1

Executive Committee

Meeting No. 8 Minutes

February 11, 1998

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 8

Wednesday, February 11, 1998

MEMBERS: / PRESENT:
B. Smith, Chair / B. Smith
B. Mason, Vice-Chair / B. Mason
A. Bolstad / A. Bolstad
M. Phair / M. Phair

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor J. Taylor*
B.E. Thom, Q.C., City Manager.

E.L. Britton, Office of the City Clerk.

* Attended part of the meeting.

A.CALL TO ORDER AND RELATED BUSINESS

A.1.CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m.

Councillor J. Taylor was in attendance.

A.2.ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVEDM. Phair:

That the Executive Committee Agenda (No. 8) for the February 11, 1998 meeting be adopted with the addition of item E.4.c. – Provincial Government Tourism Grant (Space and Science Centre Expansion).

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

A.3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVEDM. Phair:

That the Minutes of the January 28, 1998 Executive Committee Meeting (No. 7) be adopted.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

B.2.EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED M. Phair:

That items D.2.a., D.2.c., D.2.d., E.1.a., E.1.b., E.2.a., E.2.c., E.2.d., E.2.e., E.4.a., E.4.b. C., E.4.c. C., E.4.d and E.5.a. C be exempted for debate; and

D.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.2.REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.b.Retaining Qualified Employees and Impact on City ’97 Reorganization (A. Bolstad).

That the January 27, 1998 Human Resources Department report be received for information. / Human Resources

D.3.STATUS OF REPORTS

D.3.a.Family Golf Dome Centre Ltd. – Request for Tax Rebate.

That the revised due date of March 11, 1998 be approved. / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Mar 11, 1998

D.3.b.Termination of Employees (M. Phair).

That the revised due date of February 25, 1998 be approved. / Human Resources
Due: Feb 25, 1998

E.CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS

E.2.CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

E.2.b.CEconomic Development Edmonton and Research Park Lands Agreement – Capital Funding Options.

That the Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

That the January 22, 1998 Corporate Services Department report be received for information.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

D.2REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.c.City Regulations Governing the Number of Portable Signs (B. Smith).

MOVED M. Phair:

That item D.2.c. be dealt with now.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

MOVEDM. Phair:

1.That this item be postponed until the February 25, 1998 Executive Committee meeting to be dealt with at 10:30 a.m.
2.That this item be made debatable. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Feb 25, 1998 @ 10:30 a.m.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, M. Phair.

OPPOSED:B. Mason.

B.3.DECISION TO HEAR AND TIME SPECIFICS

MOVED M. Phair:

That the Committee hear from the following:

E.4.b. CP. Mercer, Downtown Business Association.

E.4.c. CL. Young, S. Slator and G. Smith, Edmonton Space and Science

Centre.

E.5.a. CS. Wissink, Edmonton Downtown Development Corporation.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

MOVEDM. Phair:

That items E.4.b. C., E.4.c. C and E.5.a. C be brought forward and dealt with together.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

E.5OTHER REPORTS

E.5.a.CCity of Edmonton Millennium 2000 Project – Public Input Results.

K. Singh and R. Caldwell, Planning and Development Department, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

L. Young, S. Slator and G. Smith, Space and Science Centre, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

P. Mercer, Downtown Business Association, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

S. Wissink, Edmonton Downtown Development Corporation, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

Councillor M. Phair, Millennium 2000 Project Committee, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

J. Tustian, G. Barry and L. Cochrane, Community Services Department; and R. Caldwell and K. Singh, answered the Committee’s questions.

MOVED B. Smith:

That the Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

That the following motion of Councillor Taylor made at the February 3, 1998 City Council meeting be passed:

1.That the proposed Louise McKinney Park development as the City of Edmonton’s Millennium 2000 Project, be approved in principle.

2.That Community Services establish a Working Committee with appropriate civic and community representation (business, associations, service clubs) to plan how best to turn this park development into a noteworthy Millennium legacy for our City.

3.That the Louise McKinney Park development be submitted for the 1998 Alberta Provincial Tourism Grant.

4.That in developing Louise McKinney Park, consideration be given to as many of the other related public input ideas as practical.

MOVED A. Bolstad :

That Mayor Smith’s motion be referred back to the Administration for a further analysis of the Louise McKinney Park and Space and Science Centre Expansion projects to review the potential to attract tourism and private sector funding.

LOST

FOR THE MOTION:A. Bolstad.

OPPOSED:B. Smith; B. Mason, M. Phair.

AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad:

That in Part 3, the words “Louise McKinney Park” be replaced with the words “Space and Science Centre Expansion”.

LOST

FOR THE AMENDMENT:A. Bolstad.

OPPOSED:B. Smith; B. Mason, M. Phair.

MOTION OF MAYOR SMITH, put:

That the Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

That the following motion of Councillor Taylor made at the February 3, 1998 City Council meeting be passed:

1.That the proposed Louise McKinney Park development as the City of Edmonton’s Millennium 2000 Project, be approved in principle.

2.That Community Services establish a Working Committee with appropriate civic and community representation (business, associations, service clubs) to plan how best to turn this park development into a noteworthy Millennium legacy for our City.

3.That the Louise McKinney Park development be submitted for the 1998 Alberta Provincial Tourism Grant.

4.That in developing Louise McKinney Park, consideration be given to as many of the other related public input ideas as practical.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith, B. Mason, M. Phair.

OPPOSED:A. Bolstad.

E.4.b.CProvincial Government Tourism Grant (Louise McKinney Park)

MOVED M. Phair: (Made at January 14, 1998 Executive Committee meeting):

That the Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

1.That the Louise McKinney Park Project be approved for submission to the Province of Alberta for approval to receive $1.3 million Provincial Tourism Grant.

2.That the Administration prepare detailed project design, costs, timing of implementation, amendment to the Agreement and other information required by the Province and for approval by this Committee by May, 1998.

3.That the project be included in the 1998-99 Capital Priorities Plan, once the approval from the Province has been obtained.

4.That the City Manager appoint a project manager for this project with the mandate and authority to construct the project within timelines agreed to by the Province.

5.That the Administration also bring forward a report and plan of action on other aspects of the Louise McKinney Park such as private sector funding of other components, maintenance, management, communications and construction to the Executive Committee by September, 1998.

6.That this item proceed to Council at the same time as the Millennium Committee’s report (probably early February).

7.That the December 21, 1997 Planning and Development Department report be received for information.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith, B. Mason, M. Phair.

OPPOSED:A. Bolstad.

E.4.c.CProvincial Government Tourism Grant (Space and Science Centre Expansion).

MOVED M. Phair:

That the Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

That the February 6, 1998 Planning and Development Department report be received for information in conjunction with the report “Provincial Government Tourism Grant (Louise McKinney Park).

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

D.2.REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.a.Wedding Chapel in Toronto City Hall (B. Mason).

D. Schneider and J. Ross, Corporate Services Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

MOVEDB. Mason:

That this item be referred back to the Administration to prepare a subsequent report outlining the space availability, capital and operating costs, and policy requirements in order to construct a Wedding Chapel in City Hall, together with any other information to help Council make a decision.

LOST ON A TIE VOTE

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Mason.

OPPOSED:A. Bolstad, M. Phair.

MOVEDA. Bolstad:

That the January 29, 1998 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

Mayor Smith vacated the Chair and Councillor Mason presided.

Mayor Smith left the meeting.

D.2.d.Strathcona County Owned Lands within the City of Edmonton (B. Smith).

MOVEDM. Phair:

That this item be dealt with at 1:30 p.m.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

MOVEDM. Phair:

That items E.1.b., E.2.d and E.4.d. be dealt with now.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

E.CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS

E.1.OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

E.1.b.Long Range Financial Planning (Value for Money Audit – Financial Management and Accountability).

MOVED M. Phair:

That this item be postponed until the February 25, 1998 Executive Committee meeting. / City Manager
Due: Feb 25, 1998

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

E.2.CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

E.2.d.Impending Deregulation of the Electrical Industry in Alberta.

MOVED M. Phair:

That this item be postponed until the March 11, 1998 Executive Committee meeting. / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Mar 11, 1998

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

E.4.PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

E.4.d.Planning Process Round Table Steering Implementation Committee – Annual Progress Report.

MOVED M. Phair:

That this item be postponed until the March 11, 1998 Executive Committee meeting. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Mar 11, 1998

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

E.2.CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

E.2.a.Video Lottery Terminals – Executive Committee Non-Statutory Public Hearing.

MOVED M. Phair:

1.That the Executive Committee hold a Non-Statutory Public Hearing, on Thursday, March 26, 1998 starting at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

2.That the Administration advertise this Non-Statutory Public Hearing in the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun and the Examiner a minimum of one month prior to the hearing.

3.That a maximum of 50 members of the general public be heard.

4.That the schedule for the Non-Statutory Public Hearing, as outlined in Attachment I of the January 29, 1998 Corporate Services Department report, be approved.

5.That the Orders of the Day be suspended for this Non-Statutory Public Hearing and replaced with the following:

a.that presenters be scheduled in time blocks of ten – five in favour and five opposed, where possible;

b.all individuals within the time block will be heard prior to Councillors asking questions.

c.each presenter will have five minutes to speak; and

d.each Member of Council will have a maximum of five minutes to ask questions of each group of presenters.

6.That individuals be encouraged to submit written briefs two weeks prior to the Non-Statutory Public Hearing and indicate whether they wish to speak.

AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad:

1.That the time be changed to 9:30 a.m.

2.That part 3 be deleted.

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT:A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

MOTION OF COUNCILLOR PHAIR, AS AMENDED, put:

1.That the Executive Committee hold a Non-Statutory Public Hearing, on Thursday March 26, 1998 starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber.
2.That the Administration advertise this Non-Statutory Public Hearing in the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun and the Examiner a minimum of one month prior to the hearing.
3.That the schedule for the Non-Statutory Public Hearing, as outlined in Attachment I of the January 29, 1998 Corporate Services Department report, be approved.
4.That the Orders of the Day be suspended for this Non-Statutory Public Hearing and replaced with the following:
a.that presenters be scheduled in time blocks of ten – five in favour and five opposed, where possible;
b.all individuals within the time block will be heard prior to Councillors asking questions.
c.each presenter will have five minutes to speak; and
d.each Member of Council will have a maximum of five minutes to ask questions of each group of presenters.
5.That individuals be encouraged to submit written briefs two weeks prior to the Non-Statutory Public Hearing and indicate whether they wish to speak. / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Mar 26, 1998

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION AS AMENDED:A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

The Committee recessed at 12:05 p.m.

The Committee reconvened at 1:33 p.m. Councillor B. Mason was absent.

D.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.2.REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUUIRIES

D.2.d.Strathcona County Owned Lands within the City of Edmonton (B. Smith).

D. McLean and S. White, Corporate Services Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Councillor B. Mason entered the meeting.

MOVEDM. Phair:

That the January 21, 1998 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

M.MOTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

M.1.a.Smaller Scale Investments by Individual Citizens in Purchasing the Edmonton Oilers.

Councillor Mason requested the permission of the Executive Committee to introduce a motion without notice on Smaller Scale Investments by Individual Citizens in Purchasing the Edmonton Oilers.

MOVED M. Phair:

That Councillor Mason be allowed to introduce a motion without notice.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith, B. Mason, M. Phair.

OPPOSED:A. Bolstad.

MOVED B. Mason:

That the Administration prepare a report to go directly to the next City Council meeting, which outlines the following:

1.Is there an opportunity for smaller scale investments by individual citizens, to supplement the funds raised by the local group attempting to purchase the Edmonton Oilers?

2.Is there a role for the City in collecting, holding and transferring the funds collected in the event of a successful local bid, or returning them if the bid fails?

3.Is there a reasonable prospect of raising enough money to make a difference in the time available?

4.What steps would need to be taken, and when, in order to accomplish the goals expressed in 1 and 2?

AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad:

That a Part 5 be added as follows:

5.What would be the costs to the City to get involved in this fashion?

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

MOTION OF COUNCILLOR MASON, AS AMENDED, put:

That the Administration prepare a report to go directly to the next City Council meeting, which outlines the following:
1.Is there an opportunity for smaller scale investments by individual citizens, to supplement the funds raised by the local group attempting to purchase the Edmonton Oilers?
2.Is there a role for the City in collecting, holding and transferring the funds collected in the event of a successful local bid, or returning them if the bid fails?
3.Is there a reasonable prospect of raising enough money to make a difference in the time available?
4.What steps would need to be taken, and when, in order to accomplish the goals expressed in 1 and 2?
5.What would be the costs to the City to get involved in this fashion? / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Feb 17, 1998 Council meeting

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION AS AMENDED:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

E.CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS

E.1.OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

E.1.a.Prevention, Detection and Investigation of Fraud and Other Illegal Activity.

A. Bolduc, Auditor General, Office of the City Manager, answered the Committee’s questions.

MOVED A. Bolstad:

That the January 28, 1998 Office of the City Manager report be received for information. / City Manager

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

E.2.CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

E.2.c.Open Tenders Greater than $500,000 and Request to Hire Consultants where Estimates Exceed $100,000 as at January 28, 1998.

G.W. Goodall, Corporate Services Department; and M. Fereday, Asset Management and Public Works Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

MOVED M. Phair:

That the January 28, 1998 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

E.2.e.CTax Adjustments and Rebate Criteria.

D. McLean and S. White, Corporate Services Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

MOVED A. Bolstad:

That the Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

That the January 27, 1998 Corporate Services Department report be received for information.

AMENDMENT MOVED B. Smith:

That a Part 2 be added as follows:

That the Tax Adjustments and Rebate Criteria be amended as outlined in Attachment 1 of the January 27, 1998 Corporate Services Department report.

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT:B. Smith, A. Bolstad, B. Mason.

OPPOSED:M. Phair.

MOTION OF COUNCILLOR BOLSTAD, AS AMENDED, put:

That the Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

1. That the January 27, 1998 Corporate Services Department report be received for information.

2.That the Tax Adjustments and Rebate Criteria be amended as outlined in Attachment 1 of the January 27, 1998 Corporate Services Department report.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION AS AMENDED:B. Smith, A. Bolstad, B. Mason.

OPPOSED:M. Phair.

E.4.a.CMature Neighbourhoods Study.

MOVED M. Phair:

That item E.4.a. C be dealt with later in the meeting.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

(See page 89).

MOVED A. Bolstad:

That the Committee meet in private.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

The Committee met in private at 2:25 p.m.

MOVED A. Bolstad:

That the Committee meet in public.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

The Committee met in public at 2:38 p.m.

E.CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS

E.2.CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

E.2.f.Proposed Settlement of Claim By Leslie Van Der Poel Against the City of Edmonton.

MOVED M. Phair:

1.That the January 20, 1998 Corporate Services Department report remain private because it is solicitor-client privileged.
2.That the City Solicitor be authorized to settle this claim with the Plaintiff’s lawyer, Klaus Gessert. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; A. Bolstad, B. Mason, M. Phair.

E.2.g.Proposed Settlement of Claim by Cathleen Hamm Against the City of Edmonton.

MOVED M. Phair:

1.That the January 28, 1998 Corporate Services Department report remain private because it is solicitor-client privileged.
2.That the City Solicitor be authorized to settle this claim with the Plaintiff’s lawyer, Dawn Pentelechuk of Schlosser, Nikel, Pentelechuk and Wood. / Corporate Svcs.

CARRIED