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PODCAST

Speaking Municipally

Taproot Edmonton

Taproot Edmonton presents a weekly discussion on key stories in municipal politics. We pay attention to City Council so you don"t have to! Join us as we delve into conversations about the context surrounding decisions made at City Hall.

government

All Episodes

37:40

Will Edmonton lower their taxes? (Eight point) Nein

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/04/26

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 SOBAOn 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:

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38:43

These aren't new plans, di-strictly speaking

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/04/19

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 CorbouldFormer Edmonton City Manager Joins Danchilla ConsultingDistrict PolicyNews Release: City releases final draft of the District Policy and plans; offers information sessionsPopulation growthEdmonton's population is booming and one city councillor wonders if

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43:31

These budget gains are not working out

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/04/12

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 adjustmentsApril 11, 2024: City releases proposed spring operating budget adjustmentsFeb. 29, 2024: Statement on 2023 Financial ResultsNov. 28, 2023: City Council confirms fall

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35:32

Gravelled paradise, put up a parking lot

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/04/05

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 managerEddie Robar named interim City of Edmonton manager while permanent replacement soughtAdam Laughlin's postSohi's letterEdmonton mayor asks Premier Danielle Smith to restore municipal fundingMayor Sohi's letter'On standby to help': Alberta Premier

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39:34

Bye Bye Mr. Manager Guy

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/03/29

We dive into city manager Andre Corbould's resignation and why it will matter.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Andre CorbouldAndre 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 numbersAlberta claiming success with Edmonton navigation support centre, plans to

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34:46

Skip the meeting if you UCPlease

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/03/22

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 updateUnion for Edmonton city, library workers unveils salary increases in tentative dealCJHR updateAdvocacy group to pay City of Edmonton more than $11K in costs after failed encampment lawsuitGuest: Jeremy AppelThe Orchard@JeremyAppel1025Kenneyism: Jason

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34:49

Strike! Double! Turkey! ... Gutterball

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/03/15

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 landscapeSprouts of Hope in a Gloomy Media Landscape — The New York TimesStrike avoidedCity 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

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36:46

Shortchanging Edmonton: A Part of Our Heritage (fund)

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/03/08

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 budgetBudget 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

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39:22

The secret federal government plot to steal our river...

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/03/01

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

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32:22

Six rezonings, 10 bike routes, and 12 OPs

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/02/23

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:NASHStephanie's post with fellow presentersStephanie's post about getting your first job in journalismOP12Report offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goalsGeorge SpadyGeorge Spady looks to relocate detox program to

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48:58

Public spaces (just not for you, specifically)

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/02/16

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:GuestsOmar Yaqub of IFSSA | Islamic Family & Social Services AssociationCheryl Whiskeyjack of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing SocietyPublic Spaces BylawBylaw 20700 —

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54:45

Walking you through the downtown pedestrianization plan

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/02/09

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:GuestsJason SyvixayUDI-Edmonton MetroStephen RaitzPaths for PeoplePedestrianizationUDI'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

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35:22

Water we gonna talk about this week?

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/02/02

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 sheltersValley Line shelters give riders cold shoulderOP12 reallocationsReport offers council service cuts and new fees to meet OP12 goalsCity Hall updateCity cancels meetings after attack at city hallNews Release: City makes safe and steady progress on City

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35:07

Emergency Managed

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/01/26

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

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50:56

The Christmas Injunction

Speaking Municipally ·

2024/01/19

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 declaredEdmonton councillors approve Sohi's 'housing and houselessness emergency' declarationEdmonton's emergency motion: Minister McIverEdmonton city council's homeless emergency declaration

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38:49

Jeopardy 2023

Speaking Municipally ·

2023/12/15

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 MarshallLinkedInEdmonton man wins second place on Jeopardy!Sam PapuhaLinkedInEdmontonian Sam Papuha competes on JeopardyEmil TiedemannLinkedInEmil's booksSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories,

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32:16

There's Snow such thing as climate change

Speaking Municipally ·

2023/12/08

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 savingsCity of Edmonton saves $5 million due to scant snow-and-ice removal work on roadsWinter businesses grappling with unseasonably warm weather, lack of snow in EdmontonPSA: 'Catch air' and plan your experience to the Style Experience FIS Snowboard Big

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39:08

The Googleable podcast

Speaking Municipally ·

2023/12/01

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:BudgetNews Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustmentsEdmonton city council approves 6.6% property tax hike for 2024Jennifer Rice'Hostile work environment': Former staff accuse Edmonton city councillor of bullying amid high office

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37:04

Go Speed Racer Go!

Speaking Municipally ·

2023/11/24

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:BudgetOn the agenda: Budget adjustments and rezoningsHold me in abeyance: Your guide to budget terms and processesEdmonton city council kicks off 2024 budget debate7% tax hike on table as Edmonton city council begins 2024 budget debateEdmonton businesses urge

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36:55

The Dallas, Texas of the North

Speaking Municipally ·

2023/11/17

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 transitGroup asks Edmonton to rescind policy banning reporters from transitClearing stairsBlizzard of confusion blows over Edmonton's snow removal plans for park stairsTraffic safetyCan a Canadian city be a model for Dallas when it comes to road

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344 results

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