Speaking Municipally

Coun. Sarah Hamilton has announced she will not seek re-election in the fall. We also discuss the pride flag issue between CSU52 and the Edmonton Public Library, transit safety and sounds, efforts to diversify Edmonton's trade beyond the United States, and why statues keep getting stolen.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Sarah Hamilton

• Coun. Sarah Hamilton's post
• Interview on Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen

Pride flags

• CSU52: Statement Re: EPL Directive to Remove Pride Flags from Public Areas
• Edmonton Public Library: No Directive to Remove Pride Flags
• Union says Pride flags banned at Edmonton libraries, library disputes claim

Transit safety

• Despite record ridership, many Edmontonians still don't think transit is safe, report shows
• Report recommends more peace officer presence at Edmonton transit stations

Transit sounds

• Artist creates sound experience at Edmonton transit centre
• Edmonton Arts Council | Sendero a lo Próximo (Path to the near)

Expanding trade

• Economic developer helps companies move export sights off U.S. and onto Japan, Mexico, Middle East

Stolen statues

• Statue of women's rights activist Emily Murphy vanishes from Edmonton park named after her
• Cut at the ankles: another statue goes missing from an Edmonton park
• 'Please bring them back': Plaques honouring First World War soldiers stolen from cemetery

From the Taproot newsroom

• Edmonton 'still not ready' as 2024 population growth exceeded even breakneck forecast: Knack
• Pouring a double: Trade mission to Japan and Cocktail Week boost beverage industry

Rapid fire

• Commonwealth Stadium field could be renamed Play Alberta Field
• Should Edmonton have an official bird? Voting underway to pick favourite flyer

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

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We discuss the potential renaming of the field at Commonwealth Stadium, a recommendation to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, another Edmonton Public School Board trustee resignation, and the new ICE District deal. Plus, we talk about the Energy City Cactus Rats, ETS merchandise, and more.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Commonwealth Stadium field

• Commonwealth Stadium field could be renamed Play Alberta Field

Adopting heat pumps

• Council urged to accelerate adoption of heat pumps

ICE District deal

• Here's what's in Edmonton's draft deal with province for OEG event park and private development
• Public benefit questioned as Edmonton eyes 10-year extension of Downtown CRL

EPSB resignations

• EPSB trustee resigns due to 'current political environment'
• Coun. Erin Rutherford's post
• Edmonton public school trustees face increased workload after another resignation
• EPSB superintendent Darrel Robertson to retire

Cactus Rats

• A New Energy in Baseball
• Previous name options

ETS merchandise

• Wearing your love of Edmonton: Limited ETS and other YEG-themed merch for sale

Rapid fire

• Trouble in Gretzkyville: For the first time, The Great One finds himself shunned by Edmonton fans
• Computing science professor wins 'Nobel Prize in computing'

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

A new committee of council has been born (or, at least, is in utero). Plus, Bridgegate both continues and concludes, council has approved the Nordic spa in the river valley, and the province's CorruptCare scandal (allegedly) reaches the city.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Bridgegate

• City releases schedule of Edmonton's bridge renewals for 2025
• Puneeta McBryan's LinkedIn post
• Downtown Revitalization Coalition's LinkedIn post

Infrastructure committee

• Council report
• Coun. Aaron Paquette speaks at council meeting about misinformation

Nordic spa

• Edmonton city council approves rezoning application for nordic spa development
• Top of Bank Policy
• Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue

CorruptCare (allegedly) reaches the city

• UCP Placed Mraiche Business Partner on Edmonton Police Commission

From the Taproot newsroom

• Hydrogen HUB enters 'activation phase' with new leader
• Varme Energy brings in CEO from Norway for first-of-its-kind facility
• Boyle Street creates artist residency to prioritize arts programming for marginalized clients

Rapid fire

• Edmonton's Emily Murphy Park statue stolen leaving nothing but her shoes

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

You may have heard that several bridges will be closed at once, but is that true? We dig into bridge maintenance planned for the next few years. We also discuss new bus priority measures, Lime's winter cycling pilot, an audit of DATS, and the upcoming wildfire season.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Bridge maintenance

• No, five bridges in downtown are not closing all at once
• Opinion: Perfect storm of bridge closures will devastate Downtown
• Edmonton business group urges bridge construction pause fearing Downtown backslide from snarled traffic
• Downtown biz group worries Edmonton bridge construction crunch could hurt city's core

Bus priority measures

• Major streets set to change to give buses priority

Lime winter pilot

• Lime brings e-bikes back to Edmonton early for winter pilot program

Wildfire season

• City of Edmonton adds proactive measures to wildfire protection plan
• Edmonton creating wildfire strategy as part of emergency management plan

DATS audit

• Improvements coming to Edmonton's accessible transit service, following audit

From the Taproot newsroom

• Fringe historian to document Edmonton theatre history
• Check the Label app could 'push our politicians' as tariff threat grows, Punchcard says

Rapid fire

• Alberta cold snap breaks more records as deep freeze set to recede Thursday
• Edmonton looks to impress as potential expansion destination by hosting PWHL neutral-site game

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

We follow up on the Public Spaces Bylaw, accelerating construction on the Valley Line West LRT, and the introduction of two new commissioners for the Edmonton Police Commission. Plus, the City of Leduc proposes to annex land from Leduc County, and we wrap up our Edmonton Food Faves series.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Public Spaces Bylaw

• Speakers urge city councillors to ditch proposed public spaces bylaw
• Edmontonians share concerns that public spaces bylaw targets city's most vulnerable
• Public spaces bylaw: Edmonton police officers want clear rules, advocates fear harms to vulnerable

Valley Line West LRT

• Edmonton city council approves plan to speed up LRT construction
• Edmonton fast-tracking LRT road work using full road closures
• Stony Plain Road businesses dreading expedited construction plan for Valley Line West LRT
• Major road closures planned for Valley Line LRT west this year
• On the agenda: Public spaces bylaw, Valley Line West construction

Edmonton Police Commission

• Alberta picks two new Edmonton police commissioners amid probe sparked by chief's complaint of 'bias' in city appointees
• Edmonton police asked Alberta to intervene after city council appointed two commissioners. Documents show past criticism and allegations of 'bias' drove the request.
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's photo

Leducsiana Purchase

• City of Leduc eyes southern boundary expansion with plan to annex nearly 2,500 hectares
• County responds to City of Leduc's intent to annex lands
• Regional Roundup: Feb. 12, 2025

Edmonton Food Faves

• EdmontonFoodFaves.ca
• Printable passport PDF
• 2022 edition
• Linda Hoang
• Sharon Yeo

From the Taproot newsroom

• Major streets set to change to give buses priority
• Upcycler helps Kuma give old tents new life
• Intercultural pop-up part of Feed the Soul's evolution

Rapid fire

• Edmonton police officers return to 6 public schools, more than 4 years after division halted program
• Enjoy the new sloth exhibit at the Edmonton Valley Zoo

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

City council heard about potential tariffs and how they might affect our city. Plus, the Edmonton Design Committee could be expanding its mandate, and we look at how construction on the Valley Line West LRT might accelerate.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Tariffs

• Edmonton city council, business leaders talk tariff strategy as administrators review contracts
• Mayor, province point fingers after Trump adviser singles out Edmonton's drug crisis
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi's thread
• Coun. Tim Cartmell's post
• Coun. Andrew Knack's post
• Nov. 30, 2022: Operating Budget Amendment 83

Edmonton Design Committee

• Edmonton Design Committee could review more developments in future
• Edmonton Design Committee

Valley Line West LRT

• Feb. 11, 2025: Valley Line West 2025 Roadway Construction Options and Impacts
• Valley Line West LRT

Edmonton Food Faves

• EdmontonFoodFaves.ca
• Printable passport PDF
• 2022 edition
• Linda Hoang
• Sharon Yeo

From the Taproot newsroom

• Cloverdale Coffee helps add amenities in river valley, proponent says
• Specialty food chains chart ambitious growth across region
• Project aims to cultivate community and canopy in McCauley

Rapid fire

• Edmonton bans sale of knives in convenience stores after council passes bylaw
• Drivers frustrated by pay parking in Edmonton since app change

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

We examine the updated Public Spaces Bylaw, which will be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting. Plus, an update on affordable housing on surplus school sites, and how artificial intelligence is beginning to integrate into municipal work.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Public Spaces Bylaw

• Here's why Edmonton may ban or limit public behaviours including drug use, panhandling and protests
• News Release: Edmonton first in Canada to consolidate municipal bylaws to protect inclusion, enable public safety, eliminate redundancies
• Community and Public Services Committee - Feb. 10, 2025
• Episode 251: Public spaces (just not for you, specifically)
• Feb. 2024: Public space bylaws can't fix what community can, advocates say
• Ashley Salvador AMA on Reddit

Surplus school sites

• Residents object to parcel of community park being designated as surplus, developed for housing
• 'We have a need': Edmonton city council debates affordable housing sites

Water and AI

• On the agenda: EPCOR Water Services operational plan
• Engineers Used 'Frozen' Animation Code to Solve Dyatlov Pass Mystery

Edmonton Food Faves

• EdmontonFoodFaves.ca
• Printable passport PDF
• 2022 edition
• Linda Hoang
• Sharon Yeo

From the Taproot newsroom

• Flying Canoë Volant wants to transition to a 'culture of contribution'
• Second payment system in three years always part of plan, ETS head says
• Intent Coffee team returns with Balay Coffee pop-up
• Business Roundup: Jan. 31, 2025

Rapid fire

• Danielle Smith announces new Crown corporation to oversee Alberta's rainy day fund
• Alberta pension manager fires 19 employees, including DEI program lead
• Fast-growing pickleball clubs short on space pitch new facilities in the Edmonton region

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

We discuss the 76 Avenue redevelopment, the latest police commission appointments, the end of the EMRB, and a well-known West Edmonton Mall record, which may not be a record at all. Plus, we have a new segment exploring Edmonton Food Faves.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

West Edmonton Mall

• Reddit thread about the parking lot record

Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board

• 'Bittersweet' end of the EMRB opens door to 'next iteration' of regional partnership
• November 2024: The EMRB is not to be

76 Avenue

• 'Bold' vision for 76 Ave calls for rerouting vehicle traffic

Edmonton Police Commission

• 'Dysfunctional': Alberta will launch inquiry into Edmonton city council's choice of police commissioners after letter from Chief McFee
• Province to probe appointments to Edmonton police commission, citing 'alleged dysfunction'
• 'Very problematic': Edmonton Mayor Sohi questions police request for provincial probe into commission appointments
• Statement from Commissioner Jones
• LinkedIn post from Renee Vaugeois
• Edmonton police asked Alberta to intervene after city council appointed two commissioners. Documents show past criticism and allegations of 'bias' drove the request.
• Temitope Oriola: Let's take politics out of Edmonton police oversight

Edmonton Food Faves

• EdmontonFoodFaves.ca
• Printable passport PDF
• 2022 edition
• Linda Hoang
• Sharon Yeo

From the Taproot newsroom

• Business Roundup: Jan. 24, 2025
• How can Nenshi run for an Edmonton seat while living in Calgary?

Rapid fire

• Again?! Alberta's top baby names hold their crown
• Oilers' McDavid doesn't agree with suspension, but ready to move on
• Mark Carney launches Liberal leadership campaign in Edmonton

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

We're joined by the no-longer-interim city manager, Eddie Robar, to discuss his role, the city's finances, the year ahead, and the upcoming municipal election.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Guest: Eddie Robar

• Eddie Robar on LinkedIn
• Episode 262: Eddie's still here, and he's driving the bus
• Eddie's post on LinkedIn about taking over the role
• Budget pressures top of mind for Edmonton's new city manager
• Keith Gerein: Edmonton's city manager the safe choice for a risky time

Workforce

• City of Edmonton planning to sell 2 downtown office buildings, relocate hundreds of staff

Carbon emissions

• Report suggests Edmonton's emissions are decreasing too slowly
• Edmonton fails to meet climate targets 2 years after launching carbon budget

From the Taproot newsroom

• Magpie, chickadee, and blue jay battle to be Edmonton's City Bird
• A comedy lab for clowns and street performers rises from pandemic ashes
• As province pushes data centres, Edmonton operator says challenges await
• 'The fundamentals are there' Stevenson says of Blatchford after 2024 progress

Rapid fire

• Edmonton transit to start testing tap credit and phone payments with new ARC reader rollout
• Edmonton council gets automatic 3% salary raise but mayor pledges to return portion to city

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Three branch managers from the City of Edmonton square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Carrie Hotton-MacDonald

• Branch Manager, Edmonton Transit Service
• LinkedIn

Pascale Ladouceur

• Branch Manager, Infrastructure Planning & Design
• LinkedIn

Cate Watt

• Branch Manager, Assessment and Taxation
• LinkedIn

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!