Minutes for City Council January 29, 2002 Meeting

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, January 29, 2002

PRESENT 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.

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

Deputy Mayor L. Langley called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

Mayor B. Smith and Councillor J. Batty were absent.

OPENING PRAYER

Reverend Gregory Priputnikov, St. Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Church, led the assembly in prayer.

B.1. URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.a. Welcome to the Students from St. Pius School (L. Langley).

Deputy Mayor L. Langley welcomed the Grade 6 students from St. Pius School, together with their teacher, Mrs. Gannon.

A.2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That the City Council Agenda for the January 29, 2002 meeting be adopted with the addition of the following items:

E.1.g. - Office of the City Auditor Quarterly Report – January 2002.

E.1.h. - Labour Relations Update – In Private.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT: B. Smith; J. Batty.

A.3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED T. Cavanagh – D. Thiele:

That the Minutes of the January 9, 2002 City Council Public Hearing meeting; January 14, 2002 Special City Council Public Hearing meeting; and January 15, 2002 City Council meeting be adopted.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT: B. Smith; J. Batty.

Councillor J. Batty entered the meeting.

B.1. URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.b. Environmental Leadership Award (L. Langley).

Deputy Mayor L. Langley stated that the Transportation and Streets Department received the Environmental Leadership Award from the Alberta Roadbuilders Heavy Construction Association for its innovative management of the Clover Bar Bridge Construction Project. It involved building a new westbound bridge and disposing of the existing bridge. The new bridge opened to traffic on August 28, 2001. Deputy Mayor L. Langley presented R. Millican, General Manager, Transportation and Streets Department with the Award and, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the entire Department for an outstanding job and for its commitment to environmentally friendly construction.

B.1.c. Scott Tournament of Hearts (J. Melnychuk).

Councillor J. Melnychuk stated that she had the honour of representing the City at the opening of the Provincial Female Curling Playdowns – the Scott Tournament of Hearts and, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the Cathy King Rink from the Ottewell Curling Club for a job well done. They will be representing not only the City of Edmonton but the Province of Alberta at next month’s National Curling Championships – The Scott Tournament of Hearts, to be held in Brandon, Manitoba.

B.2. EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED B. Anderson – D. Thiele:

That items D.2.a., E.1.b., E.1.c., E.1.d., E.1.e., E.1.f., G.1.a., G.1.b., and the in-private items E.1.h. and H.1.b. be exempted for debate; and

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.a. Appointment of 2002 Boards of Directors to the Business Revitalization Zones of Edmonton. Ø

That the individuals named in Attachment 1 (of the January 9, 2002 Planning and Development Department report) be appointed as the Boards of Directors for the Alberta Avenue, Beverly, Downtown, Fort Road, Inglewood, Kingsway, Old Strathcona, 124Street and Area and 97 Street and Area Business Associations for the term January1,2002 to December31, 2002. / Planning & Dev.

E.1.g. Office of the City Auditor Quarterly Report – January 2002. Ø

1. That the Office of the City Auditor Quarterly Report — January 2002 (Attachment 1 of the January 15, 2002 Office of the City Auditor report) be received for information.
2. That the Office of the City Auditor 2002 Annual Work Plan (Attachment 2 of the January 15, 2002 Office of the City Auditor report) be approved. / City Auditor

H. OTHER REPORTS

H.1.a. Appointment of External Representatives to the Animal Control Advisory Board.

1. That Wayne Maday be re-appointed to the Animal Control Advisory Board as the Edmonton SPCA representative for the term ending December 31, 2002.
2. That Dennis Prodan be appointed to the Animal Control Advisory Board as the representative of the Province of Alberta for the term ending December 31, 2002. / City Manager

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.

D. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a. Bylaw Enforcement Related to Cars and Parking (M. Phair).

“I would like the following information regarding bylaw enforcement related to cars and parking:
1. For 2000 and/or 2001, what was the total number of tickets issued for parking/car violations by Bylaw Services?
2. For 2000 and/or 2001, how many of these tickets were paid, withdrawn, went to trial or not paid at all?
3. Is there an estimate of the cost for this enforcement and an estimate on the return after costs to the City?
I would like this information to return to the Community Services Committee.” / Planning & Dev.
CS Committee
Due: Apr. 2, 2002

D.1.b. Dealing with Homelessness (M. Phair).

“In the last couple of years the Federal Government has provided significant dollars to Edmonton for dealing with homelessness.
I would like the following information regarding this money:
1. What is the federal commitment to Edmonton? What is the time period?
2. Have these dollars leveraged additional dollars from other sources?
3. What are some of the results of these new dollars in dealing with homelessness?
I would like this report to return to the Community Services Committee.” / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: Apr. 2, 2002

D.1.c. Increased Premiums for Health Care (J. Melnychuk).

“In light of the Provincial Government’s discussion about increased premiums for health care, I would ask the Administration to provide information on costs to the City of Edmonton for premium increases of 20%, 33%, and 40% with the proportion of payment remaining the same between employer and employee.” / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Feb. 12, 2002

D.1.d. Crosswalks (K. Leibovici).

“As part of the response to my inquiry regarding crosswalks could you please provide the following:
1. In consultation with the Edmonton Police Service, how many tickets have been issued to motorists who have not stopped at designated crosswalks for pedestrians?
2. Are there key intersections where continuing problems have been identified?
3. What are the number of pedestrian accidents that have occurred in 1997-2000? Are there any trends, i.e. key intersections where continuing problems have been identified or time of day for these accidents. I would appreciate if annual summaries could be provided for the years 1998-2001 updating the summaries provided in the response to the Mayor’s inquiry in 1998.
4. What actions were taken as a result of the Mayor’s inquiry in 1998 and Utilities and Public Works Committee motions in 1999, specifically:
a. Pilot project to study the effectiveness of an alternative signing material that will increase the visibility of pedestrian signs.
b. Update on activities and effectiveness of “Partners in Pedestrian Safety” group and any innovative community involvement programs resulting from this group’s activities.
c. Any educational programs designed to promote traffic safety targeted at specific age groups, i.e. 16-24 years; 9-11 years; 14 years and over; 55 years and older.
d. Results of any reassessment of pavement markings and pedestrian signing to ensure that these marked crossings are the best alternative for that particular location.
e. Impact of street lighting at pedestrian locations and whether upgraded street lighting at certain intersections would have a positive impact and cost of upgrading.
I would like this information to return to the Transportation and Public Works Committee at the same time as the response to my other inquiry regarding pedestrian safety at crosswalks.” / Transportation & Streets
TPW Committee
Due: Mar. 12, 2002
D.1.d. cont’d.
Transportation & Streets
TPW Committee
Due: Mar. 12, 2002

D.1.e. Impact of the Increase in Health Care Premiums (K. Leibovici).

“The proposed decision by the Alberta Government to increase health care premiums will have an impact on not only the City of Edmonton but also other employers. I am requesting that the Administration prepare a report outlining what the financial impact will be to the City of Edmonton’s budget as well as a proposed strategy for communicating our concerns to the Province.
I would like to request that this response be brought forward at the next Council meeting for discussion.” / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Feb. 12, 2002

D.1.f. Disposal of Surplus Goods (D. Thiele).

“Some concerns have been expressed to me about the way the City of Edmonton disposes of surplus goods such as computers, furniture, found goods, surplus City of Edmonton vehicles, seized vehicles, buildings, etc.
My questions are:
1. How are these goods disposed of?
2. Are all these types of items dealt with in the same fashion?
3. Are police seizures, lost and found items, etc., and other police surpluses dealt with in the same method as the City of Edmonton uses?
4. Is there a tender process and, if so, how are the tenders awarded and for how long?
5. Is this process reviewed to ensure maximum benefit for the City of Edmonton?
I would like this report to come back to the Executive Committee.” / Corporate Svcs.
Exec. Committee
Due: Apr. 3, 2002

D.1.g. The Use of Cell Phones in Motor Vehicles (D. Thiele).

“I have heard a number of concerns voiced in regards to the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.
My questions are:
1. Does the City of Edmonton have the power to enact a bylaw to make cell phone use illegal while operating a motor vehicle?
2. Have any jurisdictions in Canada and/or the U.S.A. banned the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle? If so, which jurisdictions?
3. What statistics are available regarding collisions while one or more of the drivers involved are using a cell phone, radio dispatch mike, and/or other similar communication devices?
4. Are there types of call phones i.e. hands free, headset, etc., that are considered safe or safer to use?
5. What process would Council use if we wished to introduce a ban or place restrictions on the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle in Edmonton?
I would like the report to come back to the Community Services Committee.” / Planning & Dev.
CS Committee
Due: Apr. 2, 2002
D.1.g. cont’d.
Planning & Dev.
CS Committee
Due: Apr. 2, 2002

B.1. URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.d. Welcome to the Students from John Paul I School (L. Langley).

Deputy Mayor L. Langley welcomed the Grades 5 and 6 students from John Paul I School, together with their teacher, Mrs. McKay.

D. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.2. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.a. Composter Report (R. Hayter). Ø

MOVED R. Hayter – A. Bolstad:

That the January 10, 2002 Asset Management and Public Works Department report be referred to the Transportation and Public Works Committee. / Asset Mgmt. & Public Works
TPW Committee
Due: Feb. 5, 2002

carried

FOR THE MOTION: B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad, E. Gibbons,

R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel,

J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED: T. Cavanagh.

ABSENT: B. Smith.

B.1. URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.e. Welcome to the Students from Vernon Barford School (L. Langley).

Deputy Mayor L. Langley welcomed the Grade 8 students from Vernon Barford School, together with their teacher, Mrs. Ciona.

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.b. Strategic Policy Forums. Ø

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

2. That Section 54(1) of Bylaw 12300, Procedures and Committee Bylaw be suspended for these forums to allow the City Manager to present to City Council and respond to questions, without a motion on the floor.

3. That the Strategic Policy Forums occur “In-Private” in accordance with the provisions of Section 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

4. That the Strategic Policy Forums take place in the Councillor’s Boardroom in City Hall.

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

Members of Council requested the motion be split for voting purposes.

MOTION ON PART 3, put:

3. That the Strategic Policy Forums occur “In-Private” in accordance with the provisions of Section 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

CARRIED

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

OPPOSED: A. Bolstad, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.

ABSENT: B. Smith.

MOTION ON PARTS 1, 2 AND 4, put:

4. That the Strategic Policy Forums take place in the Councillor’s Boardroom in City Hall.

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.

SUMMARY OF COUNCIL’S DECISION ON ITEM E.1.b.

1. That City Council approve, as agenda items, Strategic Policy Forums on Financial Planning, Investment Management and Budget Development for the regular City Council meetings of March 5, March 19 and April 9, 2002 and that each forum be time specific commencing at 3:45p.m.
2. That Section 54(1) of Bylaw 12300, Procedures and Committee Bylaw be suspended for these forums to allow the City Manager to present to City Council and respond to questions, without a motion on the floor.
3. That the Strategic Policy Forums occur “In-Private” in accordance with the provisions of Section 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
4. That the Strategic Policy Forums take place in the Councillor’s Boardroom in City Hall. / City Manager
Corporate Svcs.
Due: Mar. 5, 2002
Mar. 19, 2002
Apr. 9, 2002
@ 3:45 p.m.

E.1.d. Proposed Amendments to City Policy C200 - Financing of Local Improvements. Ø