Executive Committee Minutes

July 15, 2009

Members: / Present:
S. Mandel, Chair / S. Mandel
E. Gibbons, Vice-Chair / E. Gibbons
B. Anderson / B. Anderson
D. Iveson / D. Iveson
K. Leibovici / K. Leibovici

Also in Attendance:

Councillor T.Caterina

Councillor B. Henderson

Councillor L. Sloan

Councillor A. Sohi

A. B. Maurer, City Manager

A. Giesbrecht, Office of the City Clerk

A.CALL TO ORDER AND RELATED BUSINESS

A.1.Call to Order

Councillor E. Gibbons called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m.

Mayor S. Mandel was absent.

A.2.Adoption of Agenda

Moved B. Anderson:

That the July 15, 2009, Executive Committee meeting agenda be adopted with the following changes:

  1. Additions

E.7.2009 Purchase IC Bus – LC Series – Low Floor
Community Service Bus

E.9.Monthly Updates on the Current Financial
Issues and Economic Trends

b.Deletion:

E.13.Short Term Promissory Note Program

That item E.13. be deleted from the agenda. / Finance & Treas.

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

A.3.Adoption of Minutes

Moved B. Anderson:

That theJune 24/25/26, 2009,Executive Committee meeting minutes be adopted.

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

B.PROCEDURAL MATTERS

B.1.Items Selected for Debate and Vote on Remaining Items

The Committee selected the following items for debate:D.7., E.1., E.2., E.3., E.4., E.6., E.7., E.8., E.10., E.11., E.12., E.14., E.15., E.16., E.17., E.18., J.1., J.2., P.1. and P.3.

Moved D. Iveson:

D.STATUS OF REPORTS

D.1.Follow-up Report – Diversity and Inclusion

That the revised due date of August 26, 2009, be approved. / Deputy City Manager
Due: Aug. 26/09

D.2.Site Specific Consideration Recommendations

That the revised due date of August 26, 2009, be approved. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Aug. 26/09

D.3.Concepts for a Development Fund

That the revised due date of August 26, 2009, be approved. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Aug. 26/09

D.4.Façade Improvement Program – Budget Update (E. Gibbons)

That the revised due date of August 26, 2009, be approved. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Aug. 26/09

D.5.Local Improvement Bylaw Reporting and Consultation

That the revised due date of August 26, 2009, be approved. / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Aug. 26/09

D.6.Leveraging Technical Expertise Locally

That the revised due date of August 26, 2009, be approved. / Deputy City Manager
Due: Aug. 26/09

D.8.Revised Assessment Values

That the revised due date of October 7, 2009, be approved. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Oct. 7/09

D.9.Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance – Air Emissions, Air Quality and Funding Model

That the revised due date of October 21, 2009, be approved. / Deputy City Manager
Due: Oct. 21/09

D.10.Cromdale Hotel Safety and Crime Concerns

That the revised due date of October 21, 2009, be approved. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Oct. 21/09

E.REPORTS

E.5.Open Tenders - $1,000,000 or Greater (Inclusive of GST) as at June 23, 2009

That Administration award the tender projects outlined in Attachment 1 of theJune 23, 2009Corporate Services Department report 2009COP023, and enter into all relevant agreements, such tenders to be in accordance with Administration’s normal tendering guidelines. / Corporate Svcs.

E.9.Monthly Updates on the Current Financial Issues and Economic Trends

That the July 9, 2009, Deputy City Manager’s Office report 2009DCM050 be received for information. / Deputy City Manager

P.PRIVATE

P.2.Settlement of a Claim Against the City of Edmonton

1.That the City Solicitor be authorized to settle this claim as outlined in Attachment 1 of the June 10, 2009, Corporate Services Department report 2009COL015.
2.That the June 10, 2009, Corporate Services Department report 2009COL015 remain private pursuant tosection 27 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. / Corporate Svcs.

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

B.PROCEDURAL MATTERS

B.2.Time Specifics and Decision to Hear

  1. That the following item be made time specific at 1:30 p.m.:

E.16.Threat from Knives

  1. That Executive Committee hear from the following:

E.10.Optimal Mix of Housing and Connected
Services

1. R. Stack, McCauley Community League

2. C. Basualdo, Community Action Project

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

C.ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES

C.1.Renewables and Micro-Generation (D. Iveson)

That Administration provide responses to the following questions:
  1. What if any barriers exist in our Zoning Bylaw and other City policies to the adoption of renewable energy devices (such as wind turbines and solar panel systems) in both residential and non-residential settings?
  2. Is Administration aware of any other Albertan or Canadianmunicipalities making changes to their bylaws and policies to reduce barriers to private adoption of same.
  3. Is Administration in a position to make recommendations about such policy changes for Edmonton?
/ Planning & Dev.
Due: Sep. 23/09

C.2.Garden Centres in Retail Parking Lots (E. Gibbons)

That Administration provide information on temporary uses in retail parking lots such as garden centres and outside storage. Further, that Administration consider how through regulation (Zoning Bylaw) and enforcement, the City can ensure high quality development and maintenance and that parking lots are functioning to meet the need for which they were designed. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Nov. 3/09

D.STATUS OF REPORTS

D.1.Remediation of Private and City-Owned Brownfield Sites

Moved K. Leibovici:

That Administration submit a Status of Late Report to the July 22, 2009, City Council meeting requesting for the approval of the revised due date of September 8, 2009, Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting. / City Manager
Due: July 22/09
City Council

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

E.REPORTS

E.1.Edmonton Design Committee End of Year Report 2008

B. Golightly, Edmonton Design Committee, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved B. Anderson:

That the June 24, 2009, Edmonton Design Committee report 2009CADC01 be received for information. / Edmonton Design Committee

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

X.1.Green Building Strategy

That Administration work with the Edmonton Design Committee and other stakeholders as appropriate to develop a comprehensive Green Building Strategy for all buildings/developments, including private buildings/developments, and bring a progress report to the October 7, 2009, ExecutiveCommittee meeting, which outlines a comprehensive framework for advancing such a program. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Oct. 7/09

R. G. Klassen, General Manager, Planning and Development Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

E.2.Downtown Business Association - 2008 Annual Report and Financial Statements

J. Taylor, Executive Director, Downtown Business Association, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved B. Anderson

That the 2008 Annual Report of the Downtown Business Association, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the June 29, 2009, Downtown Business Association report 2009CBZD01, be received for information. / Downtown Business Association

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson.

Absent:S. Mandel; K. Leibovici.

E.3.Kingsway Business Association - 2008 Annual Report and Financial Statements

K. Kosof, Executive Director, Kingsway Business Association, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved D. Iveson:

That the 2008 Annual Report of the Kingsway Business Association, as outlined in Attachment 1 of the June 29, 2009, Kingsway Business Association report 2009CBZK01, be received for information. / Kingsway Business Association

Carried

For the Motion:B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent:S. Mandel.

E.4.Old Strathcona Business Association - 2008 Annual Report and Financial Statements

S. Lowe, Executive Director, Old Strathcona Business Association, made a presentation.

Mayor S. Mandel entered the meeting. Councillor E. Gibbons vacated the Chair and Mayor S. Mandel presided.

S. Lowe, Executive Director, Old Strathcona Business Association, answered the Committee’s questions.

A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved K. Leibovici:

Follow-up to the Old Strathcona Business Association Annual Report 2008
1.That Administration work with Strathcona Business Association to bring a report on the challenges highlighted in the Old Strathcona Business Association Annual Report 2008 (Attachment 1 of the June 29, 2009, Old Strathcona Business Association report 2009CBZ001) including and not limited to litter and graffiti control; lack of access to public washrooms; lighting and drainage.
South Scona Parking Lot
2.That Administration prepare a report prior to the 2010 operating budget discussions on the South Scona parking lot, and recognizing the public utility of the facility, identify issues and provide solutions for the deteriorating condition. / Planning & Dev.
Old Strathcona Business Association
Due: Sep. 23/09
Planning & Dev.
Due: Sep. 23/09
E.4. cont.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.6.Zoning Bylaw Compliance Resources and Business Processes

R. G. Klassen, General Manager, and S. Mackie, Planning and Development Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved D. Iveson:

That the June 15, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PCP024 be received for information. / Planning & Dev.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.7.2009 Purchase – IC Bus – LC Series – Low Floor Community Service Bus

J. Sirovyak, Transportation Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved K. Leibovici:

That the purchase of three LC Series low floor buses from Western Canada IC Bus for a total cost of $503,984 including GST, as outlined in the June 19, 2009, Corporate Services Department report 2009COM009, be approved. / Corporate Svcs.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, D. Iveson, K. Leibovici.

Absent: E. Gibbons.

E.8.Best Practices inErosion and Sediment Control

R. G. Klassen, General Manager, andS. Mackie, Planning and Development Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved D. Iveson:

That the June 15, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PCP021 be received for information / Planning & Dev.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.10.Optimal Mix of Housing and Connected Services

P. Ohm, Planning and Development Department, made a presentation.

(continued)

The Committee recessed at 12 noon.

The Committee reconvened at 1:35 p.m.

Councillor E. Gibbons was absent.

E.16.Threat from Knives

S. Phipps, Corporate Services Department (Law); answered the Committee’s questions.

B. Gibson, Chair, Edmonton Police Commission; and D. DeCosta, Acting Chief, Edmonton Police Commission, answered the Committee’s questions.

Councillor E. Gibbons entered the meeting.

Moved S. Mandel:

That the March 31, 2009, Corporate Services Department report 2009COL010 be received for information. / Corporate Svcs.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.10.Optimal Mix of Housing and Connected Services

(continued from above)

Moved E. Gibbons:

That the speakers on item E.10. be heard in a panel.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

R. Stack, McCauley Community League; and C. Basualdo, Community Action Project, made presentations and answered the Committee’s questions.

T. Loat, P. Ohm and R. G. Klassen, General Manager, Planning and Development Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved D. Iveson:

Geographical Analysis for housing subsidies
That the June 23, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PPP022 be referred back to Administration to work with the Homeward Trust Edmonton and bring forward a geographical analysis of where all the housing subsidies, including capital and operating, are going, and return to the October 7, 2009, Executive Committee meeting. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Oct. 7/09

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.11.Urban Development Institute/City of Edmonton Efficiency Committee Progress on Negotiations

Moved E. Gibbons:

That the Committee hear from R. Westren, Vice-President, Edmonton Region, Carma.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

S. Mackie, Planning and Development Department, made a presentation.

R. Westren, Carma, made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions.

R. G. Klassen, General Manager, Planning and Development Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved D. Iveson:

That the June 15, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PCP023 be received for information. / Planning & Dev.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.12.Residential Infill Guidelines - Sections G and H

R. G. Klassen, General Manager, and G. Barker, Planning and Development Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved D. Iveson:

That Attachment 1 (of the June 23, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PPP025) “High Rise Apartment Locations” be amended by adding in the words “Collector Road”; and Attachment 2 (of the June 23, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PPP025) “Mid Rise Apartment Locations” be amended by deleting the “* Mid rise over 6 storeys subject to bonusing provisions” for the 1.5 ha large site. / Planning & Dev.
Due: July 22/09
City Council

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

Moved D. Iveson:

That Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

That the Residential Infill Policy and City Procedures C551, be amended by appending the revisedAttachment 1 and Attachment 2 of the June 23, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PPP025, to Sections G and H, respectively.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.14.Wireless Broadband Network - Tender Classification Change

D. H. Edey, General Manager, D. Lajeunesse and C. Moore, Corporate Services Department; and A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved S. Mandel:

That the June 23, 2009, Corporate Services Department report 2009COP024 be referred back to Administration to return to the August 26, 2009, Executive Committee meeting with a business case to justify the wireless broadband network. / Corporate Svcs.
Due: Aug. 26/09

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

The Committee recessed at 3:33 p.m.

The Committee reconvened at 3:58 p.m.

J.ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSES

J.1.Regulation of Massage Therapy (D. Thiele)

Moved K. Leibovici:

That item J.1.be dealt with now.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

Moved K. Leibovici:

That the June 23, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PCS007 be received for information. / Planning & Dev.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.REPORTS

E.15.Downtown Redevelopment Plan - Update Concerning the New Capital City Downtown Plan

G. Barker, P. Ohm and R. G. Klassen, General Manager, Planning and Development Department, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved D. Iveson:

1.That the June 23, 2009, Planning and Development
Department report 2009PPP020 be received for
information.
Downtown Redevelopment Plan
2.That the Downtown Redevelopment Plan be brought back to City Council no later than June 1, 2010. / Planning & Dev.
Due: May 19/10
City Council

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.18.Revolving Industrial Servicing Fund

Moved E. Gibbons:

That item E.18. be dealt with now.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

K. Mamczasz, Planning and Development Department; and
A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved S. Mandel:

That Executive Committee recommend to City Council:

1.That Policy C533 and the Procedure for the Revolving Industrial Servicing Fund as outlined in Attachment 1 of the June 23, 2009, Planning and Development Department report 2009PGM003, be approved.

2.That an interest bearing Industrial Servicing Fund Reserve Account be established.

3.That Administration prepare a Borrowing Bylaw to allow for a maximum borrowing capacity of $20 million for the Revolving Industrial Servicing Fund.

Carried

For the Motion:S. Mandel; B. Anderson, E. Gibbons, D. Iveson,
K. Leibovici.

E.17.CommercialDevelopment Infrastructure Funding Assistance

R. G. Klassen, General Manager, Planning and Development Department made a presentation and answered the Committee’s questions. C. Warnock, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;
S. Mackie, Planning and Development Department; and
A. B. Maurer, City Manager, answered the Committee’s questions.

Moved S. Mandel:

City Policy for Revolving Services Fund for Commercial Development
That Administration prepare for the September 2, 2009, City Council meeting, a City Policy for a Revolving Services Fund for commercial development, similar to the one presently being proposed to facilitate the development of industrial land, based on the following:
1.The City would agree to assist an eligible front-ending developer in recovering its cost-sharing rebates through the Revolving Servicing Fund. Within 36 months of signing a servicing agreement with the City and upon completion of the building facility and the cost sharing infrastructure, the front-ending developer will qualify to receive this rebate from the Revolving Servicing Fund if those recoveries have not yet been received from other developers in the area.
2.This proposed arrangement provides an incentive for developers to seek out end-users rather than developing empty lots.
3.A rebate under the Revolving Servicing Fund would be available to developers that meet the following criteria:
  1. Undertaking eligible front-end construction of infrastructure servicing.
  2. Agreeing to construct an “end-user development” project that must increase the taxable property assessment on the lands being serviced by at least $10 million.
  3. Entering into a servicing agreement with the City of Edmonton.
  4. Scheduling to complete the project within 36 months.
4.The Revolving Servicing Fund would be administered by Planning and Development Department as a component of the developer’s servicing agreement.
5.The total allocated funds being proposed for the Revolving Servicing Fund is $20 million. The fund would resource rebates to developers provided that they have met the criteria of the fund and provided that they have not received their rebates from subsequent developers. If the City advances the recovery of front-ending costs through the Revolving Servicing Fund, the City will then recover the advanced funds (with interest) from the subsequent developers. Funds that are recovered by the City from subsequent developers will go back into the Revolving Servicing Fund, which would then be re-allocated to provide rebates to other developments. However, the ‘revolving’ component of the fund would be only for a limited time.
6.In addition, the City would, through budget allocations, use 50% of the incremental property tax revenues from the end user developments to either pay down any Revolving Servicing Fund debt accumulated, and where debt has been repaid, the 50% of the incremental property tax revenues from the end user developments would be deposited into the Revolving Servicing Fund Reserve Account to a maximum amount of $20 million.
7.Such a fund would ensure that as a result of the current economic conditions, non-residential City growth is not unduly impacted and remains competitive regionally, that greater private sector investment/development is primed, and that the City will continue to receive much needed tax revenue. / Planning & Dev.
Due: Sep. 2/09
City Council
E.17. cont.

Carried