PUBLIC MINUTES

GOVERNANCE AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 5:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Deputy Mayor S. Timon, Chair
• Mayor C. Block
• Councillor T. Davies
• Councillor R. Donauer
• Councillor S. Ford
• Councillor Z. Jeffries
• Councillor H. Kelleher
• Councillor K. MacDonald
• Councillor J. Parker
• Councillor R. Pearce

ABSENT:

• Councillor B. Dubois

ALSO PRESENT:

• A/City Manager T. Schmidt
• City Solicitor C. Yelland
• A/City Clerk S. Bryant
• 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.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  1. That the request to speak from Steph Clovechok, Discover Saskatoon, dated February 6, 2025 be added to Item 11.1;
  2. That the letter from Tyrell Harder, dated February 6, 2025 be added to Item 12.1; and
  3. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Davies

  That the minutes of meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee dated January 21, 2025, be adopted. 

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

6.1

Decision Reports

6.2

Approval Reports

6.2.1

City Council Travel and Training Expenses - 2024 [GPC2025-0202]

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

A/City Clerk Bryant presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee:

  1. Approve the allocation of travel and training expenditures for 2024; and
  2. Forward the February 12, 2025 report of the City Clerk's Office to City Council for information, in accordance with Council Policy No. C01-023, City Councillors’ Travel and Training.
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2.2

City Council Car Allowance - 2024 [GPC2025-0203]

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

A/City Clerk Bryant presented the report and noted a correction to the report for Mayor Block expenditures as Councillor in 2024 should be $344.54. The report will be updated when it is considered at the City Council Regular Business meeting to be held on February 26, 2025.

• Moved By: Councillor Ford

  That the Governance and Priorities Committee:

  1. Approve the allocation of car allowance expenditures for 2024; and
  2. Forward the February 12, 2025 report of the City Clerk's Office to City Council for information, in accordance with Council Policy No. C01-023, City Councillors’ Travel and Training.
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2.3

Appeals Boards – Appointment of Secretary [GPC2025-0205]

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

A/City Clerk Bryant presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Pearce

  That the Governance and Priorities Committees recommend to Council that the City Clerk, or their designate, be appointed as Secretary to the following appeals boards and as outlined in the February 12, 2025 report of the City Clerk's Office:

  • The Saskatoon Appeal Board
  • The Board of Revision
  • The Development Appeals Board
  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3

Information Reports

6.3.1

Council Communications and Constituency Relations Allowance - 2024 [GPC2025-0204]

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

A/City Clerk Bryant presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Kelleher

  That the information be received.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.

MOTIONS (notice previously given)

8.

URGENT BUSINESS

9.

GIVING NOTICE

10.

VERBAL UPDATES

10.1

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

10.2

Administration

11.

REQUESTS TO SPEAK (new matters)

11.1

Combined Business Group - Business Friendly Saskatoon Principles [GPC2025-0206]

A letter from the Combined Business Group was provided along with a request to speak from Steph Clovechok, Discover Saskatoon, dated February 6, 2025.

Steph Clovechok, Discover Saskatoon, spoke to the Committee on behalf of the Combined Business Group and requested the City formally endorse and adopt the six Business-Friendly Saskatoon Principles, as outlined in the letter from the Combined Business Group.

• Moved By: Councillor Davies

  That the information be received.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

12.

COMMUNICATIONS (requiring the direction of the Committee)

12.1

Ashu M. G. Solo - Campaign Finance Reform for Saskatoon City Council Candidates [GPC2025-0201]

A letter from Ashu M. G. Solo, dated January 30, 2025 was provided along with letter from Tyrell Harder, dated February 6, 2025.

A/City Clerk Bryant presented the item.

• Moved By: Councillor Pearce

  That the information be received.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

13.

IN CAMERA SESSION

• Moved By: Councillor MacDonald

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

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

  The public portion of the meeting recessed at 9:50 a.m.

  
  

13.1

Integrity Commissioner Contract

[In Camera - Contractual or other Negotiations - Section 16(1)(c) of LAFOIP]

13.2

Verbal Updates

13.2.1

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

13.2.2

Administration

13.2.2.1

City Manager Updates

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

13.3

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

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

13.3.1

2025 Appointments - Saskatoon Appeal Board

13.3.2

Resignation - Development Appeals Board

13.3.3

2025 Appointments - Saskatchewan Place Association Board of Directors (Sasktel Centre)

13.4

Economic/Financial - Other Interests

[In Camera - Economic/Financial and Other Interests - Section 17 of LAFOIP]

14.

RISE AND REPORT

The Committee convened In Camera at 9:52 a.m. The following were in attendance as noted: 

• All Committee members (with the exception of Councillor Dubois)
• A/City Manager Schmidt
• City Solicitor Yelland
• A/City Clerk Bryant
• Committee Assistant Walter
• Deputy City Solicitor Bleakney
• Solicitor Glum

The Committee moved to rise and report. The In Camera portion of the meeting recessed at 10:46 a.m.

The Committee reconvened publicly, and reported as follows:

• 13.1    Integrity Commissioner Contract

  Moved By: Councillor Davies

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

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.2    Verbal Updates

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

  Moved By: Councillor Davies

  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 (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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

  Moved By: Councillor Davies

  That the recommended appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees and any further direction, as noted by the A/City Clerk and reports, be reported to the February 26, 2025 Regular Business meeting.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

• 13.4    Economic/Financial - Other Interests

  Moved By: Councillor Davies

  That the information and the discussion remain In Camera under Section 17 of LAFOIP.

  
  

  In Favour (10)	Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon
  Absent (1)	Councillor Dubois

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

15.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.