______
Special City Council
Meeting Minutes1
December 1/2/4/8/10/11/12/15/17/18, 2003
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Monday, December 1, 2003
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
Thursday, December 4, 2003
Monday, December 8, 2003
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Friday, December 12, 2003
Monday, December 15, 2003
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Thursday, December 18, 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
Mayor B. Smith called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Councillors R. Hayter and K. Leibovici were absent.
A.4.EXPLANATION OF THE PROCESS FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETINGS
Mayor B. Smith explained the process for the Special City Council Budget meetings.
Councillor R. Hayter entered the meeting.
A.2.ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOVED M. Phair – J. Batty:
That the December 1, 2003, Special City Council meeting agenda be adopted with the following changes:
a.ADDITIONS
C.1.a.Response to Councillors’ Questions on the 2004
Proposed Budget
Attachment 2
C.1.e.Tax-Supported Debt and Revisions to the 2004 Capital
Budget
K.1.a.Community Services Department 2004 Price Schedule
Revised Attachment 1
- That Orders of the Day for the December 4, 2003, Special City Council meeting be amended as follows to allow Council to attend a Special EPCOR Shareholders meeting:
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Lunch
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.
C.REPORTS RELATED TO BUDGET MATTERS
C.1.a.Response to Councillors’ Questions on the 2004 Proposed Budget
MOVED M. Phair – S. Mandel:
That the November 24, 2003, Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department, answered Council’s questions.
Councillor K. Leibovici entered the meeting.
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.
B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS
B.1.a.Welcome to the Mayor of Grande Prairie (B. Smith)
On behalf of City Council, Mayor B. Smith welcomed Mayor Wayne Ayling of Grande Prairie.
C.REPORTS RELATED TO BUDGET MATTERS
C.1.b.Citizen Feedback on the Proposed 2004 Budget
MOVED M. Phair – D. Thiele:
That the November 20, 2003, Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.T. Atterbury, Corporate Services Department, made a presentation and answered Council’s questions. R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department, 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, M. Phair,
D. Thiele.
C.1.c.Provincial Government Impacts on the City’s 2004 Budget
MOVED M. Phair – J. Batty:
That the October 24, 2003, Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.A. B. Maurer, City Manager; and R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department, answered Council’s questions.
CARRIED
FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.
ABSENT:J. Batty, D. Thiele.
C.1.d.Provincial Funding Requirements – 2004 Budget Update
MOVED T. Cavanagh – M. Phair:
That the November 26, 2003, Office of the City Manager report be received for information. / City ManagerA. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.
CARRIED
FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.
ABSENT:R. Hayter.
C.1.e.Tax-Supported Debt and Revisions to the 2004 Capital Budget
MOVED T. Cavanagh – E. Gibbons:
That the November 26, 2003, Corporate Services Department report be received for information.
R. Rosychuk, 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.
R. Millican, General Manager, Transportation and Streets Department; and A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.
Copies of a letter dated November 26, 2003, from J. A. Naqvi, President, South Edmonton Common, re 23rd Avenue Overpass – South Edmonton Common, were distributed to Members of Council and a copy was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.
B. Stephenson, Transportation and Streets Department; and A. Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk, answered Council’s questions.
Copies of a memorandum dated November 28, 2003, from B. Stephenson, Transportation and Streets Department, re Cost Comparisons – West Edmonton Mall and South Edmonton Common, were distributed to Members of Council and a copy was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.
MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:
That any Member of Council who may wish to do so be allowed to speak for an additional five minutes.
A. Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk; and A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.
LOST
FOR THE MOTION:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, K. Leibovici, M. Phair,
D. Thiele.
OPPOSED:B. Smith; J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
L. Langley.
ABSENT:R. Hayter, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk.
MOVED A. Bolstad – B. Smith:
That Council recess and that Administration bring forward a process to deal with alternatives for considering tax-supported debt when Council reconvenes.
carried
FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
M. Phair, D. Thiele.
ABSENT:R. Hayter, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk.
Council recessed at 11:55 a.m.
Council reconvened at 1:35 p.m.
Councillor D. Thiele was absent.
D. H. Edey, City Clerk, answered Council’s questions.
Councillor D. Thiele entered the meeting.
MOTION ON ITEM C.1.e., put:
That the November 26, 2003, Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.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.
Tax-Supported Debt Projects
MOVED J. Batty – M. Phair:
That the following tax-supported debt projects be approved for 2004 funded by up to a 1% tax levy increase:
Hall D (City Share)9,500,000
Fire Stations (old and new)6,000,000
Neighbourhood/District Park
Development4,725,000
Mature Neighbourhood Roads
Rehabilitation7,875,000
23rd Avenue-Gateway Boulevard
Interchange9,800,000
Improvements to Arterial Roads12,100,000
Total:$50,000,000
POSTPONED
(dealt with on p. 152)
MOVED S. Mandel – M. Phair:
That the following motion be postponed to Tuesday, December 2, 2003, Special City Council meeting at 9:30 a.m.
MOVED J. Batty – M. Phair (Made at the December 1, 2003, Special City Council meeting):
That the following tax-supported debt projects be approved for 2004 funded by up to a 1% tax levy increase:
Hall D (City Share)9,500,000
Fire Stations (old and new)6,000,000
Neighbourhood/District Park
Development4,725,000
Mature Neighbourhood Roads
Rehabilitation7,875,000
23rd Avenue-Gateway Boulevard
Interchange9,800,000
Improvements to Arterial Roads12,100,000
Total:$50,000,000
AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad – J. Melnychuk:
That a Part 2 be added to read as follows:
- That Administration have individuals in attendance at the December 2, 2003, Special City Council meeting to answer questions on all of the projects listed in the November 26, 2003, Corporate Services Department report.
CARRIED
FOR THE AMENDMENT: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.
MOTION, AS AMENDED, put:
1.That the following motion be postponed to Tuesday, December 2, 2003, Special City Council meeting at 9:30 a.m.
MOVED J. Batty – M. Phair (Made at the December 1, 2003, Special City Council meeting):
That the following tax-supported debt projects be approved for 2004 funded by up to a 1% tax levy increase:
Hall D (City Share)9,500,000
Fire Stations (old and new)6,000,000
Neighbourhood/District Park
Development4,725,000
Mature Neighbourhood Roads
Rehabilitation7,875,000
23rd Avenue-Gateway Boulevard
Interchange 9,800,000
Improvements to Arterial Roads12,100,000
Total:$50,000,000
2.That Administration have individuals in attendance at the December 2, 2003, Special City Council meeting to answer questions on all of the projects listed in the November 26, 2003, Corporate Services Department report.
CARRIED
FOR THE MOTION
AS AMENDED: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.
C.1.f.Position of other Orders of Government on Funding of Hall D
MOVED T. Cavanagh – R. Hayter:
That the November 17, 2003, Asset Management and Public Works Department report be received for information. / AMPWW. D. Burn, General Manager, and K. Siu, Asset Management and Public Works Department; and A. B. Maurer, City Manager, 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, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.
ABSENT:S. Mandel.
C.1.g.Tax Levy Implications of E9-1-1 Revenues
MOVED M. Phair – J. Batty (Made at the November 6, 2003, Special City Council meeting):
That the October 28, 2003, Corporate Services Department report be received for information.
R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department; D. H. Edey, City Clerk; and A. B. Maurer, City Manager answered Council’s questions.
MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:
That any Member of Council who may wish to do so be allowed to speak for an additional five minutes.
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.
J. Tustian, General Manager, and R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department; A. B. Maurer, City Manager; and D. H. Edey, City Clerk, answered Council’s questions.
MOTION ON ITEM C.1.g., put:
That the October 28, 2003, Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.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.
C.1.h.2004 Operating and Capital Budget.
MOVED M. Phair – J. Batty:
1.That the 2004 Operating Budget be approved as follows:
a.Tax-Supported operations based on a total property and business tax levy of $510,077,000 (4% increase for operating and 1% for capital, plus estimated real growth).
b.That the tax rate bylaws be brought forward in 2004 generating the tax revenues in recommendation 1.a. above based on:
i)Business tax revenue, including the estimated real growth, to be $84,205,000;
ii)Property tax revenue, including the estimated real growth, to be $411,115,000; and,
iii)Payment-in-lieu of taxes, including the estimated real growth, to be $14,757,000 ($316,000 for business and $14,441,000 for property).
c.Municipal Enterprises with expenditures of $115,118,000 and revenues of $121,474,000.
d.Drainage Services Utility with operating revenues in the amount of $109,603,000 and expenditures of $76,123,000.
2.That the 2004-2008 Capital Priorities Plan and Budget be approved with $2,561,220,000 in funded plan expenditures incorporating the following:
a.An increase in budget authority of $372,212,000 for a total of $1,530,289,000 in budgeted expenditures.
b.Funding earmarked for future capital projects of $1,030,181,000.
3.With respect to implementation of Provincial E9-1-1 service:
a.That the $2,100,000 of revenue from the Call Answer Fee be budgeted by the Police Service and matched by a corresponding reduction to the 2004 Police Service tax levy.
b.That the $2,100,000 in tax levy released from the Police Service in 2004 be allocated to civic programs and boards/authorities based on their relative shares of the tax levy as follows:
Arts Council 8,000
Economic Development Edmonton23,000
Federation of Community Leagues 3,000
Greater Edmonton Foundation 9,000
Police Service 475,000
Public Library72,000
Space and Science Foundation 4,000
Civic Programs 1,506,000
Total $2,100,000
c.That the civic program share in 3.b. be allocated to address the following operational impacts and commitments:
Closure of medium-sized library 303,000
Shaw Conference Centre operating deficit 948,000
Odyssium operating deficit 138,000
Juno Awards 65,000
Canada Day 52,000
Total $1,506,000
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 152)
R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department; A. B. Maurer, City Manager; and D. H. Edey, City Clerk, answered Council’s questions.
MOVED A. Bolstad – D. Thiele:
- That Administration provide a brief report prior to the end of the 2003 budget process which generally describes what the effect would have been on City tax revenue and property tax payers, by tax category, for 2001, 2002 and 2003, if the mill rate had remained constant and the tax revenue had been captured for the increase in assessed value.
- That Administration summarize the expected effect of using this approach for 2004.
Due: Dec. 8, 2003
R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department; and A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.
CARRIED
FOR THE MOTION:B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad, E. Gibbons,
L. Langley, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk,
M. Phair, D. Thiele.
OPPOSED:B. Smith; T. Cavanagh, R. Hayter.
D.TRANSPORTATION AND STREETS DEPARTMENT
R. Millican, General Manager, L. McCormick, B. Stephenson and P. Haug, Transportation and Streets Department, answered Council’s questions.
Orders of the Day were called.
Council recessed at 3:32 p.m.
Council reconvened at 3:55 p.m.
Councillors B. Anderson, J. Batty, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel and J. Melnychuk were absent.
R. Millican, General Manager, Transportation and Streets Department, answered Council’s questions.
Councillor B. Anderson, J. Batty, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel and J. Melnychuk entered the meeting.
MOVED J. Melnychuk – D. Thiele:
That any Member of Council who may wish to do so be allowed to speak for an additional five minutes.
CARRIED
FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.
ABSENT:E. Gibbons, S. Mandel.
R. Millican, General Manager, Transportation and Streets Department, and A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.
AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Roads be increased by $111,000 to fund the Neighbourhood Traffic Plan on an ongoing basis, with funding from an increase in the tax levy.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 79)
AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Roads be increased by $709,000 to fund the Walk Repair on an ongoing basis, with funding from an increase in the tax levy.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 80)
AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – D. Thiele:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Roads be increased by $193,000 to fund Intelligent Traffic Systems on an ongoing basis, with funding from an increase in the tax levy.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 81)
AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad – M. Phair:
That:
- The charge for the Residential Parking Permit Program not be implemented in 2004 and that the funds available for the 2004 Council Contingency Fund be decreased by $70,000 to offset the lost revenue.
- Administration introduce the Residential Parking Permit Program to the affected communities and other interested parties, such as the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, in the new year and report back to the Transportation and Public Works Committee no later than May 1, 2004.
- If the charge for the Residential Parking Permit Program is implemented in 2004, any revenue that is gained be placed in the 2004 Council Contingency Fund.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 81)
R. Millican, General Manager, K. Koropeski, D. Nowicki, B. Stephenson and W. Mandryk Transportation and Streets Department; R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department; and
A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.
MOVED L. Langley – M. Phair:
That any Member of Council who may wish to do so be allowed to speak for an additional five minutes.
CARRIED
FOR THE MOTION:B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,
E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
S. Mandel, M. Phair, D. Thiele.
ABSENT:J. Batty, J. Melnychuk.
R. Millican, General Manager, D. Nowicki, B. Stephenson and K. Koropeski, Transportation and Streets Department, answered Council’s questions.
AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget –Transit Security Initiatives be reduced by $300,000 and allocated to the tax levy.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 84)
AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – D. Thiele:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Transit be increased by $390,000 ($455,000 expenditure and $65,000 revenue) to fund Existing Infrastructure Maintenance - Peak on an ongoing basis, with funding from an increase in the tax levy.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 84)
AMENDMENT MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Transit be increased by $512,000 to fund Marketing and Communications on an ongoing basis, with funding from an increase in the tax levy.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 84)
AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad – K. Leibovici:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Transit be increased by $610,000 to fund Service to New Areas Peak Refurbishment on an ongoing basis, with funding from:
a. Revenue increase of $96,000 from the service itself.
b. Elimination of “Centre Free” LRT for a revenue increase of $100,000.
c. Increase of $1 per month to the cost of an adult monthly bus pass, post-secondary monthly bus pass, school bus pass and the DATS monthly bus pass for a revenue increase of $193,000.
d. Increase of $1 to the Special Event Park ‘n’ Ride pass for a revenue increase of $60,000.
e. A reallocation of $161,000 from the E9-1-1 tax levy impact provided to fund the Shaw Conference Centre operating deficit (Part 3.c. of the main motion).
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 86)
AMENDMENT MOVED S. Mandel – M. Phair:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Transit be increased by $200,000 to fully fund AISH Transit Passes on a one-time basis for the pilot project, with funding from an increase in the tax levy.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 89)
AMENDMENT MOVED K. Leibovici – R. Hayter:
That the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Transit be increased by $380,000 to fund Services to New Areas – Off Peak on an ongoing basis, with funding from:
a. a decrease in the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – Transit Security Initiatives $300,000.
b. a decrease in the Transportation and Streets Department 2004 Operating Budget – DATS Hybrid Business Model by $80,000.
POSTPONED
(Dealt with on p. 89)
D.1.b.Use of Small Buses on Transit Routes
MOVED A. Bolstad – K. Leibovici:
That Administration provide a report to the Transportation and Public Works Committee in June 2004, which outlines the opportunities the City would have to use small buses on transit routes over the next ten years and a strategy to obtain the required buses at a competitive price. / Transportation & StreetsTPW Committee
Due: June 22, 2004
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.
Orders of the Day were called.
Council adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
The meeting reconvened Tuesday, December 2, 2003, at 9:30 a.m.
Councillors K. Leibovici and S. Mandel were absent.
A. Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk, answered Council's questions.
Councillor S. Mandel entered the meeting.
MOVED J. Batty – M. Phair:
That City Council adopt the following process for dealing with the Tax-Supported Debt Projects motion:
- Members of Council ask questions in the following three categories:
- Questions on the 23rd Avenue-Gateway Boulevard Interchange.
- Questions on all other Transportation and Streets Department projects, including:
- Mature Neighbourhood Roads Rehabilitation
- Improvements to Arterial Roads
- Fort Road Redevelopment – Transportation Component (not funded in 2004)
- Questions on all other projects including the following:
- Hall D Development – City Share
- Fire Stations – Old and New
- Neighbourhood/District Park - Base Level Development
- EMS Station (not funded in 2004)
- Senior Centre Consolidation and Upgrading (not funded in 2004)
- Multi-Use Recreation Facilities (not funded in 2004)
- Terwillegar Park Development (not funded in 2004)
- After all questions have been asked, amendments may be proposed and dealt with.
- Then the main motion will be dealt with.
Councillor K. Leibovici entered the meeting.