Minutes for City Council May 7, 2002 Meeting

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, May 7, 2002

PRESENTB. 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.*

*Attended part of the meeting.

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.

OPENING PRAYER

Pastor Terry Fossen, Central Baptist Church, led the assembly in prayer.

A.2.ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – J. Batty:

That the City Council Agenda for the May 7, 2002 meeting be adopted with the addition of the following items:

E.1.a.2004 Legacy Project – Preliminary Design of Sir Winston Churchill Square.

Attachment 2 – Additional Information

E.1.p.Recommendation from the Names Advisory Committee.

L.3.a.Bylaw 13013 – To Amend the Zoning Bylaw from (RF3) Low Density
Development zone to (DC2) Site Specific Development Control
Provision; Located at 14628 Stony Plain Road, Grovenor.

AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad – R. Hayter:

That the following information letter be added to the agenda:

F.1.b.Skate Park Development Recommendations.

May 6, 2002 Letter from the Castle Downs Recreation Society.

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 ON ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA, AS AMENDED, put:

That the City Council Agenda for the May 7, 2002 meeting be adopted with the addition of the following items:

E.1.a.2004 Legacy Project – Preliminary Design of Sir Winston Churchill Square.

Attachment 2 – Additional Information

E.1.p.Recommendation from the Names Advisory Committee.

F.1.b.Skate Park Development Recommendations.

May 6, 2002 Letter from the Castle Downs Recreation Society.

L.3.a.Bylaw 13013 – To Amend the Zoning Bylaw from (RF3) Low Density
Development zone to (DC2) Site Specific Development Control
Provision; Located at 14628 Stony Plain Road, Grovenor.

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.

A.3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That the Minutes of the April 11/18, 2002 Special City Council meeting; the April 16, 2002 City Council Public Hearing meeting; and the April 23/24, 2002 City Council meeting be adopted.

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.Congratulations to Suncor on the Opening of the Millennium Project (S. Mandel).

Councillor S. Mandel, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Suncor on the opening of the Millennium Project, which cost in excess of $3 billion and will increase oil production up to 225,000 barrels per day. Edmonton based companies acknowledged by Suncor as “Exceptional Companies” include Waiward Steel, Trans Am Piping Products, and Diversified Transportation.

Councillor S. Mandel acknowledged Mayor B. Smith; J.D. Hole, representing Economic Development Edmonton; and R. Kelly, representing Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, for their participation in and commitment to this project.

B.1.b.Welcome to Arthur Hiller (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, welcomed Arthur Hiller, who is in Edmonton sharing his talent and expertise with the students of Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts for the next two days. Mr. Hiller was congratulated on his international prominence in the film industry and for having recently received the Jean Hersholt Award, which, in the 75 year history of the Academy Awards, has only been presented to 26 people.

B.1.c.Welcome to the Students from St. Clement School. (B. Smith).

Mayor B. Smith, on behalf of City Council, welcomed the Grade 6 students from St. Clement School and their teachers, Mrs. R. Jones and Ms. L. Pedari.

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.p.Recommendation from the Names Advisory Committee. 

MOVED A. Bolstad – B. Anderson:

That Item E.1.p. 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.

MOVED A. Bolstad – B. Smith:

1.That the name “Arthur Hiller” be added to the Names Reserve List.
2.That the honorary name “Arthur Hiller Way” be approved and assigned to a portion of 104 Street, between Kingsway and 108 Avenue. / Planning & Dev.

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.2.EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED T. Cavanagh – J. Batty:

That items E.1.a., E.1.b., E.1.c., E.1.d., E.1.e., E.1.j, E.1.k., E.1.l., E.1.m., E.1.n., F.1.a., F.1.b., F.1.e., G.1.a., H.1.a., and H.1.b. be exempted for debate; and

D.2.REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.2.a.Absenteeism Within the Civic Service (R. Hayter).

That the April 16, 2002 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.f.KPMG’s Audit Report Related to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

That the March 25, 2002 KPMG’s Audit report be received for information. / City Manager

E.1.g.City of Edmonton 2001 Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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

E.1.h.Sick Leave Usage 1999 – 2001. 

That the April 19, 2002 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

E.1.i.Edmonton Northlands Spectrum Renovations.

That the City support the proposed renovations to the Spectrum at Northlands Park. / Corporate Svcs.

E.1.o.Proposed Casino Licence for the Enoch Cree Nation. 

That the City provide a submission to the Minister of Gaming and the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission indicating the City’s concerns regarding the approval of a casino licence at the S.W. Corner of 215 Street and 79 Avenue. / Planning & Dev.

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.c.Funding for the WINGS of Providence Society (WINGS) Under the Low Income Housing Capital Assistance Program (LIHCAP). 

1.That $332,500 be allocated from the Low Income Housing Capital Assistance Program (LIHCAP) to the WINGS of Providence Society (WINGS) for the construction of a second stage housing facility incorporating 20 suites (Attachment 1 of the April 15, 2002 Community Services Department report).
2.a)That the execution of an Agreement with WINGS be approved with the Terms and Conditions as outlined in Attachment 2 of the April 15, 2002 Community Services Department report.
b)That the Agreement be acceptable in form to the General Manager of the Corporate Services Department and in content to the General Manager of the Community Services Department. / Community Svcs.
Corporate Svcs.

F.1.d.Edmonton Arts Council – 2002 Arts Travel Community Investment Program Grant Recommendations. 

That the Arts Travel Community Investment Grant Recommendations as outlined in Attachment 1 of the April 22, 2002 Edmonton Arts Council report, be approved. / Edmonton Arts Council

H.OTHER REPORTS

H.1.c.Civic Agencies – Appointment to the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Association.

That Councillor Ron Hayter be nominated to continue to serve on the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway Association until the close of the Association’s annual general meeting in 2003. / City Manager

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.

D.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a.Skateboard Parks, Indoor Soccer Facilities, Artificial Turf Fields and Ice Surfaces (M. Phair).

“Recently Council has dealt with requests for skateboard parks, indoor soccer facilities and artificial turf fields. There has also been some discussion of a major tournament site with numerous facilities. Additionally the City has entered a period of major growth of population and neighbourhoods.
I would like the following information from the Community Services Department (Parks and Recreation):
What are the needs and plans for major new facilities in Edmonton including artificial turf fields; tournament sites; indoor soccer, skateboard, and ice surfaces; and city-wide parks like Hawrelak Park and Rundle Park, etc.?
I would like this information to return to the Community Services Committee.” / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: July 8, 2002

D.1.b.Handicapped Accessibility (M. Phair).

“I would like the following information regarding handicapped accessibility:

1. What is the scope and status of the City’s program of curb cuts?
2. Does the City regulate requirements for handicapped parking spaces, including those in parkades and underground parking in apartment/condo buildings? What are the requirements?
3. Does the City regulate accessibility at street level to businesses, apartment buildings, etc.?

I would like this information to return to the Executive Committee. ” / Planning & Dev.
Transportation & Streets
Asset Mgmt. & Public Works
Exec. Committee
Due: July 10, 2002

D.1.c.Background and Current Status of the Safe Housing Committee
(M. Phair).

“I would like some background and current status of the Safe Housing Committee; in particular as it relates to its mandate and work plan as outlined four or five years ago.
I would like this inquiry to return to the Community Services Committee.” / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: July 8, 2002

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

“I would like the following information about after school care:

1. What is the current subsidy cap for after school care and when was it instituted?
2. Can after-school programs charge families who are eligible for subsidy a fee above the cap as is done in day care?
3. What changes in the subsidy cap are contemplated for the 2003 budget year, if any?
4. How many children receive subsidy and what is the City’s total cost for the after school subsidy program?

I would like the response to this inquiry to come to the Community Services Committee.” / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: July 8, 2002

D.1.e.Alberta Capital Region Alliance Feasibility Study on the Merits of a Regional Geographic Information System (B. Smith).

“I would like the Administration to report back to the Executive Committee on the merits of this proposed project from both a City of Edmonton’s perspective and a regional perspective.

1. What are the objectives of the project?
2. How will the City of Edmonton benefit from the project?
3. How will the region benefit from the project?
4. Are there other regional projects that the City of Edmonton would assign a higher priority toward which this funding should be directed?”

/ Corporate Svcs.
Exec. Committee
Due: June 12, 2002

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.b.Summary of City ’97 Expenditures and Savings. 

MOVED T. Cavanagh – R. Hayter:

That the April 5, 2002 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, J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

E.1.c.2002-2003 Provincial Budget – Impact of Education Tax. 

MOVED S. Mandel – M. Phair:

That the April 11, 2002 Planning and Development Department report be received for information. / Planning & Dev.

A.B. Maurer, City Manager; and D. Sargent and S. Dilworth, Planning and Development Department, answered Council’s questions.

Mayor B. Smith vacated the Chair and Deputy Mayor J. Batty presided.

Mayor B. Smith left the meeting.

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.

E.1.d.Spring 2002 Corporate Wins. 

MOVED S. Mandel – D. Thiele:

That the Spring 2002 Corporate Wins report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

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.

E.1.a.2004 Legacy Project – Preliminary Design of Sir Winston Churchill Square. 

MOVED T. Cavanagh – A. Bolstad:

1. That Attachment 2 (the May 6, 2002 Corporate Services Department report) be received for information.
2. That the preliminary design for the Sir Winston Churchill Square Legacy Project be received for information.
3. That the Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee’s expenditure of the remaining $350,000 in their Council approved budget, be approved.

A.B. Maurer, City Manager; D. Schneider, Corporate Services Department; R. Young, Chair,
C. Henderson and D. Carlyle, Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee, made a presentation. Copies of the presentation and letters of support were distributed to Members of Council and were filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

Mayor B. Smith re-entered the meeting.

Deputy Mayor J. Batty vacated the Chair and Mayor B. Smith presided.

A.B. Maurer, City Manager; R. Young, Chair, C. Henderson and D. Carlyle, Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee, answered Council’s questions.

Orders of the Day were called.

Council recessed at 11:56 a.m.

Council reconvened at 1:30 p.m.

Councillor B. Anderson was absent.

Councillor B. Anderson entered the meeting.

AMENDMENT MOVED R. Hayter – M. Phair:

That Part 3 be amended to add the following after the words “be approved”:

and that no further funds be expended until a detailed design is prepared and presented to City Council.

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT:J. Batty, A. Bolstad, T. Cavanagh, R. Hayter,

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

OPPOSED:B. Smith; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, L. Langley,

S. Mandel, D. Thiele.

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

MOTION ON PARTS 1 AND 2, put:

1.That Attachment 2 (the May 6, 2002 Corporate Services Department report) be received for information.

2.That the preliminary design for the Sir Winston Churchill Square Legacy Project be received for information.

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.

MOTION ON PART 3, AS AMENDED, put:

3.That the Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee’s expenditure of the remaining $350,000 in their Council approved budget, be approved, and that no further funds be expended until a detailed design is prepared and presented to City Council.

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, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:J. Melnychuk.

SUMMARY OF COUNCIL’S DECISION ON ITEM E.1.a., AS AMENDED:

1.That Attachment 2 (the May 6, 2002 Corporate Services Department report) be received for information.
2.That the preliminary design for the Sir Winston Churchill Square Legacy Project be received for information.
3.That the Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee’s expenditure of the remaining $350,000 in their Council approved budget, be approved, and that no further funds be expended until a detailed design is prepared and presented to City Council. / Corporate Svcs.
Edmonton 2004 Celebration Committee

(Cont’d on page 26).

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. 

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.

B. MacLean, Edmonton Trappers, made a presentation and answered Council’s questions.

RECONSIDERED

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

T. Cavanagh, R. Hayter, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,

J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.

OPPOSED:E. Gibbons, S. Mandel, D. Thiele.

MOVED M. Phair – D. Thiele:

That the following motion be reconsidered:

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.

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.

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.

referred

B. MacLean, Edmonton Trappers; and A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.

MOVED A. Bolstad – K. Leibovici:

That the following motion be referred back to the Administration to be brought back when H. Campbell, CEO, Edmonton Eskimos, is available and that Members of Council forward their questions directly to the Administration by Friday, May, 17, 2002:
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. / Asset Mgmt. & Public Works
Due: TBD

carried

FOR THE MOTION: B. Smith; B. Anderson, A. Bolstad, E. Gibbons,

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

J. Melnychuk, M. Phair.

OPPOSED:J. Batty, T. Cavanagh, D. Thiele.

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.e.2001 Investment Committee Annual Report. 

MOVED T. Cavanagh – B. Anderson:

That the April 4, 2002 Corporate Services Department report be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

R. Garvey, General Manager, 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, J. Melnychuk, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:M. Phair.

ABSENT: S. Mandel.

E.1.j.City of Edmonton Submission to Select Special FOIP Act Review Committee. 

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

That Attachment 1 (of the April 15, 2002 Office of the City Manager report) be approved as the response of the City of Edmonton to the Select Special Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act Review Committee. / City Manager

D.H. Edey, City Clerk; and K. Fung, Corporate Services Department (Law), 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.

E.1.k.Business Taxes Recommended for Write-Off .

MOVED M. Phair – L. Langley:

That Council approve the write-off of $295,336.10 in uncollectible business taxes and penalties covering the period January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001. / Planning and Dev.

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.

E.1.l.Urban Strategy – Financial Management Commission. 

MOVED M. Phair – R. Hayter:

That the Administration work with the City of Calgary Administration to develop a common position for submission by the Mayors of the two Cities to the Financial Management Commission. / Corporate Svcs.

R. Garvey, General Manager, Corporate Services Department, made a presentation, a copy of which was distributed to Members of Council and was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.