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: Financial stewardship is more than keeping taxes lowOpinion: Don't blame bike lanes for Edmonton's property tax hikeJoint Letter - Spring 2024 Supplemental Operating Budget AdjustmentPolice recruitmentAttrition is down. Recruitment is up.'On an upswing': Edmonton police seeing fewer officers leaving the force, more recruits2023: Edmonton Police Service sees jump in departing officers in 2022Keren TangEdmonton councillor at the centre of anonymous letter sent to province speaks outAlberta premier says 'anonymous letter' forwarded to Edmonton ethics commissionerBill 204New bill allows Alberta government to set conditions for national urban park decisionsRegional Roundup: April 24, 2024Bill 20Alberta bill gives cabinet power to remove municipal councillors, change or repeal bylawsRapid fireRedevelopment plans in question after historic Edmonton air hangar gutted by fireEPSB: April 30 - Special Board MeetingHydrogen convention to bring world to regionSpeaking Municipally LiveMay 30: Speaking Municipally Live: Untangling the housing knotEdmonton heritageHow Edmonton's first community archivist builds better recordsSpeaking 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 we're readySigns of strain amid Alberta's population boomOpinion: How to build a better Edmonton in 2024BlatchfordPace of building at Blatchford a concern for some on Edmonton city councilProgress on Blatchford development lacks clarity and targets, City of Edmonton audit report showsAudit reveals gaps in governance structure of Edmonton's climate goal delivery teamEdmonton UnlimitedEdmonton Unlimited hires new CEO from within city ecosystemRice Howard WayDoes Edmonton need a downtown entertainment district?Downtown Entertainment District | Engaged EdmontonRapid fireAlberta's wildfire season has begun. Here's how its 500 new firefighters are preparing for itEdmonton transit union files 'bad faith' bargaining complaint with Alberta regulatorCKUA: Address To The CommunityUpcoming eventsApril 24: YEG Destination TechApril 24: The Climate Crisis is a Health CrisisApril 25: Machine Learning, Cults, and BirdsMay 2: YEG Startup Community AwardsSpeaking 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 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 analysisAs Ottawa pushes for density near transit, research shows Edmonton has challengesBike lane infractionsBad driving or poor design? A downtown Edmonton intersection is a case studyNighttime economyCity 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 patioEdmonton 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 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 lotsEdmonton city council grants extension to agreement for surface parking lots near arenaAgenda item April 02, 2024EParkNews 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 LineNews Release: City names preferred bidder for Capital Line South LRT constructionConstruction Notice - Demolition of former NAIT LRT StationPublic artEdmonton's public art strategy moves past 1% solutionRapid fireLots 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 expand to CalgaryHomeless people in Edmonton are dying at 8 times the rate as pre-pandemicRachel Notley says the permanent housing number is 5Glenora heritageCity halts project to protect Glenora's character and starts city-wide strategy83 Avenue pedestrianizationCity recommends removing cars on 83 Avenue near farmers' marketOld Strathcona Public Realm StrategyResidential parking permit zonesEdmonton removing 15 residential parking permit zonesRapid fireTreasurer 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 Kenney's Pursuit of PowerHamilton's absenceEdmonton 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 fundingBissell Centre likely to close day shelter space after city funding dries upBoyle Street to take over CHEW Project operationsRapid firePSA: 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 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 compensationEdmonton city council gets automatic 2.4% raise in 2024, mayor makes more than Alberta's premierParking lotsCity Council Public Hearing - March 11, 2024Rapid fireNews 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 lament overcrowding and high costsEdmonton boards welcome funding for school construction, but stress high enrolment numbersUCP Alberta Budget 2024 DisappointmentHomeless reception centreHomeless 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 HallEdmonton 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 FundCity awards most of $1M Chinatown fund to securityKatz group parkingKatz 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 banCar 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 fireFlair 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 PlanExecutive Committee Meeting Minutes: Feb. 28, 2024National Urban ParkExplainer: the battle over a proposed national urban park in EdmontonCSU52 voteUnionized city workers to vote directly on Edmonton's offer, delaying potential strike or lockoutCity of Edmonton Proposal Vote Information | CSU 52News Release: City is considering both employees and taxpayers with CSU 52 best and final offerCity of Edmonton offers wage increase with retroactive pay, hybrid work in 'best and final' deal to CSU 52 membersMedia Statement: Statement on 2023 Financial ResultsEnding EndPovertyEdmontonEndPovertyEdmonton's Funding Reduced by Edmonton City CouncilCity slashed End Poverty Edmonton funding in private meetingMack's blog posts about EndPovertyEdmontonNov 2023: EndPovertyEdmonton Rejects Hateful, Prejudiced Resolutions in AlbertaMay 2023: EndPovertyEdmonton's 2023 Alberta Provincial Election PrioritiesMarch 18, 2014: Edmonton aspires to eliminate poverty within a generationAffordable housingFederal government announces $175M to build affordable housing in EdmontonThe City's new Affordable Housing Strategy brings hope for a brighter futureBuilding more homes that Canadians can afford in EdmontonOrganic wasteEdmonton needs new plan for organic waste with influx from apartments and population growthRapid fireRenewable energy developments in Alberta to face strict new rulesA new phase is in the works for Alberta's 1,000 km/h high-speed trainAlberta NDP leadership candidate to focus on climate change, droughtSpeaking 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! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 Jasper PlaceEdmonton detox unit moving; supervised consumption site future unknownBike lanesTen routes mark first bike projects from $100M investmentE-scootersE-scooter operators remain bullish on Edmonton regionRezoningsOn the agenda: OP12, George Spady, six rezoningsExplore EdmontonExplore Edmonton granted one-time $6 million cash infusion from reserve fundsRapid fireRomance novel boom spurs new bricks-and-mortar bookstores in AlbertaEdmonton Valley Zoo announces additions to wolf pack ahead of Family DayEndPovertyEdmonton's Funding Reduced by Edmonton City CouncilSpeaking 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! ★ Support this podcast ★