We speak with Eddie Robar, the interim city manager at the City of Edmonton, about what he plans to do for the time he'll be in the role.

Since recording this episode, the Alberta government reversed its decision to cut its share of funding for low-income transit passes in Edmonton and Calgary following public backlash and discussions with the cities’ mayors.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Eddie Robar

• Eddie Robar on LinkedIn
• 2015: Halifax Transit Manager Eddie Robar latest city executive to leave for greener pastures
• 2016: Back on track: Edmonton hires new transit manager
• News Release: api.constantcontact.com/News-Release---City-Council-names-Eddie-Robar-as-Interim-City-Manager.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=_87rEnH9pkU">City Council names Eddie Robar as Interim City Manager
• Eddie Robar named interim City of Edmonton manager while permanent replacement sought
• New interim Edmonton city manager Eddie Robar focusing on improving work culture after tense labour dispute

Low-income transit pass

• Alberta government cuts funding for Edmonton, Calgary low-income transit pass, mayors say
• Province reverses decision to cut funding for low-income bus passes in Calgary and Edmonton

Rapid fire

• News Release: Alberta's vision for passenger rail
• News Release: api.constantcontact.com/News-Release---New-EPark-mobile-payment-in-effect-today.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=IrbKyc7HSfk">New EPark mobile payment in effect today
• Brett Kissel curse? Radio host starts petition to stop singer from performing anthem at Oilers playoff games

Speaking Municipally Live

• May 30: Speaking Municipally Live: Untangling the housing knot

This episode is brought to you by NAIT. Celebrating the impact of its grads on the community, NAIT announces this year's award recipients who are visionaries, community-builders, trailblazers and more. See their impact at nait.ca/celebrate.

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!

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 SOBA

• On the agenda: Potential tax increases, Windsor Park rezoning, supportive housing
• News Release: api.constantcontact.com/News-Release---City-Council-finalizes-2024-spring-budget-adjustments.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=euGAPwgdj98">City Council finalizes 2024 spring budget adjustments
• Edmonton sets 8.9 per cent property tax hike for 2024
• Edmonton city council needs to have a 'firmer backbone' over budget: Tim Cartmell
• Erin Rutherford: Financial stewardship is more than keeping taxes low
• Opinion: Don't blame bike lanes for Edmonton's property tax hike
• Joint Letter - Spring 2024 Supplemental Operating Budget Adjustment

Police recruitment

• Attrition is down. Recruitment is up.
• 'On an upswing': Edmonton police seeing fewer officers leaving the force, more recruits
• 2023: Edmonton Police Service sees jump in departing officers in 2022

Keren Tang

• Edmonton councillor at the centre of anonymous letter sent to province speaks out
• Alberta premier says 'anonymous letter' forwarded to Edmonton ethics commissioner

Bill 204

• New bill allows Alberta government to set conditions for national urban park decisions
• Regional Roundup: April 24, 2024

Bill 20

• Alberta bill gives cabinet power to remove municipal councillors, change or repeal bylaws

Rapid fire

• Redevelopment plans in question after historic Edmonton air hangar gutted by fire
• EPSB: April 30 - Special Board Meeting
• Hydrogen convention to bring world to region

Speaking Municipally Live

• May 30: Speaking Municipally Live: Untangling the housing knot

Edmonton heritage

• How Edmonton's first community archivist builds better records

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!

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 Corbould

• Edmonton-City-Manager-Joins-Danchilla-Consulting.html">Former Edmonton City Manager Joins Danchilla Consulting

District Policy

• News Release: api.constantcontact.com/PSA---City-releases-final-draft-of-the-District-Policy-and-plans--offers-information-sessions.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=kCaRmxgvxDY">City releases final draft of the District Policy and plans; offers information sessions

Population growth

• Edmonton's population is booming and one city councillor wonders if we're ready
• Signs of strain amid Alberta's population boom
• Opinion: How to build a better Edmonton in 2024

Blatchford

• Pace of building at Blatchford a concern for some on Edmonton city council
• Progress on Blatchford development lacks clarity and targets, City of Edmonton audit report shows
• Audit reveals gaps in governance structure of Edmonton's climate goal delivery team

Edmonton Unlimited

• Edmonton Unlimited hires new CEO from within city ecosystem

Rice Howard Way

• Does Edmonton need a downtown entertainment district?
• Downtown Entertainment District | Engaged Edmonton

Rapid fire

• Alberta's wildfire season has begun. Here's how its 500 new firefighters are preparing for it
• Edmonton transit union files 'bad faith' bargaining complaint with Alberta regulator
• CKUA: Address To The Community

Upcoming events

• April 24: YEG Destination Tech
• April 24: The Climate Crisis is a Health Crisis
• April 25: Machine Learning, Cults, and Birds
• May 2: YEG Startup Community Awards

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!

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 adjustments

• April 11, 2024: api.constantcontact.com/News-Release---City-releases-proposed-spring-operating-budget-adjustments.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=alnmT7jWI_I">City releases proposed spring operating budget adjustments
• Feb. 29, 2024: api.constantcontact.com/Media-Statement---Statement-on-2023-Financial-Results.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=G-7QpDyTZGg">Statement on 2023 Financial Results
• Nov. 28, 2023: City-Council-confirms-fall-budget-adjustments.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=3OvDaq0oLoM">City Council confirms fall budget adjustments
• Oct. 26, 2023: City-releases-fall-budget-adjustments.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=Q-fz_q-iXmc">City releases fall budget adjustments
• PIA Statement on Taxes and Payments Owed to the City of Edmonton
• Councillor Michael Janz: If the UCP reversed reductions, your property tax could be 7% lower
• edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=031c5f22-d456-4284-b7c3-e6f7241eb964&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=23&Tab=attachments">April 23 City Council meeting agenda

TOD analysis

• As Ottawa pushes for density near transit, research shows Edmonton has challenges

Bike lane infractions

• Bad driving or poor design? A downtown Edmonton intersection is a case study

Nighttime economy

• City plan looks to build dynamic, thriving nighttime economy in Edmonton
• edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=1748c7db-436b-4cd3-922f-e7ace16eb0b7&Agenda=PostMinutes&lang=English&Item=22&Tab=attachments">Executive committee report
• api.constantcontact.com/News-Release---City-of-Edmonton-invests-up-to--5-million-to-infuse-new-activity-and-vibrancy-into-the-downtown-core.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=2FhyNuEK1PM">City of Edmonton invests up to $5 million to infuse new activity and vibrancy into the downtown core

Hudson's patio

• Edmonton pub's popular Whyte Ave patio stuck in 'nightmare' bureaucratic limbo

Rapid fire

• 'I have a problem with all of it': Service Alberta minister sets sights on jumbo jugs of vodka
• OSFM parking lot post
• Hundreds watch eclipse at Edmonton observatory

This 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!

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 manager

• Eddie Robar named interim City of Edmonton manager while permanent replacement sought
• Adam Laughlin's post

Sohi's letter

• Edmonton mayor asks Premier Danielle Smith to restore municipal funding
• global.website-files.com/632a02df58ca4bfbe981a299/660c47060870276b047382d2_April%202%20Mayor%20Letter%20on%20Provincial%20Underfunding.pdf">Mayor Sohi's letter
• 'On standby to help': Alberta Premier Danielle Smith concerned with turmoil at Edmonton city hall
• Danielle Smith says province 'ready to assist' with Edmonton's fiscal challenges as city manager exits
• David Staples: Province considers move to 'audit and stabilize' the City of Edmonton, say government officials
• April 1st, 2024 - Councillor Michael Janz

Parking lots

• Edmonton city council grants extension to agreement for surface parking lots near arena
• edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=f3b71add-583f-4f97-ad67-574d3fbea006&Agenda=PostMinutes&lang=English&Item=24&Tab=attachments">Agenda item April 02, 2024

EPark

• News Release: quicker-and-more-convenient.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=BsDdfDfpYcA">New EPark mobile payment system easier, quicker and more convenient
• Edmonton switches parking payments to HotSpot from EPark
• Reddit post: PSA: Cash out your MyEPark balance

Capital Line

• News Release: City-names-preferred-bidder-for-Capital-Line-South-LRT-construction.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=96btPnu7nYQ">City names preferred bidder for Capital Line South LRT construction
• Construction Notice - Demolition of former NAIT LRT Station

Public art

• Edmonton's public art strategy moves past 1% solution

Rapid fire

• Lots of new animals are heading for your city, study suggests
• City-of-Edmonton-and-CSU-52-ratify-new-Collective-Agreement.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=SmZc1MKeMhU">City of Edmonton and CSU 52 ratify new Collective Agreement
• Oilers fan known as 'McMullet' drives 8 hours to watch every game

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!

We dive into city manager Andre Corbould's resignation and why it will matter.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Andre Corbould

• Andre Corbould is out as Edmonton's city manager
• Edmonton 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 officials
• Coun. Erin Rutherford response

Navigation centre numbers

• Alberta claiming success with Edmonton navigation support centre, plans to expand to Calgary
• Homeless people in Edmonton are dying at 8 times the rate as pre-pandemic
• Rachel Notley says the permanent housing number is 5

Glenora heritage

• City halts project to protect Glenora's character and starts city-wide strategy

83 Avenue pedestrianization

• City recommends removing cars on 83 Avenue near farmers' market
• Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy

Residential parking permit zones

• Edmonton removing 15 residential parking permit zones

Rapid fire

• Treasurer who stole $160k from Edmonton preschool given 18 months in jail
• City halts project to protect Glenora's character and starts city-wide strategy
• Springtime skunk invasion stinky but short-lived in Edmonton

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!

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 update

• Union for Edmonton city, library workers unveils salary increases in tentative deal

CJHR update

• Advocacy group to pay City of Edmonton more than $11K in costs after failed encampment lawsuit

Guest: Jeremy Appel

• The Orchard
• @JeremyAppel1025
• Kenneyism: Jason Kenney's Pursuit of Power

Hamilton's absence

• Edmonton city councillor Sarah Hamilton skipped out on council meeting to headline UCP fundraiser
• Sarah Hamilton's statement
• Edmonton city councillor Hamilton's involvement in UCP fundraiser questioned
• Council Code of Conduct
• Michael Janz endorsement of Sarah Hoffman
• Keith Gerein: What's behind Alberta's push into municipal parties?

Day shelter funding

• Bissell Centre likely to close day shelter space after city funding dries up
• Boyle Street to take over CHEW Project operations

Rapid fire

• PSA: City-Hall-re-opens-to-the-public.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=dGwRvSNGgoQ">City Hall re-opens to the public
• Just add Nenshi, and it's a whole different Alberta NDP race
• PSA: City-celebrates-Transit-Operator-and-Worker-Appreciation-Day.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=_qc1GBIXD84">City celebrates Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day

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!

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 landscape

• media-new-startups-business-model.html?unlocked_article_code=1.cE0.x3hg.byVGn-H1jQCu&smid=url-share">Sprouts of Hope in a Gloomy Media Landscape — The New York Times

Strike avoided

• City-and-Civic-Services-Union-52-reach-a-tentative-agreement.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=YXbvpsKPeEQ">City and Civic Services Union 52 reach a tentative agreement
• Tentative deal reached with City of Edmonton, workers' union says
• Tim Cartmell's tweet
• City council's statement
• CSU52's tweet
• Troy's Tik Tok video / Reddit post
• Letter-to-Edmonton-City-Council-13-March-2024-full-union-name.pdf">Joint letter to city council (PDF)
• Alberta public sector workers want big raises to match inflation
• Strike by city workers could mean big overtime bill as Edmonton police pressed into 911 service

Council compensation

• Edmonton city council gets automatic 2.4% raise in 2024, mayor makes more than Alberta's premier

Parking lots

• edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=f567e83e-31ab-47e0-88c2-e9f0e8f7ec45&Agenda=PostMinutes&lang=English&Item=31&Tab=attachments">City Council Public Hearing - March 11, 2024

Rapid fire

• News Release: City-of-Edmonton-adds-Commonwealth-Recreation-Centre-to-its-growing-number-of-solar-installations.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=BJjdIfvK_9k">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: police
• Meet Rocky the Ram, the legislature's mascot

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!

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 budget

• Budget 2024: Alberta commits funding towards Edmonton's LRT projects, increased police presence, shelters
• Alberta hitting pause on South Edmonton Hospital, health minister says
• UCP details education budget as school officials lament overcrowding and high costs
• Edmonton boards welcome funding for school construction, but stress high enrolment numbers
• UCP Alberta Budget 2024 Disappointment

Homeless reception centre

• Homeless reception centre generates big numbers as well as 'abject misery': advocate
• Edmonton mayor hopeful four-way meeting will lead to constructive homelessness work
• 4 levels of government meet on Edmonton homelessness crisis for '1st time'

City Hall

• Edmonton city hall partially re-opens for private events, staff, some students
• Alberta RCMP say suspect in Edmonton city hall shooting was 'politically motivated'
• RCMP lay terrorism charges against Edmonton city hall shooting suspect

Chinatown Recovery Fund

• City awards most of $1M Chinatown fund to security

Katz group parking

• Katz Group wants to use controversial Downtown gravel parking lots until 2028
• 2016: Katz Group pushes money at city to help build parking lot in commercial zone

EPCOR water ban

• Car 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 ban
• Tweet from Tim Cartmell

Rapid fire

• Flair Airlines CEO looks to bid on Lynx planes after shutdown halts tentative merger
• blair-and-minister-boissonnault-announce-453-million-investment-to-upgrade-facilities-at-edmonton-military-base.html">Minister 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 Saturday

This 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!

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 Mins-Nov-16.2023-Public-Draft.pdf">on Nov. 16, 2023.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Shout-out!

• Sugared and Spiced

City Plan

• edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=01f00564-52d9-43f9-bd4a-56275a85f39a&Agenda=PostMinutes&lang=English&Item=26&Tab=attachments">Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: Feb. 28, 2024

National Urban Park

• Explainer: the battle over a proposed national urban park in Edmonton

CSU52 vote

• Unionized city workers to vote directly on Edmonton's offer, delaying potential strike or lockout
• Proposal-Vote-Information.aspx">City of Edmonton Proposal Vote Information | CSU 52
• News Release: City-is-considering-both-employees-and-taxpayers-with-CSU-52-best-and-final-offer.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=-XaXUZ0F274">City is considering both employees and taxpayers with CSU 52 best and final offer
• City of Edmonton offers wage increase with retroactive pay, hybrid work in 'best and final' deal to CSU 52 members
• Media Statement: Statement-on-2023-Financial-Results.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=WFi7FLNL8f0">Statement on 2023 Financial Results

Ending EndPovertyEdmonton

• EndPovertyEdmonton's Funding Reduced by Edmonton City Council
• City slashed End Poverty Edmonton funding in private meeting
• Mack's blog posts about EndPovertyEdmonton
• Nov 2023: EndPovertyEdmonton Rejects Hateful, Prejudiced Resolutions in Alberta
• May 2023: EndPovertyEdmonton's 2023 Alberta Provincial Election Priorities
• March 18, 2014: Edmonton aspires to eliminate poverty within a generation

Affordable housing

• Federal government announces $175M to build affordable housing in Edmonton
• The City's new Affordable Housing Strategy brings hope for a brighter future
• more-homes-that-canadians-can-afford-in-edmonton-alberta-886765698.html">Building more homes that Canadians can afford in Edmonton

Organic waste

• Edmonton needs new plan for organic waste with influx from apartments and population growth

Rapid fire

• Renewable energy developments in Alberta to face strict new rules
• A new phase is in the works for Alberta's 1,000 km/h high-speed train
• Alberta NDP leadership candidate to focus on climate change, drought

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!