______

City Council

Meeting Minutes1 of 25

November 15, 2005, mj

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

PRESENT:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter,
K. Krushell, K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk, M. Nickel, L. Sloan, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:M.Phair.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:

A. B.Maurer, City Manager

A.Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk

A.CALL TO ORDER AND RELATED BUSINESS

A.1.CALL TO ORDER

Mayor S.Mandel called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m.

CouncillorM.Phair was absent.

OPENING PRAYER

Father RogerKeeler, St. Michael-Resurrection Roman Catholic Church, led the assembly in prayer

A.2.ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED J. Batty – M. Nickel:

That the November 15, 2005, City Council meeting agenda be adopted with the addition of the following items:

E.1.g.Canadian Urban Transit Association Transit Board Members Committee – Appointment of a Member of Council – IN PRIVATE

H.1.b.Police Funding in Alberta – VERBAL REPORT

H.1.c.Joint Calgary/Edmonton Submission to 2006/2007 Provincial Budget – VERBAL REPORT

H.1.d.Alberta Capital Region Alliance – VERBAL REPORT -
IN PRIVATE

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:M.Phair.

A.3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED T.Cavanagh – R.Hayter:

That the following City Council meeting minutes be adopted:

  • October 31, 2005, Special City Council
  • November 1, 2005, City Council
  • November 3, 2005, City Council

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:M.Phair.

A.4.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

A.4.a.CKER25th Anniversary (D. Thiele)

CKER, now known as WORLD FM, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary of broadcasting. On behalf of City Council, CouncillorD.Thiele attended WORLD FM’s open house and brought greetings from the City.

A.4.b.Firefighter Captain RickTymchuck (S.Mandel)

On behalf of City Council, Mayor S.Mandel expressed sorrow and gratitude to the Tymchuk family following the recent death of Captain RickTymchuk as a result of a work-related cause.

Rick took pride in being a firefighter. He will be remembered for his courage, honour and dedication.

Those present in Chamber stood in a moment of silence to honour the memory of Captain RickTymchuk.

A.4.c.Muttart Conservatory – Canadian Orchid Congress Awards (S. Mandel)

In October the Canadian Orchid Congress was held in Calgary and a team of growers and volunteers from the Muttart Conservatory and the Orchid Species Preservation entered a selection of their orchids.

The Muttart Conservatory orchids received a number of ribbons, trophies and awards, including:

  • The American Orchid Society Judges Commendation Award for superior quality and uniqueness of the plant material
  • The Reserve Grand Champion Trophy for second best plan in the show
  • The Best Botanical Plan in Show Award
  • The Bronze Medal for Overall Display

On behalf of City Council, Mayor S.Mandel acknowledged the award-winning Muttart Conservatory growers present in Chamber.

Donnal Hamel, Team Leader; VickiRasmussen, Orchid Greenhouse Grower; and DerylKloster, General Manager, Community Services Department, joined Mayor S.Mandel at the podium for the unveiling of the awards.

A.4.d.Edmonton Police Service (S.Mandel)

At the September 2005 International Association of Chiefs of Police conference, Acting Police Chief Darryl da Costa accepted three awards. These awards recognized the following areas of service excellence with the Edmonton Police Service:

  • the Elder Abuse Intervention Team (Detective George Doerksen, retired; Acting Detective Palle Nicolajsen; Treena Schmidt, Community Services Department; Lori Therrien, Anne McIlwaine and Anna Cortes, Catholic Social Services)
  • the Hate and Bias Crime Initiative (Sergeant StephenCamp and Constable DaveHuggins)
  • the Traffic Strategy Briefing Template (BarneyStevens; FionaBraun and NashBirdi)

On behalf of City Council, Mayor S.Mandel recognized those team members present, along with Acting Chief Darryl da Costa and Merrilee Ashworth, General Manager, Western Canada, Motorola Canada Ltd. (a co-sponsor of the award program).

B.PROCEDURAL MATTERS

B.1.EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

City Council exempted the following items for debate: E.1.a., E.1.b., E.1.c., E.1.d., F.1.d., G.1.a., G.1.b., H.1.a., H.1.b.,H.1.c., and in-private items E.1.f., E.1.g. and H.1.d.

MOVED T.Cavanagh – D. Thiele:

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.e.Notice of Intention to Designate the Hotel Grand/HagmannBlock at 10766 – 98 Street as a Municipal Historic Resource 

  1. That Administration serve a Notice of Intention to Designate a Municipal Historic Resource (Attachment 1 of the October 3, 2005, Planning and Development Department report 2005PDP120) to the owner of the property occupied by the Hotel Grand/ Hagmann Block at 1076698 Street, in accordance with Section 26 of the Historical Resources Act.
  2. That Administration implement matters arising from the issuance of the Notice of Intention to Designate the Hotel Grand/Hagmann Block.
  3. That funding of $230,000 for this project be provided from the Heritage Reserve Fund.
/ City Manager
Planning & Dev.
Corporate Svcs.
Item E.1.e. cont.

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.a.EdmontonArtGallery “Keeping The Doors Open” 2005 Community Investment Grant – Request for Additional Funding 

That payment of an additional $55,000 to the EdmontonArtGallery under the EdmontonArtGallery “Keeping The Doors Open” Community Investment Grantprogram be approved for 2005 [source of funds: Council Contingency]. / Community Svcs.
EAG
Corporate Svcs.

F.1.b.Edmonton Arts Council – 2005 Community Investment Program Project Grant Recommendations 

That the 2005 Community Investment Program Project Grant recommendations, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the October 31, 2005, Edmonton Arts Council report 2005EAC011, be approved. / EAC

F.1.c.Avenue Initiative Revitalization Strategy 

1.That the Avenue Initiative Revitalization Strategy (Attachment 1 of the November 1, 2005, Community Services Department report 2005CSW053) be approved.
2.That the November 1, 2005, Community Services Department report 2005CSW053, as it relates to the funding request, be referred to the December 7, 2005, City Council budget meeting with the following recommendation:
That the Community Services Department 2006 Operating Budget be increased by $100,000 to complete a business case for the 118 Avenue Streetscaping plan, with funding from [to be determined].
3.That Administration report back yearly to Community Services Committee regarding the Alberta Avenue Initiative, for a five-year period, with a report detailing the outcomes of the Avenue Initiative Revitalization Strategy and any impact of the strategy on safety, economic viability and environmental well-being.
4.That the ward 3 Councillors and Mayor be ex-officio members of the Steering Committee. / Community Svcs.
Corporate Svcs.
Due: Dec. 7, 2005
Budget
Item F.1.c. cont.
CS Committee
Due: Nov. 6, 2006
Annually

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:M.Phair.

B.2.TIME SPECIFICS AND DECISION TO HEAR

MOVED M. Nickel – J. Batty:

That the following item be made time specific:

First ItemE.1.c.Corporate Wins Fall 2005

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:M.Phair.

H.OTHER REPORTS

H.1.a.Immigration and Settlement Initiative Report – University of Alberta Study 

MOVED L.Sloan – B.Anderson:

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

A.Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk; and A. B.Maurer, City Manager, answered Council's questions.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:M.Phair.

MOVED L.Sloan – T.Cavanagh:

That Councillors T. Cavanagh and M.Phair, Administration and key stakeholders review the University of Alberta study(by the Prairie Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Integration) and its findings and make recommendations to Council through Executive Committee. / M.Phair/T. Cavanagh
City Manager
Exec. Committee
Due:Apr. 5, 2006

A. B.Maurer, City Manager, answered Council's questions.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:M.Phair.

D.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a.Trolley System (K.Leibovici)

“I recently met with the Edmonton Trolley Coalition. As a result of this meeting I have the following questions:
  1. What is the length of the lease from Vancouver for the new test trolley?
  2. When will the trolley(s) arrive?
  3. Has there been any research into obtaining new low-floor bus chassis and retrofitting the motors and updating the electronic controls into these shells? It is my understanding that Seattle has done this and it is common to do this in the trucking industry, where it’s known as a “glider.” The cost of retrofitting the motors is approximately half of that of buying a new low-floor trolley bus.
  4. As the power poles are still in existence to Northgate from downtown, is the extension of the trolley system being contemplated for the proposed High Speed Transit system or as part of Route 9?
  5. As 102 Avenue still has express trolley wires, will trolley service be considered for the first stage Bus Rapid Transit alignment from the West End?
  6. Has the department refused to put priority signals in any locations?”
/ Transportation & Streets
Due: Jan. 17, 2006
Item D.1.b. cont.
Transportation & Streets
Due: Jan. 17, 2006

D.1.b.Stage One South Bus Rapid Transit (K.Leibovici)

“In the City of Edmonton document West High Speed Transit Concept Plan, October 3, 2005, the following statement was made:
‘Stage One South BRT must operate on Whitemud Drive/Fox Drive and therefore will operate in mixed traffic on the QuesnellBridge during widening rehabilitation.’
As the Whitemud is a major traffic corridor, which is often congested, can you provide the following.
  1. An update from the Project Coordination Committee of the status of the proposed rehabilitation and expansion of the Whitemud and QuesnellBridge and Fox Drive.
  2. Explain how:
a.the current High Speed Transit Study mixed mode Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and
b.proposed LRT alignment (NeilCrawford or Southgate Stations
are being coordinated with the Whitemud/Quesnell Bridge rehabilitation expansion project and the South LRT project.
  1. Explain the difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2 BRT on the Whitemud/Quesnell. Also identify the routes that will be taken and changes such as increased lanes of traffic/signal priority required to implement Stage 1 and Stage 2 BRT.
  2. What are the timelines for decisions on:
  3. mixed mode BRT, and
  4. long-term LRT alignment(s)
relative to the rehabilitation and expansion plans for the Quesnell Bridge/Whitemud to NeilCrawford? When must construction begin?
  1. What are the minimum and maximum projected costs for first stage and the second stage BRT (would this include the expansion of Quesnell and Whitemud)?
  2. What public consultation is being planned on the proposed QuesnellBridge expansion, and when will it occur? When must construction begin?
  3. What analysis has been undertaken of expedited LRT construction costs versus investment in BRT?
  4. Will an LRT Right of Way be protected on the Whitemud and Quesnell? What is the current traffic on the Whitemud and Quesnell and what will the expanded traffic capability be after rehabilitation and expansion?
Note: The Whitemud coordinates are from AnthonyHenday to Calgary Trail and QuesnellBridge to 114 Street and University Avenue via Fox Drive in both directions.” / Transportation & Streets
Due: Jan. 17, 2006
Item D.1.b. cont.
Transportation & Streets
Due: Jan. 17, 2006

D.1.c.Ridership – Whitemud Drive/Fox Drive/NeilCrawford(K.Leibovici)

“In the City of Edmonton document West High Speed Transit Concept Plan, October 3, 2005, the following statement was made:
‘LRT on Whitemud/Fox Drive route results in doubling of trains through 114 Street corridor, which results in breakdown of the system (mitigating congestion would require grade separation).’
As the projected ridership on the Whitemud Drive/Fox Drive route to NeilCrawford is 3,500 at 2.5 million regional population, I have the following questions:
  1. Was the SLRT planned on a projected ridership based on a population of 2.5 million?
  2. What is the immediate projected ridership for the SLRT North and South? Please provide ridership capacity sections from one LRT station to the next, i.e. Health Sciences Station to NeilCrawford.
  3. Highlight any capacity difficulties and in particular any difficulties foreseen on 114 Street between University Avenue and NeilCrawford. Please identify any changes required at these intersections to provide for expanded capacity to accommodate ridership from the West End and timing of these changes to mitigate “breakdown of the system.”
  4. At what ridership does the SLRT at the intersection of University Avenue and 114 Street become inoperable? Is this projected to occur in 10, 20 or 30 years?”
/ Transportation & Streets
Due: Jan. 17, 2006
Item D.1.c. cont.
Transportation & Streets
Due: Jan. 17, 2006

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.c.Corporate Wins Fall 2005 

A. B.Maurer, City Manager, made a presentation.

City Council acknowledged members of Administration for their efforts in achieving the Corporate Wins.

MOVED T.Cavanagh – D. Thiele:

That the October 26, 2005, Corporate Services Department report 2005COC014 be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:M.Phair.

E.1.a.Business Driver Review (Determine Process for Policy Reviews) 

MOVED T.Cavanagh – M. Nickel:

That the Standing Policy Committees determine specific business drivers and dates for review as follows:

a.January 23, 2006, Community Services Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. - Community Services Department and Planning and Development Department – Licensing and Development Compliance.

b.February 7, 2006, Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. - Asset Management and Public Works Department and Transportation and Streets Department.

c.January 25, 2006, Executive Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. - Corporate Services Department, Office of the City Manager, and Planning and Development Department (excluding Development Compliance and Licensing).

D. H. Edey, City Clerk, made a presentation and answered Council's questions. A. B.Maurer, City Manager, answered Council's questions.

AMENDMENT MOVED J.Melnychuk – B.Anderson:

That “they would like to review” be added after “specific business drivers.”

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, J. Batty, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, K. Krushell, K. Leibovici,
J. Melnychuk, M. Nickel, L. Sloan, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:M.Phair.

D. H. Edey, City Clerk; and A.B.Maurer, City Manager, answered Council's questions.

MOTION, AS AMENDED, ON ITEM E.1.a., put:

That the Standing Policy Committees determine specific business drivers they would like to review and dates for review as follows:
a.January 23, 2006, Community Services Committee meeting at
1:30 p.m. - Community Services Department and Planning and Development Department – Licensing and Development Compliance.
b.February 7, 2006, Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. - Asset Management and Public Works Department and Transportation and Streets Department.
c.January 25, 2006, Executive Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. - Corporate Services Department, Office of the City Manager, and Planning and Development Department (excluding Development Compliance and Licensing). / part a
Community Svcs.
Planning & Dev.
CS Committee
Due:Jan. 23, 2006
1:30 p.m.
part b
AMPW
Transportation & Streets
TPW Committee
Due:Feb. 7, 2006
1:30 p.m.
Item E.1.a. cont.
part c
Corporate Svcs.
City Manager
Planning & Dev.
EC Committee
Due:Jan. 25, 2006
1:30 p.m.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION

AS AMENDED: S. Mandel; B. Anderson, J. Batty, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, K. Krushell, K. Leibovici,
J. Melnychuk, M. Nickel, L. Sloan.

ABSENT: M.Phair, D. Thiele.

E.1.d.Cornerstones: New Funding - $25 million Investment 

MOVED B.Anderson – J. Batty:

That item E.1.d. be dealt with now.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, J. Batty, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, K. Krushell, K. Leibovici,
J. Melnychuk, M. Nickel, L. Sloan.

ABSENT: M.Phair, D. Thiele.

MOVED B.Anderson – T.Cavanagh:

That the October 25, 2005, Corporate Services Department report 2005COF085 be received for information.

R.Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department; and A.B.Maurer, City Manager, answered Council's questions.

MOVED J. Batty – B.Anderson:

That the following motion be referred to the November 21, 2005, Community Services Committee meeting for debate:

MOVED B. Anderson – T.Cavanagh (Made at the November 15, 2005, City Council meeting):

That the October 25, 2005, Corporate Services Department report 2005COF085 be received for information.

A. B.Maurer, City Manager, answered Council's questions.

(continued below)

A.4.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

A.4.e.Welcome to Students from VelmaE.BakerSchool (S.Mandel)

On behalf of City Council, Mayor S.Mandel welcomed students from VelmaE.BakerSchool and their teacher, Ms.Manning.

(continued from above)

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.d.Cornerstones: New Funding - $25 million Investment 

A. B.Maurer, City Manager, answered Council's questions.

MOTION TO REFER, put:

That the following motion be referred to the November 21, 2005, Community Services Committee meeting for debate:

MOVED B. Anderson – T.Cavanagh (Made at the November 15, 2005, City Council meeting):

That the October 25, 2005, Corporate Services Department report 2005COF085 be received for information.

LOST

FOR THE MOTION:J. Batty, E.Gibbons, J.Melnychuk, M. Nickel.

OPPOSED:S.Mandel; B.Anderson,T.Cavanagh,R. Hayter,
K.Krushell, K. Leibovici,L.Sloan.

ABSENT:M.Phair, D. Thiele.

MOTION ON ITEM E.1.d., put:

That the October 25, 2005, Corporate Services Department report 2005COF085 be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, J. Batty, T. Cavanagh,
R. Hayter, K. Krushell, K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk,
M. Nickel, L. Sloan.

ABSENT:E.Gibbons, M.Phair, D. Thiele.

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.d.TerwillegarPark – Planning Study Progress Report 

MOVED M. Nickel – K.Leibovici:

That item F.1.d. be dealt with now.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, J. Batty, T. Cavanagh,
R. Hayter, K. Krushell, K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk,
M. Nickel, L. Sloan.

ABSENT:E.Gibbons, M.Phair, D. Thiele.

MOVED B.Anderson – M. Nickel:

1.That the report A Vision for Terwillegar Park (Randall Conrad & Associates Ltd., September 2005), the needs assessment and vision for Terwillegar Park (Attachment 1 of the October 24, 2005, Community Services Department report 2005CSP025), be approved.
2.That the funds held in abeyance for project No. 04-21-5668 at the April 27, 2004, Council meeting be released to continue planning for Terwillegar Park.
3.That the City Manager:
a.Establish a TerwillegarPark Advisory Committee.
b.Add a member of the West End Communities Council to the Advisory Committee (Attachment 2 of the October 24, 2005, Community Services Department report 2005CSP025). / Community Svcs.
Corporate Svcs.
Item F.1.d. cont.
City Manager

L. Brenneis, Community Services Department; A.B. Maurer, City Manager; A. Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk; and D. Kloster, General Manager, Community Services Department, answered Council's questions.