______

City Council

Meeting Minutes1

October 7, 2003, sv

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, October 7, 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

*Participated via telephone.

A.CALL TO ORDER AND RELATED BUSINESS

A.1.CALL TO ORDER

Mayor B. Smith called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m.

OPENING PRAYER

The Reverend Chris Roulson, City Chaplain, led the assembly in prayer.

A.2.ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED M. Phair – T. Cavanagh:

1.That the October 7, 2003, City Council meeting agenda be adopted with the following additions:

E.1.f.Economic Development Edmonton – Loan Assumption

E.1.g.2004 Budget Preparation – Status Update

J.1.a.Laurence Decore Recognition Sub-Committee Report
IN PRIVATE

2.That the following items be made time specific:

FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS

E.1.b.2004 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule

SECOND ITEM OF BUSINESS

J.1.a.Laurence Decore Recognition Sub-Committee Report -
IN PRIVATE

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, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
S. Mandel, J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:R. Hayter.

A.3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED T. Cavanagh – J. Batty:

That the September 15, 2003, City Council Public Hearing meeting minutes, the September 17, 2003, Special City Council meeting minutes, and the September 23, 2003, City Council meeting minutes, be adopted.

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.

B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.a.In Memory of Norm Koch (K. Leibovici)

On behalf of City Council, Councillor K. Leibovici extended condolences to the family of Norm Koch who recently passed away. Mr. Koch was a valued member of the Edmonton Police Association and was instrumental in the founding of the Canadian Police Association. He served with the Edmonton Police Service from 1955 until his retirement in 1983. Except for one year, he was President of the Edmonton Police Association from 1968 through to 1983 and Business Manager of the Association from 1983 until his retirement in 1997. He will be remembered as a straightforward, no-nonsense, tenacious and honest individual who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the community.

B.1.b.In Memory of Bill Chmiliar (B. Smith)

On behalf of City Council, Mayor B. Smith extended condolences to the family of former Alderman Bill Chmiliar who recently passed away. Mr. Chmiliar served on Council for one term from 1977 to 1980. He also served with the Canadian army in Europe from 1943 to 1945, worked with the Provincial Social Services Department for 23 years, was a businessman and community volunteer. He will be remembered for his love of Edmonton and for his many contributions to our community and country.

B.1.c.Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (B. Smith)

On behalf of City Council, Mayor B. Smith congratulated the Corporate Services Department, Finance Branch, for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The 2003 Budget marks the sixth straight year that Administration has met the nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation, which are designed to assess how well the budget serves as a policy document, a financial document, an operations guide and a communication device. Mayor B. Smith presented Roger Rosychuk, Finance Branch Manager, Corporate Services Department, with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

Councillor R. Hayter entered the meeting via telephone.

B.2.EXEMPTIONS AND VOTE ON ALL OTHER ITEMS

MOVED T. Cavanagh – J. Melnychuk:

That items E.1.e., E.1.f., E.1.g., F.1.b., F.1.c., H.1.a., and in-private item J.1.a. be exempted for debate; and

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.a.Deputy Mayor Terms – October 16, 2003, to October 18, 2004 

1.That the Deputy Mayor terms (Attachment 1 of the August 5, 2003, Office of the City Manager report) for the period of October 16, 2003, to October 18, 2004, be approved.
2.That if any Deputy Mayor is unavailable, the Councillor whose Deputy Mayor term follows will be Acting Mayor. / City Manager
All General Managers

E.1.b.2004 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule 

  1. That the meeting schedule from January 1, 2004, to October 18, 2004, as outlined in Attachment 1of the September 10, 2003, Office of the City Manager report, be approved.
  2. That the meeting schedule for the balance of 2004, (October 19 – December 31, 2004) as outlined in Attachment 1 of the September 10, 2003, Office of the City Manager report, be received for information.
/ City Manager
All General Managers

E.1.c.Standing Committee Membership – October 7, 2003, to October 26, 2004 

That the Standing Committee Membership from October 7, 2003, to October 26, 2004, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the September 11, 2003, Office of the City Manager report, be approved. / City Manager
All General Managers

E.1.d.Additional Meeting Dates and Change of Dates to Accommodate Additional Meetings 

  1. That the date of the Special City Council – Agency meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2003, be changed to Friday, November 14, 2003, commencing at 9:30 a.m.
  2. That the Special Executive Committee – Agency meeting scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2003, start at 8:30 a.m. and recess at 12:30 p.m. and continue on Wednesday, November 26, 2003, starting at 1 p.m.
  3. That a Special City Council Public Hearing meeting for land use issues be held on Monday, November 24, 2003, from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
/ City Manager
Planning & Dev.

F.REPORTS RELATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MATTERS

F.1.a.Edmonton Arts Council - 2003 Community Investment Program Project Grant Recommendations 

That the Community Investment Program Project Grant Recommendations (Attachment 1 of the September 22, 2003, Edmonton Arts Council report) be approved. / Arts Council

F.1.d.Five-Year Review of the Enterprise Portfolio of Facilities – Community Services Department 

That the August 14, 2003, Community Services Department report be received for information. / Community Svcs.

G.REPORTS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MATTERS

G.1.a.Review of the Public Highways Development/City Transportation Acts

1.That the City of Edmonton’s response to Alberta Transportation’s Public Highways Development/City Transportation Acts Discussion Paper (Attachment 2 of the September 2, 2003, Transportation and Streets Department report) be approved.
2.That the City Manager forward the City’s response to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta Transportation. / City Manager
Transportation & Streets

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.

Councillor R. Hayter left the meeting.

D.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

D.1.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

D.1.a.Charging for Dangerous Goods Cleanup (L. Langley)

“I was recently contacted by a man who received a bill from the City of Edmonton Emergency Response Department (ERD) for $597.23 for the costs of cleaning up anti-freeze fluid from a car accident that had occurred back on April 22 of this year. I would like answers to the following questions:
1.Under what authority does ERD charge these costs?
2.How far back is ERD collecting for these “Dangerous Goods” cleanups?
3.What is the average cost of these bills and how does ERD calculate the costs exactly?
4.How is ERD determining whom to charge?
5.How much revenue is ERD expecting to generate from this billing? Is it ERD’s intention to start charging for costs associated with all automobile accidents in Edmonton regardless of whether there is a spill of anti-freeze or gasoline? If so, has ERD looked into how that could affect the insurance rates of Edmontonians who already pay quite high premiums?
I would appreciate having the answers to these questions for the October 21, 2003, City Council meeting.” / Emergency Response
Due: Oct. 21, 2003
D.1.a. cont.
Emergency Response
Due: Oct. 21, 2003

D.1.b.Elm Trees (M. Phair)

“I would like the following information from the Community Services Department regarding the City’s Elm Trees.
1.An update of the City’s Elm Tree Program including any detection of Dutch Elm Disease or the beetle that carries the disease.
2.Any impact the continuing drought has had on Elm Trees.
3.The Provincial Government’s participation in preventing Dutch Elm Disease throughout the province.
I would like this information to return to the Community Services Committee.” / Community Svcs.
CS Committee
Due: Dec. 3, 2003

D.1.c.Provincial Government Impacts on the City’s 2004 Budget (M. Phair)

“Recent reports indicate that the Provincial Government may initiate changes that would positively impact the City’s 2004 budget (ambulance, police, etc.). I would like the following information:
1.What information does Administration have regarding the timing of Provincial decisions/announcements that might significantly impact the City’s budget deliberations?
2.What is the current schedule for the City’s 2004 budget?
3.If it appears that the Provincial announcements are imminent (next four months) would it be possible for the City to delay its 2004 budget deliberations? What are the advantages of doing this? Are there ramifications on the City’s day-to-day operations if this budget is delayed?” / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Nov. 4, 2003

D.1.d.Special Projects Benefits (D. Thiele)

“Special projects such as Shaw Conference Centre Hall D development generally have direct and immediate benefit to the Federal Government, the Provincial Government and to certain aspects of the business community. Businesses such as hotels and restaurants located near such projects receive considerable more benefit than others.
My questions are:
1.What can the City of Edmonton do in way of business-specific taxes and/or special assessments or levies?
2.Has Edmonton done anything in the past using special assessments or levies to fund specific programs or projects?
3.What have other Canadian or American Cities done in this regard?
4.When looking at the Shaw Conference Centre Hall D for example:
a)What district or area of the City would be considered to be benefiting the most?
b)What specific types of businesses would be considered benefiting and would the benefit to these businesses be more in a certain geographical area and in relationship to their proximity to the Conference Centre?” / Planning & Dev.
Due: Dec. 16, 2003

MOVED K. Leibovici – D. Thiele:

That Council meet in private.

Sections 17(1) and 23(1)(b), and 24(1)(d) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:B. Anderson, R. Hayter.

Council met in private at 9:45 a.m.

MOVED M. Phair – K. Leibovici:

That Council meet in public.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:R. Hayter.

Council met in public at 10:47 a.m.

Councillors J. Batty, R. Hayter and K. Leibovici were absent.

L.1BYLAWS

L.1.a.Bylaw 13485 - To authorize the City of Edmonton to construct, finance, and assess Street Lighting Local Improvement (2003) in the Wedgewood area 

PURPOSE

Tto authorize the City of Edmonton to construct, finance, and assess Street Lighting Local Improvement (2003) in the Wedgewood area in the amount of $27,000.

L.1.b.Bylaw 13514 - Taxi Bylaw Amendment No. 1 

PURPOSE

To amend Bylaw 12020, the Taxi Bylaw.

L.1.c.Bylaw 13289 - To Amend Bylaw 12393 Animal Control Advisory Board Bylaw Amendment No. 1 

PURPOSE

To amend Bylaw 12393, Animal Control Advisory Board Bylaw.

L.2.a.Bylaw 13473 - To authorize the City of Edmonton to lend money to a controlled corporation, Economic Development Edmonton 

PURPOSE

To lend money to a controlled corporation, Economic Development Edmonton.

MOVED B. Anderson – T. Cavanagh:

That items L.1.a., L.1.b., L1.c., and L.2.a., be dealt with now.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:J. Batty, R. Hayter, K. Leibovici.

MOVED B. Anderson – D. Thiele:

That Bylaw 13485 be read a first time, and / Transportation & Streets

That Bylaws 13514 and 13289 be read a first time.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:J. Batty, R. Hayter, K. Leibovici.

MOVED B. Anderson – T. Cavanagh:

That Bylaws 13514 and 13289 be read a second time.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:J. Batty, R. Hayter, K. Leibovici.

Councillor J. Batty entered the meeting.

MOVED B. Anderson – T. Cavanagh:

That Bylaws 13514 and 13289 be considered for third reading.

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:R. Hayter, K. Leibovici.

MOVED B. Anderson – T. Cavanagh:

That Bylaws 13514 and 13289 be read a third time. / Distribution List

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:R. Hayter, K. Leibovici.

L.2.a.Bylaw 13473 - To authorize the City of Edmonton to lend money to a controlled corporation, Economic Development Edmonton 

MOVED B. Anderson – T. Cavanagh:

That Bylaw 13473 be read a second time.

CARRIED

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

OPPOSED:D. Thiele.

ABSENT:R. Hayter, K. Leibovici.

MOVED B. Anderson – T. Cavanagh:

That Bylaw 13473 be postponed until after item E.1.f.

D. H. Edey, City Clerk; 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, L. Langley, S. Mandel,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

ABSENT:R. Hayter, K. Leibovici.

(continued on page 15)

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.e.TD Economics Special Report – Corridor Group 

MOVED S. Mandel – J. Melnychuk:

  1. That Administration contact the City of Calgary to determine its interest in:

a)co-sponsoring and actively participating in a “Corridor Conference” that would focus on specific recommendations contained in the TD Economics Special Report; or

b)working with the City of Edmonton in developing strategies to respond to the recommendations contained in the TD Economics Special Report.

2.That Administration report back to the Executive Committee by January 2004.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager, and B. Duncan, Office of the City Manager, answered Council’s questions.

Councillor K. Leibovici entered the meeting.

AMENDMENT MOVED A. Bolstad – B. Smith:

That in part 1 the words “and the City of Red Deer” be added after the words “the City of Calgary.”

CARRIED

FOR THE AMENDMENT:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
T. Cavanagh, E. Gibbons, L. Langley, K. Leibovici,
J. Melnychuk, M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:S. Mandel.

ABSENT:R. Hayter.

MOTION ON ITEM E.1.e., AS AMENDED, put:

1.That Administration contact the City of Calgary and the City of Red Deer to determine its interest in:
a)co-sponsoring and actively participating in a “Corridor Conference” that would focus on specific recommendations contained in the TD Economics Special Report; or
b)working with the City of Edmonton in developing strategies to respond to the recommendations contained in the TD Economics Special Report.
2.That Administration report back to the Executive Committee by January 2004. / City Manager
Exec. Committee
Due: Jan. 14, 2004

CARRIED

FOR THE MOTION

AS AMENDED:B. Smith; B. Anderson, J. Batty, A. Bolstad,
E. Gibbons, L. Langley, K. Leibovici, J. Melnychuk,
M. Phair, D. Thiele.

OPPOSED:T. Cavanagh, S. Mandel.

ABSENT:R. Hayter.

J.OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS

J.1.a.Laurence Decore Recognition Subcommittee Report 

MOVED K. Leibovici – M. Phair:

1.That the recommendation of the Laurence Decore Recognition subcommittee as outlined in Attachment 1 of the October 3, 2003, Laurence Decore Recognition Subcommittee report, be approved.
2.That up to $65,000 from Council Contingency Fund be allocated to implement the recommendation.
3.That the October 3, 2003, Laurence Decore Recognition Subcommitee report and Attachments 1(a) and (b), remain in private until approved by Council and announced through a media conference. [Sec. 24(1)(d) Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act]
4.That Attachment 2 of the October 3, 2003, Laurence Decore Recognition Subcommittee report remain in private. [Sec. 17(1), 23(1)(b) and 24(1)(a) Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act] / Corporate Svcs.

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.

B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.d.Acknowlegement of the Laurence Decore Recognition Subcommittee (K. Leibovici)

On behalf of City Council, Councillor K. Leibovici thanked Carole-Anne Brown, Olivia Butti, Leslie Latta-Guthrie, Chris Kopf and Teresa Atterbury, for their perseverance and dedication to the Laurence Decore Recognition Subcommittee.

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.h.Recognition of Past Mayors

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

MOVED M. Phair – D. Thiele:

That Administration return to Council with a proposed process for a Council Policy to recognize Mayors who have not been recognized to date. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Dec. 16, 2003

CARRIED

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

ABSENT:E. Gibbons, R. Hayter.

E.1.f.Economic Development Edmonton – Loan Assumption 

MOVED J. Batty – S. Mandel:

That approval be granted to enter into an Assumption Agreement with Economic Development Edmonton, as provided in Attachment 1 of the October 3, 2003, Corporate Services Department report.

R. Rosychuk, Corporate Services Department, made a presentation.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered Council’s questions.

Mayor B. Smith vacated the Chair and Deputy Mayor S. Mandel presided. Mayor B. Smith left the meeting.

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

B.1.URGENT MATTERS - PROTOCOL ITEMS

B.1.e.Welcome to the Students from Bishop Greschuk School (S. Mandel)

On behalf of City Council, Deputy Mayor S. Mandel welcomed the Grade 6 class from Bishop Greschuk School, and their teacher Mr. Hugh Esch.

E.REPORTS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MATTERS

E.1.f.Economic Development Edmonton – Loan Assumption 

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

Mayor B. Smith re-entered the meeting. Deputy Mayor S. Mandel vacated the Chair and Mayor B. Smith presided.

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

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

That approval be granted to enter into an Assumption Agreement with Economic Development Edmonton, as provided in Attachment 1 of the October 3, 2003, Corporate Services Department report. / Corporate Svcs.
EDE

CARRIED

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