PUBLIC MINUTES

GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 9:30 A.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

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

ABSENT:

• Councillor S. Gersher

ALSO PRESENT:

• City Manager J. Jorgenson
• City Solicitor C. Yelland
• City Clerk A. Tittemore
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant

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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.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  1. That the request to speak from Julia Adamson, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., dated May 13, 2024 be added to Item 8.1.1;
  2. That the request to speak from Julia Adamson, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., dated May 13, 2024 be added to Item 8.3.1;
  3. That the following requests to speak be added to Item 8.3.4:
     • Toby Esterby, Saskatoon Community Clinic, dated May 8, 2024
     • Shirley Isbister, CUMFI, dated May 9, 2024
     • Riley Chouinard, dated May 12, 2024
     • Myron Rogal, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, dated May 13, 2024
     • Russel Nadin, dated May 13, 2024
     • Tayyaba Farraq, dated May 13, 2024 - Withdrawn
     • Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale Business Improvement District, dated May 13, 2024
     • Nicola Classen, Prairie Community Coalition, dated May 13, 2024
     • Sana Ahmad, dated May 13, 2024;
  4. That the items with speakers be considered immediately following consideration of Adoption of Minutes:
     • 7.1
       • Superintendent Pringle
     • 8.1.1
       • Julia Adamson
     • 8.3.1
       • Julia Adamson
     •  8.3.4
       • Toby Esterby
       • Shirley Isbister
       • Riley Chouinard
       • Myron Rogal
       • Russel Nadin
       • Randy Pshebylo
       • Nicola Classen
       • Sana Ahmad; and
  5. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Councillor Jeffries entered the meeting at 9:32 a.m.

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the minutes of meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee dated April 10, 2024 be adopted. 

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

REQUESTS TO SPEAK (new matters)

7.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

7.1

Saskatoon Police Service - Community Policing to Community Governance [GPC2024-0503]

An email from the Board of Police Commissioners, dated April 5, 2024 was provided along with a report of the Saskatoon Police Service, dated March 8, 2024.

Superintendent Pringle, Saskatoon Police Service, presented the report and responded to questions of Committee.

City Manager Jorgenson also responded to questions of Committee. 

• Moved By: Councillor Gough

  That the report be referred to Administration for a report back within 4 months on progress on the administrative leadership structure currently in development around Community Safety and Well-being. That this report include an update on the anticipated Community Safety and Well-being Framework and consideration of how the four areas of CSWB planning will be led and coordinated: incident response, risk intervention, prevention, and social development.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

8.1

Decision Reports

8.1.1

Julia Adamson – Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. – Proclamations Limited to One Per Year for Organizations [GPC2024-0305]

A report of the City Solicitor's Office is provided along with a request to speak from Julia Adamson, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., dated May 13, 2024.

City Solicitor Yelland presented the report. 

City Clerk Tittemore responded to questions regarding lighting of civic facilities. 

Julia Adamson addressed committee in support of option 2 and encouraged the City of Saskatoon to register for the ParticiPACTION Challenge. 

General Manager, Community Services Lacroix responded to questions around the ParticiPACTION Challenge. 

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee recommend to City Council that Policy No. C01-028, The Flag and Proclamations Policy be amended to:

  1. Allow an organization to apply for up to two proclamations per calendar year (Option 2: Change the Policy to Allow Two Proclamations Per Organization Per Calendar Year); and
  2. Add requests for lighting displays at civic facilities to the Policy using the same criteria as flag raisings.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.2

Approval Reports

8.3

Information Reports

• Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the reports submitted as Items 8.3.1 to 8.3.7 be received as information.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3.1

Delivering on the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan - 2023 Progress Report [GPC2024-0502]

A report of the Strategy and Transformation Division was provided along with a request to speak from Julia Adamson, Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc., dated May 13, 2024.

Director of Organizational Strategy Execution Okochi presented the report and together with City Manager Jorgenson responded to questions of Committee.

It was noted that Julia Adamson was not present.  

Item 8.3.4 was considered next.

8.3.2

2023 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability (SSS) [GPC2024-0501]

A report of the Strategy and Transformation Division was provided.

Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Anger presented the report.  A 2023 Savings Summary was displayed and a short video was played.  

The meeting recessed at 12:54 p.m. and reconvened at 1:43 p.m. with all members in attendance with the exception of Councillors Gersher, Davies, and Kirton.

8.3.3

Public Safety and Communication [CC2024-0105]

A report of the Saskatoon Fire Department was provided.

Assistant Chief Raymer presented the report.

Item 8.3.5 was considered next.

8.3.4

Access to Public Washrooms and Drinking Water [PDCS 2023-0612 and PDCS 2023-0613]

A report of the Saskatoon Fire Department is provided.

Requests to speak from the following are provided:

• Toby Esterby, Saskatoon Community Clinic, dated May 8, 2024
• Shirley Isbister, CUMFI, dated May 9, 2024
• Riley Chouinard, dated May 12, 2024
• Myron Rogal, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, dated May 13, 2024
• Russel Nadin, dated May 13, 2024
• Tayyaba Farroq, dated May 13, 2024
• Randy Pshebylo, Riversdale Business Improvement District, dated May 13, 2024
• Nicola Classen, Prairie Community Coalition, dated May 13, 2024
• Sana Ahmad, dated May 13, 2024

Director of Emergency Management Goulden-McLeod presented the report and together with City Manager Jorgenson responded to questions of Committee.

Director of Facilities Management Hamoline and General Manager, Environment and Utilities Gardiner also responded to questions of Committee.

Committee heard from the following speakers:

- Toby Esterby, Chief Operations Officer, Saskatoon Community Clinic - responded to questions

Committee recessed at 11:08 a.m. and reconvened at 11:18 a.m. with all members of Committee in attendance (Councillors Davies and Gough virtual), with the exception of Councillor Kirton.  

- Shirley Isbister, President of CUMFI - responded to questions

Councillor Kirton re-entered the meeting at 11:22 a.m. during the presentation from the above speaker.

- Riley Chouinard

- Myron Rogal, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon

- Russel Nadin - displayed a map and short video 

It was noted that the request from Tayyaba Farroq was withdrawn.

- Randy Pshebylo, Executive Director, Riversdale BID - provided a letter dated May 15, 2024 - responded to questions

- Nicola Classen, Prairie Community Coalition

- Sana Ahmad

Discussion followed and Administration responded to questions of Committee.

Item 8.3.2 was considered next.

8.3.5

Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission – Council Resourcing Recommendations [GPC2024-0504]

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

City Clerk Tittemore presented the report and responded to questions of Committee. 

Councillors Davies and Kirton re-entered the meeting respectively at 1:44 p.m. and 1:47 p.m.

• Moved By: Mayor Clark

  That the Administration report back outlining options to increase the levels of resources allocated to the Councillors, including options for additional staffing in the Councillors’ Office and/or increase to the CCRA and travel/training allowance informed by further consultation and analysis of where those resources could be most beneficial.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That Admin report on population thresholds and a jurisdictional scan of Canadian cities moving to a model of fulltime councillors and associated staffing. 

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3.6

2024 Local Government Elections - Establishment of Polls (Including Special Polls and Homebound Voting), Polling Places and Hours of Voting [GPC2023-0502]

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

Returning Officer Bryant presented the report and responded to questions of Committee.

8.3.7

2024 Local Government Election - Remuneration of Election Officials [GPC2023-0502]

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

City Clerk Tittemore presented the report and responded to questions of Committee.

9.

MOTIONS (notice previously given)

10.

URGENT BUSINESS

11.

GIVING NOTICE

12.

VERBAL UPDATES

12.1

Council Members - His Worship the Mayor, FCM/SUMA, Boards, Committees and Commissions

Deputy Mayor Loewen provided an update from the recent SUMA convention. 

12.2

Administration

13.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the Committee move In Camera to consider the following items.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13.1

Verbal Updates

13.1.1

Council Members - His Worship the Mayor; FCM/SUMA; Boards, Committees & Commissions; Personnel Subcommittee (if required)

13.1.2

Administration

13.1.2.1

City Manager Updates

[In Camera - Sections 13, 14, 15(1), 16(1), 17, 18(1), 19 and 20 LAFOIP]

13.2

Code of Conduct - Complaint

[In Camera - Solicitor/Client Privilege; Personal Information; Investigation - Sections 14,16(1)(b), 21 and 28 of LAFOIP]

13.3

Appointments - Boards, Commissions and Committees [CK 225-4-3]

In Camera - Consultations/Deliberations; Personal Information - Sections 16(1)(c) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP]

13.3.1

Appointments - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

13.3.2

Appointments and Resignation - Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee

13.3.3

Appointments - Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee

13.3.4

Appointments - Marr Residence Management Board

13.3.5

Appointments - Municipal Planning Commission

13.3.6

Appointments - Board of Revision

13.3.7

Appointments - Centennial Auditorium and Convention Centre Corporation Board of Directors and Centennial Auditorium Foundation Board of Directors (TCU Place)

14.

RISE AND REPORT

The Committee convened In Camera at 2:30 p.m. with the following in attendance as noted: 

• All Committee members (Councillors Gough and Davies virtual), with the exception of Councillor Gersher
• City Manager Jorgenson
• City Solicitor Yelland
• City Clerk Tittemore
• Deputy City Clerk Bryant
• Chief Financial Officer Hack
• General Manager, Community Services Lacroix
• General Manager, Environment & Utilities Gardiner
• General Manager, Transportation & Construction Schmidt
• Chief Public Policy and Government Relations Jordan (virtual)
• Chief of Staff Beveridge (virtual)

For portions of 13.1.2.1:

• Chief Human Resources Officer McInnes
• Director of Human Resources Shared Services Mack
• Director of Saskatoon Land Long
• Director of Planning and Development Anderson
• Regional Services Manager Heinrichs

The meeting recessed at 4:06 p.m. and reconvened at 4:16 p.m. in Committee Room A with all members of Committee in attendance (Councillor Davies and Gough virtual), with the exception of Councillor Gersher.

All administration were excused for item 13.2, with the exception of the City Solicitor and City Clerk.

All administration were excused for item 13.3, with the exception of the City Manager, City Solicitor, City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk.

The Committee moved to rise and report. The In Camera portion of the meeting recessed at 4:50 p.m.

Committee  reconvened publicly with all members in attendance with the exception of Mayor Clark and Councillors Davies, Gersher, Kirton, and Gough and reported as follows:

• 13.1    Verbal Updates

  13.1.1 Council Members - His Worship the Mayor; FCM/SUMA; Boards, Committees & Commissions; Personnel Subcommittee

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the information and the discussion remain In Camera under Sections 13, 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(1), 19, 20 and 21 of LAFOIP.  

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.1.2 Administration

  13.1.2.1        City Manager Updates

  [In Camera - Sections 13, 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(1), 19 and 20 LAFOIP]

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Sections 13, 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(1), 19 and 20 of LAFOIP.

  
  

  In Favour (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Loewen, Councillor Block, and Councillor Dubois
  Against (1)	Councillor Hill
  Absent (5)	Councillor Davies, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gough, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED

• 13.2    Council Code of Conduct - Complaint

  [In Camera - Solicitor/Client Privilege; Personal Information; Investigation - Sections 14,16(1)(b), 21 and 28 of LAFOIP]

  Moved By: Councillor Block

  That the information and the discussion remain In Camera under Section 14, 16(1)(b), 21 and 28 of LAFOIP.  

  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.3    Appointments - Boards, Commissions and Committees [CK 225-4-3]

  [In Camera - Consultations/Deliberations; Personal Information - Sections 16(1)(c) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP]

  13.3.2 Appointments and Resignation - Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee

  13.3.3 Appointments - Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee

  13.3.4 Appointments - Marr Residence Management Board

  13.3.5 Appointments - Municipal Planning Commission

  13.3.6 Appointments - Board of Revision

  13.3.7 Appointments - Centennial Auditorium and Convention Centre Corporation Board of Directors and Centennial Auditorium Foundation Board of Directors (TCU Place)

  Moved By: Councillor Block
  1. That the recommended appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees and any further direction, as noted by the City Clerk, be reported to the May 29, 2024 Regular Business meeting; and
  2. That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Sections 16(1)(c) and (d) and 28 of LAFOIP.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

15.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m.