CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, June 18, 2002

PRESENT B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:

A.B. Maurer, City Manager.

A. Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk.
J. Wright, 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 J. Batty and E. Gibbons were absent.

OPENING PRAYER

Reverend David Dyck, Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church, led the assembly in prayer.

A.2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That the City Council Agenda for the June 18, 2002 meeting be adopted with the addition of the following item:

E.1.j. Special Orders of the Day to Discuss Urban Strategies.

carried

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

ABSENT: J. Batty, E. Gibbons.

Councillor E. Gibbons entered the meeting.

A.3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED M. Phair – A. Bolstad:

That the Minutes of the May 22, 2002 City Council Public Hearing meeting; May 23/24, 2002 Special City Council Public Hearing meeting; May 28, 2002 City Council meeting and June 10, 2002 Special City Council meeting, be adopted.

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, D. Thiele.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

B.1. URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.a. Calder Community – 3rd Annual Spring Clean-up (R. Hayter).

Councillor R. Hayter, on behalf of City Council, congratulated members of the Calder Clean-up Committee, spearheaded by Hilda Croft, and the citizens of this historic community on the success of its 3rd Annual Spring Clean-up.

The citizens responded enthusiastically during the three-day campaign and filled fourteen 40 cubic yard dumpsters with waste and junk – which was twice as much as last year.

B.1.b. Fuel Sense Program and the New City Council Orientation Program Awards (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, congratulated the Administration on the following Awards received by the City of Edmonton.

On May 30, 2002 in Hamilton, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities proclaimed Edmonton as a winner in their Fleet Management category. Edmonton was also recognized as an environmental leader for its successful Fuel Sense Program. The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators awarded Edmonton their Environmental Award and recognized the program for the direct positive impact it has on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Edmonton was also chosen a finalist in the Government Institutions category at the Emerald Awards.

The City has also been awarded a second Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators Award in the Education category for the new City Council Orientation Program, co-ordinated by Jan Eyre of the Office of the City Manager, and Val Stevens from Corporate Services Department. This program provides Council members, especially the new ones, with a clear and concise background on the operations of the City of Edmonton. All winners in the Education category become a part of CAMA’s library and share their successes with cities across the Country.

Mayor B. Smith presented W.D. Burn, General Manager, Asset Management and Public Works Department, and the staff involved in the Fuel Sense Program, with a plaque.

Mayor B. Smith also presented Jan Eyre and Val Stevens with a plaque.

B.2. EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED T. Cavanagh – M. Phair:

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

D. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.2. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.a. Measures to Protect Spectators in City Arenas (M. Phair). Ø

That the May 14, 2002 Community Services Department report be received for information. / Community Svcs.

D.3. STATUS OF REPORTS

D.3.a. City Centre Airport (R. Hayter).

That the revised due date of July 16, 2002 be approved. / Planning and Development
Due: July 16, 2002

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.e. Telus’s Linear Property 2000 and 2001 Assessment Appeals for the Taxation Years 2001 and 2002. Ø

That approval be given for the City of Edmonton to intervene and make representations before the Municipal Government Board with respect to appeals filed by Telus of their 2000 and 2001 linear property assessment for the taxation years 2001 and 2002. / Corporate Svcs.

E.1.j. Special Orders of the Day to Discuss Urban Strategies. Ø

1. That Urban Strategies issues be on the agendas of the regular City Council meetings of July 2, 2002, July 16, 2002, August 27, 2002, and September 17, 2002, be time specific from 3:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and be held in the Councillors’ Boardroom.
2. That Section 54(1) of the Procedures and Committee Bylaw 12300 be suspended for these items to allow the Administration to make presentations and City Council to discuss the issues without a motion on the floor. / City Manager
Corporate Svcs.
Due: Jul. 2, 2002
Jul. 16, 2002
Aug. 27, 2002
Sept. 17, 2002
@3:45 p.m.

F. REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.a. Terms of Reference for a Planning Study – Area North of 159 Avenue, East of 54 Street and West of the Future 50 Street (Little Mountain Cemetery). Ø

That the May 17, 2002 Community Services Department report be received for information. / Community Svcs.

F.1.b. City of Edmonton Low-Income and Special Needs Housing Strategy 2001-2011 (Status). Ø

1. That the May 15, 2002 Community Services Department report be received for information.
2. That Mayor B. Smith write to Premier R. Klein regarding the status of the study undertaken as a result of the Premier’s visit to the Herb Jamieson Centre. / Community Svcs.
Mayor Smith

G. REPORTS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MATTERS

G.1.c. Fee For Attachments to LRT Support Structures. Ø

That the fee for attachments to LRT structures set out in Attachment 1 of the May 22, 2002 Transportation and Streets Department report, be approved. / Transportation & Streets

G.1.d. Capital Budget Adjustment – Commonwealth Stadium (Accessibility Requirements). Ø

That approval be given to proceed with the accessibility requirements at Commonwealth Stadium (as outlined in Attachment 1 of the April 30, 2002 Community Services Department report) in the amount of $850,000 with the funding source to be the Corporate Expenditures Program, Financial Strategic Activity. / Community Svcs.
Corporate Svcs.

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, D. Thiele.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

D. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1. ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a. After School Care (M. Phair).

Councillor M. Phair requested the Administration abandon the inquiry made at the May 7, 2002 City Council meeting on “After School Care”.

D.1.b. Place La Rue West Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (A. Bolstad).

“This inquiry deals with the Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan City Council has authorized for the Place La Rue West Neighbourhood and Surrounding Area.
I would like a report from the Administration which reviews the reasons why the Administration originally recommended against proceeding with such a plan. In addition, I would like to know if the Administration believes the City should still proceed with this project, in light of the two rezoning applications Council is about to approve in Place La Rue.
Furthermore, I am wondering if it would be possible to obtain most of the information the City requires through completion of the west end transportation study, without undertaking the neighbourhood area structure plan? If not, what exactly does the Administration think the City might accomplish by spending $100,000 on the NASP?
I would appreciate a report on this matter as soon as possible, before significant dollars are spent initiating the NASP.” / Planning and Dev.
Due: August 27, 2002

D.1.c. Legal Costs Related to the Shaw Conference Centre Conflict
(K. Leibovici).

“Recent articles in Edmonton’s media indicate that Economic Development Edmonton (EDE) is appealing Labour Relations Board and Court Decisions related to the ongoing labour relations conflict at the Shaw Conference Centre.
I request that the City Manager provide the following information as to the legal costs that EDE has incurred in the Shaw Conference Centre conflict to date:
1.  Legal costs related to the negotiations of a collective agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 (the Union).
2.  Legal costs related to the Labour Relations Board hearings in this matter.
3.  Legal costs related to the appeals of the various Labour Relations Board rulings and Court Decisions in this matter.
I request that this information come back to the July 10, 2002 Executive Committee meeting.” / Corporate Svcs.
Exec. Committee
Due: July 10, 2002

D.1.d. Inquiries Pertaining to Edmonton Police Service (B. Smith).

“I would like the Administration to prepare a report describing the authority of City Councillors to make inquiries pertaining to Edmonton Police Service. In particular:
1.  Are there any limitations on the type of inquiries that City Councillors can make?
2.  Where should Councillor inquiries be directed – the Police Commission or to the Chief of Police?
3.  Two City Councillors were appointed to the Police Commission in 2001. Are there any restrictions on these two members with respect to sharing Police Commission information with the other members of City Council? Can you recommend a process by which Council’s two appointees can report to City Council on the workings of the Police Commission?” / City Manager
Due: Aug. 27, 2002

D.2. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.b. Rent Control (M. Phair). Ø

MOVED M. Phair – J. Melnychuk:

That the May 1, 2002 Community Services Department report be referred to the Community Services Committee. / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: June 24, 2002

Carried

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

OPPOSED: T. Cavanagh, L. Langley.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

D.2.c. Mobile Home Parks (R. Hayter). Ø

MOVED R. Hayter – S. Mandel:

That the May 17, 2002 Planning and Development Department report be referred to the Executive Committee. / Planning & Dev.
Exec. Committee
Due: June 26, 2002

Carried

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

OPPOSED: T. Cavanagh, L. Langley.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.b. Edmonton’s Financial Role as a Regional Service Provider – Project Terms of Reference. Ø

MOVED T. Cavanagh – D. Thiele:

That the May 27, 2002 Corporate Services Department report be received for information.

H. Crone, Corporate Services Department, made a presentation.

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

AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad – D. Thiele:

That a Part 2 and 3 be added as follows:

1.  That a risk-reward assessment of this project versus other potential regional activities be completed and brought forward prior to the 2003 budget.

2.  That the assessment of Edmonton’s financial role as a regional service provider be brought forward in the 2003 budget for consideration.

A.B. Maurer, City Manager; R. Garvey, General Manager, and H. Crone, Corporate Services Department; and A. Sinclair, Office of the City Clerk, answered Council’s questions.

lost

FOR THE AMENDMENT: B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, R. Hayter, S. Mandel,

D. Thiele.

OPPOSED: B. Smith, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, L. Langley,

K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

MOTION ON ITEM E.1.b., put:

That the May 27, 2002 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

carried

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

OPPOSED: A. Bolstad.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

Orders of the Day were called to deal with Item G.1.a.

G. REPORTS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MATTERS

G.1.a. Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club: Request for Elimination of 2001 Annual License Fee. Ø

MOVED M. Phair - R. Hayter (Made at the April 23, 2002 City Council meeting):

That the 2001 annual license fee of $100,000, prescribed in the Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club lease for Telus Field, be waived.

A.B. Maurer, City Manager; H. Campbell, CEO, Edmonton Eskimos; and J. Butler, representing the Trappers, answered Council’s questions.

AMENDMENT MOVED S. Mandel – B. Smith:

That a Part 2 be added as follows:

2. That the Administration deal with the annual license fee on an annual basis and that if there is a need to adjust, that the Administration report back to City Council.

lost

FOR THE AMENDMENT: B. Smith; S. Mandel.

OPPOSED: B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons,

R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk,

M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

MOTION ON ITEM G.1.a., put:

That the 2001 annual license fee of $100,000, prescribed in the Edmonton Trapper Baseball Club lease for Telus Field, be waived. / Asset Mgmt. & Public Works

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, D. Thiele.

ABSENT: J. Batty.

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

E. REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.c. Terms of Reference Update - Schonsee Special Study Area.Ø

MOVED T. Cavanagh – E. Gibbons:

That the May 15, 2002 Planning and Development Department report be received for information. / Planning & Dev.

L. Benowski, General Manager, Planning and Development Department, answered Council’s questions.

carried

FOR THE MOTION: B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter,

L. Langley, K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair,

D. Thiele.

ABSENT: B. Smith; J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, S. Mandel.

Councillors T. Cavanagh and S. Mandel stated that they had a conflict of interest with respect to Item E.1.d., in that they have family members who are involved in the hospitality industry. They would, therefore, not participate in the deliberations or vote on this item.