30

______

City Council

Meeting Minutes

November 15, 1999

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Monday, November 15, 1999

PRESENT: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh, L. Chahley,
W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason, R. Noce, M. Phair,
R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
B.E. Thom, Q.C., City Manager.
D.H. Edey, City Clerk.

A. CALL TO ORDER AND RELATED BUSINESS

A.1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor B. Smith called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

Councillors R. Rosenberger and J. Taylor were absent.

TRIBUTE TO FORMER MAYOR LAURENCE DECORE

Councillors J. Taylor and R. Rosenberger entered the meeting.

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of Members of Council and the people of Edmonton, made the following statement:

This past week has been a sad one in our City …. As we said farewell to a great man …. Laurence Decore.

I offer condolences on behalf of City Council and the people of Edmonton to Laurence’s family especially to his wife, Anne-Marie, his children, Andrea and Michael, his brother, Leighton, and his sister-in-laws, Bev and Maureen. I want them to know our thoughts are with them as they are going through this difficult time.

A former business owner, Alderman, Mayor, MLA, Leader of the Alberta Liberal party, Laurence Decore left a lasting mark on Edmonton, Alberta and Canada. He was a leader, who got results, who had a knack for selling an idea to colleagues and citizens alike. As a politician, Laurence Decore built consensus and got everyone working towards a common goal. A fact that was especially clear in the City’s successful campaign to get its share of long-distance toll revenue. Laurence Decore knew the importance of the bottom line.

In his time in Office, he came up with a long-term plan to pay down the City’s debt and to reduce costs. However his fiscal restraint was always complemented by a concern for people and the community. His contribution to the 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms and his lifelong promotion of multiculturalism are proof of that. Edmontonians value what Laurence Decore accomplished …. But, I think that even more of us admired the courage and conviction behind his actions.

His ten-year battle with cancer showed us just how tough he could be.

In recognition of former Mayor Laurence Decore, a moment of silence was observed in his memory.

OPENING PRAYER

Dr. Zohra Husaini, Past President of the Muslim Research Foundation, led the assembly in the special prayers that are said for the departed soul.

A.2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – R. Noce

That the City Council Agenda for the November 15, 1999 meeting be adopted with the addition of the following items:

E.1.c. Project Germany – Participation in EXPO 2000 in Hanover Germany.

E.1.d. Auditor General Review of the Personnel and Payroll Functions.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason,
R. Noce, M. Phair, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED: .

MOVED M. Phair – W. Kinsella

That the following items be added to Council’s agenda to be dealt with in public:

J.1.a. Regional Governance.

J.1.b Governance and Service Delivery Problems and Issues.

AMENDMENT MOVED L. Chahley – J. Taylor

That the words “in public” be replaced with the words “in private”.

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT: B. Smith; T. Cavanagh, L. Chahley, L. Langley,
R. Noce, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor.

OPPOSED: B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, W. Kinsella, B. Mason,
M. Phair, D. Thiele.

MOTION AS AMENDED put:

That the following items be added to Council’s agenda to be dealt with in private:

J.1.a. Regional Governance.

J.1.b Governance and Service Delivery Problems and Issues.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION

AS AMENDED: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, R. Noce,
R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED: B. Mason, M. Phair.

A.3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED R. Noce – M. Phair

That the Minutes of the November 2 and November 8, 1999 City Council meetings be adopted.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason,
R. Noce, M. Phair, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

B.1. URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.a. Luncheon to Recognize Sponsors of the 1999 Speedo FINA Swimming World Cup (W. Kinsella).

______

Councillor W. Kinsella stated that last Wednesday, she attended a luncheon to recognize sponsors of the 1999 Speedo FINA Swimming Cup which will be held in Edmonton for the second year next weekend.

The City of Edmonton was recognized by the organizers of the World Cup for its tremendous support for this international championship. Councillor W. Kinsella presented Mayor B. Smith with a framed copy of the official 1999 poster.

Members of Council warmly acknowledged this recognition.

B.1.b. Grade 6 Students from Norwood School (B. Smith).

______

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, welcomed the Grade 6 students from Norwood School and their teacher, D. Betkowski.

Members of Council warmly welcomed the students.

B.1.c. “Celebrating Religious Diversity Within a Municipality” (B. Smith).

______

Mayor B. Smith welcomed the film crew from Vision T.V., who are filming a documentary for their skylight news program. The documentary focuses on the City’s model of “Celebrating Religious Diversity Within a Municipality”, which will be included in presenting Edmonton’s millennium gift of service to the world during the 1999 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Capetown, South Africa next month.

Edmonton is the only government in the world to have a gift accepted by the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

The Edmonton District Council of Churches, The Edmonton Interfaith Centre, The City of Edmonton’s Chaplain Support Committee, the partners in this gift, were congratulated for their vision and commitment to the people of Edmonton.

Members of Council warmly congratulated the partners in this gift.

B.1.d. “The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” for the City’s 1999 Budget (B. Smith).

______

The employees of the Corporate Services Department were recognized for their receipt of “The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” from the Government Finance Officers Association of Canada and the United States. This is the second year in a row that the City of Edmonton has received this Award.

A.B. Maurer, General Manager, Corporate Services Department, and R. Garvey, Corporate Services Department, accepted the framed certificate.

Members of Council warmly congratulated all the employees who were involved in the City being chosen for this prestigious Award.

B.2. EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED R. Noce – L. Langley

That items D.2.a., D.2.b., E.1.a., E.1.c., E.1.d., F.1.a., H.1.a. and in-private items J.1.a. and J.1.b. be exempted for debate; and

D.2. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.c. The Infrastructure Gap (W. Kinsella).

That the November 4, 1999 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

D.3. STATUS OF REPORTS

D.3.a. Edmonton: A Smart City (R. Noce).

That the revised due date of Nov. 30, 1999 be approved. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Nov. 30, 1999

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.b. Civic Agencies – Externally-Nominated Appointment to the Edmonton Historical Board.

______

That Enid Fitzsimonds be appointed to the Edmonton Historical Board as the Edmonton and District Historical Society representative for a term ending December 31, 2000. / Corporate Svcs.

F. REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.b. Citizens-at-Large Appointment/Re-Appointment Recommendations to Various Civic Agencies from Community Services Committee.

______

That the appointment and re-appointment recommendations from Community Services Committee, as outlined in the attachment, be approved for the term January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000, except for the Greater Edmonton Foundation appointees whose terms will expire December 31, 2002. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason,
R. Noce, M. Phair, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

B.3. DECISION TO HEAR AND TIME SPECIFICS

MOVED R. Noce – A. Bolstad

That the following item be dealt immediately following Item H.1.a.

E.1.c. Project Germany – Participation in EXPO 2000 in Hanover Germany.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason,
R. Noce, M. Phair, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

D. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a. Alberta Capital Region Alliance (“ACRA”)(R. Noce).

______

“At the November 5, 1999, Alberta Capital Region Governance Review Workshop, it became evident that the governance model of choice for surrounding municipalities was the “enhanced” Alberta Capital Region Alliance (“ACRA”). In my opinion, the “enhanced” ACRA would be the worst governance model for the City of Edmonton.
I would be obliged if the City Manager would answer the following questions:
1)  What amount does the City of Edmonton provide ACRA on a yearly basis?
2)  Are there any notice requirements that the City of Edmonton would have to provide in order to remove itself from ACRA?
3)  Edmonton’s Municipal Development Plan which was approved by City Council in August 1998, identified leadership and regional co-operation as a priority for the City of Edmonton. Would it be possible to use the funds as described in question #1 in some other way to promote regional co-operation instead of providing same to ACRA?
I would appreciate a response for the November 25, 1999, City Council 2000 Budget meeting. / City Manager
Due: Nov. 26, 1999

D.1.b. Discontinuation of Animal Control Services by the S.P.C.A. (R. Noce).

______

“On November 12, 1999, the Edmonton SPCA announced that, beginning in 2000, it would discontinue animal control services for the City of Edmonton.
I would be obliged if the City Manager would answer the following questions:
1.  What does the Edmonton S.P.C.A.’s decision with respect to animal control mean for the City of Edmonton?
2.  Are there budget implications for the City of Edmonton as a result of the decision of the Edmonton S.P.C.A.?
3.  Will the City have to construct additional facilities or hire additional staff to handle stray animals; and furthermore, are there other courses of action the City might take, such as, contracting the operation to a non-profit agency or private-sector company as opposed to doing it itself?
I would appreciate a response for the January 10, 2000, Community Services Committee meeting. / Police Service
CS Committee
Due: Jan. 10, 2000

D.1.c. Lodge Program of the Greater Edmonton Foundation (M. Phair).

______

“I would like the following information from the Administration regarding the lodge program of the Greater Edmonton Foundation and its short term and long term financial status.
1.  Investigate the different per diem rates from the Province for lodges and indicate how the lower rates impact the Greater Edmonton Foundation and its results.
2.  Does the Greater Edmonton Foundation have a cost for additional services for health care in senior citizen lodges?
3.  Indicate the main points of the Broda Report and how this may impact the Greater Edmonton Foundation.
4.  Review the Greater Edmonton Foundation’s projections on numbers and costs in their budget submission.
5.  A suggested strategy that may involve the City, the Regional Health Authority and the Province to address the funding shortfall over the long term.” / Community Svcs.
Due: Jan. 18, 2000

D.1.d. Year 2000 Triathalon (M. Phair).

______

“I would like the following information regarding the year 2000 Triathlon:
1.  Will Hawrelak Park be closed for a week to set up for the event?
2.  What is the length of this summer’s event?
3.  How will this event impact the Riverside Player’s Summer in the Park Shakespeare Festival?
I would like this inquiry to return to the Community Services Committee.” / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: Jan. 10, 2000

D.1.e. House in the Boyle Street Area (M. Phair).

______

“On Friday, a house in the Boyle Street area was declared structurally unsound and residents were ordered to leave within twenty-four hours.
1.  In a situation like this, what plan and resources are in place to assist the tenants with the relocation and immediate housing?
2.  What responsibility does the landlord/landowner bear?
3.  Will the tenants get their November rent and deposit returned to them?
4.  How and why is the way these residents were treated different than the residents on Whitemud Road?” / Community Svcs.
Due: Jan. 18, 2000

H. OTHER REPORTS

H.1.a. River Valley Alliance – Advisory Committee Update.

MOVED J. Taylor – L. Langley

That the November 4, 1999 River Valley Alliance report be received for information. / River Valley Alliance

Councillor J. Duncan, City of Fort Saskatchewan, made a presentation on behalf of the River Valley Alliance, and answered Council’s questions.

A copy of the map of “Alberta’s Capital River Valley ….nature at our doorstep” was distributed to all Members of Council and was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason,
R. Noce, M. Phair, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.c. Project Germany – Participation in EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Germany.

______

MOVED R. Rosenberger – B. Smith

That Edmonton City Council contribute $50,000 toward Team Alberta’s involvement in EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Germany. (Source of Funding: City Council’s Economic Initiatives Fund). / Mayor

J. Edwards, Economic Development Edmonton, and M. Everett, Government of Alberta, answered Council’s questions.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason,
R. Noce, M. Phair, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.

MOVED R. Noce – R. Rosenberger

That Economic Development Edmonton and the Administration prepare a report for November 2000 setting out an overview of EXPO 2000 with specific reference to The City of Edmonton’s involvement. / EDE
Corporate Services
Due: Nov. 21, 2000

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Chahley, W. Kinsella, L. Langley, B. Mason,
R. Noce, M. Phair, R. Rosenberger, J. Taylor, D. Thiele.