Speaking Municipally
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.
Episodes
Edmonton city councillors debated changes to the zoning bylaw to regulate lodging houses … if they can figure out what they are. Plus, the city has started cracking down on illegal downtown surface parking lots, and we get excited for the Fringe Festival.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (00:31) - Rain in June
- (05:09) - Ad: Taste of Edmonton
- (05:44) - Canada Day
- (06:55) - Lodging houses
- (17:19) - New towing lot
- (19:30) - Down...
City council delayed a public hearing about Rossdale as it had questions about its duty to consult with Indigenous nations. Plus, the parking requirement at daycares has been reduced, and we discuss how to stop illegal dumping at apartment buildings.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (00:41) - YEG Trivia Night
- (02:54) - Canada Day ask
- (03:44) - Ad: Edmonton Opera
- (04:42) - Rossdale rezoning
- (19:37) - Daycare parking
- (26:24) - Illegal...
Council approved $925,000 to fund winter day spaces, even as the conversation about jurisdiction continues. Plus, the Southeast Transit Garage will be a little bigger, and we look at what Edmontonians told the Edmonton Police Commission about the next EPS operating budget.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:21) - Correction: 15-minute parking update
- (03:24) - Ad: Park Power
- (03:55) - Day spaces
- (14:14) - Mayor Andrew Knack's comment...
We're joined by Taproot reporter Colin Gallant, who tested out Edmonton Explorer, the new hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour "trolley" from Explore Edmonton. Plus, the city is taking over operations of the Valley Line LRT, and we discuss upcoming changes to parking at attractions.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (02:30) - Ad: Rally 4 the Road
- (03:13) - Edmonton Explorer
- (16:44) - FCM Annual Conference in Edmonton
- (22:36) - Ad: U of A Re...
We've got a little update on Bridgegate, and we talk about the impact of major construction projects on businesses. Plus, we go on a bit of a deep dive into a southeast neighbourhood that was designed with only one way in or out. What could go wrong?
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (03:53) - Ad: U of A Reads
- (04:32) - Bridgegate update
- (14:10) - Construction impacts on businesses
- (23:44) - Ad: Edmonton International Jazz Festival
- (2...
Edmonton city council has approved what has been described as an alternative to a private tree protection bylaw. Plus, we take a look at proposed changes to Jasper Avenue and Whyte Avenue. But don't worry, they're not funded yet.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:17) - Ad: U of A Reads
- (01:52) - Protecting private trees
- (08:56) - Stabilization centre
- (18:30) - Jasper Avenue New Vision
- (29:27) - Whyte Avenue BRT
- (39:12) - Close
The City of Edmonton announced plans to decommission and replace three iconic bridges: the High Level Bridge and the Low Level Bridges. Plus, we talk with Coun. Erin Rutherford about unfunded service packages and how the budget process is changing this year.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:38) - Ad: U of A Reads
- (02:10) - High Level and Low Level Bridges
- (10:49) - Our thoughts on the bridges
- (27:53) - Coun. Erin Rutherford on unf...
Business organizations have called once again for municipal employees to return to the office full time, but the mayor isn't budging. Plus, the province is planning legislation that would let it review or remove bike lanes.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:32) - Ad: Bosco Foundation
- (02:42) - State of the City
- (13:57) - Edmonton Real Estate Forum
- (29:26) - Ad: ECOHH
- (31:09) - Bike lanes
- (36:23) - Council motions
- (45:39) - Close ...
Edmonton city council has approved a rezoning that will allow a 25-storey tower in Windsor Park. Plus, Stephanie took a trip to a budget engagement session to learn what the mayor's been hearing from Edmontonians.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (04:45) - Ad: U of A Reads
- (05:26) - Windsor Park
- (15:03) - 101 Street TPM Memo
- (19:56) - Ad: AdaptAbilities
- (20:26) - Budget engagement
- (32:17) - Community Climate Adaptation Micro Grant
- ...
Edmonton city council voted to reduce the maximum height in the RS zone, and they approved some District Policy changes too. Plus, we found out how much more the Lewis Farms Recreation Centre is going to cost, and one councillor's wondering if we should give up on LRT in the northwest.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (03:17) - Ad: U of A Reads
- (03:58) - Zoning changes
- (16:54) - Lewis Farms Recreation Centre
- (21:28) - Ad: Housing Summ...
This week, we learned that city council is sunsetting seven boards that offered expert insight on women's issues, racism, climate, and more. Plus, KDays might have to downsize, and the Africa Centre is one step closer to its multicultural community hub.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:29) - Ad: Edmonton Opera
- (03:51) - Sunsetting Advisory Committees
- (29:14) - Exhibition Lands
- (36:31) - African Multicultural Community Centre
- (40:...
Edmonton city council has approved the sale of surplus land for affordable housing, to some opposition. Plus, the Downtown Revitalization Coalition is advocating for renewed attention on downtown safety, and we have updates on 101 Street and River Crossing.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (02:36) - Ad: U of A Reads
- (03:12) - Affordable housing on surplus school sites
- (12:29) - Transit Priority Measures on 101 Street
- (18:37) - Downtow...
This week, potential changes to the zoning bylaw that would reduce the maximum height in the RS zone disappointed everyone. Plus, we talk about the Edmonton Region Defence Alliance and the city's efforts to cash in on increased defence spending.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:15) - Ad: U of A Reads
- (02:54) - RS Zone height reduction
- (12:25) - Belgravia Heights
- (21:47) - Ad: Park Power
- (22:28) - Edmonton Region Defence Alliance ...
We spoke with the Edmonton Riverhawks about the proposed River Crossing plan that could turn the RE/MAX Field parking lot into housing. Plus, derelict property owners better look out — Mayor Andrew Knack is coming for you! And we reminisce about the good old days of Boston Pizza on Jasper Avenue.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:11) - Ad: Edmonton Opera
- (05:02) - Scramble intersections
- (10:31) - River Crossing
- (21:39) - Ad: ...
Council took some steps toward funding a comprehensive BRT and pedestrian realm project along Whyte Ave, but we also learned that the city will continue to make some piecemeal changes this year. Plus, The Quarters CRL isn't doing so well, and the city wants you to build the budget.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:31) - Ad: GoodMorning
- (02:12) - Whyte Avenue transit priority measures
- (22:08) - 101 Street bus priority lanes
- (27:32)...
Andrea Donini of the Old Strathcona Business Association joins us for a discussion about Prioritize Whyte Ave, a coalition that wants to see more investment in Whyte Avenue. Plus, the Lewis Farms Recreation Centre needs more money, despite being scaled down, and we talk about the fallout from the police chief's trip to Israel.
Here are the relevant links for this episode:
Prioritize Whyte Ave
Council debated changes to the single-use item bylaw, especially related to drive-thrus. Plus, we discuss a funding cut for Boyle Street, reaction to the police chief's recent trip to Israel, and some new jobs for Amarjeet Sohi and Tim Cartmell.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:43) - Ad: Capital Awards
- (02:23) - Waste reduction update
- (14:53) - Boyle Street funding cut
- (20:18) - Ad: GoodMorning
- (21:21) - Police chief's Israel tri...
Progress is being made in Chinatown, but several challenges remain, including some long-standing issues like the 97 Street bridge. Plus, there's a new downtown housing incentive, and council approved its strategic priorities for the term ahead of budget planning.
Here are the relevant links for this episode:
Chinatown Strategy update
The City of Edmonton has announced funding for parts of the Downtown Action Plan. Plus, we discuss changes to the upcoming construction season, a motion about event legacies, and we take a trip to Gibbons, a town on the verge of financial collapse.
Here are the relevant links for this episode:
Audience survey
Extreme weather response
- News Release: Extreme weather response activated Feb. 26
Do...
Council has approved selling land to an affordable housing provider, despite community pushback. Plus, some restaurant owners will have to pay more for patios this year, and we have updates on infill and snow clearing.
Here are the relevant links for this episode:
Audience survey
Update on infill
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