Minutes for City Council December 17, 2002 Meeting

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City Council

Meeting Minutes1

December 17, 2002 / sv

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, December 17, 2002

PRESENT:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons,
R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair,
D. Thiele.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:

A. B. Maurer, 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 9:31 a.m.

Councillors B. Anderson and E. Gibbons were absent.

OPENING PRAYER

Father Mike McCaffery, Associate Pastor, St. Joseph’s Basilica, led the assembly in prayer.

Councillor E. Gibbons entered the meeting.

A.2.ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That the City Council agenda for the December 17, 2002, meeting be adopted with the following additions:

F.1.h.Savings Attributed to the Greater Edmonton Foundation.

F.1.i.Greater Edmonton Foundation (GEF) Revised 2003 Budget and 2003 Business Plan.

E.1.i.Key Issues – Communication Strategy. IN PRIVATE.

E.1.j.Negotiations Update. IN PRIVATE.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:B. Anderson.

A.3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED T. Cavanagh – M. Phair:

That the minutes of the November 26, 2002, City Council meeting, the November 28/29, 2002, Special City Council meeting, and the December 5/6, 2002, City Council Public Hearing meeting, be adopted.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:B. Anderson.

B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.a.Congratulations to Ken Newman and Kelly Rich – Named to the Honour Roll - Edmonton Boxing and Wrestling Commission
(R. Hayter).

Councillor R. Hayter, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Ken Newman and Kelly Rich for being named to the Honour Roll at the recent Honour Roll Dinner sponsored by the Edmonton Boxing and Wrestling Commission. The two were named for their significant contributions to the professional and amateur boxing and wrestling in the city.

Councillor B. Anderson entered the meeting.

B.1.b.Congratulations to Councillors T. Cavanagh and E. Gibbons for Receiving Golden Jubilee Medals (L. Langley).

Councillor L. Langley, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Councillors
T. Cavanagh and E. Gibbons for having recently been awarded the commemorative Golden Jubilee Medals, which are given to individuals for outstanding contributions made to the community.

B.1.c.Congratulations to Gloria Sawai for Receiving the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Gloria Sawai for receiving the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, for her novella,
A Song for Nettie Johnson, a collection of eight short stories set on the Canadian prairie. This award, which recognizes outstanding Canadian writers, is among the oldest literary prizes in the world and is an amazing accomplishment for Ms. Sawai. Mayor B. Smith presented Ms. Sawai with a certificate of congratulations.

B.1.d.Congratulations to City of Edmonton Employees for Receiving the Award of Excellence from the Canadian Information Productivity Association (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Larry Benowski and staff from the Planning and Development Department; Joni Mines and staff from the Corporate Services Department; and Bruce Duncan from the Office of the City Manager, for receiving the Award of Excellence from the Canadian Information Productivity Association for a Calgary-Edmonton partnership intitiatve. This award recognizes the development of an Internet based building inspection and permitting system that allows for permits to be purchased on-line, and is an impressive example of the coming together of two cities to share resources and expertise for a common task.

B.1.e.Congratulations to Gerry Goodall, on behalf of the Corporate Services Department, for Award of Excellence in Purchasing Practices (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the Corporate Services Department for receiving an award recognizing excellence in purchasing practices by the National Purchasing Institute, based in Reno, Navada. The City of Edmonton was rated on its achievement in the areas of customer service, establishing good relationships with vendors, demonstrating continuous improvement, and ethical practices. This is the third consecutive year the award has been presented to the City of Edmonton, and Edmonton is the only Canadian city to receive it.

Mayor B. Smith presented Gerry Goodall, on behalf of the Corporate Services Department, with the award.

B.1.f.Congratulations to Councillor R. Hayter for Receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Councillor R. Hayter for receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award from Baseball Canada and Major League Baseball. Councillor R. Hayter is the first Albertan to ever receive this award.

B.1.g.Remembrance of Bill Hunter (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, expressed condolences to the Hunter family on the recent passing of Bill Hunter, who will long be remembered for his many contributions to the city of Edmonton and his efforts that benefited amateur hockey and fuelled the sport at the professional level.

B.1.h.Respect for the Jewish Community (M. Phair).

Councillor M. Phair, on behalf of City Council, affirmed condemnation of comments made by David Ahenakew about the Jewish people and the holocaust, and reaffirmed Council’s respect for the Jewish community.

B.2.EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED T. Cavanagh – R. Hayter:

That items E.1.a., E.1.b., E.1.e., F.1.b., F.1.f., F.1.g., F.1.h., F.1.i., H.1.a., J.1.a., and the in-private items E.1.i. and E.1.j., be exempted for debate; and

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.c.2001 Annual Reports and Audited Financial Statements for Business Revitalization Zones. 

That the November 22, 2002, Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

E.1.d.Edmonton Business Revitalization Zone Associations’ 2003
Budgets. 

That the 2003 Budget for the Alberta Avenue Business Association (Attachment 1 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the Beverly Business Association (Attachment 2 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the Downtown Business Association (Attachment 3 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the Fort Road Business and Community Association (Attachment 4 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the Inglewood Business Association (Attachment 5 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the Kingsway Business Association (Attachment 6 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the Old Strathcona Business Association (Attachment 7 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the 97 Street and Area Business Association (Attachment 8 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the 124 Street and Area Business Association (Attachment 9 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.
That the 2003 Budget for the Northwest Industrial Business Association (Attachment 10 of the November 9, 2002, Planning and Development Department report) be approved.

/ Planning & Dev.
Corporate Svcs.
E.1.d. Cont’d
Planning & Dev.
Corporate Svcs.

E.1.f.National Transportation Week Conference. 

1.That the City of Edmonton partner with the Province of Alberta and the Northern Alberta Transportation Club in hosting the National Transportation WeekConference in Edmonton in May 2003.
2.That the City of Edmonton contribute $25,000 toward the funding of this national conference (Source of Funds: 2002 Council Contingency Fund). / City Manager
Corporate Svcs.

E.1.g.Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee Appointments. 

That the nominees outlined in Attachment 1 of the November 28, 2002, Office of the City Manager report be appointed to the Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee. / Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee

E.1.h.Civic Agency Recruitment – Appointment Recommendations from Executive Committee. 

That the appointment recommendations as outlined in Attachment 1 of the October 25/November 8/15/December 4, 2002 Executive Committee report be approved for the term January 1 to December 31, 2003. / Civic Agencies

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.a.Community Services Advisory Board - Recommendations for 2002 Community Investment Hosting Grant Awards. 

That the recommendations of the Community Services Advisory Board (Attachment 1 of the October 15, 2002, Community Services Advisory Board report), to award 2002 City of Edmonton Community Investment Hosting Grant Awards in the amount of $7,200, be approved. / Community Svcs.
Corporate Svcs.

F.1.c.Edmonton Arts Council – 2002 Festival SEED Community Investment Program Grant Recommendations. 

That the 2002 Festival SEED Community Investment Grant Recommendations as outlined in Attachment 1 of the November 27, 2002, Edmonton Arts Council report be approved. / Edmonton Arts Council

F.1.d.Edmonton Arts Council – 2002 Arts Travel Community Investment Program Grant Recommendations. 

That the 2002 Arts Travel Community Investment Program Grant Recommendations as outlined in Attachment 1of the November 27, 2002, Edmonton Arts Council report be approved. / Edmonton Arts Council

F.1.e.Edmonton Arts Council – 2002 Major Parade Community Investment Program Grant Recommendations. 

That the 2002 Major Parade Community Investment Program Grant Recommendations, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the November 27, 2002, Edmonton Arts Council report be approved. / Edmonton Arts Council

G.REPORTS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MATTERS

G.1.a.The Kyoto Protocol: A Comparison of the Alberta and Federal Government Climate Change Plans and Positions of the AUMA and FCM. 

That the December 2, 2002, Asset Management and Public Works report be received for information. / Asset Mgmt. & Public Works

H.OTHER REPORTS

H.1.b.Edmonton Police Commission Appointments. 

That the individuals outlined in Attachment 1 of the December 5, 2002, Office of the City Manager report, be appointed to the Edmonton Police Commission for the term January 1 to December 31, 2003. / City Manager

H.1.c.Assessment Review Board Assignments for 2003. 

That the assignments, as outlined in Attachments 1 and 2 of the December 4, 2002, Office of the City Manager’s Office report, to the Assessment Review Boards for 2003 be approved. / City Manager

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley,
K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair,
D. Thiele.

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.j.Clareview Youth Park – Skate Board Park Development.

Councillor J. Melnychuk requested the permission of Council to make a motion without notice on the allocation of funds for the Skate Board Park Development at the Clareview Youth Park.

MOVED M. Phair – E. Gibbons:

That Councillor J. Melnychuk be allowed to make a motion without notice.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:A. Bolstad, L. Langley.

(Cont’d on p. 26)

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.k.Review of the Use of the Rossdale Power Plant Lands.

Councillor J. Batty requested the permission of Council to make a motion without notice on the return of the report on the “Review of the Use of the Rossdale Power Plant Lands.”

MOVED S. Mandel – M. Phair:

That Councillor J. Batty be allowed to make a motion without notice.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley,
K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair,
D. Thiele.

MOVED J. Batty – E. Gibbons:

That the following motion which was passed at the October 1, 2002, City Council meeting:
“That the response to these questions and debate of this item be dealt with at the January 14, 2003, City Council meeting at
1:30 p.m.”
be amended by changing the date to January 28, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Jan. 28, 2003
at 1:30 p.m.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley,
K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair,
D. Thiele.

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.g.Regulation of Non-Domesticated Animals Used in Circuses and
Fairs. 

MOVED S. Mandel – M. Phair:

That the November 13, 2002, Planning and Development Department report be referred back to the Community Services Committee to hear from D. Grant and
B. Hogle, Al Shamal Shriners, and anyone else who wishes to speak.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:B. Smith; J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons,
R. Hayter, L. Langley.

MOVED J. Batty – D. Thiele:

That this item be dealt with at 1:30 p.m. at the January 20, 2003, Community Services Committee meeting.

RECONSIDERED on Page 28

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley,
K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair,
D. Thiele.

J.OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS

J.1.a.Sir Winston Churchill Square – Funding Strategy. 

MOVED M. Phair – L .Langley:

That item J.1.a. be dealt with now.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley, S. Mandel,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:B. Anderson.

ABSENT:K. Leibovici.

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That the November 18, 2002, Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee report be postponed to the January 14, 2003, City Council meeting. / Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee
Due: Jan. 14, 2003

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley,
S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:K. Leibovici.

D.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a.Water Shortage (A. Bolstad).

“This inquiry has to do with the role the City of Edmonton might play in helping to address what many people believe could be a crisis in the next couple of years, and this is the looming water shortage facing this part of the country.
Given the magnitude of this issue, I have decided to break this inquiry into three parts.
1.I would first appreciate it if Administration could supply its comments and/or concerns relative to the following issues:
a)Quality and quantity of water entering and leaving the city.
b)Quality and quantity of river water available over the long term, recognizing recent trends in precipitation and the expected growth of the city.
c)Edmonton water conservation opportunities.
d)Quality and quantity of Edmonton groundwater.
e)Impact of the city’s consumption and drainage system on groundwater levels and wetlands in and around Edmonton.
f)The sate of watershed planning in the Edmonton area.
2.In the second part of the inquiry I would appreciate Administration’s comments on how the City might collaborate with potential partners to address these issues. This list should include, but not be limited to the following:
a)The North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
b)EPCOR
c)The Provincial Government
d)The Federal Government
e)Edmonton River Valley Alliance
f)Regional partners
g)Major industry
3.And finally, I would appreciate Administration’s comments on the resources the City will need, in the short term at least, to play a significant role in addressing these issues. This should include a reference to both financial resources and staffing.
In summary, I would add that I am not looking for a 40-page response. However, I do think it is important for Council to get a brief overview that summarizes the situation we are facing and what the City might do to help address this critical issue.” / Asset Mgmt. & Public Works
Due: Feb. 11, 2003
D.1.a. Cont’d
Asset Mgmt. & Public Works
Due: Feb. 11, 2003

D.1.b.Infrastructure Funds for the Construction of the Southeast Leg of the Edmonton Ring Road – Anthony Henday Drive (A. Bolstad).

“This inquiry has to do with the recent announcement by the Federal Government to provide infrastructure funds for the construction of the southeast leg of the Edmonton Ring Road (Anthony Henday Drive).
I also have a recent letter from Ed Stelmach, the Provincial Minister of Transportation (which I have attached), which states that the province nominated this project “with the agreement of the City of Edmonton” as this was the section of the ring road that was the next priority.
No question, construction of this section of Anthony Henday Drive is needed. However, the same can be said for the northwest and northeast quadrants of the ring road.
Hence, my questions are as follows:
1.Was an evaluation of the merits of each section of the ring road undertaken? If so, what was the result?

How did the Provincial Government get the idea that Edmonton had selected the southeast quadrant as the City’s “next priority”? Has the City’s Transportation and Streets Department adopted this position? If so, how did it come to this conclusion?
Why was this matter not brought before Edmonton City Council? Given the prominence of the Ring Road project in our Master Transportation Plan, how could this have been overlooked?

4.Does the City intend to press for construction of the northern leg of Anthony Henday Drive in the near future? If so, how do we intend to bring this project forward?” / Transportation & Streets
Due: Feb. 11, 2003

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.a.Other Residential (Multi-Family) Mill Rate/Multi-Family and Single-Family Mill Rate. 

MOVED D. Thiele – B. Anderson (Made at the November 12, 2002, City Council meeting):

That the mill rate for the other residential tax category (multi-family rental residential property) be equalized to the residential rate over a five-year period starting in the 2004 tax year.

D. H. Edey, City Clerk, answered Council’s questions.

AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad – B. Anderson:

That the words “according to the formula in Option 1 of Attachment 1” be added at the end of the sentence.

P. Boutin, City Assessor, answered Council’s questions.

LOST

FOR THE AMENDMENT:B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:B. Smith; J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons,
R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.

MOTION OF COUNCILLOR D. THIELE, put:

That the mill rate for the other residential tax category (multi-family rental residential property) be equalized to the residential rate over a five-year period starting in the 2004 tax year.

LOST

FOR THE MOTION:B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:B. Smith; J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons,
R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.

MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:

That the November 19, 2002, Planning and Development Department report be received for information. / Planning & Dev.

CARRIED