MINUTES

REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Council Chamber, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Her Worship, Mayor C. Block, in the Chair
• Councillor T. Davies, via teleconference
• Councillor R. Donauer
• Councillor B. Dubois
• Councillor S. Ford
• Councillor Z. Jeffries, via teleconference
• Councillor H. Kelleher
• Councillor K. MacDonald, via teleconference
• Councillor J. Parker
• Councillor R. Pearce
• Councillor S. Timon

ALSO PRESENT:

• City Manager J. Jorgenson, via teleconference
• City Solicitor C. Yelland
• Chief Financial Officer C. Hack
• General Manager, Community Services C. Anger
• General Manager, Transportation & Construction T. Schmidt
• General Manager, Utilities & Environment A. Gardiner, via teleconference
• City Clerk A. Tittemore
• Committee Assistant H. Janzen

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1.

NATIONAL ANTHEM AND 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
  Seconded By: Councillor Timon
  1. That the letter submitting comments from Stevie Horn, Chair, Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, dated February 22, 2025, be added to Item 8.3.1; 
  2. That the following letters be added to Item 8.3.2:
     • Requesting to Speak 
       • Angela Bishop, Camponi Housing, dated February 21, 2025; 
       • Ahmad Majid, Saskatoon Open Door Society, dated February 24, 2025; 
     • Submitting Comments
       • David Morrison, Arbutus Properties, dated February 24, 2025;
       • Jamie Kirkpatrick, dated February 24, 2025; 
  3. That the items with speakers be considered immediately following consideration of the Consent Agenda;
     • 8.3.2
       • Angela Bishop, Camponi Housing; 
       • Ahmad Majid, Saskatoon Open Door Society; and 
  4. ​That the agenda be confirmed as amended.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  Seconded By: Councillor Ford

  ​That the minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of City Council held on January 29, 2025, be approved.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

5.

PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

5.1

In Remembrance of Ed Schultz

Mayor Block recognized the loss of Ed Schultz and spoke to his time at the City of Saskatoon. She passed along condolences to family, friends and IT department followed, by a moment of silence.  

5.2

Council Members

This is a standing item on the agenda in order to provide Council Members an opportunity to provide any public acknowledgements. 

Mayor Block

Mayor Block acknowledged that February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the rich history and culture of the Black Community in Saskatoon but also reflect on the progress made and recognize the work to still be done to create a more diverse and inclusive City.  

Mayor Block congratulated the four graduates from the City of Saskatoon Civic Internship Program. She also acknowledged that February 26th is Pink Shirt Day and recognized the pink shirts and pink buttons in the Council Chambers. 

Councillor Timon

Councillor Timon also acknowledged February as Black History Month and that it is not only a time to celebrate but also a time to recognize the challenges and work ahead of us. 

6.

QUESTION PERIOD

Councillor Dubois - Snow Removal

Councillor Dubois asked for an update on the current snow removal, snow melt and if further PSAs could be sent out.

General Manager, Transportation and Construction Schmidt responded that on February 21, 2025, a city-wide snow grading operation for residential and industrial streets started. This was initiated due to the changing temperatures to help with the slush and rutting. Multiple PSA's have been sent out and will continue to be sent out.

Councillor Dubois - Eastview Garbage Collection

Councillor Dubois asked about the community engagement regarding the possibility of moving garbage pickup from the back lanes to the front.

General Manager, Utilities and Environment Gardiner responded that the engagement process is underway, letters had been sent out, an information session was held, and an online survey was available. The online survey will be reopened to allow for further engagement.

Councillor Timon - Housing Accelerator Funds

Councillor Timon asked for an update regarding the housing accelerator funding.

Senior Project Planner Gutmann responded that 25% of the housing accelerator funding has been received and the annual report has been submitted to receive the second allocation, which will make it 50% of the funding received.

Councillor Pearce - Back Alley Snow Removal 

Councillor Pearce asked about snow removal in back alleys. 

General Manager, Transportation and Construction responded that he did not have the information on hand but will provide it offline. 

7.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

Item 8.3.2 was removed from the Consent Agenda.

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  Seconded By: Councillor Pearce

  ​That the Committee recommendations contained in Items 8.2.1 to 8.2.3; 8.3.1, 8.3.3; 8.4.1 to 8.4.2; and 8.5.1 to 8.5.5 be adopted as one motion.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

  Item 8.3.2 was considered next. 

  
  

8.1

Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services

8.2

Standing Policy Committee Transportation

8.2.1

Temporary Reserved Parking Program – Council Policy [TS2025-0201]

• 1. That the Temporary Reserved Parking Program Council Policy be approved; and
  2. That the City Clerk’s Office be requested to introduce City Council Policy No. CO-XXXX
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.2.2

2024 Annual Report –Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee [ADV2025-0101]

• That the 2024 Annual Report for the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee be received as information.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.2.3

2025 Work Plan - Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee [ADV2025-0104]

• That the 2025 Work Plan for the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee be received as information.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3

Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development & Community Services

8.3.1

Heritage Conservation Program Strategy – Interim Options Report [PDCS2025-0201]

A letter submitting comments from Stevie Horn, Chair, Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, dated February 22, 2025, was provided. 

• 1. That Option 2 be approved for further development; and
  2. That Administration be directed to bring forward a final Heritage Conservation Program Strategy built on Option 2, along with a detailed implementation and funding plan for consideration during the 2026/2027 Business Plan and Budget Deliberations.
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3.3

Mobile Food Truck and Trailer and Parking Patio Parking Fees [PDCS2025-0202]

• 1. That the City Clerk be instructed to make the proposed amendments to Council Policy C09-039, Mobile Food Truck Policy, as outlined in the February 5, 2025 report of the Community Services Division; and
  2. That the City Clerk be instructed to make the proposed amendments to Council Policy C09-013, Use of Sidewalks, Boulevards and Parking Stalls Vending, as outlined in the report.
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.3.2

City-Owned Land Incentives 2025 [FI2024-0308, GPC2023-0503]

The following letters were provided:

Requesting to Speak

• Angela Bishop, Camponi Housing, dated February 21, 2025; and 
• Ahmad Majid, Saskatoon Open Door Society, dated February 24, 2025.  

Submitting Comments 

• David Morrison, Arbutus Properties, dated February 24, 2025; and 
• Jamie Kirkpatrick, dated February 24, 2025.

This item was removed from the Consent Agenda. 

Council heard from the following:

• Angela Bishop, Camponi Housing, who responded to questions of Council; and 
• Ahmad Majid, Saskatoon Open Door Society, who also responded to questions of Council. 

Housing Manager King, Senior Project Planner Williamson and City Manager Jorgenson responded to questions of Council. 

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  Seconded By: Councillor Pearce
  1. That Five-year incremental tax abatements for three projects, for the development of 256 new affordable rental units, estimated at a total of $1,938,067.30, as outlined in Appendix 1, be approved;
  2. That Corporate Revenue be requested to submit an application under the Provincial Government’s Education Property Tax Exemption/Abatement Program seeking approval for a five-year tax abatement, equivalent to 100% of the incremental Education property taxes, for the development of affordable housing units at 231 23^rd Street East and 155 3^rd Avenue North and a portion of 1635 McKercher Drive;
  3. That an exception to Council Policy No. C09-002 Innovative Housing Incentives to waive all offsite levies for a portion of 1635 McKercher Drive, as outlined in this report, be approved; and
  4. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate agreements and that Her Worship the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreements under the Corporate Seal.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

  Item 11.2.1 was considered next. 

  
  

8.4

Standing Policy Committee on Finance

8.4.1

January 2025 Government Funding Applications [FI2025-0202]

• 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.
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.4.2

Property Tax Liens 2024 [FI2025-0203]

• That 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.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.5

Governance and Priorities Committee

8.5.1

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

• That the February 12, 2025, report of the City Clerk’s Office be received as information, in accordance with Council Policy C01-023, the City Councillors’ Travel and Training Policy.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.5.2

City Council Car Allowance - 2024 [GPC2025-0203]

• That the February 12, 2025, report of the City Clerk’s Office be received as information, in accordance with Council Policy C01-023, the City Councillors’ Travel and Training Policy.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.5.3

Appeals Boards – Appointment of Secretary [GPC2025-0205]

• 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
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.5.4

2025 Appointments - Saskatoon Appeal Board

• That the following be appointed to the Saskatoon Appeal Board to the end of 2026:

  • Cheryl Cook
  • Roy Fleming
  • Sandra Maxwell
  • Don Stiller
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.5.5

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

• That the City’s representative be instructed to vote the City’s proxy at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Saskatchewan Place Association Inc. Board of Directors for the appointment of E.J. Babey throughout a term expiring at the conclusion of the 2027 Annual General Meeting.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (not on Consent Agenda)

9.1

Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services

9.2

Standing Policy Committee Transportation

9.3

Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development & Community Services

9.4

Standing Policy Committee on Finance

9.5

Governance and Priorities Committee

10.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

10.1

Transportation & Construction

10.2

Utilities & Environment

10.3

Community Services

10.4

Saskatoon Fire

10.5

Corporate Financial Services

10.6

Strategy & Transformation

10.7

Human Resources

10.8

Public Policy & Government Relations

11.

LEGISLATIVE REPORTS

11.1

Office of the City Clerk

11.2

Office of the City Solicitor

11.2.1

The Temporary Sign Amendment Bylaw, 2025 and The Recreation Facilities and Parks Usage Amendment Bylaw, 2025 - Proposed Bylaw Nos. 10057 and 10058 [GPC2023-0501 PDCS2024-0602]

City Solicitor Yelland presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Pearce
  Seconded By: Councillor Timon

  ​That permission be granted to introduce Bylaw No. 10057, The Temporary Sign Amendment Bylaw, 2025; and Bylaw No. 10058, The Recreation Facilities and Parks Usage Amendment Bylaw, 2025; and give same their FIRST reading.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  Seconded By: Councillor Ford

  ​That Bylaw Nos. 10057 and 10058 now be read a SECOND time.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Kelleher
  Seconded By: Councillor Parker

  That permission be granted to have Bylaw Nos. 10057 and 10058 read a third time at this meeting.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Timon
  Seconded By: Councillor Dubois

  ​That Bylaw Nos. 10057 and 10058 now be read a THIRD time, that the bylaw be passed and the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to sign same and attach the corporate seal thereto.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  Seconded By: Councillor Parker

  That City Council instruct the City Clerk to:

  • repeal Council Policy No. C10-001, Soliciting in Public Parks; and
  • amend Council Policy No. C10-026, Seasonal Commercial Enterprise in Parks, as outlined in the report.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

11.2.2

The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Tax Exemption Bylaw, 2025 - Proposed Bylaw No. 10055 [GPC2023-1002 CC2024-0202]

City Solicitor Yelland presented the report.

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  Seconded By: Councillor Kelleher

  ​That permission be granted to introduce Bylaw No. 10055, The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Tax Exemption Bylaw, 2025; and give same its FIRST reading.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Pearce
  Seconded By: Councillor Ford

  ​That Bylaw No. 10055 now be read a SECOND time.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  Seconded By: Councillor Pearce

  That permission be granted to have Bylaw No. 10055 read a third time at this meeting.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)
• Moved By: Councillor Pearce
  Seconded By: Councillor Kelleher

  ​That Bylaw No. 10055 now be read a THIRD time, that the bylaw be passed and the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to sign same and attach the corporate seal thereto.

  In Favour: (11)

  Councillor Davies, Councillor Jeffries, Councillor Donauer, Mayor Block, Councillor Dubois, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Ford, Councillor MacDonald, Councillor Parker, Councillor Pearce, and Councillor Timon

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (11 to 0)

12.

OTHER REPORTS

13.

INQUIRIES

13.1

Councillor R. Pearce - Financial Impact of Carbon Tax [CC2025-0202]

Councillor Pearce made the following inquiry:

“Would the Administration report back on the estimated financial impact the Carbon Tax has had on the City of Saskatoon from 2020 to 2024." 

14.

MOTIONS (NOTICE PREVIOUSLY GIVEN)

15.

URGENT BUSINESS

16.

GIVING NOTICE

17.

IN CAMERA SESSION (OPTIONAL)

18.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10:49 a.m.