PUBLIC MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING

GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 9:30 A.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• His Worship Mayor C. Clark, Chair
• Councillor C. Block
• Councillor T. Davies, via teleconference
• Councillor R. Donauer
• Councillor B. Dubois
• Councillor S. Gersher, via teleconference
• Councillor H. Gough
• Councillor D. Hill
• Councillor Z. Jeffries
• Councillor D. Kirton
• Councillor M. Loewen, via teleconference

ALSO PRESENT:

• City Manager J. Jorgenson
• City Solicitor C. Yelland
• City Clerk A. Tittemore
• Committee Assistant P. Walter

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis People and confirmed roll call. He acknowledged Team Saskatchewan received 175 medals at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Gough
  1. That the following letters be added to Item 4.1:
     • Request to speak:
       • Keith Moen, NSBA, dated July 19, 2023;
       • Don Atchison, dated July 24, 2023;
     • Submitting comments:
       • Frank Jones, dated July 20, 2023;
       • Warren Galenzoski, dated July 21, 2023;
       • Terry Neefs, dated July 24, 2023;
  2. That the letter submitting comments from Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated July 20, 2023 be added to Item 4.3.1;
  3. That the letter submitting comments from Mackenzie Burnett and Ines Sanchez-Rodriguez, Saskatoon Climate Hub, dated July 24, 2023 be added to Items 4.3.1 and 4.3.4;
  4. That the letter submitting comments from DeeAnn Mercier, Broadway Business Improvement District, Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon and Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale Business Improvement District, dated July 24, 2023 be added to Items 4.3.1 and 4.3.5; 
  5. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

4.1

2024/2025 Budget Information Update [GPC2023-0605]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided along with the following letters:

• Request to speak:
  • Keith Moen, NSBA, dated July 19, 2023;
  • Don Atchison, dated July 24, 2023;
• Submitting comments:
  • Gary Johnson, dated June 21, 2023;
  • Susan Lukiwski, received June 28, 2023;
  • Doris Peters, received June 30, 2023;
  • Brynn Harris-Hamm, dated July 11, 2023;
  • Jason Aebig, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, dated July 18, 2023;
  • Frank Jones, dated July 20, 2023;
  • Warren Galenzoski, dated July 21, 2023;
  • Terry Neefs, dated July 24, 2023.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report.

Committee heard from the following speakers:

• Keith Moen, NSBA; and
• Don Atchison.

Committee presented questions to the speakers regarding their presentations and Administration regarding the content in the report. 

The meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. and reconvened at 11:45 a.m. with all members of the Committee in attendance with the exception of Councillor Jeffries.

Councillor Jeffries re-entered the meeting at 11:48 a.m.

• Moved By: Councillor Jeffries

  That the information be received.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Jeffries

  That a team of Council and Administration representatives meet with representatives of the Chamber and North Saskatoon Business Association (NSBA) to step through the feasibility of the NSBA and Chamber’s budget recommendations and that the Administration report back on the results of those meetings.

  
  

  In Favour: (9)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (2)	Councillor Loewen, and Councillor Gersher

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 2)
• Moved By: Councillor Loewen

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend to City Council to submit a request to the Board of Police Commissioners that the Saskatoon Police Service budget be submitted earlier than the typical process in order to align with Governance and Priorities Committee's process for budget preparations, and in order to be incorporated into civic administration’s options.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend to City Council to submit a request to the Saskatoon Public Library Board that the budget be submitted earlier than the typical process in order to align with GPC’s process for budget preparations, and in order to be incorporated into civic administration’s options.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

4.2

2024/2025 Budget Inflationary & Phase-in Decisions [GPC2023-0617]

Due to time constraints at the June 22, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the July 25, 2023 Special meeting. A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided along with an additional report of the Corporate Financial Services Division regarding budget reduction allocations.

The following letters were also provided:

• Ari Avivi, dated June 14, 2023;
• SeoRhin Yoo, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, dated June 14, 2023.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report. A motion putting forward the recommendation was made.

Committee presented questions to the Administration regarding the content in the report. 

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  1. That the Administration be directed to include option 2 in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget; and
  2. That the report of the Corporate Financial Services Division regarding the 2024 and 2025 budget reduction allocations be accepted as information.
  
  
  
  
  

• IN AMENDMENT

  Moved By: Councillor Gough

  1.  That the step growth requirement for the Snow & Ice Phase in be reduced by 40% (not 50%), maintaining the 10-year timeline for the 2022 response payback and utilizing the additional 10% to build a base for future snow events.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Mayor Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (5)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED (6 to 5)
• Moved By: Councillor Gough

  2.  That the re-phasing of the Snow & Ice Phase-in be included in the plans for future budgets beginning in 2026.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

• IN AMENDMENT

  Moved By: Councillor Gough

  That the re-phasing of the Transit Bus Growth Allocation be included in the plans for future budgets beginning in 2026.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

• IN AMENDMENT

  Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the 2024/2025 planned phased-in for the future fire station of $1.26 million/year be reduced from 100% to 50% and be added back into the operating budget when the fire station opens in 2026.

  
  

  In Favour: (2)	Councillor Loewen, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (9)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  DEFEATED (2 to 9)

• VOTE ON MOTION AS AMENDED

  Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  1. That the Administration be directed to include option 2 in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget with the following amendments;
     • That the step growth requirement for the Snow & Ice Phase in be reduced by 40% (not 50%), maintaining the 10-year timeline for the 2022 response payback and utilizing the additional 10% to build a base for future snow events;
     • That the re-phasing of the Snow & Ice Phase-in be included in the plans for future budgets beginning in 2026;
     • That the re-phasing of the Transit Bus Growth Allocation be included in the plans for future budgets beginning in 2026; and
  2. That the report of the Corporate Financial Services Division regarding the 2024 and 2025 budget reduction allocations be accepted as information.
  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

  The meeting recessed at 12:47 p.m. and reconvened at 1:28 p.m. with all members of the Committee in attendance.

  
  

4.3

Business Line Reports

4.3.1

Transportation Business Line Information [GPC2023-0703]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided, along with the following letters submitting comments:

• Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated July 20, 2023;
• Mackenzie Burnett and Ines Sanchez-Rodriguez, Saskatoon Climate Hub, dated July 24, 2023; and
• DeeAnn Mercier, Broadway Business Improvement District, Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon and Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale Business Improvement District, dated July 24, 2023.

General Manager, Transportation & Construction Schmidt presented the report with a Powerpoint. 

Committee presented questions to the Administration regarding the content in the report and process to be followed. Two recesses were taken during the discussion, from 2:41 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. and from 3:44 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  All members of Council were in attendance following the recesses.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee direct Administration to include Option 1 – Increase Parking Rates by $0.50/hour in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (9)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Dubois
  Against: (2)	Councillor Hill, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 2)

• MOTION ARISING

  Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That subject to a report back from Administration on an appropriate policy change, that the $0.50/hour parking rate increase be directed in full to the Streetscape Reserve.

  
  

  In Favour: (1)	Councillor Kirton
  Against: (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  DEFEATED (1 to 10)
• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee direct Administration to include Option 2 – Implement Parking App Fees in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Dubois
  Against: (1)	Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED (10 to 1)
• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee direct Administration to include Option 3 – Reduce City Yard Security Funding in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.a in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (3)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Donauer
  Against: (8)	Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  DEFEATED (3 to 8)
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.b in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (7)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (4)	Mayor Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, and Councillor Gersher

  
  
  
  CARRIED (7 to 4)
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.c in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.d in the report be included in the 2024/2025 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  
  
  
  

• IN AMENDMENT

  Moved By: Councillor Gough

  That Option 5.d only be included in the 2024 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (8)	Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (3)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED (8 to 3)

• VOTE ON MOTION AS AMENDED

  Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.d in the report only be included in the 2024 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.e in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.f in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget with an amendment to read expansion of Tier 1 service to Aspen Ridge and Brighton remain at the current service level in 2024.

  
  
  
  

  (Motion withdrawn following discussion)

  
  
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.g in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (3)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, and Councillor Donauer
  Against: (8)	Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  DEFEATED (3 to 8)
• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That Option 5.h in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget. 

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That Option 6 - Reduce Snow and Ice Management Program Inflation in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  
  
  
  

• IN AMENDMENT

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the snow program defer $53,900 of the inflation impact in 2024 reducing the amount from $353,900 to $300,000 and $44,600 in 2025 reducing the amount from $394,600 to $350,000.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)	Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, and Councillor Gersher
  Against: (5)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED (6 to 5)

• VOTE ON MOTION AS AMENDED

  Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That Option 6 - Reduce Snow and Ice Management Program Inflation in the report, as amended be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Block, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That Option 7 – Reduce Street Cleaning and Sweeping Inflation in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, Councillor Gersher, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (1)	Councillor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED (10 to 1)
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That Option 8.a in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget.

  
  

  In Favour: (7)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (4)	Mayor Clark, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Gough, and Councillor Gersher

  
  
  
  CARRIED (7 to 4)
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That Option 8.b in the report be included in the 2024/25 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget. 

  
  

  In Favour: (9)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Hill, Councillor Jeffries, Mayor Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton
  Against: (2)	Councillor Gough, and Councillor Gersher

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 2)

4.3.2

Community Support Business Line Information [GPC2023-0616]

Due to time constraints at the June 22, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the July 25, 2023 Special meeting. A revised report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.3.3

Saskatoon Fire Business Line Information Report [GPC2023-0618]

Due to time constraints at the June 22, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the July 25, 2023 Special meeting. A revised report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.3.4

Environmental Health Business Line Information [GPC2023-0701]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided along with a letter submitting comments from Mackenzie Burnett and Ines Sanchez-Rodriguez, Saskatoon Climate Hub, dated July 24, 2023.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.3.5

Taxation and General Revenues Business Line Budgetary Information [GPC2023-0615]

Due to time constraints at the June 22, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the July 25, 2023 Special meeting.

A revised report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided along with a letter submitting comments from DeeAnn Mercier, Broadway Business Improvement District, Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon and Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale Business Improvement District, dated July 24, 2023.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.3.6

Land Development Business Line Information [GPC2023-0702]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.3.7

Arts, Culture and Events Venues Business Line Budgetary Information [GPC2023-0614]

Due to time constraints at the June 22, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee Special meeting, this matter was deferred to the July 25, 2023 Special meeting. A revised report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.4

FTE Reports

4.4.1

Full-Time Equivalent Municipal Comparison [GPC2023-0605]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.4.2

Impacts of Hiring Freeze or Not Adding Future Staff [GPC2023-0605]

A report of the City Manager's Office was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.4.3

Temporary Workforce Report [GPC2023-0704]

A report of the Human Resources Division was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

4.5

Comparing the Growth in Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Operating Budgetary Expenditures 2017 - 2023 [CC2023-0604]

A report of the City Manager's Office was provided.

Due to time constraints, this matter was not considered.

5.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m.