CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, June 17, 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. 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 B. Anderson and D. Thiele were absent.

OPENING PRAYER

Reverend Brian Kiely, Unitarian Church of Edmonton, led the assembly in prayer.

Councillor D. Thiele entered the meeting.

A.2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That the City Council agenda for the June 17, 2003, meeting be adopted with the following additions:

E.1.a. 2004 Business Plan and Budget Guidelines.

F.1.c. Costs of Fireworks Display.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

A.3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED T. Cavanagh – M. Phair:

That the minutes of the May 22, 2003, City Council Public Hearing meeting, the May 26/27/28, 2003, Special City Council meeting and the May 27, 2003, City Council meeting be adopted.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

B.1. URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.a. Congratulations to the Block Parent Association (L. Langley).

Councillor L. Langley, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the Block Parent Association on the anniversary of 30 years of service to the City of Edmonton. The Edmonton Association has one of the most successful programs in Canada, and Councillor L. Langley thanked the concerned citizens and police officers who have worked together for 30 years to benefit our City.

B.1.b. Congratulations to the Fort Edmonton Historical Foundation
(T. Cavanagh)

Councillor T. Cavanagh, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the Fort Edmonton Historical Foundation on the proposed July 1, 2003, opening of the New Selkirk Hotel and Johnson’s Café in Fort Edmonton. The beautiful building is a great memory of the building that was at 101 Street and Jasper Avenue, and is proof that, because of the work done by the Fort Edmonton Historical Foundation, Edmonton’s history is never lost.

B.1.c. Congratulations to West Edmonton Mall (K. Leibovici).

Councillor K. Leibovici, on behalf of City Council, congratulated West Edmonton Mall for their donation of over $17,000 to the Bruce Campbell Youth Centre, which is located in West Edmonton Mall Phase One. The doors to the Youth Centre opened in October of 2001 with the initial financial commitment provided by former City Councillor Bruce Campbell, and was named in his honour. The Youth Centre provides a safe, positive place for youth and continues to operate thanks to the partnerships between several community organizations, Mayfield Rotary Club, West Edmonton Mall and former City Councillor Bruce Campbell.

B.1.d. Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray, Winnipeg City Council and the 2003 Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference organizers for a job well done. The City of Edmonton is looking forward to hosting the 2004 Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference.

B.1.e. Congratulations to Corporate Services Department Staff (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the staff of Materials Management Branch, Corporate Services Department, for receiving The Alberta Institute of Purchasing Management Association of Canada 2003 Corporate Sponsor Award. The Award recognizes Materials Management’s outstanding contribution to the Alberta Institute, the National Association and the Purchasing profession. Mayor B. Smith presented the award to G. Goodall, Director, Materials Management Branch.

G. Goodall, thanked Members of Council and the Corporate Services Department management team and staff.

B.2. EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED T. Cavanagh – M. Phair:

That items D.2.a., E.1.a., F.1.a., F.1.c., F.1.d., F.1.e., H.1.a. and in private items E.1.c. and E.1.d. be exempted for debate; and

D. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.2. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.b. Potential Closure of Edmonton Schools (A. Bolstad). Ø

That the May 21, 2003, Community Services Department report be received for information. / Community Svcs.

D.3. STATUS OF REPORTS

D.3.a. Environmental Charges Related to Commonwealth Stadium
(B. Smith).

That the revised due date of September 23, 2003, be approved. / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Sep. 23, 2003

D.3.b. Dunvegan Access Road Concerns (Transportation Planning Workshop).

That the revised due date of September 16, 2003, and that the report return to the Transportation and Public Works Committee. / Transportation & Streets
TPW Committee
Due: Sep. 16, 2003

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.b. Response to Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association. Ø

That the Mayor send a letter (Attachment 1 of the May 14, 2003, Corporate Services Department report) in response to the request by the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association for termination of the appointment of the Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission. / Mayor
Corporate Svcs.

F. REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.b. Edmonton Arts Council – 2003 Canada Day Celebration Grant Recommendation. Ø

That the recommendation to allocate $15,000 to the Downtown Business Association in support of a Canada Day Celebration be approved. / Edmonton Arts Council

G. REPORTS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MATTERS

G.1.a. Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club - Request for Elimination of 2002 Annual Licence Fee. Ø

That the 2002 annual licence fee of $100,000, prescribed in the Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club Agreement for Telus Field, be waived. / Asset Mgmt. & Public Works

CARRIED

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

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

D. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a. Garbage Receptacle on Construction Sites (J. Melnychuk).

“It has come to my attention that there are no legal requirements to place a garbage receptacle on an active construction site.
I would like an Administrative report on the following:
1.  Is this true?
2.  Would it be feasible for the City to require a garbage bin on all construction sites?
3.  What steps would need to be taken in order for the City to require a garbage bin on all construction sites?
4.  Provide any other relevant information.
5.  I would like the report to come back to the Community Services Committee.” / Asset Mgmt. & Public Works
D.1.a. cont’d.
CS Committee
Due: Aug. 18, 2003

D.1.b. Status Reports on Fireworks Display (B. Smith).

“Given recent confusion surrounding the funding and planning of the Canada Day fireworks display, I would like Administration to provide a status report on two other upcoming fireworks displays:
1.  The December 31, 2003, fireworks display to kick-off Edmonton’s centennial celebrations; and
2.  The July 1, 2004, Canada Day Celebrations.
I would like to know:
1.  Who is responsible for planning, funding and delivering these events?
2.  What is the status of funding at this time?” / Community Svcs.
Due: Aug. 26, 2003

J. OTHER COMMITTEES

J.1.a. Audit on the Operations of Economic Development Edmonton (EDE).

Councillor A. Bolstad requested the permission of Council to make a motion without notice to direct the City Auditor to provide a verbal update at the June 19, 2003, Audit Committee meeting, on the audit on the operations of Economic Development Edmonton (EDE).

MOVED M. Phair – D. Thiele:

That Councillor A. Bolstad be allowed to make a motion without notice.

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh,

E. Gibbons, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, J. Melnchuk,
M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED: R. Hayter, S. Mandel.

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

MOVED A. Bolstad – M. Phair:

That the City Auditor, at the June 19, 2003, Audit Committee meeting, provide a verbal update on the recent work his office has done to audit the operation of Economic Development Edmonton (EDE). And further, that EDE be asked to provide a representative to this session to answer questions from Members of City Council.

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

AMENDMENT MOVED T. Cavanagh – J. Melnychuk:

That the following sentence be deleted:

“And further, that EDE be asked to provide a representative to this session to answer questions from Members of City Council.”

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

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT: B. Smith; J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons,

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

J. Melnychuk.

OPPOSED: A. Bolstad, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

MOTION, AS AMENDED, ON ITEM J.1.a., put,

That the City Auditor, at the June 19, 2003, Audit Committee meeting, provide a verbal update on the recent work his office has done to audit the operation of Economic Development Edmonton (EDE). / City Auditor
Audit Committee
Due: June 19, 2003

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION

AS AMENDED: J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh, R. Hayter,
K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED: B. Smith; E. Gibbons, L. Langley, S. Mandel.

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

B.3. DECISION TO HEAR AND TIME SPECIFICS

MOVED M. Phair – K. Leibovici:

That Council hear from the following delegations:

L.1.j. – Bylaw 13382 – Parks and Recreation Bylaw
Amendment No. 12.

M. Stephen.

LOST

FOR THE MOTION: A. Bolstad, K. Leibovici, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED: B. Smith; J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons,
R. Hayter, L. Langley, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk,
M. Phair,

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

D.2. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.a. Effect of the Smoking Bylaw on Business Tax (S. Mandel). Ø

MOVED S. Mandel – J. Batty:

That the May 1, 2003, Planning and Development Department report be referred to the June 25, 2003, Executive Committee meeting. / Planning & Dev.
Exec. Committee
Due: June 25, 2003

CARRIED

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

OPPOSED: A. Bolstad.

ABSENT: B. Anderson.

F. REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.d. Emergency Response Department Service Challenges: A Three-Year Funding Strategy. Ø

MOVED J. Batty – M. Phair:

1.  That Attachment 1 of the April 23, 2003, Emergency Response Department report (“ERD Service Challenges Summary”) be received for information.
2. That recommendation 2 which states:
“2. That the “Fire Rescue Key Service Level Targets” (Attachment 2 of the April 23, 2003, Emergency Response Department report) be approved subject to annual consideration of funding.”
be referred to the Community Services Committee to be dealt with at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2003, when the Community Services Committee is dealing with recommendations 3 and 4 of the report. / Emergency Response
CS Committee
Due: June 23, 2003

D. H. Edey, City Clerk; A. B. Maurer, City Manager; and D. Kloster, General Manager, Emergency Response Department, answered Council’s questions.

CARRIED

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

OPPOSED: D. Thiele.

ABSENT: B. Anderson, R. Hayter.

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.a. 2004 Business Plan and Budget Guidelines. Ø

MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:

1. That the proposed 2004 Budget be prepared based on Option 2 – Stretch Current Services with a tax guideline incorporating a tax rate increase beyond the Municipal Price Index (MPI) to avoid reductions to existing services.

2. That for protective services:

a) a multi-year funding methodology and strategy (including consideration of provincial roles, responsibilities and resources) for Police Services be drafted by Administration in conjunction with the Police Commission for review by City Council in early 2004.

b) a multi-year funding strategy (including consideration of provincial roles, responsibilities and resources for emergency medical services) for the Emergency Response Department be developed for review by City Council early in 2004.

3. That the capital projects outlined on page 62 of the Context, Challenges and Options report be considered for tax-supported debt in the 2004-08 Capital Priorities Plan and Budget and that a 1% tax increase be used to fund projects recommended for approval in 2004.

T. Heffner, TkMC, made a presentation.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager; H. Crone, Corporate Services Department; and T. Heffner, TkMC, answered Council’s questions.

Councillor B. Anderson entered the meeting.

AMENDMENT MOVED J. Batty – B. Smith:

1. That part 1 be replaced with the following:

1. a) That the proposed 2004 budget be prepared based on

(i)  a maximum of 4.0% tax increase, and

(ii)  a maximum 1.0 % tax increase to cover tax supported debt projects.

b)  That the cost savings necessary to achieve these targets be made in areas that will not reduce direct services to citizens.

c)  That the difference between the Administration's recommended 2004 tax increase of 6.6%, and this tax increase of 5.0%, be made up through the Senior Management Team's Business Model Review initiative.

2. That part 3 be replaced with the following:

3. That the list of tax supported debt projects, along with detailed rationale for each, return to City Council for debate in September.

3. That a part 4 be added as follows:

4. That the Mayor and City Council continue to lobby the provincial government for equitable long term fiscal support.

Councillor J. Batty; A. B. Maurer, City Manager; R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department; L. Benowski, General Manager, Planning and Development Department; and J. Tustian, General Manager, Community Services Department, answered Council’s questions.

AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT MOVED D. Thiele – M. Phair:

That Part 1 be replaced with the following:

1. That the proposed 2004 Budget be prepared based on Option 1 - Fund Growth Challenges.

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

(Continued on page 12)

Orders of the Day were called.

Council recessed at 12 noon.

Council reconvened at 1:35 p.m.

Councillors E. Gibbons, J. Melnychuk and D. Thiele were absent.