Speaking Municipally – Details, episodes & analysis

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 meeting

Transit costs

• Edmonton to fill $10M gap in revenue to keep low-income transit program
• Edmonton transit may double monthly costs for seniors in 2025 with steep hikes for ARC and cash fares
• Edmonton mayor wants Alberta government's help to keep low-income transit program afloat

BRT

• Q&A: Could bus rapid transit improve Edmonton's transit system?

Project management

• No New Projects Without A New Management Approach — Tim Cartmell
• Minutes for the item at the Aug. 20, 2024 city council meeting
• Project Management Audit (March 2022) — Andrew Knack

Shelter standards

• Opinion: Full picture needed on encampment debate
• On the agenda: Transit fare increase, shelter standards, affordable housing
• Edmonton councillors say heavy industrial areas not suitable for homeless shelters
• Where should new shelters go in Edmonton?

630 CHED

• Corus Entertainment's 630 CHED moving up the AM dial
• Corus Entertainment 'aggressively' cutting costs, laying off more employees as revenue slumps

From the Taproot newsroom

• Taproot launches an Events Roundup
• Alberta oil to become carbon fibre in new Edmonton facility
• Edmonton is a city filled with stones, bones, and ancient history
• Events promote women and girls to throw TDs or drop in

Rapid fire

• Alberta premier reveals plans to transfer hospitals away from AHS
• PSA: Police commission member recruitment underway
• Here's how Edmonton's commute time stacks up against other Canadian spots

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!

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 bigger property tax hike in 2025, city warns

Transit fares

• Edmonton planning to hike transit fares next year to make up for $13M budget shortfall

Edmonton Elks

• New Edmonton Elks owner says classic 'EE' logo to drive the team's branding
• New Edmonton Elks owner says classic 'Double E' logo to drive the team's branding

Jennifer Rice

• Court order stops misconduct sanction hearing for Edmonton Coun. Jennifer Rice until judicial review

Tim Cartmell

• Edmonton councillor wants project management overhaul, claiming delays and 'wasted dollars'

From the Taproot newsroom

• How a bison head helped change the Pioneers Cabin into the Bison Lodge
• Edmonton Global's listening tour will lead to change: Bruce

Rapid fire

• Take a Risk: It's the Most Fringe Thing You Can Do
• Back to light: The historic Western Cycle neon sign is up in Edmonton again
• Tony Caterina's comment on Facebook

This episode is brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider (and title sponsor of Taproot's Regional Roundup). Park Power offers electricity, natural gas, and internet to homes, businesses, and farms throughout Alberta. Learn more at parkpower.ca.

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!

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

Housing context

• Calgary population surges by staggering 6%, Edmonton by 4.2% in latest StatsCan estimates
• Lack of clarity in district plans could erode trust, councillors say
• Edmonton mayor names 16-member task force to tackle housing and homelessness
• Housing advocates say big money is transforming rental markets. And Alberta could be a poster child
• New standard could help shift Edmonton's growth pattern
• Fifteen years after the original strategy, Edmonton has a new plan for homelessness

Rapid fire

• The 'Redmonton' party no more: Alberta NDP's base has shifted to Calgary
• Edmonton Fringe raises $100,000 in donations, unveils 2024 theme
• Troy's tweet

See us in person!

• May 30: Speaking Municipally Live: Untangling the housing knot at the Foundry Room

This episode is brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider (and title sponsor of Taproot's Regional Roundup). Park Power offers electricity, natural gas, and internet to homes, businesses, and farms throughout Alberta. Learn more at parkpower.ca.

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:

Electric scooters

• Edmonton introduces new rules for e-scooter providers

Snow budget

• Edmonton city councillors agree snow removal budget needs boost

Avian flu

• Edmonton Valley Zoo moves birds away from public sight to protect against deadly avian flu

Guest: Paula Simons

• Senator Paula Simons
• @Paulatics
• Wikipedia page
• Podcast pick: Alberta Unbound

Paula's inquiry

• Challenges and Opportunities of Canadian Municipalities
• YouTube: The relationship between the federal government and municipalities
• Senator Éric Forest's remarks

Paula's walk

• Janes Walk: Curating Alberta, Sat, 7 May 2022 at 3:00 PM

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 which tells the stories of how endowment funds intersect with the community. Episode 121 looks at A Taste of Ramadan, an event that provided food and entertainment to hundreds of Edmontonians earlier this month. We also talked about NorthwestFest, the international documentary festival that is returning in cinema and online this May.

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:

Most affordable

• What a flex: Edmonton named one of the most affordable cities in the world

Rotten eggs

• Edmonton residents concerned about gas odour from Imperial Oil refinery

Pride corner

• A busy intersection in Edmonton has been dominated by homophobic street preachers for years

Guest: Anne Stevenson

• @edmonton_anne
• Ward O-day'min Councillor

Police commission

• Op-ed from EPC chair John McDougall: Edmonton police have a duty to keep protests safe
• Commission should question police about fatal shooting, says criminologist
• Opinion: Edmonton Police Commission's role isn't defending police action
• Tweet from Alayne Sinclair
• Council looks to make police commission bigger amid calls for better oversight

Governance stuff

• Police Act
• Edmonton Police Commission Bylaw (PDF)
• Edmonton Police Commission Policies

Other links

• Heart of YEG Safe Walk
• Council privately quashes recommended audit of Edmonton policing
• Integrity commissioner dismisses police association's complaint against councillor
• The Progress Report has filed a discreditable conduct complaint against Chief McFee

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

This week we highlighted the Alberta Podcast Network itself, which builds audiences for Alberta-made podcasts and connects those listeners to Alberta-based businesses, organizations, and community partners. Advertising with the network can be a great way to reach Albertans! 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:

Participatory budgeting

• Edmonton councillors offering $50k in grants through 'participatory budgeting'

Group sale

• Group of property owners selling 10-lot block near Edmonton's river valley

Critical race theory

• 'A political football': Concern over Alberta's premier pushing U.S.-style views on school curriculum
• Education Minister Adriana LaGrange's response

Guest: Trisha Estabrooks

• @TrishEstabrooks
• Ward D Trustee

City plan and schools

• Edmonton City Plan
• Dr. Anne Anderson Community Centre
• Ever Active Schools
• Edmonton Catholic, public schools expand shared busing program to save money

Growth pressures

• Ten-Year Facilities Plan 2023-2032
• Edmonton Public Schools facing mounting enrolment pressures
• 'We have been passed over for new builds': Edmonton Public School Division needs more locations

Board governance

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

Other links from the discussion

• Division Feedback Survey
• Edmonton Public Schools seeks feedback on calendar revamp
• Edmonton Public Schools trustee tables notice of motion asking for government support for incoming refugee students
• Alberta to spend $72 million to expand charter schools

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

This week we highlighted NorthwestFest — Canada's longest-running non-fiction film festival — which is back in hybrid form this year, running IN CINEMA from May 6th to the 14th, and ONLINE from May 5th to 15th. We also talked about Overdue Finds, an Edmonton Public Library podcast featuring conversations about books, movies, music, pop culture, and other great things happening 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!

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

77 trees

• 'It's a bummer': Edmonton chops 77 trees near cemetery for new sidewalk, bike lanes

Ditch the draft

• Protesters call for Alberta government to scrap K-6 draft curriculum

AHS CEO

• Dr. Verna Yiu out as president and CEO at Alberta Health Services

Michael Janz

• @michaeljanz
• Meet the councillors: Sarah Hamilton and Michael Janz look forward to team-building

Ashley Salvador

• @AshleyASalvador
• Meet the councillors: Keren Tang and Ashley Salvador identify key priorities as they begin their terms

Links from the discussion

• Curbing Excessive Executive Compensation
• Fire, police team up to extinguish growing problem of suspicious fires in northeast Edmonton
• 2019: City may back out of suburban development biz, council votes

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

This week we highlighted ATB, which was built to help Alberta businesses. Be sure to check out The Future Of, a podcast hosted by ATB's chief economist, Todd Hirsch. We also spoke about The Well Endowed Podcast from the Edmonton Community Foundation. Episode 119 looks at how The Dash Fund helps keep the memory of a very special pet alive while supporting pets in need.

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:

Praise for us

• Chris On A Bike's tweet
• Lisa Brown's tweet

Wastewater counts

• Wastewater COVID-19 counts rising in Edmonton and Calgary

Iveson's new gig

• News release: Co-operators appoints former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson as executive advisor for climate investing and community resilience

Carbon tax

• Alberta legislature to debate motion calling on Ottawa to stop carbon tax increases

Downtown recovery

• Downtown Dining Week returns as workers come back to the core
• The Five-Day Workweek Is Dying
• News release: City continues to drive growth and job creation alongside economic partners

Old Strathcona parking lot

• Old Strathcona parking lot sparks debate on how Edmonton leases public lands

Vision Zero Street Lab

• Victoria Promenade survey
• Conrad Nobert's tweet
• Daniel Morin's tweet

100th Street bridge

• Conrad's tweet

Clean energy improvement program

• PSA: Applications open for Clean Energy Improvement Program
• PSA: Overwhelming response to Clean Energy Improvement Program Pilot
• Edmonton pilot program to help homeowners with green upgrades

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

This week we highlighted ATB, which offers expert and practical advice in everyday banking, and investment planning expertise and management services with ATB Wealth. 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:

The river

• Why does Edmonton's water smell a bit funky?
• Walking on ice can be a life or death decision

Red Deer

• Further IIHF event updates
• UCP leadership to be decided by mail-in ballot, Jean accuses Kenney camp of cheating

NFTs

• Edmonton lays claim to world's first NFT book, written by Todd Babiak and donated to the EPL
• World's first book published as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) Available to Borrow Exclusively at the Edmonton Public Library

Mask bylaws

• Edmonton city council rejects mandating masks at recreation centres

Public washrooms

• City of Edmonton closes nearly all public washrooms in transit stations to reduce drug poisoning risk
• Feb. 22 agenda item
• 2021 Alberta drug poisoning stats
• How public washrooms help make a city work well

Jennifer Rice

• Troy's tweet

Progress Report

• Mack's tweet thread
• The Edmonton Police are trying to silence us, it won't work
• The Progress Report has filed a discreditable conduct complaint against Chief McFee

EVER Square

• Calgary Trail development gets zoning go-ahead but without bike paths some councillors wanted
• Agenda item
• EVER Square

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

This week we highlighted the Edmonton Community Foundation and its podcast, The Well Endowed Podcast. The ECF acts as a bridge between donors and charities to create a strong, vibrant community for generations to come. Departing CEO Martin Garber-Conrad spoke with Bloom recently about how the philanthropic innovation that started under his leadership will carry on into the future.

We also talked about The Future Of, a podcast from ATB that promises to give you insights to help navigate what is often an uncertain future. Hosted by ATB's 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:

Bike lanes

• 102 Avenue bike lanes closed at 116 Street for EPCOR repairs, groups call for more consultation

Charter schools

• Budget 2022: Investing in school choice

Abdullah Shah

• Notorious landlord Abdullah Shah fatally shot outside Edmonton home

Carrie Hotton-MacDonald

• LinkedIn
• Episode 120: Speaking with the new ETS Branch Mandaringer

Smart fare

• Arc (formerly Smart Fare)

Ridership and recovery

• Operating budget update for 2021
• Alberta steps up with $79.5M transit money for struggling cities, matches federal funds

Bus network redesign

• Report for March 23

Regional transit

• Edmonton city councillors question cost, routes of regional transit system
• Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission
• EMTSC presentation to council

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

This week we highlighted fellow APN member Three Kitchens, a home cooking podcast released every Tuesday with recipes, tips and kitchen adventures. 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!