Speaking Municipally

Bye bye Mr. Police Chief Guy

We have a third mayoral candidate as Coun. Tim Cartmell finally confirms he's running for mayor. And in a surprising announcement, Chief Dale McFee has announced his retirement from EPS, effective Feb. 21, 2025. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Cartmell running for mayor Is Tim Cartmell the Next Mayor of Edmonton? Edmonton Coun. Tim Cartmell running for mayor with new political party McFee retiring Chief McFee retires from the EPS Province to appoint more members to Edmonton Police ...

The fiscal gap makes for a SOBAring budget discussion

This week, budget season has begun. Troy and Stephanie guide you into the start of our year-end busy season, and explain how this will lead into next year's busy season, the election. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget Edmonton city council looks for cuts to lower 8.1 per cent tax hike eyed for 2025 Edmonton city councillors question travel budgets and spending on Calgary Stampede Election 9 candidates declare intention to run for Edmonton City Council City manager Edmonton cit...

Please stand clear of the vanishing doors

Taproot Edmonton reporter Colin Gallant joins us to discuss making Edmonton's housing more financially accessible, the Valley Line LRT's first anniversary, and the future of retail downtown. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Updates News Release: Fifth case of Dutch elm disease confirmed in Edmonton News Release: City launches Assisted Snow Removal Program Pilot City of Edmonton proposes 8.1% tax hike in 2025 to cover higher costs Housing How should Edmonton grow to make housing more...

There's no I in DIP

The Downtown Investment Plan remains a hot topic of discussion. This week, we speak with Shani Gwin, a Métis woman, downtown business owner, AI entrepreneur, and DBA board member, for her take. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Shani Gwin on LinkedIn pipikwan pêhtâkwan Downtown Investment Plan Downtown Investment Plan (PDF) News Release: DIP INTO DOWNTOWN: Solutions for Edmonton's Financial Future — Strategic Investment in Downtown (PDF) wâsikan kisewâtisiwin wâsikan kisewât...

Snow time like the present to talk about ice

This week, we're getting an early start on winter by talking about snow and ice control. We speak with Mark Beare and Val Dacyk from the City of Edmonton about service standards for clearing roadways and active pathways, how much people love the snow plow map, how big the snow clearing operation is, what it would take to clear sidewalks, where your tax dollars go, and much more. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Mark Beare on LinkedIn Valerie Dacyk on LinkedIn Snow and ice con...

Just one more downtown plan bro, I promise it’s the last one

A new report published by a coalition of business leaders calls for nearly $500 million of investment in Edmonton's downtown. We talk with the report's authors, Alexandra Hryciw and Jason Syvixay, about the action items, and what they hope to achieve. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Alexandra Hryciw on LinkedIn Downtown Revitalization Coalition Jason Syvixay on LinkedIn BILD Edmonton Metro Downtown Investment Plan Downtown Investment Plan (PDF) News Release: DIP INTO DOWNTOW...

If it's not from the Deficit region of Canada, it's just generic "fiscal gap"

Council heard more about the fiscal gap, though no action was taken yet. Plus, the latest transit ridership numbers, the Stadium Station redesign, whether to continue planting elm trees, and how this winter's approach to encampments will look a lot like last winter's despite increased need. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fiscal gap Edmonton seeking solutions to fix grim 'fiscal gap' Edmonton's Funding Dilemma: Collaboration Over Confrontation - Tim Cartmell Edmonton mayor's letter...

Taxes for you, but not for U CP

Edmonton is going to have to pay much more for elections, but we can't say why without risking a $787 million settlement. Plus, we've got some news about district planning. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Property tax Sohi launches campaign to ask province for more municipal support Edmonton, other municipalities ask province to pay its property taxes Fair Compensation Project Election costs On the agenda: Bill 20, district planning, 124 Street highrise The Alberta government banne...

Come for the risk-taking, stay for our sign

This week, we discuss the new Edmonton sign, a new poll about the mayor and city council, new crashes into the LRT, and a new report on Canada's municipalities. Plus, updates on ChargeStop, homelessness, and the 2021 mayoral race. Here are the relevant links for this episode: ChargeStop ChargeStop builds Canada's first dedicated EV station in Strathcona Edmonton sign News Release: How do you spell colour, light and sparkle? E-D-M-O-N-T-O-N! Troy's tweet Michelle Sound's post Michelle Sound Cryst...

A fair shake for fare gates faces delay

Council has decided to keep their representatives on the police commission, at least for now. Plus, we talk LRT station fare gates, EVs, bike lanes, and more. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission Edmonton won't remove city councillors from police commission, for now Alberta hiring CEO for 'massive' new agency to investigate complaints against police Fare gates Edmonton eyes two-year LRT fare gates pilot for Churchill and Belvedere stations On the agenda: Transit fare g...

13 months notice

This week, Mack and Stephanie speak with Coun. Andrew Knack about his decision not to seek re-election in next year's municipal election. They also discuss the city's $34 million budget shortfall. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andrew Knack @andrewknack Andrew Knack on LinkedIn The Toughest Decision I've Ever Made — Andrew Knack Budget City of Edmonton projecting $34M deficit for end of 2024 News Release: Statement on Q2 2024 Financial Update From the Taproot newsroom Vancouver an...

No photos, please

This week, the province has all but banned photo radar in Alberta. Plus, we have more problems with composting, and cars driving into trains. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission Edmonton city council to weigh police commission request to remove council positions from board Photo radar Not so fast: Edmonton non-profit, city councillor push back on proposed plan to restrict photo radar Valley Line LRT 15 collisions between vehicles and trains on Edmonton's Valley Line s...

Seniors passes won’t double. That’s Fare.

Council decided to stick with a smaller, previously-approved increase to transit fares, instead of asking for a big increase. We also discuss council procedures, BRT, shelter standards and locations, and the city's approach to major projects. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fringe wrap Edmonton Fringe $72K short of fundraising goal as festival draws to a close MHCare Medical Donates $58,000 to Support Fringe Council procedures Minutes for the item at the Aug. 20, 2024 city council ...

Putting Tom Cruise in charge of OP12

We interrupt your Fringe-ing to discuss proposed compensation for businesses along Stony Plain Road, a big budget shortfall and potential tax hike, transit fare increases, and the new owner of the Edmonton Elks. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Stony Plain rejection City council rejects grant program for Stony Plain Road businesses struggling through LRT work Scheduled LRT work complete on Stony Plain Road, but road to stay closed Budget shortfall Edmonton budget shortfall risks big...

BONUS: Speaking Municipally x This Is Edmonton

What RAM I gonna do with this old building?

We're back from our summer break! Council is also back, even though they still managed to make some headlines over the summer. We encourage you to check out the Fringe, debate the former Royal Alberta Museum, and consider potential changes to council procedures. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Fringe Edmonton Fringe facing $200K shortfall ahead of festival kickoff next week Jennifer Rice Edmonton Coun. Jennifer Rice seeks court orders to toss misconduct investigation and stop sanct...

Code of conduct yourself accordingly

This week, council wraps for the summer, but not before kicking the can on their code of conduct. Plus, it's easier to eat food from a truck and harder to get bear spray from a store. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Code of conduct 'Transparency is very, very important': Council rejects code of conduct updates Proposed bylaw would keep misdeeds by Edmonton city councillors secret Centennial Plaza News Release: New Centennial Plaza to add colour and vibrancy in the heart of downtown...

The real cup was the friends we made along the way

Game seven wasn't meant to be. That means that this is a boring politics podcast again and not a sports podcast. This week we discuss district plans, solar rebates, Warehouse Park, and the Edmonton Bike Park. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Game 7 downtown Oilers fall short of history as Panthers win Game 7 to capture 1st Stanley Cup title Edmonton businesses close early to let staff watch Oilers in Game 7 6 arrests made at Oilers Stanley Cup Game 7 watch party What impact has Roge...

Dragging them back

The Oilers are now two wins from the Stanley Cup. Plus, council is (kinda) talking about substantial completion, non-residential taxes, and compensation for disruption from major construction. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Substantial completion Urban Planning Committee: June 18, 2024 2023: Suburban sprawl costs Edmonton taxpayers more than infill: City report Non-residential taxes Council pushes to boost City of Edmonton's lagging industrial tax base On the agenda: Edmonton's sh...

A 242M Capital Line Item Increase

This week we discuss an updated capital budget, and a new train. Plus, the police commission declines to show up to a council meeting in this, the city of champions. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Police commission City councillors call relationship with Edmonton police commissioners 'unhealthy' and 'frustrating' Sean Amato's tweet thread Capital budget Edmonton council approves increase to $10.4B capital budget to build housing, renew roads and fix facilities Edmonton adds $262 m...

The police's urban planning department

Boyle Street has had the permit for its site revoked…again. Plus, the police have declined a public audit, and we'll talk about Sohi's polling numbers. Is it really that time already? Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guest: Jack Farrell @_jack_farrell Jack Farrell at St. Albert Gazette Boyle Street / CPTED Boyle Street denied permit to build south Edmonton overdose prevention site Permit denied for Wolf Den overdose prevention site in Edmonton Jack's tweet thread How EPS got involve...

Untangling the housing knot (LIVE)

A conversation at the summer institute of the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative about what Edmonton can and should do to contribute to the alleviation of the housing crisis. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Joshua Evans, associate professor of human geography at the University of Alberta and director of the Affordable Housing Solutions Lab Eric Rice , a writer and researcher working with Taproot to better understand Edmonton's housing ecosystem Housing links Canadian Ho...

An Accelerated discussion on housing

We're joined by Christel Kjenner, director of the housing action team at the City of Edmonton, to get an overview of what the city is doing about the housing crisis. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Christel Kjenner Christel Kjenner on LinkedIn November 2021: The future of affordable housing according to our Christel ball (Episode 154) Housing at the city Affordable Housing Strategy Housing Accelerator Fund Feb. 21, 2024: Building more homes that Canadians can afford in Edmonton Hou...

The Molson Canadian Tire Activity Plus® Recreation Centre Presented by Boston Pizza

There's a new task force on housing and homelessness. Plus, everything is a district, recreation centres will soon be sponsored, and we discuss police accountability. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Housing task force Edmonton mayor names 16-member task force to tackle housing and homelessness State of the City Clean energy retrofit Edmonton finalizes clean energy retrofit loans program Lauren Boothby's thread Police accountability Edmonton mayor disturbed by images of police respo...

The Queen of Nexopia

Summer is here, and it comes with the sale of a riverboat, scooters, and summer streets. Plus, council writes a very sternly worded letter to the province. It'll work this time, they promise! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Tim Querengesser Tim's work LinkedIn profile @TimQuerengesser Edmonton Riverboat Meet the new owners of the Edmonton Riverboat Summer streets and scooters PSA: Summer Streets gives Edmontonians safer spaces for outdoor fun Where are Edmonton's e-scooters? Bill 1...

Eddie's still here, and he's driving the bus

We speak with Eddie Robar, the interim city manager at the City of Edmonton, about what he plans to do for the time he'll be in the role. Since recording this episode, the Alberta government reversed its decision to cut its share of funding for low-income transit passes in Edmonton and Calgary following public backlash and discussions with the cities’ mayors. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Eddie Robar Eddie Robar on LinkedIn 2015: Halifax Transit Manager Eddie Robar latest city ex...

Will Edmonton lower their taxes? (Eight point) Nein

The spring budget adjustment has been finalized, and the final tax increase council arrived at was quite a bit higher than expected. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Spring SOBA On the agenda: Potential tax increases, Windsor Park rezoning, supportive housing News Release: City Council finalizes 2024 spring budget adjustments Edmonton sets 8.9 per cent property tax hike for 2024 Edmonton city council needs to have a 'firmer backbone' over budget: Tim Cartmell Erin Rutherford: Financ...

These aren't new plans, di-strictly speaking

A new draft district policy has been released. Plus, Edmonton has added 100,000 people in the past two years, and some councillors are questioning if we can handle that growth. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andre Corbould Former Edmonton City Manager Joins Danchilla Consulting District Policy News Release: City releases final draft of the District Policy and plans; offers information sessions Population growth Edmonton's population is booming and one city councillor wonders if we...

These budget gains are not working out

Administration has recommended an 8.7% tax increase for 2024 citing increasing cost pressures. And no, cutting bike lane funding won't fix that. Plus, we dig into transit oriented development, the nighttime economy, and bike lane infractions on 102 Avenue. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Spring budget adjustments April 11, 2024: City releases proposed spring operating budget adjustments Feb. 29, 2024: Statement on 2023 Financial Results Nov. 28, 2023: City Council confirms fall bud...

Gravelled paradise, put up a parking lot

Katz gets the parking lots of his dreams. Plus, we discuss city manager recruitment and Mayor Sohi’s response to the province's gracious offer to help stabilize the City of Edmonton’s finances. Here are the relevant links for this episode: City manager Eddie Robar named interim City of Edmonton manager while permanent replacement sought Adam Laughlin's post Sohi's letter Edmonton mayor asks Premier Danielle Smith to restore municipal funding Mayor Sohi's letter 'On standby to help': Alberta Prem...