Speaking Municipally

Mar 07 2025 302 ep. 36 mins 196
Speaking Municipally Podcast artwork

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.

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An ICEy reception to CRL extension

Mar 07 2025 36 mins  
We discuss the potential renaming of the field at Commonwealth Stadium, a recommendation to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, another Edmonton Public School Board trustee resignation, and the new ICE District deal. Plus, we talk about the Energy City Cactus Rats, ETS merchandise, and more.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Commonwealth Stadium fieldCommonwealth Stadi

A committee is born

Feb 28 2025 32 mins  
A new committee of council has been born (or, at least, is in utero). Plus, Bridgegate both continues and concludes, council has approved the Nordic spa in the river valley, and the province's CorruptCare scandal (allegedly) reaches the city.Here are the relevant links for this episode:BridgegateCity releases schedule of Edmonton's bridge renewals for 2025Puneeta McBryan's LinkedIn

Bridgelocked

Feb 21 2025 33 mins  
You may have heard that several bridges will be closed at once, but is that true? We dig into bridge maintenance planned for the next few years. We also discuss new bus priority measures, Lime's winter cycling pilot, an audit of DATS, and the upcoming wildfire season.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Bridge maintenanceNo, five bridges in downtown are not closing all at o

The Leducsiana Purchase

Feb 14 2025 43 mins  
We follow up on the Public Spaces Bylaw, accelerating construction on the Valley Line West LRT, and the introduction of two new commissioners for the Edmonton Police Commission. Plus, the City of Leduc proposes to annex land from Leduc County, and we wrap up our Edmonton Food Faves series.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Public Spaces BylawSpeakers urge city councillors

Blame Edmonton for the tariffs

Feb 07 2025 51 mins  
City council heard about potential tariffs and how they might affect our city. Plus, the Edmonton Design Committee could be expanding its mandate, and we look at how construction on the Valley Line West LRT might accelerate.Here are the relevant links for this episode:TariffsEdmonton city council, business leaders talk tariff strategy as administrators review contractsMayor, provin

Public Spaces 2: Electric Boogaloo

Jan 31 2025 42 mins  
We examine the updated Public Spaces Bylaw, which will be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting. Plus, an update on affordable housing on surplus school sites, and how artificial intelligence is beginning to integrate into municipal work.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Public Spaces BylawHere's why Edmonton may ban or limit public behaviours including drug use, pa

Accountability is police commissing in action

Jan 24 2025 46 mins  
We discuss the 76 Avenue redevelopment, the latest police commission appointments, the end of the EMRB, and a well-known West Edmonton Mall record, which may not be a record at all. Plus, we have a new segment exploring Edmonton Food Faves.Here are the relevant links for this episode:West Edmonton MallReddit thread about the parking lot recordEdmonton Metropolitan Region Board'Bitt

Eddie's still driving –– but now it's permanent

Jan 17 2025 48 mins  
We're joined by the no-longer-interim city manager, Eddie Robar, to discuss his role, the city's finances, the year ahead, and the upcoming municipal election.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Guest: Eddie RobarEddie Robar on LinkedInEpisode 262: Eddie's still here, and he's driving the busEddie's post on LinkedIn about taking over the roleBudget pressures top of mind fo

Jeopardy 2024

Dec 20 2024 46 mins  
This. Is. Speaking Municipally Jeopardy! Three branch managers from the City of Edmonton square off in our annual holiday trivia episode. Enjoy!Here are the relevant links for this episode:Carrie Hotton-MacDonaldBranch Manager, Edmonton Transit ServiceLinkedInPascale LadouceurBranch Manager, Infrastructure Planning & DesignLinkedInCate WattBranch Manager, Assessment and Taxatio

Eventually the bill comes due

Dec 13 2024 46 mins  
In our penultimate episode of 2024, we recap the 2025 budget and discuss how the process might change in the future. Plus, we wrap up the Housing Complex project and look at what's next as we head into municipal election season.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Budget recapNews Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustmentsEdmonton city council sets property tax