PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, February 05, 2025 at 2:00 P.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Councillor Z. Jeffries, Chair
• Councillor R. Pearce, Vice Chair
• Councillor R. Donauer
• Councillor B. Dubois
• Councillor S. Ford, at 2:08 p.m.

ABSENT:

• Her Worship, Mayor C. Block (Ex-Officio)

ALSO PRESENT:

• Chief Financial Officer C. Hack
• Deputy City Solicitor C. Bogad
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant
• Committee Assistant M. 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: Councillor Donauer

  That the agenda be confirmed as presented.

  
  

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (2)	Mayor Block, and Councillor Ford

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

  That the minutes of regular meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance held on January 15, 2025, be adopted.

  
  

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (2)	Mayor Block, and Councillor Ford

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

6.1

Decision Reports

6.2

Approval Reports

6.2.1

January 2025 Government Funding Applications [FI2025-0202]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report and along with Licensing and Permitting Manager Wilson responded to questions of Committee.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois

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

  1. That if the application for the Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund is approved, City Council authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Agreement under the Corporate Seal; and
  2. That if required, the Senior Financial Business Partner be granted delegated authority to sign and submit progress reports and financial claims related to the program.
  
  

  In Favour: (4)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (2)	Mayor Block, and Councillor Ford

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2.2

Property Tax Liens 2024 [FI2025-0203]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report.

Councillor Ford entered the meeting at 2:08 p.m. during the presentation.

• Moved By: Councillor Ford

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Finance recommend to City Council that the City Solicitor be instructed to take the necessary actions under provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act with respect to properties with 2024 tax liens.

  
  

  In Favour: (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Ford, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (1)	Mayor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3

Information Reports

• Moved By: Councillor Pearce

  That the reports contained in Items 6.3.1 to 6.3.3 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Ford, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (1)	Mayor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3.1

S&P Global Ratings 2023 – City of Saskatoon [FI2025-0201]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report and responded to questions of Committee.

6.3.2

Overview of the 2025 Assessment Roll [FI2025-0204]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

City Assessor Trew presented the report with a PowerPoint and responded to questions of Committee. 

• Motion Arising

  Moved By: Councillor Pearce

  Whereas the 2025 Reassessment has a base date of January 1, 2023;
   
  And whereas any potential reduction in property values due to the shelter in Fairhaven which opened in late fall of 2022 will not be accounted for in the 2025 Reassessment;
   
  Therefore, I move that the Administration report back by May 7, 2025, on this issue including implications and options for how property tax could be adjusted in this area.

  
  

  In Favour: (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Ford, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (1)	Mayor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3.3

2024 Update on Open Market Land Sale Transactions [FI2023-0204]

A report of the Corporate Financial Services Division was provided.

Chief Financial Officer Hack presented the report.

7.

MOTIONS (notice previously given)

8.

URGENT BUSINESS

9.

GIVING NOTICE

10.

REQUESTS TO SPEAK (new matters)

11.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

12.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  ​That the following items be considered In Camera.

  
  

  In Favour: (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Ford, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (1)	Mayor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

12.1

External Audit Matter

[In Camera - Audits and Tests, Section 19 of LAFOIP]

12.2

Audit Matter

[In Camera - Audits and Tests, Section 19 of LAFOIP]

13.

RISE AND REPORT

The Standing Policy Committee on Finance convened In Camera at 2:43 p.m. in the Council Chamber with all members of Committee present, with the exception of Mayor Block.

Also present were:

- Deputy City Solicitor Bogad

- Chief Financial Officer Hack

- City Auditor Thomson

- Deputy City Clerk Bryant

- Committee Assistant Lasby

-General Manager, Transportation and Construction Schmidt

-Director of Finance Smith

-Mr. Ledun, Deloitte (for Item 12.1)

-Mr. Imran, Deloitte – Virtual (for Item 12.1)

The In Camera portion of the meeting concluded at 3:27 p.m.

The Committee reconvened publicly at 3:27 p.m. with all members of Committee present, with the exception of Mayor Block.  

The Committee reported further as follows:

 

• 12.1 External Audit Matter

  Moved By: Councillor Pearce

  That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Section 19 of LAFOIP.

  
  

  In Favour: (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Ford, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (1)	Mayor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 12.2 Audit Matter

  Moved By: Councillor Pearce

  That the information and discussion remain In Camera under Section 19 of LAFOIP.

  
  

  In Favour: (5)	Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Ford, and Councillor Pearce
  Absent (1)	Mayor Block

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

14.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.