edmonton's Metro Line LRT back-up signalling system nears completion

Silly Season

• Candidates can now register to run in the 2021 municipal election
• Ten months away, the candidates for Edmonton's 2021 election look very different

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

This week we highlighted BGCBigs, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area. They're looking for volunteers to be Big Brothers or Sisters. We also talked about The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. The latest episode looks at the challenges of urban design in a winter city.

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.