Speaking Municipally

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West Edmonton Mall

• Jarring aerial photo shows empty West Edmonton Mall
• Reddit thread

Folk Festival

• Cancellation of the 2020 Edmonton Folk Music Festival – Edmonton Folk Music Festival August 6-9, 2020

House Cats

• 2 New York cats test positive for coronavirus, first pets in U.S.

GUEST: Tim Querengesser

• Lesson from Toronto: Dismiss Mike Nickel at your peril
• @timquerengesser on Twitter

Mike Nickel

• Mike Nickel's "fed up" tweet
• Mike Nickel's "campaign" tweet
• Staffer who "took full responsibility" for Mike Nickel's rape joke is still managing Mike Nickel's Facebook page
• Andrew Knack: Facts Still Matter
• Edmonton council dustup could lead to a code of conduct investigation

Jon Dziadyk

• Jon Dziadyk's firefighter post
• Jon Dziadyk's letter
• Mack's tweet re: emergency powers
• Mack's tweet re: unanimity

Bonus Episode

• Coming to your feed on April 28!
• What the pandemic can teach us about the climate crisis
• Covering Climate Now

COVID-19 in Edmonton

• Taproot's microsite
• COVID-19 Timeline

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about Park Power, "a provider of electricity and natural gas in Alberta that offers low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities." We also gave a Pod Power shoutout to the Alberta Queer Calendar Project "which features monthly Podcast Dramas by queer, Albertan writers throughout 2020."

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundupevery week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

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ID Scanners

• Thefts down at Edmonton liquor stores with ID scanners: Alcanna

Speaking Moistly

• Edmonton musician riffs on Justin Trudeau's cringe-worthy 'speaking moistly' gaffe

No E-Scooters

• Natasha Riebe's tweet

COVID-19 Updates

• City continues to introduce measures to ensure the safety of Edmontonians

EEDC Layoffs

• EEDC's tweet
• Cheryll Watson's tweet
• Maggie Davison's tweet
• Don Iveson's tweet
• COVID-19: Almost 90 per cent of EEDC employees have been or will be temporarily laid off due to pandemic
• Edmonton Economic Development Corporation lays off staff due to COVID-19 - Ryan Jespersen Show

COVID-19 Financial Impacts

• COVID-19: Iveson sends $2.1-billion infrastructure project wish list to the province
• COVID-19: Iveson warns of further temporary layoffs, delayed construction projects as Edmonton faces $109.8 million shortfall by September
• Budget Update Presentation
• Edmonton spends $2M on PPE for essential and front-line workers

Edmonton Motors Redevelopment

• Greek Orthodox Community plans to build 'gem' of a building on 114 Street and Jasper Avenue
• April 2018: Ripe for redevelopment: Downtown Edmonton dealership plans to move

Festival Cancellations

• Sometimes it simply isn't possible for the show(s) to go on
• 'Hard to imagine an Edmonton summer without Fringe': Theatre festival cancelled over COVID-19
• See you on the flat side

PSA

• Residents urged to stay off the North Saskatchewan River

COVID-19 in Edmonton

• Taproot's microsite
• COVID-19 Timeline

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about The Shared Mic, "Edmonton’s first unscripted, intergenerational podcast." It's hosted by Age Friendly Edmonton, a partnership between the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council. We also highlighted Unit B Coworking, located in the historic McKenney Building on 104th Street, close to everything downtown.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundupevery week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Speaking Moistly

• Trudeau cringes at his own ‘speaking moistly’ tip for coronavirus masks

Off-Leash Parks

• Private dog parks get boost as Edmonton closes fenced off-leash parks

Recyclables

• COVID-19: More recyclables headed to city landfills due to reduction in sorting staff

COVID-19 Financial Impact

• How will the City of Edmonton be impacted financially by the pandemic?
• Burning through the savings: City looks to cut costs as coronavirus takes toll on finances

Road Adjustments

• News Release - Road use and pedestrian signals adjusted to promote community safety
• Road lanes closing to give walkers, cyclists more room to keep their distance

Online Complaints

• City continues to support the community as COVID-19 evolves
• COVID-19 General Complaint Form
• COVID-19 Physical Distancing Concern

Restaurant Relief

• Edmonton Independent Hospitality Community
• April 7 Food Roundup: Local restaurants launch "save hospitality" campaign
• 95,000 restaurant employees in Alberta have lost their jobs due to COVID-19: survey
• Restaurant industry, like most, grappling with what post-COVID-19 looks like
• February 2019: ‘Somebody’s foot on our throat’: Alberta restaurant industry says it’s lost 10,000 jobs in 4 years
• February 2019: Edmonton food shops clarify positions on minimum wage after backlash over Restaurants Canada campaign

Economic Future

• Tech companies may leave Alberta over Kenney's devotion to oilpatch
• An open letter to Canadians from oil and gas workers
• Alberta Innovation Corridor
• Kenney warns Alberta headed for 25% unemployment
• Tiny Digital Businesses Play Key Role in Local Economies, Study Says

COVID-19 in Edmonton

• Taproot's microsite
• COVID-19 Timeline

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about The Loop, a new behind-the-scenes podcast from CBC Edmonton. We also highlighted 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 home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundup every week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Fitness Industry

• Potential for Massive Closures & Bankruptcies to Fitness Industry Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Connor McDavid

• Connor McDavid staying put in Edmonton during pandemic

Education Cuts

• Schools will hire back all workers laid off during pandemic, education minister says

Corona Station

• Guest: Erik Backstrom, Senior Planner, City of Edmonton
• Erik's tweet thread
• Councillor Aaron Paquette's tweet
• Troy's tweet

EEDC CEO

• EEDC's tweet
• Business Roundup: April 3, 2020
• Cheryll Watson named one of two Canadians on Startup Genome Advisory Board

ERIN Funding

• Edmonton Regional Innovation Network
• Previously: Edmonton denied $4.2M in tech innovation funding

E-Scooters

• E-scooters returning to Edmonton streets this spring
• Ready to roll: E-scooters spring back to Edmonton, new company looking to launch
• Here's How Bird Laid Off 406 People in Two Minutes
• Kaelin's tweet
• Lime: Healthy People = Healthy Cities
• Bird: A Message To Our Riders

COVID-19: Layoffs

• Recreation centre and library closures lead to temporary layoffs
• City of Edmonton, public library laying off nearly 2,100 employees
• 'Our community is in crisis': Edmonton business survey says nearly half don't think they'll survive
• Oilers, Flames announce temporary staff layoffs linked to COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19: Closing Streets

• Physical distancing in Alberta: a tale of 2 cities
• Don Iveson's tweet

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about Park Power which has introduced flexible payment plans and options to help customers deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. We also highlighted What on EARTH can we do?, a podcast about combating climate change from the Alberta Emerald Foundation.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundup every week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

SCTV Statues

• ‘The fabric of Canada’: Bob and Doug McKenzie statue unveiled in downtown Edmonton

Romance Scams

• Edmonton police say romance scams growing in lonely new coronavirus reality

Leon Draisaitl

• TRAIKOS: Draisaitl is NHL’s MVP, hockey experts say

Remote Meetings

• Mack's tweet
• Troy's tweet
• September 2016: Edmonton could be first city to allow phone-in committee meetings

Mike Nickel

• Mike's tweet
• Mike's Facebook post

State of Local Emergency

• Official Declaration
• Council Roundup: March 20, 2020
• What powers does the declaration of a state of local emergency provide?
• Don Iveson's tweet

Summer Festivals

• Edmonton's summer music festivals feel the uncertainty of pandemic
• JONES: Edmonton expected to lose major sporting events due to COVID-19 pandemic
• Edmonton's summer festival season in limbo due to COVID-19 outbreak
• COVID-19 - Northlands

Jasper Avenue

• Jasper Avenue construction moving ahead despite cancelled public meetings
• Jasper Avenue New Vision
• Mack in 2009: Jasper Avenue New Visions

Walking and Driving

• Is it safe to go for a walk?
• Mack's tweet
• Fewer drivers on Edmonton streets but they're speeding more than before, city says
• As buildings empty, Downtown Business Association asks Edmonton police for more patrols

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. Episode 67 is all about The Piazza Project in McCauley. We also highlighted all of the great podcasts that our fellow APN members are publishing during this pandemic.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundupevery week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

UAlberta President

• Former Queen's dean of law to become 14th president of the University of Alberta

Cannabis

• Edmonton police seizing and shutting down illegal cannabis websites

UAlberta Cuts

• University of Alberta to eliminate up to 1,000 positions in face of funding cuts

COVID-19: Transit Service

• News Release - Changes coming to transit service, low-income passes
• News Release - COVID-19 update: Changes to transit
• City Manager to bus passengers: “We heard you. We're responding quickly.”
• TransLink suspending all bus fares to promote social distancing
• OC Transpo brings in changes due to COVID-19
• Tweet from @BCTransit

COVID-19: Economic Impact

• Edmonton looking at property tax deferrals, Iveson says
• Tweet from @doniveson
• EPCOR: Update on COVID-19 for Our Canadian Customers
• OpenTable: State of the Industry

COVID-19: Emergency Declaration

• EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT
• COVID-19: Alberta legislature adjourns early Thursday, may sit through the weekend

COVID-19: Good News

• COVID-19: Edmonton tech industry seeks an hour of your wages for Food Bank
• Edmonton-developed app shows where supplies are available amid COVID-19 shortages
• COVID-19: Edmonton's Belmont Sobeys spurs nationwide seniors shopping hour
• Tweet from @aaronpaquette

COVID-19: Taproot's efforts

• Taproot Roundups
• COVID-19 in Edmonton

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about The Loop, a new podcast from CBC Edmonton. Welcome to the municipal podcasting scene! We also highlighted ATB's new customer relief program which aims to "help Albertans through these challenging times."

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundup every week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Alberta Parks

• Corbella: Alberta Parks are not for sale — not one square centimetre

New Journal Website

• Edmonton Journal launches new website

Identity Fraud

• Strive to keep your identity private, Edmonton police urge

COVID-19

• WHO COVID-19 situation dashboard
• Coronavirus vs. COVID-19
• COVID-19 coronavirus info for Albertans
• March 10: Seven new cases of COVID-19 confirmed
• Emergency Advisory Committee - Spring 2020 Update
• 'This isn't a sprint,' city manager tells Edmonton committee on COVID-19 preparations
• 'Agencies and institutions are working well together': Coronavirus dominates Edmonton emergency planning meeting
• Edmonton must prepare for possible supply-chain disruption caused by COVID-19, councillor says
• Edmonton event venues taking precautions amid coronavirus concerns
• March 4 Health Innovation Roundup: U of A researchers at the forefront of global response to COVID-19
• March 11 Health Innovation Roundup: U of A receives $2.4M in federal funding for 'rapid response' against COVID-19

Speed Limits

• Edmonton council votes to lower residential speed limit to 40 km/h
• Council endorses speed limit reductions to 40 km/hr
• Julie's tweet re: the structure of the motion
• Jeff's tweet re: vote on 30 km/h
• CommonSenseYEG's tweet re: vote on 40 km/h
• Councillor Nickel's tweet

Regional Transit

• 12 municipalities set to form new Regional Transit Services Commission

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked Snow and Tell, a new podcast from Winter City Edmonton that "explores how the right attitudes can uncover the opportunities and potential in winter cities." We also highlighted Park Power, "a provider of electricity and natural gas in Alberta that offers low rates, awesome service, and profit-sharing with local charities."

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundup every week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Vote for Troy

• Troy's tweet
• Top 40 Under 40 Nominations

New Costco

• New Costco location coming to west Edmonton

Draisaitl Erupts

• Draisaitl erupts for 4 goals, 5 points as Oilers steamroll Predators

Cannabis Stores

• Canadian cannabis retail store count (as of March 2)

Budget 2020

• Budget 2020
• Keith Gerein: Provincial budget offers little for Edmonton, other than relief it's not worse
• Kenney to Edmonton: Drop dead!
• Alberta Budget 2020: What does it mean for Edmonton?
• Kenney’s popularity dips below 50 per cent amid downward slide
• Alberta Budget 2020: This is no way to run a household.

Budget 2020: Economic Impacts

• Kenney’s budget says an Alberta rebound is coming, as government spending keeps shrinking
• Full-time losses hold back employment growth in January
• Thousands join budget-cut protest outside Alberta legislature
• NAIT plans to reduce staffing by up to 240 jobs
• NAIT to raise tuition by seven per cent in 2020-21
• Budget 2020: A 'strong' signal to job creators but with risk

Budget 2020: Affordable Housing

• Budget 2020: Edmonton mayor, councillors frustrated by lack of supportive housing in provincial budget
• Mayor Iveson Statement on Budget 2020

Short-Term Rentals

• Alberta government to add tourism levy to short-term rentals
• Edmonton residents urge city to crack down on short-term rentals
• AHLA Challenges Short-Term Rental Recommendations by YEG Administration - AHLA

Facial Recognition

• Officers used Clearview AI facial recognition technology, Edmonton Police Service admits
• Controversial Clearview AI facial recognition program used twice by city police: Privacy commissioner investigating
• Commissioner Comments on Edmonton Police Service’s Use of Clearview AI’s Facial Recognition Technology
• RCMP denied using facial recognition technology - then said it had been using it for months
• Edmonton police backtrack on StringRay surveillance statement

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about Inventures, "a chance to connect with the best and brightest in global innovation." It's hosted by Alberta Innovates and takes place in Calgary from June 3-5. We also highlighted Episode 66 of The Well Endowed Podcast by the Edmonton Community Foundation which features a day in the life with Alexis Hillyard, the creative force behind Stump Kitchen.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundup every week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Lotto Tickets

• Unclaimed: Two, million-dollar Lotto MAX tickets sold in Edmonton

Valley Line Southeast

• 'As soon as possible in 2021': Valley Line Southeast LRT construction falls slightly further off-track, city says in latest update

Liquor Store Thefts

• 'Same 50 stores': Police offering $250,000 for entrepreneurs able to reduce liquor store thefts

Speed Reduction

• Council Roundup: Feb. 21, 2020 - ten reports!
• Edmonton City Councillors already voted for and support residential speed reduction - Troy's video
• Opinion: A 30-km/h limit returns residential streets to all of us by Julie Kusiek
• Residential Speed Reductions Pt. 1 by Sarah Hamilton
• Councillors considering hybrid residential speed limit model, despite consistency concerns from the city
• Kirsten Goa's tweet on ambulance chasers
• Troy said something smart
• Artist creates traffic jams in Google Maps with a wagon full of phones
• Troy calls out Tim Cartmell
• Michael Walters tweets about the decision

Snow Removal

• Councillor calls for bike lanes to take a back seat on snow removal to get on residential roads faster

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about That's Food, a new podcast from CJSR that "explores the backstory to food in Edmonton, one meal at a time." The latest episode focuses on Taste of Edmonton. We also highlighted ATB Financial's support of hockey in Alberta. They help "teams across the province and the countless volunteers that make community hockey possible."

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundup every week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Alcohol Delivery

• SkipTheDishes launches alcohol delivery in Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray

Golf Course Food

• Homegrown hospitality group awarded food contract at municipal golf courses

Carbon Footprint

• Edmonton diner adds carbon footprint info to menu — and red meat is the worst offender

Regional Transit

• City of Edmonton votes to join new Regional Transit Services Commission
• Edmonton city council drives regional transit forward with unanimous vote
• Edmonton and St. Albert sign recreation agreement

Free Transit

• Free Transit Edmonton
• 'More connected and more just': Coalition launches campaign for free transit in Edmonton
• 'Open and accepting of all': Coalition calls for free transit in Edmonton
• Progress Report: Free transit for all

Snow Clearing

• Changing winters demands a change in approach to Edmonton snow clearing, councillor says

City vs. Province

• Iveson warns of 'phenomenal’ red tape if province gets between municipalities, Ottawa
• Daveberta Episode 48: An urban big city agenda in Alberta. Municipally Speaking with Mack Male

Speaking Municipally is a proud member of the Alberta Podcast Network, powered by ATB. This week we talked about SkirtsAfire, "Edmonton’s only multidisciplinary arts festival featuring and elevating the work of women." It takes place Feb. 27 to March 8 at venues in Old Strathcona, Downtown, and Alberta Avenue. We also highlighted Inventures, "a chance to connect with the best and brightest in global innovation." The conference runs June 3-5 in Calgary and is made possible by Alberta Innovates.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a home for curiosity-driven stories about our city, cultivated by the community. In addition to this podcast, Taproot publishes the Council Roundupevery week. Sign up to get it delivered by email for free.