Speaking Municipally Taproot Edmonton

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.
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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 budget adjustmentsOct. 26, 2023: City releases fall budget adjustmentsPIA Statement on Taxes and Payments Owed to the City of EdmontonCouncillor Michael Janz: If the UCP reversed reductions, your property tax could be 7% lowerApril 23 City Council meeting agendaTOD analysis
As Ottawa pushes for density near transit, research shows Edmonton has challengesBike lane infractions
Bad driving or poor design? A downtown Edmonton intersection is a case studyNighttime economy
City plan looks to build dynamic, thriving nighttime economy in EdmontonExecutive committee reportCity of Edmonton invests up to $5 million to infuse new activity and vibrancy into the downtown coreHudson's patio
Edmonton pub's popular Whyte Ave patio stuck in 'nightmare' bureaucratic limboRapid fire
'I have a problem with all of it': Service Alberta minister sets sights on jumbo jugs of vodkaOSFM parking lot postHundreds watch eclipse at Edmonton observatoryThis episode was brought to you by the Edmonton Community Foundation which presents Estate Administration Week from April 15 to 19. With information sessions led by volunteer lawyers, the week will empower you to know what to do when you find yourself named the executor of a loved one's estate. The week culminates with a rousing game of Jeopardy! (Estate Administration Edition), led by estate lawyers Michael Simons and Allison Barkwell on April 19. All of the session are free — even Jeopardy!
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!


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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.
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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 Premier Danielle Smith concerned with turmoil at Edmonton city hallDanielle Smith says province 'ready to assist' with Edmonton's fiscal challenges as city manager exitsDavid Staples: Province considers move to 'audit and stabilize' the City of Edmonton, say government officialsApril 1st, 2024 - Councillor Michael JanzParking lots
Edmonton city council grants extension to agreement for surface parking lots near arenaAgenda item April 02, 2024EPark
News Release: New EPark mobile payment system easier, quicker and more convenientEdmonton switches parking payments to HotSpot from EParkReddit post: PSA: Cash out your MyEPark balanceCapital Line
News Release: City names preferred bidder for Capital Line South LRT constructionConstruction Notice - Demolition of former NAIT LRT StationPublic art
Edmonton's public art strategy moves past 1% solutionRapid fire
Lots of new animals are heading for your city, study suggestsCity of Edmonton and CSU 52 ratify new Collective AgreementOilers fan known as 'McMullet' drives 8 hours to watch every gameSpeaking 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!


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We dive into city manager Andre Corbould's resignation and why it will matter.
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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 expand to CalgaryHomeless people in Edmonton are dying at 8 times the rate as pre-pandemicRachel Notley says the permanent housing number is 5Glenora heritage
City halts project to protect Glenora's character and starts city-wide strategy83 Avenue pedestrianization
City recommends removing cars on 83 Avenue near farmers' marketOld Strathcona Public Realm StrategyResidential parking permit zones
Edmonton removing 15 residential parking permit zonesRapid fire
Treasurer who stole $160k from Edmonton preschool given 18 months in jailCity halts project to protect Glenora's character and starts city-wide strategySpringtime skunk invasion stinky but short-lived in EdmontonSpeaking 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!


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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.
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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 Kenney's Pursuit of PowerHamilton's absence
Edmonton city councillor Sarah Hamilton skipped out on council meeting to headline UCP fundraiserSarah Hamilton's statementEdmonton city councillor Hamilton's involvement in UCP fundraiser questionedCouncil Code of ConductMichael Janz endorsement of Sarah HoffmanKeith Gerein: What's behind Alberta's push into municipal parties?Day shelter funding
Bissell Centre likely to close day shelter space after city funding dries upBoyle Street to take over CHEW Project operationsRapid fire
PSA: City Hall re-opens to the publicJust add Nenshi, and it's a whole different Alberta NDP racePSA: City celebrates Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation DaySpeaking 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!


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We discuss the strike that was averted at the last minute, council compensation, an update on the ICE District parking lots.
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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 city council (PDF)Alberta public sector workers want big raises to match inflationStrike by city workers could mean big overtime bill as Edmonton police pressed into 911 serviceCouncil compensation
Edmonton city council gets automatic 2.4% raise in 2024, mayor makes more than Alberta's premierParking lots
City Council Public Hearing - March 11, 2024Rapid fire
News Release: City of Edmonton adds Commonwealth Recreation Centre to its growing number of solar installations'Dangerous' cave found in Edmonton's river valley was purposely dug out for shelter: policeMeet Rocky the Ram, the legislature's mascotSpeaking 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!


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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.
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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 lament overcrowding and high costsEdmonton boards welcome funding for school construction, but stress high enrolment numbersUCP Alberta Budget 2024 DisappointmentHomeless reception centre
Homeless reception centre generates big numbers as well as 'abject misery': advocateEdmonton mayor hopeful four-way meeting will lead to constructive homelessness work4 levels of government meet on Edmonton homelessness crisis for '1st time'City Hall
Edmonton city hall partially re-opens for private events, staff, some studentsAlberta RCMP say suspect in Edmonton city hall shooting was 'politically motivated'RCMP lay terrorism charges against Edmonton city hall shooting suspectChinatown Recovery Fund
City awards most of $1M Chinatown fund to securityKatz group parking
Katz Group wants to use controversial Downtown gravel parking lots until 20282016: Katz Group pushes money at city to help build parking lot in commercial zoneEPCOR water ban
Car washes unfairly targeted by Edmonton water ban, city councillors told at utility committee'Quite hard on our business': Car wash owners want compensation from Epcor after water banTweet from Tim CartmellRapid fire
Flair Airlines CEO looks to bid on Lynx planes after shutdown halts tentative mergerMinister Blair and Minister Boissonnault announce $45.3 million investment to upgrade facilities at Edmonton military base'She's a real inspiration': Edmonton woman celebrates 110th birthday SaturdayThis episode was brought to you by Inventures, the breakthrough innovation event from Alberta Innovates that is happening in Calgary from May 29 to 31. Inventures will bring more than 4,000 entrepreneurs, startups, scale-ups, academics, investors, and industry leaders together to cultivate relationships, showcase emerging technologies, and capitalize on Alberta's innovation advantage.
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!



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