______

City Council

Meeting Minutes/sam1

April 15, 2003

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

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. Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk

A.CALL TO ORDER AND RELATED BUSINESS

A.1.CALL TO ORDER

Deputy Mayor R. Hayter called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

Mayor B. Smith; Councillors B. Anderson, E. Gibbons and J. Melnychuk were absent.

Deputy Mayor R. Hayter presided.

OPENING PRAYER

Ms. Adele Roy, Manager of Pastoral Care and the Multi-Cultural Program
University of Alberta Hospital, led the assembly in prayer.

Councillors B. Anderson, E. Gibbons and J. Melnychuk entered the meeting.

A.2.ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That the City Council agenda for the April 15, 2003, meeting be adopted with the following changes:

a)Additions:

E.1.b.Edmonton’s Representation on the New Capital Health
Board - Attachment 4.

E.1.e.Economic Development Edmonton – Financial Solution.

b)Replacement Page:

E.1.b.Edmonton’s Representation on the New Capital Health Board – title page.

c)Deletions:

H.1.d.Sir Winston Churchill Square – Edmonton 2004 Legacy Project.

carried

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

ABSENT:B. Smith.

A.3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED T. Cavanagh – M. Phair:

That the minutes of the March 19, 2003, City Council Public Hearing meeting and the March 25, 2003, City Council meeting be adopted.

carried

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

ABSENT:B. Smith.

B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.a.Congratulations to Winners of the Ford World Curling Championship (R. Hayter).

Deputy Mayor R. Hayter, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Randy Ferbey, David Nedohin, Scott Pfifer and Marcel Rocque on their Ford World Curling Championship victory.

B.1.b.In Memory of Former Alderman Alex Fallow (R. Hayter).

Deputy Mayor R. Hayter, on behalf of City Council, sent condolences to the family of former Alderman Alex Fallow who recently passed away. Alderman Fallow served on City Council from 1971 to 1974.

B.1.c.Congratulations to the University of Alberta (B. Anderson).

Councillor B. Anderson, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the University of Alberta teams, coaches and players for their outstanding 2002-2003 year.

B.1.d.Congratulations to Concordia College Athletics (E. Gibbons).

Councillor E. Gibbons, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Concordia College Athletics for their banner year in sports.

B.1.e.Congratulations to the Winners of the National Hydrant Championship (E. Gibbons).

Councillor E. Gibbons, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Jim Henderson, Livio De Prato, Gary Hoekstra and Brian Hoestra of Team Alberta on their 44th National Hydrant Championship victory.

B.2.EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED M. Phair – L. Langley:

That items E.1.c., E.1.d., E.1.e., F.1.a., F.1.c., G.1.a., G.1.b., H.1.a., H.1.b., H.1.c., H.1.e., J.1.a. and J.1.b. be exempted for debate; and

D.3.STATUS OF REPORTS

D.3.a.Implementation of the Fort Road Old Town Master Plan.

That the revised due date of May 27, 2003, be approved. / Planning & Dev.
Due: May 27, 2003

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.a.Schonsee Special Study Area Update. 

That the March 26, 2003, Planning and Development Department report be received for information. / Planning & Dev.

E.1.b.Edmonton’s Representation on the New Capital Health Board. 

  1. That Mayor B. Smith write a letter to Hon. G. Mar, Q. C., Minister of Health and Wellness, requesting that the size of the new Regional Health Authority 6 Board (Capital Health Board) be increased to 15 members and the two new members be appointed from Edmonton.
  2. That Mayor B. Smith request Capital Health Board to place this item on the next Capital Health Board meeting agenda.
/ Mayor
City Manager

F.1.b.Edmonton Arts Council - 2003 Festival Operating Community Investment Grant Recommendations. 

That the 2003 Festival Operating Community Investment Grant recommendations, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the March 19, 2003, Edmonton Arts Council report, be approved. / Edmonton Arts Council

carried

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

ABSENT:B. Smith; E. Gibbons.

B.3.DECISION TO HEAR AND TIME SPECIFICS

MOVED M. Phair – J. Batty:

That Council hear from the following delegation:

L.1.a.Bylaw 13312 – 2003 Property Tax and Supplementary Property Tax Bylaw.

G. Christenson, Christenson Developments, on behalf of the Greater Edmonton Home Builders’ Association.

carried

FOR THE MOTION:B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
R. Hayter, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk.

OPPOSED:L. Langley, M. Phair.

ABSENT:B. Smith; E. Gibbons, D. Thiele.

MOVED A. Bolstad – J. Melnychuk:

That item F.1.a. be dealt with as the first item of business.

carried

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

ABSENT:B. Smith; E. Gibbons, D. Thiele.

D.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a.Potential Closure of Edmonton Schools (A. Bolstad).

“This inquiry has to do with the potential closure of Edmonton schools by both the Public and Catholic school boards. I am wondering if the City has any concerns about the closure of these schools?
For example:
  1. Could this undermine our efforts to revitalize older neighbourhoods?
  2. Will it constrain recreation opportunities in these areas?
  3. Is anyone trying to ensure that the efforts of each board are co-ordinated, so they do not close schools in close proximity to one another?
I would appreciate a report summarizing Administration’s thoughts on this matter.” / Community Svcs.
Due: June 17, 2003

D.1.b.New YMCA Building in Downtown Core and City Needs (J. Batty).

“I understand the Edmonton YMCA is about to embark on a Community Capital Campaign to finance the building of a new YMCA in the city centre.
  1. What were the findings of the City of Edmonton Community Services Market Assessment Survey conducted in September of 2001 with reference to the need for a new community recreation centre located in the downtown core?
  2. What program opportunities and housing needs will the YMCA provide for the city centre neighbourhoods?
  3. What will the possible impact be on the Kinsmen Sports Centre?
  4. What are the plans for the existing downtown YMCA?
  5. What financial support has the City provided in the past for:
  • Jamie Platz YMCA Community Centre?
  • William Lutsky YMCA Community Centre?
  • Castle Downs YMCA Community Centre?
  1. What is the status of the YMCA in regard to previous financial support from the City of Edmonton?
  2. Does the City of Edmonton have any formal policies or guidelines around partnerships with community organizations to deliver municipal services that have been traditionally 100% funded by the City?
  3. How can the City of Edmonton support the community coalition being developed by the YMCA to expand the provision of community and recreation services to the residents of Edmonton’s central core and west end communities through the new City Centre YMCA and the expanded Jamie Platz YMCA Family Centre?
Please direct this report to the Community Services Committee.” / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: June 9, 2003

D.1.c.Effect of the Smoking Bylaw on Business Tax (S. Mandel).

“At the last Council meeting a bylaw prohibiting smoking was passed. A complete ban will come into effect in 2005. This will give those affected two years to make the changes in order to meet the new bylaw.
  1. With the bylaw change, will that change the valuation of the business tax for affected businesses? If so, in what way?
  2. How much does the City currently receive from the affected businesses in business taxes?
  3. Can Administration supply the same information for the non-residential property taxes for the impacted category?
  4. Does the City have a policy for reimbursing/reducing business taxes, as a means of offsetting the costs that business will incur as a result of the policy change?
/ Planning & Dev.
Exec. Committee
Due: June 11, 2003

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.a.Federation of Community Leagues. 

MOVED M. Phair – A. Bolstad:

  1. That the February 26, 2003, Community Services Department report be received for information.
  2. That the Administration, with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, prepare a separate budget under Boards and Authorities for the 2004 City budget.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager; and J. Tustian, General Manager, Community Services Department, answered Council’s questions.

MOVED A. Bolstad – M. Phair:

That Council hear from D. Kuchelyma, President, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.

carried

FOR THE MOTION:B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:R. Hayter, L. Langley, S. Mandel.

ABSENT:B. Smith; E. Gibbons.

D. Kuchelyma, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, answered Council’s questions.

MOVED K. Leibovici – J. Melnychuk:

That the motion on the floor be referred to be Community Services Committee meeting on April 22, 2003, at 3 p.m.:

MOVED M. Phair – A. Bolstad (Made at the April 15, 2003, City Council meeting):

  1. That the February 26, 2003, Community Services Department report be received for information.
  2. That the Administration, with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, prepare a separate budget under Boards and Authorities for the 2004 City budget.

D. Kuchelyma, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, answered Council’s questions.

RECONSIDERED

Continued on page 19

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

ABSENT:B. Smith.

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.c.Update on the Minister’s Provincial/Municipal Council on Roles, Responsibilities and Resources in the 21st Century. 

MOVED A. Bolstad – L. Langley:

That Administration bring forward a report laying out a process to review the City of Edmonton’s strategy and a communication plan relative to the Minister’s Provincial/Municipal Council on Roles, Responsibilities and Resources in the 21st Century, to the May 27, 2003, City Council meeting.

AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:

That the words “to the May 27, 2003, City Council meeting” be deleted and replaced with the words “to City Council no later than May 27, 2003.”

carried

FOR THE AMENDMENT:B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Langley, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.

OPPOSED:E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, K. Leibovici, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:B. Smith.

FOR THE MOTION, AS AMENDED, put:

That Administration bring forward a report laying out a process to review the City of Edmonton’s strategy and a communication plan relative to the Minister’s Provincial/Municipal Council on Roles, Responsibilities and Resources in the 21st Century, to City Council no later than May 27, 2003. / Corporate Svcs.
Due: May 27, 2003

carried

FOR THE MOTION,

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

ABSENT:B. Smith.

E.1.d.Special City Council Meeting on May 1, 2003 to Discuss Municipal Finance. 

MOVED B. Anderson – L. Langley:

  1. That the May 1, 2003, Special City Council meeting be held in the Heritage Room.
  2. That Section 54 (1) of the Procedures and Committees Bylaw be suspended for the May 1, 2003, Special City Council meeting to allow Council to discuss the items on the agenda without a motion on the floor. [Special Resolution required].
  3. That the Procedures outlined in Attachment 1 of the April 4, 2003, Office of the City Manager report be approved for the May 1, 2003, Special City Council meeting.
/ City Manager
Corporate Svcs.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager; and R. Garvey, General Manager, Corporate Services Department, answered Council’s questions.

carried

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

ABSENT:B. Smith.

B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.f.Welcome to the Students from Rideau Park School (R. Hayter).

Deputy Mayor R. Hayter, on behalf of City Council, welcomed the Grade 6 students from Rideau Park School and their teacher Ms. Barbara Stenzel.

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.c.Whitemud Integrated Plan. 

MOVED B. Anderson – T. Cavanagh:

That the Whitemud Integrated Plan be approved as the basis for park master plan development in the area (Attachment 1 of the March 4, 2003, Community Services Department report).

R. Millican, General Manager, Transportation and Streets Department; J. Tustian, General Manager, and L. Brenneis, Community Services Department, answered Council’s questions.

AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – J. Batty:

That a part 2 to added as follows:

  1. That the Community Services Department provide an update on the Equine Centre to the Community Services Committee in June 2004.

carried

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

ABSENT:B. Smith.

FOR THE MOTION, AS AMENDED, put:

  1. That the Whitemud Integrated Plan be approved as the basis for park master plan development in the area (Attachment 1 of the March 4, 2003, Community Services Department report).
  2. That the Community Services Department provide an update on the Equine Centre in June 2004, to the Community Services Committee.
/ Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: June 2004
F.1.c. continued
Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: June 2004

carried

FOR THE MOTION,

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

ABSENT:B. Smith.

Mayor B. Smith entered the meeting.

Deputy Mayor R. Hayter vacated the Chair and Mayor B. Smith presided.

B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.g.Welcome to the Students from Blessed Kateri School (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, welcomed the Grade 6 students from Blessed Kateri school and their teacher Ms. Bridget Berube.

MOVED S. Mandel – A. Bolstad:

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

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.

L.BYLAWS

L.1FIRST READING BYLAW

L.1.a.Bylaw 13312 - 2003 Property Tax and Supplementary Property Tax Bylaw. 

MOVED T. Cavanagh – M. Phair:

  1. That Option 3, as contained in Attachment 7 of the March 25, 2003, Planning and Development Department report, be approved as Schedule A of Bylaw 13312, the 2003 Property Tax and Supplementary Property Tax Bylaw, to establish the 2003 tax rates.
  2. That the 2003 tax rates be exempted from the maximum mill rate differential (2.2 to 1) approved by Council on April 7, 1998.

P. Boutin, Planning and Development Department; and R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department, made a presentation. Copies of the presentation were distributed to Members of Council and a copy was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

G. Christenson, Greater Edmonton Home Builders’ Association, made a presentation and answered Council’s questions.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager; P. Boutin, Planning and Development Department; and
R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department, answered Council’s questions.

AMENDED MOVED J. Batty – J. Melnychuk:

That words “Option 3” in part 1 be replaced with the words “Option 2.”

A. B. Maurer, City Manager; P. Boutin, Planning and Development Department; and
R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department, answered Council’s questions.

Continued on page 15

Orders of the Day were called.

Council recessed at 11:57 a.m.

Council reconvened at 1:32 p.m.

MOVED A. Bolstad – J. Melnychuk:

That Economic Development Edmonton and Administration be allowed to make presentations on the items H.1.a, H.1.b., H.1.c. and E.1.e. without a motion on the floor, and that items H.1.c. and E.1.e. be dealt with together.

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

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, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:M. Phair.

H.OTHER REPORTS

H.1.a.Economic Development Edmonton’s 2003 Business Plan.

A. Scott, President and CEO, M. Borys, K. Fiske and M. Fitzpatrick, Economic Development Edmonton, made a presentations and answered Council’s questions. Copies of their presentation were distributed to Members of Council and a copy was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

MOVED A. Bolstad – J. Batty:

That the verbal report, and the handout provided by Economic Development Edmonton (EDE) with respect to EDE’s 2003 Business Plan, be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

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

carried

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

OPPOSED:J. Melnychuk.

H.1.c.Economic Development Edmonton’s Financial Plan.

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.e.Economic Development Edmonton – Financial Solution.

MOVED S. Mandel – J. Batty:

  1. That EDE be provided with bridge financing in an amount not to exceed $1.5 million to cover the projected cash deficiency during the period October 2003 to January 2004.
  2. That EDE be relieved of financial responsibility for the repayment of $3.9 million of debenture debt related to the Research and Development Park. Furthermore, that this debenture debt obligation be replaced with the obligation to repay an internal loan from the City of Edmonton of like amount plus interest, with payment commencing in 2005 and a repayment term not to exceed ten years.

R. Garvey, General Manager, Corporate Services Department, made a presentation and answered Council’s questions. Copies of the presentation were distributed to Members of Council and a copy was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

M. Borys, Economic Development Edmonton, answered Council’s questions.

Orders of the Day were called.

Council recessed at 3:33 p.m.

Council reconvened at 3:52 p.m.

Councillors J. Batty, R. Hayter and L. Langley were absent.

MOVED M. Phair – S. Mandel:

That the motion on the floor be postponed to the April 29, 2003, City Council meeting:
MOVED S. Mandel – J. Batty (Made at the April 15, 2003, City Council meeting):
  1. That EDE be provided with bridge financing in an amount not to exceed $1.5 million to cover the projected cash deficiency during the period October 2003 to January 2004.
  2. That EDE be relieved of financial responsibility for the repayment of $3.9 million of debenture debt related to the Research and Development Park. Furthermore, that this debenture debt obligation be replaced with the obligation to repay an internal loan from the City of Edmonton of like amount plus interest, with payment commencing in 2005 and a repayment term not to exceed ten years.
/ Corporate Svcs.
Due: Apr. 29, 2003

carried

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

ABSENT:J. Batty, R. Hayter, L. Langley.