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
We speak with Coun. Ashley Salvador and Aaron Budnick of the Edmonton Bike Coalition about Edmonton's slow bike-lane build-out and the province's threat to derail it. Plus, we hear about the confusing budget of it all and how funding decisions will determine where the network goes next.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (00:51) - Ad: Skyline Rush Challenge
- (01:36) - Interview introduction
- (03:28) - Active transportation with Ashley and ...
This week, municipalities weigh in on new strategic and business plans from Edmonton Global. Gibbons and Beaumont are out, but Edmonton is all in. Plus, council pushes forward with the active transportation network expansion, and we get an update on the Edmonton Research Park.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:31) - Ad: Events Roundup
- (04:06) - Edmonton Global
- (16:36) - Bike lanes
- (23:27) - Edmonton Research Park
- (28:56) - Ahmad J...
City administration is bowing down to provincial bike lane legislation that doesn't even exist yet. Plus, council requested more information on how infill impacts surrounding property values, and we discuss the proposed LRT station fare gate pilot.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (01:31) - Municipal bike lanes
- (10:23) - Bike lanes in Ontario
- (13:25) - Pause on active transportation infrastructure
- (18:29) - Fare gate pilot
- (24:40) - ...
We speak with Edmonton Global CEO Daryn Edgar and Spruce Grove Mayor Jeff Acker about Edmonton Global's new strategic plan and how shareholders are feeling about the organization these days. Plus, we bring you an update on Gibbons, the best little town in the northeast.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (03:34) - Ad: Taproot's Food Roundup
- (04:22) - Gibbons update
- (14:44) - Interview with Daryn Edgar and Jeff Acker
- (58:42) - Post-inter...
We're joined by an archeology expert and an advocate with experience in Indigenous relations for a deep dive on Indigenous engagement in Rossdale, and across the river valley.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (00:42) - Restaurant closures
- (10:32) - Ad: Edmonton Opera
- (12:11) - Rossdale engagement
- (14:22) - Interview with Kisha and Miranda
- (54:01) - Post-interview discussion
- (59:50) - Scramble update
- (01:00:30) - Closing
He...
We're joined by Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Reed Clarke for a conversation about the upcoming four-year budget. We talk about the struggle to keep businesses in Edmonton, the need for better bylaw enforcement, and how infill has impacted the tax situation.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (02:10) - Reed Clarke
- (05:17) - Revenue ideas
- (10:41) - Past tax increases
- (14:11) - Ad: ECAMP Curiosity Tours
- (14:51) - Tax impacts
- (19:23) - Industri...
We're joined by Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette for a conversation about the upcoming four-year budget. We talk about the state of Edmonton's finances, our city's relationship with neighbours and the province, and what success looks like for the 2027-2030 budget.
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (02:00) - Aaron Paquette
- (11:02) - Municipal/provincial relations
- (17:08) - Regional growth pressures
- (25:42) - Downtown incentives
- (27:45) -...
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 ...
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