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 LinkedIn2015: Halifax Transit Manager Eddie Robar latest city...

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 housingNews Release: City Council finalizes 2024 spring budget adjustmentsEdmonton sets 8.9 per cent property tax hike for 2024Edmonton city council needs to have a 'firmer backbone' over budget: Tim CartmellErin Rutherford:...

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 ConsultingDistrict Policy News Release: City releases final draft of the District Policy and plans; offers information sessionsPopulation growth Edmonton's population is booming and one city councillor wonders if...

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 adjustmentsFeb. 29, 2024: Statement on 2023 Financial ResultsNov. 28, 2023: City Council confirms fall...

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 soughtAdam Laughlin's postSohi's letter Edmonton mayor asks Premier Danielle Smith to restore municipal fundingMayor Sohi's letter'On standby to help': Alberta...

We dive into city manager Andre Corbould's resignation and why it will matter. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Andre Corbould Andre Corbould is out as Edmonton's city managerEdmonton city hall's top bureaucrat is gone — how did we get here?David Staples: Province considers move to 'audit and stabilize' the City of Edmonton, say government officialsCoun. Erin Rutherford responseNavigation centre numbers Alberta claiming success with Edmonton navigation support centre, plans to...

Coun. Sarah Hamilton found herself in hot water for speaking at a UCP fundraiser instead of attending a council meeting. We talk with Jeremy Appel of The Orchard who broke the story. Here are the relevant links for this episode: CSU52 update Union for Edmonton city, library workers unveils salary increases in tentative dealCJHR update Advocacy group to pay City of Edmonton more than $11K in costs after failed encampment lawsuitGuest: Jeremy Appel The Orchard@JeremyAppel1025Kenneyism: Jason...

We discuss the strike that was averted at the last minute, council compensation, an update on the ICE District parking lots. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Media landscape Sprouts of Hope in a Gloomy Media Landscape — The New York TimesStrike avoided City and Civic Services Union 52 reach a tentative agreementTentative deal reached with City of Edmonton, workers' union saysTim Cartmell's tweetCity council's statementCSU52's tweetTroy's Tik Tok video / Reddit postJoint letter to...

We dig into the provincial budget and how it affects Edmonton. Plus, the Katz Group wants an extension for its gravel parking lots, and critics question the effectiveness of the homeless reception centre. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Provincial budget Budget 2024: Alberta commits funding towards Edmonton's LRT projects, increased police presence, sheltersAlberta hitting pause on South Edmonton Hospital, health minister saysUCP details education budget as school officials...

This week, we discuss City Plan measurements, the National Urban Park initiative, a looming CSU52 vote on the city's "best and final" offer, and the implications of ending EndPovertyEdmonton. Correction: We incorrectly stated that outgoing EndPovertyEdmonton executive director Erick Ambtman is a current member of the Edmonton Police Commission. In fact, his last meeting as a commissioner was on Nov. 16, 2023. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Shout-out! Sugared and SpicedCity...

This week, OP12 returned and council appears to be a bit more bearish on the idea. Plus, we learn more about the bike routes being built in 2024, and there are six rezonings testing the limits of the new zoning bylaw. Here are the relevant links for this episode: NASH Stephanie's post with fellow presentersStephanie's post about getting your first job in journalismOP12 Report offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goalsGeorge Spady George Spady looks to relocate detox program...

The draft Public Spaces Bylaw goes to council amid plenty of opposition. We talk with Omar Yaqub of IFSSA and Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow about the potential impact of the bylaw on marginalized communities. Plus, the Katz Group is suing Boyle Street over a $5 million donation. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Omar Yaqub of IFSSA | Islamic Family & Social Services AssociationCheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing SocietyPublic Spaces Bylaw Bylaw 20700...

The downtown pedestrianization report finally went through committee, so we talk with Jason Syvixay and Stephen Raitz, two of the shepherds that guided it through. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Jason SyvixayUDI-Edmonton MetroStephen RaitzPaths for PeoplePedestrianization UDI's LinkedIn postStephen's interview on 630 CHEDPaths for People: Downtown pedestrianizationAction Plan (PDF)New nine-step plan aims to improve pedestrian experience in downtown EdmontonEpisode...

Valley Line users were left out in the cold when doors didn't function and heat wouldn’t turn on. Plus, EPCOR really leads the OP12 savings charge by cutting off everyone’s water! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Valley Line shelters Valley Line shelters give riders cold shoulderOP12 reallocations Report offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goalsCity Hall update City cancels meetings after attack at city hallNews Release: City makes safe and steady progress on...

An emergency management committee meeting was punctuated with an actual emergency at City Hall. Plus, several things are on the way out: the downtown farmers market, the name "Oliver", and Adam Laughlin. Here are the relevant links for this episode: City Hall Incident 'Heavily armed' man arrested after shots fired, Molotov cocktail thrown in Edmonton city hall'Heavily armed' suspect acted alone in Edmonton City Hall shooting: policeCity Hall shooter chargedPolice charge man after attack on...

City council has declared a housing and houselessness emergency, and a judge has thrown out a lawsuit against the city's dismantling of encampments. We dig into the debate and look back at a month of encampment clearing and shelter space counting. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Emergency declared Edmonton councillors approve Sohi's 'housing and houselessness emergency' declarationEdmonton's emergency motion: Minister McIverEdmonton city council's homeless emergency declaration...

This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Edmonton's two actual Jeopardy contestants and the author of The Ultimate Edmonton Trivia Book square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy! Here are the relevant links for this episode: Kyle Marshall LinkedIn Edmonton man wins second place on Jeopardy! Sam Papuha LinkedIn Edmontonian Sam Papuha competes on Jeopardy Emil Tiedemann LinkedIn Emil's books Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven...

Amid several high-profile instances of transit violence, the discussion around turnstiles is being recycled. Plus, the Valley Line Southeast LRT doubles its frequency — at least sometimes. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Snow savings City of Edmonton saves $5 million due to scant snow-and-ice removal work on roads Winter businesses grappling with unseasonably warm weather, lack of snow in Edmonton PSA: 'Catch air' and plan your experience to the Style Experience FIS Snowboard...

The federal government has reached a deal with Google to pay Canadian media companies. We'll see if Taproot makes the cut. Meanwhile, city council makes a cut to the proposed budget adjustment increase. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget News Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustments Edmonton city council approves 6.6% property tax hike for 2024 Jennifer Rice 'Hostile work environment': Former staff accuse Edmonton city councillor of bullying amid high office...

Budget deliberations are underway at city council, and the province has all but banned photo radar. Plus, we get a new police commissioner who looks a lot like an old police commissioner. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Budget On the agenda: Budget adjustments and rezonings Hold me in abeyance: Your guide to budget terms and processes Edmonton city council kicks off 2024 budget debate 7% tax hike on table as Edmonton city council begins 2024 budget debate Edmonton businesses...

Reporters in Dallas, Texas have described Edmonton as the Land of Oz thanks to our scramble crosswalks. Plus, we discuss snow clearing on stairs, new community leagues, and budget chicken. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Media on transit Group asks Edmonton to rescind policy banning reporters from transitClearing stairs Blizzard of confusion blows over Edmonton's snow removal plans for park stairsTraffic safety Can a Canadian city be a model for Dallas when it comes to road...

Recorded on the Valley Line Southeast LRT! We're joined by ETS branch manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, councillors Anne Stevenson and Ashley Salvador, new Taproot Edmonton managing editor Tim Querengesser, and several others. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Guests Carrie Hotton-MacDonald Anne Stevenson Ashley Salvador Mike Kunicki Tim Querengesser New managing editor Meet Taproot Edmonton's new managing editorValley Line Southeast LRT Valley Line Southeast LRT opening Nov....

A proposal to use Downtown CRL funding for office to residential conversions could delay other important projects, and we dig into recent updates on Blatchford. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Downtown pedestrianization New pedestrian plan to promote engagement in the Downtown core Downtown Pedestrianization Plan (PDF) Office conversions Edmonton may use renewal funds for office to residential conversionsPolice funding Capital Budget AdjustmentsEvent attraction Motion...

The Valley Line Southeast LRT will begin passenger service on Nov. 4, and there's going to be a party. Plus, we discuss the more than two dozen subsequent motions made following approval of the new zoning bylaw. Here are the relevant links for this episode: Valley Line Southeast LRT News Release: Valley Line Southeast LRT opening November 4 Edmonton's Valley Line Southeast LRT set to open Nov. 4 Zoning Bylaw Renewal News Release: Edmonton has a new rulebook for development for the first...