PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Tuesday, June 04, 2024 at 2:00 P.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Councillor D. Kirton, A/Chair
• Councillor S. Gersher via teleconference
• Councillor D. Hill
• His Worship Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio) via teleconference

ABSENT:

• Councillor B. Dubois, Chair
• Councillor R. Donauer

ALSO PRESENT:

• General Manager, Transportation & Construction T. Schmidt
• Deputy City Solicitor D. Kowalski
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant
• Committee Assistant H. Thompson

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The A/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 Hill
  1. That the following letters be added to item 7.1.1:
     • Request to Speak
       • Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated June 2, 2024
     • Submitting comments
       • Colleen Christopherson-Cote, Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership, dated June 3, 2024;
  2. That the items with speakers be considered immediately following Unfinished Business:
     
     • 6.1.1
       • Mary Fedun 
     • 7.1.1 
       • Robert Clipperton
  3. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

3.1

Councillor Gersher - Taxi Fare Review [TS2024-0602]

Councillor Gersher declared a conflict of interest on the above item due to a member of family being in business with something that can be perceived in conflict with the taxi and TNC industry.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 7, 2024, of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, be adopted.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

6.1

Requests to Speak (new matters)

6.1.1

Mary Fedun - State of Bus Safety Issues [TS2024-0601]

A letter requesting to speak from Mary Fedun, dated May 3, 2024, was provided.

The Committee heard from Mary Fedun on the matter, who responded to questions of the Committee.

General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt provided an update and responded to questions of the Committee.  

Fire Marshal Bradley along with Director of Saskatoon Transit Moellenbeck responded to questions of the Committee.

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the information be received.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2

Delegated Authority Matters

6.3

Matters Requiring Direction

7.

REPORTS OF THE ADMINSTRATION

7.1

Decision Reports

7.1.1

Saskatoon Transit – Implementing Free Child Fare [GPC2023-0703]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt.

The following letters were also provided:

Request to Speak

• Robert Clipperton, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, dated June 2, 2024 

Submitting Comments

• Colleen Christopherson-Cote - Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership, dated June 3, 2024.

The Committee heard from Robert Clipperton on the matter.

Director of Saskatoon Transit Moellenbeck along with General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt responded to questions of the Committee.

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommends to City Council:

  1. That the Administration be directed to pursue Option 1A Children in Grade 8 and under ride free;
  2. That the Administration be directed to pursue Option 2A Children self-verify to ride free; and
  3. That the City Solicitor be directed to make the necessary amendments to The Transit Fares Bylaw, 2004, as outlined in this report.
• Moved By: Mayor Clark

  4.  That the Administration provide a report back after one year of the implementation of the free child fare program.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2

Approval Reports

7.2.1

Taxi Fare Review [TS2024-0602]

A report of the Community Services Division was provided and presented by Licensing and Permitting Manager Wilson.

Councillor Gersher declared a conflict of interest due to a member of family being in business with something that can be perceived in conflict with the taxi and TNC industry. She was not present for consideration of this item.

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council that the City Solicitor be requested to prepare amendments to Bylaw No. 9651, The Vehicles for Hire Bylaw, 2019. to:

  1. Increase total taxi fares by approximately 5% by decreasing the distance rate of $0.25 for each additional 117 metres to $0.25 for each additional 110 metres or a portion thereof; and
  2. Increase the hourly taxi fares of $2.14, for each additional kilometre, in excess of 16 kilometres to $2.25, for each additional kilometre, in excess of 16 kilometres.

  In Favour: (3)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, and Councillor Kirton
  Conflict (1)	Councillor Gersher
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  Councillor Gersher re-entered the meeting.

  
  

7.2.2

Amendments to The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, 2005 [TS2024-0603]

A report of the Community Services Division was provided and presented by Bylaw Compliance Manager DeLong. 

She responded to questions of the Committee.

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council:

  1. That the proposed amendments to Bylaw No. 8463, The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, 2005, as outlined in this report, be approved; and
  2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the proposed amendments to Bylaw No. 8463, The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, 2005.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2.3

Proposed Amendments to Bylaw No. 7200, The Traffic Bylaw – Speed Limit Changes June 2024 [TS2024-0604]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by Director of Transportation Magus. 

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council:

  1. That the speed limit on Dudley Street between Avenue P South and Spadina Crescent West be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h;
  2. That the speed limit on Wiggins Avenue North from a point 50 metres south of Elliot Street to College Drive be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h; and
  3. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate amendments to Bylaw No. 7200, The Traffic Bylaw, effective September 30, 2024.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.2.4

Broadway Bridge Rehabilitation – Request for Early Tender [TS2024-0606]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt.

Engineering Manager Grabowski responded to questions of the Committee.

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation recommend to City Council that:

  1. The tender and awarding of Broadway Bridge Rehabilitation in 2024 be approved; and
  2. That the request to transfer remaining funding from other capital bridge projects to fully fund the Broadway Bridge Rehabilitation, as shown in Table 1, be approved.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3

Information Reports

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the reports contained in Items 7.3.1 to 7.3.2 be received as information.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.3.1

Committee Referrals – Standing Policy Committee on Transportation – June 2024 [TS2024-0607]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt.

7.3.2

Saskatoon Transit 2023 Annual Report [TS2024-0608]

A report of the Transportation and Construction Division was provided and presented by General Manager of Transportation and Construction Schmidt.

8.

MOTIONS (Notice Previously Given)

9.

URGENT BUSINESS

10.

GIVING NOTICE

11.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor Hill

  ​That the following item be considered In Camera.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.1

Investigation of Service Disruptions in Saskatoon Transit – June 2024 Update [TS2024-0605]

[In Camera - Labour/Personnel Matter - Section 16(1)(d) of LAFOIP]

12.

RISE AND REPORT

The Standing Policy Committee on Transportation convened In Camera at 3:36 p.m. in the Council Chamber with all members of Committee present with the exception of Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois.

Also present were:

- General Manager, Transportation & Construction Schmidt

- Chief Human Resources Officer McInnes

- City Solicitor Yelland

- Director of Saskatoon Transit Moellenbeck

- Respectful Workplace Consultant Brown

- Manager of Human Resources Business Partners Calder

- Fire Chief Wegren

- Deputy City Solicitor Kowalski

- Deputy City Clerk Bryant

- Committee Assistant Thompson

The In Camera portion of the meeting concluded at 3:54 p.m.

The Committee reconvened publicly at 3:56 p.m. with all members of Committee present with the exception of Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois.

The Committee reported further as follows:

• 11.1 Investigation of Service Disruptions in Saskatoon Transit – June 2024 Update

  Moved By: Councillor Hill

  That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Section 16(1)(d) of LAFOIP.

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Hill, Mayor Clark, Councillor Gersher, and Councillor Kirton
  Absent (2)	Councillor Donauer, and Councillor Dubois

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:56 p.m.