PUBLIC MINUTES

SASKATOON ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Friday, February 21, 2025 at 11:30 A.m. - 1:30 P.m.

Committee Room E, Ground Floor, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Robin Steeg, Public, Vice Chair
• Diane Bentley, Public, via teleconference
• Manvi Ghai, Public, via teleconference
• Ian Judd-Henrey, Public, via teleconference
• Erica Maier, Meewasin Valley Authority
• Terry Neefs, Public, via teleconference
• Colleen Steele, Public, via teleconference
• Siobhan Takala, Public

ABSENT:

• Angela Spence, Public, Chair
• Darren Hill, Saskatchewan Health Authority
• Danielle Kehler, Public
• Palash Sanyal, Public

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillor Kathryn MacDonald
• Metering & Sustainable Electricity Manager, Jose Cheruvallath
• Senior Transportation Engineer, Justine Marcoux
• Committee Assistant Mary Lasby

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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: C. Steele

  That the agenda be confirmed as presented.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Erica Maier declared a potential conflict of interest on Item 6.1 Candace Savage - Wild About Saskatoon - Request for Support for Urban Wildlife Information Network Saskatoon, due to Meewasin Valley Authority's involvement with the project. 

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES [CK 175-9-1]

• Moved By: I. Judd-Henrey

  That the minutes of the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee meeting held on January 24, 2025, be approved. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

6.1

Candace Savage - Wild about Saskatoon - Request for Support for Urban Wildlife Information Network Saskatoon

A letter requesting support from Candace Savage, Wild About Saskatoon, dated January 27, 2025, was provided. 

Erica Maier declared a potential conflict of interest on Item 6.1 Candace Savage - Wild About Saskatoon - Request for Support for Urban Wildlife Information Network Saskatoon, due to the Meewasin Valley Authority's involvement with the project. 

The Committee discussed the letter and funding request, and Erica Maier provided a summary of the background of the project. During discussion, the Committee indicated they would like to have more information about the project.

• Moved By: I. Judd-Henrey

  That the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee to be held on March 21, 2025.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

7.

VERBAL UPDATES

7.1

REPORT OF THE CHAIR [CK 175-9]

This is a standing item on the agenda to provide the Chair an opportunity to update on their activities since the last meeting.

No update was provided.

7.2

COMMITTEE OR RESOURCE MEMBER UPDATE [CK 175-9]

This is a standing item on the agenda to provide an opportunity for a Committee or Resource member to update on issues, trends, events, etc. that pertain to the Committee's mandate.

7.3

SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES [CK 375-4]

This is a standing item to provide an opportunity for the Subcommittee to report back on referred matters.

• Moved By: S. Takala

  That the updates provided in Items 7.3.1 to 7.3.2 be received as information.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

7.3.1

Education Subcommittee

The Education Subcommittee provided a verbal update that noted they had discussed getting in touch with campuses to engage students, build a volunteer base, and look at helping with summer jobs. 

7.3.2

Water Conservation and Quality Management Subcommittee

The Water Conservation and Quality Management Subcommittee provided a verbal update that noted they had not met yet but intended to meet in March.

8.

REFERRALS FROM COUNCIL OR COMMITTEE

9.

WORK PLAN CONSIDERATION

9.1

WORK PLAN AND REFERRALS TO STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE [CK 175-9]

This is a standing item on the agenda for the Committee, and/or any Subcommittee, to provide updates regarding items on its Work Plan and any matters being referred to the Standing Policy Committee for consideration.

As stated in the Terms of Reference, the Committee shall submit a work plan for the upcoming year to City Council, through the Standing Policy Committee on Environment Utilities and Corporate Services.

The draft 2025 Work Plan was provided and discussed at the meeting. 

During discussion, the Committee decided to approve the draft work plan with the footnote deleted and the word "broadcast" retained.

• Moved By: D. Bentley

  That the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee approve its Work Plan for 2025, for submission to City Council through the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services by March 31, 2025.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

10.

BUDGET - STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES FOR 2025 [CK 1704-5]

The current Statement of Expenditures was provided for the Committee's information. 

• Moved By: S. Takala

  That the information be received. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:06 p.m.